Plus: Three Weeks Into Minnesota Immigration Standoff & Winter Storm Watch

Start practicing your loopy L’s and squiggly Z’s – cursive is making a comeback.

Governor Phil Murphy signed a law that requires all New Jersey elementary schools to teach cursive to students from third through fifth grade, effective immediately.
THE CURSIVE COMEBACK: Cursive was part of the required Common Core Standards for K-12 education in the U.S until 2010. After that, it was left up to individual states and nearly half passed laws mandating cursive lessons in K-12 — up from only 10 states in 2014.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SQUIGGLES: Researchers say that writing by hand can stimulate memory and recall better than typing, as it forces the brain to slow down and synthesize information. Moreover, a 2025 study showed that writing in cursive (as opposed to block letters) activates parts of the brain that encourage greater cognitive engagement.
- The cursive embrace comes as more educators are turning to pen-and-paper exams to deter students from using AI to cheat.

With cursive coming back, cellphone bans in classrooms, and fewer kids allergic to peanuts, classrooms in 2026 are starting to look pretty old-school. Better brush up on that chicken-scratch! 🐔✍️

Sam,
Associate Producer

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

Trump Launches Board of Peace, Unveils $25B Gaza Makeover

President Donald Trump formally unveiled his proposed Board of Peace on Thursday, pitching it as a new international body to secure a lasting peace in Gaza — and potentially reshape how global conflicts are handled.

HOW WE GOT HERE: The board was initially conceived as a new governance framework for Gaza. But, Trump has ambitions past Gaza.
- “Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations,” Trump said, adding that while many of the 59 leaders involved are “very popular,” others are “not so popular.”

Invitees included dozens of world leaders ranging from Pope Leo XIV to Russia's Vladimir Putin. A number of countries have already signed on. At least 19 leaders were on stage for the announcement — including from Argentina, Armenia, Hungary, Indonesia, Kosovo, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

But several U.S. allies were not in attendance, and have major concerns about the board, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, and Sweden. There are also questions about whether the board could act as a rival to the UN.

WHO CAN JOIN?
Trump, as chairman, would hold the power to decide the agenda and remove members — subject to a veto by a two-thirds majority of member states. Members serve for three years, but can pay $1 billion for permanent membership, according to a draft charter. The membership fees will reportedly go toward operating the board.

Russia has signaled it may contribute the $1 billion, but only if its assets currently frozen in the U.S. are released.

While Trump has framed the Board of Peace as a vehicle for stability, specifics about enforcement, funding, and coordination with existing international institutions remain unclear.

GAZA PLAN
After the Board of Peace signing Thursday, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner unveiled a sweeping $25 billion vision for Gaza, featuring coastal high-rises, tourism zones, and industrial hubs. He estimated parts of the plan could be completed within two to three years. He insisted there is “no Plan B” for the territory’s future.

Kushner, who helped broker the Gaza ceasefire, said the next phase would involve working with Hamas on demilitarization — which the terrorist group still has not agreed to. The 100-day plan also includes restoration of basic infrastructure like water, sewage, and electric systems, in addition to more flow of goods into the enclave.

Kushner argued that Gaza has “amazing potential” and could reach full employment once security and governance are established, adding that the White House wants to bring “free market economy principles to Gaza.” There is still little agreement on who will govern the territory in this post-war plan, raising questions about the possibilities of this next phase.

WATCHING IRAN
A U.S. aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, is set to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days. Trump called it “a massive armada” heading in the direction of the Iranian regime. On Thursday, he warned that the U.S. is watching Iran “very closely.”

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff hinted Wednesday that “discussions” between the U.S. and Iran had “resulted in the Iranian statement that the killings will stop,” referring to the crackdown that could have killed more than 20,000 people.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARTNER

Tips From Our Laundry Lowdown 🧺

Does it feel like you can’t get the stink out of your workout clothes?

@Downy laundry scientist Sammy explains that the synthetic fabrics used in athletic wear can trap grease and odor-causing buildup. Downy Rinse Out Odor fabric rinse can help break down and remove that residue trapped within fabric fibers. #ad

Another way to prevent odors from setting in is to let workout clothes air-dry first outside the hamper before washing them with the rest of your laundry.

Catch more tips on The Laundry Lowdown series on the Mo News podcast, where Sammy answers your questions about everyday laundry challenges

🚨 ONE THING WE’RE FOLLOWING

Dangerous Winter Storm Set To Impact Much Of The U.S.

The National Weather Service warned Thursday that 160 million Americans are under winter weather alerts for heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain in the next several days. The storm — which is set to affect up to 230 million people — is expected to stretch nearly 2,000 miles across the country as it persist into early next week.

Wind chills of 40 to 50 below zero are possible in parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes — conditions that can cause frostbite in just minutes of outdoor exposure.
The big concern around the country is that ice and snow will weigh down trees and power lines, cut electricity, and make roads and sidewalks unsafe well into next week.

Officials are urging people to limit travel and prepare now — charging phones in advance and stocking up on essentials.

STATES PREPARE & RESPOND
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties across the state, as the storm arrives as early as Friday afternoon. Texas and other Gulf Coast states could see feels-like temperatures in the single digits to -10°F.

Back in 2021, the Texas power grid failed during a major winter storm — this time, the governor said there is “no expectation” that will happen. He urged residents to begin preparing: “You’re gonna have the ability within your own hands to be able to save your own lives,” he said.

STATE OF PLAY: Governors in Georgia, Virginia, and Arkansas also issued emergency declarations ahead of the storm. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said 2,000 sanitation workers will be deployed Saturday for pre-storm treatment before the storm moves North on Sunday.

BIGGER PICTURE
Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of the U.S. is facing drought or unusual dryness — making this the driest national stretch since 2012. A severe snow drought in the West could cause major water supply issues and wildfire risks come summertime.

UTAH VS. FLORIDA: About 93% of Utah is in some level of drought, with temperatures nearly 10 degrees above average. Utah’s Salt Lake Valley has seen just 0.1 inches of snow. Meanwhile, parts of Florida’s Panhandle picked up as much as an inch last week.
- Not enough snowfall out West impacts the already-strained Colorado River, the water source for much of the region. It's also impacting local economies centered on ski and winter activity tourism.

La Niña–related cooler waters, a persistent marine heat wave in the North Pacific, and climate change are all contributing to the drought. Blizzards, like we are set to see, are also expected to get more intense as temperatures around the globe rise.

⏳ THE SPEED READ

🚨NATION

5-year-old preschooler detained by ICE as Minnesota schools sound alarm (MO NEWS)
Jack Smith testifies evidence showed Trump crimes in 2020 election effort (GUARDIAN)
Magistrate judge rejects charges against Don Lemon over anti-ICE protest in Minnesota church (CBS)
U.S. murder rate hits lowest level since 1900, report says (AXIOS)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

Greenland PM on U.S. deal: “I don’t know what’s concrete” (MO NEWS)
Japan suspends world’s largest nuclear plant hours after restart (BBC)
Mexican authorities arrest alleged crime figure ‘El Botox’ in killing of lime growers’ leader (AP)
Three journalists killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza, including cameraman who worked with CBS News (CBS)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

Trump sues JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon for $5 billion over alleged ‘debanking’ (NBC)
Elon Musk, a fierce Davos critic, tells World Economic Forum that robots will outnumber humans (CBS)
Trump pushes for lower rates and ban on investor home purchases in bid to make homes more affordable (AP)
Colorectal cancer is now the deadliest cancer for those under 50, in grim milestone (USA TODAY)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Late-night and daytime talk shows must offer equal time for candidate interviews, FCC says (NBC)
Harry Styles announces 2026 tour dates, Including 30 nights in New York City (VARIETY)
Patriots head to Denver with Super Bowl trip on the line (AXIOS)
‘Heated Rivalry’ stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie head to 2026 Olympics as torchbearers (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… Sinners clinched the record for most Oscar nominations in film history – with 16 – as the Academy Awards announced their 2026 slate on Thursday.

It beat the previous record of 14 nominations, held by Titanic, La La Land, and All About Eve.
Other Best Picture contenders include One Battle After Another, a nearly three-hour action film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which scored 13 nominations. It was followed by the 2025 adaptation of Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and the Norwegian film Sentimental Value — each with 9 nominations.

Meanwhile, Wicked: For Good was not so “popular” with the Academy… it received no nominations. The first Wicked film received 10 nominations last year.

Trump Reaches Tentative Deal On Greenland, Drops Europe Tariff Threat