The U.S. faced record-low temperatures and a stormy weekend as Arctic air moved across the country, bringing unusually cold readings from the Northern Plains through the Northeast and heavy precipitation and wind on the West Coast. Weather systems knocked out power in parts of the Pacific Northwest and triggered advisories for snow and ice across multiple regions. Cities from Minneapolis to Boston, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore saw dangerously low wind chills, flight disruptions and ground stops at some airports. Community efforts sprang up in affected cities, from public “warm trees” with hats and gloves to neighbors and charities helping those without shelter.
At the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup draw in Washington, President Trump joined leaders from Mexico and Canada on stage. FIFA awarded Trump an inaugural peace prize during the event. The president referenced international peacemaking efforts, including involvement in a Rwanda–DRC agreement, while U.S. officials continued work on diplomacy and security issues globally. Separately, congressional attention turned to a September military strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel after members of Congress viewed footage and briefings about the operation and its aftermath.
In U.S. legal news, a judge ordered Brian Cole, accused of placing two pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 5, 2021, to remain jailed pending hearings. Authorities say they linked Cole to the devices through cell phone and purchase records; investigators believe he is a Trump supporter. Cole faces federal explosives charges and has been speaking with investigators.
Streaming and entertainment saw a major deal announced: Netflix agreed to buy Warner Brothers’ film and studio assets, including HBO and HBO Max, in a transaction reportedly worth $72 billion. The merger would combine major content libraries and a leading streaming platform, raising questions about consumer prices, content availability and regulatory review. Industry groups and labor organizations urged scrutiny, while Netflix said the move would benefit consumers with a larger combined catalog. The sale includes a spin-off of Warner’s cable channels, potentially drawing other bidders for those assets.
Public health developments came as a CDC advisory committee voted to change the long-standing recommendation that newborns universally receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The panel recommended delaying the birth dose for infants at low risk while continuing immediate vaccination for newborns whose mothers test positive for hepatitis B or whose status is unknown. The vote followed changes to committee membership this year and prompted pushback from major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, which warned the change could increase children’s risk of hepatitis B infection. The acting CDC director will decide whether to adopt the advisory committee’s recommendation.
In international and culture reporting, director Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound, India’s official entry for the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature category, gained acclaim after a nine-minute standing ovation at Cannes. Inspired by a New York Times essay about India’s pandemic-era migrant worker crisis, the Hindi-language film—backed by producer Karan Johar and executive producer Martin Scorsese—follows two friends whose dreams collapse during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The film examines caste and economic marginalization as the men make a harrowing journey home when the factory that employed them shuts down.
Architect Frank Gehry, renowned for designs like the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, died at 96. Gehry’s work blended unconventional materials and sculptural forms, and he remained self-effacing about his legacy. He once advised keeping literature like Don Quixote and Alice in Wonderland at hand and urged curiosity as guiding principles for creativity.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel’s vaccine vote added to ongoing controversies: the advisory committee, reconstituted earlier this year, recommended dropping the universal newborn hepatitis B shot for low-risk infants. Health experts warned that since the recommendation’s 1991 adoption, hepatitis B cases among children had plummeted, and delaying vaccination could raise risks for preventable chronic disease decades later. Parents retain the ability to vaccinate newborns after consulting clinicians; the acting CDC director will review the committee recommendation.
In domestic affairs, a federal judge approved the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein’s 2005 and 2007 Florida cases after Congress required the Justice Department to unseal documents connected to the late financier. The transcripts come from grand juries that investigated Epstein’s conduct and the plea deals and prosecutions that followed.
A federal immigration sweep in New Orleans prompted protests and community concern after agents carried out arrests in public and workplace settings. Customs and Border Protection said the operation—Operation Catahoula Crunch—aims to arrest hundreds of migrants with criminal records. Videos circulated showing agents in tactical gear detaining people in neighborhoods and work sites, and some U.S. citizens reported being stopped and questioned. Local responses included protests, legal aid surges among employers and workers, and statements from officials emphasizing law enforcement priorities.
Hurricane damage recovery stories highlighted local impacts and philanthropy: in Western North Carolina, the Stallings bee farm lost hives and production to Hurricane Helene; the owners of the Carolina Panthers and the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation provided donations, equipment and long-term recovery support to help the family reopen and reestablish their honey business. The visit underscored community resilience and the importance of bees to the ecosystem.
Human interest and global refugee coverage featured the Houston Shine, a women’s soccer team of Afghan refugees training in Houston. The players escaped Taliban repression that banned female sports and have resettled in the U.S.; they now work jobs, study English, and play together while pursuing opportunities provided by FIFA’s Afghanistan women’s refugee initiatives. Players discussed trauma, separation from family, and their fight for rights and recognition, with coaches and supporters describing how sport offers healing and advocacy.
Hollywood and media perspectives included comments from actor-turned-writer Tim Blake Nelson, whose novel Superhero explores the culture around blockbuster superhero filmmaking and its reflection of broader American identity. Nelson, who appears in film and TV and has written and directed, spoke about the effects of industry consolidation, the role of streaming platforms, and the importance of protecting independent cinema even as major mergers reshape content distribution.
Culinary coverage took viewers to London for the U.K. opening of Ivan Ramen, where chef Ivan Orkin—an American who rose to renown in Japan and New York—serves signature chicken paitan and inventive broths. Orkin discussed his culinary journey, the cultural exchange of ramen, and how the dish combines comfort, richness and meticulous technique. Food scenes highlighted his personal story, including loss and resilience, and the universal connection of sharing food.
Entertainment and music segments showcased collaborative projects and performances: AVTT/PTTN, a collaboration between the Avett Brothers and Mike Patton, performed original material blending folk-rock and experimental vocals, reflecting cross-genre partnerships and creative risks in contemporary music.
In other headlines, a federal judge approved releasing grand jury transcripts tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s Florida investigations; a family in Germany set a record for indoor Christmas trees; and a variety of human-interest moments—linemen rescuing a bear, superheroes rappelling to bring joy to hospitalized children, and a Miami art installation featuring robot dogs—offered seasonal, surprising and uplifting reporting.
For viewers and listeners, the program combined weather and national news, international politics, public health updates, cultural features, and human-interest reports, reflecting a wide-ranging Saturday morning news lineup.
