Skip to main content

A 'grave risk' to all levels of government

Ashley Shaffer   | Paste BN

At least four people were killed by this week's winter storm. Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine is set for FDA clearance. And an ongoing cyberattack targeting the U.S. government looks quite sketchy.

It's Ashley. Let's talk news. 

But first, you may want to opt out: Amazon just started sharing your reviews with your neighbors. Yep, you read that right. Now take back your privacy. (I just did.) 

The Short List is a snappy Paste BN news roundup. Subscribe here!

Hacking campaign poses 'grave risk' to all levels of government

A devastating cyberattack suspected to be tied to Russia poses a "grave risk" to government networks and the private sector, according to an ominous warning issued Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security. The attacks, which targeted major branches of the U.S. government, have put an untold number of Americans, agencies and government secrets at risk of compromise. In its alert, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it's "likely" that additional intrusions "have not yet been discovered." 

Another vaccine? Swooooooon

An advisory committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave a thumbs up to the nation's second COVID-19 vaccine. The independent Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended Thursday that the FDA authorize Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, which in trials was shown to be safe and 94.5% effective. FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn could officially authorize the vaccine as soon as late Thursday, and delivery could begin nationwide Monday. Unlike the vaccine the FDA authorized last week, made by Pfizer and its German collaborator, BioNTech, the Moderna one will be approved for use only in adults.

What everyone’s talking about

Winter storm slamming the Northeast turns deadly

Heavy snow from a winter storm continued to fall Thursday across the Northeast as the season's first major winter storm slowly moved off the East Coast, pounding some areas with nearly 4 feet of snow. At least four people were killed in the storm. Hundreds of vehicle crashes, some of them deadly, were reported from the mid-Atlantic states into the Northeast, according to the Weather Channel. More than 50,000 customers were without electricity Thursday afternoon, Poweroutage.us reported, mainly in Virginia and New York state. Interior areas of Pennsylvania and New York state took the brunt of the heavy snow – more than 40 inches in many towns. Stay safe, everyone! 

Biden to make history with Deb Haaland as interior secretary, the first Native American in that role

President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Rep. Deb Haaland to be secretary of the interior, according to news reports. If confirmed, she would be the first Native American to serve in that position. The Department of the Interior is home to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Haaland, 59, is an enrolled citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna Native American tribe and serves on the House Natural Resources Committee. She was one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress, the other being Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan. On Nov. 23, Haaland told NPR that if she was nominated for the interior role, it “would mean a lot to Indian Country.” 

Real quick 

Florida blames mothers when men batter them – then takes away their children

Mothers victimized by violent men told child welfare workers the truth, and in return, they expected help. Instead, they lost their children. Paste BN spoke to 22 domestic violence victims who had their children taken from them, revealing a system stacked against women who are abused. The state’s “failure to protect” child abuse law predominantly punishes women, many of whom never abused their children. Read the full story here. 

A break from the news

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.

Facebook Twitter Email