Winter Storm Death Toll Rises to 29; Micron Announces $24 Billion Expansion

Lead: At least 29 people have died in a winter storm sweeping across the United States, while Micron Technology announced a multi-billion dollar semiconductor investment in Singapore. These developments coincide with a DHS investigation into a fatal shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis.

What we know

• Officials have attributed at least 29 deaths across the U.S. to impacts from the current winter storm SOURCE.
• Micron Technology plans to construct a $24 billion memory chip manufacturing plant in Singapore to expand global production capacity SOURCE.
• U.S. business borrowing for equipment increased 5.9% in December year-over-year, marking the second-highest level recorded by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association SOURCE.
• TikTok stated that recent app glitches and allegations of content censorship were caused by power outages at a data center SOURCE.
• The Department of Homeland Security is investigating whether Border Patrol agents accidentally discharged a weapon during a Minneapolis raid that killed a nurse SOURCE.
• Hyundai Mobis signed a Memorandum of Understanding to sell its automotive lamp business to an unnamed global parts supplier SOURCE.
• Lands’ End and WHP Global formed a joint venture to manage the apparel brand's intellectual property and restructure its balance sheet SOURCE.
• Marvell Technology shares rose 1.9% during the Monday trading session SOURCE.

What we don’t know yet

• The specific medical causes of death for each of the 29 storm victims have not been released by local coroners.
• The exact date for breaking ground on Micron's $24 billion Singapore facility has not been finalized.
• Investigators have not confirmed if mechanical failure or human error led to the firearm discharge in the Minneapolis DHS case.

Why it matters

• Public Safety: Severe weather conditions continue to pose lethal risks and have forced large-scale travel cancellations across the U.S.
• Technology Infrastructure: Micron’s $24 billion commitment is one of the largest recent investments in the memory chip sector, aimed at long-term supply stability.
• Federal Accountability: The DHS investigation in Minneapolis may impact protocol for federal agents operating in joint task force raids.
• Capital Investment: The 5.9% rise in equipment borrowing indicates that U.S. firms continued to expand capacity through the end of the fiscal year.

What’s next

• Seagate Technology is scheduled to report its quarterly earnings on January 27 SOURCE.
• Airlines are expected to issue travel waivers through the end of the week as they reset flight schedules following storm delays.
• DHS investigators are expected to release a preliminary report on the Minneapolis shooting once ballistic and forensic reviews are complete.
• Final terms of the Hyundai Mobis lamp business sale are expected to be disclosed following the completion of the MOU phase.