Time’s running out, government
The clock is ticking for Congress to handle the nation's finances before a government shutdown. A mysterious illness has hospitalized hundreds in India. And yes, we've found another monolith – this time in Pittsburgh.
It's Ashley, back in action with the news you need to know.
But first, 99 bottles of booze in the wall: How a New York couple uncovered a bootlegger's 100-year-old stash of Prohibition-era whiskey hidden in their home.
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Can Congress compromise?
The federal government might be heading for a shutdown if Congress can't agree on a bill to fund the government. How soon could a shutdown happen? This Friday. (No pressure.) The House will vote Wednesday on a stopgap measure to keep the government funded at its current levels for one week as Democrats and Republicans continue to negotiate. But there's always a chance a compromise between the House and Senate might not arrive by their Friday deadline as Congress continues to feud over the details of the spending bill.
Say the government does shut down. What happens? If Congress doesn't act by Friday, thousands of government workers considered nonessential would be furloughed or forced to work without pay until it's over.
Let the contact tracing begin
The Arizona Legislature will close for a week "out of an abundance of caution" after Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's personal attorney, possibly exposed several Republican lawmakers to COVID-19. The president announced Giuliani had tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, less than a week after the former New York City mayor visited Arizona as part of a multistate tour aimed at contesting election results. Giuliani had spent more than 10 hours discussing election concerns with Arizona Republicans last Monday, including two members of Congress and at least 13 current and future state lawmakers. He led the meeting maskless. Trump said Monday that Giuliani was "doing well."
What everyone’s talking about
- The monolith mystery continues: More copycat structures pop up in Pittsburgh and England.
- Matthew McConaughey criticizes Hollywood "far left," says the right is in election "denial."
- A trespasser was found lying on Tom Brady's couch in his Massachusetts home, police say.
- A Southwest pilot got a memorable retirement sendoff: Aerial shots of his final takeoff.
- Scottie Pippen said he let Michael Jordan know he "wasn't too pleased" with "The Last Dance."
Georgia debate: Jon Ossoff vs. a lectern
Incumbent Sen. David Perdue was ripped by Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff as a "coward" Sunday, when Ossoff faced off against an empty lectern because the Georgia Republican had declined to participate in their televised debate. "It's a strange situation to be asking a question of a sitting United States senator who is not here to debate as he asks for the votes of the people to be reelected," Ossoff said from the podium. Perdue, who also skipped the final debate against Ossoff before Election Day, did not attend the debate because he wished to instead spend the time connecting with voters, his staff told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In other election-year-that-never-ends news:
- Someone buy Georgia recounters a beer: Officials on Monday recertified Biden’s election victory in Georgia after a second recount reaffirmed – again – that the Democrat won the state and its 16 electoral votes.
- Pretty sure Michigan is over it: A Michigan federal judge has ruled against a sweeping legal bid to overturn election results in the state, determining the lawsuit brought by an ally of Trump was riddled with "theories, conjecture and speculation" but little evidence of wrongdoing.
Unidentified disease in India leaves hundreds hospitalized, 1 dead
At least one person has died and 200 have been hospitalized because of an unidentified illness in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, reports said Monday. The illness was detected Saturday evening in Eluru, an ancient city famous for its hand-woven products. Since then, patients have experienced symptoms ranging from nausea and anxiety to loss of consciousness, doctors said.
Real quick
- COVID-19 relief proposal won't offer $1,200 checks but provides an extra $300 in federal unemployment benefits.
- The Bidens' move into the White House on Inauguration Day will be complicated by COVID-19.
- Paul Sarbanes, a longtime U.S. senator from Maryland, has died at age 87.
- Fans loved NBC election guru Steve Kornacki breaking down the NFL playoff picture on "Sunday Night Football."
- "Today" show contributor Bobbie Thomas is mourning her husband's death at 42. Some "forevers are much too short."
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Looking back 79 years
Today Americans mark the 79th anniversary of the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii that propelled the U.S. into World War II. Japanese planes launched from aircraft carriers executed the surprise attack on Dec. 7, 1941. The "date which will live in infamy" started out as a quiet Sunday in Honolulu but ended with sunken ships, destroyed planes and 2,400 dead.
Because I'm from Hawaii, this day carries significant meaning. My grandmother Judy was a young girl on Maui when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She used to recall how her parents painted the windows of their home black to keep enemy planes flying above from seeing light. Another survivor, veteran Armando “Chick” Galella, witnessed the attack on nearby Hickam Field, where he was stationed. But he insists he’s no hero. The heroes, he says, are “the boys under the flags" – the ones who didn’t come home.
A break from the news
- 🎁 Buying your favorite dude a gift? Here are 50+ amazing gifts he might actually want.
- 🚙 These 10 vehicles are the hottest 2021 classic cars.
- 🎄 Christmas party and coronavirus surges: Can you RSVP "no" to the office holiday party?
This is a compilation of stories from across the Paste BN Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here.