US POLITICS

As the school bells ring, the challenges abound -- from security to overcoming the pandemic learning loss.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+.

The primary election is in the rear view mirror, and now we’re looking ahead to November.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

DETROIT – On Sunday’s episode of Flashpoint there was a conversation about the rise of domestic terrorism and mass violence with Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. There was also a discussion about marijuana business licenses being distributed by the City of Detroit. Detroit City Council members Janee Ayers, James Tate and Raquel Castaneda-Lopez spoke about the topic. They weighed in on marijuana licensing in the city and the priority to include legacy Detroiters. Segment OneRep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan’s 8th Congressional DistrictSegment TwoDetroit City Council members Janee Ayers, James Tate and Raquel Castaneda-LopezSegment ThreeFlashpoint host Karen Drew wraps up this week’s episode

DETROIT – April is right around the corner and with it comes national Financial Literacy Month. It is part of a campaign that drives organizations across the country to hold initiatives designed to improve and promote financial literacy. On Saturday, Kelly Masters, chair of Michigan Financial Wellness Network, talked about initiatives here in Michigan on Local 4 News Today. Michigan has dozens of free, non-solicitous programs for preschoolers to retirees, and everyone in between. You can learn more about the programs by visiting the Michigan Financial Wellness website.

We talked to the owner of the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, John Ferchill. This week we learned the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit is in foreclosure. There was a discussion with Dr. Pamela Smock, a sociologist with the University of Michigan’s Population Studies Center. David Prerau, author of Seize the Daylight spoke about the topic. Segment OneOwner of the Westin Book Cadillac, John Ferchill.

DETROIT – From vaccine distribution to reopening the economy and fixing worn-out infrastructure, many major projects are county responsibilities. Sunday’s episode of Flashpoint included a conversation with the county executives from Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. The leaders are Oakland County Executive, David Coulter; Wayne County Executive, Warren Evans and Macomb County Executive, Mark Hackel. Jennifer Granholm who currently serves on President Joe Biden’s cabinet as secretary of energy made an appearance. Segment OneOakland County Executive, David Coulter; Wayne County Executive, Warren Evans and Macomb County Executive, Mark HackelSegment TwoSecretary of Energy and former Michigan governor, Jennifer Granholm

DETROIT – It has been a whole year since the first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Michigan. On Sunday’s episode of Flashpoint we took a look at what the country and world has learned throughout the year in addition to how to move forward from this point. A new study this week found the likely reason the United States leads the world in COVID-19 deaths is because the country has the world’s most overweight population. There was also a discussion on how stakeholders in the education crisis feel about in-person learning resuming. Related: Nearly 1 year since first cases of coronavirus confirmed in MichiganSegment OneLori Higgins, Bureau Chief for Chalkboard Detroit and Chastity Pratt, Education Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal.

DETROIT – Everyone agrees that Americans need relief from the pandemic, but what kind of relief is right or might be too much? We talked about it Sunday on Flashpoint with Democratic Rep. Brenda Lawrence of Michigan’s 14th congressional district and Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan’s 10th congressional district. The House passed a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package early Saturday, 219-212, that includes $1,400 checks for most Americans and billions of dollars for schools, state and local governments and businesses. Both Lawrence and McClain talked about that and more. Segment OneDemocratic Rep. Brenda Lawrence of Michigan’s 14th congressional district and Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan’s 10th congressional district.

DETROIT – After giving his two cents at the White House, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan returned to the city to continue steering it through the pandemic. Then the “other” pandemic -- the mental health struggles of young people after a year of COVID-19. From pretty much the beginning, we’ve wondered about the toll the pandemic has been taking on all of us from a mental health standpoint. Segment OneDetroit Mayor Mike Duggan. AdSegment TwoDr. Lynn Smitherman from Wayne State University and Mary Beth Garvey, a family therapist from Grosse Pointe.

DETROIT – Sunday’s episode of Flashpoint was live and included a roundtable discussion on the historic second impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump. On Saturday, Trump was acquitted in the impeachment trial. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, author of Medicare for All: A citizen’s guide, also made an appearance and discussed the Medicare for All movement. Segment OneA roundtable discussion with Zoe Clark, co-host of It’s Just Politics on Michigan Radio; Guy Gordon, host of The Guy Gordon Show on WJR; Nolan Finley, editorial page editor of The Detroit News and Stephen Henderson, host of WDET’s Detroit Today show, on the impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump. AdSegment TwoDr. Abdul El-Sayed, author of Medicare for All: A citizen’s guideSegment ThreeHost Devin Scillian wraps up this week’s episode remembering prominent self-defense attorney, Cliff Woodards.

DETROIT – A million vaccines have been distributed in Michigan, which sounds like a lot, until you realize it isn’t nearly enough. On Sunday’s episode we turned to one of the leading authorities on vaccines. Dr. Arnold Monto, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health spoke about where we stand on vaccine distribution. And Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson puts forth her prescription for strengthening Michigan’s elections. The state leader spoke about the issue more on Sunday.

DETROIT – The United States Senate is preparing for the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Several Republican lawmakers say the proceedings are at odds with now-President Joe Biden’s articulated desire to bring the nation back together. On Sunday, we discussed the impeachment trial with U.S. We also heard from Washtenaw County’s new prosecutor Eli Savit, who has decided it will not be business as usual in the prosecutor’s office. AdSegment OneInterview with U.S. Sen. Debbie StabenowSegment TwoInterview with Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli SavitSegment ThreeHost Devin Scillian wraps up this week’s episode with a round of “3 and Out”Watch Flashpoint live every Sunday at 10 a.m.

The Biden administration must determine how to handle that commitment. Frerichs' supporters are concerned that a drawdown of military personnel from Afghanistan leaves the U.S. without the leverage it needs to demand his release. AdThe State Department is offering $5 million for information leading to Frerichs' return. We will not stop working until we secure his safe return home,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price. “You don’t leave Americans behind, and I just really want to make sure that he’s home safe.”AdBlinken told reporters Wednesday that the Biden administration wanted to take a detailed look at that deal, saying.

“The idea that you can get up here and talk about what you know, what the evidence, what the science is and know that’s it, let the science speak -- it is somewhat of a liberating feeling,” Fauci added. Dr. Fauci asked about difference between Trump and Biden administrations:"The idea that you can get up here and talk about what you know, what the evidence, what the science is and know that's it, let the science speak — it is somewhat of a liberating feeling." Throughout the pandemic, Trump constantly undermined Fauci’s credibility, falsely insisting that the pandemic was nearly over. Now under the Biden administration, Fauci is in full view of the public, feeling like he can speak freely and openly about the science surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. “One of the new things in this administration is, If you don’t know the answer, don’t guess,” Fauci said.

President-elect Joe Biden speaks during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, to announce key nominees for the Justice Department. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)(Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

President Trump says he is outraged by violence at CapitolPresident Donald Trump released a new video Thursday, conceding to Joe Biden and condemning the violent pro-Trump rioters who stormed in the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. In a new video message, Trump says that since Congress has certified President-elect Biden’s victory, the “new administration will be inaugurated on January 20” and his “focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power.”Trump is also speaking out against the violence in Washington, calling it a “heinous attack” that left him “outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem.”Trump did not address his role in inciting the violence in the video. However, the president did tell his supporters that, while he knows they are “disappointed,” their “incredible journey is only just beginning.”The video comes a day after Twitter threatened to permanently suspend Trump’s account after removing posts he made addressing the pro-Trump rioters who stormed Capitol buildings in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. His account was locked for 12 hours. Facebook blocked the president from posting for at least two weeks.

Congresswoman Lawrence says, though it may be difficult for people to hear or even realize, the truth is that Capitol police would have responded differently Wednesday if the rioters Black instead of white. More: Race double standard clear in rioters’ Capitol insurrectionLawrence was among the many lawmakers inside the U.S. Capitol when the pro-Trump extremists stormed the building on Wednesday. Many are wondering why police had such a heavy presence amid largely peaceful BLM protests, but were hardly present amid such a violent riot Jan. 6. He also agrees there are major differences in the treatment of white and Black demonstrators by law enforcement. Congresswoman Lawrence says hearings will take place regarding what happened in Washington on Jan. 6 and the lack of security at the Capitol.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is joining an increasing number of leaders in faulting President Trump for encouraging the violent insurrection that shook the Capitol -- and the nation -- on Jan. 6. “People can come together and demonstrate, that is not in-and-of itself ‘domestic terrorism,’” Whitmer said Thursday. In fact, during a campaign rally, Trump encouraged a crowd of his supporters chanting of Whitmer “lock her up” by saying smiling and saying “lock them all up.”Gov. The riot by Trump supporters who breached the security of Congress on Wednesday was “not dissent, was not disorder, was not protest. In solemn tones, Biden said the actions Trump has taken to subvert the nation’s democratic institutions throughout his presidency led directly to the mayhem in Washington.

Attorney General nominee Judge Merrick Garland speaks during an event with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. During a live event on Jan. 7, Biden called the pro-Trump rioters’ invasion of the U.S. Capitol “an assault on the rule of law” just before formally nominating Judge Merrick Garland as Attorney General. More: Biden blames Trump for violence at Capitol that’s shaken USA federal appeals court judge serving since 1997, Garland is widely known for his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Barack Obama in 2016. Biden also nominated Thursday Lisa Monaco as Deputy Attorney General, Vanita Gupta as Associate Attorney General and Kristen Clarke as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. In solemn tones, Biden said the actions Trump has taken to subvert the nation’s democratic institutions throughout his presidency led directly to the mayhem in Washington.

President-elect Joe Biden held a live event Thursday to introduce key nominees to serve in his administration’s Department of Justice just one day after chaos consumed the Capitol in Washington. This live stream has now ended. UPDATE: Biden names Judge Merrick Garland as Attorney General after Obama-era Supreme Court snubPresident Donald Trump now says there “will be an orderly transition on January 20th” after Congress concluded the electoral vote count certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory and after a day of violence when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Read the full story here. Read more: Politics

Read: Experts: Capitol riot product of years of hateful rhetoricIn response, lawmakers are calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the Constitution’s 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. Learn more: What is the 25th Amendment and how does it work? The Vice President and Cabinet should invoke the 25th Amendment, or Congress should impeach and remove the President. — Brenda Lawrence (@RepLawrence) January 7, 2021Rep. Haley Stevens, Michigan’s 11th DistrictI encourage those with the authority to invoke the 25th Amendment to exercise that power. pic.twitter.com/5VK8DLTLn4 — David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 7, 2021Speaker of the U.S. House Rep. Nancy Pelosi, from California, previously introduced legislation in October requesting Congress to intervene under the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)Twitter is threatening to permanently suspend President Trump’s account after they removed posts he made addressing the pro-Trump rioters who stormed Capitol buildings in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. In the video, Trump urged his supporters who were rioting in D.C. to “go home in peace,” but his message didn’t stop there. President Trump did not win the 2020 election, and President-elect Biden will be sworn into office on Jan. 20. Twitter is demanding that Trump remove tweets violating their policy within the 12-hour lockdown, or else they will permanently suspend his Twitter account. Later Wednesday evening, Facebook -- which also owns Instagram -- similarly announced that they will also lock President Trump’s account for 24 hours.

Of the two Georgia Senate runoff races that will determine which political party has more legislative power in the years to come, Democrats have been victorious in both -- giving the party the Senate majority. Though Georgia’s Senate results favor Democrats, Biden says that he will work with representatives on both sides of the aisle in an effort to unite the nation and take action to move the country forward as president. I have long said that the bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill passed in December was just a down payment. We need urgent action on what comes next, because the COVID-19 crisis hits red states and blue states alike. My nominees for critical national security positions at State, Defense, Treasury, and Homeland Security have bipartisan support and have been confirmed by the Senate before.

The group says that if the 10-day audit isn’t granted, they will object to the Electoral College votes that have declared Biden the president-elect. Michigan Republicans are joining the last-ditch effort to overturn the election results. More than 100 Republican House members from the so-called Kraken Caucus are also expected to object to the presidential election results next week. This week, Democratic Senator Gary Peters called objections to the election results deliberate attempts to undermine trust in American elections. Trump and his allies have filed roughly 50 lawsuits challenging election results, and nearly all have been dismissed or dropped.

... Our men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform shouldn’t be denied what they need — ever.”Long before issuing the veto, Trump offered a series of rationales for rejecting it. Without going into detail, he has claimed the biggest winner from the defense bill would be China. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., called Trump's veto “unconscionable” and said he would “look forward to overriding” it. In advance of the veto, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said the bill would help deter Chinese aggression. McConnell said it was important for Congress to continue its nearly six-decade-long streak of passing the defense policy bill.

Biden is expected to pick his former rival Pete Buttigieg as secretary of transportation and Granholm as energy secretary. On Saturday, Dec. 19, Biden officially announced his nomination of former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy while introducing appointees for his new climate and energy teams. Governor Granholm is just like the state she led so effectively for eight years: hard-working, resilient, and forward-thinking. I’m honored that President-elect @joeBiden has placed his faith in me as his Energy Secretary nominee. Governor Granholm also knows better than anyone how to make sure working people and organized labor are included in the clean energy transition.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris introduced the individuals nominated and appointed to their climate and energy team at an event on Saturday, Dec. 19. On Tuesday, a report from CNN indicated that Biden would nominate former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to lead the U.S. Department of Energy. Progressives, energy lobbyists, environmental groups and auto workers welcomed Biden’s choice of popular former Mayor Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary. Jennifer Granholm for energy secretary and former Environmental Protection Agency chief Gina McCarthy as leader of domestic climate efforts also were met with general applause. Biden is also tapping environmental lawyer and Obama administration official Brenda Mallory to run the Council on Environmental Quality, the president-elect announced Thursday.

In this Nov. 25, 2020, photo provided by the Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo, Gov. Cuomo speaks in Rochester, N.Y. Cuomo is one of several contenders under consideration by President-elect Joe Biden for the role of attorney general. Andrew Cuomo is one of several contenders under consideration by President-elect Joe Biden for the role of attorney general, a person with knowledge of the search process said Friday. The person was not authorized to discuss the search process by name and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Cuomo has been asked in recent weeks about his interest in the attorney general spot.

LANSING, Mich. – President Donald Trump's campaign was handed a unanimous defeat Friday at the Michigan Supreme Court, which declined to hear an appeal about how absentee ballots were handled in Detroit as well as other issues. The court steered it aside with a three-sentence order, the latest in a string of unsuccessful cases challenging how the Nov. 3 election was handled. Joe Biden’s 154,000-vote victory in Michigan was certified by the Board of State Canvassers on Nov. 23. The president's campaign claimed the Republican Party wasn't allowed to get an appropriate number of observers inside a Detroit convention center where absentee ballots were counted. A judge and the Michigan appeals court ruled against Trump.

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris held a live event Friday afternoon to introduce nominees and appointees for their administration. This live stream has now ended. President-elect Biden is introducing five top picks for his new administration on Friday, drawing on leading names from the Obama White House while also tapping an Ohio congresswoman and a congressional committee veteran. Appearing at the afternoon event are Biden’s choice for director of White House Domestic Policy Council, Susan Rice, who served as President Barack Obama’s national security adviser and U.N. ambassador; and Denis McDonough, Obama’s White House chief of staff, now nominated as veterans affairs secretary. Also attending will be Biden’s selection for agriculture secretary, Tom Vilsack, who held the same post for Obama; Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge, chosen to be the new administration’s housing chief; and Katherine Tai, who is chief trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee and has been tapped as U.S. trade representative.

President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the president. Trump said in a tweet Sunday that the former New York City mayor has tested positive for the virus. It is currently unclear when exactly Giuliani tested positive or how severe his infection is. “The Michigan Republican Party sends out our prayers to Mayor Giuliani, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Last month, Giuliani’s son, Andrew Giuliani -- who is a special assistant to Trump -- said he tested positive for coronavirus.

STERLING, Va. – Housing Secretary Ben Carson is crediting unapproved, experimental treatments with saving his life after he became “desperately ill” following his infection with the coronavirus. There is no medical evidence that the treatments Carson cited worked. A retired neurosurgeon, Carson said Friday that he believes he's now “out of the woods." Trump received the Regeneron treatment through a “compassionate use” exemption, a recognition of the above-and-beyond standard of care he receives as president. In his statement, Carson acknowledged having access to a level of medical care that is unavailable to most Americans.

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivered remarks Thursday afternoon following a meeting with the National Governors Association’s Executive Committee. Biden and Harris met with the executive committee, comprised of both Democratic and Republican representatives, to discuss the new administration’s transition into the White House amid the unprecedented (and worsening) coronavirus pandemic. The National Governors Association’s Executive Committee is comprised of governors Andrew Cuomo of New York, Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, Kay Ivey of Alabama, Jared Polis of Colorado, Larry Hogan of Maryland, Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico and Gary Herbert of Utah. Read: Biden reaches out to governors as Trump stymies transitionAfter being declared president-elect, Biden has begun appointing individuals to his team and preparing for the transition from the Trump-Pence to Biden-Harris administration. Read more: Biden’s DIY transition proceeds without Trump assistance

It was another weekend of President Donald Trump supporters protesting against the election results. "We don’t feel that the election is fair.”Although a slightly smaller crowd in Downtown Detroit, Biden supporters had a different message. Luiz, with the group ‘Trump/Pence Out Now,’ said Trump claiming election fraud is causing more harm than good. Recently, several lawsuits claiming election fraud on behalf of Donald Trump were thrown out in several states, including Michigan. Biden supporters said it’s time to move on.

Right now, across the country, election officials are reviewing and double checking the entire election process prior to finalizing the result. There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised. In Michigan, Trump and his team have filed a lawsuit in an effort to halt the state’s certification of its election results. The Trump campaign is suing Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson along with the Wayne County and the Michigan Board of Canvassers, which are in charge of reviewing elections. More: Hundreds provide testimonies -- but no real evidence -- in Trump campaign lawsuit to stop certification of Michigan election results

WASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden has chosen his longtime adviser Ron Klain to reprise his role as his chief of staff, installing an aide with decades of experience in the top role in his White House. In a statement Wednesday night, Biden suggested he chose Klain for the position because his longtime experience in Washington had prepared him for such challenges. Klain served as chief of staff for Biden during Barack Obama’s first term, was chief of staff to Vice President Al Gore in the mid-1990s and was a key adviser on the Biden campaign, guiding Biden’s debate preparations and coronavirus response. The choice of Klain underscores the effort the incoming Biden administration will place on the coronavirus response from day one. But progressives see Klain as open to working with them on top priorities like climate change and health care.

– President-elect Joe Biden will deliver remarks from Wilmington, Delaware at 8 p.m. Saturday alongside Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. A presidential candidate requires at least 270 electoral votes to win the election. Biden, resting at 264 electoral votes early Friday morning, was projected to win the state of Pennsylvania as of 11:25 a.m., according to The AP. With its 20 electoral votes up for grabs, Pennsylvania placed Biden at 284 electoral votes -- enough to call the race nearly four days after Election Day. The AP also projected that Biden won the state of Nevada on Saturday, bringing his electoral vote total to 290.

A number of states have completed ballot counting -- including Michigan -- but some counting is still taking place in some key states, such as Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada. As of Friday, Nov. 6, Biden only needs one more state -- at least six electoral votes -- to get to 270 and be projected the winner. According to the AP’s projections, Biden has collected 264 electoral votes as of early Friday morning. Trump, meanwhile, has 214 electoral votes and needs to win Pennsylvania to stay in the race. There are four other states up for grabs: Alaska (3 electoral votes), Georgia (10), North Carolina (15) and Nevada (6).

Here, Colleen Long, a national reporter in the Washington bureau of The Associated Press who is leading coverage of the legal challenges, breaks down how these lawsuits could affect the presidential election. In Pennsylvania and Michigan, the campaign wanted to temporarily halt vote counting until Republicans got more oversight of the tally. Election law experts and state election officials have overwhelmingly said there has been no sign of widespread or even sporadic voter fraud. Bush v. Gore in 2000 was a good example of how litigation can affect the outcome of an election. No, there were hundreds filed before the election by both sides, and they had to do with changes to how the election was going to work because of the coronavirus pandemic.