A powerful storm that swept across the country will lose its fury Friday and blow out over the Atlantic by day's end, forecasters said.

Mention the words Augusta, the Masters and clubs and you'd be forgiven for heading straight to the golf course.  And if you're feeling good and looking for all things sugar and spice then here are a few facts which might help your Masters 2013 experience.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to overcome a Republican-led filibuster against tougher gun laws, clearing the way for a major congressional debate on a package of proposals sought by President Barack Obama in the aftermath of the Connecticut school massacre.

(CNN) -- In a scathing letter released on the anniversary of George Zimmerman's arrest in Trayvon Martin's shooting death, Zimmerman's mother writes that her son was charged "solely to placate the masses," and that the news media helped pass on a false narrative against an innocent man.

(CNN) -- An Oregon man was arrested this week on suspicion of making harassing phone calls to relatives of victims in last year's Colorado movie theater massacre, police in Portland said.

Police have identified a suspect in a string of potential hate crimes in New York in which 12 mezuzahs were set ablaze as they hung on door frames outside Jews' homes.

Dylan Quick overcame a childhood disability and had big plans for the future. But on Tuesday, the 20-year-old student went on a stabbing spree on his Texas college campus, authorities said.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- It's getting costlier to keep your car, according to data from the car repair Web site CarMD. Auto repair costs rose 10% in 2012, the first such increase in 6 years.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The leading Senate negotiations on gun control legislation favor expanding background checks, but the effort would as of now fall short of the universal approach backed by President Barack Obama and many Democrats, CNN has learned.

(CNN) -- Wildfires, tornadoes, snow, all on the same day. Sure, it sounds weird. But it's not, CNN meteorologist Judson Jones said Tuesday.