Unlike the relatively good news of last month, this January was harsh.

Tensions in the United States of America continue to flare up, with spillovers in Agreeland. Killings by American Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers led to widespread protests within Minnesota and across the United States, as well as within Agreeland itself.

Agreeland stands firm on this issue: Those working for ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are not welcome in Agreeland and will be obstructed by peaceful means. Agreeland remains committed to being a welcoming country to any people of the world, including non-White groups that are commonly targeted by DHS and ICE.

A different kind of ice is definitely impacting the United States and Agreeland too. Beginning 22 January and lasting over a week, snow and ice fell all across North America, from Mexico to Canada, making this Agreeland’s second major snow storm of the 2025–2026 winter.

Unlike the late November–early December one earlier this winter, this one was much more catastrophic, although Agreeland received relatively minor issues compared to parts of the United States. States of emergency were declared by both Agreelandian and American officials in the region. As of writing, four people in Agreeland have been killed. One death was reported each in Ouachita, Pulaski, St. Louis, and Sedgwick. Many injuries were reported as well. Kansas City reported that it was the most snowfall in recorded history, 13 cm. Some areas in Agreeland reported even more than 40 cm of snow!

It was then decided that Agreeland would begin naming winter storms that affected the nation. Although some companies and agencies in the United States give winter storms names, they were never considered official. The Nov–Dec storm would be named AHMIK (Ojibwe for “beaver”) and the most recent one would be named BEKHA (Kansa/Kaw for “crane”).

To end it off with a better note, on 29 January Kansas Day was celebrated. Kansas Day is the day when Kansas entered the United States of America as a state, and the end of Bleeding Kansas with an anti-slavery victory. We celebrate all Kansans who fell fighting for human rights during Bleeding Kansas and the American Civil War after.

The storm has passed now, but ice and snow remain. Enjoy the snow but stay warm and safe!

Written 1/2/26