JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1049

United States. Weather systems this weekend produced record warmth then rapid cooling, widespread rain, heavy snow, high winds and localized blizzard conditions across multiple regions. National Weather Service offices issued winter-storm watches and warnings while transportation agencies posted travel advisories. Snow accumulations ranged from a few inches in metropolitan areas to over a foot in mountain and lake-effect zones. Utilities, road crews and emergency responders mobilized for outages, closures and rescues, including flight cancellations and widespread school closures. Forecasts show temperatures plunging after the cold front with dangerous wind chills expected Monday. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Mint Hill, North Carolina — Two Mint Hill police officers were shot and hospitalized after gunfire erupted during a child custody exchange Friday morning at an Edible Arrangements in the Mint Hill Commons shopping center. Officers had responded to the custody exchange at about 10:45 a.m.; officials said a man produced a firearm and an exchange of gunfire followed. The suspect was shot and killed at the scene. Both officers were initially reported in critical condition, later listed as stable and subsequently released from hospital care. Authorities identified the suspect and recovered a firearm. Based on 6 articles reviewed and research.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan officials this week finalized the hiring of Kyle Whittingham as head football coach, agreeing to a five-year contract after reports earlier Friday that he had emerged as the leading candidate. Whittingham, 66, left Utah after 21 seasons with a 177-88 record and multiple coach-of-the-year awards; ESPN and Yahoo reported negotiations accelerated among athletic leaders, donors and advisers. Reports indicate the contract totals about $41 million over five years, and Whittingham will not coach Utah in the Dec. 31 Las Vegas Bowl. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Louisville. City officials announced on Christmas Day that a man injured in the Nov. 4 UPS cargo plane crash died, raising the death toll to 15. Mayor Craig Greenberg and Gov. Andy Beshear identified the victim as Alain Rodriguez Colina, an employee at Grade A Recycling. The National Transportation Safety Board released photos and findings showing the left engine separated from the MD-11F during takeoff after apparent cracks at the engine mount. The plane crashed shortly after leaving Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing three crew members and multiple people on the ground. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Oregon City, local fire departments in multiple U.S. communities responded to separate residential and church fires on Christmas that displaced residents and destroyed property. In Oregon City crews extinguished a two-alarm blaze at Reformation Covenant Church after locating fire between old and new roofs; investigators continue probing the cause. In Modesto a detached structure fire displaced eight people, who received Red Cross assistance. In Catoosa County firefighters rescued pets from a basement fire. In Montcalm County, Michigan, a mobile home was destroyed; investigators suspect a kitchen gas leak. No fatalities were reported. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Palm Beach, Florida — President Donald Trump said Thursday night that he ordered U.S. forces to carry out an airstrike against Islamic State targets in northwest Nigeria after reports of attacks on Christian communities. Africa Command said it conducted the strike at Nigeria's request in Sokoto state and that it killed multiple militants; operational details were not released. The State Department earlier limited visas tied to violence in Nigeria, and U.S. intelligence flights had increased in November. No independent casualty verification is available. U.S. officials said investigations into civilian harm are ongoing. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States: Cities and counties have launched free post-holiday Christmas tree recycling and disposal programs this season nationwide. Municipalities from Charleston, S.C., to Sioux Falls, S.D., and jurisdictions in Georgia, Idaho, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, and Maryland offer curbside pickup, drop-off sites, and designated convenience centers between Dec. 26 and mid-February. Officials instruct residents to remove ornaments, lights, tinsel, and stands and to keep artificial trees separate; collected trees will be chipped into mulch, used for municipal landscaping, or sunk to create fish habitat. Programs exclude commercial sellers and may impose landfill fees. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. Forecasters reported unseasonably warm conditions across multiple regions on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with several sites reaching or nearing record highs. Dense fog advisories covered parts of the Southeast and Midwest overnight, reducing visibility for morning travel. High pressure preserved dry, mild weather through the weekend before models showed a strong cold front approaching Sunday into Monday, ushering in sharply colder air and pockets of rain or snow in some areas. Mountain regions could see significant snow. Agencies issued travel and storm alerts for impacted counties. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research and official forecasts.