HOUSTON, Texas – Here’s a look at your top stories to help start your day.
New SNAP work requirements are here. What to know
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has expanded work requirements for recipients under a law signed last year, now applying to adults 55–64 and to parents without young children, ending exemptions for certain groups like veterans and the homeless. Under the changes, able-bodied adults must work, volunteer or train for at least 80 hours per month or risk losing benefits after three months in three years, with implementation dates varying by state. Some states already saw reductions in benefits, and others are beginning the “three-month clock” for compliance; exemptions and delays vary based on local unemployment conditions.
NASA delays the first Artemis moonshot with astronauts because of extreme cold at the launch site
NASA postponed its first crewed Artemis lunar mission due to unusually cold weather forecasts at Cape Canaveral, Florida, canceling a critical fueling test and dress rehearsal for the 322-foot rocket and rescheduling launch preparations. The mission, which aimed to send four astronauts around the moon and back, now targets no earlier than Feb. 8, 2026, with only a few feasible launch days in February before potential delays into March. Efforts to keep systems warm include heaters for the Orion capsule and adjustments to rocket purging, while the crew remains in quarantine in Houston awaiting better conditions.
Health officials confirm measles exposure at Disneyland and related locations
Health agencies in California say an infectious international traveler who passed through Los Angeles International Airport visited Disneyland Resort locations on Jan. 28, including Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel and both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, potentially exposing visitors during those time windows. People present at those locations during the listed times may be at risk of developing measles 7–21 days after exposure, and health officials are advising potentially exposed individuals to check immunity and contact healthcare providers for guidance.
Speaker Johnson faces tough choices as partial government shutdown drags and debate over ICE deepens
House Speaker Mike Johnson is navigating a complex political landscape as Congress works to fund the government and avoid a prolonged partial shutdown, with disagreements intensifying over immigration enforcement and policies related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A temporary funding deal split Homeland Security funding from broader appropriations after public outrage over protests and shootings in Minneapolis, and lawmakers from both parties are pushing competing proposals for changes to ICE operations and oversight as part of broader negotiations.
Groundhog Day puts Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast about winter’s length in the spotlight
On Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, crowds gathered for the annual tradition where weather-predicting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil’s emergence and whether he sees his shadow is viewed as an omen about the length of winter. The event draws thousands and is rooted in a three-year-long-standing cultural tradition tied to seasonal weather folklore.