A fast-moving tornado tore through the Houston area, shredding homes, uprooting trees, and leaving entire neighborhoods covered in debris. More than 100 houses were damaged in minutes as powerful winds hit the Memorial Northwest area, prompting an urgent response from firefighters and emergency crews across Texas. At the same time, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for upstate New York, warning of a major lake-effect snow event that could dump more than 7–10 inches of snow across multiple counties. Forecasters say whiteout conditions, strong winds, and dangerous travel could hit parts of Buffalo, Syracuse, Herkimer, and the Tug Hill region as early as tonight.

TSA agents who worked 43 days without pay during the government shutdown are now at the center of a national controversy after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced surprise $10,000 “exemplary service” bonuses. The dramatic payout — revealed at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport — has triggered outrage among TSA workers and union leaders, who say only a small group received the checks despite thousands stepping up during the shutdown.