President Biden extends student loan payment freeze through May 1 President Biden extended relief for federal student loan borrowers for an additional 90 days because borrowers are "still coping with the impacts of the pandemic." Payments now resume May 1. Elissa Nadworny
Biden tests negative for COVID-19 after recent exposure The test was done after a White House staff member — who had flown with Biden on Air Force One on Friday — tested positive for COVID on Monday. Biden had tested negative on Sunday and Monday. Tamara Keith
WA's long-term care insurance on hold A first-in-the-nation program to help Washingtonians pay long-term healthcare costs is on hold, just two weeks before it was about to start. KUOW’s Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins catches us up on the future of the Washington Cares program. Caroline Chamberlain Gomez
Blinken talked about China and the Iran nuclear deal at end of year news conference Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave a news conference wrapping up his year, addressing questions about America's credibility after the pullout from Afghanistan. Michele Kelemen
President Biden addressed growing concerns about the omicron variant in speech President Biden is laying out his next steps for taking on the omicron variant, including giving out more at-home tests and sending support teams to overwhelmed hospitals. Selena Simmons-Duffin
The mysterious death of a human rights lawyer during political turmoil in Ethiopia Ethiopia prime minister Abiy Ahmed is waging war against Tigrayans in the north and stamping out dissent among ethnic Oromos in the south. Eyder Peralta
The Child Tax Credit is set to expire if congressional action isn't taken Parents in Philadelphia, Pa., say they will miss the Child Tax Credit if it goes away — which it's set to do without congressional action. The program has helped ease the city's high poverty rates. Laura Benshoff | Keystone Crossroads
Biden plans to expand testing and vaccination to take on the omicron variant NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Andy Slavitt, former senior adviser to President Biden's pandemic response team, about the White House's latest efforts to combat the coronavirus. Elena Burnett
Prisoners sent to home confinement because of the pandemic might remain free In a rare reversal, the Justice Department said the prison system has discretion to allow people released to home confinement during the pandemic to remain free. Carrie Johnson
The Bidens say hello to new puppy Commander, and Major is off to a new home The new top dog at the White House is Commander Biden, a nearly 4-month-old German shepherd. Meanwhile, rescue dog Major is moving out and a cat is scheduled to arrive soon. Rachel Treisman
