The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Mon Jan 26 2026

Nicole Fallert
Reporter & Newsletter Writer

Hope you're doing OK. Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Here's what's breaking this morning:

•	Vigils were held Sunday for Alex Pretti.
•	Is TikTok broken?
•	Victoria Beckham celebrated with the Spice Girls.

Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Monday, from the latest on ICE operations in Minnesota to yes, more cold weather. Plus: We have our Super Bowl 60 bracket set.

State, federal officials offer contrasting views of shooting

State and federal officials remained at odds Sunday over the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, and the future of immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.

Federal officials said Pretti was carrying a gun he intended to use to "kill law enforcement." Videos from bystanders — and a witness account in court filings — do not show Pretti brandishing a weapon when he approached agents.

The witness to the fatal shooting wrote in new court documents that he didn't see Pretti brandishing a gun and said federal agents "counted his bullet wounds" instead of rendering first aid.

Shaky citizen videos that chronicled the shooting may well turn out to be a pivot point for President Donald Trump , the deployment of thousands of ICE and Border Patrol agents on the streets of U.S. cities, the debate over the constitutional right to protest and more. The contrast could turn out to be a crucial passage that pressured the president to adjust course — or pay a political price — and emboldened congressional critics to confront him .

"Your eyes don't lie," Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

More news to know now

•	Extreme cold moves in: At least 13 people have died and nearly a million customers were without power late Sunday, as a fierce winter storm continues its damaging trek across the U.S. with ice, sleet and freezing rain overloading electrical lines and trees. Track the snowfall.
•	Costs are up. Paychecks aren't. Even with cost-of-living adjustments or pay increases, 4 in 10 workers say their income has not kept up with their expenses, according to a new USA TODAY/SurveyMonkey Workforce Survey of more than 3,000 American workers.
•	Why did these healthy teens die from the flu? Two teens died of the flu. They both missed their flu vaccine. Their families told USA TODAY a warning.

2026 snowfall

Snow dog!

Lee watches the snow fall at Lake Hefner during a winter storm in Oklahoma City, Saturday Jan. 24, 2026.

SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN

Much of the nation east of the Rocky Mountains is hunkered down for what could be the worst winter storm of the season , followed by some of the coldest temperatures seen in years. See animals and pets face the outdoors amid the intense storm, beginning here with this dog named Lee at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Things to talk about

We have our Super Bowl 60 teams

While the Patriots thanked Drake Maye , the Seahawks prevailed to a 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Now Seattle is set to face off against the New England in Super Bowl 60 on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California. Read USA TODAY Sports' predictions for the battle to hoist the Lombardi trophy.