Good morning, North State. Here's what you need to know to start your day on Jan. 11.
Latest on California EDD unemployment claims
California lawmakers are returning to the state capitol today. The focus - unemployment fraud. Some lawmakers are now calling for the employment development department to be audited. The state has frozen more than 100 million unemployment claims after distributing over $400 million to California prisoners.
6 inmates have escaped from the Merced County Jail
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office is on the hunt for six escaped inmates from the county jail. Investigators say if you do see them do not approach them. One escaped inmate is a suspect in a murder investigation. Click here to learn more.
California virus deaths top 30,000 after deadliest weekend
This weekend, the United States reached a record one-day number of cases with more than 278,000 new infections. The worst is here in California. In California, more people are dying due to COVID-19 than all other causes of death combined, according to health officials.
Republicans block measure calling for quick removal of Trump
A House resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke constitutional authority to remove President Donald Trump from office has been blocked by Republicans. As the House prepares for impeachment, President Donald Trump faces a single charge - “incitement of insurrection” - over the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. That's according to a draft of the articles obtained by The Associated Press.
US Capitol Police names new acting chief
The U.S. Capitol Police is under new leadership this morning. The previous chief stepped down in the wake of the Capitol riot. Yogananda Pittman is named the new Acting Chief of the U-S Capitol Police. The force now mourns one of their own - officer Brian Sicknick. He died amid the mob of riot at the Capitol after he was struck in the head with a fire extinguisher.
Capitol physician says lawmakers may have been exposed to Covid-19 during riot lockdown
In a letter to members of congress Sunday, the attending physician says house lawmakers may have been exposed to a person with the coronavirus infection when they went into hiding during last week’s riots. Dr. Brian Monahan advised members to continue "risk reduction measures" including social distancing and symptom checks and to get tested for COVID-19 next week as a precaution.