JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 991

Washington — The Trump administration announced Monday it will establish a nearly $12 billion strategic stockpile of rare-earth and critical minerals called “Project Vault.” The White House confirmed that funding will include a $10 billion Export-Import Bank loan and approximately $1.7 billion in private capital to procure and store materials for automakers, defense suppliers and technology firms. Officials said the stockpile aims to reduce U.S. reliance on China's dominant mining and processing capacity after Beijing restricted exports during recent trade tensions. Bloomberg first reported the plan; the White House confirmed details Feb. 2. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Raleigh, North Carolina. State transportation crews worked through Sunday and Monday to clear interstates and major highways after two back-to-back winter storms, officials said. NCDOT reported interstates including I-40, I-26, I-95 and U.S. routes were largely cleared, while secondary and neighborhood roads remained covered with snow and ice. Local teams continued treating primary routes and shifting to two-lane roads, urging residents to avoid travel as refreezing risk persists. Counties reported varying conditions and limited access in some neighborhoods; officials warned full cleanup will take several days, with state and local crews assisting. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Las Vegas, Federal agents and Las Vegas police raided a northeast neighborhood home Saturday and found refrigerators containing vials with unknown liquids, including hazardous materials, officials said. Property records link the residence to an LLC owned by Jia Bei Zhu, arrested by DOJ in October 2023 in connection with a Reedley illegal biolab that allegedly manufactured misbranded diagnostic test kits. Following the Las Vegas search, authorities executed a related warrant in Reedley this week as investigators inventory evidence and assess public risk. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — A multi-day cold outbreak produced low temperatures, snow, and freeze warnings across the Southeast and Northeast this week. Forecasters reported temperatures in the 20s in Central Florida Monday, record cold highs in Sarasota, and possibly a tenth consecutive sub-freezing day in New York City after nine days of below-freezing highs. A strong low pressure system brought heavy snow to parts of the Carolinas during this weekend, with NOAA reports showing locations exceeding a foot. Warnings and advisories remained in effect as models forecast a warm-up and rain returning Tuesday. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — President Donald Trump announced this week he will close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts around July 4 for two years to undertake major renovations, subject to board approval. He said the project will preserve the structure while reusing steel and some marble, estimated to cost about $200 million and to be fully funded. Trump cited the venue's poor condition and noted performer cancellations after leadership and naming changes; he chairs the board. Workers and audiences will be displaced during closure. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Clinton, Louisiana. Authorities arrested three people after gunfire struck a Mardi Gras parade Saturday, injuring five, including a six-year-old child. East Feliciana Parish deputies detained three suspects at the scene and later charged two, Noah Basquine, 19, and a 15-year-old, with attempted second-degree murder, obstruction and reckless discharge; a 26-year-old was charged with illegal weapons possession and resisting officers. Officials recovered multiple firearms and 29 cartridge cases and said two victims underwent surgery, one possibly paralyzed. Deputies later arrested another teen for allegedly bringing a stolen handgun into a nearby event center. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. Regional gasoline prices moved this week as local averages diverged: Tennessee rose to $2.54 per gallon while Arkansas held near $2.40. Green Bay fell to $2.50 and Peoria averaged $2.84; Florida reached $2.93 and Indiana dropped to $2.71. GasBuddy and AAA reported the national average near $2.83–$2.88, with diesel around $3.585. Analysts cited higher crude trading with WTI settling at $60.62, a 3.6 million-barrel increase in U.S. crude inventories, and seasonal demand shifts as primary drivers. Reports cited GasBuddy, AAA, and EIA. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Chicago — Federal changes to SNAP work requirements took effect this week, expanding mandatory work or training to able-bodied adults without dependents aged 18–64. State and local officials, food banks and recipients reported potential benefit losses and increased pantry demand. The law, signed in July 2025, raises the upper age limit from 54 to 64 and requires 80 monthly work or activity hours to retain benefits beyond three months. State data and agency statements estimate hundreds of thousands could be affected; the Congressional Budget Office projected up to 1.1 million could lose benefits. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Portland, Ore. — Mayor Keith Wilson demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement leave the city after federal agents used tear gas, pepper balls and rubber bullets on a crowd of demonstrators outside an ICE facility on Saturday. Witnesses and local reporters said thousands marched and the crowd included children; one former reporter described parents fleeing and treating children affected by gas. The mayor called the daytime demonstration peaceful and urged ICE staff to resign, while local outlets reported use of flash-bang devices and munitions. Federal authorities have not issued a statement. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A bomb cyclone this week slammed the eastern United States, bringing heavy snow, high winds and widespread cancellations and disruptions. Authorities reported hundreds of canceled flights in North Carolina and nearly a half-meter of snow in some areas, including 40cm in Lexington and 56cm in Faust. About 150 million people were placed under cold-weather advisories and warnings, with wind chills near zero in parts of the South. Florida recorded rare freezing temperatures, snow flurries and cold-stunned iguanas falling from trees. State officials reported road collisions, power outages and crop damage. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.