Top items (Jan 24, 2026)
- U.S. and Mexico held the third Security Implementation Group (SIG) meeting to accelerate cooperation on fentanyl, illicit finance, arms trafficking and UAS threats (State Dept.).
- A major winter storm (called "Fern" by some outlets) produced widespread snow, ice and extreme cold, causing large-scale flight cancellations, power outages and federal emergency declarations (NOAA, Reuters, FEMA).
- Federal immigration agents shot and killed a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis during an enforcement operation; bystander video and federal statements conflict, prompting protests and calls from state and local officials to end the operation (Reuters).
U.S.–Mexico security cooperation (SIG meeting)
Representatives from six U.S. government agencies and Mexican counterparts convened the third U.S.–Mexico Security Implementation Group meeting in Washington, D.C. (meeting held Jan. 23; press released Jan. 24).
- Agreed priorities: accelerate extraditions and transfers of high‑value Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) targets to combat the fentanyl crisis; disrupt illicit finance networks that enable organized crime and terrorism; intensify efforts to stem arms trafficking across the border (State Dept.).
- Agreed two initiatives and implementation steps to counter illicit unmanned aerial systems (UAS) ahead of major sporting events.
- The United States thanked Mexico for a Jan. 20 transfer of 37 criminals and narcoterrorists and noted bilateral cooperation that led to capture of FBI Top Ten fugitive Ryan Wedding.
Implications noted in official language: the measures emphasize targeting the financial and operational incentives that sustain TCOs (extraditions, asset disruptions, interdiction and UAS countermeasures).
Seed item: Pro‑life leaders video
- Seed content included a YouTube video titled “Pro Life Leaders Praise President Donald J. Trump's Mexico City Policy Expansion” (seed). The seed list provided that video as a notable item (link in sources).
Winter Storm "Fern" — national impacts (Jan. 23–24)
- Forecast and scope: NOAA flagged a major storm bringing heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to much of the U.S., with dangerously cold air expected to follow. Officials warned of prolonged power outages and hazardous travel (NOAA).
- Reported impacts (as of Jan. 24): more than 160,000 electricity customers without power (concentrated in Louisiana and Texas); thousands of flight cancellations — Reuters reported more than 4,000 U.S. cancellations on Saturday and over 9,400 scheduled cancellations for Sunday (Reuters). Flight tracking services and airlines reported additional disruptions and proactive cancellations.
- Federal response: President approved federal emergency disaster declarations covering multiple states; DHS and FEMA activated resources and advisories. The Department of Energy authorized emergency measures to help stabilize the Texas grid (Reuters, FEMA).
Minneapolis: federal immigration agents shoot and kill a U.S. citizen (Jan. 24)
- Incident summary: Reuters reported that federal immigration agents shot and killed a 37‑year‑old U.S. citizen, identified as Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24, during an immigration enforcement operation. The Department of Homeland Security characterized the event as an attack and said an agent fired in self‑defense after an individual approached with a handgun. Federal officials released an image they said showed a weapon recovered at the scene (Reuters).
- Conflicting video and local reactions: bystander video reviewed by Reuters appears to show Pretti holding a phone rather than a gun and then being restrained by agents; footage also appears to show an agent removing a firearm from Pretti before shots are fired. Local officials (Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara) challenged aspects of the federal account, called for the operation to end, and demanded independent investigation. State investigators reported being blocked from immediate access to the scene by federal agents (Reuters).
- Domestic response: the shooting prompted protests in Minneapolis and demonstrations in other U.S. cities; local officials and law‑enforcement leaders urged restraint while calling for a full investigation. The incident intensified tensions between federal immigration enforcement operations and state/local authorities (Reuters).
Items to watch / expected follow‑ups
- Implementation details and follow‑through from the U.S.–Mexico SIG: timelines for extraditions/transfers, illicit‑finance disruptions, and the two UAS initiatives ahead of major events.
- Federal and state investigations into the Minneapolis shooting, including whether state authorities will be granted participation and how findings shape enforcement operations.
- Ongoing storm response: FEMA and state recovery operations, restoration of power, further flight and transport disruptions as the storm moves through impacted regions.
Selected sources
See primary sources and contemporaneous reporting used to augment the seed list below.