A poll shows that former Senator John E. Sununu is slightly behind Democratic Representative Chris Pappas in the race for the New Hampshire Senate seat. This seat is open because Senator Jeanne Shaheen is retiring, and the outcome could impact which party controls the Senate. The poll indicates a close race, but Pappas holds a slight lead over Sununu.
Key Facts
The race is for the New Hampshire Senate seat, open due to Senator Jeanne Shaheen's retirement.
The poll shows Republican John E. Sununu trailing Democrat Chris Pappas by a small margin.
Sununu led the Republican primary poll against former Senator Scott Brown.
Pappas had a significant lead in the Democratic primary poll.
The poll surveyed 2,239 New Hampshire residents with a margin of error of 2.1 percent.
The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections mark the race as leaning Democratic.
The New Hampshire primary is scheduled for September 8, with the general election on November 3.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox is set to present the 2026 State of the State address to the state's lawmakers and public. The event will take place on January 22 and can be watched live through PBS Utah. Governor Cox aims to encourage more respectful political discussions.
Key Facts
Governor Spencer Cox will give the 2026 State of the State address.
The address will happen in Salt Lake City before the state's legislature.
The event is scheduled for January 22 at 8:30 p.m. EST.
PBS Utah will broadcast the speech live, with a Spanish stream available.
Governor Cox, a Republican, was first elected in 2020.
He focuses on promoting civic engagement and respectful political dialogue.
An appeals court has temporarily stopped a decision that limits immigration officers' use of force in Minnesota. This means officers can continue their current practices while an appeal is ongoing. Maine, on the other hand, declined to give U.S. Customs more undercover license plates, citing past issues.
Key Facts
An appeals court has paused a ruling that limits immigration tactics in Minnesota.
This pause allows officers to continue using tear gas and other methods temporarily.
The limitation originally stopped officers from using force on peaceful protesters.
The case is part of a wider immigration operation called Operation Metro Surge.
Operation Metro Surge started in early December in Minnesota's Twin Cities area.
Maine did not approve more undercover license plates for U.S. Customs vehicles.
Maine's decision is due to concerns about past power abuses.
The Department of Homeland Security started a new operation called "Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine. This operation aims to arrest people who have illegally entered the U.S. and committed serious crimes. Several arrests have already been made.
Key Facts
"Operation Catch of the Day" began in Maine.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the operation.
ICE agents are carrying out this operation.
Arrests under this operation include charges like aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin mentioned the operation addresses criminal activities by undocumented immigrants.
The operation is part of the Trump administration's broader law enforcement initiatives.
There has been recent scrutiny over ICE activities in other states, like Minnesota.
A House committee has decided to approve resolutions to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress. This decision is related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Facts
The House committee voted on Wednesday.
The vote concerns Bill Clinton, who was a former U.S. president.
Hillary Clinton, a former Secretary of State, is also involved in the resolution.
The investigation is related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Contempt of Congress is a serious action that the House can take.
This marks a rare action against a former president in such a context.
A House committee voted to recommend holding former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress. This decision stems from their refusal to comply with subpoenas related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. The contempt recommendations now go to the full House, which could lead to possible further legal action.
Key Facts
The House Oversight Committee advanced contempt resolutions against Bill and Hillary Clinton.
These resolutions are related to the Clintons' noncompliance with subpoenas for the Epstein investigation.
The votes were bipartisan, with some Democrats joining Republicans in support.
The committee voted 34-8 for Bill Clinton's contempt and 28-15 for Hillary Clinton's.
Nine Democrats supported the contempt measure against Bill Clinton, and three supported it against Hillary Clinton.
If the House approves, the issue goes to the Justice Department for potential prosecution.
Contempt convictions can result in fines or jail time, though they are rare and legally complex.
The Clintons argue the subpoenas lack a valid legislative purpose and are legally unfounded.
A major winter storm is expected to hit parts of the United States, starting this Friday. The storm will bring heavy snow and ice, causing potential school closures in many states. Meteorologists are warning of severe travel impacts and power outages.
Key Facts
The winter storm will start on Thursday night, affecting multiple U.S. regions.
States like Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas could see extended school closures.
Snow and ice could lead to power outages and dangerous road conditions.
Some schools have already adjusted schedules in preparation.
The National Weather Service warns of life-threatening impacts over the weekend.
The storm could affect the East Coast by the beginning of next week.
Winter storm watches are issued across several states, with more expected.
The storm may cause significant delays in travel and disruptions in daily life.
Arkansas officials found the remains of Kelly Evans, who was reported missing in 2017, in a wooded area last month. The identification was confirmed by DNA analysis, but the cause of her death is still unknown. The investigation into her case is ongoing.
Key Facts
Kelly Evans was reported missing in October 2017 in Faulkner County, Arkansas.
Her remains were found on December 31, 2025, by a hunter in a densely wooded area.
The remains were identified as Kelly Evans with a 99.98 percent DNA match.
Extensive searches and public appeals were made over the years to locate her.
The cause of Kelly Evans' death has not been determined yet.
The Faulkner County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the case.
The police encourage the public to submit any tips related to the case.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has stated he is against a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Some members of his party also oppose the bill due to concerns about lack of oversight for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and represents the Democratic Party.
Jeffries announced his opposition to a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security.
The bill includes funding for agencies like ICE and Border Patrol.
Some Democrats believe the bill doesn't have enough rules for ICE and Border Patrol activities.
Representative Gabe Vasquez from a swing district also opposes the bill.
Other Democrats from central or competitive districts have not yet decided on their stance.
The Pentagon is getting more U.S. military troops ready for possible deployment to Minnesota due to ongoing protests against immigration enforcement operations by ICE. President Trump has considered using the Insurrection Act to control the situation, while Minnesota's governor and the mayor of Minneapolis have opposed escalating military involvement. The protests intensified after a recent incident involving an ICE agent shooting a resident.
Key Facts
The Pentagon issued a prepare-to-deploy order for an Army military police brigade in North Carolina.
This order adds to 1,500 military personnel already alerted for possible deployment to Minnesota.
Protests started following the death of a man shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
President Trump threatened to use the Insurrection Act to address what he calls attacks on federal agents.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sued the federal government regarding the actions of federal agents.
Local police are managing protests, encouraging peaceful actions, and have not engaged in ICE operations.
Last year, military personnel in another protest situation were restricted to guarding federal buildings and did not enforce the law.
The Pentagon has not yet confirmed the deployment of troops to Minnesota.
Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, announced they are expecting their fourth child. Betting markets are making guesses about the baby's name, offering odds on names related to political figures like President Donald Trump. The baby is due in July.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance are expecting their fourth child, a son.
Usha Vance will be the first second lady to give birth while her husband is in office since 1870.
BetOnline, an online trading market, is hosting bets on the baby's potential name.
Current odds suggest names like Charlie or Charles are most likely, followed by Donald.
Unlikely names, like Vladimir or Greenland, offer high payouts for bettors.
The Vance family has three children: Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel.
President Donald Trump held a press conference to mark the one-year anniversary of his second term. During the event, he discussed several topics, including immigration, economic policies, and foreign affairs. Some of his claims, particularly about economic achievements and gasoline prices, did not match available data.
Key Facts
President Trump spent 104 minutes in the White House press room discussing his accomplishments.
He highlighted his administration's immigration policies, emphasizing deportation of criminals, with 74 percent of detained immigrants having no criminal convictions.
Trump claimed new investment commitments totaling $18 trillion, while the White House notes $9.6 trillion with some experts doubting this figure.
Gasoline prices were higher than Trump's claim, with national averages at $2.78 per gallon.
Trump stated that under his predecessor, government jobs made up one out of every four new jobs, though the actual figure was about 11 percent.
He discussed foreign policy efforts, such as acquiring Greenland and overseeing reconstruction in Gaza.
The press conference took place before Trump's scheduled attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
A winter storm, named Fern, has shifted its path slightly north. This storm will bring snow and ice from the Southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic region starting Thursday night, potentially affecting up to 150 million people.
Key Facts
Winter Storm Fern's path shifted north overnight.
Snow and ice are expected from Texas and Oklahoma east to the Mid-Atlantic.
As many as 150 million people might be affected.
Meteorologists changed the forecast due to upper atmosphere changes.
Major impacts are expected in Boston and New York City.
Freezing rain will affect areas like southern Arkansas and the Carolinas.
Weather experts warn of power outages and dangerous travel.
Preparations are advised due to uncertainty in the storm's exact track.
A new poll suggests Democratic candidate Mary Peltola holds a slight lead over Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska's Senate race. This race could be key for Democrats who need to win more seats to gain control of the Senate after the midterms.
Key Facts
Mary Peltola has a 2-point lead over Dan Sullivan in a new poll.
The poll was conducted with 611 voters in Alaska on January 16-17, 2026.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee commissioned the poll.
Alaska is considered a traditionally Republican state but has become more competitive.
Peltola, a former Congressional representative, is viewed positively by more voters than Sullivan.
Alaska’s Senate race is critical as Democrats aim to win more seats to control the Senate.
Republicans currently have a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate.
The poll has a margin of error, meaning results could slightly vary.
Senator Ted Cruz was reportedly seen leaving Texas on a flight to Laguna Beach just as a major winter storm is approaching the state. Cruz's spokesperson stated that he is on pre-planned work travel and will return before the storm arrives. The situation has drawn criticism from some observers due to similar events in the past.
Key Facts
A photo of Senator Ted Cruz on a flight reportedly heading to Laguna Beach surfaced online.
Texas is preparing for a major winter storm with expected snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
The National Weather Service predicts "significant and hazardous winter weather" for Texas.
Cruz's spokesperson claims the senator is on pre-planned work travel and will return before the storm hits.
This incident recalls a similar situation five years ago when Cruz was criticized for traveling during a Texas winter emergency.
The photo was initially shared on TikTok and later spread on social media platforms X and Threads.
Betting odds have increased for President Donald Trump potentially leaving office before the end of his term in 2029. This speculation arises amid discussions about impeachment and the 25th Amendment, though significant political support is needed for these actions to take place.
Key Facts
Recent betting odds show a rise in predictions that President Trump might leave office early.
On January 21, the odds of him leaving before January 2029 increased to 40%.
Critics have cited actions like the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and attempts to acquire Greenland as reasons for possible impeachment.
Democratic critics and some Republicans have shown interest in impeachment, though it hasn't advanced due to the Republican-controlled Congress.
The 25th Amendment is another option, allowing removal if the president is deemed unfit, requiring approval by the vice president and the Cabinet.
Impeachment efforts require majority support in the House of Representatives, which is challenging due to the current political makeup.
Representative Don Bacon suggested some Republican support might occur if certain actions, like military use in Greenland, were attempted by Trump.
The control of Congress could change in upcoming elections, potentially affecting impeachment possibilities.
President Trump held a press conference to mark the first anniversary of his second term in office. During the event, he talked about immigration policies, public protests, and global issues.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump is serving a second term as the U.S. President.
The press conference marked the one-year anniversary of his inauguration for this term.
Trump discussed immigration crackdowns, which are stricter measures to control immigration.
He addressed ongoing protests related to various national and international issues.
Global chaos, or disorder around the world, was a key topic at the conference.
The press conference was intended to summarize his administration's first-year performance.
The Washington Post has asked for the return of items taken by the FBI from a reporter's home during a leak investigation. The newspaper claims the search violated journalists' rights to report freely under the First Amendment. The investigation involves a Pentagon contractor accused of mishandling classified information.
Key Facts
The Washington Post requested the return of a phone, two laptops, and a Garmin watch taken by the FBI.
The items were seized from reporter Hannah Natanson's home.
The search is part of an investigation into a Pentagon contractor suspected of leaking defense info.
The Post argues the search violated First Amendment rights, which protect freedom of the press.
The search reportedly caused "irreparable harm" to the reporter's ability to work.
Hannah Natanson is known for her extensive coverage of President Trump and the federal government.
A federal judge ruled that two U.S. lawmakers cannot intervene in Ghislaine Maxwell's case to speed up the release of government files on Jeffrey Epstein. The judge said the lawmakers, who supported a law signed by President Trump, can use other methods to ensure compliance. Only a fraction of the documents have been released so far.
Key Facts
A judge decided two U.S. Congress members cannot use Maxwell's case to push for faster release of Epstein files.
The two lawmakers were Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie.
President Donald Trump signed a law in November requiring these files to be made public.
The Justice Department said redacting sensitive information has slowed the release of over 2 million documents.
Only about 12,000 documents out of the identified ones have been released so far.
Judge Engelmayer acknowledged the serious concerns about compliance with the law.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse expressed concerns that the law might not be fully followed.
A major winter storm is forecasted to hit a large area of the United States this week, potentially causing severe ice conditions. The storm could lead to widespread travel disruptions and power outages across more than a dozen states.
Key Facts
A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
The storm will start impacting the Southern Rockies and Plains on Friday.
It could affect areas all the way to the East Coast and New England by Monday.
Cities in at least 13 states might face severe ice impacts.
The storm may cause significant travel disruptions and power outages.
Highways may close, and thousands of flights could be canceled.
Temperatures will be significantly below normal, with highs nearly 40 degrees below average in some places.
Residents have been advised to prepare for potentially hazardous winter conditions.
