Good morning. It's Monday, Jan. 4, and we're covering the 117th Congress, the continued surge in COVID-19 cases, and America's deadliest serial killer. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

A New Congress

Members of the 117th Congress were sworn in on Capitol Hill yesterday, bringing in a historically diverse group and starting what is expected to be a volatile week in US politics. Of the 535 seats, more than 120 will be filled by women and 124 will be filled by people of color. All outstanding legislation from the previous session—including an effort to boost direct stimulus payments to $2,000—must be reintroduced.

Democrats have an 11-seat majority in the House, down from 38 in the previous Congress. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA-12) was reelected as speaker, possibly her final term. Republicans have a 51-48 edge in the Senate, pending the outcome of tomorrow's dual runoffs in Georgia, where incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R) faces challenger Raphael Warnock (D) and incumbent Sen. David Perdue (R) faces Jon Ossoff (D). Perdue's seat will be vacant until the race is called (read why). 

Pollsters have generally avoided weighing in on the races, and those polls conducted show no clear leaders in the traditional GOP stronghold. Republicans must win at least one of the two races to maintain Senate control. More than 3 million people have voted early, roughly 60% of the 5 million total votes cast in November (track here). 

On Wednesday, Congress will convene a joint session to count ballots cast by the Electoral College, formalizing President-elect Joe Biden's win. At least 12 Republican senators have said they will join with more than 140 House members in objecting to certification of certain states' votes (see process). It would mark just the second time since 1887 objections forced Congress to debate the Electoral College results—the first occurred when former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) forced debate over Ohio's votes in 2005. The plans have split the GOP conference, with some members criticizing the effort as opportunistic. Experts say the move will delay, but is unlikely to change, the outcome.

Supporters of President Trump have planned a rally in the nation's capital Jan. 6.

Postholiday Surge

The US surpassed 350,000 total COVID-19 deaths yesterday, a grim milestone that comes as public health officials warn of an impending postholiday surge in cases. The spike in cases is not confined to any single region—states from Georgia and Alabama to Utah and Arizona are experiencing their highest case totals of the pandemic (see how your state is doing). In Southern California, some funeral homes are turning away families, having reached body storage capacity.  

Seniors continue to bear the brunt of the disease. Those 85 and older account for one-third of all COVID-19 deaths, despite making up less than 3% of cases. See demographic data here.

A new coronavirus variant believed to be more transmissible has been detected in at least 33 countries, including three US states. The new strain is not believed to be more deadly, or more resistant to existing vaccines, though scientists have observed at least 17 major changes in its genetic makeup. Three key mutations have been observed in the virus' spike protein—including a mutation that increases how tightly the virus binds to cells.

More than 13 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed in the US, with roughly 4.2 million doses administered (track by state), short of the initial goal of 20 million vaccinations by the end of 2020. The federal government has largely left state-level distribution to local officials, where confusion, lack of funding, and a shortage of health workers have slowed the effort. 

A Killer Dies

Samuel Little, believed to be America's most prolific serial killer, died over the weekend at the age of 80. Little, who suffered from heart disease and diabetes, was serving multiple life sentences at the time of his death.

In and out of prison for decades, Little was arrested in 2012 on suspicion of the murders of three Los Angeles women. Having denied killing anyone for years, Little changed course in 2018, claiming to have taken the lives of more than 90 people, with killings ranging across 19 states and three decades. Adept at drawing, FBI officials corroborated at least 60 of Little's claims based on his depictions and details. The total number of victims surpasses that of Gary Ridgway—the so-called Green River Killer—who, like Little, preyed on females living on the margins of society. 

Read this gripping account—along with original drawings—from the only journalist to ever interview Little at length. 

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YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

A majority of people who come up with New Year's resolutions include some form of health and wellness on their list: exercise more, eat more healthily, lose weight, etc. But sadly, only 7% of US adults say they stick to their resolutions through-and-through.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> Dawn Wells, actress best known as Mary Ann on "Gilligan’s Island," dies at 82 of COVID-19 (More) | Influential rapper Daniel "MF Doom" Dumile dies at 49 (More) | Paul Westphal, Hall of Fame coach and five-time NBA All-Star, dies at 70 (More) | Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little dies at 78 (More)

> The 2020 NFL regular season wraps up, with the Cleveland Browns ending the NFL's longest playoff drought; see full playoff schedule (More) | San Antonio Spurs' Becky Hammon becomes the first woman to act as head coach in an NBA regular-season game (More)

> No. 3 Ohio State cruises to upset victory over No. 2 Clemson 49-28 in Sugar Bowl, advances to Jan. 11 College Football Playoff national championship game (More) | No. 1 Alabama tops No. 4 Notre Dame 31-14 in Rose Bowl to make its fifth national title appearance in six years (More)

Science & Technology

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> Microsoft reveals Russian hack was more extensive than previously believed, with hackers able to access the company's source code for a number of programs (More) | The SolarWinds attack explained (More)

> Researchers solve key challenge allowing 30%-40% greater efficiencies of desalination membranes, lowering the cost of producing drinking water from seawater and brines (More)

> First rechargeable zinc-air battery demonstrated; such batteries have high energy density and low cost, but have suffered from short lifetimes, among other challenges (More)

Clean up your inbox. SaneBox is a premium service for professionals with too many emails. Their software helps you sort and prioritize incoming mail, and saves the average user 12+ hours every month. They've received glowing reviews from TechCrunch, Forbes, The New York Times, and emailers everywhere. Sign up today for $25 off any subscription. #Ad

Business & Markets

> US stock markets close out mercurial year up in 2020 (S&P 500 +16.3%, Dow +7.3%, Nasdaq +43.6%), as S&P 500 and Dow Jones close the year at all-time highs (More) | Bitcoin rallies past $30K for the first time (More)

> Initial unemployment claims drop by 19,000 to 787,000 filed during the previous week; weekly count still well above the prepandemic record of 695,000 set in 1982 (More)

> Tesla delivers 180,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter, beating expectations and previous record, as company falls just shy of 500,000 delivery goal for 2020; shares were up over 700% in 2020 (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> Audio leaked of President Trump pressuring Republican election officials in Georgia to overturn election results in hourlong phone call (Listen) | Full audio here (More, $$, WashPo) | Call follows news that a signature-matching audit of Cobb County (Atlanta suburbs) absentee ballots found no evidence of fraud (More)

> China strikes ranging investment deal with the European Union; trade pact mirrors the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership deal shelved in 2017 (More)

> British judge to rule on extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US today (More)

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ETCETERA

World tells 2020 to take a hike (in photos).

Los Angeles is America's most dangerous county.

Explaining the top 50 internet memes of 2020.

The top tech trends of 2021, predicted by experts. 

... and the biggest tech flops of 2020. ($$, MIT Tech Review)

Homebuyers are flocking to Austin, Texas.

Ranking the world strictest surveillance cities.

A serial entrepreneur gives his top tips for building a company. (via Twitter)

Clickbait: A somewhat terrifying New Year's celebration by Boston Dynamics' robots.

Historybook: Boxer Floyd Patterson born (1935); HBD biographer and journalist Doris Kearns Goodwin (1943); Luna 1 is first spacecraft to reach vicinity of the moon (1959); RIP poet T.S. Eliot (1965); Burj Khalifa, tallest building in the world, opens in Dubai (2010). 

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."

- T.S. Eliot

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