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[h=4]The Short List: We're over winter; Mars mystery; SNL breaks record[/h]Out of the loop today? We've got what you missed.
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Out of the loop today? We've got what you missed.(Photo: Jacqueline Larma, AP)
We're bitter about how cold it is
Colleagues on vacation, we see your Instagrams and Facebook posts from Miami/Palm Springs/Las Vegas and we get it — you're having a fabulous time and you're WARM. Well, those of us on the East Coast are having a great time, too, thankyouverymuch. We've got snowmen to build, and chestnuts to roast, and ... OK, that's a lie. We're miserable. It's painfully cold and we're ready for spring. The Weather Channel says that "winter storm warnings have already been posted for almost 47 million people." Meaning up to 4 inches of nasty ice and snow as far south as northern Georgia. Washington, D.C., not known for its prowess in handling winter weather, could easily get that much snow — if not more. Poor Boston has logged its snowiest month on record. So wish us luck as we crank up the space heater in the office and crank out this column. We only wish we could do it with half the enthusiasm of The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore.
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While in Massachusetts covering what's being called a "snow hurricane," The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore and his crew caught the weather phenomenon of thundersnow on camera. Cantore reacted as if he just won the lottery. VPC
What else is in #theshortlist:
• Mystery plumes on Mars. Just, wow.
• Denmark grieves following first terror attack in 30 years
• There's just no good news for Lance Armstrong
• Star-studded 'Saturday Night Live' a win for NBC
Scientists have no explanation for bright mystery flares on Mars
It's a scientific brainteaser. Mysterious plumes have been spotted erupting from Mars — a phenomenon that scientists are at a loss to explain. The bright flares, which have now died away, towered higher than anything else observed in the Martian atmosphere — 150 miles in altitude — researchers report in this week's Nature. Amateur astronomer Wayne Jaeschke was poring over footage of Mars that he captured at his private observatory when he came across a puzzling image. He quietly ran it by a few friends, then circulated it among a larger group of both amateur and professional astronomers. Researchers initially were skeptical, but "we came to the conclusion that what we were seeing is actually real," study co-author Antonio García Muñoz said. As scientists debate this puzzler, take a minute and enjoy the best space photos from 2014.
First fatal terror attack in decades has Denmark in mourning
Danes mourned the two victims of the country's first fatal terror attacks in 30 years — and, in an unusual development, some also put flowers at the spot where police killed the suspect. The weekend attacks in Copenhagen killed two people and wounded five police officers. The suspect, who has been named by Danish media as Omar El-Hussein, fired multiple shots Saturday through the window of a cafe during a free speech debate, killing one man, and later killed a male guard outside a synagogue. The debate at the cafe featured Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks, who has received death threats since he drew a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad in 2007. He wasn't hurt. Danes were trying to make sense of killings in a country that rarely sees deadly violence and where the queen and officials walk around with light security.
A man reacts next to flowers for the shooting victims outside the "Kruttoende" cultural centre in Copenhagen, Denmark on February 15, 2015. Two fatal attacks in the Danish capital, at a cultural center during a debate on Islam and free speech and a second outside the city's main synagogue.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Claus Bjorn Larsen, AFP/Getty Images)
Lance Armstrong owes insurance company $10 million for fraud
There's just no good news for Lance Armstrong. Today we learned the disgraced cyclist was ordered to pay $10 million to SCA Promotions, the sports insurance company that paid his bonuses for winning the Tour de France and then helped cause his epic fall from grace in 2012. The company said the $10 million is believed to be the largest award of sanctions against an individual in American judicial history. In a court filing Monday, the company also said it doesn't believe Armstrong will pony up. It's just the latest setback for Armstrong, who is fending off several lawsuits since his doping confession to Oprah Winfrey in January 2013. He's still defending himself against the federal government in another fraud lawsuit that could cost him nearly $100 million. And just last month, he got two tickets in Aspen after allegedly hitting two parked cars and then letting his girlfriend take the blame.
'SNL' 40th anniversary show breaks NBC ratings record
Maybe Saturday Night Live should hold a 40th-anniversary special every year. Sunday's star-studded spectacular averaged 23.1 million viewers for the three-hour portion that ran in prime time, according to preliminary Nielsen ratings. It marked the top Sunday entertainment broadcast for NBC in viewers and young adults since the 2004 Golden Globes (23.4 million). A few of the highlights: 1) Bradley Cooper and Betty White made out. 2) Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg debuted a new clip about what happens when cast members can't stay in character and start giggling. 3) And Jim Carrey couldn't resist taking a shot at troubled NBC anchor Brian Williams. Awkward.
In a scene from The Californians sketch, it's Laraine Newman, Bill Hader, Taran Killam, Kristen Wiig, Keenan Thompson, Taylor Swift, Fred Armisen, Kerry Washington, Betty White and Bradley Cooper. Yes, that's Bradley kissing Betty!<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Dana Edelson, NBC)
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Extra Bites
Day in Pictures: Our favorite photo from today's gallery.
A member of the Salgueiro samba school performs at a Carnival parade in the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Christophe Simon, AFP/Getty Images)
Have you seen it? We found someone who isn't over winter.
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Watch the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's polar bear Nanuq relish a recent snow day. VPC
Oh, you don't have a pooch competing at Westminster? Yea, we don't either. But your dog doesn't have to be a show dog to be top dog. Join the Your Take friends showing off their prized canines.
Today there's more than $1.3 trillion in outstanding student debt, and the average borrower owes $28,400 upon graduation. Here's how to hack away at it.
The long-term recovery of the ozone layer is still on schedule, but this could derail it.
These are the players who will impress at the NFL scouting combine.
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This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.
Contributing: John Bacon, Jane Onyanga-Omara, Bill Keveney, USA TODAY; Jessica Durando, USA TODAY Network; Robin Herr, Traci Watson, Special for USA TODAY; Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY Sports; the Associated Press
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