An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: Mitch McConnell’s bombshell; the genius of Richard Lewis; why we do leap year; and more

Good morning. It's Thursday, Feb. 29, and these super-realistic videos made by AI are amazing and terrifying in equal measure. Now let's get to the news.

What to know: Justices will review Trump's claim that he's shielded from charges for actions he took as president. They scheduled arguments yesterday for the week of April 22.
One key impact: It could delay his election-obstruction trial in D.C. until spring or summer, pushing the Republican front-runner's trial closer to November's election.
In related news: An Illinois judge removed Trump from the state's primary ballot yesterday.

Why? McConnell, 82, cited his age in his announcement yesterday, and he has faced health problems over the past year. There are three leading contenders to replace him.
Also in Congress: Leaders agreed to a deal that would prevent a partial shutdown this weekend. If passed, it would move deadlines for federal funding to March 8 and 22.

What to know: The fire has burned roughly 850,000 acres in two days in the Texas panhandle. A historic winter heat wave and dry winds have fueled the blaze.
The latest: It was 3% contained as of yesterday afternoon. Homes have reportedly burned in the towns of Canadian and Fritch. Track the fire's path here.

The details: The Gaza Health Ministry's figure doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants. War and hunger are causing the "mass killing of children," an aid group said.
What else to know: 242 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the offensive in Gaza began, Israel says, and around 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's Oct. 7 attack.
What's next? Negotiators are discussing a weeks-long cease-fire to release hostages and allow in aid, but Israel and Hamas have downplayed any immediate progress.

Richard Lewis in 2005. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

How we'll remember him: As a legendary comic and as the argumentative, anxious friend — and kidney recipient — of Larry David on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
What to know: The 76-year-old died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles after a heart attack, his publicist said. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021.

The details: You can get rid of nearly 90% of the tiny plastic particles by boiling and then filtering the water, a new study found. But that may vary depending on where you live.
Is it worth doing? The health impact of drinking these plastics isn't fully understood. But the boiling strategy is easy to do and could have other benefits, like killing germs.
What else to know: PFAS chemicals are being phased out of food packaging.

What that means: It's Feb. 29 — a date that appears on calendars only once every four years. It's a rare chance for "leaplings" to celebrate their birthdays.
Why do we do this? It keeps our seasons and our calendars in sync. It takes a little over 365 days for Earth to orbit the Sun, so leap years are needed to account for that extra time.