promoearn: 'A tale of two storms' ❄️⛈

Wednesday, November 27

University of Northern Colorado facilities management staff Francis Garza, left, and Tina Longoria shovel snow from the steps and entranceway to Sabin Hall during a winter storm in Greeley, Colo. Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. The storm is expected to dump at least a foot of snow on Greeley by Tuesday night and caused the closure of school districts, the Greeley and Weld County government offices, and the University of Northern Colorado.

Two winter storms wreak havoc on holiday traveling. ICE arrests foreign students at a fake university. It's Wednesday's news.

Harvey Weinstein is still fighting his sex-crimes case. President Donald Trump wants to make Thanksgiving great again. And we're already scouting out our Black Friday game plan.

It's Alex Connor and Mabinty Quarshie. Here's the news to know on Thanksgiving eve, because that's a thing, right?

But first, it's snowtime (so don't break a leg): Shoveling your driveway is more than just a chore — it can be hazardous, even lethal. Here's what you need to know to stay safe while digging yourself out after a big snowstorm.

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Speaking of storms...

The timing couldn't get much worse for an estimated 55 million travelers planning to kick off their holiday season as twin winter storms slam the U.S., shutting down highways and snarling travel plans. Hundreds of cars remained stranded on Interstate 5 headed north from California into Oregon in the aftermath of a "bomb cyclone" that dumped snow and created whiteout conditions on both sides of the California-Oregon border. Meanwhile, parts of the central U.S. remained under siege from a storm that delayed or canceled almost 1,000 flights in Denver alone. The Weather Prediction Center is calling it "a tale of two storms for Thanksgiving week."

A fake university led to arrests for about 250 foreign students

The University of Farmington, based in metro Detroit, was incorporated in January 2016 by federal law enforcement officials with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. There's just one tiny problem — the university isn't real . Now about 250 students have now been arrested on immigration violations. The quick and dirty facts: Federal agents enticed foreign-born students, mostly from India, to attend the school. The students came to the U.S. legally on student visas but since the school is fake they lost their immigration status. In the aftermath, many of them have been deported or are contesting their removal. Meanwhile, seven of the eight recruiters who were criminally charged with trying to recruit students have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in Detroit.

•	University of Farmington: Emails show how fake university lured students

Thanksgiving is #canceled, allegedly

Trump decried a movement to rename Thanksgiving during a rally Tuesday that no one seems to know existed. "You know, some people want to change the name Thanksgiving. They don't want to use the term Thanksgiving," the president told the crowd of supporters, without explaining what he was referring to. Some theorized Trump's claim was rooted in Fox News' recent coverage of a "War on Thanksgiving" and that college liberals want to "cancel Thanksgiving." But even the hosts of "Fox & Friends," who are generally credulous when it comes to the president, appeared skeptical on Wednesday morning's show. Still, Twitter gobbled it up and offered their thoughts on the issue, using #WhatLiberalsCallThanksgiving and #WarOnThanksgiving hashtags.

President Donald Trump stands next to Butter, the National Thanksgiving Turkey, after giving him a presidential pardon during the traditional event in the Rose Garden of the White House Nov, 26, 2019, in Washington.

Drew Angerer, Getty Images

What everyone's talking about

•	What is a VSCO girl? OK, boomer. A parents' dictionary to teen slang words, sksksksksk.
•	A Boston couple texted for help minutes before being stabbed to death in their penthouse condo.
•	The homeless are fed and embraced across the country at Thanksgiving. The rest of the year? Cities are pushing back.
•	'The loneliest club': For survivors caught in an endless loop of mass shootings, time doesn't always heal.

Things are getting messy with 'America's Got Talent' — again

What happened between "America's Got Talent" judges Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough? The two stars, who joined the reality singing competition for the most recent season, are not returning for a second year . The reason? According to a report from Variety, there are allegations of a "toxic culture" on set. Variety also reports that there were racist jokes and "excessive notes" about Union and Hough's physical appearance. Unnamed sources say Union was told her hairstyles were "too black" for the show. It didn't take long for NBC to hit back. "America's Got Talent has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show," NBC and production company Fremantle said in a joint statement sent to USA TODAY.

•	Heads up, 'AGT' fans: Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough will not return to the show next season

Real quick

•	Will balloons fly at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2019? Wind forecast casts doubt.
•	'Today' show co-host Savannah Guthrie has a torn retina after an accident with son's toy train.
•	You absolutely should not put these Thanksgiving foods in your garbage disposal.
•	Analysis: Duke's loss ranks as one of the biggest upsets in college hoops history.

Prosecutors: 1. Harvey Weinstein: 0.

Accused sexual predator Weinstein's latest effort to get his New York sex-crimes case dismissed before his January trial has been denied . Judge James Burke's ruling on the motion to dismiss is a major win for prosecutors in the Manhattan District Attorney's office, except for allowing the defense team to call some expert witnesses to testify on memory. And even then, Burke ruled against Weinstein by making certain subjects and scientific theories off-limits for testimony by defense expert witnesses. Weinstein's trial is scheduled to begin on Jan. 6.

Harvey Weinstein arrives for a court appearance on July 11, 2019 in New York.

Kevin Hagen/Getty Images

A break from the news (pre-holiday edition!)

•	Just in time for Black Friday, USA TODAY is launching Deals We Love, a weekly newsletter for peeps who love a bargain.
•	Traveling through an airport? Your phone could get hacked if you charge it this way.
•	Elf on the Shelf returns! Here are 5 easy arrival ideas to bring your elves back.
•	'Tis the season for holiday decorations. Here's why your Christmas tree will cost more this year