President Biden spoke with key U.S. allies to discuss Russia’s possible invasion of Ukraine as the Pentagon announced that as many as 8,500 U.S. troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment to Eastern Europe. If necessary, the troops would join NATO forces.

New signs suggest the worst of the Omicron wave could be over while the fight over how schools should respond is heating up. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed into action a ban on mask mandates in schools. Seven Virginia school boards have already filed a lawsuit challenging the ban.

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Pentagon: 8,500 U.S. Troops On “Heightened Alert”