By Dan Donahue, NBC Nightly News |
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Good Tuesday afternoon. Thousands remain stuck in a nightmare traffic jam on a snowy Virginia highway, the U.S. reported more than 1 million Covid cases in a single day, and the criminal groping charge against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is being dropped. |
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Here is what’s in our Nightly Rundown. |
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Thousands stranded on Virginia highway after winter storm |
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Thousands of drivers were stranded overnight along a 50-mile stretch of I-95 in Virginia, after a winter storm pounded the region with over a foot of snow. |
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Some have been stuck for 24 hours in freezing temperatures, after the extreme weather conditions led to hundreds of accidents, and left tractor-trailers jackknifed on one of the busiest traffic corridors in the country. |
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Sen. Tim Kaine was among those trapped in the massive traffic jam. “I started my normal 2 hour drive to DC at 1pm yesterday. 19 hours later, I’m still not near the Capitol,” he tweeted this morning. |
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The Virginia Department of Transportation tweeted that it’s working to reopen I-95, but many motorists who’ve been stuck in their cars all night without food or water are frustrated over what they say is a lack of communication from emergency officials. |
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WATCH: Aerials show drivers stuck in miles-long stretch of traffic on Virginia interstate |
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Biden addresses nation as U.S. tops 1 million Covid cases in a day |
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Biden called the highly-transmissible Omicron variant, which now accounts for more than 95 percent of U.S. cases, “much different than anything we’ve seen before” and urged Americans to get the vaccine. |
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"If you are vaccinated and boosted, you are highly protected,” Biden said. “Be concerned about Omicron, but don't be alarmed. If you are unvaccinated, you have some reason to be alarmed." |
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Biden also said the testing shortages across the country are “frustrating,” but maintained his administration is “making improvements,” by adding new federal testing sites. |
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The U.S. will also double its order for Pfizer’s recently-authorized Covid pill from 10 million to 20 million, Biden said. |
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U.S. pediatric Covid cases hit record high |
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On Monday, the FDA authorized boosters of Pfizer’s vaccine for children ages 12 to 15. The CDC has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday to review the FDA’s recommendation. |
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The CDC also today shortened the advised waiting period for getting a Pfizer booster dose from six months to five months, and recommended that immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11 receive a third shot 28 days after their second dose. |
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U.S. Capitol on high alert ahead of Jan. 6 anniversary |
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Security is being ramped up this week at the U.S. Capitol, amid concerns of more violence on the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot. |
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Federal officials warned last week that “threat actors” may try to exploit the anniversary to “promote or possibly commit violence,” though they cited no specific or credible threats. |
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Nearly a year after the attack, the country remains in a deep political divide. About 4 in 10 Republicans say the attack was very or extremely violent, compared to 9 in 10 Democrats, in a new AP-NORC poll. |
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More than 700 individuals have been charged in connection with the riot, and more than 160 have entered guilty pleas. |
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Among them is Jenna Ryan, the Texas realtor who flew on a private jet to Washington, D.C., and later bragged about taking part in the Capitol breach. |
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Ryan pleaded guilty in August to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol. |
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Before Ryan reported to prison last month to begin serving her 60-day sentence, she spoke to our Kate Snow, and compared the backlash she has seen to the experience of “the Jews in Germany.” Snow’s interview airs this evening on our broadcast. |
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Groping charged dropped against former Governor Cuomo |
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The Albany County district attorney's office has announced it is dropping a misdemeanor charge of forcible touching against Andrew Cuomo, days before the former New York governor was set to appear in court. |
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Cuomo was charged in October for allegedly placing his hand “under the blouse” of a woman for "purposes of degrading and gratifying his sexual desires” at the governor’s mansion on Dec. 7, 2020. |
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Cuomo denied the allegations, made by executive assistant Brittany Commisso, who publicly identified herself after the complaint was issued. |
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Commisso’s attorney told NBC News: “I can confirm only that in this case my client had no control over the filing or prosecution of criminal charges. She had no authority or voice in those decisions. The only thing she has any power over is her resolution to continue to speak the truth and seek justice in an appropriate civil action, which she will do in due course.” |
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Cuomo’s attorney had no immediate comment. In October, when the charge was announced, she criticized the case as politically motivated. |
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Prosecutor drops groping charge against Cuomo |
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What else we’re watching: |
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The Great Resignation continues, with a record 4.5 million American workers quitting their jobs in November.It’s the end of an era for Blackberry users. The company is shutting down service for its classic “legacy” devices today.A judge has dismissed the lawsuit filed against Nirvana by the man whose baby photo was used on the cover of the 1991 album “Nevermind.” |
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Watch us this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC, or check your local NBC station listing. After the broadcast, access Nightly News video on NBCNightlyNews.com or the NBC News app. |
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