Washington — President Biden on Thursday announced he is doubling his goal of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in his first 100 days in office, setting a new target of 200 million shots in the arms of Americans. Mr. Biden also said “my plan is to run for reelection” in 2024, although he warned that he can’t plan that far in advance.

Mr. Biden unveiled the vaccine plan and his reelection expectation during the first formal press conference after 64 days of his presidency, during which he faced questions on the challenges facing his administration in its early months.

“That’s right, 200 million shots in 100 days,” the president announced in opening remarks on his administration’s efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. “I know it’s ambitious, twice our original goal, but no other country in the world has even come close, not even close to what we are doing and I believe we can do it.”

Mr. Biden initially set a goal of 100 million vaccine doses within his first 100 days, but the nation surpassed that number last week, on the 58th day of his administration. The president also highlighted his administration’s new $10 billion investment, announced earlier Thursday, to build confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine among minority communities and ensure equitable access to the shots.

After addressing the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Mr. Biden took questions on the immigration crisis at the southern border and whether he can successfully usher proposals on immigration reform, gun control, voting rights and climate change through Congress. While Democrats control the House, the Senate is evenly divided, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting tie-breaking votes.

The slim margins in the Senate have led to calls from progressives to eliminate or reform the filibuster rule, under which 60 votes are needed to end debate and move to a final vote on legislation.

“Let’s see what happens,” Mr. Biden said of his ability to address those four issues. “I’ve been hired to solve problems, not create division.”

Mr. Biden answered questions on foreign policy, including on the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the ballistic missiles launched Thursday by North Korea.

Overall he did very well in his 59 minute news conference. In all, the President answered ten questions from reporters in the room. There was no mention of gun control after the recent mass shootings.

The entire news conference is available to watch on cspan.org

Source: Live Updates: Biden holds first press conference as president

President Biden on Thursday will face reporters in a press briefing for the first time as president after weeks of media outlets clamoring to get a chance to grill him in the White House briefing room.

The press conference will come on the 64th day of his administration, following the passage of a massive $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, an impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump and the confirmation of several of the president’s Cabinet secretaries.

It also comes amid a contentious situation at the southern border, an effort in the Senate to pass a major election reform bill and tensions between the Biden administration and progressive senators.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden is looking forward to speaking with the press during a briefing earlier this week.

Source: Biden’s first press conference: Here are some of the hot-button questions he could face | Fox News

Suzano SA, the biggest producer of wood pulp, used in the production of toilet paper, tells Bloomberg that the global crunch of shipping containers could clog supply lines.

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Coronavirus created a shortage of bath tissue at the start of the pandemic as consumers resorted to panic buying and stockpiling.

Demand for the steel-ribbed containers threatens to delay shipments,.Chief Executive Officer Walter Schalka said in an interview.

Source: Toilet paper could face a new shortage | Fox Business

A story about the unexpected joy related to traffic cops returning to Italy has Lynn reminiscing. She’s talking about a former Pittsburgh traffic cop who was such a showman, and telling a story about an interaction she had with Johnny Majors. Lynn is also sharing an interesting story of a Vietnam Vet who spent years living in Veterans Stadium.

House Democrats are expressing alarm that many people who are elderly, disabled or veterans are facing delays in receiving the $1,400 stimulus checks as part of the most recent COVID-19 relief package.

Many people who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement Board or Veterans Affairs benefits — and don’t have to file tax returns — still haven’t gotten their third stimulus checks nearly two weeks after Biden signed the legislation.

Senior members of the House Ways and Means Committee pressed the heads of the IRS and Social Security Administration (SSA) to offer a timeline this week for speeding up distribution.

Source: House Democrats express alarm over slow stimulus checks | TheHill

New York State lawmakers struck a deal Wednesday to legalize marijuana, legislative sources said — just hours after Gov. Cuomo called the move  “essential” to the state’s social and economic well-being.

The reform measures will be included in the laws that are set to be proposed as part of the state budget due on April 1, the sources said.

The deal would allow New Yorkers over the age of 21 to legally buy and possess up to three ounces of pot for their personal use, with sales by licensed dispensaries to begin as early as December 2022, sources said.

Recreational stoners could even cultivate up to six plants each, or a dozen per household, but a big bummer in the agreement would make them wait to start growing their own until 18 months after the first dispensary opens, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle said.

Source: New York officials reach agreement to legalize marijuana

President Biden taps Vice President Kamala Harris to lead border efforts

A father and two kids were taken to the hospital after dropping from a ski lift in Pennsylvania, according to multiple reports.

Source: Father, 2 kids injured after Pennsylvania ski chair lift plummets to ground

Tax agency says many payments will be sent in the mail. Some Social Security recipients say they’re still waiting.

The tax agency didn’t say how many payments it plans to issue on Wednesday. Last week, the IRS deposited about 90 million checks via direct deposit and mailed another 150,000 checks to people for whom it didn’t have banking information. Earlier this month, IRS and Treasury officials said they planned to send about 100 million payments within the first 10 days of distribution for the third round of stimulus payments, which were authorized under the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

The latest round of checks will provide relief to millions of people who continue to struggle with income losses a year after the coronavirus pandemic shuttered the U.S. economy. Some people, including those on Social Security or disability, have expressed concern to CBS MoneyWatch that they haven’t yet received their stimulus payments, which amount to $1,400 for each eligible adult and dependent.

Source: IRS says more stimulus checks will land on March 24 – CBS News

CBS News projects that Republican Julia Letlow will win the special election for Louisiana’s 5th district, taking over the would-be seat of her late husband, Luke Letlow, who died of COVID-19 complications days before he could be sworn in.

She will be the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in Congress, and will boost the number of Republican women currently serving in the house to a record 31.

“This is an incredible moment and it is truly hard to put into words,” Letlow said in a statement Saturday night. “What was born out of the terrible tragedy of losing my husband, Luke, has become my mission in his honor to carry the torch and serve the good people of Louisiana’s 5th District. I am humbled that you would entrust me with the honor of your vote and the privilege to serve you in Congress. A simple thank you doesn’t fully encapsulate the depth of my gratitude.”

Source: Republican Julia Letlow wins Louisiana congressional seat originally won by her late husband, CBS News projects – CBS News

(CNN)As the number of unaccompanied children in Border Patrol custody ballooned this month, President Joe Biden‘s team raced to find more places to house them, leaving thousands of children stuck in jail-like facilities for longer than the 72 hours allowed under the law.

But the process of scouring government sites for adequate shelters was taking too long for Biden, who is now staring down a problem threatening to spiral out of control.

“He was disappointed that we hadn’t gotten answers from other agencies faster or that (the facilities) wouldn’t be ready for children faster,” said a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to offer a candid assessment of the response. “He made it pretty clear that there were times when he didn’t think we were moving fast enough.”

Source: How the border problem caught the Biden team off guard, and how they’ve scrambled to fix it – CNNPolitics

Maxine Gillis, a 79-year-old woman who was reported missing early on Friday morning, was found dead in the 2200 block of William Penn Highway in Wilkinsburg just after noon on Friday.

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Police had reported Gillis missing Friday morning and said that she was supposed to be dropped off at a family member’s home in the 2100 block of Park Hill Drive. While she was dropped off by taxi around 1:00 a.m., she never arrived at the home.

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Allegheny County Police are investigating.

Source: Missing 79-Year-Old Maxine Gillis Found Dead In Wilkinsburg – CBS Pittsburgh

Two people are in the hospital after a shooting in Stowe Township on Friday afternoon.

Allegheny County police responded to a notification of a shooting on the 800 block of 8th Street at about 3:15 p.m.

When they arrived at the scene, they found an adult male who was shot in the leg and a juvenile male with a minor injury to his arm.

Both were taken to a local hospital and are expected to recover from their injuries.

There was no other information immediately available.

Source: Stowe Twp. shooting sends 2 to hospital | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette