The stopgap measure extends funding for some government agencies through March 8 and the rest until March 22. This agreement covers six out of the twelve annual spending bills. It's supported by the White House as it allows more time to work on bipartisan appropriations bills.

Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history, announced his decision to step down as the Republican Senate leader at the end of his term. He cited his national security views and his push for military assistance to Ukraine as being out of step with his party. Despite stepping down as leader, he plans to serve his full Senate term until 2027.

The wildfires in the Texas Panhandle have grown rapidly, with the Smokehouse Creek fire expanding from 100,000 to 500,000 acres within a day. This has led to evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for nearly 5,000 residents. Amarillo's air quality has been adversely affected, and several highways, including Highway 136 between Borger and Amarillo, are closed.

Dr. Ruth Gottesman is a former professor and chair of the board of trustees for Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her donation comes from her and her late husband, who worked in finance, and was made possible by an early investment into Berkshire Hathaway. This is one of the largest ever donations made to a United States university and the largest to an American medical school.