Trump ratchets up pace of executions before Biden inaugural

CHICAGO (AP) — As Donald Trump’s presidency winds down, his administration is ratcheting up the pace of federal executions despite a surge of coronavirus cases in prisons. The Bureau of Prisons has in recent weeks announced plans for five executions starting Thursday. The flurry would conclude just days before the presidential inauguration of death penalty…

Biden adjusting agenda to reflect narrow divide in Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is adjusting the scope of his agenda to meet the realities of governing under a divided Congress and the complications of legislating during a historic pandemic. His team and congressional Democrats are looking at ways they can wrap some climate change provisions into a coronavirus aid bill. They’re considering…

Georgia GOP seeks mail-in ballot changes after Biden’s win

ATLANTA (AP) — Republican officials in Georgia are floating additional requirements for the state’s vote-by-mail process — despite no evidence of systemic fraud. The push also comes after scathing criticism from President Donald Trump about how officials handled the November election. A record number of absentee ballots helped deliver a narrow presidential victory for Democrat…

UK authorizes Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use

LONDON (AP) — Britain has authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for use, greenlighting the first shot backed up by rigorous scientific review. The first vaccinations are expected within days — a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic. The go-ahead Wednesday for the vaccine from American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech comes as the virus surges…