U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim criticized Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for allegedly threatening to use the Defense Production Act to pressure Anthropic’s CEO to remove guardrails on AI models. They emphasized that the DPA is meant for national emergencies and not to be used for extorting companies or advancing specific military or surveillance agendas. They warned that such actions could undermine bipartisan support for the DPA and weaken U.S. competitiveness.
Dr. Casey Means faced a Senate confirmation hearing for surgeon general, during which she was questioned on topics including vaccines, autism, pesticides, and children's health. She expressed support for vaccination but declined to directly endorse the MMR vaccine for children, and emphasized the need for cautious approaches regarding social media and pesticides, citing concerns about health impacts. Means, a medical doctor with a background in functional medicine and health technology, has promoted supplements and health products and has been criticized for potential conflicts of interest related to financial disclosures. The hearing was temporarily paused to accommodate her infant, with committee members evaluating her suitability for the role in public health leadership.
Attorney General Josh Kaul of Wisconsin has joined a coalition in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s overhaul of the childhood immunization schedule, including the removal of seven vaccines from the CDC’s recommendations and the replacement of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with members lacking required scientific qualifications. The lawsuit argues these changes are unlawful and pose public health risks, citing increased outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles in Wisconsin. The coalition seeks to have the new vaccine schedule and appointments to ACIP declared unlawful and vacated.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed enthusiasm about the recent order from President Trump to identify and release government files related to UFOs, extraterrestrial life, and unidentified aerial phenomena. Hegseth indicated that work on the task had already begun and highlighted the lack of a set timeline for disclosure. The topic has garnered increasing public attention, especially after comments from former President Obama and revelations of military UFO videos, leading to renewed government efforts to collect and review such findings.
Vice President JD Vance will promote former President Trump's economic messaging in a highly contested congressional district, signaling a strategic effort to influence voter support in the upcoming elections.
A federal appeals court has allowed the IRS to continue sharing certain taxpayer data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), rejecting a request from an immigrant rights group to temporarily block the practice. The court concluded that the data sharing, which aims to facilitate immigration enforcement, does not violate IRS privacy statutes and is consistent with the government's immigration crackdown efforts. Recent court filings revealed that the IRS had mistakenly shared taxpayer information of thousands of individuals with DHS, verifying only a small fraction of the requested names.
Residents of Cary are protesting plans for a potential expansion of ICE office space at a new location on Regency Parkway, which has raised concerns about increased immigration enforcement in the community. The lease, to be managed by the U.S. General Services Administration, is part of broader ICE efforts to expand legal operations across the country, though there are no indications of detention centers being involved. Community members have organized petitions and voiced fears that an increase in ICE activity may compromise local safety, but officials have not responded publicly to these concerns.
A Marine veteran’s wife, Diana Butnarciuc, who entered the U.S. legally on a tourist visa and sought asylum, was detained and faced deportation after attending a routine immigration appointment, despite having no criminal record. Her case highlights concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement practices, with data indicating that nearly 75% of ICE detainees have no criminal convictions. The veteran expressed confusion and distress over her detention, emphasizing that they had followed legal procedures and that her detention contradicts the administration's focus on removing “the worst of the worst.”
President Donald Trump announced that the United States has received over 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela, following the seizure of a third Venezuelan oil tanker in the Indian Ocean by US forces. The tanker, identified as Bertha, was tracked from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean and was found to be carrying 1.9 million barrels of Venezuelan crude. The US has increased its efforts to extract and import Venezuelan oil amid ongoing sanctions and military actions aimed at Caracas.
Senator Mark Kelly announced he will attend President Trump's State of the Union address, citing a sense of obligation despite other Democrats skipping it due to political disagreements and controversy surrounding his participation in a video calling on troops not to follow illegal orders. Kelly's involvement led to a Justice Department investigation, which did not result in charges. While some Democrats plan to attend the address, others intend to protest Trump's policies at a separate event.
Black Duck Restaurant Week in Minneapolis and St. Paul features over 80 participating restaurants, including new additions like Al & Alma’s Supper Club, Black Duck Spirits & Hearth, Gia, Liliana, Launch Pad Golf, Mizu, Northern Tap House, and San Pancho by Familia Luna. Highlights include Polish-American cuisine, rustic Italian dishes, Japanese ramen and sushi, and diverse American fare. The event aims to support local eateries, with options ranging from classic comfort foods to innovative dishes, as well as several participating Eat Street spots.
The House is considering legislation to prevent taxpayer funds from being used to pay restitution or compensation to participants in the January 6 Capitol riot, amid lawsuits filed by pardoned rioters. Sponsored by Rep. Deborah Ross, the bill aims to prohibit the distribution of funds from any "January 6th compensation fund" and to stop refunds for damage payments made to convicted rioters. The legislation follows prior approval of a $5 million settlement by the Justice Department to the family of Ashli Babbitt and is supported by other Democratic lawmakers, who argue that rioters should not be rewarded with public money.
