Story perspectives

Winter Storm Disrupts U.S.; Immigration Tragedy Sparks Outrage

1/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The January 25, 2026 winter storm disrupted the U.S. with power outages.
In Minneapolis, federal immigration agents killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during an attempted detainment, prompting criticism from Barack Obama.
The storm caused 4,000 flight cancellations and left 1 million customers without power.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer closed state offices due to icy conditions.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey schools closed or delayed as snowfall reached 16 inches.

History

Historical Context

The Winter Storm of 1996 struck the East Coast in January, causing over 30 fatalities and disrupting travel with 5,000 flight cancellations. This storm, similar to the January 2016 blizzard, led to state emergency declarations and prompted improvements in emergency response protocols. The 1996 storm resulted in an estimated $4.6 billion in economic losses, highlighting the need for better infrastructure to handle severe weather events.

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Story summary

The January 25, 2026 winter storm disrupted the U.S. with power outages.
In Minneapolis, federal immigration agents killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during an attempted detainment, prompting criticism from Barack Obama.
The storm caused 4,000 flight cancellations and left 1 million customers without power.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer closed state offices due to icy conditions.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey schools closed or delayed as snowfall reached 16 inches.

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