A 48-year-old South St. Paul father, Zong Yang, faces imminent deportation to Laos after U.S. immigration agents detained him at his home on Feb. 5, 2026, his family says.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents moved Yang to a Texas detention facility, and federal officials cite a decades-old 1990s felony burglary in Wisconsin as the basis for his removal. The reporting was published by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Richfield police shot and killed a suspect, and the officer wounded in that incident was released from Hennepin County Medical Center on Thursday, April 30, 2026, and is recovering at home.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul first reported the officer was wounded and the suspect was killed during an officer-involved shooting. FOX 9 observed a ceremonial sendoff as the officer left the hospital, with a large turnout of fellow officers, loved ones and community members. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt spoke at the hospital event in support of the officer. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation into the shooting.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a new $91 million deferral of Minnesota Medicaid funds, adding to an earlier freeze and threatening payments to providers.

Federal officials said $76 million of the deferral covers 14 service categories they consider highly vulnerable to fraud. The remainder, about $14 million, targets payments for ineligible individuals and other program-integrity concerns. The move follows an earlier audit that froze roughly $250 million in federal Medicaid dollars. Officials also noted federal agents raided 22 Minnesota child-care locations over alleged billing fraud, which Oz cited as evidence of oversight breakdowns.

The Minnesota Senate approved a ban on betting-style prediction markets in a 56-10 vote on April 30, a move supporters say will curb gambling risks and critics warn could draw legal challenges.

The measure passed after GOP leaders tried to block a procedural vote and is attached to a public safety bill with bipartisan House support. The legislation specifically targets platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi and comes alongside a separate Senate ban on online sweepstakes that resemble slot machines. Supporters including Sen. John Marty and Sen. Jordan Rasmusson cited risks of gambling addiction and potential corruption. Senate Minority Leader Johnson warned the Trump administration filed five lawsuits in April against states that tried similar bans and predicted Minnesota would face litigation if the bill becomes law.

About 4:45 p.m. Thursday, a school bus collided with a U-Haul and another car at St. Anthony Parkway and Marshall Street NE in Minneapolis.

The bus's engine caught fire and was extinguished by Minneapolis firefighters, and two people in the U-Haul were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The bus driver and the other motorist were uninjured, the incident was reported by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.

A garbage truck rear-ended a 2013 Hyundai Elantra on southbound Highway 41 near Shakopee, Minnesota, triggering a five-vehicle crash that left a Chaska woman critically injured.

State Patrol says traffic was stopped for railroad crossing arms when the garbage truck struck the Hyundai, starting the chain reaction. State Patrol reports the critically injured driver is a 50-year-old woman from Chaska who was taken to Hennepin Healthcare, and that the garbage truck driver and three other motorists suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

A vehicle struck All Saints Senior Living in Shakopee just after 4 p.m. Thursday, breaking an exterior gas meter and prompting a precautionary evacuation of the building.

The crash occurred at the All Saints Senior Living facility at 1880 Independence Drive, where the impact sheared off the exterior gas meter and caused a natural gas leak. All Saints Senior Living residents were evacuated as a precaution, and police, fire, EMS and CenterPoint Energy crews responded to the scene.

A Ramsey County judge issued a bench warrant after Kelvin Micaiah Luebke missed his April 30 court appearance on forgery charges connected to White Bear Lake Area High School.

Luebke faces two counts of aggravated forgery and one count of forgery, prosecutors say. Investigators allege he enrolled at the school as a 17-year-old using a Liberian birth certificate that showed a 2007 birthdate and attended for 19 days in September 2025, joining football practices but not playing in games, FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported. Authorities say jail booking records and Luebke's Minnesota driver's license, U.S. passport and U.S. birth certificate show his true birthdate is May 30, 2003.

The Minnesota Senate is poised to pass a $100 million Metro Surge business loan fund to help businesses harmed by an immigration crackdown, lawmakers and reporting said. Minnesota Reformer coverage says the measure is on track for passage.

The loan fund is part of a broader aid package described as relief for firms hit by intensified enforcement. It would create low-interest recovery loans tied to the federal ICE actions that disrupted customers and staff. FOX 9 previously described the effort as "ICE surge business recovery loans" heading to the Senate.

nVent Electric opened a new 117,000-square-foot facility in Blaine, Minnesota to produce liquid-cooling systems for data centers, doubling the company's liquid-cooling capacity.

The Blaine plant is expected to employ about 175 workers and will make products aimed at cooling energy-intensive AI hardware. Company officials framed the expansion as a response to rising demand from hyperscalers and colocation providers.

A Coon Rapids man, Brendon Michael Daugherty, 39, has been charged in Hennepin County with making threats of violence against Champlin police and county dispatch, authorities say.

Prosecutors say the threats followed an April 1 Champlin traffic stop in which Daugherty told an officer he should kill himself. They say he left multiple voicemails to Hennepin County dispatch and to the officer's work phone between early April and April 25. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported the allegations.

A man in his 20s was fatally stabbed just after 3 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2026, inside a North Minneapolis home on the 3000 block of Girard Avenue North, FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported.

Officers found the victim at the scene, and life-saving efforts failed, police said. His brother, also in his 20s, was injured, treated at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), and later booked into Hennepin County Jail, though he has not been charged.

Trevon Harris and Deangelo Martez Davenport were charged Thursday with murder in a Sept. 14, 2025, shooting near East Lake Street and 15th Avenue South in Minneapolis. Harris, 28, is jailed on unrelated gun charges; Davenport, 50, has not been apprehended.

The Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul report said the adult victim died after a gunshot severed his femoral artery. A juvenile male suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the same attack.

A 69-year-old man was found shot to death about 8:48 p.m. Wednesday inside a home on the 4800 block of Bryant Avenue North in north Minneapolis, police said.

Minneapolis Police Department said the shooting does not appear to be random. No arrests have been made and detectives say the investigation is ongoing.

Minnesota's average price for regular gasoline has risen to $4.00 per gallon, pushing some Twin Cities stations above $4 and raising the prospect of higher consumer costs statewide.

A Fox 9 report shows some Twin Cities stations, including a Woodbury location, charging about $4.09 per gallon, while neighboring Wisconsin's average sits at $4.29. GasBuddy forecasts the national average could reach $4.50 next week and says Wisconsin may approach $4.79.

The FBI executed 22 search warrants across the Twin Cities on Tuesday, April 28, targeting Medicaid-billed child-care providers, and a public feud erupted over who first uncovered the alleged fraud.

The Justice Department told [The Guardian] the warrants were part of an ongoing fraud investigation, not an immigration enforcement action. Gov. Tim Walz posted on X that state agencies "caught irregular behavior and reported it." FBI Director Kash Patel fired back that the FBI, Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security drafted and executed every warrant. JD Vance, who oversees the administration's anti-fraud task force, told FOX 9 federal officers and state or local partners deserved credit and that his team got little help from the governor's office. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed it has worked for months with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations on the probe.

The Minnesota Senate passed a Health and Human Services bill that includes $150 million in grants for Hennepin Healthcare and backed a modest Hennepin County sales-tax hike for HCMC.

Senate leaders are advancing a smaller county sales tax while the House is weighing a larger Hennepin County sales-tax increase, and the overall rescue package is not yet assured. HCMC Chief Financial Officer Abdi Abdiraham says a 2% rise in uncompensated care from 2020-24 added $60 million in losses and pushed annual deficits above $100 million.

Gov. Tim Walz said he is skeptical of a $200 million state subsidy for renovations to the Grand Casino Arena as lawmakers' broader bonding bill stalls at the Minnesota Capitol.

DFL leaders now say the bonding bill will not include that $200 million state share, removing the largest expected state contribution to the $600 million project, negotiators told reporters. Sen. Sandy Pappas said she is "nervous" about getting a bonding bill done with only about two and a half weeks left in session and no budget targets set, even as negotiators remain optimistic about funding for Roy Wilkins Hall.

Negotiators in the Minnesota Legislature have stalled a $907 million bonding package, imperiling statewide funding for metro roads, bridges and water systems with about two and a half weeks left in the session.

The governor and DFL leaders pushed the plan, but legislative leaders have not set budget targets, leaving the bill's future uncertain. Negotiators say the package will not include $200 million in state funding for St. Paul's Grand Casino Arena, though some money for Roy Wilkins Hall may still be considered.

The Minnesota Senate is preparing to take a floor vote on a gun bill that includes an assault-weapons ban, limits on high-capacity magazines and new restrictions on binary triggers and ghost guns.

The measure has drawn heavy pressure from parents of Annunciation students and families across the state who have flooded lawmakers with letters urging a ban. The Gun Owners Caucus and Republican senators strongly oppose the bill and warn it may be unconstitutional. Sen. Zaynab Mohamed of Minneapolis acknowledged internal DFL (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) disagreement over the assault-weapons provision. She said, "overwhelmingly, Minnesotans are asking us to do so."

A crash between a semi-truck and a pickup at 6:56 a.m. Wednesday on Hwy 52 near 220th Street in Vermillion Township left the pickup driver with life-threatening injuries.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported the collision closed Hwy 52 for several hours before it reopened.

The Minnesota Senate passed a bipartisan ban on AI "nudification" technology in a 65-0 vote, clearing the way for the state to become the first in the nation to outlaw AI-made nude images and videos.

The House approved the measure last week, and the law will take effect Aug. 1 once Gov. Tim Walz signs it. Victims will be able to sue individuals, and the state Attorney General can seek up to $500,000 per image or video from companies whose tools were used. Companies must disable access to AI nudification technology for Minnesotans under the bill.

The Plymouth City Council voted April 28, 2026, to ban flavored tobacco sales within city limits and tighten licensing rules in a move aimed at curbing youth vaping.

The ordinance sets the maximum number of new tobacco licenses at zero, bans price promotions, raises license fees and increases penalties for violations. New rules also create a 500-foot buffer between any tobacco license and schools or youth-oriented parks and align Plymouth with more than 30 Minnesota communities that restrict flavored tobacco.

Prosecutors say Aimee Bock leaked protected Feeding Our Future case files from jail since February 2026 by directing her son to download discovery from her Dropbox and email it under a Proton Mail alias.

Prosecutors say the emails were sent under the Proton Mail alias "Daisy Hill" and that a Nov. 15, 2022 protective order bars Bock and co-defendants from sharing sensitive discovery outside the case, the FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul report says. A Star Tribune reporter is said to now have more than 100 law-enforcement interview reports, and at least one Minnesota lawmaker received leaked packets blaming state officials. The government asks the court to seize Bock's Dropbox, force surrender of all physical and electronic copies of protected material including her son's computer, and bar her from contacting her sons before her May 21 sentencing.

The Minnesota Supreme Court denied Adam Fravel's appeal, upholding his murder convictions in the killing of Madeline Kingsbury and leaving in place his life sentence without parole.

A jury had convicted Fravel of first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree murder tied to a past pattern of domestic abuse, second-degree intentional murder and second-degree felony murder. The high court ruled the trial properly admitted expert domestic-violence testimony and the medical examiner's opinion that the death was caused by homicidal violence, and it found the evidence sufficient for all counts.

The Florida House approved Gov. Ron DeSantis' new congressional map on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, voting 83-28 and sending the GOP-backed plan to the state Senate.

The map's backers say it could create 24 Republican-leaning and 4 Democratic-leaning districts, a shift that would redraw Florida's 28-seat U.S. House delegation. The vote was moved up and carried on a largely silent floor, with Democrats urging a delay to read the U.S. Supreme Court decision narrowing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and Republicans refusing. State Rep. Angie Nixon staged a floor protest with a bullhorn as the measure passed.

A federal grand jury indicted two people Tuesday for the April 11 assault on Turning Point USA reporter Savanah Hernandez outside the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis.

The indictments were handed down Tuesday and were expected to be unsealed Wednesday; names and specific charges had not been released as of Wednesday morning. Hernandez thanked the Department of Justice on social media, saying she was "extremely grateful" and declaring "justice is coming." Locally, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office had not filed charges as of April 22 and was still reviewing the case, even though the sheriff's office had earlier said people would face local charges.

FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund fell below $3 billion on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, triggering Imminent Needs Funding and forcing the agency to sharply limit spending just before the June 1 hurricane season.

Imminent Needs Funding restricts spending to urgent life-saving response, direct survivor aid and critical infrastructure while pausing many reimbursements and long-term recovery payments. Roughly 10,000 FEMA employees are paid from the fund, and payroll alone costs an estimated $300 million to $400 million per month.

President Trump on Saturday, April 25, 2026, called off a planned Islamabad trip by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, deepening a stalemate as Iran tied reopening the Strait of Hormuz to lifting a U.S. naval blockade.

Trump told Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner not to make the 18-hour flight, saying the U.S. "has all the cards" and blaming "infighting" in Tehran. Iran refused direct talks and continued to press Pakistan to mediate, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi carrying a list of red lines to Islamabad, Oman and St. Petersburg. Over the weekend, Tehran offered—via Pakistani intermediaries—to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the United States lifts its naval blockade and the war formally ends, while deferring nuclear talks.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 opinion struck down Louisiana's SB8 congressional map, calling it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander and narrowing the Voting Rights Act.

The opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, said Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act cannot justify race-based redistricting in this case. The majority announced an updated Section 2 framework that limits liability to situations where evidence gives a strong inference of intentional race-based denial of opportunity. Justice Elena Kagan read the principal dissent, warning the ruling will make it harder for minority voters and voting-rights groups to prevail. The decision voided the second majority-Black seat held by Democrat Cleo Fields, which the majority described as a more-than-200-mile "snake" linking Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Baton Rouge. The ruling leaves open whether Louisiana or other states can redraw maps in time for the November 2026 midterm elections.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously allowed First Choice Women's Resource Centers to sue in federal court over a New Jersey subpoena seeking donor records.

The narrow, procedural win lets the group press its First Amendment claims before any subpoena enforcement. State investigators are probing whether First Choice misled people to discourage abortions, including by suggesting it offers abortions, and the American Civil Liberties Union backed the center's concerns about forced disclosure of donor lists. The Justice Department in the prior administration filed at the high court on the center's side, saying any broad ruling should be limited to similar claims. First Choice American Civil Liberties Union Justice Department

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Justice Department asked a federal judge to detain Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old charged in the April 25 shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton.

Prosecutors say Allen planned the attack and filed photos and writings to prove it, including a pre-attack hotel selfie showing a shoulder holster and sheathed knife. The initial complaint lists attempted assassination, firearm and interstate-transport counts, and an unsealed FBI affidavit details how he moved through the hotel and carried a shotgun and pistol. The Wall Street Journal published the selfie prosecutors cited.

Two Jewish men were seriously wounded by a knife-wielding attacker in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday, April 29, 2026; police arrested a 45-year-old man and counterterror units are leading the investigation.

Jewish volunteer group Shomrim says its members detained the suspect and handed him to officers after police deployed a taser, while volunteer ambulance service Hatzola treated the wounded at the scene. London's mayor condemned the violence as "shocking antisemitic attacks," and the U.S. Embassy in London warned Americans to exercise increased caution near Jewish sites in the U.K. and Europe.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Senate Banking Committee voted 13-11 to advance Kevin Warsh's nomination for Federal Reserve chair, while the Fed left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.6%.

The party-line committee vote now sends Warsh's nomination to the full Senate, where a simple majority could confirm him and put him in place before the Fed's June 16-17 policy meeting. Jerome Powell presided over what is likely his last meeting as chair. He is expected to hold a news conference that afternoon and may say whether he will remain on the Fed Board after his chair term ends May 15. A Justice Department decision to close its probe into Powell's congressional testimony removed a major obstacle to Warsh's path to confirmation.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Washington, Sens. Ashley Moody, Tommy Tuberville and Maggie Hassan introduced the No Aid for Ghost Students Act to curb FAFSA fraud by "ghost students." No Aid for Ghost Students Act

The bill would require a federal identity fraud detection system for student financial aid. It is designed to build on the Education Department's new real-time FAFSA fraud screening, which can demand government ID for high-risk applicants.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in two consolidated cases, Mullin v. Doe and Trump v. Miot, over whether courts may review the Trump administration's terminations of Temporary Protected Status. CBS News covered the cases as they were argued.

The litigation directly concerns roughly 350,000 Haitian TPS holders and about 6,000-7,000 Syrian TPS holders, and a ruling for the administration could ultimately put up to 1.3 million people from as many as 17 TPS-designated countries at risk of losing protections. Fox News and the New York Times quantify the groups and the wider stakes.

A former University of South Florida roommate was charged April 24 with two counts of first-degree murder after investigators recovered human remains and say ChatGPT conversations helped build the case.

Prosecutors accuse 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh in the deaths of 27-year-olds Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy and say Limon's remains were found on the Howard Frankland Bridge. An autopsy concluded Limon died from multiple sharp-force injuries, and deputies later recovered human remains from a Tampa Bay waterway that are being tested for Bristy. Court filings and investigators say mid-April ChatGPT queries asked about putting a person in a black garbage bag, changing a vehicle identification number and keeping an unlicensed firearm at home, and cellphone data place the suspect near the bridge around the time remains were later recovered.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina indicted former FBI director James Comey for allegedly threatening President Donald Trump. (NPR)

The two-count indictment cites federal statutes that bar threats against the president and interstate threats and centers on a May 2025 Instagram photo of seashells arranged as "86 47." (Fox News) The filing, signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Petracca and assigned to Judge Louise Wood Flanagan, carries an arrest warrant. (CBS Mornings) At a Justice Department news conference prosecutors described the post as a willful threat and said a reasonable recipient familiar with the circumstances would view it as a serious expression of intent. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told "CBS Mornings" that President Trump did not direct the prosecution, saying, "Of course not, absolutely, positively not," and urged critics to "look at the indictment." (CBS Mornings)

Gunfire struck and damaged the Yesler Community Center around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2026, while Mayor Katie Wilson was speaking there; no injuries were reported.

Multiple people allegedly fired shots, witnesses said, and the mayor was quickly escorted away as suspects fled in an unidentified vehicle; detectives from Seattle's Gun Violence Reduction Unit and Crime Scene Investigation teams are collecting evidence and seeking tips, the media reported. Fox News covered the incident as families and children were gathering nearby.

House GOP leaders canceled planned floor votes on a FISA Section 702 renewal and a farm bill on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after failing to secure enough Republican votes, leaving the surveillance program's renewal in doubt.

The House faces a party-line procedural rule vote at about 9:30 a.m. Central on Wednesday, April 29, to govern debate and allow a simple-majority vote on the 702 measure. party-line procedural rule vote GOP leaders folded the farm aid and immigration funding bills into the same rule, a move that angered conservatives including Rep. Lauren Boebert and Rep. Nancy Mace, who threatened to vote against the rule. The rule package also includes language to permanently ban a U.S. central bank digital currency, a concession meant to win over some conservatives.

Placer County authorities arrested James Lawhead Jr. on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Bullhead City, Arizona, charging him in the 1991 kidnapping and murder of Cindy Wanner.

New DNA testing of a final piece of preserved evidence, processed by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, identified Lawhead as a suspect. Detectives say he had been living under the name Vincent Reynolds in Bullhead City and was traced through facial recognition and property records. Lawhead's 71-year-old sister, Terry Lawhead Steele, was arrested in South Carolina on Saturday, April 25, 2026, on an accessory charge after investigators found he had been living in a home she owned and that they had stayed in contact.

Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Julie Davis will leave Kyiv and retire in June 2026, U.S. officials said April 29, 2026. Her departure again leaves the Kyiv embassy without a Senate-confirmed ambassador amid stalled diplomacy.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott denied Davis was resigning over disagreements with President Trump, calling it a retirement after a 30-year career. A senior U.S. official said Davis did not see a path forward at the State Department consistent with her professional ambitions, but called reports tying her exit to Trump-related policy disputes inaccurate. Julie Davis has served as interim chargé d'affaires in Kyiv since May 5, 2025 while remaining U.S. ambassador to Cyprus.

Eugenio Molina-Lopez, 61, the alleged leader of Los Huistas, was arrested in San Diego, federal authorities said, ending a long hunt for a man with a $10 million bounty.

He pleaded not guilty in federal court on Friday, April 24, 2026 to conspiracy to import and distribute cocaine, a charge that carries a possible life sentence. The U.S. government had offered a $10 million bounty for Molina-Lopez, whom officials describe as a major trafficker moving cocaine to the U.S. via Mexican cartels.

U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich tossed the Justice Department's lawsuit seeking Arizona voter data on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, blocking federal access and preventing the DOJ from refiling the same case. U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich the Justice Department's lawsuit

Judge Brnovich dismissed the case with prejudice, writing that Arizona's voter rolls are "not a document subject to request by the Attorney General," a ruling that bars the DOJ from bringing the identical suit again. The DOJ's suit directly targeted Arizona Attorney General Adrian Fontes, who called the decision "a win for voter privacy" and pledged not to comply with "illegal requests." Arizona Attorney General Adrian Fontes

Connor Lynn Mayo was federally charged with criminal trespass after his arrest on Monday, April 27, 2026, at CIA headquarters in Virginia.

Authorities say Mayo was arrested at about 9:40 a.m. on Monday, April 27, after he allegedly tried to flee a CIA police stop. Charging documents say he approached the CIA main gate multiple times between April 24 and April 27, and on April 26 tried to follow an authorized vehicle through a barrier. After his arrest Mayo told officers he believed he was meant to be at the CIA and that he had visited the Pentagon the day before.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Seoul High Court sentenced ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol to seven years in prison for obstruction of justice and related charges.

The appeals court reversed a January lower-court partial acquittal, finding Yoon abused his power by convening a select group of ministers that simulated an official cabinet meeting. Judges said he bypassed a legally required full cabinet before declaring martial law and falsified documents to conceal the lapse. The panel also cited his use of presidential security "like a private army" to resist a Seoul court detention warrant after impeachment. Defense lawyer Yoo Jeong-hwa called the verdict "very disappointing" and said Yoon will appeal the seven-year term to the Supreme Court in addition to his ongoing appeal of a life sentence. The court on April 28, 2026 also increased Kim Keon Hee's sentence to four years for accepting luxury gifts and for involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme.

Officer John Bartholomew, 38, was killed and a second officer was critically wounded Saturday, April 25, 2026, when a prisoner opened fire at Swedish Hospital in Chicago.

Prosecutors say the shooter, 27-year-old Alphanso Talley, was in custody for an unrelated robbery and concealed a 10mm handgun under a blanket while being taken for a CT scan. Talley allegedly fired about 11 a.m., fled, and was later found hiding under a nearby porch still wearing a hospital gown; shell casings and the weapon taken from him matched the scene, and authorities recovered a third firearm they could not immediately trace. Endeavor Health said no hospital staff or patients were hurt and that it is cooperating with police.

New York City Mayor Mamdani vetoed a City Council bill on April 27, 2026, that would have limited police responses to protests at public schools. The veto is his first since taking office and immediately raised the stakes in city politics.

The move was described by observers as a sharp early sign of friction between the mayor and the council, and drew attention from local and national outlets, including Fox News, which noted it as a sign of growing tensions.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for five crew missing from the capsized U.S.-flagged cargo ship Mariana near the Northern Mariana Islands.

The search lasted more than 100 hours and covered an area larger than California. One crew member's body was recovered on April 21; five others remain missing and none were rescued alive.

Senators on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, moved to authorize $400 million in federal funding for President Trump's planned White House ballroom after the April 25 Correspondents' Dinner shooting.

Sens. Lindsey Graham, Katie Britt and Eric Schmitt said they will introduce legislation to authorize the $400 million and would pay for it with customs fees on imports. Graham urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fast-track the measure and said he might fold it into the budget fast-track process. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday, April 27 filed a 9-page motion asking U.S. District Judge Richard Leon to reconsider his injunction and attached a Secret Service affidavit arguing the April 25 shooting "could never have taken place in the new facility."

Senate Democrats opened an oversight probe on Monday, April 27, 2026, into a Pentagon drone strike in Kuwait that killed six U.S. troops and demanded answers.

The lawmakers said they will press the Defense Department for briefings and records about the strike, its authorization and any intelligence or operational failures that may have contributed to the deaths.

The Senate on April 23 adopted a Republican budget resolution to use the budget fast-track to create about $70 billion in multi-year funding for ICE and Border Patrol.

But the House has not taken up the bipartisan Senate DHS bill, and a White House memo on April 28 demanded the House pass the Senate measure unchanged as the shutdown drags on.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a federal court motion seeking disclosure of grand jury transcripts in its 11-count fraud indictment in the Middle District of Alabama. SPLC filed a motion in federal court says the panel may have been misled by post-indictment public statements by Justice Department officials.

SPLC lawyers argue that statements by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel were "false and misleading," and they asked the court to force a retraction and bar further prejudicial comments. The filing also says SPLC briefed DOJ twice in 2026, that informant reporting helped secure at least one conviction, and that the group's informant program "saved lives," adding urgency to the request for the transcripts.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the European Commission said Meta violated the Digital Services Act by failing to keep under-13s off Facebook and Instagram, exposing it to fines up to 6% of global revenue.

The Commission said Meta lacks effective systems to stop under-13 sign-ups or to detect and remove under-age accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Meta replied that it already removes under-13 accounts, called age verification an industry-wide challenge, and pledged additional measures soon Meta would roll out.

North Carolina flagged about 34,000 deceased people on its voter rolls after submitting more than 7.3 million state records for federal comparison earlier in April 2026. The matches were identified in a federal database and have renewed scrutiny of roll accuracy in the battleground state.

State records show North Carolina removed about 500,000 ineligible voters during its 2025 biennial maintenance program, but procedures can allow deceased registrants to remain for eight to ten years without additional checks. With 7,655,591 registered voters as of January 3, 2026, the flagged deceased equal roughly 0.44 percent of the rolls.

Police arrested a 66-year-old man on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in connection with a car bomb that exploded outside the Dunmurry Police Service of Northern Ireland station on April 25.

The New IRA claimed responsibility on April 28, saying the device was intended to target officers leaving the station and warning those who cooperate with police. Police took the suspect to the Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning and said searches are ongoing in east and west Belfast. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said the blast is being treated as attempted murder and that a high-visibility operation with extra checkpoints and patrols is under way.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the University of Nebraska at Kearney pulled a voluntary faculty training module aimed at supporting trans-spectrum students after a public threat from Gov. Jim Pillen.University of Nebraska at Kearney

Pillen had posted on X the day before calling the training "nonsense" and warning of investigations and state funding cuts if such programming remained across the university system.Gov. Jim Pillen The module first drew attention after Libs of TikTok reposted a university email and urged the school be defunded. UNK told Nebraska Public Media the module was removed and that the university remains committed to rigorous academics and a welcoming environment for all students.

Australia released draft legislation on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, proposing a 2.25% tax on Australian revenue of Meta, Google and TikTok to fund local newsrooms.

The proposed News Bargaining Incentive would levy a 2.25% charge on Australian revenue of Meta, Google and TikTok, with offsets for platforms that reach commercial deals with publishers. The government says the levy would raise A$200-A$250 million annually and distribute funds based largely on the number of journalists a news organization employs, Communications Minister Anika Wells said. Meta and Google immediately criticized the plan as a digital services tax divorced from actual news use and warned it would create a subsidized news industry.

A gunman opened fire Tuesday, April 28, 2026, inside a Columbia parking garage during an illegal car rally, killing one person and wounding six others, police said.

Police said the wounded were taken to hospitals and that officers were investigating the shooting at the gathering in Howard County. The identity of the shooter was not released, and no arrests had been announced as of the initial report. Police reported the attack occurred amid a large, unsanctioned meetup in a Columbia parking garage.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a man in Oregon on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, who is accused of killing a newlywed couple in a crash after a county jail released him despite an ICE detainer. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took custody following the release, the report said.

The newlywed couple died in the Oregon crash that prompted the investigation, and authorities say the man is the suspect in that collision. The story says the county jail released him despite an ICE detainer lodged against him earlier. Fox News reported the sequence.

Teenagers broke into an Uptown Minneapolis apartment, assaulted a tenant and then held a rooftop party on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, according to Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The Fox 9 article says the teens smashed a door to gain entry, attacked the building resident and later gathered on the roof. The sequence is detailed in the Fox 9 story, "Minneapolis apartment chaos: Teens smash door, attack tenant and party on rooftop."

Senate Republicans dismissed Sen. Tim Kaine's resolution to end President Trump's energy blockade of Cuba and to limit military action on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in the U.S. Senate.

A 51-47 Senate vote dismissed the measure, with Sen. John Fetterman the only Democrat joining GOP senators to kill it, and Sens. Susan Collins and Rand Paul voting against dismissal. Senate Republicans argued the United States is not engaged in "outright hostilities" with Cuba, and Sen. Rick Scott urged the motion be blocked as "moot." Kaine said the U.S. oil blockade already amounts to "hostilities" and warned the resolution was needed to prevent unilateral military action.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the Pentagon urged Congress to codify renaming itself the Department of War, saying the change would cost $52 million.

The request arrived in a formal submission to lawmakers and presented the estimated $52 million as the budget needed to implement the legal name change.

Dirk Kempthorne, the former governor of Idaho and U.S. secretary of the interior, died on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at age 74, the New York Times reported.

Kempthorne served as Idaho governor before joining the Interior Department in the administration of President George W. Bush. He was a prominent figure in Western land and conservation debates during his time in national office.

A Minnesota jury on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 found a food provider liable for $188,000 over false claims to a food program.

The decision, reported late Tuesday by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, assigned the $188,000 liability to the provider and represents the amount jurors concluded was improperly claimed.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission ordered Walt Disney Co. to file early renewal applications for its eight ABC-owned television station licenses. Federal Communications Commission said the step launches an accelerated review.

The agency said the move cites possible violations of the Communications Act and its ban on unlawful discrimination and could require filings by May 28, 2026. An FCC official tied the action to a probe of Disney's diversity, equity and inclusion practices begun in March 2025, and Brendan Carr described tools the commission can use, including accelerated renewal dates and hearings. Disney confirmed receipt and said ABC has a "long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules."

The NCAA permanently banned two former Fordham University basketball players on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, ending their NCAA eligibility over an alleged betting-related game-manipulation scheme.

The sanctions follow allegations that the players took part in a coordinated effort to manipulate game outcomes tied to wagers, and the bans immediately bar them from competing in NCAA competition.

Purdue Pharma will dissolve after a judge on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 approved a criminal sentence tied to the company's opioid settlement, putting the court-backed breakup into effect.

The judge's order activates terms of a long-running agreement meant to resolve criminal and civil claims over OxyContin and to fund payments to states, cities and victims, a move that begins the legal process to wind down the company.

King Charles III delivered an address to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, urging unity as U.S.-U.K. ties face sharp strains.

He told lawmakers the partnership is "more important today than it has ever been," urged resistance to inward-looking politics, and earned a standing ovation. the partnership He referenced the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting as a repudiation of political violence and used light jokes that won laughs in the chamber. light jokes Earlier that day he held a private Oval Office meeting with President Trump before the address.

A Nevada judge on Monday, April 27, 2026, sentenced actor Nathan Chasing Horse to life in prison for multiple sexual-assault convictions tied to abuses of Indigenous women and girls.

Judge Jessica Peterson imposed the life term and said Chasing Horse preyed on victims' trust and spirituality. The judge set parole eligibility at 37 years. During the sentencing hearing, victims and family members described ongoing trauma as Chasing Horse stared ahead; he told the court, "This is a miscarriage of justice," and continued to deny the charges.

Vermont on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, agreed to pay $566,000 to a Christian school it had barred from statewide sports competitions for years, ending a long-running legal dispute.

The $566,000 payment was made to cover damages and legal costs tied to the school's exclusion from interscholastic events, resolving the claims that prompted the dispute.

A man was arrested Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after allegedly breaching a security barrier near the White House during the visit of King Charles, the US Secret Service said.

The arrest followed a reported barrier breach a short distance from the White House perimeter, and Secret Service agents took the suspect into custody at the scene. barrier breach near the White House Authorities did not immediately release the suspect's name or formal charges.

San Antonio police arrested and charged an elementary school teacher on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with continuous sexual assault of a child, authorities said.

Fox News reported that investigators are searching for additional victims and urged anyone with information to contact law enforcement. Fox News said the charge alleges repeated offenses against a student.

The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 disclosed immigration-enforcement lapses tied to a machete attack in Green Bay and mocked media reports calling the suspect an "illegal immigrant."

DHS said the case revealed failures to flag the individual and gaps between federal and local systems. It also criticized outlets for calling the person a "Green Bay man", the Fox News report said.

President Donald J. Trump fired the entire National Science Board on Friday, April 24, 2026, removing every sitting member effective immediately and putting oversight of the National Science Foundation at risk.

Members received an April 24 email from the Presidential Personnel Office terminating their positions, and dismissed board members — 22 of the current seats — confirmed the action and its timing. The board had been scheduled to meet the week of April 27 and was finalizing a report on the state of U.S. science when members were pushed out, and lawmakers and scientists warned of immediate disruption.

Students injured in a 2025 shooting at Brown University filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, alleging the school failed to provide adequate security and seeking damages.

The complaint contends university officials did not provide sufficient warnings or protections before the attack, leaving students exposed. The filing was reported by PBS News, and Brown did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, it will require enhanced FBI security checks for many immigration applicants, pausing a large number of pending cases nationwide.

The change, announced under the Trump administration, took effect immediately and led to abrupt halts in adjudications for people awaiting visas, green cards and naturalization, CBS News reported.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Tuesday, April 28, 2026, it has rejected about 15% of businesses' claims seeking refunds of tariffs tied to former President Trump, CBS News reported.

The agency gave the figure as it processed early batches of applications submitted under a refund program, the report said. The rejection rate covers claims evaluated so far and could raise cash-flow and planning questions for affected importers.

The United Arab Emirates announced it will permanently leave OPEC effective Friday, May 1, 2026, a move that immediately threatens the cartel's ability to manage global oil supplies. The United Arab Emirates made the declaration on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

UAE officials said the decision followed an "extensive review" of production policy and future capacity and that they want more flexibility outside OPEC+ obligations. The government said it will bring additional production to market "in a gradual and measured manner" and has cited reported capacity near 4.8 million barrels per day. The statement also linked the exit to short-term supply risks tied to the Iran war and continued disruption of the Strait of Hormuz.

On April 22, 2026, prediction-market operator Kalshi fined and suspended three congressional candidates after finding they placed bets on their own races, an enforcement step the platform said was aimed at protecting market integrity. MS NOW first reported the suspensions, and PBS News later published full details.

PBS named the sanctioned candidates as Mark Moran, an independent in the Virginia U.S. Senate race; Ezekiel Enriquez, a Texas GOP primary contender; and Matt Klein, a Minnesota Democratic state senator running for U.S. House. PBS reported fines of more than $6,200 for Moran, about $780 for Enriquez, and over $530 for Klein, and said all three were suspended from Kalshi for five years. PBS also said Klein and Enriquez signed settlement agreements while Moran refused to settle and said he bet on himself as a deliberate protest; Rep. Mike Levin called the penalties inadequate, saying, "That's not a punishment. That's a parking ticket."

USA Powerlifting agreed to settle a Minnesota lawsuit over its ban on transgender athletes on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, ending a high-profile legal fight in the state.

CBS News reported that the settlement resolves a suit brought by Jaycee Cooper, a transgender powerlifter who had been barred from competing in USA Powerlifting events. CBS News published the initial report late Tuesday afternoon.

The FBI says it has extradited a China-linked hacker, Xu Zewei, from Italy to the United States in recent days to face charges accusing him of stealing COVID-19 research.

FBI Director Kash Patel said in an April 28, 2026 interview that the tightly timed operation was coordinated with Italian authorities and that Chinese officials tried to intervene to stop the transfer. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau could "directly tie" Xu to China's Ministry of State Security and its Shanghai bureau, and he called Xu "one of the top two cyber criminals in the world for China." He said the case will be prosecuted in Houston, Texas.

A Costco employee was shot and killed Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after blocking an armed shopper at a Costco store in Ohio, police said.

Authorities said the worker confronted a shopper who was carrying a gun with a drum magazine. The shopper fired and the employee died at the scene, officials said.

An Illinois woman pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 28, 2026, to federal charges after paying for videos that showed sexualized torture of monkeys, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said she paid members of an online group for the videos and that investigators called the behavior "sick."

Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday, April 28, 2026, accusing the NCAA and college conferences of unlawfully profiting from his name, image and likeness; the complaint seeks court relief and damages.

His filing says the NCAA and conferences profited from his likeness without compensating him, and it asks a court to stop those practices and award damages.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the Pentagon said it will seek $55 billion in its 2027 budget for drones and autonomous warfare to counter cheap attacks overwhelming defenses.

The $55 billion request represents a dramatic increase from roughly $225 million previously allocated to similar programs, and it would fund massed drone production, autonomous decision systems, and new countermeasures.

The Justice Department formally reclassified state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III on April 23, 2026, in an order signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche (PBS News).

The order applies to FDA-approved marijuana products and to products regulated under state medical marijuana licenses, but it does not legalize marijuana under federal law (CBS News). It creates an expedited pathway for state-licensed producers to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration and allows those companies to deduct ordinary business expenses on federal taxes (PBS News). Blanche said the department is "delivering on President Trump's promise" and framed the change as a step to expand research and medical access (CBS News). Officials and industry leaders say the move should ease banking access and blunt criminal-enforcement pressure, while critics say current products still meet Schedule I criteria (New York Times).

President Donald Trump signed a law Tuesday, April 28, 2026, ending the Boundary Waters mining ban and rolling back federal protections near Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The measure implements rolled-back protections that the FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul report said will open the area to potential new mining activity and regulatory changes. The news was published Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 3:09 PM Central.

Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Manhattan federal court to charges that he used classified information to place bets on Nicolás Maduro's removal.

Prosecutors say Van Dyke, a 38-year-old Special Forces master sergeant stationed at Fort Bragg, is charged with commodities fraud, wire fraud, theft of nonpublic government information, unlawful use of confidential government information and related counts. The filing says about $33,000 in wagers produced more than $400,000 in profits on prediction markets and that evidence will include cryptocurrency records and account and social media records. unlawful use of confidential government information Polymarket released on $250,000 bail

The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations executed court-authorized search warrants at about 20 childcare centers across Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The raids targeted alleged fraud in childcare and publicly funded nutrition-aid programs.

Federal agents began executing warrants around 6 a.m. local time, officials said. Homeland Security Investigations described the actions as criminal search-warrant operations tied to "rampant fraud of U.S. taxpayers' dollars." Officials said the operation was court-authorized and was not immigration-related. FBI Director Kash Patel later rebuked Minnesota's governor for claiming state agencies led the activity.

American Airlines tightened rules for portable power banks on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, announcing new limits on how passengers may carry portable batteries on its flights to reduce fire risk.

The airline said the changes restrict how and where certain portable chargers can be carried and could lead gate agents to remove noncompliant devices before boarding. portable chargers will now be subject to clearer handling rules intended to lower the chance of onboard battery incidents.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that ICE's expanded mandatory detention policy is unlawful, deepening a split among federal appeals courts.

The unanimous panel issued its ruling Tuesday in a case brought by Brazilian national Ricardo Aparecido Barbosa da Cunha. Da Cunha has lived in the United States since about 2005, sought asylum in 2016, had work authorization and no criminal convictions before a September 2025 arrest. Judge Joseph Bianco wrote that the government's interpretation would create "the broadest mass-detention-without-bond mandate in our Nation's history" and that the statute does not permit detention when a person poses no danger or flight risk.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical that a lawsuit by Falun Gong practitioners accusing Cisco of aiding China's persecution can proceed, signaling possible dismissal at oral argument in Washington.

The New York Times reports that several justices, including multiple conservatives and at least one liberal, pressed whether U.S. courts should hear the case at all. They focused on whether the Alien Tort Statute and related laws permit suits over a U.S. company's sale and customization of networking technology used by a foreign government, and raised separation-of-powers and extraterritoriality concerns.

Mexico's federal government says the April 19 crash in Chihuahua that killed two CIA officers and two Mexican agents followed an anti-drug raid that proceeded without the required federal authorization. (New York Times)

Investigators say the lead convoy vehicle skidded off a mountain road, fell into a ravine and exploded as it returned from destroying methamphetamine labs in the Morelos area. (CBS News) Mexican officials now say four foreigners were involved, including two CIA officers and two additional U.S.-linked personnel, and they have demanded full explanations. (New York Times) President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered an internal probe and said she will seek answers about whether state or local officials violated rules by allowing foreign personnel into the field. (PBS News)

The Musk v. Altman/OpenAI trial opened Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in federal court in Oakland, where Elon Musk asked a judge to remove Sam Altman from OpenAI's nonprofit board and force massive disgorgement.

Musk's attorney Steve Molo delivered opening statements, accusing the defendants of stealing a charity and saying founders illegally enriched themselves when OpenAI converted to a for-profit structure. The suit asks the court to roll back that conversion and to have Altman, Greg Brockman and Microsoft disgorge "tens of billions of dollars" in alleged ill-gotten gains. Jury selection began Monday, April 27, 2026, in Oakland, and Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will make the final decision while jurors serve only in an advisory role.

USA Powerlifting settled a discrimination lawsuit with a transgender woman on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Minnesota, ending litigation over alleged mistreatment of a transgender athlete.

The settlement was reported by Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. The report did not provide detailed terms of the agreement.

Former NIAID adviser Dr. David Morens was indicted on federal charges earlier in April, the Justice Department said Tuesday, April 28, 2026, accusing him of hiding and destroying COVID-19 records.

The indictment, unsealed in April, charges Morens with five counts including conspiracy, destruction of records in federal investigations, and concealment of records (CBS News). Prosecutors allege he and two unnamed co-conspirators used a personal Gmail account from early 2020 through December 2022 to discuss COVID-19 grants and evade federal public-records laws. The charging document names EcoHealth Alliance as the New York nonprofit and identifies co-conspirator 1 as its president, Peter Daszak. Prosecutors say he shared nonpublic NIH information and drafted a medical journal article arguing for a natural origin of COVID-19 in a way that would benefit EcoHealth Alliance, and the filing cites an email thanking him for "behind-the-scenes shenanigans" plus a June 2020 gift of two bottles of wine.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 ruled that Maurene Comey may proceed with her lawsuit challenging her July 2025 firing from the Department of Justice, rejecting the department's argument that the court lacks jurisdiction. Maurene Comey's lawsuit will therefore move forward in the Southern District of New York.

Furman's decision turns on jurisdictional questions the Justice Department had raised while it sought dismissal, and it clears an early procedural hurdle so the merits of Comey's claims can be heard. The complaint says Comey, 37, was removed from her post as senior trial counsel in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York for political reasons linked to her father, former FBI Director James Comey, and the ruling lets her challenge that allegation in court. MS NOW reported the judge's ruling and the basic allegations.

An Austrian man, Beran A., pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Vienna to plotting an Islamic State-linked attack at a Taylor Swift concert, shifting the case to sentencing.

His plea covered the terrorism counts tied to the Vienna plot and to membership in a terrorist organization, prosecutors said at the hearing. Defense attorney Anna Mair told reporters her client "deeply regrets it all" and called it "the biggest mistake of his life." He has been held since August 2024 and could face up to 20 years in prison.

Former NBA player Damon Jones pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Brooklyn federal court to charges tied to a sports-betting scheme and a rigged poker operation and now faces prison time.

In back-to-back hearings, Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to the betting and poker cases. He told the court he used insider information from NBA relationships to place bets between December 2022 and March 2024, and prosecutors cited a charged text urging a big bet on Milwaukee.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Bahrain revoked the citizenship of 69 people and sentenced 30 others over alleged ties to Iran. (revoked the citizenship of 69 people) (sentenced 30 others)

Reporting said the measures were presented as part of a crackdown on pro-Iran support, with authorities framing the actions as aimed at networks accused of backing Tehran.

The Trump administration is weighing use of the Defense Production Act to lend Spirit Airlines $500 million and receive warrants for up to a 90% equity stake, officials said Monday.

White House budget modelers have sketched a plan that would make the federal government Spirit's top debtor and give it warrants convertible to a roughly 90% post-bankruptcy stake, according to reporting by CBS News and The Christian Science Monitor. The plan envisions Pentagon use of Spirit's excess capacity to carry troops and military cargo, while the administration says the move would protect roughly 14,000 Spirit jobs and preserve an ultra-low-cost carrier option for travelers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned against putting "good money after bad," and free-market conservatives called the step a "quasi-nationalization" or an unprecedented federal takeover.

Prosecutors told a Brooklyn federal court on Monday, April 27, 2026, they plan to seek superseding bribery and honest services wire-fraud charges against NBA guard Terry Rozier tied to an alleged betting scheme.

Prosecutors told the judge they have evidence Rozier solicited and received a bribe after removing himself from a game so bettors could cash "under" proposition bets. The filing specifies Rozier was then a Miami Heat guard and says the new counts would be added via a superseding indictment tied to the same gambling scheme. Prosecutors told the court they intend to file the superseding charges by mid-May.

U.S. drivers faced a national gasoline average of $4.18 per gallon on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after the Iran war disrupted oil flows and pushed pump prices to their highest level since the conflict began (CBS News).

The jump tightened household budgets and raised immediate worries about higher costs for summer travel and freight. The rise also underscored how quickly global supply disruptions translate into higher retail pump prices, a point highlighted in the CBS News report.

South Carolina health officials declared the state's measles outbreak over on Monday, April 27, 2026, after 42 days with no new cases and 997 infections.

State data show the outbreak sickened 997 people since October 2025, included at least 21 hospitalizations, and cost about $2.1 million to manage. Officials said the wave was largely confined to one area of Spartanburg County and credited rapid investigations, quarantines, and public cooperation for containment. Providers administered nearly 82,000 measles vaccine doses statewide from October through March, more than a 30% rise over the prior year.

Special legislative committee investigator Casey Garrett told lawmakers on Monday, April 27, 2026, that Camp Mystic relied on teen counselors with no flood or emergency training, a failure tied to the deaths in the July 4, 2025 Guadalupe River flood at Camp Mystic. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/camp-mystic-relied-on-teen-counselors-with-no-emergency-training-before-flood-investigator-says https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/28/us/camp-mystic-texas-lawmakers-investigation.html

Garrett gave lawmakers a near minute-by-minute account of warnings, family communications and emergency calls, and said training and an earlier evacuation likely would have saved every camper. The investigator said 25 campers and two teenage counselors died, and the hearing shown video of water rushing into a building and survivor testimony of girls swept miles downriver. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/camp-mystic-relied-on-teen-counselors-with-no-emergency-training-before-flood-investigator-says One lawmaker said, "The fate of those girls was set before any drop of rain fell."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 900 pounds of suspected methamphetamine on Wednesday, April 21, 2026, at the Pharr International Bridge, a haul valued at about $8.1 million. (CBP seizes massive meth haul)

Officers recovered 200 packages totaling more than 900 pounds that were concealed in pallets made to look like tiles inside a commercial tractor-trailer from Reynosa, Mexico. Homeland Security Investigations opened a criminal probe into the April 21 seizure, and CBP port director Carlos Rodriguez framed the case as officers both facilitating commerce and stopping hard narcotics.

Senators Lindsey Graham and Marsha Blackburn introduced a bill on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 that would offer federal grants to states that partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The proposal specifically aims at Democratic-led, or "blue", states and would make local policing choices a condition for federal funds. The measure frames payment as a tool to increase cooperation with ICE on information sharing and detainers.

An arrest affidavit says 49-year-old Janette MacAusland strangled her two children in Wellesley, Massachusetts, on April 24, 2026, then traveled to Vermont where she was arrested.

The affidavit says MacAusland arrived at her aunt's Vermont home with a large cut to her throat and dried blood, telling the aunt she had tried to kill herself. It quotes MacAusland saying, "I wanted the three of us to go to God together, but it didn't work," and later telling police, "I strangled them and then tried to kill myself," while indicating the children were in her bed in Wellesley. Wellesley police were alerted by Vermont authorities and confirmed the children were dead as described. MacAusland was jailed in Vermont on a fugitive-from-justice charge, appeared remotely before a judge on Monday, April 27, 2026, waived extradition, and will be transported back to Massachusetts to face two murder counts.

Four men were arrested on April 21-22, 2026 and charged in the 1982 rape and murder of 15-year-old Roxanne Sharp in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.

Authorities identified the suspects as Perry Wayne Taylor, 64; Darrell Dean Spell, 64; Carlos Cooper, 64; and Billy Williams Jr., 62. Taylor and Cooper were already jailed on unrelated charges when police took them into custody. Investigators credited advances in DNA testing and leads from a podcast with helping break the decades-old case. Sharp's niece, Michele Lappin, said she hopes the arrests bring healing, while Billy Williams III insisted his father is innocent. Covington Police Chief Michael Ferrell said the department and the Louisiana State Police revisited evidence over four decades.

On Monday, April 27, 2026, the Virginia Supreme Court heard a GOP challenge to a voter-approved mid-decade congressional map that could shift the state's delegation to a 10-1 Democratic advantage.

Justices spent about an hour probing whether the General Assembly followed required steps before placing the amendment on the April 21 ballot. GOP attorney Thomas McCarthy argued lawmakers violated timing rules, while the legislature's lawyer Matthew Seligman said the people validly ratified the change. The core dispute is whether "Election Day" timing includes early voting, and the court left certification and the map's use for the November midterms uncertain.

House progressives unveiled a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in the House of Representatives.

The measure, backed publicly by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was rolled out with support from a coalition of more than 100 advocacy groups.

The United States on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, protested Iran's election as a vice president of a UN nuclear treaty meeting, calling the appointment an immediate challenge to the forum's credibility.

U.S. diplomats denounced the choice as "beyond shameful," a phrase reported in coverage of the dispute, and said the appointment raises questions about the impartiality of the meeting's leadership.

On Monday, April 27, 2026, China ordered Meta to unwind its completed $2.5 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus on national security grounds.

China's National Development and Reform Commission, through its Office of the Working Mechanism for Security Review of Foreign Investment, issued a one-line order telling the parties to withdraw from the deal. The statement did not name Meta. Meta said the Manus transaction "complied fully with applicable law," even as Manus's website still lists the company as part of Meta.

A former top adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci was indicted Tuesday, April 28, 2026, on allegations he helped conceal COVID-era records and emails, court documents and prosecutors said (Ex-Fauci top adviser).

The indictment's specifics were limited, but it accuses the adviser of hiding records and obstructing recordkeeping tied to the pandemic response (the indictment).

Mexico's military captured Audias Flores Silva, known as "El Jardinero," on Monday, April 27, 2026, near El Mirador in Nayarit, and he is wanted by U.S. authorities with a $5 million reward.Audias Flores Silva

Officials said the operation used reconnaissance aircraft, six helicopters, four planes and more than 100 troops and ended with no deaths or injuries.more than 100 troops Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch published a video of Flores Silva emerging from a hole in the ground. Local outlets in Nayarit reported vehicle and business burnings after the arrest, and U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson called the capture an "important step" against fentanyl traffickers.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick filed re-election paperwork days before resigning from Congress amid mounting House Ethics Committee pressure, her campaign confirmed Friday, April 24, 2026.

Her resignation came as the Ethics Committee prepared recommended sanctions after finding dozens of violations earlier this year. Her campaign said she filed the re-election paperwork days before resigning and that she still considers herself a candidate.

Ryan Elijah announced on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, that he will challenge Rep. Cory Mills in Florida's GOP primary, becoming the first Republican challenger amid mounting sexual misconduct allegations.

The development was reported by Fox News, which said Rep. Cory Mills faces sexual misconduct allegations and a possible House expulsion threat that have escalated scrutiny of his tenure.

A bodega worker was fatally shot outside a family-owned store in Manhattan's East Village on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

The killing came less than a year after the worker told a reporter they feared rising street violence, a detail highlighted in a Fox News report.

A Brooklyn man was charged with a hate-crime assault Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after police say he attacked three Jewish people and injured them, authorities said.

The NYPD arrested the suspect at the scene and reported he was wearing a shirt bearing an Iranian flag, according to the Fox News account. Three people were injured in the attack, and officials said the suspect faces assault and hate-crime-related charges.

The University of Arizona suspended three fraternities on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after severe hazing allegations that reportedly involved heavy drinking, burn injuries and trips to hospitals, the school said.

A report by Fox News said the allegations included booze, burns and hospital trips and that the university framed its action as a crackdown on dangerous initiation practices.

Maine Governor Janet Mills this week vetoed a bill that would have paused approvals of large data centers statewide, deepening debate over energy and water impacts.

The veto blocks LD 307, which would have created a Maine Data Center Coordination Council and frozen large data center permits until November 2027. Lawmakers passed the measure in April without the governor's requested exemption for a proposed $550 million redevelopment of the shuttered Androscoggin Mill in Jay. Environmental groups called the bill a necessary pause to study grid and water strain, while local officials and industry leaders said the veto protects jobs and investment.

Michigan wildlife officials found five dead bald eagles on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and have opened a probe into suspected illegal killings, a development reported by Fox News.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the deaths and whether criminal charges are warranted, the report said.

An ex-Alabama college football player pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 28, 2026, to charges tied to what prosecutors call a $20 million NFL identity fraud scheme, OutKick reported.

The former University of Alabama national champion admitted his role during a plea hearing, prosecutors said, and authorities say he used disguises to avoid detection, including wigs reported in coverage of the case.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the U.S. began sending Latin American deportees to the Democratic Republic of the Congo under a secret migration deal, leaving migrants stranded and fearful.

The reporting by NPR describes deportees arriving in the capital with little information about their legal status or where they would sleep. Many told reporters, "We don't know what will happen to us."

A Texas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient deported in January was told Tuesday, April 28, 2026, that he will be allowed to return to the United States, MS NOW reported. (MS NOW)

The MS NOW article said the man received notice Tuesday but did not give a timeline for his return or name which agency or official authorized the reversal. (MS NOW)

Hundreds of homeowners sued State Farm on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, accusing the insurer of secretly coordinating to reduce payouts on hail-damage claims across multiple states.

The lawsuits, filed in state and federal courts, cite internal communications and claim examples to allege a companywide strategy to limit settlements, the NPR report says. Plaintiffs say the practices left many policyholders underpaid and unable to complete needed roof and home repairs.

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the White House said Iran's seizure of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including the MSC Francesca, did not breach President Trump's ceasefire.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the boardings "piracy" but said they did not violate the truce because the ships were not U.S. or Israeli vessels. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released footage it said shows commandos boarding two container ships identified as the MSC Francesca and Epaminondas. Philippine authorities confirmed about 15 Filipino seafarers were aboard one seized vessel and said the crew were safe.

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, U.S. forces seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska near the Strait of Hormuz, a move that Tehran called a dangerous breach and that prompted threats of retaliation.

Iran's mission to the United Nations said the Touska was carrying "critical dialysis supplies and medical equipment" and called the seizure a "flagrant breach of international law" (CBS News). U.S. Central Command said the USS Spruance warned the ship for about six hours before U.S. forces disabled its propulsion and ordered the crew off the vessel (Fox News). President Trump has said the vessel is under U.S. Treasury sanctions and that American forces have "full custody" of the ship.

On Monday, April 27, 2026, DFL lawmakers introduced a bill to cut state aid to Minnesota cities that stop flying the new state flag, as the Inver Grove Heights City Council voted to revert to the 1983 design. bill Inver Grove Heights

The proposal would withhold state funding from municipalities that remove or refuse to fly the new flag, lawmakers said in filings Monday. On the same day, the Inver Grove Heights council voted to fly the 1983 Minnesota state flag on all city-owned properties and drew large, often heated public comment.

On Monday, April 27, 2026, the D.C. Circuit allowed the Pentagon to continue requiring reporters to be escorted during an appeal, keeping the rule in force while the case moves forward.

The brief order from the judges means the Pentagon can keep enforcing its escort requirement for reporters during the ongoing appeal, rather than being blocked from doing so while higher courts review the dispute.

Wildfires that began April 22 in southern Georgia have burned roughly 77 square miles and prompted firefighters from across the United States to deploy to the region. NPR reported the combined area at about 77 square miles and said crews were expected to arrive over the weekend to bolster local forces. (NPR)

Officials say the blazes have destroyed more than 120 homes and forced hundreds to flee, with large pockets of southeast Georgia under evacuation orders and shelters open for displaced residents. (PBS News) Containment remains low on the two biggest fires, and managers warned high winds and dry fuels could push flame fronts quickly into new neighborhoods. (NPR)

82nd Airborne soldiers trained on low-cost drone-killing systems at Fort Bragg on Monday, April 27, 2026, in exercises meant to blunt an expanding aerial threat to troops.

The drills tested maneuvers and inexpensive countermeasures inspired by battlefield practices in Ukraine, with soldiers practicing detection and defeat techniques under realistic conditions. Unit leaders framed the work as preparing paratroopers for near-term combat environments.

Twin Cities-area contractors agreed Monday, April 27, 2026, to pay $1.28 million after the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry concluded a wage-theft probe of local construction firms. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

The settlement covers at least 83 construction workers and 11 related firms, including Absolute Drywall and Absolute Framing, which were found to have misclassified employees as independent contractors and failed to pay overtime and prevailing wages. Minnesota Reformer reports about $1.02 million will go to back wages and liquidated damages, with the remainder assessed as penalties.

A possible underground electrical transformer explosion on Monday, April 27, 2026, knocked out power across downtown Minneapolis and prompted multiple outage reports.

Local television coverage from FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul showed crews at the scene and people reporting darkened buildings and traffic signals; the station said utilities and city officials were responding but had not released full details as of its report. Downtown Minneapolis remained the focus of emergency activity while outage maps and official updates were expected to follow.

A small Beech F33A crashed into a Brooklyn Park neighborhood near Crystal Airport on April 25, killing two people and prompting an NTSB on-scene investigation. (FOX 9)

Hennepin County officials and investigators identified one victim as North Dakota Rep. Liz Conmy and the second as Joseph R. Cass, 73. (FOX 9) The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff from Runway 32 at Crystal Airport about 11:50 a.m., and the NTSB is documenting wreckage on scene before moving the plane to a secure facility. (FOX 9) Investigators are asking witnesses to submit statements or video to [email protected] and say a preliminary report will be posted in roughly 30 days.

The Supreme Court appeared sharply divided on Monday, April 27, 2026, as justices in Washington heard arguments over whether federal pesticide law blocks state lawsuits seeking cancer warnings on the weedkiller Roundup.

Justices pressed lawyers for Bayer and the federal government, questioning whether EPA approvals should be treated as conclusive and whether preemption would leave injured consumers without any remedy. The case was brought by Missouri gardener John Durnell, who won a roughly $1.25 million jury award in state court; Durnell's lawyers say courts should be able to correct regulatory gaps.

Federal prosecutors have submitted a recommendation on whether to seek the death penalty against Vance Boelter, the accused gunman in the June 14, 2025, Hortman killings in Brooklyn Park.

U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen notified top Justice Department officials on April 22 and the department's capital-review process is now underway, though the content of Rosen's recommendation remains sealed and Boelter's next federal hearing is set for October. The Hoffmans have also filed a civil suit detailing severe physical and psychological injuries and accusing Boelter of posing as an officer and keeping a "hit list" of lawmakers.

Several Minnesota state legislators announced they will retire, citing rising threats and political violence, in reporting published Monday, April 27, 2026. The departures, described by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, add urgency to concerns about lawmaker safety and the coming campaign season.

The story says lawmakers across the political spectrum pointed to threats, harassment and intimidation as primary reasons for leaving office. The report quotes officials who said the hostile climate made continuing public service untenable and prompted immediate exit plans.

On Monday, April 27, 2026, the Supreme Court heard arguments over whether geofence warrants for cellphones violate the Fourth Amendment, a case that could reshape police surveillance nationwide.

The case arises from a 2019 bank robbery near Richmond, Virginia, where police used a geofence warrant served on Google to collect location histories and identified defendant Okello Chatrie's phone. During oral argument, several justices pressed government lawyers about whether bulk reverse-location searches resemble general warrants and how long police may access location histories without individualized probable cause. PBS News The New York Times

Backers of a proposed California "billionaire tax" announced Monday, April 27, 2026, that they have secured enough signatures to put the measure on the November statewide ballot, a CBS News report says (CBS News).

Campaign organizers said the petition drive reached the threshold needed to qualify and that the measure will now move into the signature-validation phase with county election officials and the Secretary of State before final certification (CBS News).

A Honduran migrant accused in a New York dumpster rape was arrested on April 27, 2026, aboard a Texas bus as he tried to flee toward the southern border, prosecutors said.

The district attorney said the man is a Honduran national and now faces charges in New York related to the alleged attack. He was taken into custody during a bus stop in Texas after authorities say he was heading south.

Three alleged Antifa-linked protesters were indicted this week on charges accusing them of firebombing a contractor working on the Atlanta police training center, authorities said (Fox News).

Prosecutors say the indictment follows an investigation into an attack that damaged construction equipment and sought to disrupt work at the site (Fox News). The charges name three people tied to protests opposing the training center and could lead to felony counts if convictions occur.

On Monday, April 27, 2026, the U.S. Education Department launched a real-time tool to scan FAFSA submissions and flag "ghost students" that may siphon federal aid (Fox News).

Department officials said the system analyzes submissions as they arrive, flags suspicious applications, and can hold federal disbursements pending identity checks. The tool targets patterns tied to fabricated students and rapid multiple filings, officials said (Fox News).

On April 27, 2026, federal agents from the FBI joined a kidnapping probe into a missing California man who has been linked to a cryptocurrency fortune, broadening federal involvement in the search, Fox News reported (Fox News).

Authorities had been leading the case locally, and the FBI's entry gives investigators access to national databases and cross-state support. Officials released few new details about suspects, motive or the immediate circumstances of the disappearance.

Ryan Michael Eiler, a 32-year-old Shakopee teacher and Army National Guard member, died April 27, 2026, when his Toyota RAV4 abruptly swerved into the median barrier on Highway 169 in Edina, the Minnesota State Patrol said.

Shakopee Public Schools confirmed Eiler taught health and physical education at Shakopee High School since 2021 and served as a boys' track and field sprint coach. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul The district said crisis and support staff will be on site throughout the week for students and families. State Patrol investigators said road conditions were dry, Eiler was wearing a seat belt, and alcohol was not detected; the crash's cause remains under investigation.

Fifteen chemical-spraying drones were stolen from a New Jersey company on April 27, 2026, in a heist that removed nearly $870,000 worth of equipment and raised immediate safety concerns.

The missing machines are specialized drones used for spraying chemicals, and the theft was called a "nightmare scenario" in initial coverage. The Fox News report emphasized the scale and potential risks posed by the loss.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on April 27, 2026 expanded his public case for a merger with American Airlines after saying he raised the idea at a White House meeting.

Kirby issued a press release arguing the deal would be "adding and not subtracting," and he confirmed he had directly approached American about a tie-up while also floating the idea at the White House. His statements came as American reiterated it is "not engaged with or interested in" merger talks, and President Donald Trump said he opposes a United-American merger.

California sued the federal government on Monday, April 27, 2026, seeking to block a wartime-ordered offshore oil pipeline that would run through a coastal state park and, the state says, threatens protected land and state authority.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, argues the wartime order improperly bypasses state environmental reviews and property protections and asks a judge to halt construction while the case proceeds. State lawyers warned the move would set a precedent for federal control of state lands during national emergencies, and federal officials have defended the order as necessary to support wartime energy logistics.

Mali's defense minister, Gen. Sadio Camara, was killed on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as coordinated militant attacks struck Bamako and multiple northern cities and separatists forced Russian mercenaries to leave Kidal.

Militants tied to al-Qaida's Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin and Tuareg separatists said they carried out simultaneous assaults that hit Modibo Keita International Airport and cities including Sevare, Kidal and Gao. Modibo Keita International Airport saw sustained gunfire and flights were suspended, while Malian troops and Russia-linked Africa Corps fighters engaged militants in street battles. NPR and other reporting say troops and mercenaries withdrew from parts of Kidal after a local agreement, and Mali announced 16 wounded in the nationwide operation.

Strikes killed at least 16 people across Ukraine, Russian-occupied areas and inside Russia on Sunday, April 26, 2026, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster (PBS News).

Regional officials said Russian drone and missile strikes on Dnipro killed nine people, while Moscow-installed authorities in Sevastopol said a Ukrainian drone strike killed one man. The Moscow-installed governor in Luhansk reported three people killed overnight after two earlier deaths there, bringing that locality's toll to five. Local authorities in Russia's Belgorod region said a woman died in a Ukrainian drone attack, and Ukraine's General Staff said forces struck the Yaroslavl oil refinery deep inside Russia, igniting fires at the facility (CBS News).

A Queens judge on Monday, April 27, 2026, sentenced the man convicted of killing NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller to life in prison, closing the case that drew wide attention.

Diller's widow told reporters the ruling could not erase her loss and described a "life sentence of grief" that will not end, remarks captured in the Fox News account of the sentencing. The report said law enforcement colleagues and family members attended the hearing as the sentence was handed down.

A tornado outbreak on Saturday night, April 25, 2026, killed at least two people and destroyed homes in northern Texas and nearby states. The same storm system moved into the Midwest on Monday, April 27, bringing heavy rain and rising flood risk for millions (PBS News).

Early reports said at least two people died and six were injured as severe weather moved through North Texas (CBS News). Meteorologists say multiple tornadoes also struck Oklahoma and Kansas as the system tracked northeast (CBS News). In the Midwest, Kansas City logged 3.2 inches of rain in six hours and fire crews performed 11 vehicle water rescues early Monday; no injuries were reported (PBS News).

The Supreme Court on Monday, April 27, 2026, restored a Republican-drawn Texas congressional map by overturning a lower court's block, allowing the plan to take effect while legal challenges continue.

The order lifts a temporary injunction that had prevented the map from being used and amounts to a high-profile win for Texas Republicans who backed the new lines.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by Florida parents challenging a public-school gender policy on Monday, April 27, 2026, leaving the lower-court outcome in place.

The appeal sought review of a Florida school district's rules on how schools handle students' gender identity. Supporters framed the fight as a parental-rights and privacy claim, while critics said the policy protected transgender students.

North Dakota state representative Liz Conmy and the plane's pilot were killed in a crash in Minnesota on Monday, April 27, 2026, authorities reported Fox News.

The report said emergency responders reached the scene and that both occupants died; local officials have not released the cause of the crash or further details about the flight Fox News. Investigations and any official statements were still pending at the time of the report.

Target told about 150 remote employees on Monday, April 27, 2026, to relocate to Minneapolis or accept a severance offer, the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reported.

The directive affects roughly 150 staff who have been working remotely and gives them a choice: move to Minneapolis to keep their jobs or take a severance package instead. The decision forces affected employees to choose between relocation and separation.

A bomb exploded on a bus on April 27, 2026, along the Pan-American Highway in southwest Colombia, killing 20 people and injuring others, authorities reported.

Officials said the blast struck a passenger vehicle on the major route and left scenes of destruction and chaos as emergency crews responded, with the death toll rising to 20 as rescuers worked to reach survivors.

Maryland lawmakers on April 27, 2026 moved to ban surveillance-based dynamic pricing in grocery stores to protect consumer privacy and prevent price discrimination, Fox News reported.

The proposal targets so-called "surveillance pricing," where retailers vary prices based on data from shoppers or in-store monitoring. Consumer and privacy advocates have pushed for the ban, while industry groups caution against broad restrictions.

President Trump on April 24 extended a 90-day waiver of the Jones Act, letting non-U.S. ships carry oil and natural gas coastwise to U.S. ports to help blunt war-driven fuel price spikes.

The White House said the extension begins at 12:00 a.m. ET on May 18 and follows an initial waiver that officials say enabled more than 40 tankers to move roughly 9 million barrels to U.S. ports and raised coastwise capacity by about 70%. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-war-trump-jones-act-waiver-extension/ Markets reacted modestly; officials credited the waiver with easing near-term flows and helping crude dip from recent highs to about $104 a barrel.

Airlines across the United States and Europe raised summer ticket prices and cut flights on Monday after jet fuel supplies tightened amid renewed disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, sending Brent to about $108 a barrel.

Travel sites and carriers said higher fuel pushed average domestic round-trip fares to $358, up about 18 percent year over year, and international economy fares to roughly $1,064. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/airline-tickets-will-go-down-jet-fuel-iran-war/ United's CEO has raised fares 15-20 percent and plans to cut flight volume about 5 percent this summer. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/airline-tickets-will-go-down-jet-fuel-iran-war/ In Europe, Lufthansa said it will remove 20,000 flights from its schedule through the fall amid an acute jet fuel squeeze. https://www.npr.org/2026/04/23/nx-s1-5797307/europe-airlines-jet-fuel-costs Oil executives warned aviation will be among the first sectors where consumers feel the pain.

A U.S.-brokered three-week extension of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah announced April 23 came under immediate strain as Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah rocket fire flared in southern Lebanon and northern Israel on April 25-27. PBS News reported the extension, and later accounts show fighting resumed despite the pact.

The White House announcement followed high-level talks with Israeli and Lebanese envoys, but Israel's military said it struck Hezbollah positions after rocket barrages into Israel. NPR and other outlets reported Jerusalem-ordered strikes killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and at least two dozen people in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire began. Hezbollah leaders publicly rejected the arrangement, with the group's senior deputy calling direct negotiations and their outcomes unacceptable, raising fresh doubts about the truce's viability. CBS News covered Hezbollah's hardline response.

U.S. forces struck a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific on Sunday, April 26, 2026, destroying the boat and killing three people aboard, U.S. Southern Command said. CBS News reported the strike.

Southern Command released a video showing the targeted boat moving at speed before an explosion set it ablaze, and officials have not publicly identified those killed or produced evidence the vessel carried drugs. The Pentagon says the strike was part of a sustained campaign; Fox News reported this was the 55th maritime strike since early September and raised the campaign death toll to at least 186 people.

Federal judges blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement from deporting the family of an accused Colorado attacker on April 26, 2026, after ICE had put the family on a flight that was headed toward removal, according to NPR.

The family had been held in immigration detention for nearly a year and were released after judges intervened, their lawyers said in the hours after the flight was halted and the court action took effect, per NPR.

A powerful tornado tore through neighborhoods near Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma, on April 24, destroying dozens of homes and injuring 10 to 15 people, officials said.

Enid Mayor David Mason said some residents were trapped by debris and had to be rescued, with the Gray Ridge neighborhood on the city's south side among the hardest hit. The storm damaged about 40 homes and left dozens reduced to rubble, aerial and passenger video showed in coverage by PBS News. Vance Air Force Base is closed until further notice because of power and water outages, and only mission-essential personnel have been ordered to report, base officials said. County phone lines were down overnight, and Oakwood Christian Church opened as an emergency shelter.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Sunday, April 26, 2026, for a crew member who fell overboard from the Boston-bound Norwegian Breakaway off the Massachusetts coast.

The fall occurred while the ship was en route to Boston. The search was carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard, which did not immediately identify the crew member or provide further details.

Five people were shot and wounded near Indiana University after the Little 500 bicycle races on April 26, 2026, CBS News reported.

The shooting unfolded shortly after the races ended, officials said in the initial account. Authorities have released few details about the victims or a suspect and said the investigation is ongoing, according to CBS News.

The Justice Department on April 24, 2026 authorized firing squads and restored a single-drug pentobarbital protocol for federal executions, saying the move will let the government speed and expand capital punishment across the United States. NPR BBC

A newly issued 48-page DOJ memo directs federal prisons to add firing squads, gas asphyxiation, and electrocution as backup methods if lethal drugs are unavailable, while calling pentobarbital the "gold standard." The department framed the change as an effort to "strengthen" and streamline death-penalty cases and published a report disputing the prior administration's finding that pentobarbital risks unnecessary pain. BBC CBS News WSJ

The Justice Department formally closed its criminal probe of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on April 24, 2026, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced, removing a legal obstacle that had stalled Kevin Warsh's nomination.

Pirro said in a public post on X that she directed her office to end the investigation while the Fed's inspector general continues a review of the central bank's headquarters renovation project. CBS News reporting shows Pirro reserved the right to reopen a criminal case, and earlier court fights included a judge quashing subpoenas tied to Powell's June 2025 Senate testimony.

The U.S. Treasury on Tuesday sanctioned a Chinese refinery and 19 tankers tied to Iranian oil shipments, increasing pressure on Tehran by freezing access to export revenue. (link: Chinese refinery to Fox)

The measures target a so-called "shadow fleet" that masks Iranian exports and include bans on associated shipping companies and finance networks, U.S. officials said. Fox News The action comes as U.S. and Iranian delegations prepare to meet in Pakistan, a diplomatic track Washington says runs alongside economic pressure.

A Wyoming judge blocked a new six-week fetal heartbeat abortion law on April 26, 2026, preventing it from taking effect and pausing enforcement in the state, Fox News reported.

The order, issued by a state court, stops the measure that would have outlawed most abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, about six weeks into pregnancy, Fox News said. The ruling leaves the law inactive while the case remains before the court.

On April 26, 2026, the Army unveiled an age-neutral Combat Field Test for frontline troops, introducing a new fitness assessment the service called "a critical step forward" in measuring soldier readiness.

Officials said the age-neutral assessment applies the same performance standard across all soldiers, rather than adjusting scores by age or sex. The new fitness assessment drew praise from senior leaders as a way to better match physical tests to combat tasks.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized for failing to alert police after the company banned the ChatGPT account linked to the Tumbler Ridge shooter before the Feb. 10, 2026 attack in British Columbia.

CBS News published Altman's written apology saying OpenAI is "deeply sorry" it did not notify law enforcement when it banned the account. Authorities say Jesse Van Rootselaar killed eight people and injured 25 in the Feb. 10 attack in Tumbler Ridge, according to reporting by MS NOW.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. doctors are reporting an early surge in tick bites across the United States this spring, raising immediate concerns about a worse-than-usual Lyme disease season, health officials warned.

Clinics in several states say they are seeing more patients with recent tick encounters and early symptoms such as fever and rashes. Many clinicians are urging quicker testing and treatment to prevent long-term complications, and public-health officials are stepping up alerts to clinicians and the public.

Dirk Kempthorne, the former governor of Idaho and U.S. secretary of the interior, died April 25, 2026, at age 74 in Boise, his family announced.

The family released a statement announcing his death and did not immediately disclose a cause. The statement drew tributes from leaders in Idaho and from national political figures.

Arizona filed a lawsuit this week to block a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility near an Arizona site that stores hazardous chemicals, saying the project would endanger nearby residents and first responders (CBS News).

The suit, brought by the state attorney general, asks a federal court to stop federal approvals for the project and seeks immediate relief while the challenge proceeds. State lawyers argue the plan ignored required safety and environmental reviews and that the facility's proximity to the chemical site increases risks. The complaint was filed against federal agencies overseeing the detention proposal (CBS News).

An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested after fleeing the United States in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens on April 16, 2026, police said, Fox News reported.

Video captured the shooting at a playground area, and police said the suspect was identified as 18-year-old Zahir Davis, whom authorities link to the BG4 gang. The arrest was reported by Fox News.

The Los Angeles Unified School District board voted Tuesday to limit student screen time in classrooms, curbing use of district-issued devices and encouraging pen-and-paper work for about 461,650 students.

The resolution, authored by board member Nick Melvoin, directs schools to set new limits on classroom device use and to favor traditional written assignments over routine screen work. Fox News report noted supporters said the policy aims to reduce distraction and rebuild students' focus, while critics warned it could curb some digital lessons.

Federal agents executed early-morning raids across Southern California on Thursday, arresting more than two dozen people and producing a federal indictment that charges 43 alleged Mexican Mafia members and associates.

Federal prosecutors say the 43 defendants face counts including murder, kidnapping, extortion, illegal gambling, and drug trafficking. Seizures recovered during the operation included roughly 120 pounds of methamphetamine, more than eight pounds of fentanyl, 25 firearms, and over $30,000 in cash. PBS News Federal officials allege a leader continued directing kidnappings, assaults, and drug sales from a California state prison cell using contraband cellphones.

A 17-year-old high school senior was killed and at least 10 others were wounded Thursday after gunfire erupted in the food court of the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, police said and footage showed.

Authorities identified the victim as 17-year-old Martha Odom, and said 17-year-old Markel Lee surrendered and was charged with first-degree murder, multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder, and an illegal-use-of-a-weapon count. Police said one person died and at least five people were taken to hospitals, and investigators described the shooting as the result of an argument between two groups rather than a random attacker. Authorities released a surveillance photo and asked the public to help identify a second suspect who remains at large.

Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan, a Minneapolis man, was sentenced this week to 8.5 years in federal prison for attempting to travel overseas to join and provide material support to the Islamic State, prosecutors said.

The case was brought under federal material-support statutes in U.S. District Court. A grand jury indicted Hassan on April 29, 2025, and he pleaded guilty on September 29, 2025, court records show.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted three smuggling boats this week off the California coast and apprehended about 60 people, authorities said (Fox News).

Agents from both agencies coordinated the maritime stops, boarded the small vessels and transferred the migrants to law enforcement for processing, officials said; roughly 60 people were taken into custody in the operation (Fox News).

A three-judge D.C. Circuit panel on April 24, 2026 blocked President Trump's executive order that suspended asylum at the southern border, ruling the ban illegal and preventing it from taking effect. (New York Times)

The majority opinion was written by Judge J. Michelle Childs and joined by Judge Cornelia Pillard, while Judge Justin Walker partly agreed and partly dissented. (CBS News) The court said Department of Homeland Security guidance told officers not to ask "credible fear" questions and barred people who crossed between ports from applying for asylum. The judges held that those rules unlawfully tried to sidestep the Immigration and Nationality Act's mandatory asylum and removal procedures. (NPR)

The Trump administration on Thursday announced a crackdown to stop Chinese companies from extracting capabilities from U.S. artificial intelligence models, saying Washington will identify offenders, build technical defenses and impose penalties (ABC News).

White House AI official Michael Kratsios issued a memo accusing foreign entities "principally based in China" of industrial-scale campaigns to distill capabilities from leading U.S. models (PBS News). Officials said they will work directly with American AI firms to identify extraction, deploy technical defenses and develop punishment mechanisms, possibly including sanctions. China's embassy in Washington and the Foreign Ministry in Beijing publicly rejected the allegations as "groundless" and "unjustified suppression" of Chinese companies. The House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously advanced a bipartisan bill to create a formal process to flag and punish "model extraction" attacks, a step supporters say is needed to protect U.S. intellectual property.

The Justice Department ruling issued on April 25, 2026, makes it easier to deport people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, narrowing a legal barrier that had shielded some recipients.

The move follows a federal appeal in the case of Catalina "Xóchitl" Santiago, whose removal proceedings were ended by an immigration judge last September. In that decision, Immigration Judge Michael Pleters said active DACA status alone could justify stopping deportation proceedings.

The Justice Department on April 25, 2026 proposed a rule that would let the attorney general pause state bar investigations into federal prosecutors, delaying outside ethics probes while the department reviews them.

The proposal would let the attorney general suspend or stay state disciplinary proceedings while the department examines alleged misconduct by government lawyers. DOJ officials say the change would protect federal interests and ensure consistent standards across jurisdictions. Critics call it an attempt to avoid oversight and point to filings and a comment letter signed by more than 350 former DOJ lawyers urging the rule's withdrawal (NPR).

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said he will call a special legislative session to redraw the state's congressional district maps after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling, potentially reshaping congressional representation. (Tate Reeves)

He announced the plan Tuesday in Jackson and said lawmakers would convene to redraw maps quickly after the court issues its decision, framing the move as a state response to the ruling. (Fox News)

A Minneapolis city audit faults the Minneapolis Police Department for failures in its October 2024 response after neighbor John Sawchak allegedly shot Davis Moturi in the neck.

The audit found officers feared entering Sawchak's home after the shooting and that procedural errors weakened the department's response to the nonfatal October attack. It also says police did not execute a July felony-threats warrant against Sawchak until after Moturi was shot.

Michael L. Vang, 41, removed his GPS monitor and fled a Minnesota Department of Corrections community work crew site around 9 a.m., and has been taken back into custody, officials said.

The Department of Corrections said Vang was serving a Hennepin County sentence for a weapons-possession offense and was classified as minimum custody. He removed his GPS monitoring device and fled the Plymouth work site at about 9 a.m., officials said. Investigators said they believe he may have received transportation help and warned anyone who aided him could face criminal prosecution.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week overturned Roy Moore's $8.2 million defamation judgment against the Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC, ruling he failed to prove the political ad defamed him (MS NOW).

A federal jury had awarded Moore $8.2 million in August 2022, including $200,000 in compensatory damages and $8 million in punitive damages (MS NOW). The appeals panel said Moore did not show actual malice, the legal standard requiring proof defendants knew a statement was false or recklessly disregarded its truth (MS NOW).

A Somali man tied to a 2012 piracy arrest was arrested this week at the U.S.-Canada border, Homeland Security officials said, prompting renewed criticism of current U.S. border policies. (Fox News)

DHS officials said the immigrant faces allegations linked to the 2012 piracy case and to passport fraud, and that he had multiple prior law-enforcement encounters before the northern border arrest. (Fox News) In fiscal year 2025, Border Patrol recorded 5,779 apprehensions at the northern land border, compared with 177,646 at the southwest land border, underscoring the relative scale of crossings by region.

Internal city records show Minneapolis officials warned in January 2026 that city workers and first responders risked being mistaken for ICE during Operation Metro Surge, prompting new ID rules and procedural changes to protect staff and residents.

Internal emails show a city operations officer telling staff to "exercise heightened awareness" and to verbally identify themselves and display city ID so they are not mistaken for ICE. A separate memo noted a sharp rise in residents refusing fire inspectors, forcing the inspection division to change how it works. An assistant fire chief flagged that behavioral crisis response vehicles look like ICE vans, raising fears mental-health responders could be misidentified.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week said it will fast-track reviews of three psychedelic drugs for mental health — MDMA, psilocybin and ibogaine — potentially speeding approval of new treatments nationwide.

The move follows President Trump's April 18 executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate development and ease restrictions on such compounds. The order tasks the Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration with faster reviews and production quotas.

Two men, Logan David Patterson and Dominick Frank Cardoza, pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to charges tied to a fireworks explosion inside a Harvard Medical School laboratory, the New York Times reported.

The plea followed an FBI Boston Joint Terrorism Task Force investigation that led to their arrests and federal charges, and prosecutors characterized the blast as a serious federal crime rather than a harmless prank.

Nebraska agreed this week to end in-state tuition for undocumented students under a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, a move that will raise costs for affected students and their families. Fox News reported the deal.

State officials said the settlement resolves a dispute over Nebraska policies that had allowed some undocumented students to pay resident rates. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in-state tuition and fees were $10,108 for 2023-24, while out-of-state undergraduates paid $27,748, highlighting the potential cost shift for those students.

An Ohio man confessed Tuesday to dismembering his 93-year-old father in 1998 and stuffing the remains into suitcases dumped along Interstate 77, police told Fox News.

Authorities said the confession came after a DNA breakthrough using forensic genetic genealogy tied recovered remains to the victim, according to Fox News. The suspect told detectives he dismembered the body over two days with a handsaw, discarded some parts in a workplace dumpster and dumped packed suitcases along Interstate 77 in Tuscarawas County, Fox News reported.

A Burbank man was arrested and charged this week with murder after a first-grade teacher was fatally stabbed and her adult daughter was wounded inside their home, officials said Fox News.

Authorities identified the suspect as Sergio Meza Fraire and say he faces murder and attempted murder charges. Prosecutors said special circumstances apply, and investigators have not yet released a motive for the attack.

A federal judge this week sanctioned the lawyer for an anonymous accuser in a federal lawsuit against billionaire Leon Black, saying the attorney "lied repeatedly" during the Epstein-linked case, Fox News reports.

The judge also sanctioned the plaintiff and her law firm, finding key evidence had been falsified and that the lawyer repeatedly misled the court. The case was brought by an accuser who alleged she was trafficked to and raped at Jeffrey Epstein's New York townhouse.

Mike Pence this week in an interview on MS NOW called Donald Trump's use of Jesus imagery "offensive" and warned that tariffs are straining the economy, comments that inject fresh tension into GOP debates.

In the interview Pence repeated that the religious comparisons crossed a line and said tariffs "are straining the economy," arguing they raise costs for consumers and businesses and could hurt Republican appeal to swing voters in upcoming contests, according to the interview.

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders on Thursday voted to approve Paramount Skydance's roughly $81 billion equity takeover, clearing a key hurdle toward closing the blockbuster merger.

The deal values the transaction at nearly $111 billion when debt is included and offers $31 per Warner share, with Paramount Skydance pledging a 45-day theatrical window and a goal of about 30 films a year. PBS NewsHour Broad opposition surfaced from industry workers and lawmakers, and the vote renews attention to ownership implications for CBS News because Paramount Skydance is CBS's parent.

Shipping companies are paying record sums in Panama Canal slot auctions this week as the Strait of Hormuz has effectively closed, forcing many vessels to detour across the Americas and raising shipping costs.

Bidders have pushed transit slots into the millions, with some auction prices reported near $4 million for priority passage, and carriers accepting steep premiums to avoid longer routes and delays. The canal's lock system restricts tankers to Panamax sizes of roughly 50,000 to 80,000 deadweight tons, so very large crude carriers that normally haul Middle East oil cannot use the shortcut. Panama Canal slot auctions are also driving congested anchorages and extra transshipment costs as fleets reconfigure schedules.

Elevoun Quinnell Wren, 23, was charged with second-degree murder Friday in the April 22 fatal shooting near Southdale Mall in Edina that killed John Stroud.

Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows a physical fight before the shooting, police say. The footage reportedly shows Stroud placing his hands around Wren's neck and Wren later standing over him with his arm outstretched holding an object. Stroud was shot five times in the chest and died at the scene despite life-saving efforts. Officers executed a search warrant at Wren's nearby apartment and recovered a pistol, three magazines and a magazine extender hidden under a sweatshirt. Three men initially arrested after the shooting were released after prosecutors said there was not enough evidence to charge them.

A former Colorado funeral home owner was sentenced this week to 30 years in state prison in Colorado for abusing nearly 200 bodies and deceiving grieving families, the report said in state court.

The state term is separate from an 18-year federal sentence and follows an order to pay more than $1.07 million in federal restitution for funds taken from families. The judge imposed a lengthy sentence after finding the conduct deliberate and repeatedly deceptive.

The European Union on Thursday approved a 90-billion-euro ($106 billion) wartime loan to Ukraine, immediately unlocking funds meant to cover roughly two years of Kyiv's budget and defense needs. PBS News reported the formal approval.

Ukraine will be able to draw about 45 billion euros in 2026 and 45 billion euros in 2027, with roughly one-third earmarked for budget support and the rest for defense spending and domestic arms production. PBS News says the package is intended to shore up both economy and front-line needs, and CBS News reports officials expect roughly two-thirds of the funds to go to the defense sector. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked EU leaders, saying the funds will strengthen forces and boost Ukrainian production.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Friday recalled 207,806 32 Degrees heated socks sold at Costco after reports of burn injuries and warned consumers to stop using them immediately (New York Times).

The recall follows 14 heat-related incidents, including 13 reports of first- or second-degree burns that were tied to the socks (CBS News). The burn hazard appears when the socks are worn during high-intensity activities that combine heat, excessive friction, moisture, and pressure. They were sold exclusively at Costco stores and online from August 2025 through March 2026 for between $30 and $46 (CBS News).

This week, Minnesota lawmakers introduced a bill to redirect Twin Cities sports-related sales-tax windfalls into a fund aimed at recapturing about $430 million lost in major-event revenue.

The measure would pool excess sales-tax receipts tied to big events at venues such as U.S. Bank Stadium and Xcel Energy Center into a dedicated bidding account for Minnesota Sports and Events. Backers say the fund could help win events such as the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships and Big Ten basketball tournaments. The idea draws on Indiana's sports and tourism bid fund, which has invested $8.67 million in events projected to generate $735.6 million in economic impact.

President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office this week that he would not use nuclear weapons in a war with Iran, saying a nuclear strike "should never be allowed." PBS NewsHour recorded the exchange.

He framed the pledge as tied to preventing Tehran from obtaining a bomb and said U.S. forces have "totally in a very conventional way decimated them," making nuclear weapons unnecessary. The remarks came as negotiations toward a ceasefire extension continue and Iran prepares to send a delegation to Pakistan for talks. The Wall Street Journal reports Iran will attend those Islamabad talks.

The Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General has begun a formal audit of the department's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, focusing on redactions, removed documents and other release decisions. The New York Times reported the review has officially started.

The audit will examine how DOJ identified, redacted and released records tied to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and will probe "post-release publication concerns," the watchdog said in filings and briefings summarized by CBS News. DOJ collected more than 6 million pages of records and released over 3 million pages while later removing roughly 47,000 files, a move that left about 2.7 million pages publicly accessible, CBS found. Career deputy William Blier is serving as acting inspector general while President Trump's nominee, Don Berthiaume, waits Senate confirmation; that nomination and the audit's timing were highlighted by MS NOW. The Wall Street Journal noted the review will scrutinize how officials decided which names to redact and which documents to withhold from public release (WSJ).

A new study linked the nationwide 988 suicide and crisis hotline's July 2022 launch to an 11 percent drop in suicides among U.S. youth, cutting an estimated 4,372 deaths, researchers reported.

The analysis compared observed deaths with projected totals and found youth suicides were 11 percent lower than expected after the rollout. The analysis called the decline meaningful, and clinicians involved urged more funding to expand crisis services.

A Blaine elementary school teacher was sentenced this month to a work-release program after admitting to filming up a student's dress, court records show. The case has drawn scrutiny from parents and local officials.

Authorities prosecuted the incident under state laws that bar interfering with a minor's privacy. The judge ordered the work-release sentence and court supervision rather than immediate prison time, court filings show.

A man was found dead inside an apartment in Maplewood this week, and police say a suspect was arrested in Illinois the following day in connection with the shooting.

Local reporting says authorities took a man into custody in Illinois and are treating him as linked to the fatal apartment shooting. Officials have not released the victim's name, the suspect's identity, or a motive. Social media posts and local accounts described bullet holes in adjacent units, raising concerns about the safety of nearby residents.

Johnson & Johnson will begin marketing four prescription drugs, including the diabetes drug metformin, on the Trump administration's TrumpRx website starting Friday, expanding low-cost options for uninsured patients. (Johnson & Johnson)

The agreement is voluntary and gives Medicaid access and marketing on TrumpRx in exchange for an exemption from the administration's tariff agenda, the company said. (exemption from the administration's tariff agenda) The move more than doubles the number of medications featured on the low-cost site. It applies only to patients who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover the drug and who pay full list price.

Minneapolis city leaders met Monday in Uptown with residents and business owners to address safety concerns after a fatal March 14 shooting and seek steps to restore security and confidence.

At the meeting, officials and police heard residents describe rising shots-fired calls, assaults and vandalism, and business owners pressed for concrete action to protect customers and property. Police noted a dedicated patrol unit had been assigned to Uptown in December 2025, but attendees said nuisance behavior and violence have continued into 2026.

A man pleaded guilty this week in federal court to stealing more than $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) relief funds by falsely claiming to run an amateur basketball league, prosecutors said (Fox News).

Prosecutors say he obtained the loans with false applications and routed the money for personal use instead of payroll or eligible business expenses. The scheme centered on a purported amateur basketball league that did not operate as claimed (Fox News).

Deputy Jose Rivera of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office survived an ambush on March 1 in Deltona, Florida, after a bullet struck his chest-worn body camera and deflected, officials said.

Rivera was struck by gunfire and was airlifted to a hospital for treatment of nonfatal injuries. Authorities say they arrested 42-year-old Luis Diaz Polanco at the scene and that investigators believe the gun used was bought illegally about a month earlier.

This week the U.S. sanctioned Cambodian senator Kok An and announced a sweeping crackdown on Southeast Asian cyberscam rings operating from Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, officials said.

The Treasury imposed new financial restrictions and asset freezes, while the Justice Department and FBI coordinated arrests and seizures to disrupt the networks. PBS News Tech companies removed accounts tied to the rings, and U.S. prosecutors announced domain seizures and other takedowns as part of the operation.

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged the United States and Iran to resume direct peace talks and condemned capital punishment as incompatible with building lasting peace, speaking from the Vatican in a call for urgent diplomacy.

He said renewed dialogue could reduce the risk of escalation between Washington and Tehran and stressed that state executions do not foster reconciliation or human dignity. The remarks framed both issues as moral and practical priorities for global stability.

The International Energy Agency said this week that Iran war damage will keep global natural gas markets tight through 2027.

The IEA report says damage to Gulf export and pipeline infrastructure has already tightened supplies and will push prices higher across Europe and Asia. Some analysts now warn of roughly a 120 billion cubic meter LNG shortfall and say rationing risks are rising.

A former North Carolina police officer, Christopher Gillum, was arrested Wednesday evening in Destin, Florida, on suspicion of plotting a mass shooting at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Okaloosa County deputies arrested Gillum without incident at a Destin hotel and recovered a handgun plus about 200 rounds of ammunition from his room, officials said (The Wall Street Journal). Law enforcement identified him as Christopher Gillum, a former Chapel Hill officer reported as 44 in some accounts and 45 in others. The Okaloosa Sheriff's Office credited automated license-plate readers with locating Gillum and leading to the arrest (Fox News).

Anthony James Kazmierczak changed his plea to guilty Thursday in federal court after squirting Rep. Ilhan Omar with vinegar during her Jan. 27 town hall in Minneapolis, prosecutors said.

He entered a guilty plea to a federal assault charge at the hearing, prosecutors said. The spray was reportedly apple cider vinegar mixed with water and caused no injuries, allowing Omar to continue the event. Prosecutors also cited earlier statements by the defendant saying "somebody should kill" her as evidence of intent.

The FDA on April 23, 2026 approved the first dual-vector gene therapy for congenital deafness caused by OTOF mutations, authorizing Otarmeni (lunsotogene parvec-cwha) for pediatric and adult patients.

The treatment uses two adeno-associated viral vectors to deliver a working OTOF gene directly into the cochlea in a one-time, bilateral surgical procedure via needle and microcatheter. The approval covers patients with severe to profound hearing loss tied to the OTOF gene who have preserved outer hair cell function and no prior cochlear implant in the treated ear. Common side effects listed include middle ear infection, nausea, dizziness and procedural pain, and the FDA characterized the decision as "groundbreaking" under its National Priority Voucher pilot program.

Jeffrey C. MacDonald, an award-winning chef at UMass Amherst, was charged this week with beating his wife to death at a campus hotel, police said.

Law enforcement said the alleged attack happened inside a hotel on the UMass Amherst campus and that MacDonald, described in reporting as an award-winning university chef, has been formally charged in the death.

A 19-year-old Loudoun County substitute teacher, Hadyn Dollery, was arrested Tuesday for allegedly posting threats against John Champe High School on the Safe2Talk app and was held without bond.

The arrest and charge of making school threats were detailed in a Fox News report. Social media posts from local reporters said Dollery was booked at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center as male while identifying as a woman. Other posts noted he worked as a non-licensed substitute and that authorities removed him from school duty after the threats surfaced.

House Oversight Committee chair Rep. James Comer this week unveiled two federal bills to stop suspected fraud in welfare and Medicare payments, and said the committee will mark them up next Wednesday on Capitol Hill. Rep. James Comer introduced the measures.

Comer named the Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act and the Pre-Payment Fraud Prevention and Treasury Data Access Act, which would direct the Treasury to verify payments and give it authority to block suspect disbursement requests. The bills would also bar agencies from sending payments to recipients flagged as high risk or when a transfer appears improper.

Seventeen people were charged this week after a massive, coordinated street takeover snarled traffic and sparked arrests in a suburban Boston town, officials said.

Authorities said the indictments reached suspects in multiple New England communities and followed a large, organized convergence of cars that blocked roads and endangered bystanders. Local officials described the scene as "wreaking havoc" and vowed further enforcement, while investigators continue to identify other participants.

U.S. prosecutors this week charged two Chinese nationals with running a large cyberscam compound in Myanmar, saying they organized mass online fraud that harmed Americans and other victims.

The charges were unsealed in federal court and accuse the men of managing an organized operation that recruited workers and directed online schemes from a compound inside Myanmar. Prosecutors say the operation targeted victims with romance and investment scams, and the defendants face U.S. criminal penalties if extradited or brought to trial.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Congress this week that the White House's $1 million "Gold Card" investor visa has approved only one applicant since the program launched in December.

Lutnick's testimony conflicts with his earlier claim that the government sold $1.3 billion worth of cards in days, a discrepancy he did not address at the hearing. MS NOW Lutnick also reiterated a projection the program could raise as much as $1 trillion, and officials say each applicant pays a $15,000 processing fee while corporations may pay $2 million plus a 1% annual maintenance fee.

Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, is set to plead guilty in federal court after allegedly spraying Rep. Ilhan Omar with apple cider vinegar at a Jan. 28, 2026, town hall in Minneapolis, authorities say.

Kazmierczak faces one federal count of assaulting and interfering with a federal official. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison. Prosecutors say he rushed the stage and sprayed Omar from a syringe. He was arrested at the event and later booked into custody.

The Department of Homeland Security began deportation proceedings Thursday, April 23, 2026, against a woman whose U.S. citizen daughter was orphaned after the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse, NPR reported.

Immigration officers moved to detain the woman at a Maryland address, and lawyers for the family said she had been urged to apply for temporary relief but never received it, NPR added. Local advocates and several elected officials called the timing cruel given the child's loss and raised urgent legal challenges.

Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday proposed a three-year renewal of FISA Section 702 that would not add a warrant requirement for searches of Americans' data, setting up another House fight.

He rolled out the plan after two failed House votes this week aimed at forcing a warrant rule, and Johnson framed the three-year term as a short window for further negotiation. Civil liberties groups immediately warned the move would preserve warrantless access that they say enabled past abuses.

A mother whose teenage son was fatally shot in north Minneapolis this week is publicly urging prosecutors to file charges and demanding swift accountability for her son's killing.

Local reports say she has met with Hennepin County prosecutors and Minneapolis police and pressed officials for a charging document. No criminal charges have been announced and the homicide investigation remains open.

California ordered a new parole hearing for Israel Ceja on Monday. A two-commissioner parole panel had previously approved his release, but state officials acted after public outcry and the Yolo County district attorney's objections.

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig urged officials to "stop the madness" and asked for the decision to be reversed. The parole consideration stems from a Newsom-backed elderly parole law that lowered eligibility to age 50 with 20 years served. Critics say the law allowed Ceja to be considered despite his rape and pregnancy of an 11-year-old stepdaughter in the 1990s.

The Minneapolis City Council this week delayed a vote on a proposed moratorium on new data centers, saying it needs more study and wider public input before taking action.

Council Member Aurin Chowdhury introduced the local pause to allow a review of projected tax benefits, energy and water demands, and development agreements. Developers warned the delay could slow investments, while residents and environmental groups urged a pause to protect city power and water supplies.

A judge on Tuesday set May 1 for prosecutors to present evidence against singer D4vd in the killing of a 14-year-old at a pretrial court hearing, court officials said.

The hearing will review what evidence prosecutors can use and could determine whether the case proceeds to trial, court filings show.

Cuba's U.N. ambassador rejected a U.S. demand that the island free political prisoners, saying the issue is not part of bilateral talks at the United Nations in New York this week.

At the U.N., the diplomat denied that releasing detainees was being negotiated and called the demand a "politicized" accusation, the ambassador said. The statement came after renewed public pressure from Washington for Cuba to free people arrested in anti-government unrest.

NTSB says this week a controller's clearance and limits of LaGuardia's ASDE-X helped cause last month's fatal collision between a rescue truck and an Air Canada jet at LaGuardia Airport.

The agency's preliminary report says a local controller cleared a rescue vehicle onto the active runway when the Air Canada jet was about a quarter-mile from the threshold and roughly 130 feet above ground, according to a Fox News summary. Seconds later the controller transmitted "stop stop stop" and "Truck 1 stop stop stop," but a firefighter who heard "stop, stop" did not know who it was for and a turret operator initially did not realize the call applied to them, delaying the truck's response, per PBS. LaGuardia's ASDE-X (Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X) showed only two radar targets for seven responding ground vehicles and issued no aural or visual alert, and none of the vehicles were equipped with transponders, which contributed to intermittent detection and limited controller awareness.

The recognition and accreditation office at the Justice Department halted new approvals this week after several staff members were reassigned, pausing the program that accredits nonlawyers and groups to help indigent immigrants.

The pause affects applications nationwide and will slow approvals for legal representatives who serve low-income immigrants. The reporting came from CBS News.

An 18-year-old North Carolina woman was charged Tuesday and is being held on a $10 million bond in an alleged plot to attack members of a Houston synagogue. North Carolina woman held on $10M bond.

Officials identified her as Angelina Han Hicks of Lexington, North Carolina. Authorities say the alleged conspiracy was to "kill as many Jews as possible by driving through a congregation" at Congregation Beth Israel in Houston.

Six leading candidates for California governor squared off over Gov. Gavin Newsom's homelessness record during a televised debate in Los Angeles on April 22, 2026, with Democrats broadly defending his efforts and Republicans sharply criticizing them.

The participants were Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco and Democrats Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra and Matt Mahan. Democrats generally gave Newsom passing grades, while Republican candidates called his record a "dismal failure" and an "F." PBS NewsHour Fox News Mahan also attacked Steyer directly, saying "The only housing Tom Steyer's built has been private prisons and ICE detention centers." MS NOW

A Minnesota woman detained during a Metro Surge immigration enforcement action missed a scheduled surgical procedure this week while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, and advocates say her health has since worsened.

Family members and immigrant-rights groups say ICE denied or delayed permission for the medical transport and that the woman's condition deteriorated after the missed operation. Her lawyers are pressing for immediate medical care and for her release on health grounds.

Crypto investor Justin Sun filed a lawsuit this week in the United States against Trump-linked World Liberty Financial, accusing the firm of freezing his cryptocurrency tokens and committing "misconduct" that harmed his holdings, MS NOW reported.

The complaint seeks the unfreezing of the tokens and damages for the alleged misconduct, the report says. The filing names World Liberty Financial and details Sun's claim that the firm improperly blocked access to assets, according to MS NOW.

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth warned Sunday that a jet-fuel shortage tied to the Iran war will soon raise airfares and force U.S. airlines to cut flights.

Wirth made the remarks in a Face the Nation interview with Margaret Brennan about the conflict's economic fallout. The broadcast framed the immediate risk as "air travel disruptions" from a jet-fuel squeeze rather than only higher costs.

A new Fox News poll this week found American voters view artificial intelligence as a threat to privacy and to their paychecks. That perception could fuel calls for tighter rules and influence campaigns as policymakers weigh responses.

The survey asked voters about data collection, job automation, and employer use of AI, and it found widespread anxiety about both personal data and economic displacement. Respondents expressed concern that companies and governments could misuse AI and that automation could cut wages or eliminate roles.

Judge Jack Hurley of Tazewell County Circuit Court on Tuesday blocked certification of a voter-approved redistricting referendum, declaring the ballot unconstitutional and preventing Virginia's new congressional maps from taking effect. CBS News reported Hurley issued the order less than 24 hours after the vote.

Hurley found the ballot language "flagrantly misleading" and said officials skirted a required 90-day public notice, declaring votes on the amendment "ineffective" and enjoining certification. The state attorney general vowed an immediate appeal and criticized the ruling as judicial overreach, while national party officials hailed the decision. A conservative group, the America First Policy Institute, said it will launch a records probe of county procedures and seek school materials after parent complaints; the group plans county records requests and a letter to Fairfax County schools. Fox News has the details on that investigation.

The Pentagon announced on April 22, 2026, that Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving effective immediately and that Undersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting secretary.

The announcement followed Phelan's address to a large gathering at the Navy's annual conference the day before, and Pentagon spokesmen posted the notice to social media without giving a reason. The change comes as the Navy enforces a blockade of Iranian ports during a fragile ceasefire. Axios NPR

A Florida man has been arrested this week in connection with a 1993 execution-style double murder in the Bronx that left a married couple dead while their child was inside their home, authorities said (Fox News).

Officials say the suspect was taken into custody in Florida and will face charges in New York related to the killings, which had gone unsolved for decades (Fox News). Investigators described the case as an execution-style slaying and called the arrest a major breakthrough for the long-running probe.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized the container ship MSC Francesca in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, taking control of the vessel and moving it toward Bandar Abbas in a sharp maritime escalation.

Iranian forces also captured at least one other commercial ship in the same operation, and Philippine officials say five Filipino seafarers aboard Francesca are safe and being monitored by authorities. U.S. forces had earlier disabled and boarded the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska during enforcement actions, a seizure that already strained talks. U.S. forces board Iran-linked vessel amid tit-for-tat ship interdictions, U.S. Navy destroyer fired on and disabled an Iranian-flagged cargo ship

Minnesota lawmakers this week unveiled a bill that would tax people convicted of fraud at 100% of the value of the funds they stole, effectively forcing full repayment to victims and state recovery programs.

The proposal would impose a 100% tax on proceeds tied to fraud convictions and direct the money toward restitution or state recovery efforts. Backers say it would strengthen accountability and deter fraud, while critics warn it could complicate restitution and raise legal questions.

Former President Donald Trump told MS NOW on Thursday morning that Iran "has no idea who their leader is," saying Tehran lacks a clear leader and drawing immediate expert pushback.

The remark came during an interview aired by MS NOW. A follow-up mini-report confirmed the timing and venue and noted that Iran experts have publicly said the assessment is incorrect, calling the claim factually off base in the mini-report.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it rearrested a Guatemalan man this week after Fairfax County, Virginia, released him despite an ICE detainer, and the man faces state child pornography charges. Fox News reports the Department of Homeland Security announced the action.

DHS and ICE said the county freed the suspect after he was charged with possessing child pornography, and ICE moved quickly to take him back into federal custody once it learned of the release. The agency described the release as a public-safety concern and said it will pursue immigration enforcement.

Oregon agreed this week to pay $295,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a transgender inmate who said she was sexually abused while housed in a women's prison in the state, Fox News reported.

The settlement ends a high-dollar civil claim that drew attention to safety and placement decisions inside Oregon correctional facilities. The payment figure and the existence of the suit were the key terms reported in the coverage of the case.

The Supreme Court ruled this week that Michigan can keep its lawsuit seeking to shut down the Line 5 pipeline in state court, a decision that preserves Michigan's power to enforce its shutdown order (PBS News).

The decision rejects a move by the pipeline operator and others to transfer the fight to federal court and clears the way for Michigan judges to consider the state's safety and environmental claims. The ruling lifts a legal hurdle to the state's bid to halt Line 5 operations while litigation continues (PBS News).

A Utah couple was charged with international parental kidnapping after a Department of Justice plane flew their 10-year-old child from Cuba back to the United States on April 23.

Federal authorities identified the defendants as Rose Inessa-Ethington and her partner Blue Inessa-Ethington. Rose is a transgender woman and the child's biological father. Cuban officials located the group and deported them, and they were arraigned in federal court in Richmond, Virginia. Arraigned in federal court Utah state warrants for custodial interference were issued earlier, with $5,000 bail set for each defendant.

Six Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty this week to taking bribes in an FBI drug-trafficking sting, while a seventh officer was found not guilty, federal prosecutors and reporting show (ABC News).

The pleas and the acquittal came in federal proceedings that grew out of the FBI operation. Prosecutors say the cases accused officers of accepting payments and favors to assist or protect drug traffickers. Sentencing dates were not immediately announced. (ABC News).

Offshore wind farms are advancing off Rhode Island's coast despite President Trump's efforts this year to halt new federal offshore wind projects, developers and state officials say. Offshore wind farms are being built nearshore, and local leaders warn halting them would cost jobs and slow clean energy gains.

Project leaders and state officials say crews remain at work and contracts are moving forward even as the White House pushes to block new leases and permits. The companies and elected officials describe the work as an on-the-water reality that federal delays have not yet stopped.

IRS investigators warned this week that artificial intelligence is supercharging cryptocurrency fraud against Americans, making scams more realistic and easier to scale and posing new risks to investors and ordinary taxpayers. IRS investigators issued the alert as part of a broader push to raise public awareness.

Investigators said fraudsters use AI to generate convincing deepfake voices and text, build synthetic identities, and automate phishing and social-engineering campaigns that specifically target crypto holders. The agency urged people to report suspicious schemes and to exercise extra caution when approached with unsolicited crypto offers. CBS News video showed investigators explaining how AI lowers the time and cost to run large-scale scams.

MnDOT will fully close Highway 280 between I-94 in St. Paul and Highway 36/I-35W in Roseville starting April 13 for northbound lanes and April 29 for southbound lanes, with both directions shut through late August.

Through traffic will be detour via I-35W or I-94, Highway 36 and I-35E, and no signed local detours will be posted. Broadway Street will see closures between Highway 280 and Industrial Boulevard and Energy Park Drive will be cut to one lane each way under 280. Key I-94 ramps at University Avenue are already closed and will remain so until late August, and Franklin Avenue ramps to I-94 will close April 29. MnDOT also plans a brief eastbound I-94 weekend closure April 10-13 that will affect ramps from southbound 280 and Franklin Avenue before those ramps shut again for the longer 280 work.

Jose "Joe" Ceballos, a Mexican Green Card holder and former two-term mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, pleaded guilty this week to three counts of disorderly election conduct for illegally voting, and now faces removal from the United States. Jose "Joe" Ceballos pleaded in state court, and federal immigration officials say deportation proceedings are likely. DHS officials have flagged the case as subject to removal.

Prosecutors say Ceballos falsely checked a box claiming U.S. citizenship on a Kansas voter registration form and later denied claiming citizenship on a U.S. naturalization application. Kris Kobach's office brought the prosecution. Records show Ceballos received a green card in 1990, has a 1995 battery conviction, and filed for U.S. citizenship in February. DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis credited the Trump-era SAVE program for flagging the case and tied the detection to support for the SAVE America Act voter ID proposal.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. concluded a week of contentious congressional hearings this week over President Trump's proposed 2027 HHS budget cuts. Kennedy spent the week testifying before House and Senate panels in Washington to defend the administration's plan. The plan would cut HHS funding by more than 12 percent, including $15.8 billion overall and over $5 billion from the National Institutes of Health. Kennedy called the cuts painful but necessary to address what he said is a $39 trillion federal deficit. He repeatedly denied responsibility for falling childhood vaccination rates and recent measles outbreaks, instead blaming a COVID-era loss of trust. PBS noted he has also pivoted toward diet and "nutritious eating," sometimes making exaggerated claims about diet curing illnesses.

Senator Bill Cassidy emerged as a central figure in the hearings, chairing the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and sitting on the Finance panel. Cassidy was the deciding vote to confirm Kennedy after vaccine-policy promises that critics say he later partly broke, and their relationship has since deteriorated. Political pressure is rising: an RFK Jr. ally's group led by Tony Lyons committed $1 million to support Cassidy's Trump-backed primary challenger, Representative Julia Letlow. Senators also pressed Kennedy on two administration nominees: surgeon general pick Dr. Casey Means, aligned with Kennedy's MAHA movement, and CDC director nominee Dr. Erica Schwartz, favored by traditional public health experts. If confirmed, Schwartz would be the first permanent CDC director since Dr. Susan Monarez, who was forced out after refusing to preemptively sign off on vaccine recommendations.

House Republicans split this week over the Dignity Act, an immigration bill that would shield millions from deportation, as infighting at the U.S. Capitol threatened to derail GOP unity and the bill's prospects.

Conservative hardliners criticized the measure as too lenient on undocumented immigrants. Other Republicans defended it as a practical compromise to secure the border and avoid politically costly stalemates. The public disputes played out in floor exchanges and behind-closed-doors meetings, raising questions about whether leadership can marshal enough support to advance the bill.

Meta announced Wednesday it will cut about 10% of its global workforce and pause hiring for roughly 6,000 open roles, a decision that immediately puts thousands of jobs and key projects at risk.

Company leaders said the reductions will affect many teams and will be paired with a tighter review of new positions. Workers reacted with shock and concern on social media as managers begin direct notifications.

A federal indictment unsealed this week in Washington, D.C., charges a car theft ring with using high-tech hacks to reprogram vehicle computer systems and export stolen cars overseas.

Prosecutors say the suspects tampered with vehicles' onboard computers to defeat locks and tracking and then shipped cars abroad for resale, a method commentators described as "rewriting the brain" of the vehicle.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Twin Cities and parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin until 8 p.m. Thursday, warning of damaging winds, large hail and a small tornado risk.

The watch places the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota in a Level 2 "slight" risk, with central and northern Minnesota at Level 1 "marginal." Forecasters say storms could produce wind gusts up to 70 mph, scattered hail up to ping-pong ball size, and a small chance of tornadoes. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 2:50 p.m. for Dassel, Darwin and Kingston in west-central Minnesota.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Twin Cities metro and surrounding parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin until 8 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters warned of possible tornadoes, hail up to ping-pong ball size, wind gusts up to 70 mph and very heavy downpours that could cause brief street flooding.

The watch covers areas placed at a Level 2 "slight" severe-risk for the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota, while central and northern Minnesota sit in a Level 1 "marginal" risk. Early isolated storms with short-lived hail are expected to develop into lines or clusters this afternoon and evening, shifting the primary threat to damaging straight-line winds and intense rain.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick declined to answer Democratic lawmakers' questions about Jeffrey Epstein during a House Budget Committee hearing this week in Washington, D.C., prompting sharp exchanges and criticism.

Democrats pressed Lutnick about his past connections to Epstein and sought details they said could affect his fitness for office, but he refused to engage and moved on to other hearing business, lawmakers said.

The Minneapolis City Council voted this week to decriminalize possession of drug syringes and pipes, a change supporters say will reduce overdose deaths and expand harm-reduction services.

The ordinance targets simple possession and does not make sale or distribution legal. Council members voted to approve the change this week after debating public-health and public-safety impacts.

A registered sex offender is accused of committing six sexual assaults in a single day in the Los Angeles Valley, an episode that intensified fears as a reported crime surge hits the area.

The allegations emerged after multiple complaints were filed the same day, prompting a multi-count investigation by local law enforcement. Officials identified the suspect as someone listed on the sex offender registry and say the probe is ongoing.

Lufthansa announced it is canceling about 20,000 flights this month as the Iran war chokes jet fuel supplies to Europe, the airline said Monday.

The cuts hit routes across the continent and come amid similar slashes by other European carriers that have canceled thousands of flights. Passengers faced delays and cancellations at major hubs while cargo shipments also slowed, pushing up air freight prices and disrupting supply chains.

The change traces back to long-running debates over who can claim Canadian citizenship through ancestry. Lawmakers and advocates pushed to restore transmission rights for descendants who live outside Canada. Attorney Amandeep Hayer helped press the case in Parliament, arguing that millions of descendants deserved recognition.

Parliament approved a citizenship rewrite that took effect on Dec. 15. Under the new rules, people born before Dec. 15 with a direct Canadian ancestor — a grandparent, great-grandparent or more distant forebear — are already considered Canadian and are applying only for proof. For people born on or after Dec. 15, a Canadian parent must have lived in Canada for 1,095 days to pass citizenship to a child born abroad.

The trouble began long before the flood. The Edenville Dam was an aging, privately owned structure that regulators and local residents had flagged for years over spillway limits and maintenance worries. The dam's operator and federal regulators clashed repeatedly about safety fixes and licensing in the years before the collapse.

Those unresolved issues came to a head during heavy rains in May 2020. Rising water overtopped the Edenville Dam, which then failed and sent a surge downstream. Other dams and communities were overwhelmed, and thousands of residents in central Michigan were forced to evacuate as towns saw streets and homes inundated.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) urged that all new U.S. school buses be fitted with alcohol detection systems to help stop impaired driving. These devices would require a breath test or use passive sensors to block a bus from starting if alcohol is detected.

The NTSB issues safety recommendations after investigations and reviews, and its calls have led to federal rule changes in the past. The board has previously pushed for stronger crash protection, better seat-belt rules, and other measures aimed at protecting children on buses.

Since at least the mid-2010s, fraudsters have shifted investment and romance scams into overseas call centers that prey on U.S. residents. They recruit multilingual staff in Southeast Asia, use social media and messaging apps to build trust, and push victims into cryptocurrency payments that are hard to trace or reverse.

Those operations expanded as cryptocurrency grew, because digital coins let scammers move and hide proceeds faster than banks. U.S. investigators and prosecutors responded by building long investigations that trace crypto flows, seize virtual assets where possible, and work with foreign authorities to identify call-center managers and their networks.

The chain of events that led to this arrest began with the end of pandemic-era protections that had paused most evictions. That pause left a backlog of housing cases and put tenants at greater risk as the city resumed normal court scheduling. Rising rents and limited affordable housing fueled protests by tenants and advocacy groups aimed at stopping evictions on the street and in court.

Those tenant actions have become common in Brooklyn and other boroughs. Organizers and supporters often try to physically block eviction crews or court marshals. Police and city officials have frequently moved in to enforce evictions, and clashes between protesters and law enforcement have sometimes led to arrests.

The case began with a hardline anti-drug campaign Rodrigo Duterte ran as mayor of Davao and later as president of the Philippines. From 2011 onward, Philippine forces and allied vigilantes carried out killings labeled as efforts to "neutralize" alleged criminals. Human rights groups say the campaign produced large numbers of extrajudicial killings and deep fear in poor neighborhoods.

The International Criminal Court opened an investigation into whether those killings qualify as crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege police and hit squads killed dozens at Duterte's behest, and sometimes treated the murders as a perverse form of competition. In a unanimous 50-page decision, judges said there were substantial grounds to believe Duterte bore responsibility for the killings. Families of victims in the Philippines welcomed the decision, saying it finally allows their stories to be told. Relatives like Randy delos Santos said the decision lets unnamed victims' stories be told. Defense lawyer Nick Kaufman attacked the ruling as relying on uncorroborated statements from self-confessed killers who cooperated with prosecutors. Duterte, now 81, was arrested in the Philippines last year and flown to The Hague. He has waived his right to appear at some hearings and was recently found fit to stand trial after a health-related delay.

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, an American-Kuwaiti journalist, drew Kuwaiti prosecutors' attention with social-media posts and commentary about the U.S.-Iran war. Kuwaiti authorities have broad laws against spreading false news and insulting state institutions, and they used those laws to bring criminal charges tied to his posts.

He was detained in Kuwait and held in custody before a trial. U.S. consular officials sought access and international press-freedom groups raised alarm about the case. His lawyers said the prosecution was an attack on press freedom and warned it could chill coverage of the Iran war.

Kilauea sits above a hot spot beneath Hawaii's Big Island, and that steady magma source has made it one of the most frequently active volcanoes in the world. Its eruptions reshape the landscape and have repeatedly threatened communities and infrastructure. A major 2018 eruption in the lower Puna area destroyed homes and produced widespread lava flows, and summit activity since then has included a persistent lava lake that kept scientists on alert.

Before eruptions, Kilauea often shows increased earthquakes, ground inflation and stronger gas emissions. Those signs allow the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to raise alerts and warn residents, park managers and airlines in advance. That monitoring and local preparedness set the stage for the eruption reported today.

The chain of events began when an SUV was reported stolen in the Twin Cities area, prompting officers to try to locate the vehicle. That report set law enforcement in motion before any chase began.

Officers later spotted the SUV on Highway 100 and followed it into Golden Valley. A pursuit unfolded along the busy, multilane corridor as the vehicle tried to flee police. During the chase, two men in the SUV jumped out and ran.

The arc begins with Carter Page's contacts and past statements that drew FBI interest during the 2016-17 Trump-Russia probe. Page had written in 2013 that he saw himself as an adviser to the Kremlin, then served as a foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign. The FBI used that history and other intelligence to obtain Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants to monitor him.

Those FISA applications later drew heavy scrutiny. Investigations found the FBI made serious errors in four FISA applications tied to Page. Page sued the government, arguing the surveillance was unlawful. The Justice Department contested whether he had a legal right to compensation while facing broader policy and individual-liability fights.

The search began after an anonymous dog walker reported a possible human skull on March 8 near a wooded area between Ridgeway Road and Winchester Road in Memphis. That tip set off a months-long investigation that brought cadaver dogs and systematic searches to the site.

Police recovered the first suspected skull on March 8 and said cadaver dogs later alerted to remains inside a nearby drainage pipe. A second apparent skull was recovered on April 1, and 14 more bones were found on April 2. About 170 personnel from Memphis Police, the Shelby County Medical Examiner, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, federal partners and Memphis Fire have taken part in a systematic search.

U.S. authorities recently seized an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean that they say was linked to Iran. The announcement follows a longer U.S. effort to stop Iranian oil shipments the United States views as funding for Tehran and its allied networks.

That effort began after the U.S. left the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed broad sanctions on Iranian oil exports. Washington has since tracked tankers, tightened enforcement, and pursued legal tools to block shipments it considers sanction evasion or a threat to regional security.

Many of the federal benefit programs expanded during the COVID era created new payment streams and upgraded state disbursement systems. Lawmakers grew concerned that rapid rollout and inconsistent state safeguards could let improper or fraudulent payments slip through. That worry prompted routine oversight of how states like Minnesota and California manage federal benefits.

Investigations by congressional oversight offices and public reporting flagged examples where payment controls failed or where eligibility checks were weak. Those findings increased pressure on congressional Republicans who argued that tighter federal checks are needed to protect taxpayer dollars. House Oversight leaders moved from hearings to writing legislation aimed at closing the gaps they found.

The clash traces to years of expanded federal immigration enforcement and rising friction between local authorities and federal agents. States and cities have tried criminal probes of on-duty agents in recent years while federal officials have pushed back. That tug-of-war set the stage for protests and confrontations outside immigration facilities that brought one Durango incident into the courts.

On the night of Oct. 27-28, protesters gathered outside a Colorado Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Durango. Bystander video shows a masked Customs and Border Protection officer grabbing and pulling protester Franci Stagi across the street. Stagi, also identified as Anne Francesca Stagi, says Officer Nicholas Rice grabbed her hair, put her in a chokehold, and threw her down an embankment, causing ongoing arm pain. The criminal complaint charges Rice with misdemeanor third-degree assault and with criminal mischief over alleged damage to Stagi's cellphone. That complaint does not mention a chokehold. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation opened a probe at the Durango police chief's request, an action described as unusual if not unprecedented.

The case began when Nancy Guthrie was reported missing after an alleged abduction, triggering a local search and a criminal investigation that focused on finding witnesses and collecting physical evidence.

Investigators recovered items of interest and hairs that could produce DNA, then sent samples to forensic labs for analysis while police followed up on tips and reviewed surveillance.

The scheme at the heart of this probe grew out of a long-standing vulnerability: identities of children who died young were often unmonitored and easier to repurpose. Paper records and weak cross-checks once let fraudsters reuse those names and Social Security numbers for years. That historical gap created a pathway for people to build long, seemingly legitimate lives on stolen child identities.

Perpetrators typically used official documents tied to a deceased child to get a Social Security number, then obtained driver's licenses, credit accounts, jobs, and other records under that name. Over time a fabricated credit history and public records made the false identities harder to spot. Because the victims were dead, no one routinely checked for misuse of their numbers.

A cycle of federal policy shifts around immigration and border enforcement set the scene for this local action. Changes at the national level strained border processing, doubled migrant encounters in some places, and left local officials scrambling to house and process arrivals. Those pressures pushed cities to rethink how they would respond when federal agents carried out immigration actions in their communities.

As the flow of migrants and enforcement activity rose, many local governments faced crowded facilities, overloaded court dockets, and community unrest when enforcement happened in neighborhoods. Some jurisdictions moved to limit formal cooperation with federal immigration agents to preserve public trust and protect essential city services. The result was a patchwork of municipal rules and ordinances across the country aimed at drawing a clearer line between local policing and federal immigration enforcement.

The story begins with airlines shifting sales online and building detailed digital records of customer searches, bookings, and loyalty accounts. That shift let airlines use automated pricing tools that change fares in real time based on demand and customer signals.

Over time those dynamic-pricing systems got more sophisticated and began drawing scrutiny. Consumer advocates warned that using browsing history and transaction records can lead to different prices for different people. Regulators and privacy groups pushed for clearer rules about what data companies may use to set consumer prices.

The elevated wildfire risk began months ago as a dry pattern took hold across the central United States. Spring precipitation ran below normal in many areas. Temperatures climbed earlier than usual and soils and grasses dried out faster than they would in a wetter year.

Those dry fuels set the stage for fire concerns as gusty winds and low humidity moved into the region. Weather forecasts shifted from warm to fire-prone as forecasters tracked persistent dry air and faster vegetation curing. Local fire agencies and utilities increased monitoring and began issuing burn restrictions in exposed counties.

The Transportation Security Administration was created after the 2001 attacks to centralize airport screening and other transportation security functions. Presidents pick a TSA administrator who must be approved by the Senate.

Over two decades, TSA leaders have wrestled with staffing shortfalls, long airport lines, evolving security threats, and debates over screening technology. Many of those problems intensified after the pandemic as travel rebounded faster than hiring and training could keep up.

The current contest for control of the House Oversight Committee grew out of the GOP winning the House majority in the 2022 midterm elections. That shift put a Republican in charge of the chamber's main investigative panel. The new majority installed James Comer as chair and pushed a broad oversight agenda that targeted actions by the Biden administration and federal agencies.

House Republican rules limit how long one member can serve as a committee chair, so Comer's time in the post is running up against those term limits. That built-in turnover set the stage for an open fight over who will steer the committee next. Members began sizing up bids months before the formal leadership vote.

The story begins with the rapid rise of advanced artificial intelligence systems and growing worry that those systems and their training data could be copied or stolen. Tech companies built ever-larger models and collected massive datasets, while foreign competitors, including some linked to China, pushed to acquire the same capabilities. That combination made insiders with access to model code, training data, or system architecture a prime national security concern.

As that risk became clearer, US firms tightened internal controls and government agencies sharpened export rules and criminal enforcement. Cases of alleged corporate espionage and insider theft rose, prompting more frequent briefings for lawmakers and new proposals to limit how AI technology and talent cross borders. Corporate and legal defenses evolved in parallel, with companies investing in monitoring and stricter access limits.

Parents are urging Congress to pass children's online safety laws after juries found Meta and YouTube liable for harms to minors. The calls follow recent verdicts in cases where jurors concluded platforms' products contributed to young people's mental-health and safety problems.

On Capitol Hill, parents told lawmakers about children's struggles and urged rules to hold platforms accountable for addictive features and harmful content. They asked Congress to mandate safety-by-design, limit algorithms that promote extreme content, and create clearer oversight for platforms used by minors.

A man nicknamed "Pro-life Spiderman" was sentenced to prison for climbing the Las Vegas Sphere. He rose to attention by staging high-profile climbs of public buildings to display anti-abortion messages and draw media coverage. Those stunts raised legal and safety concerns and often resulted in arrests or criminal charges.

He scaled the Sphere's exterior in Las Vegas, triggering a police response and an on-scene arrest. Prosecutors pursued charges tied to the climb and public-safety risks from the stunt. Security at major venues and tourist sites has been scrutinized since the incident.

Officials probing animal housing practices found 31 sloths dead at a warehouse linked to an Orlando attraction.

The scrutiny began after complaints about how some attractions store and move exotic animals, prompting state and local checks of offsite facilities. These reviews focused on for-profit operations that keep animals outside public viewing areas.

ICE recently arrested a Salvadoran man accused of an MS-13 homicide while hiding in a Northern Virginia suburb, authorities said. Fox News reported the arrest but provided no additional details on the suspect's identity, the exact location, or the date of the capture. ICE did not immediately release further information about the investigation or charges, and it was not clear whether local prosecutors would pursue criminal cases in addition to immigration action.

MS-13, also called Mara Salvatrucha, is a transnational gang that authorities link to murders and other violent crimes in the United States and Central America. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has increasingly targeted alleged gang members for arrest and removal as part of broader public-safety efforts, a shift officials say aims to disrupt violent networks.

CMS Chief Dr. Mehmet Oz has ordered states to recheck high-risk Medicaid providers for potential fraud. He put all 50 governors on notice about "billions" lost to Medicaid fraud and urged tighter reviews of providers flagged as high risk. The directive aims to recover misspent funds, shore up program integrity, and discourage bad actors from exploiting state Medicaid programs.

States will likely need to run renewed checks on provider enrollments, billing patterns, and prior investigations to identify those most at risk. That work could trigger audits, freezes on payments, and referrals for criminal probes if clear evidence of fraud emerges. The move reflects mounting federal concern over program leakage and signals increased scrutiny of Medicaid spending nationwide.

Sen. Tom Cotton is pushing a bill in the U.S. Senate to let critical infrastructure shoot down credible drone threats. The measure would give operators of key sites more authority to neutralize drones that pose a clear danger to facilities and people. Cotton frames the proposal as a response to growing drone incidents near power plants, stadiums and other vulnerable targets.

Supporters say the bill would close a gap by allowing faster defensive actions when law enforcement or federal agencies cannot respond quickly. Opponents caution that giving private operators shootdown powers raises legal, safety and privacy risks, and could conflict with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and existing airspace laws. The proposal has prompted debate on social media and in Congress over how to balance urgent security needs with civil liberties and aviation safety.

The alleged ringleader of a South American "crime tourism" theft ring recently pleaded guilty to federal charges, authorities said.

Prosecutors say the crew stole about $24 million in luxury items during coordinated heists across the United States. Officials say the group operated out of a bogus car rental front to move members and goods and to mask activity. The plea resolves charges in a case federal agents described as part of a broader pattern of international crews traveling to U.S. cities to target high-end retail.

Minnesota state Rep. Kristin Robbins demanded records from Rep. Ilhan Omar after Omar skipped a state committee hearing on federal child nutrition policy.

In an April 22 letter Robbins ordered Omar's office to turn over emails, texts, meeting notes and other communications tied to Omar's promotion of expanded child nutrition programs. Robbins specifically seeks records about Omar's Somali-language TV promotion of Safari Restaurant as a meal distribution site and any contacts with people charged or implicated in the Feeding Our Future fraud case. Robbins said Omar "ghosted" the committee after multiple unreturned invitations and set a May 5 deadline for written answers and records.

A Minnesota committee chair has demanded documents from Rep. Ilhan Omar about alleged ties to the Feeding Our Future charity scandal. The request comes after Omar did not attend a key state hearing that lawmakers say stalled their inquiry. A GOP lawmaker leading the effort said Omar "ghosted us" by failing to appear and demanded records to clarify any links between her office and the group. Fox News reported the demand as Republicans framed the document push as necessary to uncover possible coordination or financial connections.

On social media, critics amplified the chair's "ghosted" remark to voice frustration, while other users warned the probe could be politically motivated. Omar's allies pushed back, calling the inquiries partisan and arguing donors and staff should not be presumed guilty without substantiating evidence.

A judge has approved a $425 million settlement between Capital One and customers over its 360 savings accounts. The approval, reported by CBS MoneyWatch on its Facebook page, resolves claims tied to the bank's Capital One 360 savings products. The report noted that the approval clears the way for distribution of funds to eligible customers pending final procedural steps and any required court notices. Details on per-customer payments, eligibility deadlines and operational changes depend on settlement documents and court filings summarized in the coverage.

The story circulated widely on social platforms, drawing attention from account holders and consumer advocates, and the CBS MoneyWatch Facebook post prompted reader reactions about bank accountability and reimbursements. For people who followed earlier reporting about problems with online savings account disclosures, the settlement underscores renewed scrutiny of large banks' retail practices. A final timeline for payouts will depend on the court's remaining approvals and the mechanics laid out in the settlement.

A House committee has summoned ActBlue CEO to testify about security and foreign-donation concerns. The scheduled hearing aims to probe whether the nonprofit's systems prevent prohibited foreign money from influencing U.S. campaigns. Lawmakers also want details on cybersecurity safeguards after broader worries about election-related hacking and online vulnerabilities.

ActBlue is a major digital fundraising hub used by Democratic candidates and progressive groups, collecting small-dollar donations across hundreds of campaigns. Some lawmakers said the CEO "needs to come clean" as critics on social media pressed for answers and transparency. Supporters of ActBlue warned that the inquiry could be politically motivated and stressed the platform's role in expanding small-donor participation.

Several Alaska groups sued state election officials this week, saying officials unconstitutionally shared full voter rolls with the U.S. Department of Justice. The lawsuit filed in Alaska alleges the transfer of complete voter lists violated state and federal privacy protections and could chill voter participation. They are asking a judge to stop further sharing and to restrict how the data can be used.

The case taps into wider national disputes over federal access to state voter files, privacy, and the balance between election enforcement and local control. If a court bars the sharing, states may resist similar requests from federal agencies, while a ruling for officials could encourage broader data exchanges for investigations.

ICE will deport the wife of an active-duty Army soldier despite earlier notices she might be released. Deisy Rivera Ortega, detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after authorities cited a 2019 deportation order and a misdemeanor illegal-entry conviction, remains in custody in the United States. Her attorney, Matthew James Kozik, said DHS and ICE told him she will be deported to Mexico and he is preparing a court challenge to block the removal. Officials said she is protected from removal to her native El Salvador, so Mexico is the planned destination.

Family members said they are "heartbroken" after initial notice that ICE would release her was reversed, leaving Rivera Ortega in custody more than a week after her arrest. A CBS Mornings video captured Rivera Ortega telling her husband she would be released, but ICE instead processed her for deportation.

Police are searching for a 17-year-old suspect after a shooting wounded five people near the University of Iowa. Authorities say the incident occurred close to campus and left five people injured, and investigators have opened an active manhunt for the teen. Officials have not publicly released the suspect's name or a motive as the probe continues, and residents are urged to avoid the area.

Local media outlets, including a CBS News Facebook post, relayed law enforcement alerts and shared updates as officers worked to locate the teenager. Community reaction on social platforms reflected alarm and calls for information, underscoring ongoing concerns about safety near college campuses nationwide.

Democratic candidates are outpacing Republican opponents in fundraising for key midterm House and Senate races. The trend is evident in competitive districts and states where control of Congress is at stake this election cycle. Republican-aligned committees, however, still hold a large cash reserve that changes how money can be used on the ground. NPR reports that Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC holds nearly $350 million in cash. How, or whether, Trump deploys that money could shape what his last two years in office look like, analysts say.

The picture is therefore mixed: Democrats are raising more in many targeted races, but Republicans retain an overall financial advantage. Reporters note Republican groups are "sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars" in reserves, which can fund late advertising and get-out-the-vote operations. Campaign finance research shows big war chests help with late spending and message amplification but do not automatically decide every close race.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill to let SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits pay for hot rotisserie chicken. The proposal, filed in the Senate this year, would change longstanding U.S. Department of Agriculture rules that bar hot prepared foods from purchase with SNAP. Backers say the change would give low-income people more flexibility to buy ready-to-eat protein and to cope with limited cooking facilities or time.

Opponents worry the shift could broaden SNAP into prepared food spending and could require new budget considerations, while supporters frame it as a common-sense fix for food access. The debate taps into larger conversations about hunger, convenience, and how federal benefits adapt to modern needs amid higher grocery prices. Lawmakers will need committee approval and funding before any change can take effect.

CDC data show U.S. rotavirus infections rising while child vaccination rates lag. The increase has appeared in recent CDC surveillance and spans multiple regions, prompting concern among pediatricians and public-health officials. Rotavirus is a highly contagious stomach virus that spreads fast among young children and can lead to severe dehydration and hospital stays.

News accounts describe the illness as striking infants, toddlers, and patients with weakened immune systems hardest, and they say slower-than-expected vaccine uptake is likely widening the pool of susceptible children. Public-health experts emphasize that routine infant immunization remains the best protection against severe rotavirus disease and are urging parents to check vaccination status with their pediatrician.

New data from PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) reveal a sharp split over whether a Trump-era aid freeze harmed anti-HIV efforts. The data, released this spring, cover program outcomes across countries where the US funds treatment and prevention. Experts and advocates read the numbers very differently.

One camp says the figures show continuity in testing, treatment starts and viral suppression despite the temporary policy change. Others say the same data mask short-term drops and services lost during the freeze that could cause harm over time. Those differences reflect how analysts focus on different measures and time windows when assessing program resilience or damage. Advocacy groups and commenters on social media amplified both readings, with some celebrating resilience and others warning of lives and prevention lost.

An Ecuadorian court approved the extradition of a Los Choneros lieutenant to the United States on Tuesday. The ruling allows Ecuador to transfer the suspect to U.S. custody to face federal drug-trafficking charges, the CBS News item posted on Facebook said.

Los Choneros is a notorious Ecuadorian gang tied to prison-based power struggles and transnational drug routes that have destabilized parts of the country. Ecuador has increasingly cooperated with U.S. authorities on extraditions as officials seek to curb regional trafficking networks.

A prosecutor declined to file charges this week in the fatal shooting of three people at a Detroit gas station. The decision means no criminal case will move forward against any suspect in that investigation, according to the announcement.

Few public details about the evidence or the prosecutor's reasoning have been released, and news reports did not identify a suspect or motive. The decision does not bar victims' families from pursuing civil lawsuits or prompt separate administrative reviews by police or prosecutors.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met this week with President Donald Trump at the White House to seek FEMA funding for wildfire recovery. It followed months of clashes between Bass and Trump over local-federal responses and funding.

Bass pressed for FEMA funds to help repair damage, assist displaced residents, and rebuild critical infrastructure across Los Angeles. The meeting aimed to secure a federal response after wildfires left communities struggling and local budgets strained.

Peru's defense and foreign ministers resigned after the interim president delayed a $3.5 billion United States F-16 fighter jet deal. ABC News reported the resignations followed the president's decision to stall formal approval of the purchase, valued at about $3.5 billion. The ministers said their exits reflected disagreements over military procurement and the government's handling of defense policy.

Analysts say the pause could complicate Peru's defense planning and strain relations with Washington, which has been a key security partner for decades. Lawmakers and civic groups have called for transparency and a clear timetable, while the cabinet shake-up raises questions about the interim president's political standing and the country's broader strategic direction.

Canada's prime minister recently said the United States cannot dictate the terms of the USMCA review. The USMCA is the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that replaced NAFTA in 2020. He said Canada will insist on a review process that respects Canadian sovereignty and interests.

The agreement includes a six-year review mechanism and a 16-year sunset clause, giving the three countries periodic chances to reassess terms. Observers say Ottawa's pushback reflects wider tensions over trade sovereignty, enforcement and supply-chain policy that could shape North American economic ties.

A Louisiana guardian recently pleaded guilty to raping his 12-year-old relative, and authorities say he is an illegal immigrant from Honduras.

He entered the guilty plea in a Louisiana court to charges stemming from sexual abuse of the child, and a judge will set a date for sentencing.

Minnesota senators approved partial veteran status and some benefits for Hmong fighters who served with the CIA in Laos. The state Senate voted to grant burial privileges at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries and veterans' preference in state hiring and promotion decisions.

About 1,000 surviving members of the Hmong Special Guerrilla Units now living in Minnesota received a standing ovation on the Senate floor. Lawmakers and supporters framed the vote as an acknowledgment of the so-called "Secret War" in Laos and the allies' sacrifices during a Cold War covert campaign.

Florida executed Chadwick Scott Willacy on April 21, 2026, for setting his neighbor on fire during a 1990 burglary. State officials carried out the three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke and pronounced Willacy dead at 6:15 p.m. Officials said the curtain rose at 6:00 p.m., injections began at 6:02 p.m., and staff checked responsiveness before the death pronouncement. Willacy used his final statement to maintain his innocence, apologize to the victim's family and offer remarks to fellow death-row prisoners. The U.S. Supreme Court denied his final appeal that afternoon without comment, and Florida's high court had rejected earlier appeals.

Prosecutors say Willacy burst into the victim's home during the 1990 burglary, struck her with a blunt object and tried to strangle her. They say he bound her with wire and tape, used gasoline and set her on fire while disabling smoke detectors and placing a fan to spread flames. An autopsy found the victim died from smoke inhalation, indicating she was alive when the fire began, and also reported a skull fracture. Investigators linked Willacy to the scene through fingerprints on a fan and gas can, witness sightings near the home, ATM and check-register evidence, and recovery of the victim's property and bloodstained clothes at his residence. He was first sentenced after a jury recommended death 9-3, the Florida Supreme Court ordered resentencing in 1994, and a later jury returned an 11-1 recommendation for death.

Florida has set May 21 as the execution date for Richard Knight, convicted in a 2000 double murder that included a small child. Knight was convicted for the 2000 killings after a trial and has remained on death row since. Florida authorities set the date for May 21 and court paperwork reflects pending appeals.

Coverage emphasized that one victim was a small child, drawing attention and public reaction on social media. Advocates on both sides of the death-penalty debate used the case to argue for either clemency or strict enforcement of capital sentences. Fox News reported the execution date; local court filings will determine the final legal steps before May 21.

The Senate passed a transportation bill that left federal rules for self-driving cars unresolved. Lawmakers approved the measure this week, but it did not adopt industry-backed language tied to companies like Waymo. That omission means Congress did not create a clear federal pathway for autonomous vehicle testing and deployment.

The gap keeps regulation uncertain at the federal level and leaves states and agencies to fill the void. The outcome drew criticism as a sign of legislative dysfunction, particularly in the House where competing proposals failed to align.

The Department of Justice ordered each U.S. attorney's office to assign a prosecutor to a new national fraud unit.

In a recent memo, DOJ said the move aims to coordinate prosecutions and bolster investigations into economic and corporate fraud across the country. Each office must detail one prosecutor to work with the new national division, the memo said.

A Fox News video reveals severe structural decay beneath the Trump Kennedy Center ahead of a planned $257 million renovation. The footage surfaced as the center prepares for a $257 million repair push intended to address aging infrastructure and safety concerns. It shows hidden damage that could complicate repairs and potentially push costs higher than current estimates.

The report underscores questions about long-term maintenance, oversight and who will bear any cost overruns tied to deeper structural fixes. Social media reaction has mixed criticism of past stewardship and calls for transparency from the center and project managers. Earlier coverage emphasized the headline price tag, while the video shifts public attention to underlying hazards that may change repair scope and timeline.

Two workers have died and about 30 people were sent to hospitals after a chemical leak at a West Virginia silver recovery plant.

The incident happened at Catalyst Refiners, a silver recovery plant operated by Ames Goldsmith Corp. near Institute, West Virginia, while workers were cleaning and preparing the site for closure. Officials say a chemical reaction involving nitric acid and another substance produced toxic hydrogen sulfide in a violent, instantaneous overreaction during shutdown preparations. Two people were killed on site and about 30 others were taken to hospitals, with earlier tallies ranging from 19 to more than 20 evaluated.

One crew member has been found dead after a U.S.-flagged cargo ship overturned near the Northern Mariana Islands during Typhoon Sinlaku. The 145-foot U.S.-registered cargo ship Mariana lost contact April 16 after reporting engine trouble as Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck the Northern Mariana Islands. Meteorologists said Sinlaku had sustained winds near 150 mph when it hit the islands, producing extreme seas and complicating rescue efforts.

U.S. Air Force divers used an underwater remotely operated drone to search inside the overturned vessel and recovered one body from the ship's interior. Divers from the Japan Coast Guard also examined the hull but did not find additional crew members. U.S. Coast Guard aircrews continue searching for five missing crewmen and a 12-person life raft, with operations by partners from Guam, Japan and New Zealand. So far the multinational search has covered more than 99,000 square miles and investigators have reported debris, including a partially submerged inflatable raft, about 110 miles from the Mariana. Experts cautioned that the raft may not belong to the Mariana, leaving questions about survivability and the likely search area. Ports in the Northern Mariana Islands have reopened to commercial traffic and the Coast Guard has delivered water and supplies to affected communities.

Canada updated its travel advisory for Morocco to warn travelers about heightened risks of terrorism and kidnapping. The warning, issued by Global Affairs Canada, flags both terrorist attacks and the risk of kidnapping for foreign nationals. It urged travelers to exercise increased caution and avoid demonstrations and unfamiliar areas.

Morocco is a popular destination for Canadians and international tourists, so the advisory could affect travel plans and bookings. Officials typically update advisories after security incidents or intelligence assessments, and travel providers may respond with schedule or policy changes.

Trump Media replaced Devin Nunes as CEO of Truth Social with interim chief Kevin McGurn after a steep stock plunge.

The board named longtime media adviser Kevin McGurn as interim CEO. Trump Media's stock plunged 67%, wiping out more than $6 billion in investor wealth after a post-2024 election surge, according to AP and PBS. Market capitalization fell from near $10 billion at the March 2024 debut to roughly $2.7 billion, and the stock had fallen about 58% over twelve months. Since going public, the company has posted cumulative losses exceeding $1.1 billion and paid Nunes about $47 million in total 2024 compensation.

Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University Chicago freshman, was fatally shot; her parents urge accountability over politics in the immigration debate.

Gorman was shot in the back and neck while fleeing after warning friends about a masked gunman near the Loyola campus, police said. Authorities have charged 26-year-old Venezuelan national Jose Medina with first-degree murder and illegal firearm possession. DHS says Medina crossed the border illegally in May 2023, was apprehended and released by U.S. Border Patrol, and later arrested for shoplifting in Chicago before being released again. Prosecutors say he missed a court date and became the subject of an arrest warrant. His defense attorney has said a 2018 gunshot wound in Colombia left him with the "mental capacity of a child." Sheridan's parents dispute that characterization, noting Medina could obtain a gun, wear a mask and lie in wait. They call the killing a "preventable murder" and urge stronger cooperation between local and federal authorities in handling noncitizen suspects.

Tesla reported quarterly profits that beat expectations as CEO Elon Musk unveils plans to spend about $25 billion on artificial intelligence and robotics. The announcement came with Musk saying big costs are ahead as the automaker pivots to build AI-driven systems.

Tesla beat Wall Street profit forecasts for the quarter, but the company warned that planned AI and robotics spending of about $25 billion will raise expenses. That investment signals a shift from pure carmaking toward software and robotics as central to future growth.

Rep. Cory Mills says he will not resign amid a House ethics probe into his conduct. He made the declaration on social media after the inquiry was reported, rejecting calls to step down while investigators review the matter. The House Ethics Committee, which oversees such probes, can admonish, fine, or refer cases for further action depending on its findings.

His announcement on Facebook drew polarized responses online, with some supporters accusing critics of political motives and others urging accountability from elected officials. At this stage, Mills remains in office while the committee's review proceeds, and any next steps will depend on the committee's report and potential Republican or House leadership actions.

Two natural gas explosions ripped through homes on the same block in San Antonio hours apart, injuring five people.

Five people, including a child, were hospitalized with burn injuries after the blasts. Two separate houses were damaged and both had people inside when they blew; roofs came off and debris scattered across the street.

The AFSCME union is suing Illinois State University for allegedly using strikebreakers to replace campus workers. The suit, filed in Illinois, alleges the university brought in people to cross picket lines and asks prosecutors to treat that as a criminal offense. AFSCME said the alleged actions undermined bargaining leverage and endangered employees who were on strike.

The lawsuit could raise questions about Illinois labor rules and whether the university violated state law or collective bargaining agreements. Campus communities and labor observers have closely watched such cases because they can set precedents for how public universities handle work stoppages. Fox News reported the union's bid to press criminal charges, while further reporting is likely as the case moves through courts or prosecutors decide whether to act.

Uganda is reporting a rise in disease-related deaths following the Trump administration's elimination of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). PBS News reports the change followed the administration's decision to dissolve USAID, which had funded health programs and disease-control efforts in Uganda. The report does not include nationwide data or detailed counts, but local hospitals and health workers told reporters they have seen more deaths from preventable infectious illnesses.

PBS coverage has prompted debate about the role of U.S. aid in global health and calls from public health advocates to restore or replace the programs. Coverage remains limited, and independent data tracking nationwide mortality trends in Uganda after the USAID change is not yet publicly available.

A recent air-quality report rated the Twin Cities "F" for particle pollution due to high fine-particle levels in Minnesota. The grade placed the metro at 39th most polluted in the nation for particle pollution, according to the assessment. These particles, often called PM2.5, come from vehicle exhaust, wood burning and industrial emissions and can harm lungs and hearts.

Local coverage framed the finding as a warning about persistent air-quality problems that affect public health across the Twin Cities region. The report is likely to renew discussion about reducing emissions from transportation, heating and industry to lower particle levels and protect vulnerable communities.

The Supreme Court ruled that a wounded U.S. soldier may sue a contractor over a 2016 suicide bombing at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. The decision sends the case back to lower courts and rejects a broad legal shield for contractors performing wartime work. The plaintiff, identified in filings as former Army Specialist Winston Tyler Hencely, was among those injured in the attack.

The attack occurred during a Veterans Day weekend 5K at Bagram in 2016 when an Afghan employee, Ahmad Nayeb, detonated a vest after being stopped. The blast killed five people and wounded more than a dozen, and Hencely suffered a fractured skull, brain damage, seizures and major left-side loss of function. Hencely sued Fluor Corporation, alleging state-law claims that it negligently retained and supervised the attacker who built the vest on the job site inside the base. An Army investigation faulted Fluor for inadequate supervision, but Fluor argued it was immune because it was performing wartime work for the federal government. The Court held immunity does not automatically cover alleged failures to supervise and that such state-law claims can proceed. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion, joined by Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, Gorsuch, Barrett and Jackson; Justices Alito, Roberts and Kavanaugh dissented.

Rep. David Scott, an 80-year-old Georgia Democrat, died in office while seeking a 13th term in Congress.

Scott built a decades-long political career, first winning a seat in the Georgia House in 1974 and the state Senate in 1982 before his election to the U.S. House. He chaired the House Agriculture Committee in the first two years of the Biden administration and later served as the committee's ranking member. Reports say he had faced health concerns that led to his removal as top Democrat on the committee in 2024, and he had been largely inactive on the 2026 campaign trail while still insisting he was fit to serve. Details about the cause and timing of his death have not been released, and public officials including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens offered public praise for his service to farmers, veterans and his district.

DHS workers say operations were severely strained during a 68-day government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security. The prolonged lapse in funding came as staff reported essential functions were pared back and workloads rose across multiple offices.

In interviews collected by CBS News, employees used phrases such as "a breaking point" to describe stretched resources and frayed morale. They said duty shifts lengthened and administrative tasks were delayed, undermining routine enforcement and support activities critical to border security and immigration services.

Booking.com disclosed a data breach that exposed travelers' contact and reservation details, increasing risk of phishing and scam attempts. Fox News reported the breach and said travelers' names, contact information and reservation details were among the exposed data. Booking.com has not disclosed the total number of affected accounts, according to the report.

Security observers warn such information can make phishing and scam messages more convincing by referencing actual trips, dates or hotels. Customers are advised to be cautious about unsolicited calls, texts or emails that ask for payment or login details, and to verify messages directly with the company. The story adds to growing concerns about travel industry data security as travelers increasingly rely on online booking platforms.

A 73-year-old Oregon man was sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty in the 1983 killing of his then-girlfriend. Mark Sanfratello pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in Josephine County Circuit Court in Grants Pass, Oregon. Prosecutors said his then-girlfriend, 27-year-old Teresa Peroni, was last seen walking with him into the woods after a house party in Selma, Oregon, in July 1983. Peroni's skull was found on private property in 1997, and no other remains have been recovered despite later searches.

Investigators reopened the cold case in 2024, reinterviewed witnesses and collected new DNA evidence, using modern forensic techniques to build their case. Sanfratello was arrested in July 2025 in Chico, California, extradited to Oregon, and indicted before agreeing to the plea deal. Under the agreement he received a 20-year sentence with a minimum of 10 years to serve and will be eligible for conditional release after serving half the term under Oregon rules. Courts said the plea admitted causing Peroni's death by criminal negligence rather than intentional murder, and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield noted the 43-year wait for answers underscores why officials should not give up on cold cases; the victim's sister described the long wait and the toll the loss took on the family.

A Maryland man has been charged with first-degree murder in his wife's 2002 disappearance. Authorities say prosecutors filed the charge after investigators re-examined the decades-old case and found evidence contradicting the husband's account. Police have not publicly released full details about the evidence or any motive.

At the time of her disappearance, the husband's story that she left to prepare for a party went largely unchallenged. New reporting and the recent charge reflect a shift as investigators say that party-prep tale fell apart under renewed scrutiny. Fox News' coverage highlighted how the earlier narrative unraveled, pushing attention back to the cold case and prompting prosecutors to act.

A senior Department of Homeland Security counterterrorism official has been placed on administrative leave amid an internal misconduct probe. The official, described in reports as a high-ranking counterterrorism leader, was sidelined recently while department investigators examine allegations of personal misconduct. Reporting says investigators are looking into an alleged "sugar daddy" relationship, lavish gifts and possible drug use, though DHS has not released full details. Officials have not named the official or said when the alleged conduct may have occurred.

The case has drawn attention because it involves a leader tasked with counterterrorism work and the potential for personal conduct to affect trust and security. DHS will complete its internal review before deciding on any disciplinary actions or public disclosures, per standard practice. The report has prompted discussion in media and online about oversight of senior officials, though no criminal charges have been reported.

Zillow says U.S. rents are rising at their slowest pace since 2020. The online real-estate data firm reached that conclusion in its latest rental market analysis. The report marks a clear pullback from the pandemic-era surge in rents that drove big year-over-year increases.

Slower rent growth reflects easing demand and gradual supply improvements in many metro areas, analysts say. That dynamic has softened bidding on rentals and reduced the pressure on rents in once-hot cities. CBS MoneyWatch shared Zillow's analysis on its Facebook page, signaling broad public interest in the shift.

A lone gunman opened fire recently atop the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan, killing one tourist and wounding about 13.

Mexican authorities identified the attacker as 27-year-old Julio César Jasso Ramírez, who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. Investigators recovered a handgun, a knife, 52 .38-caliber rounds and writings and images tied to the 1999 Columbine massacre. Officials say victims included people from the United States, Canada, Colombia, Brazil, Russia and the Netherlands, with ages ranging roughly from 6 to 61. Video and hostage recordings show the attacker invoking the pyramid's sacrificial past and making violent threats, and investigators say he had visited the site on reconnaissance the day before.

Houston weakened limits on cooperation with ICE after Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened to cut more than $110 million in state funding. The City Council voted 13-4 to amend the policy, removing strict limits on prolonging stops for ICE-related purposes and allowing extended detentions when another legitimate law enforcement reason exists. Abbott set a Wednesday deadline for repeal or softening of the ordinance and demanded repayment if Houston did not comply with his funding ultimatum.

Abbott accused city leaders of allowing illegal immigrants to "roam their streets" and cited the killing of Jocelyn Nungaray and other crimes in justifying his ultimatum. Mayor John Whitmire warned the funding fight was a "crisis" that could hit local police, fire services and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A governor spokesperson called the council vote a "step in the right direction" and reiterated Abbott's expectation that Houston fully cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security.

An investor has purchased the Great Northern Building, a landmark downtown St. Paul office tower, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports. The sale was reported recently and marks a new investor entry into St. Paul's downtown office market. The buyer is positioning to pursue additional downtown acquisitions, signaling confidence in local recovery and opportunity in office or mixed-use assets.

Such purchases often fund renovations or conversions, mirroring a national trend of investors repurposing older office buildings to meet changing tenant demand. The Business Journal did not report notable public reaction or a shift in the narrative; coverage frames the deal as a new investor entering downtown St. Paul's market.

A Minnesota state senator wagered $50 on himself to win a primary and was suspended from the Kalshi trading platform. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported the senator placed the $50 bet on Kalshi to back his primary victory. Kalshi responded by suspending the account, the station said.

The episode raises ethical questions about public officials using prediction markets and could prompt reviews of platform rules and official conduct standards. Observers on social media noted the appearance of impropriety, though the report did not describe additional fines or legal actions.

A federal appeals court has blocked California's law requiring federal agents, including ICE officers, to display identification. The Ninth Circuit three-judge panel issued the block after a March 3 hearing and made it an injunction pending appeal. Judge Mark J. Bennett wrote the law "attempts to directly regulate the United States in its performance of governmental functions" and violates the Supremacy Clause. The panel included two Trump appointees, Bennett and Patrick B. Collins, and one Obama appointee, Duy Le Nguyen.

California defended the measure as a safety rule meant to prevent officers from being mistaken for criminals and to reduce risks of violent self-defense by the public. The law was part of a pair of Gavin Newsom-signed bills, including a No Vigilantes Act provision tied to section 10 and a No Secret Police Act, aimed at limiting federal enforcement practices. Federal officials justified some masked tactics by citing increased threats and assaults against agents and their families during earlier immigration crackdowns. A separate state mask ban for most law enforcement officers had been blocked by a federal judge in February, and California Democrats are seeking to rewrite that bill.

Sen. Slotkin compared ICE's street tactics to British rule in a Senate speech.

She is a Democratic senator. She said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in American streets resemble tactics used by the British regime during the Revolutionary War. Her remarks came during a Senate speech where she criticized current enforcement methods as heavy-handed and harmful to communities.

A federal appeals court has upheld a Texas law requiring Ten Commandments posters in public school classrooms. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 9-8 en banc decision upholding Senate Bill 10. The court said the law does not violate the First Amendment because students are not required to recite, affirm, or practice the Commandments.

S.B. 10, enacted in June 2025, requires each public elementary and secondary classroom to display a durable Ten Commandments poster or framed copy. Statutory rules set a minimum size of 16 inches by 20 inches, require an easily readable typeface, and call for conspicuous placement. The law says posters are required only if donated, but at least one Dallas suburban district spent about $1,800 to print roughly 5,000 posters. Plaintiffs argued children were forced to "observe and venerate" a state-mandated version of the Commandments, a claim the court rejected in extended opinion language. Civil liberties groups including the ACLU called the ruling a violation of First Amendment principles and said they plan to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and bill author Sen. Phil King hailed the decision as a moral victory and said the Commandments influenced American legal codes. The ruling also reversed lower-court blocks that had barred about a dozen Texas districts from posting the displays. Separately, the 5th Circuit earlier voted 12-6 en banc to lift a block on a similar Louisiana law, tying the two cases and raising the prospect of a Supreme Court showdown.

The Trump administration is considering easing U.S. sanctions on Eritrea to strengthen its Red Sea strategy, senior officials said. The Wall Street Journal reported that officials see Eritrea as a strategically vital partner located near the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Easing sanctions could open doors for intelligence sharing, port access, and coordinated maritime patrols against actors who threaten commercial shipping.

Washington's outreach would mark a pragmatic pivot from prior policy that prioritized human rights and sanctions enforcement. Eritrea has long been described as reclusive, and any move to loosen penalties will draw scrutiny from rights groups and some lawmakers. Officials say the change would be driven by immediate security needs in the Red Sea rather than an endorsement of Eritrea's domestic record.

Former President Donald Trump called Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson a "low IQ person" in a recent tirade. Fox News reported the remarks, describing the exchange as a Supreme Court tirade. Trump made the comment while criticizing the court and its rulings, according to the report.

The remarks follow an ongoing pattern of heightened partisan attacks on the judiciary by political leaders. Observers say such public denunciations can undermine confidence in courts and complicate efforts to maintain judicial impartiality. Fox News did not report a response from Justice Jackson or a formal statement from the Supreme Court at the time of publication.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, accused of a three-killing Atlanta-area shooting spree, was found dead in his DeKalb County jail cell Tuesday evening. He was found unresponsive in his cell at about 6:48 p.m., the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said. Abel, 26, was accused of killing three people in a spree earlier Tuesday and Wednesday morning across Atlanta suburbs. Authorities say Prianna Weathers, 31, was killed about 12:50 a.m. in Decatur and Tony Mathews, 49, was ambushed in Brookhaven and later died of his wounds. DHS auditor Lauren Bullis, 40, was shot and stabbed about 6:50 a.m. in Panthersville, officials said.

The DeKalb sheriff's office said there was "no indication of criminal activity or foul play" in Abel's in-custody death and that an internal review is underway. A medical examiner will determine the official cause of death. The New York Times identified him as Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26. Reports say he was originally from the United Kingdom and became a U.S. citizen in 2022 while serving in the Navy in San Diego. Police records cited by Fox News include prior convictions for sexual battery and for assault and battery against a police officer. Roommates told the Associated Press he had argued about air conditioning and stormed out shortly before the shootings, offering a glimpse into his state of mind. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed Bullis' role as an auditor and said her killing was a brutal shooting and stabbing, remarks that also raised questions about federal vetting.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized an RPG launcher and multiple rifles hidden in a Lexus bound for Mexico. Agents found the weapons concealed inside the vehicle during a routine inspection at a U.S. port of entry, officials said. The seizure included an RPG launcher plus a cache of rifles, and the Lexus was stopped as it prepared to cross into Mexico. Investigations into who transported the weapons and whether charges will be filed are ongoing.

Smuggling of military-grade weapons across the U.S.-Mexico border has long been a concern for law enforcement, fueling organized-crime violence and prompting stepped-up inspections. Border agents regularly interdict firearms and work with other agencies to trace the origin and final destination of seized weapons, aiming to disrupt trafficking networks.

A Marine veteran was allegedly shot and killed by her estranged husband outside their Wichita home this week in an apparent domestic dispute, police said.

Wichita police say they arrested and charged the estranged husband in connection with the shooting. Authorities have not yet released the victim's or suspect's names while the investigation continues, and charging papers have not been made public.

The Justice Department has opened a civil rights review into allegations of antisemitism at the University of Washington. The review, announced this week by the Department of Justice's civil rights division, will examine whether university officials allowed or ignored antisemitic harassment. It follows a student group fundraiser billed as a "Lebanese resistance" event that drew complaints from alumni, lawmakers and some students.

Conservative media and some lawmakers amplified the controversy on social media, arguing the fundraiser crossed a line and demanded federal scrutiny, while other students and free-speech advocates defended campus expression. The review could prompt investigations or lead to changes in how the university handles reports of harassment and controversial campus events.

Commerce Chief Howard Lutnick deflected questions about Jeffrey Epstein during a Senate budget hearing Tuesday in Washington as senators pressed for answers. Lawmakers raised the topic amid the department's annual budget review, but Lutnick did not provide a substantive response on the record. The brief exchange was not central to the hearing's fiscal questions, and senators proceeded to discuss program funding and priorities.

The incident drew attention because Epstein-related inquiries have remained politically sensitive and have prompted oversight calls across multiple institutions. Coverage so far has focused on the hearing transcript and the lack of clarity from Lutnick, leaving calls for follow-up questioning or written responses from the Commerce Department.

Six people were charged in a scheme to steal and resell dozens of cars from the Washington, D.C., area. Federal prosecutors say the group stole dozens of vehicles and arranged to ship them to Ghana for resale. Prosecutors say the operation moved cars out of the region to be sold overseas.

Authorities announced criminal charges this week, and the defendants now face federal prosecution. Such cases often involve coordination across state lines, which elevates them to federal courts and can increase penalties. Law enforcement agencies have warned that exporting stolen vehicles complicates recovery and is part of a broader trend in auto theft.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation confirmed an external review of its past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. CEO Mark Suzman commissioned the review in March with support from chair Bill Gates and independent board members. The review will examine past engagement with Epstein and the foundation's current vetting policies. The foundation says a small number of employees met with Epstein, that no foundation fund or payments were made, and that it regrets any interaction.

Justice Department filings released emails, calendar entries, and photos showing Gates' interactions with Epstein about philanthropic projects and meetings. Those documents prompted funders and other observers to ask questions about the foundation's past judgment and current oversight. Warren Buffett said he will "wait and see what unfolds" in the documents and in congressional hearings before deciding whether to make his usual late-June Berkshire Hathaway share donation. Buffett also noted the foundation holds roughly an $86 billion endowment and that Gates has "plenty of his own money," suggesting less urgency for a grant this year. Separately, the foundation is moving to cut as many as 500 jobs by 2030 and plans a broader wind down by 2045 as part of its restructuring.

The American Lung Association released a report ranking the cleanest and most polluted U.S. cities, a summary shared on CBS News' Facebook page. The report compares fine particle and ozone levels across metropolitan areas to highlight where breathing risks are highest and lowest. The Facebook post linked to the findings for wider public discussion and reaction.

Air quality rankings like this often shape local public health alerts, transportation planning and clean-air policy priorities. They also prompt social media debate about urban growth, industry emissions and wildfires, which can sway public opinion and political attention. The CBS Facebook post did not include detailed city-by-city statistics, so readers should consult the full American Lung Association report for specifics.

Crypto billionaire Justin Sun sued the Trump family's World Liberty Financial this month in U.S. court over frozen cryptocurrency tokens. Sun alleges the venture froze the tokens and committed fraud, seeking their return and damages in his complaint.

World Liberty Financial is a Trump family-branded venture, and the lawsuit highlights a high-profile clash between a major crypto figure and a political family's business project. Observers say the case could raise questions about how tokens are handled in deals linked to public figures and increase scrutiny of similar cryptocurrency agreements.

St. Paul has rescinded a 180-day ban that barred TikTok influencer Josh Liljenquist from all city parks.

Parks and Recreation said the rescission is effective immediately after a city review of Liljenquist's appeal. The reversal was based on an "evaluation of the facts of this situation," the letter says. The city's rescission letter nevertheless reiterated that visitors must follow the city charter and park rules, including permitting requirements for commercial filming and events.

The Justice Department pulled back Washington grand jury subpoenas after removing the lead prosecutor in the John Brennan investigation. The subpoenas were rescinded Monday night after being issued only days earlier, according to people familiar with the matter. A federal grand jury has been impaneled in Miami since late last year for the inquiry, which stems from a 2025 referral by Representative Jim Jordan alleging false statements.

Career Miami prosecutor Maria Medetis Long was removed after she told supervisors she doubted there was enough evidence to charge Brennan. The Justice Department said such personnel moves were "completely healthy and normal." Officials installed Joseph DiGenova as a special counselor to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to oversee the probe, and former Judge Aileen Cannon law clerk Christopher-James DeLorenz joined the team. DiGenova is a well-known Trump ally whose past public attacks and 2020 election claims have drawn intense criticism and social media alarm about politicizing the Justice Department. Some reporting says investigators planned to interview about six witnesses, while Associated Press and other outlets said at least three witnesses in Washington had been subpoenaed. After the subpoena pullback, FBI agents told lawyers they preferred experienced agents conduct voluntary interviews before any more grand jury steps.

U.S. Customs launched a tariff-refund portal on April 20, 2026, to let businesses seek refunds after the Supreme Court struck down Trump-era tariffs.

Customs estimates it owes about $166 billion in refunds and says roughly 330,000 businesses may be eligible. The portal's first phase uses a new consolidated system called CAPE, short for Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries, to process many refunds electronically rather than entry-by-entry. CAPE initially accepts claims for duties liquidated or estimated within the past 80 days and covers about 63 percent of affected import filings in this deployment. Customs says valid claims should be approved and paid within about 60 to 90 days after approval, and some law firms expect early filers could see money by mid-June to mid-July.

Graham Platner, a leading Democratic candidate in Maine's Senate primary, has vowed to subpoena White House officials and seek impeachment of two Supreme Court justices.

Platner told NBC News he wants to "shut the White House down" by aggressively subpoenaing "every single person in the White House" and officials he calls "illegal and unconstitutional." He said there is a "compelling case" to impeach Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, calling the Thomas-Harlan Crow relationship "clearly corrupt" and grounds for removal. Platner also labeled some Immigration and Customs Enforcement deployments to US cities and US bombing operations in the Caribbean as crimes and "murder."

A recent federal indictment accuses a U.S. car theft ring of using key fob programming to steal vehicles quickly. The indictment in the United States alleges that suspects exploited key fob programming to quickly unlock and start vehicles, then drive away. On Fox News, host Jeanine Pirro warned the thefts could be 'gone in 60 seconds,' underscoring the speed and reach of the scheme.

Coverage of the indictment has raised public alarm about modern vehicle security and keyless access systems. Some commentators called for automakers to shore up protections and for law enforcement to pursue the ring aggressively. Prosecutors say the case illustrates how new technology can be used for rapid theft.

A conservative legal group is urging the U.S. Postal Service to enforce President Trump's mail-in ballot order. The request arrived while the order is tied up in court and before judges resolve legal challenges.

The group says the Postal Service should follow the president's directive despite the litigation, arguing that delays or uneven implementation could disrupt ballot delivery and election timing. The Postal Service has been drawn into a broader national fight over mail voting, as courts weigh the scope and legality of executive actions. Public reaction on social media was sharply divided, with supporters urging swift enforcement and critics calling the move politically driven as the courts consider the matter.

An Emmy-award winning Oklahoma television journalist was arrested after police said hidden cameras were found in station dressing rooms. Police said the devices were discovered during an investigation at the television station in Oklahoma. Authorities have not released full details about where the cameras were placed or how long they may have operated.

The reporter is described in reports as an Emmy-award winner who worked at the station, though officials have not publicly named the suspect. Legal experts say cases involving hidden cameras often trigger criminal investigations and civil claims tied to privacy and workplace safety.

Senate Democrats are challenging the Department of Justice over delayed Freedom of Information Act records in a probe into alleged bribery involving Tom Homan. They say the Department of Justice has resisted and slowed responses to Freedom of Information Act requests tied to the Homan bribery probe. The push came recently on Capitol Hill as Democrats sought records that could show whether bribery allegations against Homan are backed by evidence. They say delays hinder oversight and public accountability, and they are demanding faster releases to assess any official misconduct.

The dispute centers on transparency and FOIA processing speed, a recurring tension between oversight needs and agency capacity. Senate Democrats say timely releases are necessary to determine whether misconduct occurred and whether officials followed the rules. How DOJ responds now could shape future oversight fights over access to internal documents and public accountability.

A man who stole South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's purse in a Washington, D.C. restaurant was sentenced to three years in prison. The sentencing follows the theft inside the restaurant and official legal proceedings reported by ABC News.

The incident attracted public attention because Noem is a high-profile elected official and because the theft occurred in a public space. The three-year term underscores that thefts involving public figures or carried out in public places can lead to substantial jail time, even when the property stolen might not be of high monetary value.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren pressed Federal Reserve nominee Kevin Warsh about undisclosed assets and ties to President Trump during his Senate Banking Committee hearing. The hearing took place Tuesday at 10 a.m. Eastern before the Senate Banking Committee, where Warsh is President Trump's pick to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed chair. Warsh opened by stressing monetary independence and saying inflation control would be his priority, though his prepared remarks omitted the Fed's maximum employment mandate. Powell's term ends May 15, raising urgency to resolve leadership before that date.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren led a pointed exchange focused on Warsh's financial disclosures, pressing him about undisclosed investments in the Juggernaut Fund and an entity listed as THSDFS LLC. Warren queried whether those holdings were tied to Trump family entities, Chinese-controlled firms, money laundering, or Jeffrey Epstein-linked financing, and she warned that someone could profit from predicting Fed policy with a "100 million check." Warsh declined to give yes-or-no answers about ties to Epstein-linked vehicles, instead pointing to an agreement with the Office of Government Ethics to divest problematic assets. His most recent disclosure valuates his holdings between roughly $135 million and $226 million, which would make him the wealthiest Fed chair in history if confirmed, and an ethics note said he was temporarily out of compliance and has pledged to divest within 90 days of confirmation.

Anthropic is investigating a possible breach of its Mythos AI model at a third-party vendor. The company disclosed the probe and said it is working with the vendor to determine what happened. Anthropic is known for safety-focused AI research and Mythos is among its recent commercially available models.

Anthropic has not publicly disclosed the scope of the issue, how many customers might be affected, or whether data was exposed. Officials have not identified a timeline for concluding the investigation or for notifying affected parties, and outside security researchers have not yet publicly confirmed a compromise. Reporting is preliminary and may change as Anthropic and the vendor release more details.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from Congress Tuesday moments before a scheduled House Ethics Committee hearing on alleged campaign finance violations. She quit just before the panel was to decide sanctions and a planned floor expulsion vote. Her resignation led the Ethics Committee chairman to say the panel lost jurisdiction and canceled the hearing.

The Ethics probe had detailed findings and heavy documentation: investigators issued 59 subpoenas, interviewed 28 witnesses and reviewed more than 33,000 pages of records. The committee found roughly two dozen violations connected to about $5 million that prosecutors say her family's health business received in pandemic relief, and last month an Ethics proceeding found most of the allegations proved. She also faces a separate multi-count federal indictment that could carry decades in prison; her criminal trial has been moved to early 2027. Local faith leaders, unions and others had sent letters urging caution, warning that expulsion could leave hundreds of thousands of constituents without representation, while her lawyer argued committee discipline could prejudice her pending criminal case.

Spain has launched a decree to legalize up to one million undocumented migrants. The government says the measure aims to register people who have lived and worked in Spain and to reduce exploitation and precarious labor.

Officials describe the program as an administrative regularization handled by decree, bypassing a slower parliamentary route to speed processing. Authorities expect many applicants, but also face legal and logistical questions about eligibility, verification of work history, and municipal capacity to register claimants.

The National Weather Service expanded a red flag warning covering wildfire risk to 54 Minnesota counties on Wednesday. The warning was issued because hot, dry and breezy conditions will raise the risk of fast-moving wildfires across the state. It was in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

NWS officials expanded the warning from 27 counties to 54 by Wednesday morning, adding 27 counties to the earlier footprint. Newly added counties cited in reporting included Carver, Scott, Rice, Waseca, Wright and Sherburne, stretching the alert into and around the Twin Cities hinterland. Forecasts called for Twin Cities highs near 85 degrees Fahrenheit and western Minnesota pushing into the low 90s, with southeast winds of 10 to 20 mph.

House Democrats have opened an investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel after he sued The Atlantic over an article alleging excessive drinking and unexplained absences. Patel filed a 19-page defamation complaint in Washington, D.C., seeking $250 million against The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick. The complaint disputes 17 specific statements and says the magazine gave the FBI little time to respond before publishing. The Atlantic stands by the piece and says it will vigorously defend the reporting. Patel has publicly denied being intoxicated on the job and called the article baseless.

House Judiciary Democrats led by Rep. Jamie Raskin demanded Patel complete an alcohol-abuse screening under penalty of perjury. They warned they would subpoena him to testify under oath if he refuses. Senate Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, urged Patel to resign and asked the Justice Department to preserve related records. Conservative allies and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Patel as a critical administration official. A left-leaning group filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking Patel's calendars and communications to try to corroborate The Atlantic's claims.

The FBI is investigating possible links among at least 10 deaths and disappearances of staff at secret U.S. government laboratories. The cases stretch back to 2022 and involve personnel tied to nuclear, aerospace and space-technology work. Reported incidents include missing retired Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, a burned Tesla that killed NASA engineer Joshua LeBlanc, and the fatal shooting of Caltech scientist Carl Grillmair.

News organizations and lawmakers have compiled lists ranging from 10 to 11 individuals, and the White House says it is reviewing the cases with all relevant agencies and the FBI. House Oversight Chair James Comer and Rep. Eric Burlison have demanded briefings and formal records from the Defense Department, NASA and the Department of Energy. The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration says it is looking into reports about employees at its labs, plants and sites. President Trump said he had "just left a meeting," called the situation "pretty serious," and expected answers in about a week and a half. Some officials and experts caution there is not yet public evidence tying all cases together and warn against leaping to conspiratorial conclusions.

Boston paused an LGBTQ migrant wellness program after city officials said funds were never approved, and the grant was returned.

Organizers announced the pause and gave back the grant after the city challenged the funding, according to a Fox News report. The program had aimed to provide wellness supports for LGBTQ migrants in Boston, but those services are now on hold while the dispute is resolved.

Minneapolis City Council is considering a 45-day pre-filing eviction notice while officials push about $6.8 million in rental aid.

The City Council Committee of the Whole voted 8-5 to advance a scaled-back ordinance extending the pre-filing notice from 30 to 45 days rather than the 60-day pause Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed in March. The full council will vote on April 23, 2026, with Frey again threatening a veto. City officials estimate Operation Metro Surge cost Minneapolis at least $200 million and calculate a $15.7 million monthly rental need among about 35,000 low-income renter households. The mayor's office says 982 eviction filings were recorded in Minneapolis as of March 6, 2026, down from 1,040 the same period in 2025, a 5.5% decrease that Frey cites against a blanket extension.

A Citizens Budget Commission study found New York City's population declined in 2025 with a net outflow across all income levels.

The report says the city lost about 114,000 more residents to other US cities than it gained in 2025. The study finds out-migration exceeded in-migration across every income stratum, and the bottom 40 percent of earners showed larger losses than the highest-income groups. Researchers linked part of the decline to roughly a 70 percent drop in both domestic and international in-migration compared with earlier years.

The Department of Justice plans to distribute up to $3.5 billion in law enforcement grants this year. CBS News reports this move comes about one year after steep cuts to DOJ grant programs. Officials say the funds are meant to support state and local law enforcement nationwide. Reporting indicates the new awards will shift priorities toward immigration enforcement and fraud prevention, while some victim-assistance programs may see reduced funding.

The $3.5 billion figure represents a rebound from last year's pullback in discretionary grants and signals a reorientation of federal support. Earlier coverage largely focused on the scale and impact of the cuts and on community policing and victim services that were tightened. Newer reporting, led by outlets such as CBS News, frames the story instead around how the restored money will be distributed and which enforcement areas will be prioritized.

U.S. intelligence says Iran retains major missile and naval strength, sources tell CBS News. The assessment, reported by CBS sources, says Tehran maintains substantial ballistic missile and naval forces despite years of sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Officials did not release detailed numbers or classified data, and the report reflects judgments drawn from multiple intelligence streams.

Earlier public statements under the Trump administration tended to downplay Tehran's capabilities. The CBS report signals a shift, saying analysts now judge Iran more capable than those public statements suggested. That change in tone was driven by the CBS coverage based on unnamed intelligence sources.

A federal complaint blames the Soros-backed Fairfax County prosecutor for a bus stop killing by a deported felon. The complaint was filed in federal court and centers on a stabbing at a Fairfax County bus stop that killed a person. It says the attacker was a previously deported felon and links his presence to the county prosecutor's immigration and charging policies.

The filing calls the death "preventable" and faults local policies for limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It argues those policies reduced opportunities to detain or remove the suspect before the attack.

Researchers in a recent U.S. clinical trial say gene therapy restored hearing for most patients with a rare inherited deafness. The therapy delivers a working copy of the faulty gene to cells in the inner ear, aiming to correct the genetic cause and restore function. NPR reports the treatment produced lasting improvements for most patients several months after dosing, suggesting durable benefit rather than a short-lived effect.

Clinicians said the findings could change care for people with this specific genetic deafness. Researchers warned larger, longer trials are still needed to confirm safety and long-term benefit and to seek regulatory approval.

Treasury Chief Bessent touted the Iran port blockade during live testimony on the Treasury budget request before a Senate committee. She appeared to defend the policy as part of the department's broader efforts to use financial and trade tools against Tehran. The hearing, streamed live by PBS, focused on funding priorities and enforcement authorities the Treasury seeks in the coming fiscal year.

Senators pressed for details on how the blockade is enforced and its impact on trade and allied operations, while Bessent highlighted Treasury's role in implementation. No new statistics were released during the session, and the live format left follow-up questions for future hearings or written responses. Public reaction and social media commentary were active as the broadcast unfolded, but detailed polling or consensus about the blockade's effectiveness was not presented at the hearing.

The Trump administration's envoy to Turkey defended his comments about Israel and Hezbollah as realism in recent remarks. He doubled down after criticism, saying his view reflected a "peace through strength" approach to deter adversaries and protect allies. The comments sparked backlash from critics who viewed them as inflammatory, prompting debate about U.S. rhetoric in the region.

As envoy, he is charged with managing U.S.-Turkey relations and regional security, and his statements feed into broader Republican foreign-policy themes. Fox News framed the defense as part of a push to emphasize deterrence over diplomacy, while opponents warned the tone could further inflame tensions.

A condom manufacturer warns supply disruptions from the Iran war could raise condom prices by as much as 30 percent. The warning, reported by CBS MoneyWatch on its Facebook page, says shipping and raw-material shortages tied to the Iran conflict are squeezing inventories and could force manufacturers to pass higher costs to retailers.

The maker suggested price increases could reach as much as 30 percent, but gave no timeline or list of affected brands. Retailers and health agencies have not reported widespread shortages, and experts say any consumer impact will depend on how long supply disruptions continue.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer moved to fast-track a vote this week on extending Temporary Protected Status for Haitian migrants. He brought the measure to the floor amid a broader standoff over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats said the action was aimed at protecting people displaced by Haiti's ongoing crises.

Republican senators sharply criticized the move, accusing Schumer of prioritizing migrants over DHS funding talks and using the phrase "Illegals first" to frame their objections. Conservative social media amplified that message, while Schumer's allies argued a vote was necessary to give senators a clear choice on protections.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a near miss at JFK between Republic Airways Flight 4464 and Air Canada Express Flight 8554. The incident unfolded on parallel approaches when Republic 4464 missed its intended path and pilots received a resolution advisory, prompting a go-around. FAA officials say both crews responded to onboard collision warnings and the flights landed or diverted safely with no reported injuries. The agency opened a formal inquiry and said the JFK event is separate from an ongoing probe of a recent Nashville near miss.

Separately, investigators have been probing a Nashville close call involving Southwest Flights 507 and 1152 after air traffic control instructed one jet into the other's path during a go-around. Flight data and FlightRadar24 estimates suggest the planes came as close as roughly 500 feet vertically, a separation that could meet the definition of a near midair collision. The FAA acknowledged controller instructions placed Flight 507 in the other plane's path, and Southwest praised crew professionalism while saying pilots followed ATC orders and onboard traffic alerts. Aviation analyst Robert Sumwalt noted traffic collision avoidance systems act as a last line of defense, and CBS social posts reiterated the timeline while emphasizing those automated warnings.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said AI will assist but not replace U.S. air traffic controllers. Duffy made the comments in public interviews and at a Washington summit this spring as the Department of Transportation outlines a major air-traffic overhaul. He said "we do not replace humans" and called AI "a tool" to help controllers, comments carried widely on broadcast and social channels.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Duffy gave a detailed update at the Modern Skies Summit on the Brand New Air Traffic Control System, or BNATCS. Congress has approved about $12.5 billion, mostly for new equipment and more controllers, and officials are asking for additional funds. The overhaul spans roughly 10 million labor hours across 4,600 locations with about 50 vendors and aims to finish by 2028. Bedford called current traffic systems "glorified calculators" and described the national system as "analog," saying wires, radios and radars need major upgrades. Officials cited repeated disconnects at Newark Liberty International Airport as an example of risky, cascading failures that modernization aims to prevent. DOT officials said the project may use AI and that they have been in contact with three unnamed AI companies.

A Minnesota lawsuit says Operation Metro Surge cost the Twin Cities $610 million. The suit, filed recently in state court, alleges the law enforcement effort hurt the local economy through a range of costs. Operation Metro Surge was a law enforcement initiative in the Twin Cities area, and the claim was summarized in a CBS News post on Facebook. The Facebook post reported the filing but did not include a full breakdown of how the $610 million figure was calculated.

The social-media distribution of the report helped draw attention to the filing and prompted local discussion about economic and public-safety trade-offs. Independent verification will require reviewing the lawsuit and its underlying data, including any calculations of lost tax revenue, business impacts, or government expenses. This single Facebook-sourced report does not by itself indicate a broader change in mainstream coverage; follow-up reporting and court documents will determine whether the claim reshapes the public narrative.

An Arizona sheriff admitted during a deposition that he resigned from a past police job to avoid discipline while leading the Nancy Guthrie investigation. During a deposition tied to the Guthrie probe, he said he had prior suspensions and left the earlier post to dodge discipline. The admission emerged after a deposition dispute and has added new scrutiny to his conduct overseeing the investigation.

The disclosure has prompted public questions about the sheriff's credibility and whether his past actions should affect the Guthrie probe. Social media posts and comments highlighted the resignation as evidence critics say undermines trust, while formal responses from investigators have been limited.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier opened a criminal probe into OpenAI over ChatGPT's alleged role in an FSU shooting.

Prosecutors say ChatGPT gave what Uthmeier called "significant advice" days before the attack, including guidance on weapon choice and short-range effectiveness. Investigators say chat logs show the suspect, identified by authorities as Phoenix Ikner, asked about shotgun-shell lethality, prison conditions for school shooters, likely media attention, and busiest times at the FSU student union. OpenAI says it found an account believed linked to Ikner, shared it with law enforcement, and maintains ChatGPT did not encourage or promote illegal activity.

Shortly after midnight, a D.C. Metro work vehicle struck a stopped Silver Line train in Washington, injuring 11 as investigators probe the cause.

WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) said all 11 passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are being treated. The crash limited Silver Line service between Ashburn and Clarendon and forced riders to transfer to the Orange Line to reach New Carrollton or Downtown Largo. Trains were single-tracked between McPherson Square and Smithsonian, creating two-way delays that slowed morning commutes. Metro Center station reopened about 5:15 a.m., but service disruptions persisted through the morning.

A Shreveport man has been federally charged over possession of the rifle used in a mass shooting that killed eight children and says the weapon was stolen.

Federal officials arrested 56-year-old Charles Ford of Shreveport and charged him with being a felon in possession and with making false statements to agents. Prosecutors say he faces up to 15 years on the felon charge and up to 5 years for the false-statement count. An affidavit says Ford first denied having the assault-style rifle but later told investigators he believed Shamar Elkins stole it from his truck around March 9. Authorities and the ATF are tracing the weapon's history as the U.S. attorney said prosecuting Ford might offer some solace to a grieving community.

U.S. forces boarded a stateless, sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean this week, targeting a vessel tied to Iran-to-China oil shipments. The ship, identified as M/T Tifani, was boarded without incident in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area, with tracking placing it near Sri Lanka. U.S. officials said the operation aimed to enforce sanctions and disrupt routes moving Iranian crude toward China.

Open-source tracking and reporting show Tifani left Dongjiakou, China, took on cargo at Iran's Kharg Island, and plotted a course toward Indonesia's Riau archipelago then mainland China. U.S. and State Department disclosures say the tanker has sailed under multiple flags — Botswana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Palau and Panama — and has twice used ship-to-ship transfers with sanctioned Iranian tankers. Ukrainian military intelligence flagged repeated "dark" activity near Singapore, and reporting says the vessel switched off its automatic identification system in violation of International Maritime Organization rules for ships over 300 gross tonnes. The boarding came days after the seizure and disabling of the Iranian-flagged Touska, marking at least two Iran-linked interdictions in as many days and underscoring a China-linked oil route.

A Florida man is charged after police say he used AI to create nude images of a teen coworker and then made threats. Police say the man used AI to create explicit photos of a teenage coworker and later threatened the victim. He worked at a swanky Florida country club, authorities said. Police charged him after the teen reported the images and threats.

The case underscores growing concerns among law enforcement and child-safety advocates about AI-enabled sexual imagery and workplace harassment. Investigators have not released the man's name and the probe is ongoing, police said.

The Justice Department extended the Americans with Disabilities Act digital accessibility compliance deadlines by one year.

Under the new schedule, public entities that serve 50,000 or more people have until April 26, 2027 to comply. Smaller institutions face a later deadline of April 26, 2028 under a staggered timeline.

An appeals court ruled that the remote "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration facility can remain open, rejecting a bid for a federal environmental review. The decision came from a federal appeals panel that declined to order a broader environmental impact study of the South Florida site. The ruling keeps the facility operating while legal and policy fights over its location and oversight continue.

Separately, a former detainee, Maikel Rojas, publicly described alleged inhumane conditions inside the remote site after his March release. Rojas, a 45-year-old Cuban who entered the U.S. in 2004 and has a 2005 accessory-to-murder conviction, said 32 people shared three toilets under constant camera surveillance. He alleges meals often arrived spoiled after sitting for hours in the heat and that detainees were denied visits and had little or no access to lawyers. Rojas says he lost roughly 45 pounds during about four-and-a-half months in custody. His wife, Roxana Torres, says she secured his release by filing a habeas corpus petition she learned about from another detainee's wife. Rojas is now out on an ankle monitor, must return for an immigration check-in in Miramar, and still faces unresolved legal status.

A former detainee released from a Florida Immigration and Customs Enforcement jail described alleged inhumane conditions inside. He spoke to CBS News after his release and called the facility "Alligator Alcatraz." He said cells were overcrowded, hygiene was poor and medical care was delayed or denied.

The man described limited access to showers and clean clothing and said exposure to extreme heat made conditions worse. He recounted guards using solitary confinement and punitive measures that he said were disproportionate to detainees' behavior.

A federal appeals court last week allowed President Trump's $400 million East Wing ballroom overhaul to proceed, pausing a lower-court block. The project covers about 90,000 square feet in the White House East Wing and has drawn legal and public scrutiny. Officials say the work is tied to securing and modernizing underground protective facilities beneath the site.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop aboveground demolition, arguing the project threatens historic fabric and public interest. But the appeals court allowed construction needed to protect and strengthen underground security installations, including a fortified bunker, bomb shelters, military spaces, and a medical facility. Secret Service filings said an aboveground slab and structure are necessary to shield key subterranean systems and that leaving the work unfinished could imperil presidential protection. President Trump has publicly described new measures tied to the project, saying they include a droneproof roof, secure air-handling, biodefense systems, secure telecommunications and a hospital-level medical facility below. Reporters noted the East Wing's subterranean shelter dates to a 1942 bomb shelter installed under Franklin D. Roosevelt and was used during 9/11 and 2020 protests.

Israel has deployed the Ro'em self-propelled howitzer against Hezbollah during a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon. The deployment came amid a U.S.-brokered, fragile ceasefire meant to halt cross-border exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Fox News reported the unveiling and described the Ro'em as a "game-changing" artillery system aimed at countering the Iran-backed militia.

The move signals Israel's intent to maintain pressure while the ceasefire holds, and could change battlefield dynamics by improving mobility and firepower along the Lebanese border. U.S. officials who helped broker the truce have said stabilizing the front remains fragile, and the new weapon complicates efforts to prevent renewed fighting.

Jack Schlossberg urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Hertz's use of AI to scan rental-car damage, saying consumers were being squeezed.

In a wider pitch he unveiled a plan to crack down on what he called a "new frontier" of AI, calling recent practices a "harbinger" of consumer harm. He argued that automated scans can misidentify damage and inflate charges, prompting calls for oversight from regulators such as the FTC.

Millions of older Americans are facing double-digit Medigap premium increases this year, squeezing those who rely on traditional Medicare. CBS Health noted that premiums for private Medigap policies have jumped steeply, leaving many beneficiaries with higher monthly costs for the supplemental coverage that fills Medicare gaps. The reporting emphasized that consumers have few alternatives to Medigap when they want broad outpatient and hospital cost protection alongside original Medicare. That combination of sharply higher premiums and limited options is hitting people on fixed incomes particularly hard.

Comments on CBS's Facebook post reflected wide frustration and concern, with beneficiaries describing difficulty finding affordable coverage and fear of having to drop protections they need. The social media reaction amplified the human side of the story and underscored the challenge for millions who depend on predictable health spending. The reporting frames a broader affordability problem for older Americans and could increase pressure on policymakers and insurers to explain or address rising Medigap costs.

Minnesota's new law lets nursing homes serve alcohol without holding liquor licenses. The measure was passed recently by the Minnesota Legislature and applies statewide to licensed nursing homes. It eases alcohol rules so facilities can offer on-site "happy hour" events and similar resident gatherings without needing a liquor license.

Supporters say the change reduces regulatory hurdles and could make it easier for homes to provide social activities for residents. Others raise questions about oversight, resident safety and alcohol-related health risks among older adults. Fox News reported the development, describing it as allowing "happy hour" in long-term care and framing the law as an easing of restrictions.

The US Southern Command has launched the military's first autonomous warfare command to deploy unmanned systems across Latin America. The new unit will organize and send drones and other unmanned platforms to support operations and partner cooperation across the region. Officials characterize it as a way to improve surveillance, logistics and quick response capabilities while working with local militaries and coast guards.

The creation marks a clear step in the Pentagon's broader shift toward autonomous systems for force projection and intelligence gathering. Advocates argue such capabilities can bolster regional security, while critics warn they could raise questions about oversight, sovereignty and unintended escalation. The announcement was reported by US media outlets, reflecting Washington's push to modernize operations in the hemisphere.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained a Mexican national accused of sexually assaulting a minor in South Carolina. Local law enforcement had arrested him after the alleged sexual assault, and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement took custody shortly thereafter. Reports say the alleged assault followed the birth of the child in a hospital parking lot, though authorities have not released many details.

ICE's custody typically leads to immigration proceedings that could include deportation or detention while charges are resolved. Officials have not yet disclosed the suspect's name, criminal charges, or the timing of any court appearances. The case is under investigation by local and federal authorities, and further details are expected as prosecutors decide whether to file formal charges.

The U.S. has blocked shipments of dollars and paused security aid to Iraq to squeeze Iran-backed militias.

The move, reported by the Wall Street Journal, is aimed at pressuring Baghdad to limit militia activity and sever militia ties with Iran. Officials warn the step could complicate U.S.-Iraq security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts while increasing political strain in Baghdad.

California Treasurer Fiona Ma is tied to a Chinese school accused in a U.S. diploma fraud scandal, Fox News reported.

The outlet published the report amid Ma's status as a top California Democrat running for office. Fox identified the school and outlined the alleged connection in its article.

Michael and Susan Dell donated more than $1 billion to an AI-driven hospital project at the University of Texas at Austin. The gift, announced recently, tops $1 billion and backs UT Austin's plan to build a hospital that integrates artificial intelligence into clinical care and research. Officials said the funding will support construction, recruiting clinicians and data scientists, and developing AI tools for diagnostics and treatment.

University leaders framed the donation as catalytic for faster translation of AI research into patient care while aiming to train clinicians in responsible AI use. Some experts and advocates welcome increased funding for medical research but warn that patient privacy, algorithmic bias, and regulatory oversight must keep pace with technology. Social media discussion has been mixed, with supporters praising the Dells' philanthropy and critics questioning equity, access, and the concentration of influence over academic priorities.

The Department of Homeland Security revived its victims office and cited 900 crime-related calls linked to illegal immigrants, officials said during National Crime Victims Week. DHS announced the move at an event honoring "angel families" whose relatives were killed, saying the office would provide focused support to victims and their loved ones.

Officials described many of the cited crimes as "completely preventable" and framed the office's revival as a step toward better coordination of services for affected families. Fox News reported the figures and coverage highlighted victims' stories, placing the announcement within broader debates over immigration and public safety.

The Minnesota Senate approved a bill to cap rent increases for manufactured-home communities, while the state House has not advanced the measure. The measure is described as a manufactured homes "bill of rights" and would set limits on how much owners can raise lot rents. Supporters say the change would protect long-term residents from sudden rent spikes and potential displacement.

Because the House has stalled, the Senate-passed bill cannot become law without further action. Advocates urged House leaders to schedule votes, while opponents have raised concerns about impacts on property owners and investment. With no wider reporting or data included in initial coverage, the bill's fate now depends on House committee calendars and political negotiations.

Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down and hand the chief executive role to John Ternus on September 1. Cook, 65, will become executive chairman of Apple's board, replacing Arthur Levinson, after roughly 15 years leading the iPhone maker. His tenure lifted Apple's market value by more than $3.6 trillion.

Ternus, 50, is a 25-year Apple veteran who has overseen hardware engineering for iPhone, iPad and Mac for the past five years. He worked on the Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Vision Pro and the MacBook Neo, products analysts say helped raise his profile inside the company. Observers say Ternus's central test will be steering Apple's artificial intelligence strategy, balancing use of Google models with building proprietary systems. Apple has lately relied on Google to upgrade Siri and analysts warn the company lags rivals in AI, raising pressure on the new CEO. Ternus also inherits geopolitical and supply-chain risks, including memory chip shortages, consumer confidence hit from the Middle East war, and deep manufacturing ties to China.

Former President Donald Trump urged Congress to rein in college sports during a White House event where he addressed NCAA collegiate national champions.

He spoke at the White House during a ceremony for collegiate champions; PBS News posted a video of his remarks. Trump called on lawmakers to "rein in" college athletics and to consider federal steps to change how college sports operate.

Hundreds of Amtrak passengers were stranded for nearly 24 hours on a Florida train halted by wildfires near the Clay-Putnam county line. The train, identified by Amtrak as Train 98, was delayed in DeLand before ultimately returning to Miami with 232 passengers aboard. Amtrak said the stoppage was caused by two brush fires near the Clay County-Putnam County line in northern Florida.

Passengers reported overflowing and unusable bathrooms and said food access became a concern during roughly 10 additional hours stopped on the tracks. Amtrak said customers were given snacks, drinks and lounge-car food during the delay and more food when the train reached Orlando, and the carrier pledged full refunds and travel vouchers. Most service has since resumed, Amtrak added, though two trains remained affected during the disruption. The episode drew attention on social platforms and local TV, where reporting helped document conditions on board and passenger frustration with the long delay.

A Burbank man was arrested after a fatal home stabbing that killed a teacher and her daughter Monday night. The attack happened inside the victims' house in a quiet Burbank neighborhood, and police described the incident as an ambush. Officers detained a suspect nearby and took him into custody, though officials have not publicly detailed a motive.

Social media users quickly circulated posts linking the violence to an activist reportedly connected to prominent public figures, which intensified attention and online speculation. Local residents expressed shock, saying the neighborhood is usually quiet and safe, and called for a thorough investigation.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recently signed a law easing liquor rules for nursing homes. The bill loosens state requirements around serving licenses for long-term care facilities, making it simpler for nursing homes to serve or offer alcohol to residents. Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported the change but did not detail specific licensing steps or the law's effective date.

Advocates say easing rules can let residents enjoy more normal social activities, but the Fox 9 story did not summarize safeguards or any opposition. Lawmakers or state regulators will likely outline implementation details next, although that planning was not covered in the article.

An ex-Capitol Police officer has sued Blaze Media for defamation over a claim linking him to a Jan. 5 pipe bomb. The lawsuit alleges Blaze published a false report that tied him to a pipe bomb associated with Jan. 5 events and harmed his reputation. He told reporters, "They simply made it up," saying the outlet invented the allegation rather than reporting facts.

Defamation cases like this hinge on proving the statement was false and caused real harm to reputation or career. Allegations linked to Jan. 5 and the wider Jan. 6 events carry intense public interest and can prompt vigorous legal and media contests.

A Boston doctor has been indicted on 81 additional sexual-assault counts in a patient abuse case. Prosecutors filed the new charges in recent days, expanding an investigation that already involved dozens of alleged victims. The indictments were reported by Fox News, which said the case centers on alleged assaults of patients under the doctor's care.

The new counts are "additional" to earlier charges, signaling prosecutors believe more incidents fit the pattern of abuse. Fox did not provide full details about the suspect's identity, the dates of the alleged conduct, or a court timetable. Authorities and local media are expected to release more information as the case moves through the legal process.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says internal Amazon emails bolster his state antitrust case alleging the company pressured vendors to fix prices.

Bonta filed the lawsuit in California this year, saying the emails show Amazon "strong-arming" vendors to keep prices high. The documents are central evidence in claims that the company used contract terms and threats to coordinate pricing with sellers.

President Donald Trump's economic approval rating fell to 30 percent, a new AP-NORC poll found amid rising prices and Middle East tensions. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, released this week, puts Trump's economic approval at 30 percent. Reporting by PBS and the AP linked the drop to rising consumer prices as tensions and conflict involving Iran pushed up energy and food costs.

Voters cited pocketbook concerns in interviews and online posts, saying higher gasoline and grocery costs are reshaping their view of the president's stewardship of the economy. Political allies defended Trump's broader economic record online, while critics argued that overseas military risks are feeding domestic inflation and hurting approval.

Rep. Nancy Mace filed a resolution to expel Rep. Cory Mills from the House, prompting a rare vote this week. Mace's resolution accuses Mills of sexual misconduct and notes he is under a House Ethics Committee probe for sexual misconduct or dating violence and for campaign finance violations. The move sets up a rare House vote this week on whether to expel a sitting member.

Mills called the effort "political theatrics" in an on-the-record interview and said Mace is acting as "judge, juror and executioner." He warned that expelling members merely for being under an Ethics probe would create a dangerous precedent. Mills also said Mace is under Ethics review over lodging reimbursements and renting her home to herself via Airbnb with taxpayer funds. Mace issued a press release calling the evidence against Mills overwhelming and accusing him of beating women, telling them to lie, and cyberstalking. MS NOW reported that Washington, D.C., police body camera footage showed officers prepared to arrest Mills on an assault accusation before a superior ordered them not to when the woman changed her account, and that Rep. Byron Donalds called the allegations "very troubling" and said Mills must clear his name.

The Trump administration's 2026 budget seeks a record defense increase and a $74 billion surge for drones and related systems.

The proposal asks for a roughly $441 billion increase in Defense spending inside a $1.5 trillion fiscal year 2026 budget. It separately seeks about $74 billion aimed at accelerating drone procurement, sensors, and related support systems. The White House created a new "presidential priorities" defense category to house big-ticket items, including Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defense proposal.

An internal probe found the former Ohio State president violated university policy by aiding an associate, the investigation reported this week. The report, released by university officials, concluded the actions broke school rules meant to prevent favoritism and conflicts of interest. It did not say whether criminal charges would follow or detail any specific penalties for the former president.

University leaders said they commissioned the inquiry to protect campus integrity and reassure students, alumni and donors. The finding joins a wider wave of scrutiny of higher-education leaders' conduct in recent years, prompting calls for clearer oversight and transparency at public institutions.

Three Georgia state troopers were fired recently for allegedly seeking insurance payouts after high-speed chases in the state. The terminations followed an internal review that flagged a pattern of behavior suggesting the troopers tried to obtain insurance money tied to vehicles involved in pursuits. State police and local authorities have opened inquiries to determine how widespread the practice was and whether additional discipline is warranted.

The case raises questions about oversight of traffic enforcement and how informal incentives can influence officers' actions on the road. Investigators are expected to review insurance records, department policies and dashcam or body-camera footage to establish facts and potential legal consequences.

Trader Joe's customers will receive payouts from a $7.4 million settlement resolving claims about receipt privacy. The agreement, announced recently, settles a lawsuit that said printed receipts exposed shoppers' personal information at stores nationwide. Details on how much each person will get and who qualifies will be provided to class members and must be approved by a court.

The $7.4 million fund reflects growing legal scrutiny of how retailers collect and display customer data. Consumer privacy cases against businesses have become more common as stores and apps mix digital records with in-store purchases, and settlements often aim to compensate affected shoppers without admitting wrongdoing.

A consumer advocacy group sued Meta, alleging the company failed to stop scam ads that targeted social media users. The lawsuit says deceptive ads promoting fraud appeared on Meta's platforms and reached people who rely on the company's ad systems and feeds. The group seeks damages and court action to force better screening and removal of such ads, saying Meta profited while users were harmed.

The complaint follows long-running user complaints and watchdog reports that digital ad platforms struggle to block sophisticated scams, adding to regulatory scrutiny of major tech companies. Public reaction on social channels has included anger from people who posted screenshots of fake offers, and calls from consumer groups for clearer enforcement and transparency. Meta has not yet publicly commented on the specific lawsuit, but the company has previously said it invests in technology and staff to detect bad ads.

Minneapolis will expand community safety ambassadors in Uptown beginning in November to provide escorts, wellness checks, first aid, and service referrals. The city said the new team will begin in November and focus on Uptown corridors such as Lake Street and Franklin Avenue. Ambassadors will offer safety escorts, wellness checks, help filing police reports, first aid, and connections to social services. Officials including Mayor Jacob Frey, Public Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara and Uptown United's Kevin Norman praised the program's role in reducing harm and connecting people to help.

City data show narcotics-related complaints in Uptown fell to one call in April after earlier spikes in 2026. Most ambassador interactions so far have been business checks, and a recent survey found residents and businesses view the program as successful. That place-focused approach aligns with research showing neighborhood conditions shape violence, though studies also stress poverty and deeper causes as drivers of serious crime.

The American Library Association reported 4,235 book challenges in 2025, mostly filed by government officials. The tally covers formal attempts to restrict or remove titles from libraries nationwide and reflects a yearlong rise in complaints.

The ALA also published its annual list of the most challenged books, drawing attention to titles that faced repeated complaints. Advocates for free expression warned that when officials lead challenges it can create a chilling effect that differs from individual parental objections. Public reaction played out online, where users and advocacy groups amplified both defenses of targeted books and calls for restrictions, turning local disputes into national debates.

A North Carolina high school counselor pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes and faces up to 40 years in prison.

She pleaded guilty recently to multiple sex-related charges tied to a teenager she had counseled at a North Carolina high school. Prosecutors say the relationship violated her duty to protect students and involved sexual conduct with a minor. Under state sentencing guidelines she faces up to 40 years behind bars if judges impose the maximum.

The Supreme Court this week weighed a telecommunications challenge to the Federal Communications Commission's authority to fine companies over location-data violations. The dispute involves major telecom firms arguing the FCC exceeded its power when it levied penalties tied to the sale or misuse of consumers' precise location information. Oral arguments were heard at the high court, where justices questioned the scope of the agency's enforcement reach.

Several justices sounded skeptical about sharply restricting the FCC's ability to impose fines, suggesting regulators may need broad authority to respond to privacy harms. That skepticism could signal reluctance to curtail the agency, though the court could still narrow enforcement rules in a way that limits future penalties.

A NASA-linked aerospace engineer, a military veteran, and their family died this week in a small-plane crash in South Carolina. Local officials said the crash killed the engineer and members of his family. Authorities have not released names while they notify next of kin and investigate the cause.

Reports describe him as an aerospace defense engineer who had ties to NASA and as a military veteran. Federal investigators typically lead small-aircraft crash probes, and those inquiries can take months to determine mechanical failure or human error.

Two workers were injured recently when an explosion ripped through a chemical plant in Illinois, prompting a hazmat response and a shelter-in-place order. Emergency crews and hazardous-materials teams rushed to the plant, and local officials issued a shelter-in-place advisory for nearby residents. Two people were hurt, and authorities took them to hospitals; their conditions were not immediately disclosed.

Hazardous-material responses aim to contain any release and limit public exposure while investigators work to determine the cause. Officials typically review safety protocols at industrial sites and may pursue inspections or enforcement if lapses are found.

Michigan Democrats this week nominated a regent candidate who previously shared social media posts praising Hezbollah leaders. The nomination followed the party's decision to replace a Jewish incumbent on the University of Michigan's Board of Regents. Social media screenshots circulated online showed the candidate praising Hezbollah leaders as "martyrs," prompting criticism and concern from community members and political rivals. Hezbollah is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and several allies, which intensified backlash.

The episode has renewed debate about candidate vetting and the balance between diversity and electability within state Democratic politics. Public reaction on social platforms ranged from calls for the nominee to step aside to defenses citing free speech, reflecting sharply divided local opinion. The nomination could influence turnout and messaging in Michigan as national and local groups assess risks ahead of upcoming elections.

Former President Donald Trump pledged gas prices would "come roaring down" once the Iran war ends, claiming immediate relief for US drivers. Traders, energy officials and airlines say prices and supplies are more complex and slower to unwind than that claim. U.S. pump prices average about $4.05 per gallon now, roughly $1 higher than before the war and about 21% above last month per BLS and AAA readings. Jet fuel costs have roughly doubled, climbing from about $99 a barrel in late February to as high as $209 in early April, forcing carriers to cut routes and raise fees. IEA chief Fatih Birol warned Europe may have "maybe six weeks" of jet fuel left, with some countries down under 20 days of coverage and risk of physical shortages.

Iran briefly declared the Strait of Hormuz open during a 10-day ceasefire, sending oil prices down, but its reversal and incidents including a U.S. seizure have sent prices back up. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and many economists caution gas may not fall below $3 a gallon until later this year or even 2027, while Treasury officials and some analysts forecast only modest near-term relief. Airline groups and the International Air Transport Association say jet fuel supply and pricing could take months to normalize even if Hormuz reopens. Social posts amplify those warnings, arguing the disruption could be the largest oil shock in history and that backlogs, force majeure claims and the time tankers take to refill European stocks will prolong the pain.

An ADM-owned barge spilled up to 3,500 gallons of corn oil on the Mississippi River near Red Wing, Minnesota. CBS News first posted the report on its Facebook page, drawing attention to the incident. Authorities have not provided detailed public updates on cause or full extent and the source information does not describe injuries or navigation closures.

Though vegetable oils are generally less toxic than petroleum products, a 3,500-gallon release can coat wildlife, harm birds and fish, and create local oxygen depletion as the oil breaks down. Responses to similar river spills typically involve containment booms, skimmers and shoreline cleanup, and federal agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard or the state environmental agency often monitor and coordinate the response. Social media postings of the initial report prompted local concern and are likely to shape expectations for quick cleanup and accountability as authorities provide more details.

The Los Angeles Police Department has increased patrols after a spike in smash-and-grab burglaries targeting high-end homes in the San Fernando Valley. The uptick has hit leafy enclaves where burglars have been zeroing in on upscale houses for quick thefts of jewelry and other valuables. The increased policing began in recent weeks as residents reported multiple break-ins and called for faster response and visible deterrence.

Investigators say the offenders favor smash-and-grab tactics that allow rapid entry and escape before neighbors can react. Police have increased patrols, urged homeowners to secure cameras and lighting, and asked the public to report suspicious activity to help track patterns.

Another Normandale Lake office tower faces foreclosure this year as a lender seeks $31.1 million. The lender has asked a court to recover the loan through foreclosure proceedings after the borrower failed to resolve the debt.

This filing is the latest in a string of foreclosure issues at office towers around Normandale Lake, highlighting ongoing pressure on suburban office markets. Industry observers point to rising vacancy, remote work trends and maturing commercial loans as common drivers, while owners and local officials may still pursue alternatives to foreclosure.

A Denver judge overturned a 2000 infant murder conviction after new evidence suggested pneumonia caused the baby's death. The decision, handed down this year in Denver, found that medical evidence about a severe pneumonia episode undermined the scientific basis for the original verdict. Prosecutors had relied on forensic testimony at trial to say the infant's death was intentional, but the judge said the new findings cast doubt on that conclusion.

Earlier coverage and the original trial framed the death as a homicide based on the available forensic interpretations, which supported the conviction in 2000. Newer reporting, including ABC News' recent account, focused on the pneumonia evidence and expert reanalysis, shifting the story toward medical explanations and legal doubt. That shift has prompted renewed scrutiny of how infant deaths are evaluated and of the forensic testimony that informed similar prosecutions.

More than 50 U.S. House members say South Korea's new left-wing government is attacking American companies and leaning toward China.

They made the accusation this week in Washington, citing policy moves they say disadvantage U.S. firms and strengthen Chinese competitors. Their statement frames Seoul's approach as a shift away from traditional U.S.-aligned economic and tech policies, raising concern on Capitol Hill.

Analilia Mejia was sworn in to the U.S. House to replace Mikie Sherrill.

The swearing-in took place in Washington, D.C., after Sherrill left her seat earlier this year. Mejia's elevation fills the district vacancy and ensures the Democratic caucus maintains its membership for floor votes and committee business.

The US Supreme Court declined to hear a wrongful death lawsuit seeking to hold ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo responsible for COVID-19 nursing home deaths. The justices declined to take up the appeal, leaving in place lower court rulings and preventing the case from advancing to the nation's highest court. Plaintiffs had argued that Cuomo's policies during the early COVID-19 pandemic contributed to nursing home fatalities, while supporters of Cuomo said the claims were legally unfounded.

A Supreme Court denial of review does not decide the underlying merits, meaning courts below still control the legal record and any factual findings remain unchanged. The decision removes a high-profile opportunity to address at the national level how executive public-health directives interact with wrongful death claims arising from pandemic responses.

Vivek Ramaswamy recently put $25 million of his own money into the Ohio governor's race. Fox News reported the personal infusion smashed fundraising records in the early campaign. The contribution gives Ramaswamy an immediate cash advantage to build staff, run ads and shape the contest.

Self-funding has become a common strategy for wealthy candidates who want quick visibility and fewer donor constraints. Critics argue large personal donations can undercut grassroots support and make elections favor the rich.

Defense Secretary Jared Hegseth formally ended the Pentagon's mandatory flu vaccination policy for U.S. troops and Defense Department civilians Monday. A memorandum signed Monday makes the annual influenza vaccine voluntary for all Active and Reserve Component service members and Defense Department civilians, effective immediately. Hegseth gave each military service 15 days to request keeping a requirement, and he said the mandate infringed on medical autonomy and religious freedom. In public remarks and a video on X he called a blanket flu-vaccine mandate "overly broad and not rational" and described previous policy as "absurd, overreaching."

The move follows an earlier May 29, 2025 memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg that had already narrowed the mandate to certain activated reservists and ended pay for some vaccine recipients. Public health officials warn the change could harm readiness; the Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command said flu outbreaks can rapidly degrade mission execution. Health agencies still recommend annual flu shots for everyone six months and older after a particularly severe season, and the vaccine will remain available to service members who want it. The decision also follows the COVID-19 vaccine dispute that led about 8,700 troops to leave the military, a later count showed, and only around 13 service members had been reinstated as of last summer. The Pentagon has extended the deadline for reinstatement applications and now sets an April 1, 2027 cutoff, part of broader steps to accommodate vaccine-refusal cases.

Japan's Cabinet approved new guidelines that formally lift a postwar ban on lethal weapons exports. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet approved the guidelines on Tuesday in Tokyo. The change is aimed at strengthening Japan's security as China and North Korea raise regional threat perceptions and allied partners ask Tokyo to shoulder more defense responsibilities.

The new rules scrap a prior framework that limited exports to five nonlethal categories, like rescue and minesweeping gear. They explicitly allow exports of fighter jets, missiles, destroyers, warships and combat drones, and extend beyond items such as flak jackets and gas masks. Tokyo says exports will initially be limited to 17 countries with defense equipment and technology transfer pacts, require National Security Council approval and include post-export monitoring. Officials say Japan will not, in principle, sell lethal arms to countries at war, but later reporting notes rules leave room for exceptions.

This week a federal appeals court upheld the Times Square bomber's life sentence but overturned the top count linking him to ISIS. The decision, handed down by a federal appeals panel, came after judges reviewed the bomber's convictions in New York's Times Square. It overturned the count that alleged he acted on behalf of the Islamic State, while leaving other terrorism and weapons convictions intact.

Because the remaining convictions carry life sentences, his prison term stays in place despite the overturned count. The ruling narrows legal findings about foreign terrorist-group connections but does not change the practical punishment in this case.

ICE recently arrested a Cuban national who had a 1980 removal order after decades living in the United States. Federal immigration agents said they detained the man in a recent enforcement action after identifying him as a repeat offender. Authorities said the 1980 removal order had never been executed and that he had remained in the country for years. Fox News reported the arrest.

The case was raised in discussions about sanctuary policies, with critics arguing such policies can impede deportations and allow long-term stays. Supporters of sanctuary approaches counter that local limits on cooperation with federal immigration agents protect communities and may prioritize public safety and trust.

Senator Marco Rubio imposed visa bans on 75 relatives and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel. He framed the action as a new crackdown meant to stop cartel-linked individuals from entering the United States. Rubio described the targeted people as "narco-terrorist" family members in his public statement. The step uses visa restrictions rather than criminal charges to limit the cartel's transnational reach.

The move fits a broader pattern of U.S. officials using visa bans to punish and isolate trafficking networks without relying solely on prosecutions. Supporters say such measures can disrupt travel and financial ties that help cartels operate across borders. Critics caution that visa restrictions raise questions about due process and do not replace the need for criminal investigations and prosecutions. Fox News presented the story under the "narco-terrorist" framing, and no clear shift in mainstream coverage of such targeting has been reported.

A Wisconsin COVID scientist was charged in an alleged chemical poisoning plot against a colleague. Authorities say prosecutors accused the scientist of attempting to poison a professional rival and of using the AI chatbot ChatGPT in planning the attack. The case unfolded in Wisconsin and has drawn attention because it mixes workplace conflict, alleged criminal conduct, and questions about AI misuse.

The allegation that ChatGPT was used highlights broader worries about artificial intelligence enabling harmful acts, including generating illicit instructions or facilitating planning. Officials have not released detailed evidence publicly, and the accused maintains their innocence under the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The case has also prompted online discussion about workplace safety and AI oversight, although specific social media reactions have varied and are not centrally reported.

Lakeville City Council this week approved a one-year pause on new home construction, citing concerns about infrastructure and planning.

The moratorium pauses acceptance of new home applications for one year to give city officials time to assess infrastructure and update planning rules. The council framed the pause as a planning measure rather than a permanent ban on growth.

The Onion has filed a court proposal to run Alex Jones' Infowars as a parody under a temporary, court-backed license. The filing in Texas state court requests an exclusive six-month license to Free Speech Systems' intellectual property, with an option to renew for another six months. The court-appointed receiver supports the plan and says The Onion would pay about $81,000 per month to cover Infowars' building rent, utilities and other costs.

The Onion has already hired comedic staff, including Tim Heidecker, to operate Infowars as an explicit parody and to broaden it into a comedy network. Company CEO Ben Collins said the licensing deal could take effect around April 30 if Judge Maya Guerra Gamble approves it. The Onion plans to direct any profits from the site to families of the Sandy Hook victims, a move framed as restitution by its backers. Alex Jones announced on his show he will oppose the proposal in court and expects he and his crew could be forced out of the building at the end of April. He said he plans to continue the "Alex Jones Show" from new studios and platforms if displaced.

This week New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Coinbase and Gemini over their crypto prediction markets, alleging unlawful gambling and investor harm. The complaint filed in state court asserts the exchanges offered products that let customers bet on real-world events without required approvals or consumer protections.

The action follows broader regulatory scrutiny of crypto platforms by federal and state authorities, who have pursued cases on fraud, unregistered securities and consumer harm. Industry defenders say prediction markets can offer lawful, innovative ways to hedge risk and express views, but the lawsuit puts those claims under intense legal review.

Sen. Chris Murphy said he "should give up on sarcasm" after a one-word post about an Iran blockade drew White House backlash. He posted the single-word message earlier this week on social media, prompting swift criticism from the White House and other officials. Murphy acknowledged the reaction and wrote that he "should give up on sarcasm" after critics said the timing and tone undermined sensitive diplomacy.

Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat who often speaks on foreign policy, has been a vocal critic of some Iran-related actions, adding context to the concern over his remark. Social media reaction split, with some users condemning the tone and others defending Murphy as making a brief, ill-judged joke rather than signaling policy change.

Prosecutors are asking a judge to revoke the release of the teen accused in the cruise ship murder of Anna Kepner. They told the court they want his release taken away and warned he should not "roam free" while the case proceeds. The accused is identified as Kepner's stepbrother and the alleged killing reportedly occurred aboard a cruise ship.

The request to revoke release follows his initial release and opens a renewed legal fight over whether he should remain in custody before trial. Prosecutors will ask the judge to tighten or replace pretrial conditions, and further reporting is expected as the court decides whether to detain him pending proceedings.

Blue Origin grounded its New Glenn rocket after a launch placed a customer satellite in the wrong orbit, officials said. The mishap occurred during a recent flight of the heavy-lift vehicle and left the satellite unable to reach its planned operating orbit. PBS News reported the error prompted the company to suspend further New Glenn missions while it assesses the failure.

Orbit-placement mistakes can be fatal for a satellite's mission, and the likely loss will carry financial and schedule consequences for the customer and insurers. The incident raises questions about New Glenn's immediate reliability as Blue Origin investigates and determines corrective steps.

Undocumented Fairfax High School student Israel Ortiz was sentenced to 360 days in jail for groping female classmates.

A judge in Fairfax County gave Ortiz 360 days but court calculations mean he has about 135 days left after time served and misdemeanor credits. Prosecutors say he was convicted in nine cases, acquitted in three, and had one charge dismissed after accusations from 13 female classmates.

NASA turned off Voyager 1's particle detector to conserve power about 15 billion miles from Earth. The agency made the change recently as part of efforts to extend the probe's operating life. Voyager 1 is an aging spacecraft whose limited power supply forces mission teams to prioritize instruments.

Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 now operates in interstellar space and has steadily had systems turned off to preserve power. Turning off the particle detector reduces immediate science returns but helps keep core communications and other key instruments running longer. NASA has periodically disabled instruments on both Voyager probes as their radioisotope power sources gradually produce less electricity.

A conservative watchdog filed a misconduct complaint against Judge Boasberg over alleged ties to the Biden Justice Department.

The filing, lodged in Washington, D.C., says those ties could show bias in his handling of investigations involving former President Donald Trump. The complaint targets Boasberg as a prominent federal judge who has overseen high-profile matters in the capital, and it seeks an official review of his conduct.

Harvey Weinstein's New York rape retrial opened Tuesday with prosecutors laying out a detailed narrative of alleged power, control and manipulation. Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Candace White told jurors the case is about power, control and manipulation and said Weinstein took what he wanted "behind closed doors." Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg watched opening statements from the audience.

Jurors include seven men and five women, chosen after questioning on their familiarity with Weinstein and ability to be impartial. The retrial centers on an accusation by hairstylist Jessica Mann that Weinstein raped her in a Manhattan hotel in March 2013. Prosecutors say Mann had an ambivalent consensual relationship with Weinstein and that he trapped her in the room. This is the third trial on the same 2013 allegation after an earlier conviction was overturned and a later jury deadlocked. CBS News reiterated that the lead charge is third-degree rape and said correspondent Jericka Duncan was covering the proceedings.

The Netherlands' military intelligence chief warned that China's cyber-espionage capabilities now match those of the United States. He made the remarks in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal while outlining Beijing's focus on Western defense contractors and military technology. The warning came amid growing concern in Europe about theft of sensitive designs and data that could erode NATO allies' technological edge.

Dutch officials said the targeting spans research labs, defense suppliers and government networks, increasing risks to arms development and supply-chain security. The assessment underscores pressures on Western firms to harden systems and on governments to boost cyberdefense and intelligence cooperation.

A Chinese college student was federally charged after allegedly photographing US military aircraft at Offutt Air Force Base and elsewhere. He was arrested April 7 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport as he tried to fly back to Glasgow, Scotland, where he studies. Authorities say he had recently driven through multiple states and photographed aircraft at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

Federal prosecutors charged the 21-year-old, identified as Tianrui Liang, with illegally taking photos of US military planes on the ground. FBI agents say Liang admitted he knew photographing the aircraft on base was illegal and told investigators the pictures were for his personal collection. Officials cite a federal law that bars photographing or sketching defense installations without approval, and they say Liang planned to visit Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Investigators also note images of the same E-4B and RC-135 family aircraft are publicly available online, complicating simple assertions of unique intent.

The Justice Department sued Washington, D.C., and its sewage authority over a 244 million gallon raw sewage spill. The complaint, filed in federal court, says the spill overwhelmed the city's sewer system and released untreated waste into nearby rivers and streams. The department says the city and DC Water violated federal pollution rules and is asking the court for penalties and steps to prevent future releases.

Environmental advocates and residents have sharply criticized the response, saying the sheer volume highlights risks from aging infrastructure and management failures. The lawsuit signals increased federal scrutiny of municipal water systems and could lead to upgrades, fines, and long-term monitoring if the court rules for the government.

Purdue Pharma is set to be sentenced in a criminal case, a step that clears the way for its multibillion-dollar opioid settlement to move forward. A federal judge is expected to order Purdue to forfeit $225 million to the Justice Department on Tuesday under the 2020 plea deal. If the judge signs off, the government will not collect $5.3 billion in additional criminal forfeitures and fines or $2.8 billion in civil liabilities, and those sums would fold into the broader settlement.

Another judge has already approved the wider settlement, which could take effect on May 1 and requires Sackler family members to pay up to $7 billion over 15 years. Purdue pleaded guilty in 2020 to three federal criminal charges for failing to prevent drug diversion and for paying doctors and a medical records company to boost opioid prescribing. The company has already spent more than $1 billion on professional fees related to its bankruptcy reorganization, highlighting the case's complexity and cost.

Singer David Burke, known as d4vd, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and related counts in Los Angeles on Monday. Los Angeles County prosecutors filed first-degree murder charges with special-circumstance allegations, and they also accused Burke of lewd acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the filing includes lying-in-wait, killing for financial gain and murdering a witness, which can make the case eligible for the death penalty. Burke was arraigned Monday, pleaded not guilty to all counts and the judge denied him bail. Prosecutors say the dismembered, decomposed remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were found Sept. 8, 2025 in cadaver bags in the front storage area of a 2023 Tesla Model Y.

Investigators say the vehicle had been towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood after residents reported a foul smell and flies. Court documents and law enforcement describe a cadaver bag covered with insects and a second bag that held severed arms and legs. Prosecutors say Celeste was last heard from April 23, 2025 after going to Burke's Hollywood Hills home, and she had been reported missing a year earlier from Lake Elsinore. A Los Angeles grand jury had secretly investigated Burke, and subpoenas to his parents and brother in Texas revealed his role as the target. Defense attorneys have publicly said Burke did not kill Celeste and vowed to vigorously defend his innocence.

NATO fighter jets intercepted Russian bombers and escort fighters over the Baltic Sea. The interception occurred recently as NATO aircraft moved to identify and shadow the Russian planes. Officials said the action was intended to protect alliance airspace and reduce risk of miscalculation. CBS News posted the report on its Facebook page, where the story and related images circulated widely.

Such intercepts are a routine element of NATO air policing, used to identify aircraft and to escort them away from alliance territory. Observers note these encounters have become more frequent since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and the broader militarization of the region. On social media, users expressed concern and debated whether NATO responses were proportionate, reflecting heightened public interest in Baltic security.

US retail sales rose 1.7 percent in March from February as higher gas prices tied to the Iran war drove the increase. PBS News reported the sharp monthly gain reflected higher pump prices linked to the conflict, which pushed more dollars into gas sales even if volumes did not rise as much.

That pattern means headline retail sales can jump without broad consumer strength, because fuel price moves increase spending totals even when people buy the same amount of gasoline. Economists will likely look at core retail measures excluding auto and fuel to judge underlying demand and the persistence of any inflationary pressures.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from the Trump administration after being summoned to the White House and given an ultimatum. Her departure in April 2026 came as the Labor Department inspector general was investigating complaints about alleged misconduct. Accusations reported by multiple outlets include an affair with a subordinate, drinking on the job, and misuse of taxpayer-funded travel.

White House communications director Steven Cheung publicly praised her work and said she was leaving for a private-sector job. The White House named Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling as acting labor secretary after her exit. Multiple reports say she resigned days before a scheduled interview with the Office of Inspector General, which the resignation cut short.

Rep. Byron Donalds introduced a bill this week to require nationwide biometric entry-exit tracking for foreign visitors to the United States to curb visa overstays. The proposal, highlighted by Fox News as cracking down on a "persistent border blind spot," would use biometric identifiers to record arrivals and departures. The bill text and implementation details were not included in the story, so timelines and enforcement mechanisms remain unclear.

Supporters frame the measure as a tool to cut overstays and tighten national security, while civil liberties advocates are likely to raise privacy and surveillance concerns. The Fox News piece emphasized the border "blind spot" framing but did not present opposing viewpoints or detailed data on overstays. More reporting and the bill text will be needed to assess costs, technical feasibility, privacy safeguards, and how the plan fits into existing Department of Homeland Security systems.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed the Ramsey Cascades Trail after multiple aggressive black bear encounters with visitors, park officials said.

A social post by CBS News on Facebook described bears chasing and biting visitors, prompting the park to suspend access to reduce human-bear interactions and protect public safety. Park staff typically close trails temporarily after aggressive wildlife encounters while they assess risks and coordinate hazing, education, or temporary area closures. Ramsey Cascades is a popular backcountry route in the Tennessee portion of the park that leads to its tallest waterfall, drawing hikers looking for a steep, remote day trip.

An Oklahoma deputy was killed and a police chief wounded in an ambush during a recent welfare check, police say.

Authorities say the attack happened in a normally quiet Oklahoma town and surprised officers responding to a routine welfare call. The suspect allegedly opened fire on contact, killing the deputy and injuring the police chief, who was taken to a hospital with nonfatal wounds, officials said.

NAB commissioner urged support for frustrated U.S. sports fans as leagues put games behind streaming paywalls and the DOJ probes NFL practices.

The National Association of Broadcasters commissioner framed the shift as a consumer access problem that threatens free local broadcast coverage. His comments come amid a Justice Department review of NFL streaming paywalls and wider industry moves toward direct-to-consumer platforms.

A Texas woman was charged in the 2002 murder of her husband at Lake Lewisville after investigators cited a new forensic-technology break. Authorities arrested the suspect this week, ending a decades-long cold case, Fox News reported. Officials said the investigation was reinvigorated by a technological development that linked the woman to the crime, though Fox News did not detail the exact method used.

Cold-case detectives increasingly rely on evolving forensic tools to revisit unsolved killings, and breakthroughs can surface after many years. Available reporting shows the recent coverage focuses on the technological lead, and no major outlets have offered a markedly different narrative so far. Prosecutors must still present evidence in court, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This week El Salvador opened a mass trial of 486 alleged MS-13 members accused of mass murder. The defendants face charges tied to multiple killings, and prosecutors say the case links many violent acts to the Mara Salvatrucha gang.

The size of the case highlights the government's broad crackdown on gangs and puts heavy pressure on courts to process many cases quickly. CBS News posted the report on Facebook, where readers debated whether the mass trial will improve public safety or risk undermining defendants' rights.

Washington State has launched a $300,000 study on reparative actions for slavery. The effort will examine possible policies and programs to address harms tied to slavery and its long-term effects. Officials describe the study as a step toward identifying concrete recommendations for public actions and investments.

The announcement has drawn national attention and coverage, with outlets noting the cost and the broader political context. As public debate over reparations and racial justice continues, the study represents a state-level effort to weigh policy responses to historical racial harms.

A Washington trucking company owner is suing the state over a new 9.9 percent "millionaires" income tax. The lawsuit was filed recently in state court and challenges the law's reach and effect on small businesses and pass-through income. The plaintiff says the tax hits small firms that report owner income on personal returns and could raise costs for family-owned trucking operations.

Supporters of the measure argue it raises revenue for public services, while opponents call it burdensome to job creators and small businesses. Activists and commentators have discussed the case on social media, framing it as a test of tax fairness and of how the state treats small-business income. The lawsuit's outcome could shape enforcement and future challenges to Washington's top marginal tax and influence state business climate debates.

The FBI has taken custody of a DNA sample linked to missing Nancy Guthrie after the county sheriff sent it to a private lab.

Pima County sent a hair sample from Guthrie's home to Florida's DNA Labs International shortly after her suspected abduction. The FBI told investigators about two months ago that it wanted to test the sample with its own technology, but the sheriff chose the private lab instead. FBI public affairs official Ben Williamson said the sample has now been transferred to the agency for more advanced testing. Experts expect the FBI may use Astrea Forensics, the San Francisco lab that used rootless hair DNA in the Rex Heuermann Gilgo Beach case. Genetic genealogist CeCe Moore said she has not seen successful cases from DNA Labs International, contrasting its record with Astrea's.

Thomson Reuters recently fired an Oregon employee who criticized the company's contracts with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and now faces a whistleblower lawsuit. She had raised concerns internally about those contracts and said she lost her job after pushing the issue. She has filed a whistleblower suit in Oregon alleging retaliation under state law, and the company now faces legal scrutiny and public criticism.

The dispute highlights broader tensions about private-sector work with government immigration enforcement, where employees and advocates have increasingly questioned data sharing and surveillance tools. Workers at technology and information firms have staged protests and pushed companies to drop or revise contracts, often citing ethical concerns and reputational risk. Social media amplified this case, with advocates and former colleagues criticizing Thomson Reuters and calling for greater transparency about contracts with US government agencies.

Democrats urged the Office of Personnel Management to drop a proposal to collect detailed health data from federal workers under the Trump administration. They say the plan would gather granular medical information and could undermine workers' privacy and lead to discrimination or surveillance.

Lawmakers framed their demand as a protection for civil liberties and workplace fairness, saying federal employees should not fear that personal health details could be used against them. They pressed OPM to abandon the effort and to consult with privacy experts and employee representatives before moving forward.

A North Carolina jury found Uber liable as a common carrier for a driver's assault on a passenger. The verdict came in a battery lawsuit in North Carolina and holds the company responsible for the driver's actions. Jurors found the driver grabbed the passenger's inner thigh, according to coverage shared by CBS MoneyWatch on Facebook.

The decision could affect how courts treat ride-hailing companies and may increase legal exposure when passengers are harmed. On social media, the case sparked conversation about passenger safety and corporate accountability for gig workers' conduct. Advocates for stronger safety rules said the verdict underscores calls for clearer company duty and better protections for riders.

Cuba confirmed this week that high-level U.S. officials will visit the island to push for lifting an energy blockade. The announcement said Cuban leaders and U.S. representatives will meet in Havana to discuss energy access and related restrictions. Havana framed the talks as an effort to end measures it calls an energy blockade that have tightened since the Trump administration.

Cuban officials say fuel shortages and limited access to spare parts have worsened electricity outages and economic hardship for ordinary Cubans. The meetings could signal a shift toward pragmatic engagement on humanitarian and energy issues even as core political differences remain unresolved. Public reaction on social media was mixed, with some Cubans urging relief from blackouts while others warned against concessions without broader change.

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is investigating suspected impaired drivers working in care homes for vulnerable adults.

FOX 9's overview explains how the state's maltreatment system begins with reports from staff, families, or the public. DHS screens each report to judge immediate danger and whether an investigation is warranted under state rules. When opened, investigators gather statements, review medical and staffing records, and may work with law enforcement to build a case. Findings can lead to licensing actions, criminal referrals, or service changes to better protect adults in care.

Betty Yee dropped out of California's governor race before the June 2 primary. Fox News reported the exit as coming weeks ahead of the statewide primary in California. The outlet described her departure as "another Democrat" leaving a crowded gubernatorial field. The report did not offer additional details about her reasons or timing.

Her withdrawal reduces the size of the Democratic field and could reshape the dynamics of the June 2 contest. The Fox News piece did not include campaign statements, polling shifts, or social media reaction, leaving specifics about who benefits or how voters will respond unclear.

A bicyclist was killed during a crash on Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis, and police arrested the driver. Emergency crews responded and the bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Officials said the driver was taken into custody at the scene.

Authorities have jailed the driver and opened an investigation to determine factors like speed, impairment or roadway conditions. No further details about charges or the bicyclist's identity were released as investigators continue collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.

The Department of Homeland Security bought a massive Georgia warehouse to convert into a 7,500-10,000-bed ICE detention center in Social Circle. The 1.2 million square foot industrial building was purchased for about $129 million and plans include 80 detention blocks, processing rooms, court services, and special management units. Local officials say they first learned of the sale through media reports in December and that DHS has not answered months of questions about water, sewage, and safety. Residents and town leaders warn aging water lines and a limited sewage system cannot handle an estimated 1,001,683 gallons of daily wastewater from the facility, and the site sits near an elementary school.

The Social Circle project fits a wider DHS push to expand detention capacity, an initiative that aims for 92,600 beds nationwide by the end of September. Detention counts have surged this year, with ICE populations rising from roughly 35,000 a year ago to about 68,000 by early April, while enforcement operations have included roughly 400,000 arrests since January 2025. Reporters say the strategy has favored rural and suburban sites with already stressed utilities, and similar mega-centers are planned or in use near Merrimack, New Hampshire, and around Salt Lake City and Phoenix.

A mother, her pregnant teenage daughter and a 12-year-old boy were found bound and murdered at their Alabama home, police say.

Officers responding to a call discovered the victims and said they are now hunting multiple suspects in the killings. Authorities did not immediately release the victims' names or a motive as the investigation continues.

A juvenile has been charged with murdering a 10-year-old girl who was found dead in Alabama. Police said the charge followed the discovery of the child's body and an investigation that led to the arrest. Authorities have not released the suspect's name, the exact location, or a clear motive. Because the suspect is a juvenile, officials said they are limiting public details under laws that protect young defendants.

Family members told reporters they were left with "only more questions" and are seeking answers about how and why their child died. The charging of a juvenile in a murder case often prompts debate about whether the suspect should face juvenile or adult court, which depends on the case facts and state law. The community has expressed shock and demanded a full, transparent investigation and support for the grieving family.

A Rogers High School wrestling volunteer was charged in an online child-sex sting, authorities said.

The arrest was reported by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul and took place in Rogers, Minnesota. Police say the case began with an undercover online investigation that targets adults who attempt to solicit minors.

Two teenagers were killed and five others wounded in a shooting after a planned fight near a Winston-Salem middle school. Police said the planned confrontation involved two juveniles who arranged to meet at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. When the groups met multiple people exchanged gunfire, and seven people were struck, two of them teenagers who died at the scene or later at hospitals. Winston-Salem police and state investigators stressed the shooting did not happen on school grounds and the nearby Jefferson Middle School remained open and on a normal schedule.

The New York Times picked up the story and clarified the victims' ages, elevating the incident beyond local reporting and drawing broader national attention. Local reporting from outlets such as Fox News added details about the meeting place and confirmed multiple shooters fired during the confrontation.

A former NYPD officer was released on bail recently while appealing his conviction in the death of a suspect placed in a police cooler. The case unfolded in New York City after the suspect died while in police custody and the officer was later convicted.

Fox News framed the conviction as one that had made the officer an example in debates over police accountability and prosecutorial approaches. Supporters of the officer have argued the conviction was unfair, while critics say it showed authorities moving to address misconduct.

The House Ethics Committee defended this week its handling of sexual harassment cases involving members of Congress, responding to recent scrutiny. PBS reported that the committee made a public defense as critics questioned how it manages misconduct by lawmakers. The report said the statement was framed as a response to scrutiny rather than only a general call for more reporting of workplace misconduct. PBS also noted that the committee did not announce any new procedural rules or provide details about specific cases.

Earlier coverage, including a piece from MS NOW urging more reports of workplace misconduct, emphasized encouraging victims to come forward. The newer PBS framing shifts emphasis from exhortation to defensive explanation, signaling that reporting alone may not address critics' concerns about the committee's handling. That evolution matters for readers tracking reform because it raises questions about transparency and whether procedural changes are needed to restore public confidence.

A U.S. lawyer is urging a U.S.-Iran deal to free six Americans held in Tehran's Evin Prison. The lawyer, representing one of those detained, said a negotiated exchange is practical and could be implemented quickly by both governments. He called it "the easiest problem on the table" for both sides, arguing that it should be a priority amid strained ties.

Evin Prison, in Tehran, houses political prisoners and foreign detainees and has long been central to Iran's use of detainees in diplomacy. Families of those held have pressed U.S. officials for action and welcomed calls for a focused, pragmatic deal.

A mother and her six children were killed in an early-morning house explosion and fire in central Pennsylvania, state police said. State police identified the mother as 34-year-old Sarah Stolzfus and confirmed all seven occupants died, authorities said. The blast and fire occurred early in the morning at the family's central Pennsylvania residence and investigators have said the probe is ongoing.

Pennsylvania State Police said an interior propane leak is a possible cause, and they clarified that exterior propane tanks did not explode and were not contributing factors. Police gave ages and genders for the six children: four sons, ages 11, 10, 5 and 3, and two daughters, ages 8 and 6. Neighbor Christina Duck described hearing a boom, feeling it, seeing flames through windows and watching the house become engulfed within about a minute. She said the family had moved in only a couple of months earlier and that the children were often seen playing outside.

A man was arrested after DNA linked him to the 1990 killing of Lisa McBride in New Jersey. Authorities said the match tied him to biological evidence collected at the decades-old crime scene. Police announced the arrest this week and gave few immediate details about how investigators made the genetic connection.

The suspect has been previously linked to another case in which his wife vanished years ago, according to the reporting. Authorities described his past as deadly and said the arrest represents a major development for local investigators.

David Eugene Wright was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Mariah Samuels, in Minneapolis. Judge Mark Kappelhoff imposed the mandatory life term for first-degree premeditated murder and said Wright had "laid in wait" and shot Samuels execution-style after she ended the relationship. Wright apologized in court, but earlier refused to leave his jail cell for a scheduled Friday sentencing, prompting a judge to postpone the hearing to Monday.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty criticized Wright's refusal, saying he continued to exert power and control over Samuels' family by skipping court. Samuels' relatives said they planned to mark a sense of justice at the hearing and called the delay another system failure for domestic-violence victims. Family members and reporters have alleged Minneapolis Police Department officers failed to act on multiple Order for Protection violations, with no investigator assigned from August 21 to September 14 before the killing. Chief Brian O'Hara has ordered all officers retrained on domestic-violence response following the criticism. Social media amplified the case, with the Hennepin County attorney's office and local outlets like KARE 11 posting conviction notices. Observers on platforms raised questions about jail oversight after apparent taunting posts by Wright and expressed frustration that victims and families are treated worse than suspects.

The Minnesota Senate this week backed a proposal to ban cat and dog sales at new pet shops to curb puppy and kitten mill sourcing. Proponents say it aims to cut off retail demand that fuels large-scale commercial breeders often called puppy and kitten mills. Supporters argue that the change would boost adoptions and encourage direct sales from reputable rescues or responsible breeders.

Opponents, including some pet shop owners and breeders, say the ban could hurt small businesses and limit consumer choice. Lawmakers must still reconcile details on whether existing shops would be grandfathered and how enforcement would work. The Senate action moves the proposal closer to law, but it may face changes in the House and negotiation with stakeholders.

Rep. Eric Swalwell announced he will resign from Congress amid multiple criminal probes and sexual misconduct allegations.

The announcement came in mid-April 2026 after a San Francisco Chronicle item and follow-up reporting triggered new accusations and political pressure. He suspended his California governor campaign and said he would step down rather than face an immediate expulsion vote. Federal and local authorities have opened inquiries: the Manhattan District Attorney is investigating an alleged April 25, 2024 encounter, Los Angeles prosecutors are fielding a new report tied to a 2018 allegation, and a source says the Department of Justice has launched a criminal review. The bipartisan House Ethics Committee publicly opened an investigation into possible sexual misconduct, and several outlets said his impending resignation would likely end that congressional probe. California's governor will have 14 days to call a special election once the seat is vacant.

George Ariyoshi, the first U.S. governor of Asian descent, has died at 100. News outlets announced his death on April 20, 2026, stating he was 100 years old. Ariyoshi served as governor of Hawaii and was widely recognized for breaking racial barriers in American politics.

Major outlets including ABC News and The New York Times reported his passing, with the Times posting an obituary dated April 20, 2026. The Times used the precise phrase "America's first governor of Asian descent," underscoring his national historic first beyond ABC's wording, "first of Asian American descent."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized $1.1 million in cocaine from an "empty" truck at a Texas border crossing this week for suspected smuggling. Officers discovered the drugs concealed inside the vehicle despite its outward appearance as empty, the report said. The seizure was described as worth more than $1.1 million, underscoring continued challenges at ports of entry.

Such interdictions are part of broader CBP operations that use inspections, canine teams and intelligence to find concealed contraband. While this report focused on a single seizure, it highlights how smugglers employ deceptive tactics and why border authorities continue routine searches and vehicle examinations.

Pro-Palestinian activists booed Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens at the Michigan Democratic Convention while she addressed the gathering. Reports say the demonstrators heckled the pro-Israel congresswoman as she spoke, interrupting parts of her remarks and drawing audible boos from the floor. Fox News framed the incident as left-wing activists confronting a centrist Democrat.

The episode underscores ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel and Palestine, where progressive activists have increasingly challenged centrist, pro-Israel members. Similar disruptions have occurred at other events as activists press for changes in US policy and party positions, prompting debates over how the party balances differing constituent views.

Pope Leo XIV said his "handful of tyrants" remark was not aimed at President Donald Trump. He made the clarification while flying to Angola, Reuters reported. The pope said the Africa speech was prepared two weeks earlier, before Trump's recent comments about him. He added it was not in his interest to be seen debating the U.S. president and that he would continue preaching peace. The clarification came after weeks of public sparring, including Truth Social posts from Trump calling Leo "terrible" on foreign policy. Trump also accused the pope of effectively accepting a nuclear-armed Iran and briefly posted an AI-generated image that he later deleted.

The dispute has spilled into domestic policy, with the Trump administration cancelling an $11 million contract with Miami Catholic Charities. MS NOW and critics tied the termination to political attacks on the pope, noting it ended a partnership of more than 60 years caring for unaccompanied migrant children. Social reactions ranged from condemnations of a "petty" or "anti-Catholic" move to arguments that charity finances and high overhead explain federal funding shifts. Vice President JD Vance said he was "grateful" for the pope's clarification and framed the relationship as moral preaching versus messy policy application. The Vatican and analysts also pointed to translation and the pope's English as factors in the misunderstanding.

Harvard is reportedly investigating its Republican Club over a social media post criticizing a Muslim student group's Eid event on campus. Fox News reported the probe but did not cite an official statement from the university. The post reportedly targeted the group's on-campus Eid celebration and prompted scrutiny of whether student organization rules were violated.

Harvard and other colleges often face tensions between protecting free speech and preventing harassment when student groups criticize religious events. Universities review posts to decide if they breach conduct policies such as those banning harassment or targeted discrimination.

California Attorney General recently says Amazon pressured retailers to raise online prices to avoid undercutting the company.

The attorney general's office said the pressure pushed some retailers to raise prices on their own websites so they would not undercut Amazon's listed prices. The allegation surfaced in ABC News reporting and centers on how marketplace practices may shape seller behavior.

An Afghan man accused of scouting for ISIS-K in the Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport is now on trial in Virginia. His lawyer told jurors that a written confession was false and that the defendant was coerced during interrogations. The Abbey Gate attack in 2021 killed U.S. service members and Afghan civilians and was claimed by Islamic State Khorasan, which U.S. officials blamed for the airport assault.

Prosecutors say the defendant helped plan the Abbey Gate bombing by acting as a scout, a role that can bring severe federal penalties if he is convicted. The defense is asking jurors to closely examine how evidence and statements were obtained as the case proceeds in U.S. federal court in Virginia.

A repeat offender released early from jail was arrested and charged with capital murder in the killing of a pregnant Texas woman. Fox News reported the arrest and the capital murder charge, saying the woman was pregnant when she was killed. Authorities allege the suspect had a previous criminal record and had been let out of custody ahead of schedule.

The filing of capital murder charges signals prosecutors view the case as especially serious and could make the defendant eligible for the harshest penalties under state law. In Texas, capital murder convictions can lead to the death penalty or life without parole when specific aggravating factors are proven. Advocates and local residents have voiced concern on social media, while some call for reviews of early-release practices to prevent repeat offenders from returning to the community. Officials say the investigation is ongoing and more details were not immediately released.