Fauci: “Inexplicable” for states to lift restrictions; TX Gov defends decision to lift mask mandate: still suggesting masks, just not requiring them; Dr. Fauci: Texas decision to end restrictions is “ill advised”; CDC Dir: People should wear masks even if state doesn’t mandate it; Study: A person with UK variant can infect 43% to 90% more people; Dr. Fauci: “You don’t want to pull back just now”; Poll: 28% of Republicans say they will “definitely not” get vaccine; Security on high alert today after potential threats to Capitol; Politico: GOP committee will support Republicans who voted for impeachment, despite Trump threats; Rep Meijer proposes alternative Covid relief plan, including $2,400 relief checks for some Americans; Now: Senate clerks reading entire 600+ page Covid relief bill at GOP’s Sen’s demand, could take 10+ hrs; Sen. Johnson demands entire relief bill be read to stall vote; Gov. Cuomo accuser tells CBS she believes he was propositioning her for sex; Texas businesses fear viral video-esque backlash if they require masks; Some businesses confused and worried as TX lifts mask order; Sources: Diplomatic official loses role over racist and offensive comments about Biden, Harris; State Dept. Official removed from Afghanistan role after saying Trump’s election loss was the “death of America”; Ohio man dies of Covid days before getting vaccine;

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

DC National Guard chief says it took more than three hours to approve request to send troops to Capitol on Jan. 6th; McCaul agrees Secy of Army needs to testify to explain why National Guard wasn’t deployed sooner; Biden admin hits Russia after intel shows FSB responsible for poisoning Putin critic; Biden: “neanderthal thinking” by states to stop mask mandates; CDC: people should still wear masks even if states lift mandates; Pence uses big lie to argue against voting rights bill; GOP bill would limit weekend voting & mail-in ballots in GA; White House: Biden yet to select new name for budget director after pulling Tanden nomination; NY Gov. Cuomo apologizes for his behavior, but denies he touched women inappropriately; San Diego icon, civil rights activist dies of Covid

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

FBI Director rejects GOP conspiracy theories, says no proof antifa or fake Trump supporters involved in Capitol attack; Wray: Report warning of Jan 6th violence was sent to law enforcement agencies in 3 different ways; Biden: Merck will help J&J manufacture one-shot vaccine; Biden: We’re now on track to have enough vaccine for every adult by the end of May; Biden: Prioritizing efforts to vaccinate K-12 educators by the end of March; Schools plan reopenings across U.S. still far from Biden’s goal of full return; Source: NY State lawmakers moving to repeal Cuomo’s expanded executive Covid powers;

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

U.S. begins distribution of Johnson & Johnson vaccine; First trucks carrying J&J vaccine arriving at UPS shipping facility this afternoon; CA lawmakers agree on plan to get kids back into classrooms; CDC director “deeply concerned” promising trajectory of pandemic could shift; CDC director: “we are not out of the woods yet”; WH: distribution of J&J vaccine “should be even” across communities;

Donald Trump’s niece on the ex-president & his influence; Mary Trump says she thinks Donald Trump will at least “pretend” to run for president again; Trump vows revenge on republicans who voted to impeach; Mary Trump: GOP refused to take “off ramp” on Trump; Mary Trump: Donald Trump is the republican party; Trump tax returns in hands of Manhattan district attorney;

NY attorney general to appoint independent investigator into sexual harassment claims against Gov. Cuomo; NY Attorney general: finings from Gov Cuomo probe will be released in public report; Gov. Cuomo hires high-powered attorney for nursing home scandal; NY mayor: the governor issued a “total non-apology”; NY mayor: the governor treated sexual harassment as some kind of laughing matter; NY Mayor: “I cringed” when I heard the allegations; Second Gov,. Cuomo accuser “understood” he wanted to sleep with her and “felt horribly uncomfortable and scared”; NYC mayor: I don’t see how anyone can function as a governor;

DHS secy calls situation at border a “challenge”, not “crisis”; Biden admin: immigrants from central America “need to wait” before trying to come to U.S.; DHS secy: families separated at border could b reunited in U.S.; WH: to personally help negotiate $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill with senate; Biden admin defends decision to not punish Saudi crown prince for Khashoggi murder despite U.S. intel report;

Trump faces five separate investigations in NY, GA & DC; Right now: Trump’s taxes in the hands of New York prosecutor; Prosecutors in Georgia open criminal probe into Trump’s attempt to influence election; Georgia GOP secretary of State investigates Trump’s attempts to overturn election; DC prosecutor launches investigation into Trump’s role in January 6 capitol attack;

Former French president sentenced in corruption case; Rising opera star loses battle with COVID-19 at age 38;

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

U.S. Intel Report: Saudi Crown Prince approved operation to kill journalist Jamal Khashoggi; U.S. Intel Report: Saudi crown price viewed Khashoggi as a threat and supported using violence to silence him;  U.S. publicly asserts Saudi Crown Prince ordered Khashoggi murder, but imposes no penalties to him; Tonight: House votes on Biden’s $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill; Senate ruling on minimum wage hike provokes progressive anger; Several GOP lawmakers claim they can’t attend votes due to “public health emergency;” They’re scheduled to be at CPAC; Soon: FDA cmte to vote on Johnson & Johnson vaccine, could be in arms as soon as next week if approved; U.S. carries out air strikes in Syria targeting Iranian backed militias; First military action of Biden presidency; Soon: Biden to speak as Texas recovers from power & water crisis; Biden visits emergency crews & volunteers in Texas after winter storm left millions without power, water; Trump plans to resurrect false claims in CPAC speech; GOP Presidential hopefuls overshadowed by Trump; McConnell would “absolutely” support Trump as 2024 nominee; CPAC spotlight on cancel culture, religious freedom, the big lie, and downplaying insurrection; Comedian Jon Stewart: U.S. has endless funds to wage war, but no funds for the consequences; Remembering 65-year-old Richard Garrett;

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy