Good evening. I'm Jeff Bennett and I'm Amna Navaz on the news hour tonight.

I'm Iowain's face the freezing temperatures to caucus in the first electoral contest of the 2024 campaign.

The actions of Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East raised the threat of drawing the United States into a wider regional conflict. the

and politics of immigration become deadly.

A woman and two children drown, trying to enter the country

while a standoff between Texas and federal officials escalates. Welcome to the news hour. The 2024 presidential election officially kicks off tonight.

Some Republicans are enduring frigid weather to participate in these Iowa caucuses.

Lisa DeJardin is there with the latest, Lisa.

We're in Western Warren.

This is one of over 700 caucus sites around the state.

The temperature zero degrees and dropping.

Now, Iowans know how to handle cold weather, but they have rarely seen temperatures or caucus like this.

This is not normal.

The 2024 Iowa caucuses probably won't be remembered for any speech, debate, or slogan, but instead for this.

A week-long Arctic blast with record-setting snowfall, powerful gusts, and wind chill readings in the

40s below zero.

It all choked campaigns to a near halt at one point,

and when candidates did return,

the storm still took center stage.

When everyone's talking about all the weather, it's going to be so tough.

Are you ready to brave the cold

to make your voice heard tonight?

...