Heavy snow was falling over Northwest Texas and Oklahoma City on Friday morning as a major winter storm began moving east across the U.S., bringing deadly cold and the threat of power outages and treacherously icy roads to almost half the nation’s population and prompting more than a dozen governors to declare states of emergency. More than 150 million Americans were under some form of weather emergency notices from the National Weather Service. Driven by a massive blast of Arctic air from Canada, the storm will move across the nation from the southern Rockies to the East Coast through early Monday, and cover much of the eastern U.S. through the weekend, forecasters said. At least 14 U.S. states and the District of Columbia had declared states of emergency as of Friday morning, activating resources and mobilizing crews to mitigate the storm’s impact by salting roads, preparing to respond to power outages, and more. Brandon Buckingham, a meteorologist with private forecasting company AccuWeather, said snow and sleet had started to fall Thursday evening in portions of the Central Plains, and warned that there was a danger of ice accumulating on roads, trees and power lines. “Dallas could see a half-inch of ice,” Buckingham said. “This is going to become treacherous very quickly.” He said residents should prepare for “power outages lasting at least several days” in areas where ice accumulates, even though the storm is expected to dissipate by early Monday. In Oklahoma City, which could see up to 12 inches of snow and a glaze of ice before the weekend is over, supervisor Morgan Mayo of the cafe Not Your Average Joe said customers were packing in on Friday morning to get out of the frigid temperatures: a low of 8 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday. “We’re going to do our darnedest to stay open” even on Saturday when the high is expected to be just 10 degrees, Mayo said. “We have several employees who live in walking distance and are willing to brave the storm.” In Texas, the potentially catastrophic storm recalls a 2021 ice storm that cut power to nearly 40 percent of the state’s power grid and left more than 2.7 million people without electricity for days. The storm was blamed for more than 200 deaths, most related to cold temperatures. The state’s largest electrical grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), said it is ready for this weekend’s storm and expects “sufficient generation to meet demand this winter.” As the storm heads east on Saturday and Sunday, upwards of a quarter-inch of ice could accumulate in Atlanta and Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina this weekend. On Sunday, between 4 and 8 inches of snow will fall on Washington D.C., Baltimore, New York City and Boston, although snow exceeding 12 inches is likely to fall in parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic. In the nation’s capital, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser on Friday declared a state of emergency and a snow emergency to remain in effect from Saturday through Tuesday. Bowser asked the National Guard to provide high-ground-clearance vehicles to ensure first responders could effectively move through the District. The storm represents the first major test for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who took office just weeks ago. He told local news station NY1 on Friday that the city’s sanitation workforce would transform “into the nation’s largest snow-fighting operation” in advance of the heavy snowfall expected on Sunday, but that the city’s schools would be open on Monday for either in-person or remote learning. (Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta and Julia Harte in New York; editing by Donna Bryson and David Gregorio)

Delta Air Lines on Friday urged passengers traveling this weekend to reschedule their flights as a major winter storm threatens to disrupt operations and force widespread cancellations. The storm is disrupting U.S. air travel, prompting airlines to cancel flights, warn of delays and issue travel waivers as ice, snow and strong winds sweep across major hubs and regional airports in the South, East and central part of U.S. The airline operator said customers should expect flight cancellations across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, including Nashville and Raleigh–Durham, as the storm threatens to disrupt weekend travel. Delta Air Lines canceled flights at several airports in five states on Thursday, warning that slow operations could trigger more delays and cancellations, and complicate rebooking during one of the busiest winter travel periods. About two-thirds of the 815 flights scheduled to depart Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport on Saturday have been canceled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Separately, American Airlines said it would add more than 3,200 extra seats to and from its Dallas–Fort Worth hub from Friday to Sunday. The National Weather Service warned that a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow could make travel hazardous and cause power outages and tree damage across the Southeast, with heavier snowfall expected farther north as the storm moves up the country. Airlines urged passengers to keep a close eye on their flight status and use mobile apps or airline websites for the quickest rebooking options as the storm advances. Travelers have already begun adjusting plans in anticipation of mounting disruption. (Reporting by Apratim Sarkar in Bengaluru and additional reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Shreya Biswas)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is trying to rev up support to host an IndyCar race on the National Mall in August as part of the country’s celebration of 250 years. The only problem? Democrats are trying to pump the brakes on the idea. Fast cars and freedom sound like an all-American good time. Several backseat-driving Democrats, however, think it’s “absurd” for Congress to give the green light to an IndyCar race in D.C. when lawmakers won’t even extend health care subsidies, Punchbowl News reported. The race needs Congress to pass a bill for the event because, currently, there’s a ban on advertising on the Capitol grounds. And what do race cars have all over? Ads. A United States Department of Transportation spokesperson emphasized what the event would mean to commemorate America250. “The Grand Prix is an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate our nation’s proud racing pedigree, showcase the beauty of the National Mall, and generate millions in critical tourism revenue for the Capital. The Trump Administration is determined to make D.C. great again, and this race is another example of that commitment. We’ll keep working with our partners in Congress to outline the positive impacts it will have on the District and correct the record.” The America250 celebration is already set to have a much-anticipated live UFC event on the White House Lawn, the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia, and the Patriot Games in Washington, D.C. The proposed race would start at the Supreme Court and then do an entire lap around the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial. “Pit Row” would be set up by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The IndyCar Grand Prix idea has been floated to the aides of Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. A bipartisan prix is worrisome to the Democrats, who seem to only know how to white-knuckle the steering wheel. They argue it puts a strain on the U.S. Capitol Police and the surrounding roads. Democrats also think Republicans haven’t been helpful to them, according to Punchbowl News. They aren’t too keen on this race because so far the GOP has refused to hang a plaque honoring the victims of the January 6 Capitol riot, an aide told the outlet. IndyCar told The Daily Wire that new events are something the organization welcomes. “We continue to work on new events for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Major East Coast markets – like Washington D.C. and several other large metro destinations – are priorities for us,” a spokesperson said. IndyCar has races scheduled for August already, but none in Washington, D.C. Per the league’s schedule, Secretary Duffy’s target date of August 21 is open. Still, it seems there might be a few pit stops before this event gets to the finish line.

The following is an edited transcript excerpt from The Michael Knowles Show. * * * Since getting canned from CNN, Don Lemon has apparently decided to reinvent himself. Not as a journalist, but as some kind of YouTuber or “man on the street” troll. Whatever this is supposed to be, it’s Don Lemon wandering around with a microphone. After conspiring with a Left-wing mob to violate the FACE Act and interrupt a church service in Minneapolis, Lemon is now suddenly popping up on sidewalks questioning random people about illegal immigration. And he’s armed with the most childish, recycled Left-wing talking points imaginable. You’ve heard these lines before. Probably from your lesbian cousin or your purple-haired roommate, whichever liberal you love and tolerate in your own life. And Don Lemon delivers the greatest hit right on cue: crossing the border illegally is not a crime. Watch: Don Lemon: “Being here illegally is not a crime, it’s a misdemeanor.” Ordinary Citizen: “Isn’t a misdemeanor a crime?” ???pic.twitter.com/LTfDiHrTqH — Verbal Riot (@verbalriotshow) January 20, 2026 Credit: @verbalriotshow/X.com I love it. This woman Lemon is talking to is clearly not originally from here, she has a slight accent, and she seems to be taking Don Lemon at his word. Lemon keeps insisting that a misdemeanor is not a crime, which is already an insane thing to say. Then a guy off camera finally jumps in and says the obvious: “Yes it is. Ask him. Is a misdemeanor a crime?” Don Lemon scrambles. “It’s not a criminal act, no. If you get charged with a misdemeanor, it’s not a criminal act.” The woman then pauses and asks the most basic question imaginable: “So why charge them at all then, if it’s not a criminal act?” Now he’s backpedaling hard. “Because we have different levels of crime. Everything is not the same.” And that’s when she nails him. She calmly points out that if there are different levels of crime, then it is a crime—just a lesser one than a felony. Which means he just admitted the whole thing. Cue the nervous laughter. And that’s it. She completely humiliates him. It’s painful to watch. WATCH: The Michael Knowles Show This is the standard liberal script. They’ll say illegal immigration isn’t a felony, which also isn’t even always true, especially for repeat offenders. But let’s pretend it isn’t. They say it’s just a misdemeanor. The obvious response, which this woman delivered effortlessly, is that misdemeanors are crimes. Then comes the next dodge: well, lots of things are misdemeanors. Speeding really fast can be a misdemeanor. Certain drug offenses can be misdemeanors. Property crimes, vehicle crimes, whatever. Fine. Don’t even argue the comparison. Just ask the follow-up question. What’s the punishment? Different misdemeanors have different punishments, right? Okay. What’s the punishment for the misdemeanor of illegal immigration? Deportation. That’s it. That’s the punishment. And that’s exactly what’s happening. “But they’re not getting due process!” Yes, they are. The first step in due process is getting arrested. Then you get processed based on the offense. Then there’s adjudication — guilty, not guilty, released, or removed. That’s the system. So credit where it’s due. I don’t know this woman’s name, but she did a great job. She didn’t yell. She didn’t posture. She just followed the logic to its conclusion and Don Lemon couldn’t survive his own talking points.

Republicans are moving closer to doing something that, in modern American politics, simply isn’t done: holding a national convention in the middle of a midterm election year. At its winter meeting on Friday, the Republican National Committee approved a rule change that would explicitly authorize the party to hold a “special ceremonial convention” between presidential cycles — clearing the procedural path for a midterm convention later this year. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters framed the move as preparation rather than a final commitment, but his enthusiasm was unmistakable. He said the party is eager to showcase what President Donald Trump and Republicans have accomplished and wants to be ready if Trump gives the green light. The amendment passed without objection, though the timing was notable: many RNC members had already departed to beat winter storms when the vote occurred. The rule change formalizes what Trump first floated publicly in September, when he announced that Republicans would hold a “Midterm Convention.” The motivation is clear. A midterm convention would give Republicans a nationally televised platform to tout administration victories, sharpen contrasts with Democrats, energize the base, and elevate candidates in battleground congressional races as the party fights to retain control of Congress. In the modern era, national conventions have been reserved for presidential election years, but the concept itself is not unprecedented. Democrats experimented with midterm-year conventions in the 1970s and are now quietly revisiting the idea. During recent Democratic National Committee meetings in Los Angeles, officials from states like Nebraska and Utah expressed interest in hosting a potential midterm gathering of their own. Historically, conventions have evolved alongside American politics. The first national political convention was held in 1831 by the Anti-Masonic Party. Democrats followed a year later, and the Whigs — the Republican Party’s ideological predecessor — held their own in 1839. Republicans convened for the first time in 1856. While the two major parties have never skipped their four-year convention rhythm, smaller parties often met irregularly, adapting to political circumstances. Trump has argued that a midterm convention makes sense in a moment of perceived momentum. In an August 2025 Truth Social post, he pointed to fundraising advantages, electoral success, and policy wins as justification for breaking tradition. Holding a convention every two years, proponents argue, could boost fundraising and allow parties to recalibrate their message in real time. Details remain unresolved. Republicans have yet to announce a location or date, though Nevada GOP leaders are pushing for Las Vegas. What is clear is that the GOP is laying the groundwork for a political spectacle designed to keep the spotlight — and the narrative — firmly in Republican hands.