3 Things To Know Today

1 Officials: Three National Guard Personnel Die In Helicopter Crash

Officials say three Idaho National Guard personnel are dead after a Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Boise Tuesday night. According to the Idaho National Guard, the three pilots were on a routine training flight. The chopper's emergency location device activated at 8pm, which triggered a search and rescue operation – and they were found just after midnight. The cause of the crash is not yet known and investigation is underway, but weather is suspected as being a factor. The pilots were reportedly wearing night vision goggles amid heavy snow and fog and did not make a mayday call. The names of the fallen have not been released pending family notification. Meanwhile, flags in the state are being flown at half staff.

2 Covid Relief Package Steams Ahead

Senate Democrats are pushing ahead with a coronavirus relief package without any Republican votes. In the 218-212 vote, two Democrats voted against it, while no Republicans supported it. The Senate is also expected to pass a measure setting up a vote on a budget resolution, which will lead to a procedural move known as reconciliation. That shouldn’t surprise anyone as both parties have used the method while controlling both the Senate and House in past years. Many Republicans have expressed doubts about package's cost of nearly two-trillion dollars. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin appears to be open to passing a COVID relief bill without Republican support. Manchin is seen as a pivotal vote, with the Senate being spit 50-50. Manchin still says he wants the bill to be bipartisan, so he he's open to compromising to get things done. Still, if lawmakers can’t find a middle ground, Manchin says he’s in favor of a budget resolution that would allow for the nearly two-trillion-dollar stimulus package to be passed without Republican support.

3 Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine May Reduce COVID Transmission

Hopeful news on the vaccine front as word comes that the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine may help keep people from spreading the virus any further. That's according to a study published this week by the vaccine's developers at Oxford University. They reviewed the drug's clinical trials, and reportedly found that it's not only safe and effective, but can also help reduce the transmission of the virus by up to two-thirds. Their findings are still under review and experts warn the results are subject to change. However, if the data is confirmed, this would mark the first time a coronavirus vaccine has shown to have such an effect.


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