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Blizzard of '78 remembered as snow records fall in New England

Theblizzard of 2026has already broken a state snowfall record set during the infamous and unforgettable Blizzard of 1978, which buried New England under feet of snow, and remains seared into several generations' memories of historic storms.

About 100 deaths were blamed on that devastating storm across the entire East Coast. Over 4,500 people were injured, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Long before cell phones, the internet, or instant communications, the storm struck almost without warning and at a disastrous time of day, especially in the Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, metro areas.

Though both storms are similar — with a major storm system lingering over the region for over a day and whipping the region with merciless hurricane-level winds, driving inch after inch of wet snow — what made the 1978 storm so devastating was the apparent suddenness of its arrival.

Tragically, some deaths were attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning, as people stranded in their cars left the engines running to keep them warm, and snow piled up around them.

Why the Blizzard of '78 was so devastating

The blizzard struck on Feb. 6, 1978, a time when weather forecasts were more rudimentary and far slower than they are today.

Weather forecasts suggested a blizzard that rampaged across the Midwest could meet another storm heading up from the southern coast, covering the area in snow on that Monday morning. But when morning came, and there was no snow, skeptical New Englanders treated the workday like business as usual.

The internet did not exist. There were no weather alerts on your smartphone. In Massachusetts, the state's Department of Transportation received periodic updates from the National Weather Service over a teletype machine. By the time the snow actually began to fall, — and it became clear it wouldn't stop — it was far too late.

Many helping hands join to push a car out of a snowbank on Route 195 eastbound in a scene repeated many times throughout Providence, Rhode Island, as the cleanup from the Blizzard of '78 began.

Old information and lots of snow

Information was often several hours old by the time it reached the plow crews — not that they could keep up.

By the time then-Gov. Michael Dukakis — wearing a sweater — declared a state of emergency and people began leaving work in the early afternoon, the storm was peaking. This was also a time without 24-hour cable news and app alerts. Most hadn't heard the latest forecasts, that the heaviest snow was beginning to fall and wouldn't stop for hours.

Thousands of people who ventured onto roads couldn't make it home, buried in the swiftly falling snow. People abandoned their cars on streets and highways, further complicating matters when plows couldn't get through.

The interstate highway system was shut down for a week, along with local driving bans. Recovery efforts took significant resources from the National Guard and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

South Boston residents dig their cars out of the snow on Farragut Road on Jan. 22, 1978, following a massive storm over the previous weekend.

Two men using jump leads in an attempt to start a car after heavy snow fell on New York City, New York, on Nov. 7, 1978.

A dinosaur sculpted from snow is pictured in Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, following the

The shattered roof of an auditorium at the C.W. Post Center of Long Island University in Greenvale, New York, lies in ruins, Jan. 21, 1978, after the weight of a heavy snow and ice storm caved in the roof. No injuries were reported.

A would-be motorist has his work cut out for him on Hallam Street in Dorchester, Massachusetts, on March 4, 1978, following a storm that dropped 9.2 inches of snow on top of the remains of February's blizzard.

A squirrel watches the snow fall from a tree near Fresh Pond in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Nov. 21, 1978.

Red Cross workers search for victims buried in cars following snowfall during the Blizzard of 1977. Only about 12 inches of new snow fell during this event but high winds coupled with existing snow in western New York and accumulated snow on the surface of frozen Lake Erie combined to cause major difficulties.

A man and a woman digging out their car after it was buried under snow during a blizzard in Chicago, Illinois, on Jan. 14, 1979.

New Yorkers navigate their way as the snow falls on Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, New York, on Feb. 7, 1979.

An early winter morning overlooking New York City in 1978.

Let it snow! Revisit one of the coldest decades in the US.

Record-breaking in Rhode Island

Though its societal impact may never be topped, the Blizzard of '78 must now take a back seat to the blizzard of 2026 in terms of the snowiest storm in Rhode Island history.

This year's blizzard is smashing Rhode Island's record snowfall totals. At 1 p.m., the storm had dumped 32.8 inches on Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, according to the National Weather Service, obliterating the 28.6-inch mark that fell there during 1978.

On Feb. 6-7, 1978, 30 inches of snow was reported in Woonsocket, which the state Department of Environmental Management considered the highest snowfall total, before Feb. 23, of any 24 hours in Rhode Island.

Contributing: The Providence Journal

Doyle Rice is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, with a focus on weather and climate.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Blizzard of 1978 is remembered as snow records fall in New England

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Blizzard of '78 remembered as snow records fall in New England

Theblizzard of 2026has already broken a state snowfall record set during the infamous and unforgettable Blizzard of 1978,...

Police in Britain arrest former ambassador Mandelson in probe into Epstein ties

LONDON (AP) — British police on Monday arrested Peter Mandelson, a former U.K. ambassador to the United States, in a misconduct probe stemming from his ties to the lateJeffrey Epstein. It came days after a friendship with Epstein landed the former Prince Andrew in police custody.

Both men are suspected of improperly passing U.K. government information to the disgraced U.S. financier, and the high-profile British arrests are some of the most dramatic fallout from thetrove of more than 3 million pagesof Epstein-related documents released last month by the U.S. Justice Department.

London's Metropolitan Police force said "officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office" at an address in north London. He was taken to a police station for questioning.

The man was not named, in keeping with British police practice, but the suspect in the case previously was identified as the former diplomat, who is 72. Mandelson was filmed being led from his London home to a car by plainclothes officers on Monday afternoon.

Under U.K. law, police can hold a suspect without charge for up to 24 hours. This can be extended to a maximum of 96 hours. Mandelson could be charged, released unconditionally or released while investigations continue.

Claims of leaked government information

Police are investigating Mandelson over claims he passed sensitive government information to Epstein a decade and a half ago. He does not face allegations of sexual misconduct.

His arrest came four days afterAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested in a separate case on suspicion of a similar offense related to his friendship with Epstein. Andrew was released after 11 hours in custody while the police investigation continues.

Mandelson served in senior government roles under previous Labour governments and was U.K. ambassador to Washington until Prime Minister Keir Starmerfired him in Septemberafter emails were published showing that he maintained a friendship with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving a minor.

The files released in January contained more explosive revelations about Mandelson's ties to Epstein, whom he once called "my best pal."

Messages suggest that Mandelson passed on sensitive — and potentially market-moving — government information to Epstein in 2009, when Mandelson was a senior minister in the British government. That includes an internal government report discussing ways the U.K. could raise money after the 2008 global financial crisis, including by selling off government assets. Mandelson also appears to have told Epstein he would lobby other members of the government to reduce a tax on bankers' bonuses.

British police launched a criminal probe earlier this month andsearched Mandelson's two housesin London and western England.

Thedecision to appoint Mandelson nearly cost Starmer his jobearlier this month, as questions swirled around his judgment about someone who has flirted with controversy during a decades-long political career.

Though he acknowledged he made a mistake and apologized to victims of Epstein,Starmer's position remains precarious. His future may rest on the release of files connected to Mandelson's appointment. The government has pledged to begin releasing those documents in early March, though the timeline may be complicated by his arrest.

Mandelson a contentious figure

Mandelson has been a major, if contentious, figure in the center-left Labour Party for decades. He is a skilled — critics say ruthless — political operator whose mastery of political intrigue earned him the nickname "Prince of Darkness."

The grandson of former Labour Cabinet minister Herbert Morrison, he was an architect of the party's return to power in 1997 as centrist, modernizing "New Labour" under Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mandelson served in senior government posts under Blair between 1997 and 2001, and under Prime Minister Gordon Brown from 2008 to 2010. In between, he was the European Union's trade commissioner. Brown has been particularly angered by the revelations and has been helping police with their inquiries.

Mandelson twice had to resign from government during the Blair administration over allegations of financial or ethical impropriety, acknowledging mistakes but denying wrongdoing.

He later returned to government and was back on the political front line when Starmer named him ambassador to Washington at the start of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term. Mandelson's trade expertise and comfort around the ultra-rich were considered major assets. He helped secure a trade deal in May that spared Britain some of the tariffs Trump has imposed on countries around the world.

The status of the deal is now up in the air after Trump announced a new set of global tariffs in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision quashing his previous import tax order.

Earlier this month Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords, Parliament's upper chamber, to which he was appointed for life in 2008. But he still has the title — Lord Mandelson — that went with it.

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Police in Britain arrest former ambassador Mandelson in probe into Epstein ties

LONDON (AP) — British police on Monday arrested Peter Mandelson, a former U.K. ambassador to the United States, in a misc...

Rams finalize coaching staff with Kliff Kingsbury as assistant head coach, Robert Woods on board

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kliff Kingsbury will have the title of assistant head coach on Sean McVay's staff with theLos Angeles Rams.

FILE - Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, right, shakes hands with Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods (2) walks back to the locker room after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Oct. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)

Rams Kingsbury Football

Kingsbury's formal title was revealed Monday when the Rams finalized their coaching staff for McVay's 10th season in charge. The Rams also announced that recently retired receiver Robert Woods will be their assistant wide receivers coach.

Kingsbury, the former Arizona Cardinals head coach,is joining his friend's stafffollowing two years as Washington's offensive coordinator. He is also bringing Brian Johnson as a senior offensive assistant after the former Philadelphia offensive coordinator worked for Kingsbury with the Commanders.

McVaypromoted Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinatorafter the 35-year-old assistant drew attention from numerous teams for their head coaching vacancies this winter.

Scheelhaase replaces Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals' new head coach and the fourth straight offensive coordinator under McVay to land a top NFL job.

Quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone also received a second title as associate coordinator.

The new staff does not include Aubrey Pleasant, McVay's assistant head coach last season. Pleasant, who acted as the Rams' head coach for multiple preseason games, was also their passing game coordinator while working with the defensive backs.

Woods will begin his coaching career with the franchise where the Los Angeles native spent the best five seasons of a 13-year NFL playing career, which ended withhis retirement last week. He will assist Eric Yarber, who also received a promotion to senior offensive assistant for his 10th season on McVay's staff, and newly promoted receivers coach Rob Calabrese.

Brian Allen was Woods' teammate during the Rams' Super Bowl championship season, and the former center has joined Los Angeles' coaching staff as an assistant offensive line coach. Allen spent last season as a consultant with the Rams.

Robert Wright has joined the Rams' staff as a defensive assistant after spending the past two years as Syracuse's co-defensive coordinator.

Bubba Ventrone was announced as the Rams' new special teams coordinator, with Kyle Hoke as his assistant. Ventrone, who previously ran special teams for Indianapolis and Cleveland, is the full-time replacement for Chase Blackburn, whogot fired by McVayin December after a season of special teams mistakes by Los Angeles.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/NFL

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Rams finalize coaching staff with Kliff Kingsbury as assistant head coach, Robert Woods on board

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kliff Kingsbury will have the title of assistant head coach on Sean McVay's staff with theLos Ange...

Jusuf Nurkić reportedly out for season because of nose surgery as season-ending injuries pile up for Jazz

The Utah Jazz are running out of players to put in their frontcourt. Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić will undergo a season-ending surgical procedure on his nose, according toNBA insider Chris Haynes. Nurkić has reportedly experienced complications with breathing and sleeping since fracturing his nose a few years ago.

Nurkić averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 50.3% from the field in his first season with the Jazz. The 31-year-old has also spent time playing for the Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets.

Nurkić is the latest Jazz player to be ruled out for the rest of the season. Jaren Jackson Jr. was alsoruled out for the remainder of the seasonafter undergoing surgery on his left knee. Jackson was reportedly shut down to ensure his long-term health after a localized PVNS growth was discovered post-trade.

Jackson was acquired by the Jazz in a trade in February that sent multiple players and three future first-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies. Jazz center Walker Kessler played in five games this season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

With Nurkić ruled out, expect the Jazz to go with Kyle Filipowski, 37-year-old Kevin Love and two-way contract player Oscar Tshiebwe. The Jazz could also experiment with playing star forward Lauri Markkanen at center, as long as he is not shut down.

The Jazz injuries come at a time when the league is trying tocrack downontanking, with teams near the bottom of the standings eyeing a loaded 2026 NBA Draft. The Jazz and the Indiana Pacers were recently fined for"overt tanking behavior."

The Jazz and Pacers have been under scrutiny because both team have a chance to keeping their 2026 NBA Draft picks, depending on where they land. The Jazz can only keep their pick if it lands in the top eight.

Teams such as theSacramento KingsandWashington Wizardshave also recently sat star players they recently acquired. The Jazz are 18-39, currently second to last in the West.

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Jusuf Nurkić reportedly out for season because of nose surgery as season-ending injuries pile up for Jazz

The Utah Jazz are running out of players to put in their frontcourt. Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić will undergo a season-...

WNBA, players union hold virtual CBA meeting with talks still far apart on key issues

NEW YORK (AP) — TheWNBAand its players union held a virtual meeting Monday to try and further negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

It was the first meeting between the two sides that involved players and the league since theymet at the WNBA officeson Feb. 2. Because ofthe winter stormthat hit New York, it was decided to hold the meeting virtually.

Over 50 players were on the call, which lasted nearly two hours, the person said.

The two sides are still far apart on revenue sharing and housing.

The league in its latest proposal that was sent Friday offered 70% net revenue for the players, and said it would do away with a trigger threshold that currently needs to be met to attain revenue sharing.

That came after the union had asked for an average of 27.5% of the gross revenue over the course of the CBA, beginning with 25% in the first year of the new deal. In its previous offer, the union had asked for an average of more than 30%.

The league at that point said in a statement the revenue sharing percentage remained unrealistic and would cause "hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams."

Also on Monday, the union confirmed to the AP that the WNBA will give its players $8 million from revenue sharing from last season as the league generated enough to trigger revenue sharing for the first time in league history. ESPN was the first to report it.

The players will decide how much each player will receive from that distribution. The union has 60 days from Feb. 9, when it was officially notified of the revenue sharing money, to come up with how it will disperse it.

That money will be distributed by the teams, which will then be reimbursed by the league. Under the 2020 CBA that has since expired, players received 50% of shared revenue — defined in the CBA as the amount of revenue that's above a predetermined threshold amount minus 30% for expenses.

Neither the league or the union would say what that threshold is.

In its latest offer, the league said teams would continue to pay for housing for all players this season, a different person familiar with the negotiations told the AP on Saturday. The person also spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

After that, franchises would pay for housing for players on minimum salary contracts, rookies in their first season and the two developmental players teams would be allowed to have.

The union had asked for teams to continue paying for housing for players in the first few years of the new agreement, but in the last two years of the CBA the franchises would no longer have to pay for housing for players that are making near the maximum salary.

If a new CBA isn't agreed upon soon, it could delay the start of the 2026 season. It's already delayed the expansion draft for Toronto and Portland and the start of a free agency frenzy.

"We still need to complete two drafts and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time," the league said in a statement earlier this week. "We believe the WNBA's proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come."

The previous CBA was announced in the middle of January 2020, a month after it had been agreed to. It could easily take two months from when a new CBA is reached to get to the start of free agency, which was supposed to begin last month. With a massive salary raise expected in a new CBA, 80% of players in the league are free agents this offseason, which makes this the biggest opportunity for player movement in the history of the WNBA.

A delay would hurt both sides. The season is supposed to startMay 8and every game missed is lost revenue, sponsorships, television money and fan support.

AP WNBA:https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

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WNBA, players union hold virtual CBA meeting with talks still far apart on key issues

NEW YORK (AP) — TheWNBAand its players union held a virtual meeting Monday to try and further negotiations for a new coll...

Nick Reiner pleads not guilty. See timeline of Rob Reiner case so far

Nick Reinerentered aplea of not guiltyon murder charges over the deaths of his parents, acclaimed director Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner, on Monday, Feb. 23. It's the latest update in a case thatleft Hollywood reelingfrom the unexpected loss of a couple whose impact extended beyond the realm of entertainment.

The arraignment on Feb. 23, which had previously been postponed, came two months after the filmmaker and his wife, a photographer and producer, were found dead in their Los Angeles home in December. One day after their bodies were discovered, authorities said that their investigation revealed that Reiner, a 32-year-old screenwriter, was responsible for their deaths.

Here's a timeline of the case so far, including when Reiner will appear in court next.

Dec. 14: Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner are found dead

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign dinner on March 30, 2019, in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Department said they responded to a "death investigation" at a Brentwood home and discovered two bodies. In an update later the same day, LAPD shared that the residence has been identified as Rob Reiner's home. Later details would reveal that son Nick Reiner is accused of fatally stabbing his parents in the "early morning hours" of Dec. 14.

Dec. 14: Nick Reiner is arrested

Nick Reiner was arrested at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Dec. 14, according to the LAPD on Dec. 15. A day later, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said Reiner "fled" before he was later arrested in Exposition Park in Los Angeles.

Dec. 15: Authorities claim Nick Reiner is responsible for parents' death

Los Angeles Police Department claimed Nick Reiner is "responsible" for his parents' deaths, citing their investigation, one day after authorities announced they'd found the husband and wife dead.

Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider's Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.