Colorado's governor treated COVID differently than many Democrats. It may pay off Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., canceled Colorado's state of emergency last July. As omicron surged, he refused to reinstate state-wide mask mandates. His approach seems to have made him popular. Tamara Keith
State Department spokesperson on the U.S.' efforts to counter Russia's messaging NPR's Sarah McCammon speaks with Ned Price, spokesperson for the State Department, who says Russia is accusing U.S. and Ukraine of preparing biological weapons. Alejandra Marquez Janse
Vice President Harris has traveled to Poland in support of Ukraine and its neighbors Vice President Harris says the world has witnessed Russian "atrocities" in Ukraine and vowed support for the country and its neighbors. But a proposal for Polish fighter jets is off the table. Asma Khalid
Florida lawmakers back the creation of an election crimes investigative office Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who's expected to sign the legislation, had called for the formation of an election police force in a speech last year. Benjamin Swasey
Inflation hits another 40-year high. The war in Ukraine could make it worse Annual inflation climbed to a new four-decade high in February, with consumer prices up 7.9% from a year ago. The increase does not reflect most of the recent jump in gasoline prices. Scott Horsley
Soaring gas prices have Biden talking up the importance of domestic drilling Russia's war on Ukraine and the resulting oil price spike have forced the Biden White House to consider all kinds of measures for fossil fuel that it once would have shunned. Scott Detrow
House advances $13.6 billion in Ukraine aid along with government funding The House has approved a $1.5 trillion government spending package and a $13.6 billion emergency aid package for Ukraine. The Senate is expected to vote on the funding in the coming days. Kelsey Snell
Russia's war on Ukraine has hurt oil prices, and now the U.S. is talking to Venezuela Two imprisoned Americans were released from a Venezuelan jail after recent talks — which also dealt with energy security. Could this be the sign of a thaw between Washington and Caracas? Franco Ordoñez
The Violence Against Women Act catches a ride on a $1.5 trillion spending bill A reauthorization of the landmark 1994 law is included in an annual federal spending package moving through Congress. Susan Davis
Biden announces Russian oil import ban and warns gas prices could increase even more Until now, Washington had worked with European allies to limit the impact of sanctions on energy trade. The U.S. ban marks a divergence from its partners, which rely on Russia for oil and gas. Scott Detrow