Yesterday, the United States recorded more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases for the first time since the pandemic began, while 23 states have recorded more cases in the past week than in any other seven-day stretch. Deaths related to the coronavirus, which lag behind case reports, have increased 21 percent across the country in the last two weeks.
The Navajo Department of Health reported 131 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths, passing 12,000 total cases in the Navajo Nation since the start of the pandemic.
The Presidential Election remains too close to call in several key states, with neither candidate meeting the 270 Electoral College votes necessary to claim a victory. Nevada, Georgia, and Pennsylvania are all expected to provide updates on their ballot counting efforts today, though it is uncertain when they will have a final result. Follow along for live updates here.
In Georgia, both Senate races could be heading to a runoff in January. In the special election race, Democrat Raphael Warnock holds a slight lead over Republican Kelly Loeffler, but neither candidate secured the 50% necessary to avoid a runoff election. Meanwhile, in the second Senate race, Republican Senator David Perdue is ahead of challenger Democrat Jon Ossoff, but holds exactly 50% of the vote as of the time this was written. A drop below the 50% mark would trigger a runoff election.
In Jackson County, Missouri, voters rejected a proposal to remove two statues of President Andrew Jackson that stand in front of the county’s two courthouses. The proposal to take down the statues failed Tuesday with about 59% opposed and 41% in favor. Jackson County Executive Frank White said in a statement Tuesday that he continues to believe the statues should be removed and he looked forward to “engaging in more opportunities to eliminate racism and discrimination in Jackson County as we continue the fight for equal rights and justice for those we serve.”
Keep reading for a full news update.
COVID-19:
Covid-19 Live Updates: U.S. Tops 100,000 New Cases In A Day For The First Time
New York Times, November 5
Navajo Nation Surges Past 12,000 COVID-19 Cases With 131 New Cases On Wednesday
Native News Online, November 4
The Navajo Department of Health reported 131 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 586 as previously reported on Tuesday. Reports indicate that 7,613 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 127,901 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 12,080, including one delayed reported case.
2020 Elections:
2020 Election: Live Results And Coverage
Georgia: Where The Race Stands
NPR, Elena Moore. November 4
The winner of the presidential race has not yet been determined in Georgia, which remains one of the most closely watched battleground states of the 2020 campaign. Ballots continue to be counted in what could well help determine the fate not just of the presidency but also the balance of power in the Senate and the final composition of the House of Representatives. Here is where the state currently stands:
More Native Americans Were Elected To Congress Tuesday Than Ever Before
Forbes, Carlie Porterfield, November 4
The 2020 general election has been a historic one in terms of “firsts” for more diverse lawmakers—it also saw a record-breaking number of candidates of Native American heritage win their congressional races for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Six Native American House candidates won their respective races, meaning the 117th Congress will have more Native Americans than any previous Congress.
South Dakota’s Election Has Significant Impact On Tribes
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, November 4
Shawn Bordeaux, Peri Pourier and Tamara St. John were each re-elected for an additional term in South Dakota’s House of Representatives in yesterday’s election. Red Dawn Foster and Troy Heinert were re-elected to the South Dakota State Senate. All of the state lawmakers are from tribes in South Dakota.
CARES Act:
Tribe Announces Additional COVID-19 Disaster Relief Support
Indianz.com, November 3
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) is pleased to announce that CARES Act funds will be used to offer additional disaster relief support for tribal households and Akwesasne businesses. The decision to extend the SRMT Household Disaster Relief Program and the SRMT Small Business Disaster Relief Program was made to help individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other:
Chicago Blackhawks Land Acknowledgement An Empty Gesture For Local Native People [Opinion]
Native News Online, November 4
Kicking off Native American Heritage Month controversy, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that it will conduct land acknowledgements before each home game in honor of Indigenous peoples. Many Native people and activists in Chicago, however, believe this is the hockey team’s attempt to bypass the actual issue: the use of Native imagery for sports teams. The hockey team is named after Sac and Fox Chief Black Hawk, a warring Illinois chief from the 1800s, and uses his likeness for its logo.
Senator Tom Udall On Native American Heritage Month: A Call To Better Respect Tribal Sovereignty
Native News Online, November 4
The outgoing vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), who chose not to seek re-election for his Senate seat in this election, released a statement on the marking November as Native American Heritage Month.
Jackson County Votes To Keep Jackson Statues
AP News, November 4
Jackson County voters have rejected a proposal to remove two statues of President Andrew Jackson that stand in front of the county’s two courthouses. Activists pushed to have the two statues removed because Jackson was a slave owner who also signed a law in 1830 that forced Native Americans east of the Mississippi River to move west, causing thousands of them to die.