Trump impeachment trial, Dayton 500, Valentine's Day: 5 things to know this weekend
Trump impeachment trial Day 5: Closing arguments followed by verdict?
Closing arguments in former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial are set to begin Saturday, with a final decision expected sooner than originally anticipated. On Friday, Trump's legal team pushed back on the arguments made by House managers, who tried to convince senators that the former president incited the deadly mob that stormed the Capitol building on Jan. 6. They also argued that the House impeachment prosecutors were hypocritical in their case against Trump and that his speech is protected by the First Amendment. Sixty-seven senators would need to agree Trump is guilty of incitement in order to convict. Though Republicans have indicated they are likely to acquit the former president if he is convicted, another vote on whether he should be barred from future office will be held. That vote would require a simple majority to pass.
- Impeachment trial: House managers say timeline shows Trump's silence encouraged insurrection
- A minute-by-minute timeline of Trump's day as the Capitol siege unfolded
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Valentine's Day during the pandemic is actually more special. Here's why.
Spoiler alert: Valentine's Day falls on Sunday. Chances are you won’t be able to go out to a romantic dinner or eat overpriced treats at the movie theater this year, but that doesn’t mean you should write off the romantic holiday altogether. That's because this pandemic-era holiday reminds us through thick and thin, strong relationships can withstand many hardships. So whether you're celebrating solo or with a partner, remember to make it a point to appreciate the form love is showing up as in your life.
- Valentine's Day scams: Beware phony romances, fake shopping offers
- Valentine's Day food deals: Celebrate Galentine's Day Saturday, your sweetheart Sunday with specials, heart pizza
- What to stream this Valentine's Day weekend: 'Judas and the Black Messiah,' Netflix's 'To All the Boys 3'
Daytona 500 is Sunday. Can Denny Hamlin three-peat?
Denny Hamlin has won the Daytona 500 — NASCAR's crown jewel, the one race that can define a driver's career — three different times and over the last two years. On Sunday, he will attempt to become the first to win three consecutive Daytona 500s. If so, the three-peat would forever dull the disappointment of his failure so far to win a Cup Series championship. Among others competing are Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suarez, representing two new celebrity racing team owners — basketball legend Michael Jordan and singer Pitbull, respectively. This year's race also marks 20 years since Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed in a wreck at the Daytona 500, and the cars are clearly much safer. That crash led to dramatic changes, just as Ryan Newman's incident forced NASCAR to investigate what happened last year and respond with safety advancements and adjusted practices.
- From Michael Jordan to Kyle Busch to the raging COVID-19 pandemic, storylines to watch in the 2021 NASCAR season
- Bubba Wallace reflects on reaching his 'breaking point' and the challenges of being NASCAR's lone Black voice
Winter storms pummel the nation
Brutal winter weather shows no signs of letting up as the U.S. endures one of its busiest winter weather patterns in decades. Bitterly cold arctic air draped across much of the country will help fuel storms that will "wreak havoc from coast to coast, not only going into this weekend, but also into next week," the National Weather Service warned. Snow and freezing rain will hit portions of the Plains, the South and the Mid-Atlantic by Saturday. In the East, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City are in the zone where a wintry or icy mix is forecast from later Saturday to Sunday morning.
- Stay off the roads: Icy weather leads to car pile-ups across the country
Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton to host Grand Ole Opry special
Country music superstars Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton celebrate 95 years of the Grand Ole Opry this weekend with a primetime NBC special. The Grand Ole Opry — billed as the longest-running live radio program in the world — celebrated its 95th birthday last October with welcoming back socially-distanced audiences after months of Saturday livestream broadcasts inside an empty theater. Paisley and Shelton will host the celebration, which features performances from Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Marty Stuart, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Darius Rucker, and many more. "Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music" airs Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. —
Contributing: The Associated Press