Global National: Jan. 6, 2024 | US grounds 171 Boeing MAX-9 after Alaskan Airlines panel blowout

In tonight’s top story: A mid-flight cabin panel blowout on an Alaskan Airlines plane led to an emergency landing of a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX-9 jetliner. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Portland Friday night, leaving a gaping hole on the plane's side after a window and a portion of its fuselage blew out. All 180 passengers and crew on board used oxygen masks and returned to the airport safely. However, United States federal officials have ordered the immediate grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX-9 jetliners, reopening safety concerns about Boeing planes. Abigail Bimman reports.

Meanwhile, a powerful winter storm is moving through parts of the U.S. and Canada this weekend, unleashing snow and freezing rain along the East Coast. The system is sweeping through much of the Northeastern U.S. Saturday, before making its way to Ontario — where several weather advisories are in effect. The storm is set to hit Atlantic Canada on Sunday and Nova Scotians are preparing for its arrival. Vanessa Wright reports.

And as the winter weather hits some communities, many across the country are enjoying warmer temperatures and a lack of snow. However, in the agriculture sector, concerns are growing over the dry conditions being experienced, despite the growing season still being months away. Experts are worried about the potential impact on crops and the overall health of the industry. David Baxter has the story.

Plus, Saturday marks three years since the Republican riots at Washington's Capitol Building. A recent report suggests that Americans' views of the attack are becoming increasingly extreme and divided. It comes as former President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the election have become a key focus of the 2024 campaign. Jackson Proskow reports

Back in Canada, Manitobans had another reason to celebrate New Year's Day as the provincial fuel tax holiday came into effect. The province's NDP government has lifted the 14-cent-a-litre provincial tax on gasoline, natural gas, and diesel fuel from January 1st until the end of June. Mercedes Stephenson reports as Premier Wab Kinew spoke about the pause and what it could mean for the future of the federal carbon tax in Manitoba.

Additionally, a recent report found that over a quarter of monitored animal species are facing a threat of extinction. This accounts for about 44,000 types of animals, including the critically endangered gorilla. However, there is some hope for the subspecies of mountain gorillas, as their numbers are slowly rebounding. Redmond Shannon brings us more on this story.

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