The NewsWorthy Winter Storm Warnings, Massive Fraud Investigation & Double NYE Ball Drop - Monday, December 29, 2025
Dec 29, 2025
Millions of Americans brace for severe winter storms just as holiday travel peaks. President Trump suggests a breakthrough in peace talks for Ukraine. A major FBI investigation into alleged fraud in Minnesota raises eyebrows. Stores are changing their gift return policies, and there's growing concern over the prevalence of low-quality AI content online. Lastly, get ready for a unique celebration as Times Square's ball is set to drop twice this New Year's Eve!
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Nationwide Winter Travel Disruption
- A massive winter system put two-thirds of the U.S. under alerts, disrupting holiday travel with crashes and flight cancellations.
- The storm combined heavy snow, whiteouts and freezing rain, leaving regions with vastly different short-term forecasts.
Peace Talks Face Hard Territorial Issues
- President Trump said peace between Ukraine and Russia may be close after talks with Volodymyr Zelensky and a long call with Vladimir Putin.
- Key sticking points remain, especially whether Russia can retain Ukrainian territory, and talks could still collapse.
Iran Declares Widening Confrontation
- Iran's president declared a full-scale conflict with the U.S., Europe and Israel amid recent strikes and satellite activity.
- The U.S. response and Israel-related talks with Netanyahu will focus heavily on Iran and Gaza next.