China says the balloon is theirs but not used for spying. Here's what we know China's foreign ministry described the balloon as "a civilian airship" used for meteorological research that had blown far off course by winds. The Pentagon suspects it's collecting information. Rachel Treisman
U.S. employers added 517,000 jobs last month. It's a surprisingly strong number U.S. employers added 517,000 jobs in January, as the unemployment rate fell to 3.4% . The job market remains tight, despite signs of a slowing economy. Scott Horsley
Why some Democrats are on board with busing migrants away from border states Republican governors have been transporting migrants out of states near the southern border. Some Democrats who first opposed it are now saying it's a humanitarian service, not a political statement. Laura Benshoff
U.S. says Russia is violating nuclear treaty New START The U.S. is accusing Russia of violating their final nuclear arms treaty, New START, which constrains the largest nuclear powers. Russia won't renew inspections as the U.S. aids Ukraine. Michele Kelemen
Seattle CM Mosqueda aiming to leap over to King County Council Seattle Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda will run for a seat on the King County Council this year. Mosqueda told KUOW that she hopes to bring the issues she has worked on at the city over the past six years to the larger county level. Dyer Oxley
House Republicans vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans have cited the Minnesota Democrat's past controversial comments about Israel. Omar, who herself has faced anti-Muslim bigotry since taking office, called the move "purely partisan." Lexie Schapitl
Congress gears up for another farm bill. Here's what's on the menu Climate, food stamps, broadband and research dollars are all on the line as negotiations kick off for the 2023 farm bill. Ximena Bustillo
Congress takes reins of prayer breakfast from secretive Christian evangelical group Lawmakers have taken more control of the National Prayer Breakfast from the group that ran it for seven decades after concerns rose over influence peddling and attendees, including a Russian spy. Domenico Montanaro
Seattle Councilmember Tammy Morales is running for re-election Seattle City Councilmember Tammy Morales is running for re-election and is participating in the city's Democracy Voucher Program. Dyer Oxley
In first GOP-led hearing about the border, witnesses paint sharply different pictures Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee blamed Biden administration policies for the record number of migrant apprehensions. Democrats accused them of fear-mongering and spreading misinformation. Joel Rose
