5 things to know for January 31: Ice storm, Covid-19, gun violence, DOJ, TikTok

CNN
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The average age of a first-time mother in the US climbed above 27 years – marking a record high – in 2021, according to a new CDC report. While decisions around having children largely depend on personal circumstances, researchers say the Covid-19 pandemic likely played a role in people putting off childbirth – in more ways than one.

Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On With Your Day. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

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A winter weather system moving through the US today is creating dangerous travel conditions. More than 1,100 flights were canceled Monday, with a similar number of cancelations expected today. Widespread delays are also being reported. So far, the most affected airports are Dallas Love Field, Dallas-Fort Worth International, Austin Bergstrom International and Houston Bush International airports in Texas. The storm bringing the triple threat of ice, sleet and snow to the region has also prompted officials to close several roads and schools. About 38 million people from Texas and Oklahoma to Kentucky and West Virginia are under winter weather alerts as officials urge people to avoid any unnecessary journeys.

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President Joe Biden intends to end Covid-19 national and public health emergencies on May 11, the White House said Monday. The public health emergency has enabled the government to provide many Americans with Covid tests, treatments and vaccines at no charge, as well as offer enhanced social safety net benefits, to help the nation cope with the pandemic. Once the emergency ends, some Americans will face out-of-pocket costs for certain testing and treatment options, but many will still be available at no charge. This comes as Covid-19 has become the eighth most common cause of death among children, a new study published Monday showed.

As the nation grapples with recent incidents of gun violence and mass shootings, officials in Lakeland, Florida responded Monday to a scene where at least 10 people were wounded in a drive-by shooting. Eight of the victims have non-life-threatening injuries while two remain in critical condition, police said. Authorities believe the shooting was a targeted event, Lakeland Police Department Chief Sam Taylor said, and officials have urged the community to report any information that could help with their investigation. In his 34 years with the department, Taylor said he had never worked on a case where so many people had been shot at one time.

The Justice Department told Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio Monday it would not provide most of the information he requested about the special counsel investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified material until the probe is complete. Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has demanded access to a host of documents related to the…