eNewspaper | Crosswords | Horoscopes

The Short List

Mon Jan 26 2026

Phaedra Trethan | National Correspondent

@wordsbyphaedra

👋🏼 Hi there! I'm Phaedra Trethan , with sore arms and soaked mittens from digging out from snow, sleet and freezing rain. 🥶 ❄️

In Monday's news:

•	A massive storm system dumped snow, ice and sleet across the eastern half of the country. Now millions brace for an extended deep freeze. 🥶
•	Outrage continues to grow after another person was fatally shot by federal agents in Minnesota.
•	Everyday expenses, from food to housing to healthcare, are up. Wages aren't keeping pace.

But first: Thinking of a trip to the Super Bowl? Be prepared to drop some major dough. 🏈 💸

🥶 Digging out, cleaning up, icing over

Millions of people from Texas to New England are digging out and cleaning up after a massive storm brought ice, sleet, snow and freezing rain over the weekend . At least 17 people have died as a frigid air mass descended across the eastern half of the country. Hundreds of thousands are without power, and even colder temperatures are forecast for much of the coming week. The latest.

•	Mapped: Snow totals across the U.S. ❄️
•	Photos: The weekend's wild weather. ☃️
•	The science behind how a snowflake forms. ❄️
•	Travel disruptions will likely continue for days. ✈️

A man uses a snowblower as snow continues to fall on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 in Warminster, Pennsylvania. Snow is expected to continue through Monday Jan. 26, 2026 at 3 AM leaving 10-12 inches of snow.

William Thomas Cain, For the Bucks County Times via USA TODAY NETWORK

Trump, Walz talk after another fatal ICE shooting

President Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shared a "very good call," Trump said, days after another Minnesota resident was fatally shot by federal immigration officers.

The weekend shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who treated veterans, further inflamed tensions weeks after the killing of Renee Good. Now, Republican lawmakers are calling for independent investigations into the killings, and into ICE and immigration tactics. White House border czar Tom Homan plans to travel to Minnesota, tasked with "managing ICE operations on the ground" there. The latest developments.

•	The scene in Minneapolis.
•	Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page on whether videos of Good's and Pretti's shootings might mark a turning point for Trump and his administration.
•	Video: The growing memorial for Alex Pretti.
•	An online fundraiser for Alex Pretti's loved ones has raised over $1 million.
•	Business leaders in Minnesota react to pressure from clergy, customers, community urging their action on ICE operations.

A person holds a sign as people gather at a makeshift memorial at the site where a man identified as Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents trying to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 25, 2026. REUTERS/Tim Evans

Tim Evans, REUTERS

Real quick

•	Seven people were killed in a private jet crash in Maine.
•	The Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, a frequent Trump critic.
•	Israel has retrieved the body of the last hostage remaining in Gaza.
•	Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, took out an ad in a national newspaper to apologize for antisemitic actions.

Costs are up. Wages? Not so much.

American workers are frustrated: The cost of living keeps going up, with necessities like food, housing and healthcare taking a bigger bite out of household budgets than ever before. And 4 out of 10 workers say their wages, even if they get cost-of-living adjustments or raises, aren't keeping pace, according to a new USA TODAY/Survey Monkey Workforce survey.

🏈 🏈 🏈 Super Bowl matchup set

Super Bowl LX will be a battle of East vs. West.

The New England Patriots will face off against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, California on Feb. 8 after Sunday's AFC and NFC championship games provided a contrast in styles and scoring. The Pats parlayed their defensive strengths in a snowy game against the Broncos in Denver, while the host Seahawks' passing game prevailed over the L.A. Rams.

•	Is the NFL sending a secret message with its Super Bowl logo?
•	The Super Bowl storylines to watch.
•	Super Bowl LX predictions from the USA TODAY Sports staff.

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

A break from the news

•	Why, yes, I am desperate enough for an early spring to put my faith in a rodent. 🌼
•	Naomi Watts wants to see more movies tackle menopause honestly. Hear, hear! says this 54-year-old. 👏🏼
•	The surprising way to keep your brain young: Grandparenting! 🧠

Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. She'd love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and which team you'll be rooting for in Super Bowl LX. Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com.