'Court of Impeachment', US travel, Kobe Bryant's death one year later: 5 things to know Tuesday

Editors, USA TODAY
·5 min read
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Senators to be sworn in as members of the 'Court of Impeachment' in Trump trial

Senators will be sworn in as members of the "Court of Impeachment" Tuesday, one of the first steps for an unprecedented trial of a president who has already left office. A summons would then be issued to former President Donald Trump. The House delivered the impeachment article Monday evening, which charges Trump with “incitement of insurrection" for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Ten Republican lawmakers had joined Democrats in backing the article of impeachment. However, it is unclear how many GOP senators will similarly split with Trump and the conservative base on a vote to convict the president. The trial is slated to begin the week of Feb. 8. The prosecution will be led by Rep. Jamie Raskin.

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One year later: What we know about Kobe Bryant's death

When the helicopter careened into a California hillside on Jan. 26, 2020, killing former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and the eight others on board, the initial response around the world was shock. Then, it was: How? Now, one year later, the facts surrounding the crash — from the pilot's experience, to the weather conditions, to the helicopter's safety features — are known. And a final determination on what caused the crash is just weeks away. The National Transportation Safety Board will release its final report on the incident Feb. 9, including a proximate cause and subsequent safety recommendations. As investigators finish that report, here's what we know about the crash. The Lakers have no plans for any tributes surrounding the anniversary of Bryant's death out of respect for his family and those in the organization. Lakers coach Frank Vogel will give his players the day off before departing from Cleveland to Philadelphia Tuesday afternoon for Wednesday’s game against the Sixers.

International travelers flying to the US will need negative COVID-19 test

Beginning Tuesday, all passengers ages 2 and older who are flying into the United States from international locations must present a negative coronavirus test taken no more than three days before their flight or proof they recovered from the virus within the past three months. Those who don't will be denied boarding. Canada, the United Kingdom, and many other countries already have this entry requirement. The CDC said it hoped the new testing requirement would help slow the spread of the virus, now surging in the United States. COVID-19 has killed nearly 420,000 Americans in less than a year, and infections have continued to mount despite the introduction of a pair of vaccines late in 2020.

Winter storms target Southwest, Midwest; airlines issue travel waivers

Airlines are issuing a flurry of travel waivers as half of the country prepares for a blast of wintry weather. Two storm systems are set to pelt nearly half the nation with snow and rain throughout the week, according to the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service said at least 4 inches of snow is expected across most of an area stretching from central Kansas to Chicago and southern Michigan. Parts of Nebraska and Iowa could get more than three times that much by Tuesday morning. The snow was forecast to continue into late Tuesday in some areas. American, Delta, Southwest and United have already issued waivers covering travel for much of the Midwest. According to FlightAware, more than 315 flights into, out of and within the United States were canceled Monday, and over 175 have already been canceled for Tuesday.

The 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame voting results will be revealed

The 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame voting results will be revealed Tuesday night. But there is real possibility that nobody will be voted in by the Baseball Writers' Association of America for the first time since 2013. Needing to receive 75% of the vote to earn a spot in Cooperstown, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling are the top holdovers. But all three are in their ninth and penultimate year on the ballot and face various obstacles in getting elected. Others receiving support include hitters Scott Rolen, Todd Helton and Gary Sheffield and legendary closer Billy Wagner. A number of writers in the USA TODAY Network are Hall of Fame voters and their selections in 2021 project a wide variety of opinions on the worthiness of the candidates. Here's a look at who they voted for this year.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump impeachment, US travel, Kobe Bryant: 5 things to know Tuesday