Winter Storm Slams U.S., House War Powers Vote, and State Alcohol Spending

Major Winter Storm Impacts

• ❄️ A massive, slow-moving winter storm is affecting at least 40 states, bringing snow, sleet, freezing rain, and dangerous arctic cold.
• ⚠️ Over 177 million people are under snow or ice alerts, with more than 200 million under cold advisories, leading to school closures and over 2,000 flight cancellations.
• ⚡ Officials urge residents to prepare for potential power outages due to ice-laden trees and power lines.

Political Developments

• 🏛️ The House narrowly rejected a war powers resolution aimed at blocking military action in Venezuela without congressional approval, with a key GOP representative casting the tie-breaking vote.
• 🗳️ Republicans approved a rule change allowing for an unusual midterm convention this election year, as requested by President Trump.
• 🌍 The US officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, a year after President Trump initiated the process.

State-Level Spending and Crime

• 🍻 Alaska leads the nation in per capita alcohol spending at $1,200, while Utah spends the least at just over $600.
• 📉 Murders in the United States dropped over 20% in 2025, marking the largest one-year decline on record, with overall violent crime returning to prepandemic levels.

Global and Miscellaneous News

• 🚢 France's navy, using British intelligence, intercepted a Russia-linked oil tanker in the Mediterranean.
• 🏆 The National College Football Championship game drew 30.1 million viewers, making it the second most-watched title game in college football playoff history.
• 💎 A 60 lb granite rock used for practicing balance at a climbing gym in British Columbia vanished and reappeared 1,700 miles away in California.