2026/01/05

Eye Opener: What's next after US capture of Maduro?

It's Monday, January 5. Welcome to the first full week of 2026.

Today's emoji forecast: ☀️❄️❓ We're warming up this week, but snow chances aren't far away. Jon Rivas has your forecast.

What people are talking about:

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Meet the small town Iowa college student who may be the nation's youngest mayor.
The entire Mitchellville Police Department has resigned in recent weeks, leaving the city without local law enforcement aside from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

TOP STORY: U.S. military operation leads to capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro

THE 101: Hours after an audacious military operation that plucked leader Nicolás Maduro from power and removed him from the country, President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States would run Venezuela at least temporarily and tap its vast oil reserves to sell to other nations.

WHY IT MATTERS: Speaking to reporters hours after Maduro's capture, Trump revealed his plans to exploit the leadership void to "fix" the country's oil infrastructure and sell "large amounts" of oil to other countries.

The action drew a mixed response.

"Maduro is a horrible, horrible person, but you don't treat lawlessness with other lawlessness, and that's what's happened here," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Democrats like Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Sen. Tim Kaine criticized Trump for not notifying Congress ahead of time.

"The President does not have the unilateral authority to invade foreign countries, oust their governments, and seize their resources," Baldwin said in a statement. "Under the Constitution, the power to go to war lies with the people's branch."

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

Trump said he chose not to notify Congress beforehand due to concerns about leaking information and losing the element of surprise.
Republicans representing Iowa defended Trump's actions and called Maduro a narcoterrorist.
"His regime's role in flooding our communities with fentanyl has devastated families across Iowa and the nation, claiming far too many American lives," Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks said.

4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

🚓 Police kill shooting suspect: Two people are dead after a shooting at a Dubuque bar. Read more

⚠️ Secret Service arrest: One man is in custody after police officers and Secret Service agents responded to a report of damage at the Ohio home of Vice President JD Vance. Read more

🏈 Becht follows Campbell: Penn State is adding former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht in the transfer portal. Read more

🥇 Making a difference: The Carson King Foundation is donating over $12,000 to the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital after Iowa's bowl game win. Read more

WEEKLY WEATHER OUTLOOK

As the day goes on, temperatures will rebound into the 40s as we stay mostly cloudy. Light south winds will be the main reason for our temperature rebound today bringing up some of the warmth from the south. Another round of patchy fog will be possible Tuesday morning as northwest winds return which is expected to make Tuesday afternoon cooler compared to today.

Wednesday will be the crown jewel of the week. Sunny and 50s with winds staying on the lighter side. This will be the warmest day of the week and the best day to take care of any outdoor chores. Rain chances will return later in the day along with cloud cover Thursday. Our next low pressure system will be moving in that will eventually switch the rain to snow chances come Friday afternoon into the evening. Cold air rushes in through Friday into Saturday which could make for slick travel conditions. The amount of snow accumulations are still uncertain, but travel impact between Friday afternoon through Saturday are steadily climbing. Saturday will throw us back into the winter feel as temperatures drop. Wind chills are expected to be back into the teens and possible single digits.

MORE FROM THE ARCHIVES

Today: Areas of fog during the morning. Mostly cloudy skies with some clearing later in the day. High around 48F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Areas of fog early. Partly to mostly cloudy. High 43F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 55F. Winds SSW around 10 mph.
Thursday: Increasing clouds. Chance of a rain shower later in the day. High 48F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Rain showers possibly changing over to snow. Cloudy skies. High 40F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.