Top 5 US news stories
January 20 2026
Trump's Davos Return and Geopolitical Threats Reshape Global Economic Forum
Lake-Effect Snow Triggers 100-Vehicle Pileup on Michigan Interstate
Powerful Geomagnetic Storm Pushes Northern Lights into Southern States
Iranian Regime's Violent Crackdown Kills Over 3,000 Protesters and Ends Mass Demonstrations
Indiana Completes Perfect 16-0 Season to Capture First National Championship
Trump's Davos Return and Geopolitical Threats Reshape Global Economic Forum
President Trump is scheduled to address the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, marking his first in-person appearance at the Alpine gathering in six years and bringing the largest U.S. delegation in recent memory. The visit comes amid heightened global tensions, with Trump pursuing assertive trade policies while threatening to impose new tariffs on European nations that oppose his efforts to acquire control of Greenland from NATO ally Denmark. Trump plans to discuss domestic housing proposals during his speech, including his recent plan to ban large institutional investors from purchasing additional single-family homes. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and special envoy Steve Witkoff are among the officials accompanying the president to the forum, which organizers describe as taking place against the most complex geopolitical backdrop since 1945.
WSJ, NYT
Lake-Effect Snow Triggers 100-Vehicle Pileup on Michigan Interstate
More than 100 vehicles crashed in a chain-reaction pileup on Interstate 196 in Michigan on Monday after lake-effect snow created treacherous driving conditions, forcing closure of the highway for nearly eight hours. The massive collision, which began around 10:20 a.m. between Hudsonville and Zeeland southwest of Grand Rapids, involved approximately three dozen jackknifed semitrailer trucks and resulted in numerous injuries but no fatalities, according to Michigan State Police. Emergency crews worked until 6 p.m. to clear the scene while buses transported stranded motorists to Hudsonville High School, where many arranged to be picked up by family or friends.
NYT
Powerful Geomagnetic Storm Pushes Northern Lights into Southern States
A powerful geomagnetic storm is expected to make the northern lights visible much farther south than usual Monday night, with auroras potentially appearing across a broad swath of the United States from New York to Washington State, extending as far south as Alabama in the East and Northern California in the West. Forecasters in Britain anticipate the lights will be visible across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England, though cloud cover and rain may limit visibility in some areas. In the Southern Hemisphere, the aurora australis could appear across southern New Zealand and parts of Australia, although the short hours of darkness this time of year are expected to reduce viewing opportunities in those regions.
NYT
Iranian Regime's Violent Crackdown Kills Over 3,000 Protesters and Ends Mass Demonstrations
Human-rights activists claim Iranian authorities killed at least 3,000 people during a multiday crackdown that effectively ended mass antigovernment protests that erupted in early January across Tehran and other cities. The demonstrations, fueled by deep dissatisfaction with Iran's clerical rulers, demands for greater political freedom, and anger over spiraling living costs driven by currency collapse, began on January 8 when protesters took to the streets following calls from Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's last shah. After President Trump warned Iranian leaders they would be "hit very hard" if they started killing demonstrators, security forces opened fire on crowds and shut down internet access nationwide. The violent suppression disappointed protesters who had hoped for international intervention, particularly after Trump appeared to stand from down from ordering military strikes on January 14 when advisers informed him the U.S. lacked sufficient forces in the region to significantly damage the regime. Iranian officials have since signaled confidence in regaining control, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei calling Trump a "criminal" while judicial authorities promise firm action against those involved in the unrest.
WSJ
Indiana Completes Perfect 16-0 Season to Capture First National Championship
Indiana won its first national championship in school history Monday night with a 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, capping an unprecedented 16-0 season for a program that had been one of the worst in college football. The Hoosiers, led by head coach Curt Cignetti, completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history before a crowd of 67,227 fans, most wearing Indiana's cream and crimson colors. The victory was particularly improbable given that Indiana had accumulated 715 losses—the second most in FBS history—before this season's transformation. The seesaw championship game went down to the wire, with Indiana's roster of unheralded recruits prevailing to secure a title achievement that analysts say has never been accomplished before under similar circumstances.
ESPN
January 20 1981: Iran Hostage Crisis ends
minutes after Ronald Reagan’s inauguration as the 40th president of the United States, the 52 U.S. captives held at the U.S. embassy in Teheran, Iran, are released, ending the 444-day Iran Hostage Crisis.
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
citizen journal offers three flagship products: a daily national news summary, a daily Kansas news summary, and local news and school board summaries from 34 cities across 5 states. Use the links in the header to navigate to national, kansas, and local coverage. Subscribe to each, some, or all to get an email when new issues are published for FREE!
Brought to you by (click me!)
Sources
