Former President Jimmy Carter’s weeklong funeral procession commenced from Americus, Georgia, passing through Plains and arriving at his family farm and the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. His body will lie in repose there and then the U.S. Capitol before a national funeral service at Washington National Cathedral, followed by a private funeral in Plains. (UPI)
President Joe Biden will sign the Social Security Fairness Act to raise payments for about 3 million public employees who receive pensions, addressing a long-standing disparity. This will increase monthly payments for affected individuals by an average of $360 to $1,190 by December 2025, potentially impacting the Social Security Trust Funds’ solvency. (AP)
A massive winter weather system is affecting over 40 million Americans, bringing snow, ice, and low temperatures. Winter alerts extend over 1500 miles from Kansas to the East Coast, with blizzard warnings impacting nearly 4 million people in Kansas and Missouri. The storm is expected to cause travel disruptions and hazardous road conditions as it moves eastward. (CBS News)
Sister Inah Canabarro, a soccer-loving nun from Brazil, is now believed to be the world’s oldest living person at nearly 117 years old after the recent death of a woman from Japan. LongeviQuest, an organization that tracks supercentenarians, has validated Canabarro’s status. The secret to her longevity, she says, is her Catholic faith. (ABC News)
New York City has implemented a congestion charge in Manhattan’s busiest areas where motorists must pay up to $9 at peak times to reduce traffic and support public transportation. The scheme, despite opposition from New Jersey and President-elect Trump, spans from 60th Street to the Financial District. Discounts apply during off-peak hours. (NBC News)
