New coronavirus infections have doubled in the U.S. as the pace of vaccinations gets cut in half. As Jericka Duncan reports, the Surgeon General warns misinformation may be playing a part. Then, Dr. Shad Marvasti, a family medicine physician and the director of public health, prevention and health promotion at The University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, joins CBSN’s Lana Zak to discuss the day’s coronavirus headlines. Source

COVID-19 misinformation an “urgent threat,” surgeon general says; South Carolina mechanic’s generosity rewarded Source

Biden maps future of U.S. relations with Germany; Texas files suit against Biden administration over border wall Source

A new book says General Mark Milley, the nation’s top military officer, feared that President Trump would attempt a coup to stay in office. Kris Van Cleave has more. Source

More than a third of Earth’s tropical rainforests are “completely gone,” and half of what remains is in the Amazon. But now, parts of that jungle are in jeopardy as deforestation and climate change reduce its ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Scientists say it’s a “really big warning,” and if steps aren’t taken soon, “we’re going to be in more trouble.” Source

Federal officials are looking to crack down on ransomware attacks that are attacking critical U.S. infrastructure by implementing a new multi-agency task force. The announcement comes just days after the notorious Russian-linked ransomware group, REvil, suddenly vanished from the internet. CBS News’ Jeff Pegues reports on the task force, then Maurice Turner, a cybersecurity fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, joins CBSN anchor Lana Zak with his analysis. Source

On Thursday, President Biden hosted German Chancellor Angela Merkel for what’s likely to be her last visit to the White House as the leader of Germany. CBS News correspondent Skyler Henry reports on what the two leaders discussed, then CBSN anchor Lana Zak and CBSN political contributor Sean Sullivan discuss how the two leaders reaffirmed the relationship between their nations, and America’s newly enhanced child tax credit. Source

Facebook says Iranian hackers targeted nearly 200 U.S. military personnel on its platform. The hackers, known as “Tortiseshell,” used fake online personas and phishing to drive people off of the site, infect their devices with malware and steal log-in information. CBS News reporter Musadiq Bidar joins CBSN’s Lana Zak to discuss. Source

President Biden said the relationship between the U.S. and Germany is “strong and getting stronger.” Source

Despite the sustained popularity of former President Donald Trump in the GOP, other would-be 2024 Republican presidential contenders are heading to Iowa to address conservative voters. The Des Moines Register’s chief political reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel has more on who will be headlining the Family Leadership Summit on Friday, and Democrats’ chances of picking up any Republican-held seats in Iowa in 2022. Source