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Today’s Top Stories from NBC News

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022

Good morning, NBC News readers.

Today we look ahead to the Supreme Court confirmation battle and a packed congressional schedule ahead, why Ukraine is playing down the prospect of a Russian invasion, and how one woman followed her roller skating dream.

Here's what we're watching this Monday morning.

A Supreme Court confirmation battle adds to busy stretch for Congress

As Congress returns from recess this week, senators are gearing up for a confirmation battle to fill Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s seat.

The high-stakes process will feature candidates jockeying for the rare vacancy and lawmakers using the process to score political points, adding to what’s already set to be a busy stretch on Capitol Hill.

The Democratic-controlled Senate is bracing for a clash when President Joe Biden announces his pick to succeed Breyer, which he said he intends to do by the end of February.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who chairs the Judiciary Committee and would be responsible for steering Biden's pick through the nomination process, said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that party leaders will ensure that the proceedings are fair.

"This is a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land. We should take it seriously," he said.

Read the full story here.

Also in politics today:

The White House is trying to tamp down Democratic jitters about midterm messaging.
Ted Cruz still wants to be president. Can he win over the Trump faithful?
McConnell wants a policy-free midterm campaign. Others in the GOP are less sure.

Monday's Top Stories

'Don't look up': Why Ukraine is playing down Russia threat as U.S. sounds the alarm

Ukraine’s president has repeatedly called for calm in the face of the Russian military buildup and shrugged off claims that Kyiv is in denial about the threat. Meanwhile, the West is raising sanctions the pressure on Russia with new sanctions threats and a showdown at the United Nations.

Covid predictions? These experts are done with them

Omicron was unexpected, but with the delta variant also still circulating, scientists say it’s too soon to know for sure where the pandemic is headed.

Joe Rogan responds to growing protest over Covid-19 misinformation on Spotify

Rogan’s comments came after the music streaming service announced that it would add a content advisory to any podcast episode that discusses the coronavirus.

OPINION

New Showtime Bill Cosby docuseries won't be for everyone. But it's well done.

The series is for those who, for multiple reasons, continue to struggle to reconcile the man they thought they knew with the predator he’s accused of being. writes Michael Arceneaux.

Also in the News

It's Rams and Bengals in Super Bowl LVI

Plea deal reached with two of Ahmaud Arbery's murderers in hate crimes trial

Spotify to add a content advisory to podcasts that discuss Covid-19

Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst dead at 30

Tens of thousands left without power as East Coast plunges into deep freeze

In ‘South to America,’ Imani Perry travels below the Mason-Dixon to shed light on the soul of a nation

Editor's Pick

A tale of two cases: Covid infections lay bare Beijing’s wealth disparity

China's economic growth has also widened its wealth gap, and it is now among the most unequal countries in the world.

Select

In addition to flower bouquets, online retailers offer a variety of succulents and other plants for Valentine's Day.

One Fun Thing

Chattanooga entrepreneur skates her way to success by bringing back disco

After the Covid-19 pandemic torpedoed Adrienne Cooper's plans to open a disco roller rink in Tennessee, she was stuck with 500 rental skates.

But instead of giving up, she redesigned the skates into three sleek, new colors and branded them "Moon Boots," launching a social media campaign on Instagram to generate buzz.

After months of promoting the Moon Boots, they went on sale online at midnight one day last year. "That night we sold almost every pair," Cooper said. "We made over $200,000 in one day."