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President Obama dines with GOP senators – Dan Lothian reports
In a rare social outing, the president dined with 12 GOP senators, including some of his harshest critics, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
Asked by a reporter how the dinner went, McCain said "just fine" and gave a thumbs-up.
Another GOP senator, who asked not to be named because it was a private event, described it as a "very positive meeting" that focused on the debt and deficit. The senator also used the words "interactive," "respectful," and "sober" to describe the gathering, adding that it was even jovial at times.
This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Dan Lothian recaps the dinner and what it could mean for more bipartisan work going forward.
READ MORE: Haute cuisine for Obama and GOP senators
Sen. Rand Paul ends filibuster against CIA director nominee John Brennan – Shannon Travis reports
Sen. Rand Paul ended his day-long filibuster at 12:38 a.m. Thursday, almost 13 hours after he began speaking. The Kentucky Republican tried to stall a confirmation vote on CIA Director nominee John Brennan.
And as a snow storm swirled outside Wednesday in the nation's capital, Paul started his own Twitter hash tag that encapsulated his hours-long stand-off on Capitol Hill: #filiblizzard.
The Kentucky senator, known for his libertarian leanings, has sharply questioned the Obama administration's use of drones against American citizens overseas and vowed to speak Wednesday until he received more answers from the government about its policies. Brennan is considered one of the main architects of the drone program.
This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Shannon Travis recaps Sen. Paul's filibuster.
READ MORE: Rand Paul's #filiblizzard filibuster
CNN Trends: Snooki sheds 42 lbs, Taco Bell fans unleash anger on social media
Trending on the web this morning is news of Snooki's dramatic weight loss. The former "Jersey Shore" star graces the cover of Us Weekly with her post-baby body after losing 42 lbs.
Also, thousands of angry Taco Bell customers commented on the franchises's Facebook page over the lack of the availability of the new Cool Ranch flavor taco.
Lion put down after mauling woman to death – Dan Simon reports
It was clear that Dianna Hanson was thrilled to be at the Cat Haven sanctuary. Her Facebook page boasted more pictures of lions and tigers than it did of her friends.
Hanson had been at the 100-acre wooded Northern California facility since January– working as an intern, bonding with the big cats it's home to.
On Wednesday, the 24-year-old Seattle woman was killed when she was mauled by a 5-year-old, 350-pound African lion inside a cage.
This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Dan Simon reports on the latest in the attack.
READ MORE: Worker mauled to death at California sanctuary by her favorite lion
MYB: Dow hits fresh highs, while fewer homes now available on the market
Christine Romans is minding your business with the latest on the stock market and good news about the housing market.
The Dow hit fresh record highs and is looking to make more gains today. Romans addresses the big question: Can it keep going? She says that while this bull market is four years old, it's not clear when it'll end. "The last leg of a bull market can often be the most profitable, but you don't know when it's gonna be over," she says.
In the housing market, "the number of homes available dropped more than 16% in February compared to a year ago," Romans says. "This is good because it sets you up for higher prices. It’s good for the selling season."
MYB: Martha Stewart testifies, defends deal to Christine Romans
Martha Stewart defended her company against a lawsuit from Macy's yesterday. Christine Romans has details from the courtroom.
MYB: U.S., Venezuela major business partners in oil industry
Christine Romans breaks down the financial relationship between the United States and Venezuela in the wake of President Hugo Chavez's death. "It is the fourth largest supplier of gas to the U.S. Energy after - you've got Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and then Venezuela," Romans reports.
Romans explains that Chavez was simultaneously a sworn enemy and a major business partner of the United States, for really blunting American efforts in many places across Latin America for years now, by giving subsidized oil to people who agreed with him and disagreed with the United States.
“And this really gives the U.S. and its Latin American policy a great, unbelievable opening,” Romans says. “So how the U.S. treads here is really important diplomatically but also right down to what goes into your gas tank.”
CNN Trends: Jon Stewart to direct first film, and Best Buy ends work-from-home program
Jon Stewart will take a 12 week break from his show to direct his first movie, a drama called "Rosewater", from a screenplay he wrote.
Also, Best Buy ends its work-from-home program. Four-thousand non-store employees who've been telecommuting must now get manager approval to continue working from home or on flexible schedules.
CDC warns about drug-resistant 'nightmare' bug CRE – Elizabeth Cohen reports
There's a new bacteria that medical professionals are worried could become a 'nightmare.' It's called CRE, a form of bacteria that is "impervious to a lot of antibiotics," and "is on the rise," Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen reports.
A report from the CDC says that in 2012, 200 hospitals and long-term care facilities had at least one incidence of this bacteria, Cohen reports. “It is spread, basically, by the hands of people who work in hospitals,” she says.
Cohen explains how you can protect yourself as a patient, starting with asking doctors and nurses to clean their hands and cleaning your own hands.
Winter storm moves East, hitting Washington D.C. today – Joe Johns reports
A storm that set snowfall records in Chicago arrived in Washington, D.C. early Wednesday. It filled the sky with flakes, but with temperatures well above freezing, little of the white should accumulate for long.
Just west of the nation's capital, it could dump up to 20 inches of snow but may turn into a mix of rain and snow as it nears the Atlantic Ocean, the National Weather Service said.
The federal government has closed offices for Wednesday. Emergency personnel will be expected to work as well as those equipped to work from home. D.C. schools will also be closed.
On "Early Start," this morning, CNN's Joe Johns reports from Virginia with the latest on the storm as it moves east.
READ MORE: Snow storm that plastered Chicago reaches DC
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