The NFL announced Tuesday its official eight-person officiating crew for Super Bowl LV. In doing so, it marked a historical achievement for Sarah Thomas. Six years after becoming the first full-time female official in league history, she is set to become the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl, teaming up with 21-year veteran Carl Cheffers on this year’s championship crew. “Her elite performance and commitment to excellence has earned her the right to officiate the Super Bowl,” said Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations. “Congratulations to Sarah on this well-deserved honor.” Thomas, who made her postseason debut officiating the Chargers-Patriots divisional-round game in January 2019, will be paired with Cheffers, who’s officiated 17 career playoff games, including Super Bowl LI; James Coleman, a fellow first-time Super Bowl official; Fred Bryan, who officiated Super Bowl LIII; Rusty Baynes, Super Bowl 50; Eugene Hall, Super Bowl LIII; and Dino Paganelli…

U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has formally resigned her Senate seat in preparation for her inauguration on Wednesday alongside President-elect Joe Biden. Harris had served as a senator representing the Western state of California since 2017. “Thank you, California, — it has been an honour serving as your senator for the past four years. Our country has faced many challenges, but I remain certain that our best days are ahead. I promise to keep standing up for our shared values as your Vice President,” Harris said in a tweet Monday. Gov. Gavin Newsom chose fellow Democrat Alex Padilla, who is currently California’s secretary of state, to serve the final two years of Harris’ term. Newsom announced his choice in December. Padilla, who is Mexican American, will be the first Latino senator to represent the state. Harris did not give a farewell speech on the Senate floor. The chamber is not…

Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday, making history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket and acknowledging the vital role Black voters will play in his bid to defeat President Donald Trump.