State Capitols prepare for violent protests, NFL playoffs, Powerball jackpot: 5 things to know this weekend

State Capitols, DC brace for potential violence

All 50 states and the District of Columbia are preparing for what law enforcement officials say could be violent protests this weekend through Wednesday's inauguration of Joe Biden following the deadly pro-Donald Trump riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. In D.C., the National Mall is closed, Metro stations are shuttered and the U.S. Capitol is surrounded with heavy barricading and National Guard members. State capitols are also bracing for the possibility of violence from armed extremist groups:

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Flights to DC ban firearms, face increased security measures

Travelers boarding flights to Washington, D.C., ahead of the inauguration will not be allowed to check firearms on several airlines and face increased security measures on all carriers. Only law enforcement officials will be exempt from the ban. Delta, United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit and Alaska Airlines all made changes for flights to Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport. All major airlines stepped up security precautions on flights leaving Washington last weekend after the attack on the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 and incidents on Washington-bound flights leading up to it. Yet there were still problems. Now airlines are assuming a similar posture ahead of the inauguration.

It's OK to dream big. Get your Powerball on!

Players can try their luck in the Powerball drawing on Saturday, with a projected $640 million jackpot, the eighth largest in U.S. history and the game's biggest top prize since March 2019. The lucrative prize follows Friday’s drawing of the Mega Millions’ $750 million haul which did not produce a jackpot winner. What are the odds of winning? Well, not high. The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292.2 million. There is a 1 in 24.9 chance of winning any prize. But hey, you can always dream, right?

We all need a reason to celebrate

Betty White turns 99 on Sunday, and the landmark birthday has fans wondering – what's her secret to a long, healthy life? "I am blessed with good health," the actress and comedian told People, "so turning 99 is no different than turning 98." She's spending the milestone birthday in quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic, but looks forward to "visiting with close friends and bringing food to my animal friends" once life returns to normal. In celebration of her near-centennial birthday, we've rounded up tips for living a long and healthy life from the beloved "Golden Girl."

NFL playoffs: Divisional round offers scintillating encounters

The fields for the AFC and NFC championships will be determined during divisional round games this weekend. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be looking for a second consecutive appearance in the NFC championship game when the Green Bay Packers host the Los Angeles Rams (4:35 p.m. ET Saturday, Fox). Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens-Buffalo Bills game (8:15 p.m. ET Saturday, NBC) features two versatile quarterbacks in 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. The Cleveland Browns crushed the Pittsburgh Steelers last week in their first playoff appearance in 18 years, but they'll have their hands full with the 14-2 defending champion Kansas City Chiefs (3:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS). The final game Sunday (6:40 p.m. ET, Fox) features a pair of older but highly productive quarterbacks in Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady, 43, and New Orleans’ Drew Brees, 42.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: State Capitols protests, NFL playoffs: 5 things to know this weekend