5 Things to Know This Morning

Jan. 31, 2013 — -- Your look at the five biggest and most buzz-worthy stories of the morning.

1. Gunman Holed Up in Ala. Bunker with Child Hostage

A gunman holed up in an Alabama bunker with a 5-year-old hostage has kept law officials at bay in a standoff that began after he shot and killed a bus driver and left with the boy. The 65-year-old retired truck driver is known in the neighborhood as a menacing figure.

2. Massive Storm System Blows Through Southeast

A massive storm system plowed through the Southeast on Wednesday, killing at least two people and overturning cars on an interstate highway in Georgia. The tornadoes flattened homes and wiped out parts of a large manufacturing plant.

3. Obama to Pitch Proposal for Reducing Gun Violence

President Obama will travel to Minneapolis on Monday to pitch his proposal for reducing gun violence. It will be his first trip outside centered on gun control outside of Washington.

4. Walmart Limiting Ammunition Sales

Walmart has begun limiting sales of ammunition, a spokesperson said Wednesday. Customers are permitted to purchase three boxes per day due to limited supplies.

5. Half of Americans Lack a Financial Safety

A new report has found that nearly half of Americans lack a financial safety net. According to the report by Corporation for Enterprise Development, nearly 44 percent of Americans do not have enough savings or liquid assets to get ahead.