Winter Storm Cripples Southern States, Leaving Residents Stranded

A severe winter storm debilitated the Southern United States over the weekend, encasing cities in ice and snow and leaving many residents without power or transportation, according to reports from multiple news sources. The storm, which impacted states like Mississippi, rendered roadways impassable and caused widespread damage to trees and power lines.

In Oxford, Mississippi, the weight of the ice caused trees to sag and collapse, blocking roads and damaging property, the New York Times reported. "In Oxford, Miss., oaks and magnolias drooped like willows on Monday, sagging under the ice glazing their branches," the newspaper stated, noting that many trees had crashed onto houses, vehicles, and utility lines. Mayor Robyn Tannehill of Oxford conveyed the severity of the situation in a Facebook message on Sunday night, acknowledging the dedication of crews working to restore services.

The BBC reported on the widespread fear and disruption caused by the storm, though specific details of their report were not available in the provided source material.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Potomac River experienced a surge in E. coli levels following a sewage spill near Lockhouse 10, Fox News reported. Testing revealed contamination thousands of times higher than what is considered safe for human contact. Lockhouse 10 is a historic site along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, located about five miles from the city.

In other news, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter advised soccer fans against traveling to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, citing concerns about international aggression and immigration policies under former President Donald Trump, according to Fox News. Blatter referenced anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, who oversaw the Independent Governance Committee during Blatter's tenure.

Also on Fox News, Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, expressed his opposition to a government shutdown as some of his Democratic colleagues moved to block a bill funding immigration agencies like ICE. Fetterman stated he did not want another government shutdown and discussed how Democrats were voting against funding the Department of Homeland Security unless new guardrails were put in place for immigration enforcement tactics.