Major storm slams Midwest; airlines, airports, travelers struggle
A powerful late-November winter storm pummeled the Midwest as millions returned from Thanksgiving, bringing heavy snow, ice and bitter cold that snarled roads and air travel. The Chicago area was especially hard hit: more than a thousand flights were canceled at O’Hare, and at one point more than 40% of worldwide cancellations were tied to Chicago-area airports. Interstate roadways in Iowa and other states became treacherous as cars slid into ditches.
FAA mandates Airbus software update
Complicating the travel picture, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency mandate requiring a critical software update to correct a flight-control issue affecting thousands of Airbus A320-family jets. Airlines scrambled to update aircraft before the deadline to avoid groundings, and carriers reported thousands of delays and hundreds of cancellations nationwide. Airports braced for the busiest travel day of the holiday weekend, as roughly 3 million passengers were expected to fly the next day.
Weather outlook
Meteorologists warned that up to a foot of snow could fall in parts of the Plains and Great Lakes and that an Arctic blast would deliver dangerously low wind chills through early next week. Forecasters said the storm would track across the Great Lakes into New England, with rain across the I‑95 corridor and further wintry impacts in interior Northeast and Appalachians as colder air followed.
National Guard deployed in Washington after deadly attack
In Washington, D.C., National Guard troops remained on patrol, joined by local police after a fatal attack at a guard post that killed one service member and critically wounded another. Authorities arrested a 29‑year‑old Afghan national on murder charges. The incident prompted an expanded security posture around federal facilities.
U.S. issues Venezuela airspace warning amid military buildup
President Trump intensified pressure on Venezuela, posting a warning for aviation to “consider the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety.” The FAA had been cautioning carriers to avoid the region due to U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, where U.S. forces have been targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels. The administration designated Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro a terrorist chief and officials said additional measures were under review. Meanwhile, Trump announced he would pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who is serving a 45‑year federal sentence for drug‑trafficking convictions; the Honduran election was underway.
Russia bombs Ukraine as negotiations continue
Ukraine released video of an attack on tankers it accused of carrying sanctioned Russian oil. Overnight Russian missiles and hundreds of drones struck Kyiv and surrounding areas, causing civilian casualties and damage to apartment buildings and infrastructure. The attacks came as Ukrainian negotiators traveled to Florida for talks with U.S. officials aimed at advancing a ceasefire. While discussions offered a chance for peace, many Ukrainians fear any deal may require concessions of territory to Russia and worry about the human cost of a negotiated settlement.
Papal visit emphasizes interfaith outreach
Pope Leo visited Turkey, celebrating Mass with Istanbul’s Catholic community and borrowing imagery of turning “swords into plowshares” as he promoted unity and peace. Traveling in the region, the Pope marked major Christian anniversaries and engaged in outreach across faiths. Security concerns followed the trip: recent regional clashes, including the killing of a Hezbollah commander and continuing tensions in Lebanon, underscored the fragile stability in parts of the Middle East the Pope planned to visit next.
Holiday shopping rebound despite inflation and tariffs
Retailers reported strong Thanksgiving weekend sales. Adobe Analytics estimated a historic $12 billion online shopping day, while the National Retail Federation projected holiday spending to top $1 trillion overall. Despite rising prices and tariffs pushing up costs, many shoppers made deals in person and online. Small business owners reported price increases driven by tariffs, and a CBS News poll found most Americans said they had noticed higher prices recently. But consumers still prioritized holiday spending, and industry forecasters noted much of the season’s purchases were still to come.
Airports feel college football pressure
With fans traveling for major college football matchups, smaller regional airports said the game‑day logistics had become as crucial as game planning. Increased private and charter flights for teams and fans doubled flight activity in some markets, straining ramp space and forcing complex coordination. Airports and air traffic facilities said carriers were adding extra flights and seats timed to big games, making travel surges a multi‑day challenge.
Tom Stoppard, acclaimed playwright, dies at 88
Playwright Tom Stoppard, winner of an Academy Award for the screenplay of Shakespeare in Love and multiple Tony Awards, died at 88. He was praised for his cleverness, humanity and wit, and remembered for his contributions to theater and film.
Britain extends sugar tax; U.S. manufacturers unlikely to follow without national policy
The U.K. expanded its sugar tax on sugary drinks in an effort to fight obesity. Since the tax’s introduction in 2018, many manufacturers reformulated products to avoid the levy, replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners and reducing calories in certain beverages. Health advocates credited the policy with preventing thousands of childhood obesity cases annually. In the U.S., where taxes have been adopted only at local levels, experts noted that without a national policy manufacturers are less likely to change formulas across markets.
Nevada hikers rescued after Thanksgiving accident
In Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas, emergency crews used a helicopter to rescue two hikers whose climbing ropes became stuck on a snowy cliff, leaving them stranded on Thanksgiving Day. Both were hoisted to safety.
Protests and local incidents
Protesters in New York were arrested after blocking an entrance where federal immigration agents appeared to be staging. In San Jose, a 90‑year‑old driver crashed into a popular coffee shop on Thanksgiving; he survived and was hospitalized in serious but stable condition. And in Nevada, two hikers were rescued after their climbing ropes became stuck on a snowy cliff.
Sports travel: airports under game‑day strain
As college football weekend travel surges, smaller airports reported large increases in private jets and charters, creating staging and parking challenges. Airport directors described “Tetris”‑like operations to accommodate team and fan flights, and some airports have implemented ground stops when space runs out.
CBS Weekend News sign‑off
Jericka Duncan closed the broadcast with details on continuing coverage and noted to viewers the program would return the next day.