A rare winter storm has blanketed North Florida and the Panhandle, bringing record-breaking snowfall to Pensacola. While official measurements are still pending, reports from Escambia County indicate as much as 5.5 inches of snow, surpassing the area’s all-time record of 3 inches set in 1895. Some areas are saying as much as 8 inches of snow has fallen. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Sunday, Jan. 19, as forecasters warned of one of the most severe storms in Gulf Coast history. Amid the chaos, Rabbi Mendel and Nechama Danow, Chabad emissaries to Pensacola, told YWN that the Chabad House remains open.

Harvard University has reached settlements in two lawsuits accusing the institution of fostering antisemitism on campus. The lawsuits, filed by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education, and Students Against Antisemitism, alleged a hostile educational environment for Jewish students. As part of the settlements, Harvard agreed to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The university will also update its bullying policies with examples illustrating how Zionism is a central aspect of many Jewish identities. The updated policies explicitly state that conduct targeting Jewish or Israeli individuals, including Zionists, could violate Harvard’s non-discrimination rules.

Rep. Elise Stefanik opened her confirmation hearing Tuesday for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations by pledging to implement President Donald Trump’s “America First” mandate and roll out a review of U.S. funding for some of the world body’s agencies. Noting that the U.S. is the largest single contributor to the United Nations, she pointed to the children’s agency UNICEF and the World Food Program as examples of U.N. entities that are “effective,” but said the U.S. has to ensure its investments are making America safer, stronger and more prosperous — echoing Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Israeli President Yitzchak Herzog, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, admitted that his long-standing support for a two-state solution has been deeply shaken following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Herzog, a former leader of the Labor Party and a long-time advocate of the two-state solution, described the massacre as a “wake-up call” that has forced him to reassess the feasibility of peace under current circumstances. “I supported the two-state solution many times in the past,” Herzog acknowledged, “but after October 7, I need to hear my neighbors clearly condemn such acts of terror.

A handwritten manuscript by the revered Torah commentator and mekubal, the Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh, sold for a staggering $700,000 plus commission in an online auction hosted by Kedem Auction House on Tuesday. The manuscript reflects the extraordinary legacy of Rav Chaim ben Attar, known universally as the Ohr HaChaim. Born in 1696 in Salé, Morocco, Rav Chaim remains a luminary in the Jewish world, renowned for his pirush on the Torah, Or HaChaim al HaTorah, which continues to inspire generations. The Ohr HaChaim’s early years were marked by intellectual brilliance and resilience. At nine years old, his family fled to Meknes, Morocco, escaping the oppression of an antisemitic vizier.

In her budget address Tuesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a plan to ban smartphone use in schools starting next academic year. Key elements of the proposal include: Requiring students to disconnect from devices during school hours. Allowing schools flexibility in implementing the ban. Providing exceptions for medical needs, non-English speakers, and students with learning disabilities. Offering state financial support to help schools transition. “A recent poll revealed that over 72% of teachers, high school teachers across the nation, report that cell phones in the classroom are major disruptions for their students,” Hochul said. “In fact, 95% of their students have access to a smartphone.

In a bold move to appeal to President Donald Trump, NYC Mayor Eric Adams sat down for an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, set to air Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Carlson’s network. The mayor, who has faced mounting criticism from within his party, defended his stance in a preview shared on X: “People often say, ‘you don’t sound like a Democrat, and you seem to have left the party,’” Adams said. “No, the party left me, and it left working-class people.” Adams’ spokespeople did not publicize the interview or list it on his daily schedule. Kayla Mamelak Altus, the mayor’s spokesperson, explained that interviews airing only on social media are typically excluded from the schedule.

A suspected stabbing attack in Tel Aviv’s bustling Nachalat Binyamin area on Monday night has left three people injured, one of them seriously. According to Magen David Adom (MDA), the incident occurred at approximately 9:12 PM, with stabbings reported at two locations: Rechov Nachalat Binyamin and Rechov Kalisher. MDA emergency teams treated three victims at the scene: two 24-year-old men and a 59-year-old man, all of whom are in mild condition. A fourth individual, who was initially reported in serious condition, is receiving intensive medical care. The suspected terrorist was neutralized by a bystander—a woman who used a gun to stop the attacker. Authorities have praised her decisive actions, which likely prevented further casualties.

Egg prices have reached staggering levels in recent months, with some shoppers shocked to see a dozen eggs selling for more than $9 at select retailers. The price surge has been driven primarily by a widespread avian flu outbreak that has significantly reduced the supply of egg-laying hens. In December 2024, the wholesale price of eggs averaged $4.62 per dozen, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, retail prices vary widely depending on transportation costs, local demand, and market competition. As of January 10, 2025, the average cost per dozen eggs stood at $8.04 in California and $6.25 in New York. The ongoing avian flu outbreak, which began in early 2022, has been the largest factor behind the soaring prices.

Hamas announced Tuesday that it will release four Israeli female hostages on Saturday as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel, which also includes the release of Palestinian security prisoners. Taher al-Nunu, a senior Hamas official, confirmed the upcoming release but did not disclose the names of the hostages. The terms of the agreement require Hamas to provide the names at least 24 hours in advance, though the terrorist group missed this deadline for earlier releases. Seven female hostages remain from the original list of 33 slated for release in the first phase of the deal. This group includes two civilians and five female soldiers.