Winter storm Blair has wreaked havoc across the Midwest and East Coast this week, causing massive school closures and leaving millions of Americans grappling with dangerous travel conditions. Beginning Friday and expected to last through Monday, the storm has dumped heavy snow and ice across regions like Ohio, Maryland, D.C., and Kansas.
People make their way during a winter snow storm in Washington, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)(AP)
School closures and state of emergencies
With winds gusting up to 45 mph, local authorities have been forced to take action urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Several states have declared an emergency while power outages have left thousands of customers in Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana in the dark. From Missouri to Maryland, storm warnings have been issued.
Impacted states
According to Newsweek, all public schools in Washington D.C. have been closed, coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump’s meeting with U.S. Congress.
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Missouri: Heavy snowfall of 10 to 14 inches in parts of central and northeast Missouri has led to school closures, especially in counties like Jackson and Vinton, Newsweek reports. School closures in Boone County and St. Louis County were also announced.
Kansas: Kansas is experiencing blizzard-like conditions. Travels are completely disrupted. As a result, schools across the state, including Shawnee County, Wichita Public Schools, and Lawrence Public Schools, have announced closure.
Indiana: Indiana is suffering a massive power outage, meanwhile emergency has been declared. Several school districts have been affected, with Indianapolis Public Schools, Perry Township Schools, and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation all closing.
Also read: Major US winter blast shuts down government offices in several states, stirs dangerous travel conditions
Kentucky: Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, and many school districts have canceled classes. Schools in Jefferson County and districts in Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer, and Greater Clark counties have all closed. Fayette County Public Schools and numerous other districts in Kentucky have followed suit.
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Maryland: Heavy snowfall has hit Maryland. Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency as the storm began affecting the state.. Schools in Baltimore City, Cecil County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County have all closed due to the storm’s impact.
Washington D.C.: In the nation’s capital, Winter Storm Blair has caused all public schools to close, as the city prepares for snow and bitter cold temperatures.
What to know about Winter storm Blair
According to the National Weather Service, the winter storm which has been named Blair could bring “the heaviest snowfall in at least a decade.” According to BBC, AccuWeather forecaster Dan DePodwin said: “This could lead to the coldest January for the US since 2011.”
Also read: Kamala Harris to certify Trump’s win four years after Capitol attack, calls her role a ‘sacred obligation’: Watch
The storm has severely affected the travel sector. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, and many major roads and highways have been declared hazardous due to snow and ice accumulation. Power outages have affected hundreds of thousands of residents in Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana. Additionally, frigid temperatures in southern states have led to freeze warnings in areas like Florida.
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“Whiteout conditions will make travel extremely hazardous, with impassable roads and a high risk of motorists becoming stranded,” the NWS said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The conversation around Ohio State football’s championship aspirations often centers on offensive firepower, but a sophomore cornerback might play an important role in helping the Buckeyes accomplish their goals next season.
Devin Sanchez arrived in Columbus as the nation’s top cornerback recruit, and after a freshman season where he earned meaningful snaps in critical moments, the expectations have escalated.
No longer is it enough for Sanchez to be a reliable contributor. He must take a step toward becoming a true lockdown corner who can eliminate one side of the field.
“Is Devin Sanchez ready to be the dude because he’s going to have to be,” co-host Stefan Krajisnik said on Buckeye Talk. “I don’t mean is he ready to be a reliable starter — I mean it’s time… to be a dude. I don’t think it’s putting unrealistic expectations on a guy like Devin Sanchez to be an All-Big Ten first team caliber-type guy.”
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The coaching staff has demonstrated their belief in Sanchez’s potential by giving him high-leverage opportunities against elite competition as a true freshman. Against Texas last season, while other freshmen barely saw the field, Sanchez was trusted in critical moments – a telling sign of the program’s expectations.
Next season’s rematch with Texas will provide an opportunity to see how much progress Sanchez has made since the last time he faced the Longhorns.
As co-host Andrew Gillis put it, “Is he ready to announce himself to the world as lock down?”
The transformation starts now. Co-host Stephen Means made it clear that spring practice represents a crucial development period.
“We should be walking away from spring practice thinking that’s the best cornerback in the Big Ten and his only competition is (Oregon’s) Brandon Finney,” Means said. “That should be the goal for Devin.”
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What makes Sanchez’s development so critical is how it affects the entire defensive structure. If he can become that elite cornerback who eliminates one side of the field, it changes what Ohio State can do with their other 10 defenders. It allows for more aggressive pressure packages, more safety help to other areas, and ultimately, a more disruptive defense.
For Ohio State fans, Sanchez’s development represents one of the most fascinating storylines to follow this offseason. His progression from promising freshman to elite sophomore could be the difference between a playoff appearance and a national championship.
One of Ohio State’s true freshmen along the offensive line is set to enter the portal, as Tyler Bowen is set to enter his second season as line coach.Getty Images
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State freshman offensive lineman Jayvon McFadden is set to enter the transfer portal, per a report on Wednesday afternoon.
He was a member of the 2025 recruiting class as a four-star recruit and the No. 391 overall prospect in the 247Sports composite. McFadden appeared in one game for Ohio State this season, and played 15 snaps.
The Buckeyes now have just two members of the OL class in 2025 left — offensive tackle Carter Lowe and interior lineman Jake Cook.
Ohio State was unlikely to have McFadden enter the two-deep in the 2026 season, considering what talent the team is expected to have come back to the roster.
A wild transfer portal continues to march on for Ohio State.
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Andrew Gillis covers Ohio State football and recruiting for Cleveland.com. He provides updates on Ohio State football as a whole, its prospects and the Buckeyes each week. He previously covered the Bengals for…
Ohio State standout wide receiver Carnell Tate announced on Tuesday he is leaving school early to declare for the NFL draft.
Tate announced his decision on social media. The junior had 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns this season as he became a deep threat in the Buckeyes’ passing attack.
Tate — an AP second-team All-American — had nine receptions of at least 40 yards, tied for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision, including five touchdowns. After missing three games in November because of lower leg tightness, Tate returned against Michigan and put the game out of reach with a 50-yard TD that made it 24-9 midway through the third quarter.
“I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished at Ohio State and will carry the lessons, relationships, and memories from this program with me forever,” Tate wrote.
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Tate is expected to become the sixth OSU receiver selected in the first round since 2022, joining Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave (2022), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024) and Emeka Egbuka (2025).
Ohio State’s offense will have some changes after finishing 12-2 and losing to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl. Besides Tate’s departure, offensive coordinator and receivers coach Brian Hartline has become the head coach at South Florida.
Coach Ryan Day announced last week he hired Cortez Hankton as receivers coach. Hankton had spent four seasons at LSU, including the past two as receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate runs after making a catch against Miami during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Credit: AP/Gareth Patterson
Day though remains in the market for an offensive coordinator.
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Even with Tate’s departure, the Buckeyes will have plenty of talent in the passing game. First-team All-American Jeremiah Smith will be back for one more season along with quarterback Julian Sayin. Five-star prospect Chris Henry Jr. committed to the Buckeyes during the early signing period.
