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President Biden is set to unveil new steps to battle the explosive rise of the Omicron variant, fresh off his own potential exposure to the virus. A federal jury in New York deliberates whether Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell is a criminal accomplice or innocent scapegoat. And, worried about rising extremism in the ranks, the Pentagon sets a detailed action plan for military commanders to crack down on potential bad actors.

Sen. Joe Manchin deals a potential death-blow to President Biden's "Build Back Better" plan. Can any of Democrats' social agenda survive? As Omicron sweeps the U.S., many are wondering why Americans who are vaccinated and boosted can't just cope with the virus like they do the seasonal flu. And, why a viral TikTok threat has disrupted dozens of school systems across several states just before Christmas.

With Omicron cases spreading faster than they can be measured, the CDC says Americans should choose the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines over Johnson & Johnson. The FDA clears the way for abortion pills in the mail. And former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter prepares to take the stand.

As COVID outbreaks cause schools and businesses to contemplate shutdowns, officials outline why Americans need a third vaccine dose sooner than later. The Federal Reserve plans to increase interest rates. And with little foreign aid, experts warn of mass starvations in Afghanistan.

As former President Trump's chief of staff is held in contempt of Congress, texts from his cell phone reveal what prominent conservatives thought of the January 6th attacks in real time. Doctors confirm a former NFL player who went on a shooting spree suffered from head injuries. And as the COVID-19 death toll passes 800,000, a growing number of American children have lost their parents.

New details emerge from Mayfield, Kentucky as more candle factory workers are located. British residents rush to get booster shots as the government warns of a "tidal" wave of COVID-19 infections. And millions prepare to resume student loan payments for the first time in nearly two years.

An unprecedented tornado rips through Kentucky and several other states. As officials predict more dead yet to be discovered, meteorologists ponder whether tornado patterns could be changing. And a Supreme Court ruling on a Texas law restricting abortion prompts liberal governors to suggest laws that could do the same thing for guns.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., tells "Start Here" why she decided not to vote for the military sexual assault measure she championed for years. Starbucks employees vote to unionize at a Buffalo location. And Jussie Smollett is convicted of five counts after fabricating an attack.

As the CDC examines the Omicron variant, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky gives an exclusive interview. Starbucks braces for the results of a crucial union vote in Buffalo. And Instagram's leader defends the social media site to Congress.

With Russian troops amassing near Ukraine, President Biden confronts Vladimir Putin. A trial begins in Minnesota after a police officer shot an unarmed Black man square in the chest. And an Amazon Web Services outage takes down sites around the world.