JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 999

MINNEAPOLIS — The Justice Department charged Anthony Kazmierczak on Thursday with forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating Representative Ilhan Omar after he squirted a water and apple cider vinegar mixture at her during a Tuesday town hall. Court papers and an affidavit state the liquid stained Omar's clothing and may have reached her face and right eye, and include a photograph of the syringe alleged to have been used. The affidavit quotes the suspect and a close associate about past threats. Authorities contacted the federal defender's office; the suspect's legal status was unclear. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Atlanta — State lawmakers and officials across the United States nationwide this week proposed measures to eliminate or sharply reduce homeowner property taxes, citing rising bills and affordability concerns. Georgia House Republicans introduced HR 1114 to phase out homestead taxes by 2032, estimating about $5 billion in lost local revenue annually; Florida lawmakers advanced a constitutional amendment to remove non-school property taxes and consider a 5% real-estate transfer fee; North Dakota policymakers debated credits after voters rejected a full repeal in November 2024; critics warn about funding gaps for schools and local services. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — Senate Democrats blocked a procedural vote this week to press for limits on Immigration and Customs Enforcement after two people were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. Leaders from both parties and the White House engaged in last-minute talks to separate Department of Homeland Security funding from a broader six-bill package to avoid a partial shutdown. The Senate vote failed 45-55, short of the 60 votes required to advance the measure, and negotiators discussed a short-term continuing resolution for DHS while pursuing policy changes. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

SANTA MONICA, California — Federal and company records show that on Jan. 23 a Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near Grant Elementary School during morning drop-off. The child suffered minor injuries and was evaluated by emergency responders. Waymo reported vehicle braked from about 17 mph to under 6 mph after the child emerged from behind a double-parked SUV. The company said it notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which opened an Office of Defects Investigation inquiry to examine vehicle behavior and post-impact response. The vehicle operated Waymo's fifth-generation automated driving system. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Chicago — Meteorologists forecast lake-effect snow to impact Chicago Friday into Saturday, producing scattered to heavy bursts that could create rapidly changing travel conditions. Bands forming over Lake Michigan around 5 a.m. and driven ashore by north-northeast winds by midmorning could drop 2–6 inches in many areas, with localized totals of 6–10 inches near the lakefront and brief rates up to 2–3 inches per hour. Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Watches/Warnings cover Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Porter and Lake (IN) counties this Friday into Saturday. Officials urged motorists caution for Friday commutes. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — Local governments advanced multiple affordable housing actions this week. In Stateline, Nevada, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency announced a notice of preparation for an environmental impact study on Phase 3 housing amendments and scheduled a scoping meeting for February 11. In Truckee, California, Town Council reviewed updates to its Homegrown Housing program. Colorado legislators advanced Senate Bill 26-001 enabling counties to use existing tax revenue for workforce housing. In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser opened 18-unit net-zero affordable building. King County approved $23.7 million for eight developments adding 672 units. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MINNEAPOLIS — Tom Homan, White House border czar, told reporters Thursday that federal immigration agencies are developing a plan to reduce the number of officers deployed in Minnesota once state and local officials provide cooperation, particularly access to local jails. Homan said he met with Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Attorney General Keith Ellison and described the meetings as productive; he declined to specify agent numbers but referenced Operation Metro Surge targets. The drawdown would prioritize public-safety and national-security threats, he said, while vowing to remain until the issues are resolved. Based on 6 articles reviewed and research.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump sharply criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell this week after the Fed voted 10-2 to hold its benchmark rate, urging that the central bank "substantially" lower rates and calling Powell a "moron" on Truth Social. Trump said higher rates raise government interest expense and tied his case to tariff policy, while his administration has pursued probes and called for leadership changes at the Fed. Powell's term ends in May and Trump said he will announce a replacement next week, with contenders named in public reports. Multiple outlets report. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MINNEAPOLIS — Border czar Tom Homan said Thursday that federal immigration agents will be reduced only after state and local cooperation, following a fatal shooting of a protester Saturday. Homan briefed reporters after arriving Monday and meeting Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Tuesday. He said operations will target public-safety and national-security threats and that jails must notify ICE about removable individuals. Homan declined to specify agent numbers but noted plans depend on access to jails and remaining targets. He said he intends to stay until issues are resolved. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Charlotte, N.C. Meteorologists issued winter storm watches across the Southeast this week as an upper-level low and a surface low off Southeast coast are expected to produce snow and extreme cold from late Friday through Sunday. Forecasts called for accumulations mostly 4–8 inches in parts of central and piedmont North Carolina, with locally higher amounts in narrow bands; wind gusts up to 35–40 mph could cause blowing snow and power outages. Temperatures will tumble into the teens with wind chills near or below zero. Travel disruptions and infrastructure strain are likely. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.