Dale Willman

As Rebecca Rossman reports from Paris, the government says it will send letters to young people across the country urging them to think about parenthood and fertility options.

And you're listening to NPR News.

A winter storm watch is in effect for parts of northern California this weekend.

Weather officials say a cold front could bring a foot of snow to some communities starting Sunday afternoon.

But they say towns at higher elevations could get as much as six to eight feet of snow.

Some communities are warning residents that driving could be treacherous by Monday with possible delays and road closings.

Hollywood's ticket sales are booming this weekend with Valentine's Day couples leading the way.

NPR's Bob Mondello has our details.

Jordan Stoltz continued his gold medal run on Saturday, winning the 500-meter speed skating race with an Olympic record time.

The 21-year-old from Wisconsin had won the 1,000-meter race in earlier competition.

and he has two more individual races to go.

South America, meanwhile, got its first ever Winter Olympic medal.

When Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Brathen won the gold in the giant slalom, he beat the defending Olympic champion by half a second.

I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman.

For the third time in three months, the federal government is in a partial shutdown.

Congress could not agree on a spending bill to continue funding for the Department of Homeland Security before a Friday night deadline.

Air travel could be affected because TSA screening agents will not be paid until funding is restored.

But NPS Ron Elving says one part of DHS will remain in full force.

That's NPR's Ron Elving with our report.