March 2021 Current Events: US News
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The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the US news events you need to know so far for March 2021:
- Coronavirus Updates
- Charges in the World of Politics
- Coronavirus Updates (2)
- Controversial Voting Laws Passed
- Coronavirus Updates (3)
- Shooting at Atlanta Spas
- Shooting at Dallas Nightclub
- Coronavirus Updates (4)
- Mass Shooting in Colorado
- Shooting at Virginia Beach
Coronavirus Updates
On March 2, governors of Texas and Mississippi announced they will be lifting the mask mandates and reopening businesses to be 100%. The call comes after officials stated an end is in sight, but asked that states not be too eager with lifting restrictions. On March 3, the Johnson and Johnson single-dose vaccine was administered for the first time outside a clinical trial in Ohio. Mass vaccination sites are being set up all over. On March 6, after over 24 hours of deliberation, the Senate passed a $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill that includes $1400 in stimulus checks for certain people. The hike in minimum wage and other provisions were vetoed before the bill was passed. The changes now need to pass the House before being signed by President Biden and put into law. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Charges in the World of Politics
On March 5, a former Trump State Department political appointee was arrested and charged for pushing against police during the insurrection at Capitol Hill. At the time of the crime, Freddie Klein held a top-secret level security clearance at the time of the riot and his alleged crime. He is the first Trump administration member to be arrested in relation to Capitol Hill. On that same day, New York passed a law that repeals Governor Cuomo’s expanded emergency executive powers. This bill makes it so the governor cannot issue any new directives. On March 13, various senators called for Cuomo to resign after seven women came forward with sexual assault accusations. Cuomo has yet to respond to these requests. (CNN)
Photo Source: Office of the NY Governor via AP
Coronavirus Updates (2)
On March 8, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people can now meet indoors without masks. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the final dose and about 30 million Americans have been vaccinated. On March 10, it was announced that about 1 in 10 people in the US are vaccinated as President Biden pushes for more vaccines.(CNN/BBC)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Controversial Voting Laws Passed
On March 8, Iowa’s Governor Kim Reynolds passed a controversial law that may make it harder for people to vote. The signed bill shortens the early voting to 20 days (instead of 29) before the election and will cause polls to close 1 hour earlier. The law has already garnered much criticism from Democrats of the state. On the same day, President Biden signed an executive order designed to help with voter rights. The new order gives rights back to former felons, increases early voting and mail-in ballots, and will make the process easier for eligible Americans. The order comes after various Republican governors signed bills of their own. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Coronavirus Updates (3)
On March 14, despite Covid still spreading in America, over 100 spring breakers were arrested in Miami, Florida. Two police officers were also injured during clashes with unruly crowds, citing the pandemic as making it more difficult to police spring break crowds. On March 17, it was announced that since most of the White House staff has been vaccinated, the daily Covid tests have decreased and confidence is on the rise. On March 18, the US announced that it will send 4 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Mexico and Canada. The US has a stockpile of the vaccine despite not approving of it. On March 19, Dr. Fauci gave a briefing in Washington DC, stating that the new coronavirus variant first identified in the UK is now in the US and rapidly spreading. He also stated that it has a larger fatality rate. On March 20, Miami Beach declared a state of emergency after too many spring breakers gathered in large crowds throughout the area. The mayor stated that the crowds were more than the city can handle and thus a curfew has been put into place. The night before, one of the crowds/parties turned into a riot after someone shot a weapon into the air. On March 20, Johns Hopkins University announced that Covid-19 cases are once again on the rise across the country, with Michigan being one of the states hit the hardest. Many states are now being hit by the new UK variant of the virus. (CNN)
Photo Source: mpi04/MediaPunch /IPX
Shooting at Atlanta Spas
On March 17, a male suspect shot and killed eight people, mostly Asian American women, after targeting Atlanta massage parlors. The suspect has claimed that the attacks were not racially motivated, but police are still investigated. He allegedly also had plans to continue the mass killing spree in surrounding states, but was luckily apprehended quickly. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
Shooting at Dallas Nightclub
On March 19, at least one person died and another seven were injured after a shooting occurred at a Dallas nightclub. Police stated that the shooting occurred after a disagreement between two groups, resulting in someone firing a weapon in the club. However, no motive or suspects have been identified as the police continue the investigation. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson
Coronavirus Updates (4)
On March 21, NYC schools announced that they plan to reopen high schools Monday, the 22nd. Any students who opted for in-person learning should be able to return, while others stay remote. That same day, teacher unions in LA announced that they’ve come to an agreement and will open schools in April. The plan calls for preschools and elementary schools to open, as well as programs for students with learning disabilities in the middle of April, with high and middle schools following at the end of the month. On March 22, a study in the US revealed that the AstraZeneca vaccine is 79% effective against infection and 100% effective against severe severe disease and hospitalization. This information is causing many to speculate that AstraZeneca will be approved for emergency use in April, as the trial also showed no safety concerns. On March 25, DoorDash announced that it will deliver at-home Covid tests. The company will offer both nasal and saliva tests, which should produce results in 24 to 48 hours. On March 31, Pfizer/BioNTech announced that its vaccine is 100% effective and can be used in adolescents 12 to 15. The data will be submitted to the FDA to get authorized for emergency use in adolescents. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
Mass Shooting in Colorado
On March 21, a gunman entered a King Soopers in Boulder, Colorado and began firing at the crowd of shoppers and employees. The gunman killed at least 10 people and was shot and wounded himself. Among those killed is police officer Eric Talley, 51, who was the first responder on the scene. Other victims ranged from ages 20-65. It was reported that the weapon used in the attack was an AR-15, which many are saying was acquired just days after a judge lifted the ban on assault rifles in Boulder. As of March 23, a suspect had been charged with 10 charges of first-degree murder. Little information regarding motive has been released by Boulder police. On March 24, President Biden announced possible executive orders regarding gun control, as two mass shootings have happened less than a week apart. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Shooting at Virginia Beach
On March 27, at least two people died, and another eight were injured, after a shooting occurred on Virginia Beach. Police responded to a call regarding a dispute among a group at the beach. The second fatality appears to not be related to the first group. There was also a fatality involving police, but that does not appear to be connected, either. (CNN)
Photo Source: AP Photo/John C. Clark
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