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

“I’m at a payphone”… saying, “Hello from the other side” 🎶

A social experiment is underway on the streets of San Francisco, California and Abilene, Texas, aimed at bridging the political divide and remembering our collective humanity.

The biotech company Matter Neuroscience installed two retrofitted payphones in those politically opposed cities – conservative Abilene, and liberal San Francisco.

The project is called “The Party Line,” and it began over the weekend. The payphone in San Francisco has a sign on top that says “Call a Republican,” and the payphone in Abilene says “Call a Democrat.”
THE WHY: “Research shows that the core molecules associated with happiness are the same in all human brains, regardless of political identity. This project’s goal is to highlight that,” per Matter Neuroscience’s Instagram post.

The payphones can only call each other. All of the conversations will be recorded, with a plan to share some of them online around the end of January.

Claire
Mo News Intern

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

Trump Says He Has ‘Framework’ Of A Deal Greenland; Details Remain Private

President Trump told world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos Wednesday that he would not use military force to acquire Greenland. Hours later, Trump said he agreed to a “framework of a future deal” on Greenland with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and was dropping his new tariff threat.

Here’s what we know about a potential deal:
One option discussed would have Denmark give the U.S. sovereignty over small pockets of Greenlandic land where the U.S. could build military bases, according to three senior officials familiar with the discussion, per the NY Times.

Two of the officials, who attended the meeting, compared it to how the UK controls bases in Cyprus, which are regarded as British territory within the country.
- Asked for a comment about the deal and its contents, NATO said that “negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States will go forward aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold — economically or militarily — in Greenland.”

Look out for more details to come out over the next 24-48 hours after Trump spent days insisting that Denmark must give the U.S. control of Greenland moving forward.

During his Davos speech, Trump doubled down on the idea that U.S. control of Greenland is “vital” to both American and European security.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES
The apparent de-escalation came hours after Trump’s fiery, hour-long speech earlier today. Take a listen some of his remarks about other world leaders.

🚨 ONE THING TO UPDATE

Minnesota Latest: Local Police Say ICE Is Profiling & Harassing Off-Duty Cops Of Color

Tensions around the Trump administration’s immigration surge in the Twin Cities remain high three weeks after the shooting of Renee Good — and there is no sign of de-escalation. Federal officials appear determined to continue the operation, while state and local leaders keep pushing back, criticizing the tactics used by ICE agents.

THE FEDS VS. THE LOCALS: Federal prosecutors subpoenaed six offices of state and local Democrats — from Minnesota’s governor to the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul — over an investigation into whether state and local leaders impeded the federal immigration operation.
- Vice President JD Vance is set to be on the ground in Minneapolis Thursday to meet with ICE officers and defend the operation.
- The federal government is set to send even more personnel to the city, with the Pentagon sending military attorneys to assist the DOJ and ordering more active-duty soldiers to ready for possible Minneapolis deployment.
- ICE is claiming broad authority to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, according to an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press.
LOCAL REACTION: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have accused the federal government of weaponizing the DOJ to intimidate local leaders.
- A statewide “ICE Out of Minnesota” protest is planned for Friday. The Wall Street Journal describes the pushback from residents as a “tinderbox” of tensions.
- Saint Paul Public Schools is offering temporary online classes for all its 33,000 students starting tomorrow “for safety reasons.”

THE FEDERAL OPERATION
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says more than 3,000 undocumented migrants have been arrested in the Minneapolis area in the past month and a half.

In the crackdown, federal immigration agents have racially profiled and harassed off-duty local police officers of color, according to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley.

He detailed how ICE agents pulled over one of his officers. He said the officer was boxed in by agents who drew guns and demanded her paperwork— without probable cause. When she tried to record the encounter, Bruley said, an agent knocked away her phone. After she identified herself as law enforcement, the agents abruptly left.
- DHS disputed the claim Wednesday, and have repeatedly denied racially profiling residents.
- MORE CONTEXT: The Supreme Court ruled in September that DHS agents may stop people based on factors like language or appearance, though the decision formally applies only to parts of Southern California. Critics warn the ruling could open the door to broader racial profiling nationwide.

“If it’s happening to our officers, it pains me to think how many people in our community are experiencing this every day,” Bruley said. “It has to stop.”

🚨 ONE THING WE’RE FOLLOWING

Time To Stock Up: Massive Winter Storm To Hit The US

Over 175 million Americans are in the path of a massive winter storm that is set to hit more than 30 states this weekend, with snow and ice potentially causing long power outages and travel delays. Some communities affected by the storm could see temps as low as 20℉.

The system is expected to reach Texas sometime on Friday, and then make its way through the Deep South and the Tennessee Valley before eventually reaching the mid-Atlantic Coast.
- On Sunday into Monday, heavy snow is possible in parts of the Ohio Valley and Northeast. The forecast shows more than 12 inches of snow across NY, NJ, PA and New England.
People living in Dallas, Texas; Shreveport, Louisiana; Atlanta, Georgia; and Charlotte, North Carolina, should “prepare like a hurricane is coming," WSVN meteorologist Dylan Federico posted on X.

Forecasts show widespread ice accumulations of 1 to 2+ inches in the area. For context, just a half inch is considered catastrophic. That amount of ice can add hundreds of pounds to trees and power lines, and unlike snow, it can’t be plowed away — potentially leaving even emergency vehicles unable to move safely.

TIME TO PREPARE
The National Weather Service recommends keeping enough non-perishable food, water, and medication for at least three days, while also ensuring you have warm clothing, blankets, and an updated first aid kit. The organization also recommends charging your phone in advance (in case of power outages) and setting up alerts for the storm.

People in affected regions should trim tree limbs close to their properties and avoid traveling north, Federico recommends.

The storm is a result of a few different systems coming together. An Arctic High above the Great Lakes region will bring cold air to much of the South. Meanwhile, a storm system beginning in the Southwest will head east, while moisture lifts north to the region. These phenomena converging will cause both cold temperatures and heavy precipitation in much of the South.

⏳ THE SPEED READ

🚨NATION

Supreme Court appears inclined to prevent Trump from firing Fed governor (MO NEWS)
Immigration officer injured during targeted operation in Los Angeles area (NBC)
House Democrats come out en masse against DHS funding bill (POLITICO)
Michele Tafoya, a longtime sportscaster, launches a Republican bid for US Senate in Minnesota (CNN)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

A list of countries joining Trump’s Board of Peace: Those not joining and those not committed (AP)
Prince Harry gets emotional, invokes Princess Diana in testimony against UK tabloids (ABC)
Life sentence for man who killed Japan’s ex-PM Shinzo Abe (BBC)
Second rail tragedy rocks Spain, as passenger train derails days after dozens killed in high-speed collision (CNN)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

Iconic Coney Island hot dog hawker Nathan’s Famous is sold for $450 million (AP)
Ryanair CEO dismisses Elon Musk’s idea of buying the airline as verbal feud escalates (ABC)
Japan’s TEPCO restarts nuclear reactor for the first time since Fukushima (NBC)
Red Cross flags blood shortage, says patients may face ‘serious risk’ (USATODAY)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Taylor Swift called Justin Baldoni an expletive, texts in Blake Lively lawsuit reveal (NBC)
Rachel McAdams receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (KTLA)
‘Queer Eye’ feud ignited after cast was caught trash-talking Karamo Brown (PAGE SIX)
Late-night hosts discuss Trump’s first year back in office (MASHABLE)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… Taylor Swift was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Wednesday, becoming the youngest female honoree in the group’s history at age 36.
Stevie Wonder was inducted at age 32 in 1983.

To qualify, a songwriter’s first release must be at least 20 years old. Swift’s debut single, “Tim McGraw,” released in June 2006 from her self-titled debut album.
Swift selected “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” “Blank Space,” “Anti-Hero,” “Love Story,” and “The Last Great American Dynasty” for her successful submission.

The induction ceremony is June 11 in New York City. It will also honor Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, and Kiss members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, among others.