The U.S. recorded more than 150,000 new Covid cases on Thursday for the first time since the pandemic took hold in the country roughly nine months ago. The seven-day average of daily new infections now stands at 131,445 — 32% higher than this time last week — according to a CNBC analysis of Johns Hopkins data. State and local leaders are again imposing tough restrictions in an effort to tamp down spread ahead of the colder holiday season. Top advisors on President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team spoke of their growing concerns today over the Trump administration’s continued refusal to allow Biden to receive briefings on national security and on the federal coronavirus response. North Korea and Russia are still trying to hack some of the world's most prominent coronavirus vaccine researchers, cybersecurity researchers said today. Plus, a historic move for women in sports and Hollywood is back.