Named storms have formed in the Atlantic before the official June 1 start of hurricane season in each of the last six years. The National Hurricane Center is discussing starting the season in May.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a Friday briefing that infectious new variants may be threatening to derail the country's recent progress.

President Biden is visiting Texas one week after he officially declared a major disaster in the state, which has been reeling from record cold, power outages and a water crisis.

The parliamentarian is often called the referee of arcane Senate rules. MacDonough has been thrust into the spotlight for ruling against adding a minimum wage hike to the coronavirus relief package.