Sybil Wilkes Breaks Down What We Need to Know: January 23, 2026

In this edition of “What We Need to Know,” we are looking at stories that celebrate our history, protect our finances, and reconnect our spirits. From critical safety warnings to headlines celebrating Black history makers. Here is the full breakdown of what is happening right now.

Severe Winter Weather Alerts

Mother Nature is bringing a massive winter system that is sweeping across the nation, putting more than 200 million Americans on high alert. Families from the Southern Plains all the way to the East Coast need to bundle up and prepare. With 175 million people currently under extreme cold or winter weather advisories, this storm is bringing heavy snow, ice, and dangerous temperatures to 35 states. Forecasters warn that record lows could hit parts of the South and Mid-Atlantic, so please check on your neighbors and elders as this system moves through.