Hey there! It’s Wednesday, and the House literally puts the articles of impeachment in a box, which is then carried to the Senate in a ceremonial delivery. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. The impeachment standoff is officially over

The House today voted to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, ending a standoff between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., over the parameters of the Senate’s trial of President Donald Trump.

The Senate is expected to begin its impeachment trial next week, though the exact ground rules remain unclear. Democrats want to call witnesses, but McConnell has resisted, saying the issue will be addressed at a later date. [NPR]

Pelosi today also named seven House Democrats to argue the case against Trump. Here’s a look at why Pelosi may have individually picked each person on that team. [Washington Post]

2. Lightfoot chastises aldermen for “demonizing” the gay community

Mayor Lori Lightfoot criticized the City Council today for the tone of a debate surrounding a plan to earmark city contracts for LGBTQ businesses.

Ald. Jason Ervin, who leads the City Council’s Black Caucus, and Ald. Walter Burnett questioned whether those set-asides would invite corruption because there is no way to prove a person’s sexuality. In an apparent effort to boost his argument, Burnett literally cited a 2007 Adam Sandler movie about two firefighters who pretend to be gay in order to get medical benefits for a kid.

After Lightfoot chastised aldermen for the “offensive tone” of the debate, the City Council overwhelmingly approved a resolution to launch a study into how to implement a set-aside program for LGBTQ businesses. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, a Lightfoot ally proposed banning foam food containers and limiting the use of plastic straws and utensils at restaurants and carryout joints. [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. The last decade was the hottest on record

That’s according to new data released by the U.S. government today that illustrate a troubling trajectory for the planet. Scientists warn the coming years could be even hotter.

“2020 is off to a horrifying climate start, and I fear what the rest of the year will bring to our doorsteps,” said a climate scientist at Georgia Tech.

Scientists say data from the 2010s show climate change is man-made and that other explanations, like more heat from the sun, are too small of a factor to explain long-term trends. [AP]

4. Americans will still pay 25% tax on some Chinese goods under U.S.-China trade deal

President Trump today signed an initial trade deal aimed at easing economic tensions with China. Under the agreement, Trump will relax some tariffs on Chinese imports while China will buy more American products, among other things.

But a 25% tariff on some Chinese goods, like components U.S. factories use to assemble products, will still be in place, reports NPR. While the Trump administration insists China will be picking up that tab, studies have shown the costs are largely passed down to American consumers. [NPR]

Here’s a look at the winners and losers in today’s trade deal. [BBC]

5. Putin seeks to extend his grip on power

Russia’s political elite faced a shakeup today as President Vladimir Putin announced changes to the country’s constitution that could keep him in power well after his term ends in 2024. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev abruptly resigned, along with his cabinet, after Putin’s announcement.

Putin’s proposal calls for expanding the powers of Parliament and a body called the State Council while scaling back the authority of the president. Observers say Putin might be setting up a scenario where he takes over the prime minister’s seat as a way to stay in power after his presidential term ends. [AP]

Here’s what else is happening

• Here are four takeaways from last night’s Democratic presidential debate in Iowa. [WBEZ]

• Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle wants to have more power over the county-run hospital system. [WBEZ]

• Here’s a look at who wants to replace Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown. [WBEZ]

• Chicago Public Schools is close to having a social worker in every school. [WBEZ]

Oh, and one more thing …

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame today announced this year’s class of inductees, which includes Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, The Notorious B.I.G., T-Rex and music critic, manager and record producer Jon Landau. An induction ceremony will be held on May 2 and air live on HBO. [NPR]

The hall of fame has come under criticism for the small number of women inducted. Of the 888 members in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, only 69 are women, which comes out to less than 8%, according to a study conducted by music writer Evelyn McDonnell. [NPR]

Tell me something good …

We’re in the movie awards season, and I’d like to know what movies you enjoyed over the last year.

Carol Johnson writes:

“I enjoyed The Farewell. The movie had great acting and was very perceptive about family dynamics.”

And Susan writes:

“Parasite WAS my favorite, until I saw Jo Jo Rabbit. JJR is brilliant. I saw a man at the theatre who had seen it four times (so far — probably six times by now). Don’t pick your favorite until you see it!”

What’s your favorite movie from the last year? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

Have a nice night! I’ll see you tomorrow. And if you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter here and have it delivered to your inbox.