Moderna's vaccine got a promotion

Another week, another nasty winter storm. It's Monday's news. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Short List   Monday, January 31 Moderna's vaccine got a promotion Another week, another nasty winter storm. It's Monday's news. NFT auction: USA TODAY and iconic artist Peter Tunney are teaming up to benefit charity – and you can get involved. They made it official: Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine graduated from "emergency use authorization" to fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 👋 Hey! Laura here. I'm seeing bluebird skies here in Denver, but there's a gnarly snowstorm looming for a huge stretch of the country. We've got the forecast, along with Monday's biggest news. But first, will it be a Rude Boy or the Only Girl (In the World)? 👼 Rihanna fans have been waiting for new music, but she's got another kind of project on the way: She's expecting her first child with A$AP Rocky! See the baby bump pics here. The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here or text messages here. Moderna's vaccine gets full FDA approval More than a year after Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine was deployed under an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it received full approval,  the company said Monday. About 204 million doses of the vaccine – with the brand name of Spikevax – have been administered in the USA, according to the CDC. The full approval is for individuals 18 and older in the two-dose primary series for vaccination. The booster dose is available under emergency use authorization. Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement the approval "may instill additional confidence" for those who have not been vaccinated. As for the other vaccines? Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine was the first to receive full approval last year, and Johnson & Johnson's vaccine is still distributed under an emergency use authorization. • 'I will die free': Man in need of a lifesaving kidney transplant refuses to get COVID-19 vaccine. • In a break with federal guidelines, San Francisco allows second COVID-19 booster for all J&J takers. The FDA approved Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images Winter storm threatens millions from the Rockies to the Northeast Another week, another big winter storm. This week's storm will target a 2,000-mile swath of the nation from the Rockies to the Northeast with a nasty mix of snow, ice and rain from Tuesday through Friday. "We're looking at widespread travel delays with this system," AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. Winter storm watches were posted for 35 million people from Texas to Michigan, the National Weather Service said. Additional winter weather alerts are expected as the height of the storm draws closer. Many areas could pick up 6 inches to a foot of snow, Weather.com said. To the south and east of the corridor, ice and severe thunderstorms are possible. ❄️ Go here to keep up with the latest weather updates. • Sleet vs. freezing rain vs. hail: What's the difference? A helpful guide! • Nor'easter: At least 3 dead in New York; more than 100K lost power at height of East Coast storm. New Yorkers struggle through a snowstorm Jan. 29. ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images What everyone's talking about • Amid protests, Spotify says it will add advisories to podcasts discussing COVID-19. • A Florida man won a trip to space. Then gave the ticket to his friend because of his weight. • This mansion is the most expensive house sold in New Jersey last year. Here's what $26M bought. • Power, prestige, privilege: Inside the Murdaugh family killings and the fall of a South Carolina dynasty. Want ✨ exclusive ✨ Winter Olympics access? We'll text you. Sign up for USA TODAY's Olympics texts to get the latest updates and behind-the-scenes coverage from Beijing. The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today. Plea deal rejected in federal hate crimes case against one of Arbery's killers A federal judge rejected a plea agreement Monday that would have averted a hate crimes trial for one of the men convicted in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood ruled against the agreement made with Travis McMichael  after hearing an emotional plea against the arrangements from Arbery's family. Arbery's father, Marcus, said outside the federal courthouse in Brunswick, Georgia, that he was "mad as hell" over the deal, which lawyer Lee Merritt, who represents the family, said could enable Travis and Greg McMichael to spend the first 30 years of their life sentences in federal prison, rather than state prison where conditions are tougher. In documents filed late Sunday, U.S. Justice Department attorneys asked the federal court to "dispose" of the charges pending against the McMichaels. A notice of a plea deal was not filed for the third man charged in Arbery's death, William "Roddie" Bryan. This month, all three men were sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murder and other crimes by a Georgia jury. • Previous coverage: 3 men sentenced to life in prison for Ahmaud Arbery's murder. Travis McMichael, left, speaks with his attorney, Jason Sheffield, center, during the sentencing hearing for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Travis, his father, Gregory, right, and William "Roddie" Bryan were sentenced to life in prison Jan. 7 at the Glynn County Courthouse in Brunswick, Ga. Pool photo by Stephen B. Morton Russia, US square off over Ukraine Is the United States poking a bear? Russia accused the West of "whipping up tensions" over Ukraine and said the United States brought "pure Nazis" to power in Kyiv as the U.N. Security Council held a stormy debate Monday on Moscow's troop buildup near the Ukraine border. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Russia's growing military force along the borders was "the largest mobilization" in Europe in decades. "And they are attempting, without any factual basis, to paint Ukraine and Western countries as the aggressors to fabricate a pretext for attack," she said. It was the first open session in which all protagonists in the Ukraine crisis spoke publicly, even though the United Nations' most powerful body took no action. Go here for the full story. • Respect, fear, power: What motivates Vladimir Putin to threaten Ukraine? • On the front line: Ravaged by war, people in Ukraine's Luhansk region want the shooting to end. Ukrainian soldiers build a bunker Dec. 12, 2021, in Zolote, Ukraine. A buildup of Russian troops along the border with Ukraine has heightened worries that Russia intends to invade the Donbas region, most of which is held by separatists after a seven-year war with the Ukrainian government. President Joe Biden met with Russian President Vladimir Putin via videoconference to discuss the escalation. Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images Real quick • 'No greater pain': 7 of 9 killed in horrific Vegas car crash were family members. • Chicago synagogue, businesses vandalized with swastikas, antisemitic graffiti. • Hillsong Church leader steps down to fight charge of concealing child sex abuse. • Sexual harassment in the metaverse? Woman alleges rape in virtual world. • Nurses accused of raking in more than $1.5 million by selling fake COVID-19 vaccine cards. Could Joe Burrow make history? Newly minted AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has an opportunity to score a rare NFL triple-crown of sorts Feb. 13 in Los Angeles when he and the Bengals play the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 56.  Having won the college football national championship with LSU and the Heisman in 2019, Burrow looks at add Super Bowl champion to his résumé. Only three players in NFL history have accomplished this: Tony Dorsett, Marcus Allen and Charles Woodson. Burrow would be the first quarterback to do so if the Bengals win the Super Bowl in two weeks. 👀 We'll be watching. • Here's why the Bengals will be considered home team in Rams' SoFi Stadium for Super Bowl 56. • 'Embarrassing for our game': Rams' Andrew Whitworth calls out former 49er Joe Staley for trolling his wife. Bengals defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin lifts up Joe Burrow after winning the AFC championship game Sunday in Kansas City. Albert Cesare, The Cincinnati Enquirer A break from the news • 💌 A treat for your sweet: 12 popular Valentine's Day cards your partner will love. • 🏡 Wanna pay off that mortgage? How to make it happen by the time you retire. • 💔 'Cinderella phenomenon': Why do some abusive parents target only one child? This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here. MORE ARTICLES Former teacher charged with plotting US attacks appears in court Hillsong founder charged in sex crimes cover-up 5 things you need to know Monday Barge hits bridge in Germany during storm   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? 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OnPolitics: FBI searching for link between Trump allies, Jan. 6 suspects

The Justice Department's wide-ranging prosecution has netted more than 725 arrests, but defendants told investigators they had no links to Trump. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

On Politics   Monday, January 31 OnPolitics: FBI searching for link between Trump allies, Jan. 6... The Justice Department's wide-ranging prosecution has netted more than 725 arrests, but defendants told investigators they had no links to Trump. Happy Monday, OnPolitics readers! In case you missed it this weekend: Former President Donald Trump dangled the prospect of pardons for supporters who participated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, if he returns to the White House. "If I run and if I win, we will treat those people from Jan. 6th fairly," Trump said Saturday night during a rally. "And if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons because they are being treated so unfairly." His promise didn't go unnoticed: Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis is asking the FBI to assess the security of the local government complex as authorities prepare to empanel a special grand jury to investigate the former president's intervention in Georgia's 2020 election. Willis said her request was prompted by Trump's Saturday appearance in Conroe, Texas, where he referred to "radical, vicious, racist prosecutors." It's Amy and Chelsey with today's top stories out of Washington. FBI still on the hunt for link between Jan. 6 suspects and Trump's inner circle Federal investigators asked suspects in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack, including members of the far-right extremist group Oath Keepers, about possible links between Donald Trump, his inner circle and the rioters. Federal prosecutors questioned defendants facing the most serious offenses and those who played cursory roles in the attack about possible connections to the former president and those close to him as the Justice Department continues a wide-ranging prosecution that's netted more than 725 arrests. Though investigators tried to find a possible connection between Trump and efforts to halt Congress' counting of Electoral College votes, according to court records and interviews with defense lawyers, defendants told investigators they had no links to Trump. Why focus the Oath Keepers in this case? The Oath Keepers have been at the heart of conspiracy charges from the attack for allegedly coordinating their travel, participating in paramilitary training and communicating during the attack through encrypted apps. At least 56 people, including 23 members of the Oath Keepers, have been charged with conspiracy, and four have pleaded guilty.  No charges yet: Trump and allies such as his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who spoke at his rally, haven't been charged criminally in the conspiracy. Trump's and Giuliani's lawyers argued in civil lawsuits stemming from the attack that they can't be held liable for the violent actions of people who listened to their speeches. Real quick: stories you'll want to read • Senate primaries to watch ahead of 2022 midterms: Alabama, Arizona, Missouri and North Carolina are among those to keep an eye on leading up to November. • CRT tip line?: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's new critical race theory tip line that encourages parents to report "divisive" teaching methods spurs controversy. • Biden considers Childs for SCOTUS: The White House confirms U.S. District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs is on Biden's short list, upholding his pledge to nominate a Black woman to the highest court. • Biden doubles down on universal pre-K: The president is pushing for the policy in his $1.75 trillion infrastructure package. Russia and U.S. tussle over Ukraine during UN Security Council meeting A United Nations Security Council meeting Monday transformed into a war of words when Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the Biden administration of "whipping up tensions and rhetoric and provoking escalation" over Ukraine. Nebenzia also suggested to U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield that the country invited "nationalists, radicals, Russophobes and pure Nazis," into Ukraine's capital Kyiv by ousting a Kremlin-friendly president in 2014. Thomas-Greenfield also said Russia is "attempting, without any factual basis, to paint Ukraine and Western countries as the aggressors to fabricate a pretext for attack," and referred to the over 100,000 Russian troops stationed at the Ukrainian border poised to invade. The Security Council meeting was the first open session in which countries involved in the Ukraine crisis spoke publicly. The meeting took place despite Moscow's attempt to block it, but Russia's veto power and relationship to key allies, such as China, make any formal action by the Council extremely unlikely.   Ukrainian Americans fear a "massacre": Americans with friends, family in Ukraine trust their resiliency, but know the costs will be dire if Russia invades. Kremlin says "no plans to invade": Ukrainians brace for the worst despite Russia's stated intent. The Kremlin has not confirmed whether its security demands amid NATO's eastward expansion will be met. Looking for more to read? Six historically black colleges and universities throughout the country received bomb threats for the second time within a month. — Amy and Chelsey Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe • Manage Newsletters • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights • Privacy Notice • Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy • Feedback © 2022 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102