Texas has recorded more than 1 million diagnosed cases of the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University — one-tenth of all U.S. cases and more than all but 10 entire countries. In the hard-hit El Paso area, 40% of hospital patients have the coronavirus.

 

by Korva Coleman and Chris Hopkins First Up Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images Here's what we're following today. President Trump booted Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week, but that's far from the only upheaval at the Pentagon: Trump is jamming loyalists who espouse conspiracy theories or are hawkish on Iran into other senior military positions. Texas has recorded more than 1 million diagnosed cases of the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University — one-tenth of all U.S. cases and more than all but 10 entire countries. In the hard-hit El Paso area, 40% of hospital patients have the coronavirus. The census is really important, but this year’s has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, huge hurricane and wildfire seasons, and a schedule cut short by President Trump. President-elect Joe Biden's win has some people asking if there's an opportunity for a 2020 census do-over. Biden has named Ron Klain to be White House chief of staff. Klain previously served as Biden's chief of staff early in the Obama administration, helping to deal with the Great Recession. He later was President Obama's Ebola czar, which points to the Biden administration's focus on addressing the coronavirus pandemic. Georgia will conduct a hand recount of all ballots cast there in this month’s election. President-elect Joe Biden currently holds a narrow, 14,000-vote lead for the state’s electoral votes, and GOP Sen. David Perdue fell just short of 50% of the vote, triggering a runoff against Democrat Jon Ossoff. GOP officials have made repeated claims — without any evidence — of fraud in Georgia’s election. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Today's Listens Zach Gibson/Bloomberg via Getty Images Pfizer's chairman and CEO, Albert Bourla, sold $5.6 million worth of stock on Monday, just after a major announcement about the company’s effort to develop a coronavirus vaccine. The company says the stock sale was made as part of a preset plan — but NPR found irregularities about when the CEO entered into that plan. Click here to listen or read the story. Author Harold McGee talks about how our sense of smell affects taste and how some odorous chemicals appear both in things that make us plug our noses — vomit, cat urine — and in foods we savor. Click here to listen or read the story. The Picture Show Jovelle Tamayo for NPR While working moms have been struggling this year, pandemic life is also taking a toll on dads, many of whom are confronting situations they may not have chosen otherwise. Before You Go Courtesy of Antonio Guzmán Capel Botched work to repair a sculpture in Palencia, Spain, turned a smiling lady into a surreal “potato head.” After years of strict rules surrounding its delivery drivers' personal appearance, UPS is loosening up and letting them grow beards. Are you hearing holiday music in the air yet? Here’s another way to achieve that early festive feeling: a cider-sipping, mitten-wearing 2020 guide to holiday movies. Lucille Bridges has died at 86. She braved death threats and racial taunts when she accompanied her 6-year-old daughter, Ruby, as they desegregated a New Orleans elementary school in 1960. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from Illinois Public Media - WILL (edit station). Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Music, Politics, Health and more!