World News: A third COVID-19 vaccine is getting closer 💉

Friday, February 26

The U.S. Capitol is seen behind a sign during a demonstration in support of COVID-19 relief, organized by Shutdown DC, on the National Mall, on February 25, 2021 in Washington, D.C.

A third COVID-19 vaccine is getting closer 💉

FDA committee weighs new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the House will vote on Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package and more news to start your Friday.

Good morning, Daily Briefing readers! Do you know what day it is? It's the USA TODAY weekly news quiz day! It's Jane, with Friday's news.

Here's what people are reading right now:

🏳️‍🌈 The House of Representatives passed sweeping legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, though it faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

Former Olympics gymnastics coach John Geddert took his own life, hours after a judge issued a warrant charging him with human trafficking, racketeering and sexual assault.

U.S. airstrikes – the first authorized by President Joe Biden – targeted bases in Syria used by Iranian militant groups suspected of attacking American and allied forces in northern Iraq last week, the Pentagon announced.

👗 The Golden Globes are Sunday. There is no red carpet this year, but let's look back at the 80 best gowns throughout the years.

🗞 In tune with the news? Test your knowledge on what's been happening this week with USA TODAY's news quiz.

🎧 And don't forget to tune in to the 5 Things podcast, where international correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard and war researcher Stephanie Savell discuss why the U.S. spends so much on weapons and combat preparedness, and whether that still makes sense.

Here's what's happening today:

FDA weighing approval of a third COVID-19 vaccine

A proposed new COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson is expected to get a thumbs-up Friday from a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee. If the FDA formally grants authorization as anticipated within the next few days the U.S. will have three approved vaccines. Like the other two, from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine underwent a large clinical trial showing its safety and effectiveness. The J&J vaccine differs from the two already authorized, because only one shot is recommended, instead of two. Meanwhile, starting Friday, the COVID-19 vaccine will be available in select CVS stores in 17 states . The drugstore chain announced Wednesday that it would be expanding its vaccination rollout to pharmacies in six states: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

•	J&J vaccine set for FDA advisory committee review. Latest COVID-19 updates
•	FDA preps for future variants: COVID-19 vaccines and tests work well, but variants have FDA preparing for a future when they may not
•	Tracking COVID-19 vaccine distribution by state: How many people have been vaccinated in the US?

House to vote on Biden's COVID-19 relief bill

The House will vote on President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package Friday. The Democratic-controlled House will likely pass the package, although it will face some opposition in the Senate. Republicans have united against Biden's relief package, including several moderate senators who said the legislation is excessive and goes beyond its scope. Though Biden had hoped the legislation would be bipartisan, Democrats on Capitol Hill are eager to pass it through both chambers by mid-March, when a federal boost to unemployment benefits expires.

•	$15 minimum wage increase can't go in COVID relief legislation, Senate official rules
•	When can I expect help? All you need to know about the timeline for relief
•	We asked Americans how they'd spend $1,400 stimulus checks. This is what they said

Ex-Olympic coach's death by suicide changes investigation

Police expected former USA Gymnastics coach John Geddert to turn himself in for arraignment on a multitude of charges on Thursday, but are instead now investigating his death by suicide . The 63-year-old is the former owner of the gymnastics club where hundreds of women and girls said serial-molester Larry Nassar sexually abused them – many even said Geddert knew about it, failed to take action, then lied to police about it. The charges levied against him were 20 counts of human trafficking and forced labor and one count each of first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, racketeering and lying to a police officer. Nassar is serving a 175-year prison sentence.

Suicide Lifeline: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.

•	A checkered past: Gymnasts detail physical horrors at hands of former coach John Geddert
•	Opinion: In death, former Olympic coach John Geddert once again causes harm to the gymnasts he abused

Biden heads to Texas to assess damage after horrific winter storm

In his first trip as president to a disaster zone, President Joe Biden is heading to Texas , one week after the state was ravaged by a winter storm that left millions without electricity and clean water for days. Biden, who will spend much of his time accompanied by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, is bringing first lady Jill Biden with him to Houston with plans to meet with local leaders to discuss the storm, relief efforts and recovery. A visit to a COVID-19 health center where vaccines are being distributed is also on the agenda. At least 4.3 million Texans lost electricity last week during the winter storm, and millions more lost water or were under a boil advisory. Texas is not part of the national power grid, and instead has its own electrical grid that covers nearly the entire state. Their grid is operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which has come under fire for the outages. Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for over 100 counties in the state.

•	Winter storm blackouts plagued Texas in 2011, too. Recommendations made afterward went unenforced
•	'An electrical island': Texas has dodged federal regulation for years by having its own power grid
•	Texas' winter storm could make life worse for Black and Latino families hit hard by power outages
•	Texas energy: ERCOT is in charge of Texas' power, but one-third of its board lives out of state
•	Fact check: Old photos of dogs in snow accompany false claim that pets froze in Amarillo, Texas

Moonlight, feels right? It's time for this year's snow moon

A snow moon — so called because of February's typically heavy snowfalls — rises in the east around nightfall Friday on its way to setting early Saturday morning in the west. Each full moon has its own name. This comes from the tradition of people around the world through millennia naming months after nature's cues. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, full moon names in our part of the world date back to Native Americans who lived in the northern and eastern U.S.

•	Here's a look at the biggest and brightest full moon of 2020

The snow moon floats over the Burlington, Vt., skyline.

Snow moon rises over the Burlington, Vt., skyline on Feb. 22, 2016.

Adam Silverman, Your Take

ICYMI: Our top stories from yesterday

•	Equality Act with LGBTQ protections passes House, faces uncertain future in Senate
•	Daisy Ridley fires back at Ted Cruz after he defends Gina Carano over 'Mandalorian' firing
•	Marjorie Taylor Greene faces backlash after attacking congresswoman with transgender daughter
•	Surveillance video of Lady Gaga's dognapping shows shooting, two French bulldogs stolen
•	Rachel Levine faces transphobia in historic U.S. Senate confirmation hearing