I made it home by the skin of my teeth yesterday morning. I was in Detroit for my sister-in-law’s baby shower — first-time aunt over here, and I wasn’t missing it — and I got lucky. More than 11,000 flights were canceled by Sunday, the most in a single day since the pandemic. My kids got the snow (aka remote learning) day they’d been hoping for, and I’m scrambling to remember every log-in they’ll need. Whatever happened to the snow days of yore? If you want to lean into your inner child today, we’ve got you covered: cozy recipes (number one is a hit in my house), hot cocoa — obviously — and movies for when it’s simply too cold to go outside. And for the shovelers out there (shout out to my husband, Tristram), these are the best stretches to help you recover. If you weren’t in the storm’s path, consider this your excuse to slow down anyway — no snow required. Now, let’s get to the news…
— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY
US News
ICE Killed a Second US Citizen in Minneapolis — Prompting Demands for Answers
What's going on: In the past three weeks, federal agents in Minneapolis have killed two US citizens. The latest victim: 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a local hospital for veterans. Similar to previous incidents involving ICE, what happened in the moments leading up to Pretti’s death is disputed. The Trump administration described Pretti as a “domestic terrorist.” Officials say agents acted in “self-defense” after Pretti approached them with a gun. But analysis of cellphone footage from the scene by multiple news outlets — including frame-by-frame breakdowns from The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times — appear to strongly contradict the administration’s account. Videos showed that he never drew his weapon. Instead, Pretti (who’s only holding a cellphone in his hand) can be seen stepping between two civilians and a DHS agent, who grabs and sprays Pretti with a chemical agent. Approximately eight federal officers move in, pull Pretti to the ground, remove a gun from his waistband area, and fire about 10 shots — killing him.
Tell me more: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Saturday that her department will lead the investigation into the killing. A judge has alreadybarred the Trump administration from destroying any evidence from the scene after Minnesota prosecutors accused federal officials of withholding access to key information once again. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats vowed to strike down a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, increasing the chances of another government shutdown. And Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) called for a joint federal and state investigation — one of several GOP lawmakers to challenge the Trump administration’s narrative. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and other pro-gun groups, usually aligned with Trump, are also calling for a full probe. As protests continue, many are remembering Pretti as a caring person who wanted to make a difference. In a statement, his family described him as “a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for.”
