Scot Bertram | Millions of acres of national forests could be cleared for timber production in a bid to reduce wildfire risk

Here are 3 big things you need to know—

 

One —  The death toll has risen to at least 19 as a result of severe weather across the nation's midsection.  More heavy rain is expected across the region as the storm threat shifts to the southern Mid-Atlantic and Southeast into Monday.  Forecasters say temperatures will drop behind the storm system with freeze alerts in effect tonight for millions from Oklahoma City and Kansas City to St. Louis and Indianapolis.

 

Two ----   Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the power of the U.S. needs to be reset.   Speaking on CBS' Face the Nation, Lutnick said the new global tariffs put in place by the Trump administration were to address a national security issue. He says it’s a major problem things like medicine and semiconductors aren't made in America. Lutnick said the tariffs will stay in place as President Trump seeks to reset global trade. 

 

And number three ---- Millions of acres of national forests, including a sizeable portion in Michigan, could be cleared for timber production in a bid to reduce wildfire risk. That’s according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture plan. The Department of Agriculture couldn't specify how many acres would be affected in Michigan. The state is home to about 2.9 million acres of national forest lands.