that is the overnight news this wednesday. join us for cbs this morning. reporting from the nation's capitol, i'm chip reid . it is wednesday, december 16, 2020. this is the cbs morning news. vaccinating america. a second covid vaccine is on track for approval this week. why it could especially benefit rural communities. a massive snowstorm is headed to the midatlantic and northeast. supermax contract. the star of the milwaukee bucks isn't going anywhere after signing reportedly the largest deal in nba history. ♪ good morning. good to be with you, i'm anne-marie green.

more positive news in the battle against the pandemic. the fda could approve a second vaccine in days. the fda says the moderna vaccine is safe and highly accepted. a panel will review for tomorrow with approval soon expected. this comes as the number of americans hospitalized with covid hits a new record yesterday topping 112,000. debra alfarone is in washington. how is the current vaccination rollout going so far? >> pfizer sent around 2.9 million doses around the country. with two days of vaccinations under the belt, we haven't heard of any big issues so far. some health care workers that were vaccinated say they were able to go to work the next day with little more than a sore arm. >> as nearly 3 million doses roll out across the country to this world war ii veteran in

arizona. >> they jigged me alive so why shouldn't i try. >> these health care workers in michigan, more help is on the way. >> everyone expects the usfda to approve the vaccine made by moderna. >> expected to be authorized for emergency use later this week. >> next week, we expect to ship 5.9 million doses of moderna vaccine. new data confirms the moderna vaccine is more than 94% effective of preventing covid-19. >> we were starting off with a 50% requirement. when we saw the numbers, it was fantastic. >> unlike pfizer, moderna can be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures for 30 days that could help getting to rural communities. >> it doesn't require the same kind of lodge is ty call

challenges. >> first doses going to health care workers and nursing homes. this pharmacy in little rock already has a waiting list of 300 seniors. >> i have three grand babies in california. i want to go see them. >> officials hope the general public can start getting vaccinated in february or march. >> four states are getting a jump on vaccinating those in nurses homes. vig, ohio and the rest starting next week. >> good news. debra from washington. thank you so much. ahead on cbs this morning, dr. anthony fauci joins us to talk about the time line for getting americans vaccinated and the obstacles we face in the months ahead. winter storm warnings are up as a massive snowstorm bares down on the region. some locations could be hit with blizzard conditions starting

today and tomorrow. up to two feet of snow possible. the same storm system already hit oklahoma. up to four inches of snow in parts of that state. storm preparations are under way in pennsylvania. the department of transportation will have more than 124,000 tons of salt on stand by to treat roads. in new york city, people are being urged to rely on mass transit. trains and buses will operate as long as it is safe. subways will still shut down for cleaning overnight, maybe even longer. >> we may have enough snow we'll have to suspend some of our outdoor service. hopefully we can open on time on thursday morning. that could be a moving target. that depends on what it looks like between 2:00 and 5:00 and

3:00 and 6:00. >> places including new york and pennsylvania could see more snow over these next few days than all of last winter. president-elect joe biden has chosen a former rival to become the next transportation secretary. he's expected to formally announce pete buttigieg. he will be the first openly guy person to serve in the cabinet. he was virtually unknown when he launched a long-shot bid for the office. back on the campaign trail rallying voters in georgia. top republicans are starting to publicly acknowledge results of the election. >> let me start with two simple words, thank you. >> fresh off his electoral college victory, president-elect joe biden went to georgia ahead of the senate election. >> i need two senators from this state that want to get something done. not just two senators that will just get in the way. >> the election there will determine the balance of power on capitol hill. >> it is time to vote like never

before. put your shoes on. let's get it done. >> earlier the president-elect had a phone call with mitch mcconnell who finally acknowledged mr. biden's win publicly. >> i want to congratulate joe biden. >> i called to thank him in person and said i hope there are things we can work on. >> after the electoral college certified his win, he denounced president trump's attempts to overturn the results in court. calling it an unprecedented assault on our democracy. >> president trump is not backing down and continues to make unsubstantiate substantiated claims of voter fraud. >> the president is still in ongoing cases regarding the election. there is new hope lawmakers can strike a coronavirus relief deal by the end of the year. top leaders met twice yesterday

in hopes of coming to an agreement. senate majority leader said congress will not go home for the holidays without passing a relief bill. some of the biggest sticking points are funds for schools and money needed to help distribute vaccines and renew jobless benefits which expire in 10 days for more than 10 million people. coming up, a man who served 18 years in prison for a murder he says he did not commit walks free. >> screening for covid-19, the first at-home test is approved. this is the cbs morning news. approved. this is the cbs morning news. here's to the duers. to all the people who realize they can du more with less asthma thanks to dupixent, the add-on treatment for specific types of moderate-to-severe asthma. dupixent isn't for sudden breathing problems.

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jumping for joy. video captured the reaction after james left candy and snacks at the door. the driver turned to the camera to say thank you. she clicked her heels several times on the way back. she wanted to show her appreciation. that's so sweet. the milwaukee bucks star signs a super max extension and minnesota frees a convicted murder. those are some headlines on the news stand. >> a black man sentences to life in prison as a teenager was released on a pardon. the 34-year-old was greeted by a cheering crowd. he served 18 years after being convicted of killing the 11-year-old when she was 16. she was hit by a stray bullet doing homework at her dining room table. he has maintained his innocence. his attorney addressed the crowd. >> he asks you respect his privacy while he adjusts to the outside.

he thanks his creator for shielding him through his journey and thanks everyone who has supported him over the years. thank you. >> earlier this year, the associated press uncovered new evidence and flaws in the investigation. edward's brother said he and his family is upset with the decision to release him. >> my sister doesn't get to live a life. i don't have any nieces or nephews. she never got to go to her prom or college. >> last week, an independent panel of legal experts recommended his immediate release after reviewing the case. fashion magnet peter nygard was charged in a sex trafficking scheme. allegedly involving minors. the 79-year-old was arrested in canada at the request of the u.s. charged after allegedly sexually abusing young women and girls after offering them opportunities in fashion and

modelling over the last 25 years. he denies allegations. >> a report two-time nba mvp has agreed to a five-year extension with the milwaukee bucks. the $228 million contract is reportedly the largest in the industry. the deal prevents him from becoming a free agent after the upcoming season. he said he's blessed to be part of the bucks for the next five years. he averaged 29.5 points per game last season. ringing in the new year during the pandemic. how celebrations in new york's time square will look different this year. york's time square will look different this year. ♪

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check out this fashion show. the sand dunes doubled as a catwalk location. the location only described as a desert in the north. with catwalks closed, fashion houses are now trying to outdo each other for their on line locations. on the cbs money watch. at-home covid tests are approved. and new year's eve celebrations in time square will be missing the crowds. diane king hall has those stories and more. >> investors will keep a close eye on the economic forecast. stocks ended with gains. dow rallied 337, nasdaq jumped 155 and s&p added 47.

it will soon be easier to test yourself at home. a rapid at-home test approved. the first kit consumers can buy without precipitation. the $30 test allows users to swab and get the results at home in 20 minutes. the test links to a digital app to help users interpret results. the company says it will have 3 million tests available next month. starbucks is putting happy hour productions on hold. hitting the pause button on the 2-for-1 deals that happens on thursday. taking action as covid cases rise across the country with the ultimate goal to keep employees and consumers safe. they will offer more double star days for program members. >> things will look a lot different when the ball drops in new york city this new year's

eve. no public audience will be permitted to attend. instead, people are encouraged to watch online. organizers previously said the event would be mostly virtual to follow the guidelines during the pandemic. those participating in the event will have to be tested and wear a mask at all times, except when performing. >> so weird when you look at images from just last year. the whole time you are thinking, they are so close to each other. they are breathing next to each other. times have changed. >> what a difference a year has made. >> definitely. >> it will be a good show, nonetheless. >> you got it. up next, a billionaire helps the needy. how the world's richest woman spent billions to help people during this pandemic. billions to help people

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♪ ♪ remember this guy? tiktok star, just tested positive for the coronavirus. also known as dog face became a social media sensation with his video drinking ocean spray juice while skate boarding. his manager says he is at home resting and getting better. melania trump continued a decades old tradition for first ladies. visiting children's hospitals in washington, d.c. entering with a mask. she took off her mask to read a book about holiday ornaments that come to life. the event was scaled back this year due to the pandemic. the world's richest woman, mckenzie scott, the ex-wife of jeff bezos has given away $4.2 billion to charity in the last four months.

she said the pandemic has been a wrecking ball for americans already struggling. she wanted to provide immediate support. she has donated to 384 organizations including food banks and emergency relief funds. she is worth more than $60 billion. britain's prince harry and his wife meghan will become podcasters. >> one of the things my husband and i have always talked about is our passion for meeting people and hearing their stories. at the same time, remind you in some way of a story about yourself. >> that's what this is about. to bring forward different perspectives and voices perhaps you haven't heard before. >> the couple's first podcast will be a holiday special

featuring stories of hope and compassion. to celebrate the new year. the first complete series is expected next year. >> coming up this morning, country music superstars brooks and yearwood will tell us about their holiday special. i'm anne-marie green. this is the cbs morning news. holiday special. i'm anne-marie green. this is the cbs morning news. for the whole family. trusted soothing vapors, from vicks ♪ your whole team can see your upper thigh ♪ ♪ pour that smooth roast and aim that camera up high ♪ ♪ the best part of wakin' up is folgers in your cup ♪ laso you can enjoy it even ifst you're sensitive. se. yet some say it isn't real milk. i guess those cows must actually be big dogs.

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our top stories. the fda could approve a vaccine produced by moderna in a few days. the agency says the vaccine is safe and lily effective. this comes as the number of americans hospitalized hits a new record topping 112,000. more than 60 million people are under winter storm alerts as a powerful storm heads for

the mid-atlantic and nor'easter. blizzard conditions are likely with up to two feet of snow possible. some cities could get more snow from this storm than they did all of last winter. for many americans, it has been a hard year for adults and children. norah o'donnell reached out to a massachusetts family who showed us how they put others first. >> nine-year-old abby's mom sent us a know saying abby, like most has struggled but that watching the news has helped. >> abby and her little brother are doing okay. i think a big part of that is due to the fact that she gets so many of her questions answered by watching the news. knowledge empowers her to dismiss many of her fears. >> we asked her mom if we could give abby a call. >> this is norah o'donnell. i wanted to call and say thank you for watching the news. i love at nine years old, you already love journalism. >> how is your family doing? >> abby's doctor, dr. hucker

treats covid patients at massachusetts general hospital. what we didn't know is that her dad was listening. >> okay. he's on the phone right now too. >> hi, doctor. >> one reason she watches is to learn all she can about the pandemic. she heard protective gear was in short supply, she offered her tooth fairy money to the hospital. she sometimes goes weeks without hugging him as he quarantines to keep the family safe. abby's dad is her hero. >> how is it going? >> busy. i was just in the er. it's like a zoo down there. >> i'm from a family of doctors, i appreciate what you do and the care of people. >> i appreciate that. i always say what you do matters a ton too. so i thank you for what you do and how you do it and how you

portray this crisis for everybody at home. >> abby says when she grows up, she wants to be a journalist. i look forward to sharing the anchor desk with her. nora o'donnell, cbs news, washington. coming up this morning, we'll talk with dr. anthony fauci about the time line of getting the coronavirus vaccine to all americans and the obstacles we face heading into the holidays. we speak with the republican senator about his unlikely partnership with senator bernie sanders to push for direct stimulus payments to americans. >> and more about the upcoming holiday special. that's cbs morning for this wednesday. thanks for watching. wednesday. thanks for watching.