The Hill Articles: February 9, 2022

Billie Eilish meets with Biden at the White House US snowboarder Chloe Kim makes Olympic history Kemp looks to make masking optional in Georgia schools More than 50 arrested in anti-vaccine protests outside New Zealand Parliament Marjorie Taylor Greene roasted for ‘gazpacho police’ remark One in three Americans exposed to toxic weedkiller: study Biden talks energy and security with Saudi King Salman Save more than $20 on versatile tool for capturing, saving, and sharing computer content Senate candidate who smoked blunt in ad burns Confederate flag in latest spot Bob Saget cause of death revealed Trump endorses Rep. Nancy Mace’s primary challenger Puerto Rican firefighters protest their starting salary of $18K Overnight Defense & National Security — Defense gets OK to help civilians evacuate Russian skater tests positive for banned drug: reports Casino operator sentenced to one year in prison in college admissions scandal case Sanders calls on Democrats to bring up drug pricing bill in Senate On The Money — Lawmakers closer to government funding deal Egypt swears in first-ever Coptic Christian to head country’s high court Watch your phone in the bath or shower with 70% off this waterproof touchscreen Advocates say conditions on Afghan aid only furthers humanitarian crisis Boris Johnson to potentially end UK self-isolation rules Rep. Greg Pence backs brother amid criticisms from Trump DHS warns police of US trucker protests around Super Bowl, State of Union Hillicon Valley — FCC nominee faces divided Senate panel Overnight Health Care — White House under pressure over masks Climate will define Biden’s legacy Biden faces possible trucker threat  Firefighters practicing ice rescues suddenly have to save real-life victims Lawmakers rolling out Violence Against Women Act without ‘controversial’ provision ‘Sobering and shocking’: Senators raise red flags after Iran briefing Top Russian commander arrives in Belarus for war games Al Franken: ‘It would be tempting’ to run for office again How to end corporate capture of the regulatory process Campus protests around sexual assault look different this year Laid-off Peloton staffers crash new CEO’s all-hands meeting: report Overnight Energy & Environment — Postal Service faces ire over vehicle plans Two people, including student, shot at Buffalo high school Los Angeles County asks credit card companies to help track ghost gun sales Does Central Asia have Southern options for transport and trade? Young swimmer allowed to race in BLM swimsuit after disqualification Roger Goodell says the NFL has fallen short of giving minorities head coaching opportunities White House faces new pressure to back lifting mask rules House approves LGBTQ+ human rights bill Three women win national Science + Literature awards, highlighting ‘the diversity of voices in scientific writing’ WATCH: America up to Speed Feb. 9, 2022 RNC chair: ‘Disagreement in our party is welcome’ but GOP lawmakers on Jan. 6 panel ‘step too far’ House bill seeks to prolong higher ed’s China hangover McCarthy says Jan. 6 rioters did not engage in ‘legitimate discourse’ Angelina Jolie makes emotional plea for Violence Against Women Act Successful experiment brings fusion energy ‘huge’ step closer to reality Malala Yousafzai criticizes Indian college’s hijab ban as protests force school closures Jan. 6 committee subpoenas former Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro Mysterious radio pulses are not from ‘little green men’ Equilibrium/Sustainability — The warming Arctic is freezing Chinese crops Florida department says officer thought he was deploying stun gun when naked man was shot, seriously wounded Biden meets with utility executives in push for spending agenda Here are the states that are lifting their indoor mask mandates Rep. Cori Bush on SCOTUS pick: We shouldn’t be ‘pitting Black women against each other’ for seat Illinois dentist charged with diverting fentanyl from patients for personal use Americans are sick and tired: It’s time for a time out White House disputes reports of federal funds for crack pipes Economist Susan Collins named Boston Fed president Biden talks with Macron about French meeting with Putin and Zelensky NFL to investigate new sexual misconduct allegations against Washington Commanders owner National Archives asked DOJ to probe Trump’s handling of White House records: report Omicron’s relentless spread increases the urgency to fund vaccine equity Maine lawmakers consider legal fund for lobster industry ahead of new whale protections Second defendant pleads guilty in Whitmer kidnapping plot Republicans urge states to ignore Biden administration infrastructure funding guidance Bipartisan senators call on Mexico to protect journalists Jayapal says GOP lawmaker’s behavior toward CBC chair was assault Two House Democrats question PR-award firms on work with fossil fuel companies Former Trump press aide Sarah Matthews appears before Jan. 6 panel Michael Bloomberg to head Defense Innovation Board Main water pipe bursts causing flooding in Philadelphia, highlighting aging infrastructure Flores says lawsuit cost him Texans job State of Texas sues social media influencer for allegedly misleading clients with eating disorders, offering bad health tips Kansas legislature overrides governor’s veto on new House maps Tennessee lawmakers introduce bill banning talk of ‘LGBTQ lifestyle issues’ in public schools Stormy Daniels ‘far angrier’ with Avenatti than Trump States consider record wave of voting bills Republicans block bill to name post office after former progressive Rep. Woolsey DC schools evacuated for multiple bomb threats Norwegian Cruise Line dropping mask requirement Illinois governor aims to lift indoor mask mandate for most places by end of February Microsoft announces new rules for app stores 9-year-old girl shot in apparent Houston road rage incident Want to thank troops and families for serving? Don’t cut their benefits Man accused of raping woman on flight to London Top Spotify executive calls Rogan backlash a ‘real learning experience’ 5 Dallas Zoo gorillas test positive for COVID-19 Changing diet could add years to life: study Washington Nationals ink partnership with Terra crypto community Kamala Harris takes center stage Bass would move hundreds of LAPD officers from desk jobs into patrols if elected mayor Michigan prosecutor says Giuliani asked him to get voting machines, pass them to Trump allies Free online tool identifies climate risks in every community and county in the US Man who sprayed fire extinguisher at officers on Jan. 6 pleads guilty to felony charges Court puts law licenses of couple who waved guns at Black Lives Matter protesters on probation Canadian truckers’ convoy: American spinoff or domestic cascade? Starbucks fires 7 workers in Memphis amid unionization battle House Dems, green groups demand national biodiversity strategy from Biden TikTok bans misgendering, ‘deadnaming’ transgender people Watch live: Biden roundtable with utility CEOs America must increase its efforts to fight creeping communism and authoritarianism globally  Data breach exposes Georgia voters’ registration information The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Blue states continue to loosen COVID-19 restrictions Biden to meet with Senate Judiciary Democrats on Supreme Court vacancy Rogan mocks controversies in return to stand-up comedy: ‘I talk s— for a living’ Tehran, not COVID, will determine your gas price LA lawmakers move to strip sheriff of COVID-19 vaccine mandate enforcement New York governor lifting indoor mask mandate, no change for schools UK minister apologizes for not stopping meeting after being told of positive COVID-19 test Pelosi denounces RNC calling Capitol riot ‘legitimate political discourse’ Entertainment Weekly, InStyle to go digital-only as Barry Diller’s media group culls print Cori Bush says she won’t stop saying ‘defund the police’ despite pressure from other Democrats Democratic lawmakers criticize USPS plan to purchase gas-powered trucks Lithuanian president to ask for permanent US troop presence Google doodle pays tribute to first female professional baseball player ‘Double hazards’ map points to a hidden geography of wildfire risk The stage is set for better US-Mexico cooperation Queen of Denmark tests positive for COVID-19 Trump responds to McConnell criticism of RNC censure resolution WHO chief says COVID-19 ‘isn’t finished with us,’ despite declining infections LA under rare February heat advisory going into Super Bowl weekend Negotiators reach ‘breakthrough’ in government funding talks CDC director: Cases too high to end indoor masking requirements Vulnerable Democrats call for gas tax suspension amid rising prices Musk helping internet restoration efforts in Tonga Russia diplomat: Military supplies to Ukraine amount to ‘blackmail and pressure’ Former bank CEO sentenced in loan scheme to land Trump administration position Dollywood offers to cover tuition, school fees for all staffers Unionization would make Congress even more costly and inefficient Washington Commanders investigating sexual harassment allegation against owner Controversial identity verification software dropping facial recognition requirement Trump endorses Stefanik’s reelection bid House Democrat unveils resolution recognizing staffers’ right to unionize Immigration agency reverses Trump-era changes to its mission statement Iran unveils ‘warhead’ missile amid indirect nuclear talks with US Massachusetts school mask mandate to be lifted at end of month WHO: COVID-19 cases down 17 percent globally UK envoy arrives in Moscow in bid to ease tensions University athletic department apologizes to wrestler after fan’s slur The Pennsylvania scrum for Toomey’s US Senate seat Minnesota police barred from arresting journalists under settlement approved by judge GOP governor’s group launches ad for Kemp against Trump-backed primary challenge White House says no evacuation of US citizens being planned for Ukraine Taxpayer advocate warns millions could face delays in having returns processed by IRS Florida surgeon general declines to disclose vaccination status ‘The Obama Portraits Tour’ adds stops in San Francisco, Boston Tesla recalling thousands of vehicles over windshield defrosting The gun reform debate is not impenetrable — just ask gun owners Republican rep won’t run for Senate, hopes to become Ways and Means chair: report Second US-Canada crossing disrupted by ‘freedom’ protests Pelosi backs ban on stock trading in Congress Poll finds slight tick up in satisfaction with race relations DOJ approves WarnerMedia-Discovery merger European regulator warns banks of possible Russian cyberattack Dodgers pitcher won’t face charges after sexual assault claim 100M new COVID-19 cases reported in less than a month worldwide Watch live: White House press briefing Playing the race card is an injustice — especially with the Supreme Court Police say woman faked kidnapping for TikTok stunt Rubio calls Jan. 6 attack a ‘violent riot’ Watch live: COVID-19 Response Team, public health officials hold press briefing AFL-CIO president: Congressional staffers ‘have a home in America’s unions’ Why personal choices about COVID-19 vaccines are not always that personal Sweden halts massive COVID-19 testing program Fauci: US exiting ‘full-blown’ pandemic phase of coronavirus crisis Parler announces social media ‘special arrangement’ with Melania Trump Retiring Tennessee Democrat slams party’s approach to rural voters Pope: War in Ukraine would be ‘madness’ Beatty on lawmaker who said ‘kiss my ass’: ‘I have no tolerance for bullying’ Rising: February 9, 2022 Surgeon general warns of pandemic’s ‘devastating’ impact on youth mental health Amazon launching telehealth service nationwide Alberta lifting COVID-19 restrictions, ending vaccine passport program Beltway sniper asks court to reconsider sentencing The brutal slaying of NYPD officers has rallied the public to law enforcement Two-thirds in new poll oppose Trump’s idea of pardons for Jan. 6 rioters NBC to air Lester Holt interview with Biden during Super Bowl pregame coverage Russian skater’s positive drug test delays medals ceremony: report Texas rabbi held hostage tells lawmakers houses of worship need more security funding The unstoppable Joe Rogan Mellman: The issue that US policymakers must focus on — right now 2 in 3 voters say increasing police funding would lower crime: poll Lindsey Jacobellis wins first US gold medal at Beijing Olympics Banning asbestos is a giant leap forward for Biden’s Cancer Moonshot  Budowsky: Trump-like high court would create powerful midterm repercussions Spielberg, Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo among Senate Dems’ big donors for 2022 The Samsung Galaxy S22 releases on February 9th. Here’s everything we know so far The possibility of war looms over the Korean peninsula The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – War worries, funding follies, bomb scare Which Valentine’s Day gift will be the most popular in 2022? The Memo: Biden caught between CDC and Democratic governors on COVID-19 Senate Democrats shift strategy after progressive agenda falters Democrats accuse GOP of ‘race-baiting’ with court pick attacks How Republicans came to revel hating Joe Biden Tech advocates criticize FCC nomination delays Democrats press postmaster to go with electric vehicles Amazon just slashed its price on the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition US-China competitiveness bill sparks battle over e-commerce Lobbying world Breathe healthier air with $134 savings on this wall-mounted purifier Prepare your taxes like a pro with help from this 11-course bundle for only $29.99