A wage hike for home health care workers in Nevada is proving game-changing After Nevada gave home health care workers a huge raise, from about $11 to $16 an hour, turnover in the industry fell sharply. Now, caregivers are preparing to lobby for another wage hike. Read more on NPR

Winter illnesses return with a vengeance The annual winter respiratory virus season is in full force. The number of people catching the flu is skyrocketing, while COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory viral illnesses are also rising. Read more on NPR

As winter storms strike, airlines scramble to de-ice planes and keep them flying A pair of powerful major winter storms is disrupting the U.S. air travel system this week. That leaves airlines no choice but to de-ice their planes before takeoff to keep them in the air. Read more on NPR

‘Don’t be boring!’ How to cope with the social pressure to drink during Dry January What do you say to people when they ask you why you aren’t drinking? How do you get your friends to hang out in places other than bars? We tackle the social conundrums of sober socializing. Read more on NPR

A looming ‘demographic cliff’: Fewer college students and ultimately fewer graduates The long-predicted downturn in the number of 18-year-olds is almost here. And it isn’t just a problem for higher education. It’s a looming crisis for the economy. Read more on NPR

Bezos’ Blue Origin is nearing liftoff on the 1st flight of its newest, biggest rocket New Glenn, developed by the private space firm founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is on the pad at Cape Canaveral, Fla., and could launch on its maiden flight as early as Friday. Read more on NPR

What to know about the wildfires spreading through Southern California Three wildfires are currently impacting Los Angeles and Ventura counties, prompting thousands of people to evacuate, schools to close and power lines to be shut off. Read more on NPR

First international commercial flight since Assad’s ouster lands in Syria The Qatar Airways flight landed at Damascus International Airport. Many passengers were Syrian nationals coming come for the first time in more than a decade. Read more on NPR

Photos: Thousands in Los Angeles evacuate as wind-fueled Palisades Fire quickly worsens More than 30,000 people in Los Angeles County have been ordered to evacuate as the Palisades Fire blazed through the Pacific Palisades community, fueled by intense Santa Ana winds. Read more on NPR

Wild weather spreads across the U.S. In Washington, D.C., the federal government is closed – as are most of the schools in the area. That’s because the first major snow storm in about three years barreled in Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Southern U.S. is preparing for another storm that could paralyze parts of Texas, Arkansas…