Football playoffs, winter blast, copter crash investigation: 5 things you need to know this weekend
Winter storm slams parts of the US
A powerful winter storm is making its way across parts of the United States as millions of travelers head home this weekend. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for far eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska through Saturday. By Saturday, the storm will likely hit parts of northern Michigan, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and northern Iowa with freezing rain or snow. The weather service said wind-driven snow could create white-out conditions Saturday night into Sunday. As it heads east, the storm will likely spread snow and some freezing rain from the Northern Plains to northern New England.
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Amid horse deaths, Santa Anita hosts rescheduled race
The opening day of Santa Anita's winter-spring meet will be held Saturday, after the event was originally pushed back two days due to rain forecasts. The Southern California racetrack announced the decision to postpone the race last week, marking the first time the event was not held on Dec. 26 since 1973-74. The race was postponed due to safety concerns, and comes after a total of 37 horses have died at Santa Anita since last December.
Hawaii copter crash investigation continues
Six bodies been have recovered and authorities believe there are no survivors after a helicopter carrying seven people crashed on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Wreckage from the crash was located Friday in Kōke‘e near Nu‘alolo, according to the Kauai Police Department. Before fog and poor visibility suspended recovery efforts Friday, first responders had located six bodies, a spokesman for the Kauai Fire Department said during a press conference.
College playoff semifinals begin and NFL regular season ends
It's a dream weekend for football fans in both the college and professional ranks. The College Football Playoff semifinals take center stage on Saturday when No. 1 LSU faces No. 4 Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl (4 p.m. ET) and No. 2 Ohio State takes on No. 3 Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl (8 p.m. ET). On Sunday, the NFL regular season comes to a close. The Tennessee Titans can secure the final AFC playoff spot with a win over the Houston Texans (4:25 p.m. ET), while a loss opens up the door to the Pittsburgh Steelers or Oakland Raiders. Two divisions are still in play in the NFC, with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys facing separate NFC East foes for the division crown in 4:25 p.m. ET games, while the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC West title at 8:20 p.m. ET.
- Ohio State and Clemson battle in the Fiesta Bowl
- Oklahoma vs. LSU: Sooners downplay pressure after three College Football Playoff losses
- Fiesta Bowl: Does playoff experience give Trevor Lawrence, Clemson edge?
- NFL's Titans take on Texans in key AFC matchup
- Eagles, Cowboys both eye NFC East crown
- Seahawks, 49ers face off for NFC West honors
Truck bomb in Somalia kills dozens
A truck bomb of undetermined origin exploded at a busy security checkpoint in Somalia’s capital Saturday morning, killing at least 61 people, authorities said. It was one of the deadliest attacks in Mogadishu in recent memory. The toll was likely to rise as scores of people were rushed to hospitals, government spokesman Ismail Mukhtar told The Associated Press. Abdiqadir Abdirahman, the director of the Aamin Ambulance service, said more than 50 others were wounded. Mayor Omar Mohamud Mohamed, speaking at the scene, said university students were among those killed. Police said the dead also included two Turkish nationals.
The Associated Press contributed.