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Mar-a-Lago Shooting, Golden Finish, & Cheapest Flight Day
News without the noise
Good Morning! Today’s edition is 898 words, a 4-minute read.
What’s on tap:
Cartel boss killed
Northeast blizzard
Pup rescue
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Big Stories
Mar-a-Lago Breach Shooting
An armed man drove through the security perimeter of President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach around 1:30 a.m. Sunday before being shot and killed by Secret Service agents and a sheriff's deputy. Trump was not present — he and Melania Trump were at the White House.
Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of North Carolina, had a shotgun and a gas can when he entered through the north gate as another vehicle was exiting. When ordered to drop his weapons, he put down the gas can and raised the shotgun before agents opened fire. Martin had been reported missing by his family days earlier. His cousin described him as quiet, afraid of guns, and from a family of Trump supporters.
The FBI is investigating with motive unknown. It is the third security incident targeting Trump following two assassination attempts during the 2024 presidential campaign.
A Golden Finish
The US men's hockey team won Olympic gold Sunday, beating Canada 2-1 in overtime on a goal by Jack Hughes 1:41 into the extra period. Hughes, bleeding from a high stick that cost him several teeth late in regulation, took a pass from Zach Werenski and fired the puck between the legs of Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington.
It is only the third US men's hockey gold ever, following 1960 and the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves as Canada outshot the US 42-25. The US women beat Canada in overtime three days earlier, giving the country a golden sweep.
The hockey gold pushed Team USA to 12 gold medals at the Milan Cortina Games, a new Winter Olympics record, breaking the previous record of 10 set at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. The US tally was second to Norway’s 18.
El Mencho Killed
El Mencho, the leader of Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel and one of the world's most wanted drug traffickers, was reportedly killed Sunday by Mexican security forces in the western state of Jalisco. The US had offered a $15 million reward for the 59-year-old, accused of smuggling cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine across the US border.
His reported death unleashed chaos across at least eight Mexican states, where cartel fighters set up burning roadblocks and airlines canceled regional flights. Smoke filled the skies over tourist hubs, while Guadalajara, a 2026 World Cup host city, saw vehicles torched, airport panic, and prison riots that shut down entire neighborhoods.
Mexico’s Jalisco cartel has emerged as the country’s most powerful criminal organization, overtaking the Sinaloa cartel once led by imprisoned kingpin El Chapo.
Quick Stories
US News
Crews recovered all nine skiers killed in a California avalanche Saturday, ending a five-day search northwest of Lake Tahoe. (More)
A blizzard is hitting the Northeast, with up to 20 inches expected in New York and New Jersey. Officials are urging 63 million people under winter alerts to stay home. (More)
TSA reversed course, saying its PreCheck fast-lane program will keep running during the government shutdown, though delays are possible if staffing gets tight (More)
World
Pakistan says it was targeting Pakistani Taliban hideouts in retaliation after suicide bombers killed 13 soldiers. Afghanistan says the strikes hit civilians, including women and children. (More)
Hungary is blocking a €90 billion EU war loan to Ukraine, demanding it repair a Russian-damaged pipeline and resume oil deliveries to Hungary before any funds are released (More)
Argentina's tire maker FATE is closing after 80 years, unable to compete with cheap Asian imports. Over 22,000 companies have shut down since Milei slashed tariffs two years ago. (More)
Business & Economy
US stock markets closed higher on Friday (S&P +0.69%, Nasdaq +0.90%, Dow +0.47%). (More)
President Trump raised his global tariff to 15% Saturday, just one day after announcing a 10% rate following the Supreme Court striking down most of his sweeping tariffs. (More)
JPMorgan admitted in a court filing that it closed Trump's accounts after January 6th — the first time the bank confirmed it in writing. (More)
Sports & Entertainment
Jacob Bridgeman held on to win the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, surviving a late charge from Rory McIlroy to claim his first PGA Tour title by one shot. (More)
Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another won six BAFTAs, including best film, while Ryan Coogler's Sinners won three, setting a record for most wins by a Black filmmaker. (More)
No. 3 Duke beat top-ranked Michigan 68-63 Saturday, with Cameron Boozer scoring 18 points. The Wolverines had won 11 straight. (More)
Science, Health, & Tech
A 1,000-year-old tomb found in Panama held a high-ranking individual buried with gold bracelets, earrings, and crocodile ornaments. (More)
Scientists found bed bugs actively avoid wet surfaces because moisture can block their breathing. If you suspect bugs are on you, researchers say the fix is simple: take a bath. (More)
Reading, writing, and learning foreign languages throughout your life could cut Alzheimer's risk by 38%, a new study found, and delay its onset by five years on average. (More)
Extra Credit
How social media influencers get taxed.
Puppy abandoned at airport adopted by cop who rescued him.
Expedia says Friday is now the cheapest day to fly.
Friends are co-buying homes to achieve the American dream.
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