A winter storm is stretching from coast to coast causing major disruptions across the U.S., including canceling thousands of flights; a local TV news reporter has been shot and killed while at the scene of an earlier homicide; Russia is expanding its nuclear arsenal; and a mysterious sphere washes ashore. These stories and more make up the daily rundown for Feb. 23, 2023.

Winter storm disrupts flights and travel across U.S.

More than 8,000 flights were canceled or delayed yesterday as a late winter storm began to threaten travel conditions. Schools are closed, major highways from Arizona up to Wyoming are closed, and some drivers are trapped in the bad weather.

More than half a million people in Michigan had their power go out after trees and power lines toppled and snapped in an ice storm.

Heavy snow, freezing rain, and bitter cold arctic air are all posing dangers to millions of Americans today as the storm is expected to continue across the upper Midwest. It will then sweep toward the east.

Buttigieg tours Ohio train derailment site

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is currently meeting with officials from the National Transportation Safety board and the Environmental Protection Agency that is overseeing the contamination cleanup at the site of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment.

The EPA says they are moving from the emergency phase of the response to the longer-term recovery phase.

Buttigieg announced earlier this week a list of reforms meant to improve rail safety in the U.S.

TV reporter among those killed in Florida shootings

A local TV news reporter and a 9-year-old girl are among three people killed and two others wounded in shootings in Orlando, Florida.

On Wednesday morning, a woman in her twenties was shot and killed. Later that afternoon, as a news crew was on scene reporting on the homicide, Spectrum News 13 reporter Dylon Lyons was shot and killed. And a photographer was critically injured according to the news station.

At another scene, a 9-year-old child was shot and killed and her mother was also shot. The deadly rampage ended after law enforcement arrested and charged suspected shooter 19-year-old Keith Melvin Moses.

The Orange County Sheriff said Moses has a lengthy criminal record that includes gun charges and charges for aggravated battery and assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and grand theft. 

Putin advances Russia’s nuclear forces

One day before the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Russia’s president Vladimir Putin is vowing to boost Russia’s nuclear forces.

The announcement of expanding its nuclear arsenal comes just two days after Putin announced a suspension of a nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the U.S. Putin’s plan is to boost nuclear missiles on land, sea, and in the air.

In Thursday’s address, Putin also said a weapon able to carry multiple nuclear warheads would be deployed this year.

Tomorrow, Russia and China will begin joint military exercises in South Africa, where Russia has sent a warship equipped with hypersonic missiles.

The war, one year in, is still escalating despite thousands already killed and millions displaced since the start of the war.

Iran acknowledges 84% uranium enrichment

Meanwhile, in Iran today, leaders there are acknowledging for the first time accusations that the country has enriched uranium to 84% purity, which puts the Islamic republic closer than ever to weapons grade material.

Weapons-grade uranium is enriched up to 90%. International inspectors have warned Iran now has enough uranium to produce “several” nuclear bombs. But Iran insists its nuclear program is “completely peaceful.”

The acknowledgement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council today is putting renewed pressure on the U.S. and its Western allies to address the country’s nuclear capabilities. While Israel is threatening military action over Iran’s nuclear program.

Unruly passenger causes flight diversion

An American airlines flight going from Jacksonville, Florida, to Washington, D.C., had to make an unexpected stop in Raleigh, North Carolina, due to a disruptive passenger.

When the plane diverted and landed, law enforcement boarded the aircraft and took the customer into custody.

In scanner audio from airport police, you can hear officers say the passenger tried to breach the cockpit and the flight crew was trying to restrain the customer.

According to a CNN source, the passenger was a woman who was having a panic attack. The FAA is now investigating to determine if federal charges will be filed.

Mystery sphere washes ashore

A giant sphere has been discovered on a beach in Japan and local officials are baffled by it. The mysterious object’s origins remain unknown.

Local police and a bomb squad were sent out to investigate the ball. By conducting X-rays on the object, they were able to at least determine that it is hollow. And officials say it’s not a threat. Some are even suspecting it could just be some type of buoy.

But others on the internet have deemed it as a Godzilla egg, a dragon ball, or something made by aliens in a far away galaxy. None of which we can confirm nor deny.