This is AP news minute.
1. The blizzard of 2016 has blotted out much of the northeast coastline. The entire area is at a standstill, as hurricane-force winds drive (blasted) snow across the entire area. Governments are ordering residents to stay off the streets, stay indoors and don't drive. Areas near Washington surpass 30 inches of snow by early afternoon.
2. In New York, the great white way has been (shuttered).  Restaurants are closed to keep people off the streets. Bridges and tunnels into and out of the city have been shut down to prevent unnecessarily travel. The city is (bracing) for nearly another foot of snow overnight.
3. In Washington, during a low on the storm, crews were able to remove some of the snow from around the national wall. About an hour later, the snow was so (dense) that the White House was lost into the whiteness of the scene.
4. And at the international zoo in Washington, cub Bei Bei played momentarily in a bucket of snow. He quickly decided enough is enough, and (joined) his mother for an afternoon snack of bamboo.