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WXXI News

A nationwide storm for the ages

By Evan Dawson, Megan Mack, Julie Williams

January 26, 2026 at 4:29 AM EST

12:00: A nationwide storm for the ages

1:00: The Trump administration questions gun rights

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency on Friday in anticipation of the massive winter storm. The entire state is experiencing heavy snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures. We discuss the state of the storm, safety tips, and the way the storm is impacting our region and other parts of the country. Our guests:
  • Eric Snitil, chief meteorologist for WROC
  • Glenn Johnson, meteorologist for WHEC
  • Luke Schulte, snowboarder
  • Steven Fuller, vice president of Bristol Mountain
  • Anna Valeria, executive director of the Open Door Mission
  • Rebecca Fronheiser, DDS, dentist in Aberdeen, North Carolina
  • Erin Vasicek, Ph.D., research scientist in Columbus, Ohio
Then in our second hour, the director of homeland security said that protestors can’t carry firearms — even in states that allow concealed carry. The director of the FBI said that engaging in Second Amendment rights is akin to breaking the law if a public protest is happening. And an administration lawyer said the deadly shooting of a protestor in Minneapolis Saturday morning will be justified because the man had a gun on his person. If the administration does not walk these positions back, it will represent a massive attack on gun rights. The NRA is making that clear. We talk about gun rights and whether this moment is a turning point. Our guest:
  • Gary Pudup, retired command officer with the Monroe County Sheriff's Police Bureau, NRA-certified firearms range safety officer, former chapter director of the local ACLU affiliate, and former regional representative and law enforcement consultant for New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
*Note: There are no YouTube broadcasts of "Connections" today.