Preliminary estimates have one dozen tornadoes and a half-dozen fatalities resulting from tornado activity across parts of the Southeast Thursday. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey)

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey talks about a series of tornadic events this month including a Thursday outbreak in the Southeast.

* - ATTN: STATIONS - This event is expected to take place late Saturday and into Sunday - * Parts of the country, particularly the Southeast, are bracing for potential tornado activity throughout the weekend. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey)

A late March severe weather outbreak is but the latest in recent years involving major tornadoes impacting parts of the Southeast. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey)

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey discusses how the month of March in recent years has experienced a significant number of tornados in the U.S., including March 2021.

USDA is forgiving loans in an effort to help socially-disadvantaged farmers.(Stephanie Ho and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack)

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says farmers need to think about USDA loan forgiveness in terms of how it will affect them, tax-wise.

Equity is going to be a major concern at USDA. (Stephanie Ho and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack)

USDA is hoping more socially-disadvantaged farmers apply for COVID assistance. (Stephanie Ho and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack)

USDA is urging greater trust in farmers to self-identify. (Stephanie Ho and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack)