Le Journal

What to KnowA whopper of a winter storm is set to impact a large chunk of the U.S. – from Texas to the East Coast – this weekend. Unfortunately, it’s unclear this far in advance just how much we might get. A northern track means that the low-pressure system will be closer to the tri-state and snow is more likely. Conversely, a more southern track means the low will be displaced from the tri-state and the bulk of the snow would be well to our south.We are confident that this storm will track south of New York City, so within the tri-state, Central and South Jersey are most likely to see heavy snow. The Hudson Valley is least likely to see heavy accumulation. A whopper of a winter storm is set to impact a large chunk of the U.S. – from Texas to the East Coast – this weekend.  The question on the minds of everyone in the tri-state: “Will we be snowed in by the end of next weekend?” Unfortunately, the answer to that question isn’t crystal clear this far in advance. We are certain that a major winter storm will be taking shape. Whether or not we get snow in the tri-state, let alone how much, will depend on that track of the storm. That is the tricky part of this weekend’s forecast. A northern track means that the low pressure system will be closer to the tri-state and snow is more likely. Conversely, a more southern track means the low will be displaced from the tri-state and the bulk of the snow would be well to our south. The other near-certainty in this weekend’s forecast is that temperatures in the tri-state will be bitterly cold.  Highs will only be in the teens. That frigid air will be very dry, which means that there may not be enough moisture to produce a ton of snow.  Often, when an extremely cold air mass like this anchors over the Northeast, winter storm tracks track far south, where moisture is much more abundant, and the deepest snow winds up south of New York City. The European long-range forecast model depicts more of a northerly track to the storm. Its American counterpart is hedging the track south. And, as the tracks suggest, the European model is much more bullish on snow, with an estimated 12+ inches for much of the tri-state. The American model remains more modest, at 3-5 inches. We are confident that this storm will track south of New York City, so within the tri-state, Central and South Jersey are most likely to pick up a big snow. The Hudson Valley is least likely.  For the East Coast, the area most likely to be hardest-hit will be Washington and the Delmarva Peninsula southward into the Carolinas. We’re still several days away from this storm impacting us, so expect the forecast to change as we continue to get more data. Be sure to check back with StormTeam 4, and, you can always get the latest forecast on NBC4 New York.

Tackling an issue with huge ramifications for both the economy and the structure of government, the Supreme Court on Wednesday considers President Donald Trump’s attempt to oust Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook. With Trump seeking to exert control over the central bank, which, among other things, sets interest rates, the case has taken on even greater importance after it emerged that the Justice Department is investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Congress set up the Federal Reserve to be independent, so it would not be influenced by immediate political concerns in fulfilling its mandate to maintain price stability and low unemployment. Under the Federal Reserve Act, presidents are restricted from removing governors unless it is “for cause,” meaning there is evidence of wrongdoing. Trump has said he wants to fire Cook for cause, over allegations of mortgage fraud made by one of his political appointees, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte. Cook has denied the allegations, and bank documents obtained by NBC News appear to contradict the fraud claim. The Supreme Court in October refused to allow Trump to fire Cook immediately, instead scheduling oral arguments in the case, suggesting the administration may face an uphill battle over his claim that the decision to remove her cannot be challenged in court. Cook’s lawyers argue she should have notice and a chance to rebut Trump’s stated reasons for firing her before she can be removed. They say Trump’s rationale does not meet the threshold for “for cause” removal. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, representing the Trump administration, says in court papers that Cook has no right to any kind of hearing challenging her firing. It is up to the president alone to decide whether the “for cause” hurdle is met under the powers allocated to him under Section 2 of the Constitution, he said. Powell is expected to attend Wednesday’s argument. Trump has long been critical of the Fed, and Powell in particular, for not doing more to lower interest rates, though he originally appointed Powell to the position in 2017. Trump has not moved to fire Powell, though the Justice Department investigation, related to testimony Powell gave to Congress about refurbishments at the Fed’s headquarters in Washington, could similarly give him a reason. Although Powell’s term as chair ends in May, he could stay as a board member until 2028. President Joe Biden appointed Cook to a term that ends in 2038. Trump Administration Jan 20 Jerome Powell to attend Supreme Court arguments in case on Trump's power to fire Fed Gov. Lisa Cook Trump Administration Sep 18, 2025 Trump asks the Supreme Court to allow him to fire Fed member Lisa Cook Trump Administration Sep 15, 2025 Senate confirms Trump Fed pick; appeals court blocks removal of Lisa Cook The Trump administration’s handling of Cook and Powell has raised alarm among former Fed officials and Trump critics who say the Federal Reserve must maintain its independence to be effective and fear it could be directly controlled by the White House. “We are in an unprecedented moment right now. President Donald Trump is doing everything he can to take over America’s central bank so that it works for him, along with his billionaire friends,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told reporters last week. While Warren has been a critic of Fed policies that she sees as favoring Wall Street and big banks, she added, “I think we can all agree that the Fed works best when its decisions are based on data.” Economists warn that lower rates in the short term to achieve Trump’s political goals could have negative long-term consequences. “This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly,” former Fed chairs and other former…

The last cellphone ping for Emilio Acosta was detected not far from the American Dream Mall in New Jersey back on Dec. 18. Since that night, family and friends have continued their search for the missing 20-year-old Weehawken man, who last left his home around midnight. “Not knowing that your loved one is OK is excruciating and we are so grateful for friends and family who have tried to locate him,” the man’s father, Ildefonso Acosta, said earlier this month. “My son is a very loving, caring person with the right support, he’s currently living with bipolar disorder and when he left the house he was not in his right state of mind.” Acosta was wearing a cream-colored New York Yankees sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and black Timberlands. His family believes he had on a ski jacket. He is 6’1” and approximately 190 pounds. His dad does not think the 20-year-old was carrying any cash on him, but he did have his cellphone which police have said last pinged in the area near the American Dream Mall in Secaucus. Shortly after he disappeared, police combed through the area surrounding the mall, even launching drones to scan the region from above. The Acosta family flooded social media with photos of the missing man. They have also pleaded for others to seek mental health support if they find themselves struggling. “If other people are dealing with family situations where they have mental health issues, there is help out there,” his dad said. Anyone with information about Acosta is asked to contact Weehawken police at 201-863-7800.

President Donald Trump’s plane, Air Force One, returned to Joint Base Andrews about an hour after departing for Switzerland on Tuesday evening. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to return was made after takeoff when the crew aboard Air Force One identified “a minor electrical issue” and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to turn around. A reporter on board said the lights in the press cabin of the aircraft went out briefly after takeoff, but no explanation was immediately offered. About half an hour into the flight reporters were told the plane would be turning around. Trump boarded another aircraft, an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 normally used by the president for domestic trips to smaller airports, and continued on with his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos shortly after midnight. People walk off of Air Force One toward the tarmac after returning to Joint Base Andrews on Jan. 20, 2026 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The two planes currently used as Air Force One have been flying for nearly four decades. Boeing has been working on replacements, but the program has faced a series of delays. The planes are heavily modified with survivability capabilities for the president for a range of contingencies, including radiation shielding and antimissile technology. They also include a variety of communications systems to allow the president to remain in contact with the military and issue orders from anywhere in the world. Last year, the ruling family of Qatar gifted Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be added into the Air Force One fleet, a move that faced great scrutiny. That plane is currently being retrofitted to meet security requirements. Leavitt joked to reporters on Air Force One Tuesday night that a Qatari jet was sounding “much better” right now. Last February, an Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Germany had to return to Washington because of a mechanical issue. In October, a military plane carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had to make an emergency landing in United Kingdom due to a crack in the windshield.

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