Hey there! It’s Wednesday, and I’m not sure 2021 is shaping up to be a whole lot better than 2020. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Chaos erupts in D.C. as Trump supporters storm into U.S. Capitol and clash with police

The deep political divide in the U.S. came to an ugly and astonishing crescendo today as scores of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress began to certify the Electoral College victory of President-elect Joe Biden.

“This is a coup attempt,” Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said after the capitol was put on lockdown and security escorted Vice President Mike Pence to safety.

The situation unfolded after Trump spoke to his supporters earlier in the day, saying, “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” The president then encouraged them to head to the Capitol.

Photos circulating from reporters showed a horrifying scene inside the Capitol. At one point a man reached the dais of the Senate chamber and yelled, “Trump won that election!”

At least one person was shot and transported by Washington, D.C., EMS from the Capitol, NPR reports. At least one explosive device was discovered near the Capitol, according to The Associated Press.

Biden condemned the chaos at the Capitol and criticized Trump, saying his words matter. He called on the president to go on national television “to fulfil his oath and defend the constitution, and demand an end to this siege.”

Trump then released a recorded video where he reiterated the baseless claim the election was stolen, but also told the mob to go home. [NPR]

The Army eventually mobilized all of its 1,100 National Guard troops in D.C. to the Capitol and other points around Washington. [New York Times]

The chaos halted a joint session of Congress to certify Electoral College votes. Earlier in the day, as some Republicans objected to Arizona’s results, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned that overturning Biden’s victory would push democracy into a “death spiral.” [Washington Post]

2. Less than one-third of Chicago’s vaccines have gone to city residents so far

A total of 124,425 vaccine doses have been shipped to Chicago as of Dec. 28, but less than 30% have been administered to people who actually live in the city, reports WBEZ’s Becky Vevea, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of those doses, about 36,500 went to city residents. The remaining doses — about 87,900 — either went to people who live outside Chicago but work in the city, or they are sitting in freezers. The Chicago Department of Public Health did not provide a breakdown.

But Dr. Allison Arwady said yesterday that of the doses administered, 58% have gone to city residents. If 58% is about 36,500, then the city has only given out about 63,000 doses so far. That means around half of the city’s supply of vaccines have not been administered so far. A spokesman for the city’s health department did not return calls from WBEZ. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker announced guidelines for the next step in vaccinating Illinois residents, called Phase 1B. That means all residents 65 and older are next in line after the state completes its vaccinations of health care workers and people in long-term care facilities. [Chicago Tribune]

3. Biden to nominate Merrick Garland as attorney general

President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Judge Merrick Garland as attorney general, reports NPR, citing two sources familiar with the decision.

Garland has deep connections with the Justice Department and oversaw the prosecution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. He reemerged in the national spotlight in 2016 when President Barack Obama nominated him to the Supreme Court following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

NPR also reports that FBI official Lisa Monaco will be named as deputy attorney general, and former civil rights leader Vanita Gupta will be nominated as associate AG. [NPR]

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is mounting a last ditch effort under the Trump administration to undo decadeslong discrimination protections for women, minorities, LGBTQ and other group, reports The New York Times. [NYT]

4. Ossoff wins Senate runoff, giving Democrats control of Senate

Democrats have captured a slim majority in the Senate, as Democrat Jon Ossoff is projected to beat Republican David Perdue in Georgia. Ossoff will be the youngest member of the Senate at 33 years old. [CNBC]

Meanwhile, Black voters in Georgia are celebrating Rev. Raphael Warnock’s win against Sen. Kelly Loeffler. As NPR points out, Warnock becomes the first Black Democrat elected to the Senate from a Southern state. And he will become the 11th Black person to serve in the Senate. [NPR]

What does this mean for Stacey Abrams, who played a key role in Democratic efforts to claim the two Senate seats? As The Associated Press reports, Abrams is expected to seek a rematch against Gov. Brian Kemp. [AP]

5. Hong Kong rounds up dozens of pro-democracy activists

More than 50 politicians and activists have been arrested by Hong Kong authorities and charged with “subverting state power” under the region’s controversial national security law that China forced onto the city.

The arrests suggest that Beijing does not fear reprisals from western countries over its efforts to stamp out democracy in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong police also searched three news outlets and demanded they turn over information. Many of the people arrested had participated in primaries that were held in advance of the legislative elections scheduled to take place in the fall. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam postponed those elections under the pretext of the pandemic. [CNN]

Here’s what else is happening

• Barbara Byrd-Bennett allegedly steered another multimillion deal to a friend while she oversaw Chicago Public Schools, according to a watchdog. [Chicago Tribune]
• Father Michael Pfleger says he is “devastated” by decades-old allegations of sexual abuse. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• A Chicago police officer was arrested for an alleged off-duty shooting. [Chicago Tribune]
• The piping plovers’ nesting ground on Chicago’s Montrose Beach would be designated as a Nature Preserve under a petition to park officials. [WTTW]

Oh, and one more thing …

Unemployed Illinois workers will see a $300 boost to their weekly benefits. The state on Monday began distributing enhanced jobless benefits, which were provided under the latest federal relief package. The boost will last through March 13.

According to the Chicago Tribune, anyone who received unemployment aid during the week of Dec. 26 is eligible for the extra $300 per week, and they do not need to apply for the additional benefits. [Chicago Tribune]

Tell me something good …

What’s one of your favorite songs from the ’80s?

Heather writes:

“Oh, where do I even begin? There are so many great songs from the ’80s. Do you think we have fonder memories of songs from our youth than the songs are really worth? Anyway I love ‘Blister in the Sun’ by the Violent Femmes. Takes me back to college. So much fun.”

And Gloriane writes:

“My elementary school gym teacher would blast ‘Eye of the Tiger’ while we ran laps. As an adult, it’s my go-to when I need a motivator or a reward for a job well done.

“When we had the adult snow day during the big storm of 2011, I did a ceremonial lap around my apartment listening to that song to celebrate. Now we all just work from home so it really was worthy of the song.”

What is one of your favorite songs from the ’80s? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

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