3 Things To Know Today

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1 Biden Unveils Sweeping Infrastructure Plan

President Biden has finally – officially – unveiled his sweeping two-point-two-trillion-dollar plan to upgrade the nation's infrastructure. Biden traveled to Pittsburgh and noted the devastating economic impacts of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He said “it's time to rebuild, even before the crisis passes.” The President argued that it's time to rebuild the economy from the "bottom up and the middle out, not the top down." He called the plan “transformational” and said it also aims to help curb climate change. Biden said his proposal will create hundreds of thousands of good jobs, including union jobs. The President called himself a "union guy" and said there will be a big emphasis on "buy American." He insisted that his proposal does not "tinker around the edges," calling it a "once in a generation investment in America." The plan covers transportation systems, manufacturing, schools, housing, digital infrastructure and water systems. These are the same sectors affected by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has offered funding through 2019.

2 Chauvin Trial Continues

Witness testimony is set to continue this morning in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd. Among those testifying yesterday, a store clerk who interacted with Floyd before police were called. Christopher Martin is the 19-year-old employee of the Cup Foods store that took the 20-dollar bill believed to be counterfeit from Floyd. Martin testified he didn't think Floyd knew the bill was a possible counterfeit. Martin said he wished he never accepted the bill, instead of telling his manager, which led to police being called to the scene. He told the court he felt "disbelief and guilt" over what happened to Floyd. Also taking the stand, eyewitness Charles McMillian, who broke down on the stand as the video of Floyd’s arrest was played. On the clip, McMillian can be heard telling the officer to get his knee off his neck and for Floyd to comply with officers, noting, “You can’t win.” McMillian also testified that he knew Chauvin from the neighborhood - and had interacted with him days before Floyd's death. As the trial continues today, Morries Lester Hall – the man who was in the car with Floyd when he was approached by officers – is expected to be called. And according to the Hennepin County Public Defender's Office, he'll also be pleading the Fifth if he takes the stand.

3 Mistake Delays Shipments Of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Shipments of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine are on hold after a manufacturing mistake caused by human error ruined 15-million doses. What happened? Workers at a Baltimore plant that makes both Johnson & Johnson's vaccine and one by AstraZeneca accidentally mixed up the two companies' ingredients. The Baltimore plant was supposed to start shipping the single dose vaccine, but that process is on hold after the mistake. As the FDA investigates, Johnson & Johnson said it still has a goal of delivering 100-million doses to the U.S. by the end of June. Current supplies aren’t affected, but expected shipments are in a holding pattern.


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