The NewsWorthy – Friday, January 23, 2026

Episode Title: Historic Winter Storm, ICE Detains 5-Year-Old & Movie Breaks Oscar Records
Host: Erica Mandy
Date: January 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this fast-paced, 10-minute news roundup, Erica Mandy covers the biggest headlines from around the country and world, focusing on a historic winter storm, national outrage over a child’s immigration detention, record-breaking Oscar nominations, and other timely stories from politics, entertainment, business, and tech. The tone is conversational, balanced, and brisk, aiming to keep listeners informed and engaged without hype or partisanship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Winter Storm Threatens Millions

[00:32-02:10]

• A massive, life-threatening ice and snow storm is moving across the US from New Mexico to the Carolinas and beyond.
  • Ice storm: Risks include crushed trees, downed power lines, and long-term electricity outages.
  • Snowfall: Over 2 feet possible in some areas, especially from Virginia to Maine, with travel expected to become impossible.
  • Upper Midwest/Great Lakes: Facing extreme wind chills of 40-50°F below zero.
• Response:
  • At least 12 governors declared states of emergency.
  • Some states deployed National Guard; FEMA has staged supplies.
  • Airlines and delivery services pre-warn of mass cancellations and delays.
  • Forecasters urge people to prepare for the worst.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The former president of the American Meteorological Society told ABC News this could end up being the new storm of the century.” — Erica Mandy [01:53]

2. 5-Year-Old Detained by ICE in Minnesota Triggers Outrage

[02:10-04:17]

• ICE detained a 5-year-old boy arriving home from preschool, image goes viral (boy in bunny-ear hat and Spider-Man backpack).
  • Family is legally applying for asylum, lawyer says; ICE disagrees.
  • School officials allege ICE tried to use the boy to lure his mother and denied him to known neighbors or school staff.
  • Homeland Security claims the target was the father, who “asked for the child to stay with him.” Both are now at a Texas lockup.
• Conditions:
  • Nonprofits report children are malnourished and extremely sick at the detention center.
• Public Response:
  • Minneapolis students skipping school in protest; “Day Without Immigrants” encourages walkouts and business closures.
  • Hundreds of schools, businesses, and churches have shut down for the day.
  • Ongoing, peaceful protests; occasional arrests (latest: demonstration at church where ICE official is a pastor).
• Government Response:
  • DHS reports a rise in hostility towards ICE agents; “hostile crowds now stalking federal agents...”
  • Vice President J.D. Vance calls for local cooperation with federal enforcement; local/state authorities refuse, citing opposition to crackdown.
  • Over 3,300 arrests in Twin Cities over six weeks; ICE operation has no set end date.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Agents tried to use him as bait to lure his mother out of their home…” — Erica Mandy [02:47]
  • “At this point, their operation has no end date.” — Erica Mandy [04:13]

3. Jack Smith Grilled on Capitol Hill Over Trump Investigations

[04:17-05:08]

• Former special counsel Jack Smith questioned by GOP, accused of targeting Trump before 2024 election.
  • Smith insists prosecution was only because laws were broken.
  • Both primary cases against Trump (2020 election interference, classified documents) dropped after reelection.
  • Smith warns dropping the cases could have “caused catastrophic threats to American democracy.”
  • Smith expects Trump’s administration to pursue him legally; Trump calls Smith a “deranged animal.”
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Not moving forward with the cases may have caused catastrophic threats to American democracy…” — Erica Mandy paraphrasing Jack Smith [04:50]
  • “Hopefully the attorney general is looking at what he's done.” — President Trump [05:01]

4. US Crime Rate Sees Historic Decline

[05:10-06:07]

• Largest one-year drop in homicides ever (about 21% decline in major cities).
• All seven categories of violent crime fall below pre-pandemic levels (shootings, robberies, carjackings, etc.).
• Only drug crimes are up (~7%).
• Why? A mix of COVID’s end, prevention programs, tech/demographic/medical changes.
  • Trump credits National Guard and immigration enforcement.
  • Researchers: decline started before Trump returned to office; some cities without federal intervention saw bigger drops.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Crime was already falling before he returned to office, and cities without federal troops saw similar or even bigger declines.” — Erica Mandy [05:55]

5. US Formally Leaves World Health Organization

[06:09-07:06]

• The US withdraws after 80 years, citing WHO’s COVID mismanagement and other global failures.
• WHO’s global role outlined: response coordination, aid to poorer countries, guidelines, data, etc.
• Public health experts fear US companies and scientists will be hampered in global cooperation.
• Trump administration plans to work “directly with other countries” instead.
• Notable Quote:
  • “President Trump says the U.S. had to withdraw in part because of how the WHO handled the COVID 19 pandemic and other global health crises.” — Erica Mandy [06:26]

6. TikTok’s US Operations Change Ownership

[08:58-09:35]

• TikTok’s years-long fight ends: US operation now has new majority American ownership while ByteDance retains nearly 20%.
  • The new joint venture will handle US data, algorithm, content moderation, etc.
  • Users unlikely to notice major day-to-day changes.
• Notable Quote:
  • “This might change what appears on TikTok users' for you pages over time, and there could be some changes with ads and shopping features, but most people are not expected to notice any kind of a difference.” — Erica Mandy [09:20]

7. Trump Sues JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon

[09:35-10:16]

• Trump sues for $5+ billion, alleging political bias after his accounts were closed post-January 6 riot.
  • JPMorgan says account closures are for legal/regulatory risk, not politics.
  • Trump has ongoing feuds with several major banks.
• Notable Quote:
  • “JPMorgan Chase says it will fight the suit, insisting it doesn't close accounts over politics, but that it does when they create legal or regulatory risk.” — Erica Mandy [09:58]

8. FCC to Enforce Equal Time Rule on Talk Shows

[10:16-10:48]

• FCC warns talk shows and late-night programs to apply equal-time rules for political candidates.
  • Conservatives cite guest disparities (e.g. “The View” had 128 liberal guests, only 2 conservatives).
  • FCC’s lone Democrat criticizes the move as censorship.
• Shows may need to adjust guest bookings ahead of the midterms.

9. Oscars Set Records; Warner Bros. Dominates Nominees

[10:48-11:39]

• Movie “Sinners” breaks record with 16 Oscar nominations; “One Battle After Another” earns 13.
  • Both films: Warner Bros. Discovery, which is eyeing sale to Netflix.
  • For 8th consecutive year, a non-English film is in Best Picture.
  • Notable snubs: “Wicked for Good” and “Fire and Ash.”
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Sinners led all movies with 16 Academy Award nominations, the most in Oscar history...” — Erica Mandy [10:50]

10. “Heated Rivalry” Leads Selected as Olympic Torchbearers

[11:39-12:08]

• Cultural phenomenon “Heated Rivalry” sees its lead actors selected as Olympic torchbearers.
  • Show follows romance between rival hockey players; the actors won’t compete in the Games.
  • Winter Olympics start in two weeks.

Memorable “Feel Good Friday” Moment

[12:08-13:30]

• Austin’s 37th Street holds its annual pet mayor election; Mo Bamba, a pug-chihuahua mix, wins by 130 votes out of 12,000 cast.
  • Election ignites civic participation playfully with posters, lines, even “smear ads.”
  • Organizers believe it could boost actual voter turnout.
• Notable Quote:
  • “His campaign promises to include fire hydrants on every block and government contracts for anyone willing to play fetch.” — Erica Mandy [13:15]

Noteworthy Quotes With Timestamps

• “The former president of the American Meteorological Society told ABC News this could end up being the new storm of the century.” — Erica Mandy [01:53]
• “Agents tried to use him as bait to lure his mother out of their home…” — Erica Mandy [02:47]
• “At this point, their operation has no end date.” — Erica Mandy [04:13]
• “Not moving forward with the cases may have caused catastrophic threats to American democracy…” — Erica Mandy, paraphrasing Jack Smith [04:50]
• “Crime was already falling before he returned to office, and cities without federal troops saw similar or even bigger declines.” — Erica Mandy [05:55]
• “Sinners led all movies with 16 Academy Award nominations, the most in Oscar history...” — Erica Mandy [10:50]
• “His campaign promises to include fire hydrants on every block and government contracts for anyone willing to play fetch.” — Erica Mandy [13:15]

Useful Timestamps for Key Segments

• Historic Winter Storm: [00:32-02:10]
• ICE Detains 5-Year-Old: [02:10-04:17]
• Jack Smith/Trump Legal: [04:17-05:08]
• Crime Rate Drop: [05:10-06:07]
• World Health Org Departure: [06:09-07:06]
• TikTok Ownership Changes: [08:58-09:35]
• Trump vs. JPMorgan: [09:35-10:16]
• FCC Equal Time Rule: [10:16-10:48]
• Oscar Records: [10:48-11:39]
• Heated Rivalry/Olympics: [11:39-12:08]
• Feel Good Friday: [12:08-13:30]

Conclusion

Erica Mandy’s concise and lively wrap-up delivers essential news with fair reporting and a human touch, balancing gravitas with moments of levity. The show covers fast-moving developments across politics, society, and pop culture, equipping listeners with the context needed to stay informed—and uplifted.