Severe Winter Storm Leaves 217,000 Without Power
A severe winter storm has left 217,000 people without power across the United States, prompting President Donald Trump to approve federal emergency disaster declarations for 11 states, including South Carolina and Virginia. The storm has resulted in over 4,000 flight cancellations, with more than 40 percent of the country under winter storm warnings as heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are forecasted to impact the eastern two-thirds of the nation. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have declared weather emergencies, with officials urging residents to stay safe and avoid travel.
Border Patrol officer kills ICU nurse in Minneapolis
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis during a targeted immigration enforcement operation on January 21, 2026. The Department of Homeland Security claims Pretti was armed with a handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him, while videos and eyewitness accounts suggest he was holding a phone and not a weapon. In response to the incident, Minnesota's Attorney General is suing the federal government for potentially withholding information related to the shooting.
Trump's Economic Claims Challenged by Inflation and AI Costs
Former President Donald Trump faces scrutiny over the U.S. economy as inflation risks and an unstable AI boom challenge his claims of economic success. Despite a decline in gas prices to an average of $2.78 per gallon, overall food inflation has increased since his return to office, with December marking the largest one-month rise in grocery prices since 2022. Additionally, rising electricity costs, driven by demand from data centers for AI, are becoming a political liability for Trump as they impact midterm campaigns.
Severe Winter Storm Hits Oklahoma Amid Warnings
A major winter storm is impacting Oklahoma, bringing heavy snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures, with a Winter Storm Warning in effect for much of the state, including the Tulsa metro. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reported 28 injury collisions, 175 motorist assists, and 151 non-injury collisions as of Saturday night, while snow plow operations continue amid deteriorating road conditions. Over 200 million Americans are expected to be affected by this storm as it moves across the southern Plains.
