JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1010

Wichita, Kan. — Wichita State defeated East Carolina 77-60 on Wednesday as Kenyon Giles scored 27 points, giving the Shockers a 12-8 record and a 4-3 mark in the American Athletic Conference. Honolulu — Hawaii beat CSU Bakersfield 98-71 on Thursday as Quandre Bullock posted 17 points and 12 rebounds, lifting the Rainbow Warriors to 14-4 (6-2 Big West). Regional prep roundups reported multiple high school wrestling and basketball results, with several individual performances highlighted. Several coaches provided postgame quotes to local reporters. Associated Press reports compiled box scores and coach comments this week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Across the United States, local governments and nonprofits opened warming shelters and expanded beds as severe cold and winter storms approached. Cities including Mullins, Elyria, St. Louis, Asheville and Eupora mobilized shelters, donated supplies, outreach and Code Blue activations to protect unhoused and heat-insecure residents. Shelters operated from city halls, recreation centers, churches and civic centers, with some expanding capacity by hundreds and running 24/7 during cold spells. Officials coordinated with emergency management, law enforcement and volunteers to provide cots, blankets, generators and transport. Forecasts and winter-storm watches prompted activations this week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Corpus Christi, Texas — A jury acquitted former Uvalde school police officer Adrian Gonzales on Jan. 21 after more than seven hours of deliberation in the trial over his response to the May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting. Jurors found Gonzales not guilty on all 29 child-endangerment counts, each carrying up to two years in prison. Prosecutors had argued he failed to confront the shooter during the attack that killed 19 children and two teachers; defense attorneys said he was unfairly blamed. The trial followed multiagency reviews of the law enforcement response. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — State transportation agencies prepared roads ahead of a weekend winter storm this week, pre-treating highways with brine, loading salt and applying sand mixtures. Agencies reported staffing crews, readying hundreds of plows and spreaders, and positioning supplies for round‑the‑clock monitoring beginning Thursday through Sunday. Officials in Texarkana, Oklahoma City, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Mississippi and Arkansas described specific inventories and equipment counts and outlined treatment strategies, including beet‑juice additives and granular salt ahead of predicted cold temperatures. Authorities urged residents to avoid travel when conditions worsen and to winterize property. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

DES MOINES, Iowa, Former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts pleaded guilty Thursday to federal counts of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms, according to a plea agreement released Wednesday. Roberts, a native of Guyana who led the district of about 30,000 students, was arrested Sept. 26 during a targeted ICE operation; authorities say they found a loaded handgun and $3,000 in a district-issued Jeep. He had initially pleaded not guilty and faced up to 20 years in prison; he also remains subject to a 2024 final removal order. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Chicago. Meteorologists across the U.S. Midwest and Plains warn of an approaching winter system that will produce heavy snow in parts of Kansas and Missouri, lake-effect and scattered snow in Michigan and Wisconsin, and dangerously low wind chills from the Dakotas to Ohio this week. National Weather Service offices and local TV stations issued Winter Storm Watches, Extreme Cold Watches, and Cold Weather Advisories from Thursday through Saturday, citing single-digit highs, subzero overnight temperatures, and wind chills as low as -35. Authorities advise precautions for travel, vulnerable populations, pets and infrastructure immediately. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. Yelp released its 2026 'Top 100 Places to Eat' list Tuesday, ranking restaurants nationwide using user review volume and ratings. The list placed Ci Siamo (New York) at No. 1; GW Fins (New Orleans) No. 8; Slackwater (Utah) No. 9; Leven Deli (Denver) No. 13; Alma Fonda Fina No. 40; Tumerico (Tucson) No. 32; De Babel (Scottsdale) No. 33; Zeneli Pizzeria (New Haven) No. 87 and Two Chicks Cafe No. 90. Yelp cited ratings and volume. Local outlets reported regional entries and noted trends such as 'grandma-core' and comfort-food popularity. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States: The James Beard Foundation on Wednesday named semifinalists across multiple regions, including Houston, Colorado, Tampa, New Orleans, Michigan, Philadelphia, Seattle and Denver-area listings. Local restaurants, chefs, bars and beverage professionals earned spots in categories such as Outstanding Chef, Best New Restaurant, Outstanding Restaurateur and regional Best Chef divisions. Finalists will be announced March 31, and winners will be revealed at a Chicago ceremony on June 15. The lists include returning nominees and first-time recognitions, and outlets reported specific semifinalists by city and category. The lists were published across multiple local outlets. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.

CLEVELAND, U.S. The American Red Cross and blood suppliers reported a roughly 35% nationwide drop in blood inventory this month, officials said. Hospitals in Utah, Kansas, Colorado and Ohio reported critical shortages for types O and negative blood and adjusted transfusion priorities. Causes cited include widespread influenza, winter weather and holiday donation declines. Community drives, including a Jan. 21 Topeka event and an Evansville Pride drive scheduled Feb. 6, 2026, aim to replenish supplies. An Oklahoma lawmaker proposed a state-run 'vaccine-free' blood bank, a measure medical experts criticized as impractical. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — Airlines and airports adjusted schedules this week as a major winter storm threatened southern and midwestern regions. Carriers issued travel advisories, waived change fees for passengers affected Jan. 23–25, and offered significant rebooking windows extending through Jan. 28. Delta announced selective cancellations and staffing redeployments; American and United issued waivers for specified airports including IAH and 34 other hubs. Flight-tracking data showed more than 1,000 cancellations at North Texas airports and over 800 American Airlines cancellations. Airport officials in Florida reported ripple effects from hub disruptions despite fair local weather. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.