12:30 REPORT

Jan. 23, 2026 | By Cate Martel

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Happy Friday! I made the mistake of going to Costco yesterday and it was a madhouse. Everyone in the DMV seemed to be there stocking up for the winter storm. Here's the latest forecast for the storm.

In today's issue:

Monster winter storm threatens millions' heat
14+ states declare state of emergency
Trump rescinds Canada's Board of Peace invitation
7 House Dems vote to fund DHS
Viral photo of 5-year-old and ICE
TikTok deal finalized

🌨️ WINTER STORM FERN

More than half of America braces for a potentially catastrophic winter storm:

AP Photo/George Walker IV

More than 230 million Americans across 34 states are expected to be affected by a potentially catastrophic winter storm named Winter Storm Fern, which is expected to blow through the U.S. this weekend.

At least 14 states, plus Washington, D.C., have declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm.

Dangerous cold: More than half of Americans will feel subzero wind chills into next week.

The worrisome part is the ice: The National Weather Service predicts "heavy snow and crippling ice." Ice is heavy, which can take down power lines and electricity and make it difficult for crews to fix them. That means customers can go without heat for extended periods of time, making the situation particularly dangerous.

📸 Empty shelves at the Capitol Hill Trader Joe's

Where in the world is Jim Cantore?: Weather Channel veteran meteorologist Jim Cantore posted that he is in New York City today. He's always in the center of every major weather event in the U.S., so it's worth tracking where he is reporting.

🗺️ Map of where the Weather Channel has placed its storm team

📝 Checklist of how to prepare for a massive winter storm

🍁 IN THE WHITE HOUSE

'You can't sit with us':

President Trump is feuding with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, with Trump dramatically disinviting Canada from joining his new Board of Peace.

🍁 It started earlier this week when Carney spoke at Davos and warned of a "rupture" in the trans-Atlantic alliance.

🗽 Trump later responded by suggesting Canada wouldn't even exist without the U.S.

🍁 Carney pushed back: He praised his country on Thursday night, posting that "Canada doesn't 'live because of the United States.' Canada thrives because we are Canadian."

🗽 Trump unsurprisingly didn't let it end there: Trump then revoked Canada's invitation to join his new Board of Peace.

Trump posted on Truth Social: "Dear Prime Minister Carney. Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time."

💬 Follow today's live blog

🏀 ON CAPITOL HILL

Senators, the ball is in your court:

The House passed its final set of 2026 government funding bills on Thursday, including the contentious Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding.

The ball is now in the Senate's court. The House is now out of session through the Jan. 30 government funding deadline. When senators return next week, they will need to approve the final bills — or else the government will shut down on Jan. 31.

Wait, the DHS funding bill passed?: Yes, the House passed it in a separate vote by a 220-207 margin. Democratic leaders opposed the bill because it includes funding for the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Seven House Democrats voted to fund DHS: The seven Democrats who sided with Republicans were Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Jared Golden (Maine), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), Laura Gillen (N.Y.), Don Davis (N.C.), Tom Suozzi (N.Y.) and Vicente Gonzalez (Texas).

But keep in mind: The DHS bill also funds the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Secret Service, the Disaster Relief Fund and other programs and agencies.

Why this is a big deal: "It will mark the first time that new full-year funding levels have been approved for the entire federal government since former President Biden signed an omnibus appropriations bill in March 2024. With Republicans facing limited time to negotiate and design new funding levels after the 2024 election, Congress opted to operate under a full-year continuing resolution (CR) that extended those Biden-era funding levels for the following fiscal year."

🚪 OTHER NEWS

If you've scrolled on social media, you've definitely seen the photo of the 5-year-old boy:

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained a 5-year-old boy and his father in Minnesota after the boy came home from preschool, sparking outrage over what happens to children when parents are arrested.

📸 Photo that has been widely circulated online

Photos have been circulating social media showing a young boy wearing a backpack used as "bait" to catch parents.

A DHS spokesperson says ICE agents "did NOT target a child," arguing the man "fled on foot — abandoning his child."

HAPPENING TODAY IN MINNESOTA:

Many businesses in Minnesota are closed today for an economic blackout to protest the ongoing federal immigration tactics across the state.

Civic leaders in Minnesota are hosting a day of action today

A CONTROVERSIAL TIDBIT:

The White House appeared to edit a photo of a Minnesota protester, changing the woman's facial expression.

How we know: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a photo of Nekima Levy Armstrong's arrest. In the photo, Armstrong appears to have a blank facial expression. The White House later posted the same image of Armstrong crying.

For what it's worth: The White House has labeled the altered photo a "meme."

📸 Side-by-side of the photos

➤ QUICK HIT:

— TikTok finalized a deal to create a U.S. venture and allow it to continue operating in the U.S.

➤ MORE READS:

The Wall Street Journal: Why Congress Can't Claw Back War Powers From Trump

The Hill: Thune comes under GOP pressure to bypass Democrats on health care

Politico: These Gen-Z Trump voters don't want JD Vance in 2028

The Washington Post: Conservatives who once railed against federal agents now applaud them

The Atlantic: What the Greenland Crisis Teaches Europe About Trump

COMING UP

The House and Senate are out. President Trump is back at the White House after his Switzerland trip. (All times EST)

Noon: Vice President Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) participate in the "March for Life" rally in Washington. 💻 Livestream

1:30 p.m. Trump participates in a print interview.

3 p.m. Trump signs congressional bills.

4:30 p.m. Trump meets with the commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration.

5:30 p.m. Trump participates in "policy time."

3 p.m. Monday: The Senate returns from recess with four days to avoid a government shutdown. 📆 Monday's agenda

🐝 INTERNET BUZZ

🥧 Celebrate: Today is National Pie Day! Not to be confused with National Pi Day on March 14.

🛍️ Who is taking part in No Buy January?: There's an uptick in searches for "No Buy January," a challenge that some are participating in to avoid buying anything nonessential for a month. Read more

👋 AND FINALLY…

To briefly distract you from all that's happening in the world, watch this dog masterfully try to negotiate a deal without begging.

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