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House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has a fresh spring in his step after the Republicans defied the odds and professional political prognosticators by picking up 15 seats in the 2020 congressional elections. McCarthy, who has his eyes on the majority in November 2022, approached the 2020 congressional elections differently than Republicans in recent history have traditionally targeted congressional electoral efforts, and his moves paid off—and not only infuriated but befuddled the beltway pundit class. For the first time since 1994, in 2020 no GOP incumbent running for reelection lost. Meanwhile, McCarthy blew away fundraising records previously set by former House Speaker Paul Ryan—astonishing since he did it from the minority. Usually, House political leaders do better raising money from the majority. That’s not to mention the most significant development which is a freshman class entering Congress in 2021 that represents perhaps the most diverse in party history with the most … [Read more...] about Exclusive: After 2020 Gains, Kevin McCarthy Eyes House GOP Majority, Speaker’s Gavel in Midterms

TUSTIN (CBSLA) — As Orange County’s COVID-19 metrics continued to move closer to the less-restrictive red tier Wednesday, restaurant workers began to prepare for the possibility of indoor dining returning. Orange County restaurant owners hope that lower COVID case numbers are a sign that the county will be moving from the most-restrictive purple to the red tier in the coming weeks. READ MORE: Pasadena's Lucky Boy Burgers Sues Postmates Alleging Unfair Business Practices Business has dropped 35 percent at Christakis Greek Cuisine since indoor dining has stopped. (credit: CBSLA) At Christakis Greek Cuisine restaurant in Tustin, staff and customers were counting down the days until the dining room can reopen for business. The tables in the dining room have been sitting empty since November, but that’s expected to change soon. “We’re excited that there’s some movement hopefully,” said one customer. Under the red tier, restaurants would be permitted to reopen … [Read more...] about Restaurants Hopeful Orange County Will Soon Move To Red Tier, Allowing Indoor Dining To Resume

( CBS Detroit ) — A $1,400 third stimulus check is currently working its way through Congress as part of a $1.9 trillion relief package. The Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan, in its proposed form, also features better unemployment benefits, an improved child tax credit and a $15 minimum wage. These and other possible programs are meant to provide additional aid to millions of Americans dealing with economic hardship stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. How it evolves will determine how much money actually reaches people’s bank accounts in the coming months. President Biden and politicians from both sides of the aisle support giving Americans another stimulus check quickly. While Republicans have questioned other aspects of the plan — like the minimum wage hike — Democrats control both houses of Congress and are willing to pass stimulus legislation on a straight party-line vote. Budget reconciliation lets them sidestep the filibuster in the Senate and move the … [Read more...] about Stimulus Check Update: Why Your Next Relief Payment May Not Be $1,400

SANTA ANA (CBSLA) — Orange County was closer to moving out of the purple tier of the state’s coronavirus monitoring system Tuesday, as the weekly update from the state showed that it meets key criteria to enter the red tier. The county’s test positivity rate improved from 7.8% last week to 5.4% Tuesday, and the adjusted case rate per 100,000 on a seven-day average with a seven-day lag improved from 20.7 to 11.9. The Health Equity Quartile Positivity Rate, which reflects the rates in lower-income and minority neighborhood hot spots, improved from 10.7% to 7%. READ MORE: Tiger Woods 'Responsive And Recovering' After Suffering Serious Leg, Ankle Injuries In Rollover Crash To get to the red tier, the county has to have a positivity rate of 5 to 8%, a case rate per 100,000 of 4 to 7 and a Health Equity Quartile rate of 5.3 to 8%. Under the red tier, more businesses and organizations would be able to reopen. Retail stores could allow half capacity inside instead of 25%, and … [Read more...] about Orange County Now Meets 2 Key Metrics To Move From Purple Tier Into Red Tier

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in an interview published Wednesday that a third wave of coronavirus infections could hit the country due to new strains that are emerging. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Merkel said that new variants of the coronavirus could hit the country and that caution is needed so the country doesn’t need “a new complete shutdown,” Reuters reported . Health officials are worried about three new variants of the coronavirus that are thought to have originated in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil and seem to be more transmissible. ADVERTISEMENT For the country to start reopening, Merkel wants Germany to average 35 cases per 100,000 people over a week time frame. The country has a seven-day incidence rate of 60 new cases per 100,000 people. Coronavirus restriction around the country will be in place until March 7 but could extend depending on how the infection rates look in the country. The … [Read more...] about Germany’s Merkel warns of third virus wave due to new strains