3 Things To Know Today

Vintage movie countdown, illustration

Photo: Science Photo Library RF

1 Dangerous Freezing Temperatures Affecting Millions This Week

The arctic air mass sweeping through the country started bringing dangerously cold temperatures to millions of people over the weekend. Wind chill warnings, advisories, or watches were in effect for over 95 million people in America last night, and even more impacts will be felt over the next few days. Problems already surfaced in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions over the weekend, with a travel ban put into place in upstate New York yesterday by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The Buffalo Bills’ playoff game, originally scheduled for yesterday afternoon, was postponed until today because of blinding whiteouts and powerful winds. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said on social media that the snowfall in his city had stopped around 3 pm Eastern Time after dropping between six and eight inches. Wind chills as low as -30 were recorded in Chicago, prompting the city to open extra warming centers for residents and migrants, with plans to keep them open through Wednesday. As the cold air continues to push through the country this week, states as far south as Texas and Mississippi are expected to experience freezing rain, snow, and wind chills below zero today and tomorrow. In a press conference over the weekend, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed confidence that the state’s power grid would work through the winter storm, something that caused problems for the state last winter.

2 The Presidential Race Officially Begins With Today's Caucuses In Iowa

Candidates braved record-low temperatures in Iowa over the weekend as they stumped for support ahead of today’s Republican caucuses. Former President Donald Trump held a nearly 30-point lead in the final NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll before the caucuses, while former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley has pulled ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The severe cold weather could play a part in turnout for the caucuses, but candidates are encouraging voters to participate. At his rally, Trump said, “You can’t sit home. If you’re sick as a dog, you say, ‘Darling, I’m going to make it.’ Even if you vote and then pass away, it’s worth it.” The 2024 Iowa Republican caucuses will start at 7 pm tonight in all 99 counties in Iowa.

3 Congressional Leaders Reach Short-Term Government Funding Deal

We may be about to dodge the government shutdown bullet for another few months. Sources told "NBC News" that leaders in the House and Senate have reached an agreement on a short-term spending deal that would keep the federal government funded until March. The agreement will move funding deadlines from Friday and Feb. 2nd to March 1st and March 8th. The continuing resolution will have to pass both the House and Senate before midnight Friday night to avoid a shutdown.


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