Let them have this. They’ll be sick of it soon enough.

Happening in the World: Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq has declared victory over the Islamic State, after three years of battles to regain parts of the country from the group’s control. Though this does not mark the end of the threat this group, or any other, poses over the region, this marks a new era of pride in the government and security forces, as well as an opportunity to begin rebuilding. (NYT)

Happening in the US: A winter storm brought snow to cities across the southern US, some for the first time in over the decade. Some areas Corpus Christi, Texas, which last saw snow over Christmas 2004, received upwards of six inches in some areas. Kids in the region described the experience as ““pretty cool” and, channeling their inner Los Angeles first year, reported building snowmen as tall as five feet. (NYT)

Happening in NYC: Famed toy store FAO Schwartz, which closed in 2015 , is reported to be opening a new location in Rockefeller Center. The new store will occupy 16,000 square feet (a slight downgrade from it’s former 61,000) and is scheduled to open in fall 2018. (NBC New York)

Happening on Campus: A capella group Nonsequitur presents their winter concert, NonseqWintur, today in Lerner C555 at 3:30. Come out if you appreciate a good pun or some good music and check out their Facebook event here.

Word of the Day: Nix: Latin for snow, because it sounds nice and I’m feeling deeply uncreative today.

a first year from LA via Public Domain