Will stimulus checks get a $1.4K boost?

Tuesday, December 29

President Donald J.Trump's name is printed on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, Thursday, April 23, 2020, in San Antonio. According to the Treasury Department, it marks the first time a president's name has appeared on any IRS payments, whether refund checks or other stimulus checks that have been mailed during past economic crises.

A measure to increase stimulus checks could head to the Senate and more news to start your Tuesday.

Good morning, Daily Briefing readers! It's that time of the year when the days seem to merge into one ... but in case you've forgotten what day it is, it's Tuesday. I'm Jane, with the news you need to know today.

Will the Senate approve a measure to raise stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000? It's unclear. Boeing's 737 Max will return to American skies after a 20-month grounding following two deadly crashes. And Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be the latest top official to be inoculated against COVID-19, as California's stay-at-home order is likely to be extended. If you prefer to get your news in audio form, listen to the 5 things podcast!

Here's today's news:

Increased $2,000 stimulus check measure could head to Senate

A measure to increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000 for most Americans as part of a COVID-19 relief package could be brought to the GOP-controlled Senate on Tuesday . Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would force the chamber to take up the measure after its Monday approval in the House. With only one senator needed to object to block the bill from passing, the measure's future remains unclear. Republicans have for months stressed over increased government spending and are likely to oppose the measure despite President Donald Trump pressing for checks to be boosted to $2,000 per adult. A vote on this measure will force conservative lawmakers into an uncomfortable position: either cave on their long-held objections or snub a key demand of the president in the last weeks of his tenure.

•	Coronavirus updates: Stimulus checks delayed until next week?
•	Stimulus becomes law: Trump reverses on coronavirus stimulus deal, signs package he called a 'disgrace'
•	Will stimulus checks be sent this week? After Trump's delay, it's unclear
•	How the stalemate was broken: How a pasta dinner and Zoom chats rescued the COVID-19 relief bill and led to a $900 billion deal

American Airlines will put 737 Max back into the air

Boeing's 737 Max, the jetliner grounded for 20 months after two international crashes, is set to return to the skies with paying passengers on Tuesday . American Airlines' Flight 718, the first commercial 737 flight by a major U.S. airline since its recertification on Nov. 18, will depart from Miami around 10:30 a.m. ET and arrive at New York LaGuardia at 1:30 p.m. ET. Other airlines are planning to follow suit: United expects to resume Max flights again on Feb. 11 and Southwest hasn't announced a date for its return, though its CEO predicted it wouldn't be until spring. All Max jets worldwide were grounded in 2019 after two fatal crashes that together killed 346 people. In November, the Federal Aviation Administration approved changes — mainly in flight-control software — that allowed airlines to resume flying the plane. But it's unclear whether the flying public will accept the plane or avoid it.

•	What's next for the 737 MAX – and Boeing
•	American Airlines flies reporters on Boeing 737 Max jet to demonstrate confidence in safety

Kamala Harris to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, are scheduled to receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday , transition officials said. Harris' vaccination is expected to be done live on camera, CNN reported. Harris will join a growing number of high-level officials who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, including President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Experts say it is important for top government officials to be among the first to receive doses of the vaccine in order to boost confidence among the American people. Inoculating them is also part of a plan to ensure the continuity of government.

•	Here are the top US government officials who have received the coronavirus vaccine
•	Red tape, confusion block COVID homeless aid from cash-strapped cities, counties across US
•	Back to (private) school? Trump executive order empowers families amid COVID-19 pandemic, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says
•	How to persuade someone to take the COVID-19 vaccine

Investigators search for motive in Nashville bombing

Investigators on Tuesday are continuing to search for a motive in the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville, Tennessee. President-elect Joe Biden attended a national security briefing on Monday, telling reporters afterward that authorities "are working around the clock to gain more information on motive and intent," and there needs to be "continuing vigilance across the board" against domestic attacks. Officials say they still aren't sure what motivated 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner, who was killed in the blast, to blow up an RV downtown on Christmas morning, causing massive destruction to 41 buildings. Nearby residents were evacuated from their apartments. No one else was killed in the explosion. Authorities are expected to continue their investigation in the coming days to determine the type of explosives used in the blast and a motive.

•	A tip, a hat and a pair of gloves led to ID of Nashville bomber Anthony Quinn Warner
•	Nashville explosion: Cleaning up devastation on Second Avenue will take months

More news you need to know:

•	House overrides Trump's National Defense Authorization Act veto — the first of his presidency
•	Vandalism leaves 3,500 customers without heat or hot water amid freezing temperatures in Colorado
•	Ohio police officer Adam Coy fired after fatal shooting of unarmed Black man Andre Hill, Fraternal Order of Police says
•	A ceramic bust of Breonna Taylor was vandalized in California. The sculptor calls it a 'racist attack,' vows to rebuild in bronze
•	Bills complete first season sweep of Patriots since 1999 with Monday Night Football blowout

California's stay-at-home order likely to be extended

California's current stay-at-home order will likely be extended another three weeks , Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday. The official word will come Tuesday from state Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly. On Christmas Eve, California became the first state to hit the dire milestone of 2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. Even though residents have been under strict stay-at-home orders, hospitals have been flooded with the largest crush of cases since the pandemic began. If extended, the shutdown order will continue to prohibit residents from gathering; essential businesses must continue to operate at significantly lower capacity; bars, wineries, salons and restaurant dining will remain shut down and hotels can only be open for critical infrastructure support. Newsom said the state must prepare for an inevitable "surge on top of a surge" as the holiday season continues.

•	Black, Latina and immigrant mothers are losing jobs as COVID-19 child care crisis grows
•	Colleges say SAT, ACT score is optional for application during COVID-19. Families don't believe them
•	Pandemic threatens 'the cultural water cooler' of small, independent movie theaters
•	US coronavirus map: Tracking the outbreak

And finally: Strangers help grant wish for boy with brain cancer

Isaac Rodriguez, a North Carolina boy with brain cancer, is getting the wish he dreamed of, not just for himself but for his whole family. And it was made possible thanks to the kindness of strangers. Find out more in this heartwarming video from Humankind.