FBI director faces grilling on Capitol riot, the ‘worst’ states for kids during pandemic and sharks that glow in the dark?

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     FBI Director Christopher Wray is expected to make his first extensive remarks about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot before a Senate panel, the "worst" states for children during the pandemic revealed, plus scientists discover sharks that glow in the dark.   Here's what we're watching this Tuesday morning.  FBI Director Wray expected to face grilling from Senators over Capitol riot, domestic terrorism FBI Director Christopher Wray is expected to face questions from Congress on Tuesday about whether his intelligence analysts missed warning signs before the riot at the U.S. Capitol and how the bureau plans to confront the rising threat of domestic terrorism.   Wray's appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee will be his first public testimony since September and the first formal statement from the FBI about the status of the wide-ranging riot investigation.   It will also be his first opportunity to discuss why the FBI did not detect in advance what it now says in court documents was extensive plotting and planning by known extremist groups that attacked the Capitol in coordinated fashion.   Wray's testimony comes as a report reveals that over half the people charged with taking part in the Capitol siege were not connected to extremist groups or to one another.   The study, by George Washington University's Program on Extremism, analyzed arrest information and other court documents from 257 cases filed in federal court as of late February.   It found that while only about three dozen of those charged were part of extremist groups, their participation "was likely a necessary precondition for the escalation of violence from an angry riot into a breach of Capitol security."  Tuesday's top stories Covid upended the lives of children everywhere. In these states, they struggled the most. By Bracey Harris | Read more  The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted childhood in every state, but particularly in the South. The global nonprofit Save the Children ranked Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico and Alabama as the "worst" states for children during the pandemic. "This pandemic has lasted about a year for us, but I think the impact will be 10 years long for children," said one relief worker.    Third Cuomo accuser comes forward as New York AG opens sexual harassment inquiry By Tom Winter and Dareh Gregorian | Read more   New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Monday that her office is formally proceeding with an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The move comes as a third woman said she felt "uncomfortable and embarrassed" when the governor asked her "Can I kiss you?" at a 2019 wedding.  U.S., E.U. set to impose sanctions on Russia By Abigail Williams, Dan De Luce, Carol E. Lee and Andrea Mitchell | Read more The coordinated sanctions come in response to the Kremlin's poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his subsequent arrest and detention. OPINION Here's why Jason Sudeikis' Golden Globes speech perfectly fit our 2021 mood By Ani Bundel, culture critic | Read more "Ted Lasso," with its small stake and big heart, is a reminder that one doesn't need to be over-the-top to be a winner. Sometimes, the decent underdog can win. BETTER Why a combo of 2 fruits and 3 veggies each day could lead to a longer life By Linda Carroll | Read more   An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but bumping that up to two fruits and three veggies a day could help you live a longer life, a a new study suggests.  Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... Some Texas workers face having their pay docked for days without power Senate confirms Miguel Cardona as Biden's education secretary Romney recovering after weekend fall left him with stitches and bruises, jokes he 'went to CPAC' 'To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time': Tiger Woods touched by red shirt tribute Hollywood + politics = big bucks. Angelina Jolie sells artwork by Winston Churchill for record-setting $11.5M SHOPPING What is a KN95 face mask? We consulted medical experts on deciding whether it's right for you — as well as where to buy them. One fun thing Sharks that glow in the dark?   That's right. Scientists have discovered three new luminous deep-sea predators off New Zealand.    Read the full story here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser