Friday News Brief
Written by Mitch Ernst on January 23, 2026
A major winter storm is forecast to develop across much of the United States this weekend,
bringing the potential for heavy snow, freezing rain, and damaging ice from the Plains through the Midwest and into the Northeast. Forecasters warn the storm could be once in a generation for hundreds of millions of Americans, with ice accumulations strong enough to bring down tree limbs and power lines in parts of the South and Mid-South, and heavy snow and icy conditions expected from the Ohio Valley up into the Northeast.
Here in Western New York, the storm is not likely to be as powerful, however A winter weather advisory remains in effect until the afternoon, and the storm watch is in effect from Saturday night to Monday evening .
The Batavia Business improvement district announced the date for the annual FEBREWary beer walk.
Saturday February 28th is the day, from 4 to 8 pm. The beloved beer walk features local businesses pouring beer and cider for participants as they brave the elements walking from business to business. Registration will begin at 345 pm in the city center. which will also feature multiple stops this year. Tickets are available on Eventbrite, and the BID has posted a link to their Facebook page. The event is expected to sell out as it has the last several years.
The Winter Olympics are just two weeks away,
as Team USA prepares for what’s expected to be another strong showing on the world stage. The opening ceremony is set for Friday, February 6th at 2 p.m., taking place in Milan, Italy, with events spread across the Italian Alps.
For the first time in 12 years, the NHL is sending its players, putting the U.S. men’s hockey team back in full strength as they compete for Olympic gold.
On the slopes, Team USA’s ski and snowboard team brings back 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn, along with gold medalists Mikaela Shiffrin and Chloe Kim.
And with a strong local tie, Rochester native Chris Lillis, a 2022 Olympic gold medalist, has qualified again in freestyle aerial skiing, giving Western New York fans someone to watch closely.
The Winter Games run through February 22nd.
