News Wrap: Winter storm lashes northeastern U.S.

Amna Nawaz:

In the day's other headlines: Nearly all corners of the country face the fallout from winter storms that brought floods, blizzards and tornadoes. Tuesday's destructive weather lasted into today and claimed five lives.

Ali Rogin has our report.

Ali Rogin:

Waves crashing into the streets of towns in coastal Maine and parts of Connecticut submerged. An unrelenting wind and rainstorm pummeled the Northeast today. Areas of the mid-Atlantic were still underwater after the same storm walloped the region yesterday. It dumped three inches of rain in some places.

Water leaked into New York City area train stations, turning this Hoboken railway into a river. In Maryland, emergency responders had to rescue passengers from submerged cars this morning. In total, yesterday's storms knocked out power to hundreds of thousands across more than a dozen states.

Farther south, the storms were deadly. Suspected tornadoes in North Carolina and Alabama killed two women when their homes were struck. In Northern Florida, suspected tornadoes also left trails of destruction. A whole house was knocked over in Panama City on the Panhandle. By the water, apparent twisters flipped boats and tore a marina to shreds.

Richard Brantley, Bayou George, Florida, Resident:

I started hearing the wind pick up really strong.

Ali Rogin:

Richard Brantley said a tornado blasted his home in Bayou George, Florida.

Richard Brantley:

So I go over and make sure I got my deadbolt set on the front door so it doesn't blow in. And next thing I know, the front windows on my house blow out. So I got all this stuff blowing in around me.

Ali Rogin:

Meanwhile, people in the Midwest and Upper Plains are digging out from under a foot of snow after whiteout conditions on Tuesday. And there's more to come.

In Iowa, temperatures are expected to plummet below zero next week, stoking fears of low turnout for Monday's Republican presidential caucuses. But frigid temperatures may be no match for the Midwestern spirit.

Kadee Miller, Iowa Resident:

If you are in Iowa, you shouldn't be afraid of the cold.

Question:

I hear you say that.

Kadee Miller:

Yes, yes.

Ali Rogin:

For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Ali Rogin.

Amna Nawaz:

The coming cold wave also means frigid football weather for Saturday night's NFL playoff game in Kansas City. It's projected to be two below zero at kickoff. The Chiefs will host the Miami Dolphins, who practiced at home today in 76-degree weather.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has dropped out of the Republican presidential race. He announced it late today in New Hampshire. Christie was the strongest critic of former President Donald Trump in the field, but he'd failed to make headway.

Fmr. Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), Presidential Candidate: It's clear to me tonight that there isn't a path for me to win the nomination, which is why I'm suspending my campaign tonight for president of the United States.

Amna Nawaz:

Supporters of Nikki Haley had pressed Christie to quit to improve her chances in the New Hampshire primary 13 days from now. But just before his announcement, Christie was heard on a live mic saying of Haley — quote — "She's going to get smoked. She's not up to this."

Former President Trump will not make his own closing arguments after all at his civil fraud trial in New York. Today, Judge Arthur Engoron withdrew permission for Mr. Trump to speak tomorrow. The judge had warned the former president must not — quote — "comment on irrelevant matters or deliver a campaign speech or criticize the court." Trump lawyers objected to the restrictions, so the judge rescinded his ruling.

Russian dissident Alexey Navalny appeared in court via video link today for the first time since he vanished from view last month. Supporters had lost contact with him for weeks as he was transferred to a penal colony in the Arctic. Today, Navalny smiled and waved journalists and even joked about his jailers. He's serving a 19-year sentence after being convicted of extremism.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy headed to the Baltic states today hunting for help to shore up Ukraine's air defenses. It came as Russia intensifies missile and drone attacks. Zelenskyy met with Lithuania's president in Vilnius. Later, he said Ukraine has shown that Russia can be stopped, and he insisted Kyiv still has strong support.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (through interpreter):

There is no pressure from our partners to stop our defense. I would not say stopping of hostilities. It is defense, to end our fair defense, to end our struggle. There is no pressure to freeze the conflict, not yet.

Amna Nawaz:

NATO pledged today that the flow of military and other supplies to Ukraine will continue, but a new round of U.S. aid remains stalled in Congress.

The death toll from New Year's earthquakes in Japan has reached 206. Officials say eight of the deaths happened from injuries or sickness at evacuation centers. Close to 26,000 people remain in shelters. In the meantime, rescue teams continue the search for bodies, though cold weather and rain are hampering the effort. More than 50 people are still listed as missing.

Back in this country, legendary Alabama football coach Nick Saban is retiring. It is widely reported tonight that he will call it quits after winning six national championships at Alabama and one at LSU. Saban is 72 years old and has coached Alabama for 17 seasons.

And on Wall Street, stocks advanced ahead of tomorrow's report on December inflation. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 170 points to close at 37695. The Nasdaq rose 112 points and the S&P 500 added 27.

And in Missouri, Kansas City teen Ralph Yarl has made the All-State Band nine months after being shot in the head. Yarl was shot when he went to the wrong address to pick up his younger brothers and the elderly white homeowner opened fire. Ralph is now 17 and he plays bass clarinet.

Still to come on the "NewsHour": the defense secretary's cancer diagnosis highlights the importance of early detection; an alarming discovery of unmarked graves behind a Mississippi prison leads to an investigation; and an unlikely collaboration, art and quantum computing.