Good morning. It's Tuesday, Jan. 26, and we're covering declining COVID-19 cases, an expansive winter storm, and more. Have feedback? Let us know at hello@join1440.com.

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NEED TO KNOW

COVID-19 Cases Fall

New COVID-19 cases reported in the US decreased for nearly two weeks, signaling the country may be emerging from a post-holiday surge of infections. The seven-day rolling average sits near 170,000 new cases per day (see data), down more than 30% over the past two weeks. The number of people currently hospitalized from the illness has fallen by about 15% over the same time period.  

The positive news comes as COVID-19 deaths continue to mount in the country, though at a slower pace than earlier in the month. A total of 421,129 deaths have been reported, with 1,915 yesterday. More than 44 million vaccine doses have been distributed as of this morning, with almost 23 million administered. 

Health officials warn the progress may stall as new, more transmissible variants of the virus spread across the US. Moderna, maker of one of the two available vaccines in the US, said its vaccine showed a sixfold reduction in the levels of neutralizing antibodies in the presence of a strain from South Africa. However, experts said antibody levels were still high enough to be effective and the company plans to develop a booster shot to counter the new strain. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical giant Merck nixed two vaccines due to underwhelming results, and will focus on COVID-19 therapies.

Separately, the Biden administration reinstituted or expanded travel bans on non-US citizens arriving from Brazil, South Africa, the UK, and 27 other European countries.

Winter Storm Blankets the Midwest

An expansive storm stretching from the Great Plains to the mid-Atlantic blanketed much of the Midwest with heavy snow yesterday, icing interstates and forcing the cancellation of more than 400 flights. Officials in Nebraska—which saw more than a foot of snow in many locations for the first time in 15 years—reported at least 200 weather-related traffic incidents. The Chicago area is expected to see up to 10 inches, paired with high winds kicking up eight to 13-foot waves along Lake Michigan, while parts of the Appalachia region may see up to a half-inch of ice deposited on trees and power lines. The system is expected to move over the Northeast US throughout much of the day today.

Meanwhile, a separate storm dropped snow over Southern California and the Southwest—including a rare dusting in Malibu and even a glimpse of powder in Phoenix, Arizona.

Monitor flight delays in real time with this MiseryMap.

Sanders Enters, Portman Exits

Former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders announced yesterday she will run for governor of Arkansas in 2022. Sanders became one the most public faces of the Trump administration during her two-year tenure, and will run in a state that supported the former president by 28 points in the November election. Sanders' father, Mike Huckabee, held the post from 1996 to 2007. The decision sets up a competitive primary—Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin (R) and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R) have also launched bids. The seat will be unoccupied, with current Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) reaching his term limit (Arkansas is one of 36 states with gubernatorial term limits).

In related news, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) announced he would not run for reelection when his term expires in 2022, blaming partisan gridlock as a factor in his decision. Thirty-four Senate seats will be up for grabs in the coming cycle—14 currently held by Democrats and 20 held by Republicans. See an interactive map here.

Also in the Senate, a power-sharing agreement will move forward after a dispute over the use of the filibuster was resolved by party leaders.

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SAVING HOMEOWNERS HUNDREDS IN 2021

When a major home appliance or system breaks down, it can cost you thousands of dollars... plus your sanity. Don’t get hit with that double whammy in 2021. 

Find out how a home warranty can protect your house and your budget this year. Whether you want to cover your electrical and plumbing systems, safeguard your refrigerator and stove, or protect all major appliances and systems, you’ll be able to find a plan that fits your needs.  Rocket Mortgage® has done the legwork to find the top-five home warranty companies to help you achieve peace of mind: Choice Home Warranty, American Home Shield, Select Home Warranty, First American Home Warranty, and American’s 1st Choice Home Club. Compare them today and relax tomorrow.

Live comfortably in your home knowing you’ll be covered when you need it most. Learn more about home warranties, how they work, and the best home warranty companies of 2021.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> “Bridgerton,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” and “Soul” are among American Film Institute award winners; see full list of AFI’s top 10 film and TV shows of 2020 (More)

> WWE and NBCUniversal sign multiyear agreement for Peacock to have exclusive US streaming rights to the WWE Network (More) | Major League Soccer announces its 34-game 2021 season to kick off April 3 (More)

> Live-action “Harry Potter” TV series in early development stages at HBO Max (More) | Disney World and Disneyland will overhaul Jungle Cruise ride to remove harmful depictions of Indigenous people (More)

Science & Technology

> New study finds the Earth has lost an estimated 28 trillion metric tons of ice since the mid-1990s, with a melt rate 57% faster than 30 years ago (More)

> Twitter launches Birdwatch, which lets users add notes to tweets in an effort to combat misinformation (More) | Facebook to provide researchers targeting data on 1.3 million political ads from the November election cycle (More)

> Genetic analysis paired with archaeological records suggests the domestication of dogs occurred roughly 23,000 years ago in Siberia (More)

Business & Markets

Brought to you by The Ascent

> Janet Yellen becomes first female US Treasury secretary, confirmed in 84-15 Senate vote (More) | China passes US in foreign investment for the first time in history (More)

> Leon Black to step down as CEO of asset manager Apollo after review of ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (More)

> Google pledges $150M for COVID-19 vaccine education and equitable access, to open offices as vaccination sites (More)

Mortgage rates are at a historic low. No matter what you bought your home at, there's no stopping you from refinancing at the incredible market rates today, which can amount to thousands in savings. Carpe diem, while it lasts. #Ad

Politics & World Affairs

> President Joe Biden repeals ban on transgender service members in the US military (More) | Department of Justice inspector general to probe whether any employees improperly sought to alter election results (More) 

> Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to resign, forcing the country's fragile coalition government to collapse; Conte reportedly plans to attempt to build a centrist coalition (More)

> Dominion Voting Systems sues Rudy Giuliani over claims their machines fraudulently shifted millions of votes to President Joe Biden; suit claims $1.3B in damages (More) | See fact check here (More) | House delivers article of impeachment to Senate, trial to begin in earnest Feb. 9 (More)

IN-DEPTH

One Year Later

USA Today | Tom Schad. On the one-year anniversary of the accident, what we know about the tragic helicopter crash that killed NBA star Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others. (Read)

'I Feel Responsible'

NYT | Erica Green. While there is no firm link between a rise in student suicides and school closings, a surge of mental health crises around Las Vegas—including 18 youth suicides between March and December—has pushed the nation's fifth-largest school district to bring back students as quickly as possible. (Read, $$)

2021'S BEST HOME WARRANTIES

In partnership with Rocket Mortgage

Wondering which home warranty company is right for you? Rocket Mortgage® determined the best home warranty companies of 2021 based on service, cost, flexibility, and customization.

Don’t miss out on the peace of mind a home warranty can afford you. Learn how the right policy can save you the headaches and costs that typically come with repairing or replacing a major home system or appliance. Then, choose from the best companies out there to get a quote today.

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ETCETERA

Mapping where this year's Brood X cicadas will emerge.

School closures may be worsening childhood obesity.

Budweiser to sit out Super Bowl for the first time since 1983.

Ranking the 50 best cult movies of all time.

UCLA gymnast's near-perfect floor routine goes viral.

Girl with a Pearl Earring in exquisite detail.

Harriet Tubman may be coming to the $20 bill (for real this time).

The US Navy Band gives Taylor Swift the sea shanty treatment.

Clickbait: Bill Gates wants to block out the sun.

Historybook: Actor Paul Newman born (1925); HBD Ellen DeGeneres (1958); RIP football coaching great Bear Bryant (1983); Condoleezza Rice becomes first Black woman appointed US secretary of state (2005); Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna among nine deaths in California helicopter crash (2020).

"It's not the will to win that matters—
everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."

- Paul "Bear" Bryant

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