JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1097

Chicago, A major winter storm produced record November snowfall and widespread travel disruption this Saturday, causing over 930 cancellations and more than 750 delays at O'Hare and making roads hazardous. The National Weather Service forecast six to twelve inches, with O'Hare reporting 8.4 inches and Wadsworth reporting eleven inches; FlightAware and local authorities logged mass cancellations. The FAA reported deicing operations and airport closures elsewhere, and Phoenix Sky Harbor recorded delays tied to Midwest disruptions. Weather services warned of lingering snow into Monday and a separate system reaching the Northeast by Tuesday. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States, Small Business Saturday mobilized shoppers at local stores across the country this weekend, boosting foot traffic and holiday sales for independent retailers. Vendors, shop owners and city organizers promoted shop-local events in Sarasota, Casper, Summit, Fargo, Augusta, Bath, Atlanta, Bakersfield, Middletown, Chicago and Bozeman. American Express created the initiative in 2010; the Small Business Administration co-sponsors it. Reports cited increased customer visits, seasonal promotions and national survey forecasts estimating consumer holiday spending with a portion earmarked for small businesses. Local organizers reported promotions, vendor fairs and community outreach on Saturday. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — Representative Troy Nehls of Texas announced Saturday that he will not seek reelection and intends to leave Congress after the current term. Nehls posted the decision on social media, saying he discussed it with his wife and daughters over the Thanksgiving holiday and will return home to focus on family. He told President Donald Trump of his plans personally. Nehls has served since 2021, has a law enforcement and military background, chaired the House Aviation Subcommittee, and sponsored immigration-related legislation. His seat will be open in 2026. The development drew attention. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

FORT WORTH, Texas. Federal agents arrested Mohammad Dawood Alokozay after prosecutors said a social media video showed him threatening to build a bomb and carry out a suicide attack in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Authorities identified the suspect using facial recognition and driver's license records, and filed state and federal charges including a terroristic threat and a threatening interstate communication. ICE issued a detainer after federal authorities took custody, and officials noted the arrest occurred around a separate November shooting near the White House. Investigations continue and court proceedings are pending. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. Municipal governments across several states declared overnight snow emergencies and activated winter parking bans this week to enable curb-to-curb plowing and maintain emergency access. Officials in Chicago, Manitowoc, Bismarck and multiple Minnesota cities established restricted parking hours, towing policies and fines, and set enforcement windows beginning Nov. 29 through Dec. 1 and running into April in some jurisdictions. Cities published maps, hotlines and online resources and instructed residents to remove vehicles or face citations, towing and storage fees. Plowing schedules specified block-by-block removal times to clear arterial and residential streets. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Chicago, Denver and Syracuse saw significant snowfall this week, disrupting travel and operations. Saturday's storm produced record November totals in Chicago with 8.7 inches at O'Hare and widespread cancellations; residents documented conditions. Denver recorded its first measurable snow Saturday (0.2 inches at DIA) while mountain locations reported up to 10.8 inches. Central New York endured a lake-effect event Thursday–Friday with up to 18 inches in parts and a 10.3-inch record day in Syracuse; forecasters predicted an additional 2–12 inches for a Tuesday coastal system. Agencies cited National Weather Service measurements and local airport records. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Rochester, Minnesota — A multi-region winter storm moved across the United States this weekend, producing heavy snow, freezing rain and damaging winds that disrupted travel and prompted official warnings. National Weather Service offices and local stations reported accumulations from a tenth of an inch of ice in Alaska to localized 12–14 inches in parts of Iowa, with 3–10 inches forecast across various Midwestern counties. Airports and roadways saw cancellations and hazardous conditions, and agencies advised postponing travel. State and local emergency services activated shelters, road crews. Winter-storm warnings remained in effect into Sunday. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — On Nov. 29, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela "should be considered closed in its entirety," giving no further details. The statement followed U.S. strikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling since early September and a mid-November deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean. U.S. officials cited efforts to curb drug trafficking; Caracas called the move hostile and denied allegations. Reports also noted a recent phone call between Trump and Nicolás Maduro and the U.S. designation of Cartel de los Soles. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump pardoned former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández on Friday and secured his release from a U.S. prison on Dec. 1. Hernández was convicted in March 2024 of conspiring to import cocaine and sentenced to 45 years in June 2024 after his 2022 extradition. The pardon came days before Honduras’s presidential election; Trump had endorsed Nasry Asfura and warned he might condition U.S. aid on the vote outcome. The administration concurrently reported anti-narcotics strikes in the Caribbean. U.S. Bureau of Prisons records and family statements confirmed Hernández’s release. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, United States officials paused visa issuance for Afghan passport holders and halted asylum decisions this week on Friday after a man from Afghanistan allegedly shot two National Guard members near the White House, killing one. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the Afghan visa pause on X, and USCIS director Joseph Edlow suspended asylum rulings pending enhanced vetting. Authorities identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, who entered under Operation Allies Welcome in 2021 and had been granted asylum. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.