JOE BIDEN, president-elect (Flickr/Gage Skidmore).

President-elect Joe Biden today (Thursday) will propose a $1.9 trillion plan to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, taking aim both at the virus and its economic impact.

Biden’s “American Rescue Plan” would seek to administer 100 million vaccines by the 100th day of his administration and push to reopen most schools and colleges by the spring, according to the Associated Press.

His plan calls for $1,400 checks for most people, which – when added to the $600 per person approved in a previous COVID-19 relief bill – would bring the amount for the typical American to $2000. He also urges action on boosting unemployment benefits and raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.

One trillion would go in direct aid to the public, with $440 billion to first responders and other essential workers, grants for small businesses, tribal governments and transit agencies. $400 billion will go to expand vaccination testing, as well as helping schools achieve a safe reopening.

Finally, $10 billion will go to modernize the federal cybersecurity infrastructure.

The News: Unemployment claims climb sharply

Almost one million workers have filed for new unemployment claims, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday. The weekly report of 965,000 people out of work is the largest in months, according to United Press International. The jobless rate for the week ending on Jan. 9 was 3.7 percent.

POLICE RESPONSE: A new report suggests that police in the U.S. are more likely to use force against liberal protestors than those espousing conservative causes. The U.S. Crisis Monitor said that over a six-month period this year, officers used force to break up demonstrations on the left – regardless of violence – at a rate two times greater than for rightists.

Sports: Urban Meyer to coach Jaguars?

Urban Meyer, who coached Ohio State to three national college football crowns, is reportedly in line to become the next head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meyer, who had an 83-9 record coaching the Buckeyes, would replace Doug Marrone, who was fired on Jan. 4.  The Jaguars finished the season 1-15 and had the worst record in the NFL.