Category: News
Column: Waukegan Marina ready to pick up North Point slack
Single-digit temperatures and snow showers can cause a switch from January reality to summer dreaming. Like pleasure cruising Lake Michigan on a July weekend with a cool wind and moderate chop.
For some Big Lake boaters who moor at the state’s North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor, sometime in July may be when they get a slip at the state-owned facility. Citing poor financial performance, the marina’s operator, Dallas-based Suntex Marinas, has sought to end its contract, officials announced last month.
Since then, the request to terminate the contract, which caught state officials by surprise, has left the Illinois Department of Natural Resources scrabbling to find a replacement vendor for the largest pleasure boat marina on the Great Lakes. It will not be easy to lure a new operator if Suntex, the world’s largest marina operator with some 90 marinas coast-to-coast under contract, can’t make a go of it. One reason may be due to the lack of remedial infrastructure work on the breakwater protecting the marina.
That means that unless a contractor is found, North Point, which opened in 1989, may not welcome lake sailors this boating season. One source estimated the IDNR contract with Suntex, which also operates marinas for the Chicago Park District, was worth some $13.5 million over the last seven years.
North Point Marina has nearly 1,500 slips in a protected floating-dock system. From Waukegan Harbor north to Racine, Wisconsin, boaters say there aren’t enough slips in the surrounding market to pick up the slack if North Point fails to open for the 2026 season.
Without a management team on site, personnel will be unavailable to set up the slips for boaters’ use. The summer boating season normally opens at the marina on May 1.
Waukegan Marina, just south of the harbor, begins its 2026 boating season on March 15, weather depending. (Charles Selle/For the Lake County News-Sun)
Waukegan Marina is one location ready to take in boaters who may find themselves without a port of call this summer. The city’s recreational marina south of the harbor consists of two basins, with 648 slips across 34 acres.
“We’re getting an influx of new customers,” said Joe Seidelmann, port and harbor manager for the Waukegan Port District, which administers the lakefront marina. “A lot more are coming with the uncertainty.”
A Winthrop Harbor native, Seidelmann worked at North Point for nine years before leaving to oversee properties in Daytona Beach, Florida. He eventually found his way back to Lake County and the Port District a few years ago.
The confusion at North Point “certainly is benefiting us”, he said, adding, “We’ve seen an immediate influx, a surge of charter captains. It’s their livelihood.”
Like North Point, Waukegan Marina, which opened in 1985, features modern floating docks. Seidelmann said if needed, the marina could expand to another 100 slips by using fixed concrete piers, which were decommissioned when floating docks were installed.
Waukegan amenities and costs are similar to North Point, although without an on-site restaurant like Tropics at the Winthrop Harbor site. Both marinas are serviced by Metra stops and have yacht clubs. Waukegan also features concierge boater service and a state-of the-art power boat sales, service and storage facility.
The city marina slips run from the cheapest at $1,985 for the season for one at 26 feet to $7,274 for a 65-footer, according to Seidelmann. The season at Waukegan runs from March 15 to Nov. 15, weather permitting, in order for charter boats to hit the lake early and late for salmon fishing, he added.
The Waukegan Port District, formed in 1955 by state law, is comprised of a seven-member unpaid board which oversees the harbor, marina and Waukegan International Airport. Four of the commissioners, who serve six-year terms, are appointed by the mayor of Waukegan, three by the governor.
The district contracts with marina manager F/3 Marina (Founders Three) to operate the facility, with Seidelmann in charge. F/3, based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, also manages marinas across the country, including in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, on Green Bay in vacation destination Door County; Pleasant Prairie and Racine, Wisconsin, on Lake Michigan; and Rock Island on the Mississippi River.
Waukegan Harbor, just north of the marina, is the only designated safe haven for large commercial vessels traveling between Chicago and Milwaukee and is often dredged by the Army Corps of Engineers. It is the only facility between Chicago and Milwaukee that offers both a commercial harbor and a pleasure-boat marina.
Seidelmann said North Point also needs to be dredged for the deep-draft sailboats moored there, as lake sand builds up, causing one-way traffic in and out of the marina and creating a choke point. The dredging permitting timeline alone can take between six and eight months, he said.
That could mean North Point, if dredging is required, may not open this boating season. Which would be a shame not only for boaters left jockeying for a new homeport who have used the world-class facility in past summers.
An estimated 150 jobs would be lost, along with revenue for the village of Winthrop Harbor. Seems state officials and elective legislators are on their way to scuttling the marina’s summer boating season.
Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.
sellenews@gmail.com
X @sellenews
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/19/charles-selle-waukegan-marina/
“You Are On Notice”: DOJ Warns Don Lemon After Alleged Involvement In Left-Wing Mob Storming Church
“You Are On Notice”: DOJ Warns Don Lemon After Alleged Involvement In Left-Wing Mob Storming Church
Washed-up former CNN host Don Lemon has been put on notice by the U.S. Department of Justice over claims that he joined a far-left group of anti-ICE protesters who stormed a Sunday church service in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest! It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws! Nor does the First Amendment protect your pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service,” Harmeet Dhillon, the DoJ’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, wrote on X.
“You [Lemon] are on notice!” Dhillon wrote. In a separate post, she said that the FBI has been “activated” and accused the left-wing mob of “desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers.”
She also said, “The DoJ’s Civil Rights division is investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers.”
The @CivilRights is investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers. @AGPamBondi https://t.co/uZBBv1iuuH
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) January 18, 2026
Dozens of left-wing activists, some potentially paid agitators and others who admitted they were from out of town, stormed the Cities Church sanctuary on Sunday after believing that one of the pastors was the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office.
Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote: “I just spoke to the pastor in Minnesota whose church was targeted. Attacks against law enforcement and the intimidation of Christians are being met with the full force of federal law. If state leaders refuse to act responsibly to prevent lawlessness, this Department of Justice will remain mobilized to prosecute federal crimes and ensure that the rule of law prevails.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned: “President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship.”
Baptist minister Paul Chappell condemned Lemon and the left-wing activists:
We condemn the actions of Don Lemon and the group of activists who stormed Cities Church today in St. Paul, Minnesota, in clear violation of the FACE Act. Christians everywhere should demand that the Department of Justice arrest those who participated. We must protect religious liberty in this country.
We condemn the actions of Don Lemon and the group of activists who stormed Cities Church today in St. Paul, Minnesota, in clear violation of the FACE Act. Christians everywhere should demand that the Department of Justice arrest those who participated. We must protect religious… pic.twitter.com/YlkjJC3YCv
— Paul Chappell (@PaulChappell) January 19, 2026
Left-wing violence in Democrat-run blue cities in America is absolutely alarming. The president last week threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to restore order in Minneapolis after dark-money funded nonprofits and militant left-wing groups mounted pressure campaigns to impede federal deportation operations of criminal illegal aliens.
Meanwhile, left-wing Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has demanded the troops “get the f*** out of Minneapolis.” The mayor did admit in a television interview about a network of nonprofits operating a pressure campaign against the federal government.
POLITICAL VIOLENCE: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey refuses to reveal the identities of the NGOs he’s working with to organize protests in his city. The DOJ is investigating the groups with funding and directives from Soros and CCP-linked NGOs. pic.twitter.com/C9cWgIZ5VN
— @amuse (@amuse) January 8, 2026
Trump has sent 3,000 ICE agents to the sanctuary city, with 1,500 troops on standby if social unrest worsens.
What’s important to understand is that if temperatures hadn’t been averaging around 10F, the Democratic Party and its billionaire-funded NGO network would have unleashed riots and chaos if temperatures had been just a bit warmer. This is a warning that Democrats are preparing to unleash chaos come spring, whether protests, riots, and whatever else, as we’ve warned – this is part of a color-revolution operation. This is highly organized and structured.
Related:
NYC Socialists Prepare Mass Mobilization Of 4,000 Anti-ICE Army
Why a left-wing mob and a former CNN host are roaming a sanctuary city hunting for a church pastor sounds like something that would only happen under Marxist regimes in third-world countries.
Lemon, in damage control mode, calls everything that happened “fake news” …
NEW: Don Lemon blames the organizer of the group who stormed the MN church after the DOJ launched an investigation into the incident.
Lemon, who uploaded a video of himself defending the mob from inside the church, says he was simply engaged in “an act of journalism.”
“Why… pic.twitter.com/t0Fi2SGLiZ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 19, 2026
Let’s not forget that even the deep state publication The Atlantic had to admit an uncomfortable truth for Democrats: “Left-Wing Terrorism Is on the Rise.”
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/19/2026 – 11:45
Community news: Master Gardener grants and Art 101 workshop
Master Gardeners Offer Grants
The Lake County Master Gardeners are giving back to the community by offering grants to Lake County municipalities, organizations and businesses. Proceeds from three major fundraisers – the Lake County Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale, Garden Walk and the Lake County Fair – will be used to fund the Lake County Master Gardeners (LCMG) Grant Program. Grants are available to schools, churches, organizations, businesses, municipalities and other groups for existing or new garden-related projects. Grant amounts will range from $200 to $600 and will be awarded by April 1. To be eligible, projects must be located in Lake County, and preferably include an educational component. The deadline to submit a grant application is March 2. For more information or to obtain an application, visit www.lakecountymastergardeners.org and click on the Grants & Scholarship tab, email lakecountymastergardeners@gmail.com or call the Lake County Extension Service at 219-755-3240.
Organizations, nonprofits in need sought for Earth Day Reuse Fair
To commemorate Earth Day 2026, Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction District will hold a Reuse Fair from 9 to 11:30 a.m. April 18 at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. A unique event designed to promote sustainability, the Reuse Fair aims to keep valuable items out of landfills by encouraging the donation of reusable items to organizations such as non-profits and schools. All eligible organizations are invited to participate. Organizations interested in receiving donations must register by emailing sarah@portercountyrecycling.org. Due to space constraints, participating organizations are asked to provide a wish list of up to 10 reusable items. Wish-list items should not include food or new items. A representative from each organization must be present during the entire collection period to ensure efficient distribution. A finalized list of acceptable donations will be published once a sufficient number of registered organizations have registered. This list will help guide community members in their generous contributions. For more information email sarah@portercountyrecycling.org or call 219-465-3694.
South Shore Arts to offers ‘Kick Off Your Art’ workshop
Join South Shore Arts for a free workshop, Art 101: Kicking Off Your Art Career, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Substation No. 9, 435 Fayetteville St., Hammond. The keynote speaker will be Madeline Winter, a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Indiana University, Bloomington. Winter is recognized as one of the finest representational draftspersons of our time. She will speak about the trajectory of her career, gaining representation at Oliva Gallery in Chicago, and holding artist residencies in Virginia and Barcelona. Substation No. 9 artists-in-residence Dawn Diamantopoulos, Kerri Mommer, Juan Carlos Rodriguez and Andrea Williams will lead the workshop, providing advice on how to craft a biography, write an artist’s statement, prepare photographs and apply for shows and exhibitions. In addition, they will discuss their careers and their current installation at Substation No. 9, New Year, Same Chaos. Jonathan Canning, South Shore Arts executive director, also will be on hand to explain supportive arts grants offered by the Indiana Arts Commission. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, email Renea Gallagher at renea@southshoreartsonline.org.
Franciscan Health Crown Point to host doula workshop
Franciscan Health Crown Point will host a DONA International Birth Doula workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CT Feb. 21-22 and Feb. 28-March 1 at Franciscan Health Crown Point, 12750 St. Francis Drive. Participants must be 18 years old or older and attend all four days of classes to receive a certificate of completion. Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their clients before, during and shortly after childbirth. A doula may help communicate a woman’s birth plan, create a comfortable environment during delivery or simply provide the general support a family may seek during this pivotal time. A doula does not perform clinical tasks. The Franciscan Health Crown Point Family Birth Center offers doula services to families free of charge via a volunteer doula program. The workshop fulfills two requirements toward certification as a DONA International Certified Birth Doula, Introduction to Childbirth and Doula Birth Training. The cost for the workshop is $600 and is payable within four days of registration. Registration and payment must be complete by Feb. 2. For more information, call 219-746-9134.
dunesARTS to hold auditions for the 2026 season
Non-equity actors of all ethnic backgrounds, gender identifications and body types from the region and beyond are invited to audition in-person or virtually for the duneArts 2026 season. In-person auditions will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Feb. 7 and from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 8 at the City Lit Theatre Company, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago; and from Noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15 at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St., Michigan City. The deadline for a virtual submission is Feb. 15. Walk-ins are accepted, but not guaranteed. To schedule an audition time, visit https://www.dunesarts.org and click on the Audition Form link.
Kane County expo lures in those who love fishing for muskie: ‘It’s the thrill of the hunt’
Fishing enthusiasts like Homer Glen resident Ted Koski say once you’ve caught a muskie there’s no turning back.
“As far as the lure of catching muskie – no pun intended – it’s the size. They’re an awesome fish to catch,” he said Friday afternoon on opening day of the three-day Muskie Expo Chicago over the weekend at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.
While the muskie fishing season remains months away, organizers of the expo did their best to stoke the fires of those looking for new equipment, the best muskie fishing spots and more.
Mike Veserat, who serves as president and owner of the Muskie Expo, said the event has been held since 1988 and offers shows in both St. Charles as well as in West Bend, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee.
He said the show first came to Kane County in 2018 and has continued with just one interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The show, he said, remains a winter staple since “people wouldn’t be here later in the year, they’d be fishing.”
“There is no muskie fishing now. There’s river fishing year-round and depending on your state, there’s different timelines and even within Wisconsin there are different seasons as well as places like Minnesota and Canada,” Veserat said. “Typically, there’s no fishing for muskie until after they spawn.”
He said the expo offers guests the opportunity “to meet the best people in the sport and the manufacturers of the products that are coming into the sport.”
“It’s not like going into a retail store and looking at a rack of baits. You’re coming to a show where if you want to go fish these guys know the waters and know what your best odds are of catching something,” he said.
Veserat said fishing for muskie is special because “they’re not easy to catch. They’re a bigger fish and an apex predator.”
“Even if you get one … there’s no guarantee you’re getting it into the boat,” he said. “It may take many trials, but after you get one there’s very little in the world that’s like catching a muskie.”
Nevaeh Duncan of Plainfield came with her father to the expo and said she fishes with him from time to time “in order to hang out with my dad.”
The annual Muskie Expo Chicago over the weekend at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles offered those who love fishing for muskie the chance to network, buy new equipment, discover new muskie fishing spots and more. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)
“I’ve not had much luck getting a muskie but I almost had one the first time I went fishing,” she said.
Duncan’s father, Robert Peterson, said he started fishing for muskie a dozen years ago after fishing “for bass and all that and I decided I wanted to start going after some bigger fish.”
“I had a buddy get me into this and I did it once and never looked back,” he said.
He said he goes out muskie fishing about “a dozen times a year if I can.”
“I’ve gotten about 10 of them,” he said.
Peterson said he likes coming to the expo to network with others who like fishing for muskie, something that Jeff Farnsworth of Lockport said he likewise enjoys.
“I come every year,” he said. “I bought some glide baits and have been doing this for 10 years.”
He said the allure of fishing for muskie is simple.
“It’s the thrill of the hunt,” he said. “Once you just get one – I’ve got buddies that don’t understand and once they come on a trip with you they get the fever.”
Betsy Kowalczyk of Woodridge declared she “was all in” when it comes to muskie fishing, something that she has done for the past six years after being introduced to it by her late husband.
“He was a big muskie fisherman and had been going up to Canada and that was the first time I got to go with him,” she said. “I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve gotten four so far and it’s been hundreds of hours. We fish hard – 10 hours a day in the boat, constant casting.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Bebé en Oregon sigue luchando contra botulismo infantil tras exposición a fórmula ByHeart
Por JONEL ALECCIA
Un niño de Portland, Oregon, está luchando por recuperarse del botulismo infantil después de consumir fórmula para bebés ByHeart contaminada, donada a través de un programa que busca ayudar a familias pobres y sin hogar.
Ashaan Carter, que ahora tiene 10 meses, fue hospitalizado dos veces y permanece con una sonda de alimentación tras contraer la peligrosa infección que ha enfermado a más de 50 bebés en Estados Unidos.
Su madre, Angel Carter, declaró que recibió una lata de fórmula ByHeart de un trabajador social del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon a principios de noviembre, días antes de un retiro nacional del producto.
Carter, quien recibe asistencia estatal para alimentos y vivienda, relató que había estado amamantando exclusivamente a su hijo, pero su producción de leche estaba disminuyendo. El trabajador social le dijo a la joven de 27 años que la fórmula ByHeart “era lo más parecido a la leche materna” y podría ayudar, comentó.
“Lo acepté pensando, ‘OK, espero que mi bebé pueda empezar a usar biberón’”, expresó Carter. “Ha sido todo cuesta abajo desde entonces”.
Los funcionarios estatales no comentaron sobre el caso de Carter, pero reconocieron que la agencia recibió fórmula ByHeart del Banco de Pañales PDX. Ese fue uno de casi dos docenas de grupos sin fines de lucro a nivel nacional que forman parte de la “Iniciativa OpenHearted” de ByHeart, que donó fórmula a “familias necesitadas”, según el sitio web de la empresa.
Desde junio de 2022, se han distribuido casi 24.000 latas de fórmula a grupos que ayudan a familias sin hogar y otras familias vulnerables, indicó la empresa. Todos los productos de la compañía han sido retirados desde que comenzó la producción en marzo de 2022 debido a una posible contaminación.
Poco después de consumir la fórmula ByHeart, Ashaan desarrolló estreñimiento severo y debilidad muscular, volviéndose tan flácido que no podía mover la cabeza, señaló Carter.
Tras ser llevado a la sala de emergencias, el bebé fue enviado al Hospital Infantil Randall en Portland. Los médicos allí lo diagnosticaron con presunto botulismo infantil vinculado a la fórmula ByHeart, según la doctora . Sylvia Peterson-Perry, una médica de medicina familiar que atendió el parto de Ashaan y cuida de él y su madre.
Fue tratado con BabyBIG, un medicamento intravenoso que proporciona anticuerpos a la infección para detener el progreso de la enfermedad.
Ashaan estuvo hospitalizado durante casi dos semanas en noviembre y fue dado de alta sin una sonda de alimentación. Su salud declinó rápidamente, incluyendo una pérdida de peso dramática, y fue hospitalizado nuevamente en diciembre. Se enfermó tanto que su madre temía que muriera.
“Simplemente se estaba marchitando”, dijo Carter.
El trabajador social de Oregon le envió un mensaje de texto a Carter después del retiro, advirtiéndole que dejara de usar la fórmula.
Pero ya era demasiado tarde para Ashaan, quien tuvo que tener la sonda de alimentación en su garganta reemplazada porque sus músculos siguen débiles, apuntó su médico. No está claro cuánto tiempo permanecerá. Está teniendo que reaprender a gatear y a hablar.
“Es devastador, especialmente para nuestras familias vulnerables que confían en este producto para nutrir a su hijo y confían en nuestros servicios sociales para proporcionar alimentos seguros para sus bebés”, señaló Peterson-Perry.
ByHeart se había asociado con Baby2Baby, una organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Los Ángeles que incluye a celebridades perfil entre sus partidarios. El medio de comunicación Healthbeat fue el primero en informar que la fórmula retirada fue a grupos que atienden a familias en riesgo.
El Banco de Pañales PDX recibió alrededor de 400 latas de fórmula ByHeart donadas a través de Baby2Baby y distribuyó más de 300 de ellas antes de que fueran retiradas, sostuvo en un correo electrónico Rachel Alston, la directora ejecutiva del grupo.
“Todos nuestros socios confirmaron que tomaron medidas inmediatas para informar a las familias, y ofrecimos apoyo donde pudimos a lo largo del camino”, aseguró en un correo electrónico.
Los funcionarios de Baby2Baby no respondieron a las solicitudes de comentarios por correo electrónico. Los funcionarios de ByHeart dijeron que la compañía trabajó con Baby2Baby y otros grupos que recibieron fórmula para asegurar que los productos fueran retirados y las familias notificadas.
No se han reportado nuevos casos de botulismo infantil relacionados con el brote desde el 17 de diciembre, según los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades. La Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos ha realizado inspecciones en las plantas de ByHeart, pero no ha publicado información sobre la fuente del brote. La producción sigue detenida.
Bill Marler, abogado de seguridad alimentaria en Seattle, aseveró que Carter es una de más de 30 familias que representa cuyos bebés se enfermaron por productos ByHeart. Al menos 18 demandas han sido presentadas contra ByHeart y las tiendas que vendieron la fórmula contaminada. Esta semana, Marler pidió a un panel federal que consolidara los casos en un tribunal de distrito en Nueva York.
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The Associated Press recibe apoyo para sus coberturas de salud y ciencia de parte del Departamento de Educación Científica del Instituto Médico Howard Hughes y la Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. La AP es la única responsable del contenido.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Where The Department of Energy Is Investing
Where The Department of Energy Is Investing
Submitted by Tight Spreads
The DOE has been flooding their sites with white-papers and latest Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap (FS&T Roadmap) are not just a scientific plan, but an industrial policy designed to transition fusion from the laboratory to the commercial market by the mid-2030s. The DOE has prioritized its actions to align with the aggressive “fast-track” development cycles of nuclear fission and fusion companies:
Near-Term (Next 2-3 Years): Digitalization & Infrastructure Prep
AI-Fusion Convergence: Launch the AI-Fusion Digital Convergence Platform to use machine learning to speed up materials discovery and predict plasma behavior.
Infrastructure Start: Build small-to-medium test facilities and complete the design for large-scale “First-of-a-Kind” (FOAK) facilities.
Regulatory Frameworks: Finalize licensing and safety standards to give investors, consumers, and citizens alike certainty on how these plants will be regulated.
Mid-Term (3-5 Years): Prototype Integration
Pilot Plant Construction: Support the private sector in constructing the first fusion pilot plants (FPPs).
Fuel & Materials Testing: Delivery of integration platforms for testing tritium fuel cycles and materials under intense radiation.
Supply Chain Seeding: Support domestic manufacturing for high-heat components and superconducting magnets.
Long-Term (5-10 Years): Grid Delivery & Scale-Up
Commercial Operation: The first fleet of pilot plants begins delivering power to the grid.
Commercial Maturity: Expand public infrastructure to support a global market, focusing on lowering the levelized cost of energy to make fusion competitive with other generation technologies today.
The Six Core Technical Challenge Areas
These are the gaps the DOE is prioritizing through its public research budget to ensure relevant companies succeed.
Structural Materials: Developing metals that won’t become brittle or weak after years of intense neutron bombardment. Metals such as Reduced Activation Ferritic Martensitic (RAFM) steels can withstand intense neutron damage without swelling or becoming brittle.
Plasma-Facing Components (PFCs): Creating “first walls” that can survive heat fluxes equivalent to the surface of the sun.
Confinement Systems: Optimizing magnets and lasers to hold the superheated fuel stable for long periods. Relevant companies: BRKR, COHR
Fuel Cycle & Tritium Processing: Establishing a closed loop fuel system to breed, recover, and recycle tritium fuel, as it is extremely scarce in nature. Relevant companies: OKLO, ASPI, BWXT
Blankets: Engineering the wrapper around the reactor that captures heat for electricity and breeds the fuel.
Plant Engineering & Integration: Linking a fusion reactor to standard turbines and maintenance via robotics. Relevant companies: NVDA, IBM
The Future of Energy: Understanding the Mechanics of Fusion
To grasp the next frontier of the energy transition, we need to distinguish between the nuclear power we use today and the “holy grail” of energy: Nuclear Fusion. Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a single, heavier nucleus. This process releases a massive amount of energy as it typically uses two hydrogen isotopes for fuel: Deuterium and Tritium (D-T fuel). Nuclear Fission is the splitting of heavy atoms, such as the current method of commercial nuclear power plants with Uranium.
What is Plasma?
We are typically taught that there are three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Plasma is the fourth state, and it is the most common form of matter in the visible universe. Plasma is created when a gas is heated to such extreme temperatures that the electrons are stripped away from their parent atoms. This results in an “ionized” gas—a hot, soup-like mixture of free-moving positively charged nuclei (ions) and negatively charged electrons. It is highly conductive and can be manipulated and shaped by magnetic fields. This characteristic is the lynchpin of modern fusion reactor design.
Plasma in a fusion fusion reactor:
Plasma’s Significance in a Fusion Reactor
In a fusion reactor, plasma is not just a byproduct; it is the reaction medium itself. It plays three critical roles toward enabling fusion energy:
The Coulomb Barrier: Atomic nuclei are positively charged and naturally repel one another. To overcome this “Coulomb Barrier,” the fuel is heated into a plasma state, providing the extreme kinetic energy necessary for the nuclei to collide and fuse.
Magnetic Confinement: Because no physical material can withstand fusion temperatures (upwards of 150 million degrees Celsius), the plasma must be suspended in mid-air. Scientists use the plasma’s electromagnetic properties to hold it in place using powerful superconducting magnets.
Self-Sufficiency: The ultimate goal is to achieve a burning plasma. This is a self-sufficient state where the heat generated by the fusion reactions themselves maintains the required temperature, eliminating the need for external heating.
Plasma as a medium in a Tokamak Fusion Reactor:
The Role of Materials in Fusion Architectures
Structural materials form the physical vessel and internal supports of a fusion plant. Materials must withstand unprecedented neutron flux, high thermal loads, and corrosive environments while maintaining the precise vacuum required for plasma stability.
Materials that are prioritized include Reduced Activation Ferritic Martensitic (RAFM) steels and vanadium alloys. These are engineered to minimize long-lived radioactive waste, ensuring that the structural “backbone” of either machine doesn’t remain hazardous for centuries after the plant is decommissioned. Easily produced RAFM steels and vanadium alloys strategically provide supply chain independence, dual-use applications in defense and aerospace, and enable closed fuel cycles to enhance commercial viability.
Plasma-Facing Components (PFCs) & Interactions
PFCs are the “first wall” materials that directly interact with the 100-million-degree plasma. They must exhaust extreme heat without contaminating the reaction. Tungsten, a critical material for PFCs, is a key focus of domestic mineral security.
Layers of a fusion reactor:
Magnetic and Inertial Confinement Fusion
The DOE’s FS&T Roadmap follows a dual-track approach pursuing two distinct methods to contain fusion: Magnetic Confinement Fusion & Inertial Confinement Fusion.
Magnetic Confinement Fusion: This method utilizes High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnets to create powerful magnetic “bottles.” These magnets suspend and stabilize the superheated plasma, preventing it from touching the reactor walls. There are two primary magnetic confinement architectures: Tokamaks and Stellarators:
Tokamaks: These are doughnut-shaped devices that use a combination of external magnets and an internal electrical current flowing through the plasma to maintain stability.
Stellarators: These use a complex, twisted ring of external coils to confine the plasma without needing an internal current. While more stable than Tokamaks, the geometry of a Stellarator is very intricate.
Companies that produce HTS magnets that make compact fusion possible:
Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR): Known for scientific instruments, BRKR additionally serves as a critical industrial partner to the DOE through its subsidiary Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies (BEST). BEST is known for its the stewardship of HTS magnet technology engineering. In the pursuit of next-generation energy solutions, BRKR has been a critical supplier of advanced Niobium-Tin and High-Temperature Superconductor (HTS) conductors for several high-stakes DOE initiatives: fusion energy, accelerator upgrades, and NMR proving grounds (relevant for testing the accuracy of isotope purities).
Inertial Confinement Fusion: This approach takes a “pulsed” path, using high-energy lasers to rapidly compress tiny fuel pellets. This intense compression triggers a series of micro-explosions that ignite the plasma, creating a steady stream of energy production similar to the internal combustion of an engine.
Inertial fusion requires pulsed lasers of incredible power and precision. The companies that build the optical components and high-power diodes are the primary enablers:
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR): A critical business in this sector. Their LEAP excimer laser platform is actually used by REBCO manufacturers to deposit the superconducting layers onto the tape. Furthermore, they provide high-power diode lasers essential for pumping the large-scale lasers used in fusion experiments.
Syntec Optics (NASDAQ: OPTX): A U.S.-based manufacturer of precision optics. They provide the specialized lenses and mirrors required for high-energy laser systems.
Inertial Confinement Fusion:
The race for fusion is one of the key drivers for the U.S. massive push to securitize a domestic rare earth and advanced materials supply chain. A primary driver is the production of HTS magnets, which rely on Rare-Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO). These specialized materials allow for more compact and efficient fusion reactors, but their utility extends far beyond energy; REBCO technology is also essential for next-generation MRI machines and high-speed maglev rail systems.
The Fuel Cycle & Tritium Breeding
The DOE is pursuing a “closed-loop” fuel cycle where fusion and fast reactors breed their own tritium fuel using lithium-containing blankets. Because tritium is rare and radioactive, the FS&T Roadmap emphasizes advanced accountancy and Direct Internal Recycling to minimize inventory. The DOE is prioritizing Tritium as a vital material for the U.S. nuclear stockpile, critical for national defense and nonproliferation. Establishing a domestic supply of light isotopes—specifically Lithium-6, Tritium, and Deuterium for fusion breeding and fuel—ensures that the U.S. does not depend on international sources for its most critical nuclear assets.
Companies that are produce light isotopes and/or have breeder reactor capabilities include:
ASP Isotopes (ASPI): ASPI hopes to contribute to Li-6 supply in 2026/2027, as mentioned in their shareholder letter from September of 2025:
“There is a considerable amount of customer demand for HALEU, as well as Lithium-6 and Lithium-7. We expect to have the first Lithium-6 plant operational during 2026, subject to the timely receipt of all required permits and licenses.”
BWXT & The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): As of late 2025, TVA has emerged as the primary “Tritium Hub.” Leveraging their experience producing Tritium for the nuclear stockpile at Watts Bar, TVA is exploring the use of the BWRX-300 SMR to host Tritium-Producing Burnable Absorber Rods. By replacing standard neutron absorbers with lithium-based rods, these SMRs can “harvest” Tritium as a byproduct of normal electricity generation.
Oklo (Aurora Powerhouse and Atomic Alchemy): While Oklo’s primary Aurora powerhouse is a fast fission reactor capable of breeding tritium, its radioisotope pilot facility and VIPR technology have capabilities inclusive of producing specialized the “light isotopes” used in the breeder blanket and fuel. As of early 2026, Oklo’s subsidiary, Atomic Alchemy, has transitioned into active execution under a DOE Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to fast track their radioisotope business and production.
TerraPower (Natrium): As a similar reactor design to the Aurora Powerhouse, the Natrium reactor is an ideal candidate for isotope production. Fast reactors can irradiate lithium targets, potentially producing Tritium at a much higher rate than traditional light-water reactors.
Holtec (SMR-300): Holtec has positioned its SMR as a multipurpose tool. Their recent filings suggest that their reactors at the Palisades site could be configured with specialized “target” assemblies to produce various isotopes, including Tritium, for both commercial fusion and medical use.
Blanket Science and Technology
The blanket of a reactor in the latest FS&T Roadmap has been reimagined as the “Energy Engine” of the fusion power plant. While the plasma provides the environment for the reaction, the blanket is the critical interface where that reaction is converted into tangible products: usable heat for the electrical grid and essential fuel for the reactor’s continued operation. This massive component surrounds the fusion core and serves three non-negotiable functions:
It facilitates energy conversion by capturing high-energy neutrons—which carry approximately 80% of the fusion energy—and converting their kinetic energy into thermal heat.
It enables tritium breeding by using those same neutrons to strike lithium-6 atoms, transmuting them into Tritium.
It acts as a radiation shield, protecting delicate superconducting magnets and exterior plant components from intense neutron flux to ensure structural longevity.
One of the most significant strategic shifts in the 2025 Roadmap is the explicit move to leverage advanced fission R&D to accelerate these fusion milestones. The molten salts used in fusion blankets are nearly identical to the coolants required for Generation-IV Fission Molten Salt Reactors. By aligning these technologies, the DOE is creating a unified domestic supply chain where purification systems, high-temperature pumps, and specialized alloys developed for advanced fission can be utilized directly in the fusion sector.
Plant Engineering & Systems Integration
This challenge focuses on the Balance of Plant (BOP)—the turbines, heat exchangers, and robotic maintenance systems that turn a “fusion engine” into a grid-ready power plant. The priority is reliability, availability, maintainability, and inspectability. Here, the AI-fusion digital convergence becomes the primary tool. AI-enabled “Digital Twins” will manage the plant’s complex systems in real-time, just as they optimize hyperscale data centers today. This creates a massive opportunity for the AI ecosystem; companies like NVIDIA and IBM are already leading efforts (such as Stellar-AI) to provide the supercomputing clusters needed for these simulations.
Many often focus on the “Fusion Core,” but the Balance of Plant is where 50% of the capital cost lives. This is the traditional engineering—turbines, heat exchangers, and cooling systems—that turns heat into electricity. Standard steam turbines may not be efficient enough. This requires innovations such as Supercritical CO2 turbines which are developed by only a handful of agencies and almost exclusively by Oklo commercially. These turbines are smaller and more efficient than steam, and are being prioritized to keep the plant footprint small.
* * *
Read more at the TightSpreads substack
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/19/2026 – 11:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/where-department-energy-investing
Manifestantes en Groenlandia se burlan del lema MAGA de Trump con gorras “Make America Go Away”
Por JAMES BROOKS
COPENHAGUE, Dinamarca (AP) — Gorras de béisbol rojas que parodian las icónicas de Donald Trump con las siglas MAGA se han convertido en un símbolo de desafío danés y groenlandés contra la amenaza del presidente de Estados Unidos de apoderarse del territorio congelado.
Las gorras que dicen “Make America Go Away” (“Que se vaya Estados Unidos”), —parodiando el lema de Trump “Make America Great Again” (“Devolver la grandeza a Estados Unidos”)— han ganado popularidad junto con otras variantes en las redes sociales y en protestas públicas, incluida una manifestación el fin de semana en la congelada capital danesa.
Los gobiernos europeos están apoyando a Dinamarca, citando la necesidad de defender las regiones árticas y advirtiendo que las amenazas contra Groenlandia socavan la seguridad occidental.
Los manifestantes, sin embargo, son menos diplomáticos.
“Quiero mostrar mi apoyo a Groenlandia y también mostrar que no me gusta el presidente de Estados Unidos”, dijo Lars Hermansen, un residente de Copenhague de 76 años que usó una de las gorras rojas en una protesta el sábado.
Las gorras de parodia fueron creadas por el dueño de una tienda de ropa vintage en Copenhague, Jesper Rabe Tonnesen. Los primeros lotes fracasaron el año pasado, hasta que la administración Trump recientemente intensificó su retórica sobre Groenlandia. Ahora están apareciendo por todas partes.
“Cuando una delegación de Estados Unidos fue a Groenlandia, comenzamos a darnos cuenta de que probablemente esto no era una broma; no es un reality show, es realmente la realidad”, comentó Tonnesen, de 58 años. “Así que dije, OK, ¿qué puedo hacer? ¿Puedo comunicarme de una manera divertida con un buen mensaje y unir a los daneses para mostrar que el pueblo danés apoya al pueblo de Groenlandia?”.
La demanda de repente aumentó de un goteo a agotarse en un fin de semana. Tonnesen dijo que ahora ha encargado “varios miles”.
La versión original diseñada por Tonnesen presentaba un juego de palabras: “Nu det NUUK!” —un giro en la frase danesa “Nu det nok”, que significa “Ya es suficiente”, sustituyendo Nuuk, la pequeña capital de Groenlandia.
El sábado, los manifestantes ondearon banderas danesas y groenlandesas rojas y blancas y llevaron carteles hechos a mano que se burlaban de las reclamaciones de Estados Unidos sobre el territorio, que es ligeramente más grande que Arabia Saudí.
“No significa no”, decía un cartel. Otro declaraba: “Make America Smart Again”.
Usando una de las gorras de parodia, el manifestante Kristian Boye, de 49 años, dijo que la reunión frente al Ayuntamiento de Copenhague adoptó un tono ligero mientras transmitía un mensaje serio.
“Estoy aquí para apoyar a los groenlandeses, que están pasando por un momento muy difícil ahora”, manifestó. “Están siendo amenazados con que su país sea invadido. Creo que es totalmente inaceptable”.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Hombres armados secuestran a más de 150 fieles de tres iglesias en Nigeria
Por DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN
ABUYA, Nigeria (AP) — Hombres armados secuestraron a más de 150 fieles en ataques simultáneos a tres iglesias separadas en el noroeste de Nigeria, informó un legislador estatal a The Associated Press el lunes.
El ataque ocurrió el domingo en Kurmin Wali, una comunidad en el área de Kajuru del estado de Kaduna, cuando se llevaban a cabo servicios y una misa en la Iglesia Evangélica Winning All (ECWA), una iglesia perteneciente a la denominación Querubines y Serafines, y una iglesia católica, según Usman Danlami Stingo, un legislador que representa el área en el Parlamento estatal.
“Al día de ayer, 177 personas estaban desaparecidas, y 11 regresaron. Así que tenemos 168 aún desaparecidas”, afirmó.
La policía en el estado de Kaduna no ha comentado al respecto.
Ningún grupo se ha responsabilizado. Ataques de este tipo son comunes en Nigeria, el país más poblado de África, donde múltiples bandas y grupos armados religiosos atacan comunidades remotas con seguridad y presencia gubernamental limitadas.
La región norte del país ha sido la más afectada.
Ataques similares a iglesias han provocado acusaciones de persecución de cristianos por parte del presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, y algunos legisladores estadounidenses. El gobierno de Estados Unidos lanzó ataques militares en Sokoto el 25 de diciembre, supuestamente dirigidos a un grupo del Estado Islámico en la región.
El gobierno nigeriano ha rechazado la caracterización de las crecientes crisis de seguridad del país como un “genocidio cristiano”.
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)Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Más países invitados a Junta de Paz para Gaza; Israel expresa objeciones
Por SAMY MAGDY y JULIA FRANKEL
El brazo ejecutivo de la Unión Europea, Rusia, Bielorrusia y Tailandia fueron los últimos en ser invitados el lunes a unirse a la nueva Junta de Paz del presidente estadounidense Donald Trump, que supervisará la próxima fase del plan de paz para Gaza, mientras un alto funcionario israelí declaró que la iniciativa es “mala para Israel” y debería ser desechada.
El portavoz del Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, indicó que el presidente ruso Vladímir Putin recibió la invitación y que el Kremlin ahora está “estudiando los detalles” y buscaría claridad sobre “todos los matices” en contactos con Estados Unidos. El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Tailandia dijo que también fue invitado y que estaba revisando los detalles.
El presidente de Bielorrusia, Alexander Lukashenko, ha sido invitado y está dispuesto a participar, según el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del país.
El portavoz de la Comisión Europea, Olof Gill, confirmó que Ursula von der Leyen, la presidenta de la comisión, recibió una invitación y hablará con otros líderes de la UE sobre Gaza. Gill no reveló si la invitación había sido aceptada, pero señaló que la comisión quiere “contribuir a un plan integral para poner fin al conflicto en Gaza”.
No está claro cuántos líderes han sido invitados a unirse a la junta. Pero la referencia de Trump, en las cartas de invitación, de que el organismo “emprendería un nuevo enfoque audaz para resolver conflictos globales” sugiere que podría rivalizar con el Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU, el organismo más poderoso de la organización global creado tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Según el informe de Evaluación Rápida de Daños y Necesidades Interina de Gaza y Cisjordania del Banco Mundial publicado el año pasado, se necesitarán 53.000 millones de dólares para reconstruir la franja.
Objeciones de Israel
El ministro de Finanzas israelí Bezalel Smotrich desestimó el lunes la Junta de Paz como perjudicial para Israel y pidió su disolución.
“Es hora de explicar al presidente que su plan es malo para el Estado de Israel y cancelarlo”, sostuvo Smotrich en una ceremonia de inauguración del nuevo asentamiento de Yatziv en la Cisjordania ocupada. “Gaza es nuestra, su futuro afectará nuestro futuro más que el de cualquier otro. Asumiremos la responsabilidad de lo que suceda allí, impondremos administración militar y completaremos la misión”.
Smotrich, un extremista de derecha que se opuso al alto al fuego en Gaza, incluso sugirió que Israel debe lanzar otra ofensiva en el territorio para destruir a Hamás si no cumple con un “breve ultimátum para el desarme real y el exilio”.
El sábado, la oficina del primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, apuntó que la formación del comité no fue coordinada con el gobierno israelí y “es contraria a su política” sin aclarar cuáles eran sus objeciones. Israel no ha sido invitado a unirse al comité, a diferencia de Turquía, un rival regional clave.
La lista final
Estados Unidos está previsto a anunciar su lista oficial de miembros en los próximos días, probablemente durante el Foro Económico Mundial en Davos, Suiza.
Los miembros de la junta supervisarán un comité ejecutivo que estará a cargo de implementar la difícil segunda fase del plan de paz para Gaza que incluye el despliegue de una fuerza de seguridad internacional, el desarme de Hamás y la reconstrucción del territorio devastado por la guerra.
Una contribución de 1.000 millones de dólares asegura la membresía permanente en la junta, con el dinero destinado a reconstruir Gaza, según un funcionario estadounidense que habló bajo condición de anonimato sobre la carta ya que no se le permitió hablar públicamente sobre los detalles de la junta, que no se ha hecho pública. Un nombramiento de tres años no tiene requisito de contribución.
Pero los detalles de cómo funcionará esto también siguen siendo confusos. El primer ministro británico Keir Starmer afirmó el lunes que el Reino Unido está hablando con aliados sobre la Junta de Paz. Aunque el Reino Unido no ha dicho si Starmer ha sido formalmente invitado, expresó que es necesario proceder con la segunda fase del plan para Gaza y que su país ha “indicado disposición para desempeñar nuestro papel, y lo haremos”.
Administración de Gaza
El principal diplomático de Egipto se reunió el lunes con el líder del recién nombrado comité de tecnócratas palestinos que administrará los asuntos cotidianos de Gaza durante la segunda fase del plan de paz.
El ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Bader Abdelatty, se reunió con Ali Shaath, un ingeniero palestino y exfuncionario de la Autoridad Palestina quien fue nombrado la semana pasada como comisionado jefe del Comité Nacional para la Administración de Gaza.
Abdelatty expresó el “completo apoyo” del gobierno egipcio al comité y afirmó su papel en la administración de los asuntos diarios de Gaza hasta que la Autoridad Palestina asuma el control del territorio, dijo un comunicado del ministerio egipcio tras la reunión.
También subrayó “la importancia de preservar la unidad de los territorios palestinos, asegurando la continuidad geográfica y administrativa entre la Franja de Gaza y Cisjordania”.
La situación humanitaria en Gaza sigue siendo frágil
El Programa Mundial de Alimentos de la ONU manifestó el lunes que ha “ampliado significativamente” sus operaciones en Gaza 100 días después de la tregua, alcanzando a más de un millón de personas cada mes con comidas calientes, paquetes de pan y paquetes de alimentos. Pero advirtió que la situación sigue siendo “extremadamente frágil” incluso cuando se han logrado avances críticos en la lucha contra la hambruna.
Señaló que se ha prevenido la malnutrición para 200.000 mujeres embarazadas y lactantes, así como para niños menores de 5 años, mientras que los refrigerios escolares están llegando a 235.000 niños en 250 escuelas temporales.
Aún así, el análisis más reciente de la Clasificación Integrada de la Seguridad Alimentaria en diciembre indica que el 77% de la población enfrenta inseguridad alimentaria a nivel de crisis, con más de 100.000 personas experimentando niveles catastróficos de hambre.
El PMA destacó que el acceso a alimentos nutritivos como frutas frescas, verduras y lácteos es limitado, y la mayoría de las familias aún no pueden comprar productos comerciales que ingresan a Gaza.
Fuerzas israelíes se desplazan a Hebrón
Fuerzas israelíes lanzaron lo que llamaron un operativo en la ciudad de Hebrón en Cisjordania para desmantelar “infraestructura terrorista, eliminar la posesión ilegal de armas y fortalecer la seguridad”.
El ejército israelí informó el lunes que la operación está prevista a durar varios días. Vehículos blindados israelíes y soldados patrullaron las calles de la ciudad y colocaron barreras donde se estaban llevando a cabo operaciones.
El alcalde de Hebrón, Khaled Dudin, denunció que las fuerzas israelíes entraron al área de 80.000 habitantes solo porque obstruye la construcción de más asentamientos israelíes.
Cisjordania ha visto un aumento en la actividad militar israelí desde el ataque liderado por Hamás el 7 de octubre de 2023 en Israel que desencadenó la guerra en Gaza.
Tres palestinos muertos
Fuerzas israelíes mataron el lunes a tres palestinos, incluido un adolescente, en el sur de Gaza, declararon las autoridades hospitalarias.
Dos hombres cruzaron a áreas controladas por Israel al este de Jan Yunis antes de ser abatidos, mientras que Hussein Tawfiq Abu Sabalah, de 17 años, murió abatido en el área de Muwasi de Rafah, según el hospital Nasser. No estaba claro si el adolescente había cruzado o se acercó al área controlada por Israel.
Más de 460 personas han caído por fuego israelí y sus cuerpos llevados a hospitales desde que la tregua entró en vigor hace poco más de tres meses, según el Ministerio de Salud de Gaza.
El ministerio, que forma parte del gobierno liderado por Hamás, mantiene registros detallados de bajas que son considerados generalmente confiables por agencias de la ONU y expertos independientes.
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Contribuyeron a esta nota los corresponsales Jill Lawless en Londres, Vladimir Isachenkov en Moscú y Grant Peck en Bangkok.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
NatGas Futs Erupt As Arctic Air Invasion Penetrates Deep Into US South
NatGas Futs Erupt As Arctic Air Invasion Penetrates Deep Into US South
US natural gas futures erupted Monday morning as some of the coldest Arctic air of the Northern Hemisphere winter season poured into the eastern half of the Lower 48. Snow threats across the region are increasing through the end of the month.
Average temperatures across Washington, DC, are plunging and could average around 10°F by the weekend. This cold blast is far more extreme than the one in the first half of December. Notably, this period typically coincides with the most intense part of winter.
“DANGEROUS COLD is likely on Saturday across much of the United States, with wind chills forecasted to fall below zero for over 100 million people,” weather observer Max Velocity wrote on X. “Additionally, wind chills could be as low as 60 DEGREES below zero in the far Northern Plains at this same time. This dangerous cold will likely set up a rare Southern USA Winter Storm on Friday and Saturday.”
DANGEROUS COLD is likely on Saturday across much of the United States, with wind chills forecasted to fall below zero for over 100 million people.
Additionally, wind chills could be as low as 60 DEGREES below zero in the far Northern Plains at this same time. This dangerous cold… pic.twitter.com/xbtm2nsQdv
— Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) January 19, 2026
Private weather forecaster BAM Weather warns of increasing risks of winter activity across the eastern half of the US this week:
A storm will develep Friday night into Saturday across the deep south and track northeast with a tap to the Gulf of America allowing plentiful moisture to produce a large area of a high impact winter storm. Strong high pressure will come south from Canada and bring Arctic air with it allowing there to be plenty of cold air available to produce snow and ice across several thousands of miles in the central and eastern US.
Winter Storm Scenario #1
Winter Storm Scenario #2
The cold blast has sent heating demand through the roof.
NatGas futures in the US are up 18% as of early Monday, the largest intra-day jump since October 2024.
NatGas prices surging again.
Cold air is in place. The weather pattern is set.
Map showing the chances for at least three inches of snow through Monday.
That’s a lot of real estate ❄️
High chances for accumulating snow in the Southern Plains, Mid-South, Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic this weekend. Lots of ice possible in the South. pic.twitter.com/yrtTYn4h8F
— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) January 19, 2026
All eyes are on the next possible major snowstorm targeting the Southern Plains, Mid-South, Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic by next week.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/19/2026 – 10:55
https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/natgas-futs-erupt-arctic-air-invasion-penetrates-deep-us-south
