The Northeast is digging out after the season’s first major snowstorm — the same system that walloped the Midwest earlier in the week. Plows and crews worked through the day as dense, wet snow made driving treacherous and left record accumulations in parts of the region. Interior areas from Ohio to Maine saw at least half a foot in many spots; some places, including parts of Michigan and upstate New York, reported higher totals. Officials warned of black ice as temperatures fall below freezing, and highway crashes were widespread. In one dramatic rescue, West Virginia firefighters saved a truck driver who was trapped after his rig went through a barrier on an overpass. Snowplows kept roads moving where they could; ski areas welcomed fresh powder.
At the White House, President Trump and his Defense secretary sought to distance themselves from a follow-up strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean that reportedly targeted survivors. Questions about the legality of the action intensified after reports said a commander allegedly ordered killing survivors; legal experts noted that attacking shipwrecked, helpless people could violate the Law of War. At a cabinet meeting, the president said he relied on his defense officials for details and later praised the admiral in charge of the follow-up decision. The Department of Defense’s Law of War manual states shipwrecked combatants are in a helpless state and should not be made the object of attack.
During the same meeting, the president launched a blunt attack on Somali immigrants and Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who came to the U.S. as a Somali refugee. He called out individuals and criticized work and behavior in statements that drew sharp response. A U.S. official told CBS News that ICE planned to surge resources to Minneapolis and nearby areas to target people with deportation orders, some of whom are Somali.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s special envoy and son-in-law met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss possible peace talks for Ukraine. Putin accused European allies of standing in the way of U.S. efforts and warned Europe about meddling. In Kyiv, Ukrainians voiced concerns about negotiated deals that might cede territory to Russia. Officials and veterans treated in mental health clinics emphasized that many Ukrainians want peace but also fear concessions that could invite further aggression. Ukraine’s president said any deal must be made with Ukraine at the table.
More headlines:
– The Afghan man accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers near the White House appeared by video from his hospital bed and pleaded not guilty to charges. One soldier has died; the other remains in critical condition.
– An inmate in the Atlanta area escaped custody after being taken to a hospital for evaluation; authorities say he stole a car, ditched it, and later took a ride in a hired vehicle. He is considered armed and dangerous.
– Minnesota police helped a team of sled dogs after their trailer split on a highway; officers transported the animals and posted pictures with the handlers.
– Tech billionaire Michael Dell and his wife pledged more than $6 billion to open savings accounts — called “Trump Accounts” — for millions of American children ages 10 and under. The accounts, part of federal policy changes, will include a government seed deposit and restrict withdrawals until age 18, with some exceptions for college and first-home purchases.
San Francisco sued major food manufacturers, becoming the first U.S. city to take legal action over ultra-processed foods. City attorneys accused 11 companies of designing and marketing foods that are unhealthy and addictive, placing a public-health burden on the city. Ultra-processed foods — items with chemical-based preservatives or ingredients not typically found in a home kitchen — now account for a large share of many Americans’ diets and have been linked in research to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and higher cancer risk. The companies named in the suit said scientific definitions of “ultra-processed” are unsettled and disputed the claim the foods are being deliberately marketed as harmful.
CBS News’ Eye on America examined the rise of classical charter schools and oversight gaps after parents in Fort Myers said a charter school called Optima Classical Academy — backed by public funding and led by an executive who previously launched other charter schools — failed to open as promised. An investigation into the chain’s tax filings showed millions of public dollars paid to outside firms for back-office services; some firms had ties to the chain’s executives. Experts said charter schools are often required to disclose less financial detail than traditional public schools, making it harder to trace public spending. Families left behind by an Optima campus expressed frustration and disappointment after teachers and programs never materialized.
In a feat that made climbing history, Sasha DiGiulian became the first woman to free-climb Yosemite’s Platinum Wall — El Capitan’s longest route — ascending 3,000 feet using only ropes to catch falls. She planned for two weeks on the wall but was forced to contend with a severe storm, spending nine days perched 2,600 feet up waiting out intense winds, thunder and lightning. After the storm, wet and slippery rock added danger to the route. DiGiulian spent 23 days on the wall, enduring bleeding fingers and brutal conditions, then finished with an emotional, triumphant pull over the top.
Other coverage:
– A major U.S. city filed a lawsuit against ultra-processed food manufacturers, alleging deceptive marketing and public health costs.
– A CBS News investigation into classical charter schools found limited financial oversight and connections between operators and outside vendors.
– Human-interest and regional stories included rescues, local law enforcement updates, and community reactions to weather and school closures.
The broadcast closed with the note that the storm’s aftermath and the other stories will continue to unfold as officials assess damage, public-health effects and ongoing political developments. John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois signed off, promising more coverage in the next edition.