CORONAVIRUS UPDATES… The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. has reached 22,406,747 and the nation’s death toll stands at 374,322, according to figures released last night by Johns Hopkins University… Former Food and Drug Administration Director Dr. Scott Gottlieb said during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” yesterday that the nation’s strategy for administering coronavirus vaccines is “not working” and encouraged public health officials to “hit the reset” and take up a new approach. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22.1 million doses of vaccines have been distributed, and nearly 6.7 million people have received their first of two doses. President-elect Joe Biden plans to speed up the process by releasing all available doses.
PELOSI TAKES ACTION TO REMOVE TRUMP… House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced yesterday the House will move to impeach President Donald Trump if Vice President Mike Pence does not remove him. Pelosi says the House will attempt to pass a resolution by unanimous consent this morning calling for Pence and Trump’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from office. If the resolution doesn’t pass by unanimous consent, the measure will be brought to the floor for a full vote tomorrow. “In protecting our Constitution and our Democracy, we will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat to both,” Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues yesterday.
FEDS BUILDING DOMESTIC-TERRORISM CASES… Federal prosecutors have opened at least 25 domestic terrorism cases following last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to Colorado Democratic Congressman and House Armed Services Committee member Jason Crow. In a statement he released yesterday, Crow said he obtained that number from Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy in a phone call. Crow said McCarthy informed him that authorities recovered long guns, Molotov cocktails, explosive devices and zipties during the insurrection. McCarthy reportedly also told Crow “that (the Department of Defense) is aware of further possible threats posed by would-be terrorists in the days up to and including Inauguration Day and is working with local and federal law enforcement to coordinate security preparations.”
D.C. MAYOR WANTS WHITE HOUSE HELP WITH INAUGURATION… Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked President Trump for an emergency declaration that will help fund President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration amid mounting safety concerns. Bowser noted in a letter to the president that the calls for violence have only intensified ahead of Inauguration Day on January 20. Bowser said during an appearance earlier on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that she will also ask the Department of Homeland Security to begin their “national special security event” timeline sooner than planned.
AUTHORITIES SEARCH FOR CALIFORNIA ESCAPEES… Authorities in Central California are on the lookout for six men who escaped from the Merced County Jail on Saturday night. Investigators believe the men accessed the jail’s roof and used a homemade rope to rappel down to the ground. Among the escapees is a 22-year-old man facing murder charges.
ENTERTAINMENT
‘SEX AND THE CITY’ REVIVED ON HBO MAX… “Sex and the City” is returning with a new, 10-episode run on HBO Max. The show’s star, Sarah Jessica Parker, made the announcement yesterday on social media. Parker will be joined by Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon in reprising their roles. Kim Cattrall, who co-starred in the original series and two subsequent films, will not be returning. HBO Max hasn’t announced when the series will stream.
ACTOR JOHN REILLY DIES… Actor John Reilly, who was best known for his 11-year run as Sean Donely on “General Hospital,” died over the weekend of undisclosed causes, his daughter confirmed yesterday. He was 84. Reilly appeared on ‘General Hospital’ from 1984-1995. His television credits included “Gunsmoke,” “Dallas” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.”
SPORTS
NFL PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD…
Baltimore 20 – TENNESSEE 13… The Ravens shook off an early 10-point deficit to rally past the Titans. Lamar Jackson rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown. Marquise Brown had seven catches for 109 yards. Baltimore visits Buffalo in the AFC Divisional round on Saturday.
NEW ORLEANS 21 – Chicago 9… Drew Brees threw touchdown passes to Michael Thomas and Latavius Murray as the Saints fought off the Bears. Alvin Kamara ran 4 yards for a fourth-quarter score and finished with 99 yards rushing. New Orleans hosts Tampa Bay in the Divisional round on Sunday.
Cleveland 48 – PITTSBURGH 37… The Browns jumped out to a 28-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back in thrashing the Steelers. The victory was their first at Heinz Field in 18 tries. Baker Mayfield passed for 263 yards and hit three different receivers with touchdown passes. Kareem Hunt ran for two scores. Cleveland visits top-seeded Kansas City in the Divisional round on Sunday.
NBA SCOREBOARD…
GOLDEN STATE 106 – Toronto 105… The Warriors recovered to top the Raptors after blowing a double-digit fourth-quarter lead. Damion Lee made the tying and go-ahead free throws with 3.3 seconds remaining. Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points to lead seven players in double figures.
Utah 96 – DETROIT 86… The Jazz built a 17-point halftime lead and held off the Pistons. They got 28 points from Donovan Mitchell and 22 from Mike Conley. Rudy Gobert grabbed 19 rebounds.
L.A. CLIPPERS 130 – Chicago 127… The Clippers fought off a slow start to get past the Bulls. Kawhi Leonard pumped in 35 points and surpassed 10,000 in his career. Paul George added 29 points. Lou Williams delivered 21 points off the bench.
Oklahoma City 129 – BROOKLYN 116… The Thunder cruised past the Nets after spotting them a 12-point lead after the first quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 31 points. Al Horford added 22 points.
Denver 114 – NEW YORK 89… Nikola Jokic scored 22 points and brought down 10 boards before sitting out most of the second half as the Nuggets routed the Knicks.
L.A. Lakers 120 – HOUSTON 102… The Lakers led by as many as 27 points in their romp over the Rockets. Anthony Davis led the way with 27 points. The game featured the ejections of L.A.’s Markieff Morris and Houston’s DeMarcus Cousins.
MINNESOTA 96 – San Antonio 88… The Timberwolves came up big in the second half to pull past the Spurs and snap their seven-game skid. D’Angelo Russell scored 27 points. Malik Beasley added 24 points.
TODAY’S NBA SCHEDULE…
New York is at Charlotte…
Cleveland hosts Memphis…
Milwaukee is at Orlando…
Washington hosts Phoenix…
Philadelphia is at Atlanta…
Dallas hosts New Orleans…
Toronto is at Portland…
Indiana is at Sacramento
TOP 25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD…
No. 5 IOWA 86, No. 16 Minnesota 71…
Maryland 66, No. 12 ILLINOIS 63…
No. 19 VIRGINIA TECH 77, Notre Dame 63
Bob Sarber 