1. President Donald Trump said the odds congressional negotiators will craft a deal to end his border wall standoff with Congress are “less than 50-50.” Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he doesn’t think the negotiators will strike a deal that he’d accept. He pledged to build a wall anyway using his executive powers to declare a national emergency if necessary. (NewsCenterMaine)
2. Winter storm watch in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. The snow is expected to hold off until after the Tuesday evening commute. This would make Wednesday morning travel the trickiest. A change to rain will happen more rapidly along the coast, where snowfall totals will remain lowest at 2 to 4 inches. (WMTW)
3. Former University of Maine football linebacker Trevor Bates, who plays for the Detroit Lions, is being held at a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation after he allegedly punched a police officer in the face after being arrested early Saturday in New York City. Bates, 25, of Westbrook was taken to a hospital after he hit a police sergeant who was trying to fingerprint him following Bates’ arrest for skipping a cab fare outside a LaGuardia Airport hotel at about 3 a.m., according to a New York City police spokesman. Bates was charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and theft of service and will be held in the hospital until he goes in front of a judge, according to the police spokesman. (Press Herald)
4. Westbrook’s ice disk, the naturally occurring phenomena that captured worldwide attention during a two-week spin in the Presumpscot River, appears to be nearing its end. The disk has eroded and melted to the point that it’s no longer circular. Tina Radel, Westbrook’s marketing and communication manager, said the city has no plans to commemorate the demise of the ice disk. (Press Herald)
5. Before the New England Patriots left for Atlanta for Super Bowl 53, thousands of fans braved the cold to wish them well Sunday morning. “This is the biggest send-off we’ve ever had and we really appreciate everybody coming out,” said the Patriots’ Head Coach Bill Belichick. Patriots take on the LA Rams Sunday night. (WGME)
