KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that that critically injured a woman.

Just after 3a.m. Thursday, police responded to an aggravated assault in the 1800 Block of East 76th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a statement from police.

First responders found a woman on the front porch of a home suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. EMS transported the woman was to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; Police reported no additional detais.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that that critically injured a woman.Just after 3a.m. Thursday, police responded to an aggravated assault in the 1800 Block of East 76th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a statement from police.First responders found a woman on the front porch of a home suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. EMS transported the woman was to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; Police reported no additional detais.

KCPD: Woman shot on the porch of her home

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-under-16-children-8b992efa5138704bc02ee9fc974f6987">the country banned use of the platforms</a>&nbsp;by those under 16, officials said.

“We stared down everybody who said it couldn’t be done, some of the most powerful and rich companies in the world and their supporters,” communications minister Anika Wells told reporters on Friday. “Now Australian parents can be confident that their kids can have their childhoods back.”

The figures, reported to Australia’s government by 10 social media platforms, were the first to show the scale of the landmark ban since it was enacted in December over fears about the effects of harmful online environments on young people. The law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-children-1abadf5445418c8c14f5f68cf76b38d0">provoked fraught debates</a>&nbsp;in Australia about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health and has prompted other countries to consider similar measures.

Officials said the figure was encouraging

Under Australian law, Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($33.2 million) if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove the accounts of Australian children younger than 16. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are exempt.

To verify age, platforms can either request copies of identification documents, use a third party to apply age estimation technology to an account holder’s face, or make inferences from data already available such has how long an account has been held.

About 2.5 million Australians are aged between 8 and 15, said the country’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, and past estimates suggested 84% of 8- to 12-year-olds held social media accounts. It was not known how many accounts were held across the 10 platforms but Inman Grant said the figure of 4.7 million “deactivated or restricted” was encouraging.

“We’re preventing predatory social media companies from accessing our children,” Inman Grant said.

The 10 biggest companies covered by the ban were compliant with it and had reported removal figures to Australia's regulator on time, the commissioner said. She added that social media companies were expected to shift their efforts from enforcing the ban to preventing children from creating new accounts or otherwise circumventing the prohibition.

Australian officials didn’t break the figures down by platform. But Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, said this week that by the day after the ban came into effect it had removed nearly 550,000 accounts belonging to users understood to be under 16.

In the blog post divulging the figures, Meta criticized the ban and said smaller platforms where the ban doesn't apply might not prioritize safety. The company also noted browsing platforms would still present content to children based on algorithms — a concern that led to the ban's enactment.

The law was widely popular among parents and child safety campaigners. Online privacy advocates and some groups representing teenagers opposed it, with the latter citing the support found in online spaces by vulnerable young people or those&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-children-f92aae52b59a6ded4d931856051f4e06">geographically isolated</a>&nbsp;in Australia’s sprawling rural areas.

Some said they had managed to fool age assessing technologies or were helped by parents or older siblings to circumvent the ban.

Since Australia began debating the measures in 2024, other countries have considered following suit. Denmark’s government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/after-australia-denmark-plans-social-media-ban-for-children-151a8afeda7146ef8f9e95e175cb937b">is among them</a>, saying in November that it had planned to implement a social media ban for children under 15.

“The fact that in spite of some skepticism out there, it’s working and being replicated now around the world, is something that is a source of Australian pride,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday.

Opposition lawmakers have suggested that young people have circumvented the ban easily or are migrating to other apps that are less scrutinized than the largest platforms. Inman Grant said Friday that data seen by her office showed a spike in downloads of alternative apps when the ban was enacted but not a spike in usage.

“There is no real long-term trends yet that we can say but we’re engaging,” she said.

Meanwhile, she said, the regulator she heads planned to introduce “world-leading AI companion and chatbot restrictions in March.” She didn’t disclose further details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673457414258.jpeg" alt="AP&nbsp; photo" />
 <figcaption>AP&nbsp; photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-under-16-children-8b992efa5138704bc02ee9fc974f6987">the country banned use of the platforms</a>&nbsp;by those under 16, officials said.“We stared down everybody who said it couldn’t be done, some of the most powerful and rich companies in the world and their supporters,” communications minister Anika Wells told reporters on Friday. “Now Australian parents can be confident that their kids can have their childhoods back.”The figures, reported to Australia’s government by 10 social media platforms, were the first to show the scale of the landmark ban since it was enacted in December over fears about the effects of harmful online environments on young people. The law&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-children-1abadf5445418c8c14f5f68cf76b38d0">provoked fraught debates</a>&nbsp;in Australia about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health and has prompted other countries to consider similar measures.<h2>Officials said the figure was encouraging</h2>Under Australian law, Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($33.2 million) if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove the accounts of Australian children younger than 16. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are exempt.To verify age, platforms can either request copies of identification documents, use a third party to apply age estimation technology to an account holder’s face, or make inferences from data already available such has how long an account has been held.About 2.5 million Australians are aged between 8 and 15, said the country’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, and past estimates suggested 84% of 8- to 12-year-olds held social media accounts. It was not known how many accounts were held across the 10 platforms but Inman Grant said the figure of 4.7 million “deactivated or restricted” was encouraging.“We’re preventing predatory social media companies from accessing our children,” Inman Grant said.The 10 biggest companies covered by the ban were compliant with it and had reported removal figures to Australia's regulator on time, the commissioner said. She added that social media companies were expected to shift their efforts from enforcing the ban to preventing children from creating new accounts or otherwise circumventing the prohibition.<h2>Meta removed 550,000 accounts</h2>Australian officials didn’t break the figures down by platform. But Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, said this week that by the day after the ban came into effect it had removed nearly 550,000 accounts belonging to users understood to be under 16.In the blog post divulging the figures, Meta criticized the ban and said smaller platforms where the ban doesn't apply might not prioritize safety. The company also noted browsing platforms would still present content to children based on algorithms — a concern that led to the ban's enactment.The law was widely popular among parents and child safety campaigners. Online privacy advocates and some groups representing teenagers opposed it, with the latter citing the support found in online spaces by vulnerable young people or those&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-ban-children-f92aae52b59a6ded4d931856051f4e06">geographically isolated</a>&nbsp;in Australia’s sprawling rural areas.Some said they had managed to fool age assessing technologies or were helped by parents or older siblings to circumvent the ban.<h2>Other countries might follow</h2>Since Australia began debating the measures in 2024, other countries have considered following suit. Denmark’s government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/after-australia-denmark-plans-social-media-ban-for-children-151a8afeda7146ef8f9e95e175cb937b">is among them</a>, saying in November that it had planned to implement a social media ban for children under 15.“The fact that in spite of some skepticism out there, it’s working and being replicated now around the world, is something that is a source of Australian pride,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday.Opposition lawmakers have suggested that young people have circumvented the ban easily or are migrating to other apps that are less scrutinized than the largest platforms. Inman Grant said Friday that data seen by her office showed a spike in downloads of alternative apps when the ban was enacted but not a spike in usage.“There is no real long-term trends yet that we can say but we’re engaging,” she said.Meanwhile, she said, the regulator she heads planned to introduce “world-leading AI companion and chatbot restrictions in March.” She didn’t disclose further details.

4.7M kids removed from social media in first month of historic ban

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man charged in the death of his pregnant girlfriend returned to court Thursday.

Judge Jeffrey determined there was enough evidence in the case for 20-year-old Matthew Wayne Criscenzo to face a jury trial,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In September, Criscenzo pleaded not guilty to charges of 1st degree murder and aggravated battery, in the shooting death of 20-year-old Naomi Oglesby.

On May 25, police arrested&nbsp; Criscenzo in the 700 Block of Laura Street in Wichita in connection with the shooting death. At the time of the incident,&nbsp;Oglesby was pregnant, according to Wichita Police Officer Rick Pena. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she was pronounced deceased.

Doctors were able to deliver her infant who was transported to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a Wichita hospital.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Criscenzo remains jailed on bond totaling over $700,000, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748340707658.png" alt="Oglesby&nbsp; photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Oglesby&nbsp; photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man charged in the death of his pregnant girlfriend returned to court Thursday.Judge Jeffrey determined there was enough evidence in the case for 20-year-old Matthew Wayne Criscenzo to face a jury trial,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748259337812.png" alt="Criscenzo photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Criscenzo photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>In September, Criscenzo pleaded not guilty to charges of 1st degree murder and aggravated battery, in the shooting death of 20-year-old Naomi Oglesby.On May 25, police arrested&nbsp; Criscenzo in the 700 Block of Laura Street in Wichita in connection with the shooting death. At the time of the incident,&nbsp;Oglesby was pregnant, according to Wichita Police Officer Rick Pena. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she was pronounced deceased.Doctors were able to deliver her infant who was transported to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a Wichita hospital.&nbsp; &nbsp;Criscenzo remains jailed on bond totaling over $700,000, according to online jail records.

Kan. man accused of killing pregnant girlfriend will face jury trial

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A Jackson County official says he met ICE officials looking at a large, potential detention space in Kansas City.

Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca posted a video on social media of two federal agents telling him he was trespassing after he showed up at a nearly 1-million-square-foot (93,000-square-meter) warehouse on the outskirts of Kansas City.

He says he was ultimately allowed to enter the building and that officials told him they were looking for locations for a large facility. He told The Associated Press that one of the officials inside was Shawn Byers, the deputy field office director for ICE in Chicago.

In a statement, an ICE spokesperson did not address the Kansas City location or Abarca’s comments but said it should not come as news that the agency is working to expand detention space.

ICE was given $45 billion for detention centers in the tax and spending bill that Trump signed last year.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A Jackson County official says he met ICE officials looking at a large, potential detention space in Kansas City.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Folks, I shared the below video in nearly the moments it happened: I was informed that ICE/DHS was touring a potential “mega detention facility” in south <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KansasCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KansasCity</a> and decided to stop by. As I was observing, from my truck at a taxpayer subsidized facility; I was swarmed by… <a href="https://t.co/PF6g52gO6s">pic.twitter.com/PF6g52gO6s</a>&mdash; Manny Abarca (@MannyAbarcaIV) <a href="https://twitter.com/MannyAbarcaIV/status/2011843933517631828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca posted a video on social media of two federal agents telling him he was trespassing after he showed up at a nearly 1-million-square-foot (93,000-square-meter) warehouse on the outskirts of Kansas City.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, Kansas City took action to protect our community&#39;s priorities. A 5-year ban on non-city detention facilities ensures our focus stays on building businesses, homes, and schools, not large-scale detention centers. <a href="https://t.co/qVZOJdlUlN">pic.twitter.com/qVZOJdlUlN</a>&mdash; Mayor Quinton Lucas (@MayorLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorLucasKC/status/2011923905234059523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He says he was ultimately allowed to enter the building and that officials told him they were looking for locations for a large facility. He told The Associated Press that one of the officials inside was Shawn Byers, the deputy field office director for ICE in Chicago.In a statement, an ICE spokesperson did not address the Kansas City location or Abarca’s comments but said it should not come as news that the agency is working to expand detention space.ICE was given $45 billion for detention centers in the tax and spending bill that Trump signed last year.

ICE officials looking at large detention space in Kansas City

WASHINGTON (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday even as he has questioned her credibility to take over her country after the U.S. ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-machado-nobel-peace-prize-c7f47c161edc9b719dea3d0165f32a1f">Nobel Institute</a>&nbsp;has said Machado could not give her prize to Trump, an honor that he has coveted. Even if it the gesture proves to be purely symbolic, it was extraordinary given that Trump has effectively sidelined Machado, who has long been the face of resistance in Venezuela. He has signaled his willingness to work with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/delcy-rodriguez-maduro-trump-venezuela-e71f2289bc801446e05550d8f900a8d1">acting President Delcy Rodríguez</a>, who had been Maduro’s second in command.

“I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado told reporters after leaving the White House and heading to Capitol Hill. She said she had done so “as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”

Trump confirmed later on social media that Machado had left the medal for him to keep, and he said it was an honor to meet her.

“She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done,” Trump said in his post. “Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”

The White House later posted a photo of Machado standing next to Trump in the Oval Office as he holds the medal in a large frame. A text in the frame reads, “Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump’s principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela.”

Trump has raised doubts about his stated commitment to backing democratic rule in Venezuela, giving no timetable on when elections might be held. Machado indicated that he had provided few specifics on that front during their discussion.

She did not provide more information on what was said.

After the closed-door meeting, Machado greeted dozens of cheering supporters waiting for her near the White House gates, stopping to hug many.

“We can count on President Trump,” she told them without elaborating, prompting some to briefly chant, “Thank you, Trump.”

Before her visit to Washington, Machado had not been seen in public since she traveled last month to Norway, where her daughter received the peace prize on her behalf. She had spent 11 months in hiding in Venezuela before she appeared in Norway after the ceremony.

The jubilant scene after her meeting with Trump stood in contrast to political realities in Venezuela. Rodríguez remains in charge of day-to-day government operations, along with others in Maduro’s inner circle. In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-delcy-rodriguez-state-of-union-trump-us-b5c53860386752930a56d1d8846d6440">her first state of the union speech</a>&nbsp;Thursday, the interim president promoted the resumption of diplomatic ties between the historic adversaries and advocated for opening the state-run oil industry to more foreign investment after Trump pledged to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-revenue-companies-sales-bdd21181e08889d6cca93f5acc7c0ee0">seize control</a>&nbsp;of Venezuelan crude sales.

Trump has said it would be difficult for Machado to lead because she “doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.” Her party is widely believed to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-election-tally-sheets-actas-oas-carter-center-41d1000926d0ab99e522e53bf6c2b916">won 2024 elections</a>&nbsp;rejected by Maduro.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Machado “a remarkable and brave voice” but also said the meeting didn’t mean Trump’s opinion of her changed, calling it “a realistic assessment.”

Leavitt told reporters that Trump supported new Venezuelan elections “when the time is right” but did not say when he thought that might be.

A ‘frank and positive discussion’ about Venezuela

Leavitt said Machado had sought the face-to-face meeting without setting expectations for what would occur. She spent about two and a half hours at the White House.

“I don’t think he needs to hear anything from Ms. Machado,” the press secretary said while the meeting was still going on, other than to have a ”frank and positive discussion about what’s taking place in Venezuela.”

After leaving the White House, Machado went on to a closed-door meeting with a bipartisan group of senators.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Machado told them that “if there’s not some progress, real progress towards a transition in power, and/or elections in the next several months, we should all be worried.”

“She reminded us that Delcy Rodríguez is, in many ways, worse than Maduro,” he added.

Asked if Machado had heard any commitment from the White House on holding elections in Venezuela, Murphy said, “No, I don’t think she got any commitment from them.”

Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, was exultant following the meeting, saying Machado “delivered a message that loud and clear: What President Trump did was the most important, significant event in Latin America. That getting rid of Maduro was absolutely essential.”

Machado’s Washington stop coincided with U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-sanctioned-oil-tanker-seized-a415e247fca429b00b9fbcf6b6cd90a5">seizing another sanctioned oil tanker</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration says had ties to Venezuela. It is part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">the South American country’s oil</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-presidential-palace-blowtorches-7969152ae48510003fe9cbde92f3c102">U.S. forces captured Maduro</a>&nbsp;and his wife less than two weeks ago at a heavily guarded compound in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and brought them to New York to stand trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maduro-venezuela-trump-criminal-case-131f59e517cc8314a53c8dace230d328">drug trafficking charges</a>.

Leavitt said Venezuela’s interim authorities have been fully cooperating with the Trump administration and noted that Rodríguez’s government said it planned to release more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-prisoners-released-us-maduro-rodriguez-7dc52c3ed6251f561b7754fd50182588">prisoners detained under Maduro</a>. Among those released were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezeula-american-detainees-released-43f779bfccc1c5df98780938a30a3417">five Americans</a>&nbsp;this week.

Trump said Wednesday that he had a “great conversation” with Rodríguez, their first since Maduro was ousted.

Just hours after Maduro’s capture, Trump said of Machado that “it would be very tough for her to be the leader.” Machado had steered a careful course to avoid offending Trump, notably after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nobel-peace-prize-oslo-41b6bff88e2d57af0917bcf778e132ad">winning the peace prize</a>, and had sought to cultivate relationships with him and key administration voices like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-greenland-trump-maduro-60481ca89c1fa4ec94f692d648141051">Secretary of State Marco Rubio</a>.

The industrial engineer and daughter of a steel magnate, Machado began challenging the ruling party in 2004, when the nongovernmental organization she co-founded, Súmate, promoted a referendum to recall then-President Hugo Chávez. The initiative failed, and Machado and other Súmate executives were charged with conspiracy.

A year later, she drew the anger of Chávez and his allies again for traveling to Washington to meet President George W. Bush, whom Chávez considered an adversary.

Almost two decades later, she marshaled millions of Venezuelans to reject Chávez’s successor, Maduro, for another term in the 2024 election. But ruling party-loyal electoral authorities declared him the winner despite ample credible evidence to the contrary. Ensuing anti-government protests ended in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-election-edmundo-gonzalez-rights-75393ebfa98a0ae7f30801547265c2ba">brutal crackdown</a>.

Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Stephen Groves, Michelle L. Price and Matthew Lee in Washington, and Megan Janetsky in Mexico City contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768569274886.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday even as he has questioned her credibility to take over her country after the U.S. ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-machado-nobel-peace-prize-c7f47c161edc9b719dea3d0165f32a1f">Nobel Institute</a>&nbsp;has said Machado could not give her prize to Trump, an honor that he has coveted. Even if it the gesture proves to be purely symbolic, it was extraordinary given that Trump has effectively sidelined Machado, who has long been the face of resistance in Venezuela. He has signaled his willingness to work with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/delcy-rodriguez-maduro-trump-venezuela-e71f2289bc801446e05550d8f900a8d1">acting President Delcy Rodríguez</a>, who had been Maduro’s second in command.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/nlGbtxEp3G">pic.twitter.com/nlGbtxEp3G</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2011964069075448319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Donald J. Trump meets with María Corina Machado of Venezuela in the Oval Office, during which she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition and honor.🕊️ <a href="https://t.co/v7pYHjVNVO">pic.twitter.com/v7pYHjVNVO</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2012006221340164338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado told reporters after leaving the White House and heading to Capitol Hill. She said she had done so “as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”Trump confirmed later on social media that Machado had left the medal for him to keep, and he said it was an honor to meet her.“She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done,” Trump said in his post. “Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”The White House later posted a photo of Machado standing next to Trump in the Oval Office as he holds the medal in a large frame. A text in the frame reads, “Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump’s principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela.”Trump has raised doubts about his stated commitment to backing democratic rule in Venezuela, giving no timetable on when elections might be held. Machado indicated that he had provided few specifics on that front during their discussion.She did not provide more information on what was said.<h2>‘We can count on President Trump’</h2>After the closed-door meeting, Machado greeted dozens of cheering supporters waiting for her near the White House gates, stopping to hug many.“We can count on President Trump,” she told them without elaborating, prompting some to briefly chant, “Thank you, Trump.”Before her visit to Washington, Machado had not been seen in public since she traveled last month to Norway, where her daughter received the peace prize on her behalf. She had spent 11 months in hiding in Venezuela before she appeared in Norway after the ceremony.The jubilant scene after her meeting with Trump stood in contrast to political realities in Venezuela. Rodríguez remains in charge of day-to-day government operations, along with others in Maduro’s inner circle. In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-delcy-rodriguez-state-of-union-trump-us-b5c53860386752930a56d1d8846d6440">her first state of the union speech</a>&nbsp;Thursday, the interim president promoted the resumption of diplomatic ties between the historic adversaries and advocated for opening the state-run oil industry to more foreign investment after Trump pledged to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-revenue-companies-sales-bdd21181e08889d6cca93f5acc7c0ee0">seize control</a>&nbsp;of Venezuelan crude sales.Trump has said it would be difficult for Machado to lead because she “doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.” Her party is widely believed to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-election-tally-sheets-actas-oas-carter-center-41d1000926d0ab99e522e53bf6c2b916">won 2024 elections</a>&nbsp;rejected by Maduro.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Machado “a remarkable and brave voice” but also said the meeting didn’t mean Trump’s opinion of her changed, calling it “a realistic assessment.”Leavitt told reporters that Trump supported new Venezuelan elections “when the time is right” but did not say when he thought that might be.<h2>A ‘frank and positive discussion’ about Venezuela</h2>Leavitt said Machado had sought the face-to-face meeting without setting expectations for what would occur. She spent about two and a half hours at the White House.“I don’t think he needs to hear anything from Ms. Machado,” the press secretary said while the meeting was still going on, other than to have a ”frank and positive discussion about what’s taking place in Venezuela.”After leaving the White House, Machado went on to a closed-door meeting with a bipartisan group of senators.Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Machado told them that “if there’s not some progress, real progress towards a transition in power, and/or elections in the next several months, we should all be worried.”“She reminded us that Delcy Rodríguez is, in many ways, worse than Maduro,” he added.Asked if Machado had heard any commitment from the White House on holding elections in Venezuela, Murphy said, “No, I don’t think she got any commitment from them.”Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, was exultant following the meeting, saying Machado “delivered a message that loud and clear: What President Trump did was the most important, significant event in Latin America. That getting rid of Maduro was absolutely essential.”Machado’s Washington stop coincided with U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-sanctioned-oil-tanker-seized-a415e247fca429b00b9fbcf6b6cd90a5">seizing another sanctioned oil tanker</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration says had ties to Venezuela. It is part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">the South American country’s oil</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-presidential-palace-blowtorches-7969152ae48510003fe9cbde92f3c102">U.S. forces captured Maduro</a>&nbsp;and his wife less than two weeks ago at a heavily guarded compound in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and brought them to New York to stand trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maduro-venezuela-trump-criminal-case-131f59e517cc8314a53c8dace230d328">drug trafficking charges</a>.Leavitt said Venezuela’s interim authorities have been fully cooperating with the Trump administration and noted that Rodríguez’s government said it planned to release more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-prisoners-released-us-maduro-rodriguez-7dc52c3ed6251f561b7754fd50182588">prisoners detained under Maduro</a>. Among those released were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezeula-american-detainees-released-43f779bfccc1c5df98780938a30a3417">five Americans</a>&nbsp;this week.Trump said Wednesday that he had a “great conversation” with Rodríguez, their first since Maduro was ousted.<h2>Machado doesn’t get the nod from Trump</h2>Just hours after Maduro’s capture, Trump said of Machado that “it would be very tough for her to be the leader.” Machado had steered a careful course to avoid offending Trump, notably after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nobel-peace-prize-oslo-41b6bff88e2d57af0917bcf778e132ad">winning the peace prize</a>, and had sought to cultivate relationships with him and key administration voices like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-greenland-trump-maduro-60481ca89c1fa4ec94f692d648141051">Secretary of State Marco Rubio</a>.The industrial engineer and daughter of a steel magnate, Machado began challenging the ruling party in 2004, when the nongovernmental organization she co-founded, Súmate, promoted a referendum to recall then-President Hugo Chávez. The initiative failed, and Machado and other Súmate executives were charged with conspiracy.A year later, she drew the anger of Chávez and his allies again for traveling to Washington to meet President George W. Bush, whom Chávez considered an adversary.Almost two decades later, she marshaled millions of Venezuelans to reject Chávez’s successor, Maduro, for another term in the 2024 election. But ruling party-loyal electoral authorities declared him the winner despite ample credible evidence to the contrary. Ensuing anti-government protests ended in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-election-edmundo-gonzalez-rights-75393ebfa98a0ae7f30801547265c2ba">brutal crackdown</a>.___Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Stephen Groves, Michelle L. Price and Matthew Lee in Washington, and Megan Janetsky in Mexico City contributed to this report.

What President Trump said about gift of Machado's Nobel Peace Prize

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A woman charged in the stabbing death of her mother on Halloween attended a competency hearing on Thursday.

Judge Jeffrey Goering ruled 48-year-old Angelynn Elizabeth Mock is not competent to stand trial, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. She will be transferred to the Larned State Hospital. She remained in custody in the Sedgwick County Jail on Friday morning.

In November Mock was charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers.

Just before 8a.m. October 31, police responded to a reported stabbing at a residence in the 1500 block of East Crowley in Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police. First responders located Mock outside the home.

&nbsp;Inside the residence, officers found 80-year-old Anita Avers unresponsive in her bed with multiple stab wounds.&nbsp;Sedgwick County EMS transported the victim to St. Francis Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased at 8:26 a.m.

Mock was transported to the hospital for treatment before being taken into custody and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. She is being held on a one-million dollar bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761944840018.png" alt="Police on the scene early Halloween morning -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene early Halloween morning -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A woman charged in the stabbing death of her mother on Halloween attended a competency hearing on Thursday.Judge Jeffrey Goering ruled 48-year-old Angelynn Elizabeth Mock is not competent to stand trial, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. She will be transferred to the Larned State Hospital. She remained in custody in the Sedgwick County Jail on Friday morning.In November Mock was charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1761994823380.png" alt="Mock photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Mock photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 8a.m. October 31, police responded to a reported stabbing at a residence in the 1500 block of East Crowley in Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police. First responders located Mock outside the home.&nbsp;Inside the residence, officers found 80-year-old Anita Avers unresponsive in her bed with multiple stab wounds.&nbsp;Sedgwick County EMS transported the victim to St. Francis Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased at 8:26 a.m.Mock was transported to the hospital for treatment before being taken into custody and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. She is being held on a one-million dollar bond.

Halloween homicide: Kan. woman attends competency hearing

SHERMAN COUNTY —First responders in northwest Kansas are preparing for the possibility of fires on Friday.&nbsp;

On their social media page, Sherman County 911 Communication asked the community to be prepared to respond.

"A significant wind event is expected across northwest Kansas and the surrounding region today through Friday. Strong northwest winds will develop, with sustained speeds of 30–40 mph and potentially stronger gusts."

 The strongest winds are expected between NOON and 2:00 PM (Mountain Time). If you have travel plans, please plan around this window if possible.

 EXTREME FIRE SAFETY REMINDER:• NO OPEN FLAMES — no burning trash, brush, or fire pits. We are under a burn ban anyway, in case you didn't know. • Extinguish cigarettes completely — do NOT toss them on the ground or out vehicle windows.• Even a small spark could cause a fast-moving grass fire under these conditions.

 BLOWING DUST &amp; HEALTH CONCERNS:• Blowing dust is likely, which may reduce visibility and impact air quality.• Those with asthma, COPD, or other breathing difficulties should plan ahead, limit outdoor exposure during peak winds, and have medications readily available.

 Travel Impacts:• Strong crosswinds may make driving hazardous, especially for high-profile vehicles.• Be alert for sudden drops in visibility due to dust.

 COMMUNITY SUPPORT REQUEST:• If you have water tankers, fill those suckers up!• We may be calling on you to assist the fire department if you’re willing and able during this wind event. Your help could make a critical difference.

 Preparation Tips:• Secure loose outdoor items (trash cans, patio furniture, decorations).• Stay weather-aware and monitor local alerts.Please take this event seriously and help keep our community safe. Share this post so others can prepare.

SHERMAN COUNTY —First responders in northwest Kansas are preparing for the possibility of fires on Friday.&nbsp;On their social media page, Sherman County 911 Communication asked the community to be prepared to respond."A significant wind event is expected across northwest Kansas and the surrounding region today through Friday. Strong northwest winds will develop, with sustained speeds of 30–40 mph and potentially stronger gusts."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Very strong winds gusting in excess of 60 mph and low humidity is forecast to lead to significant to extreme fire weather risks for Friday. Be aware of a cold front this evening with the potential for a period of strong to damaging winds as well. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/newx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#newx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cowx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cowx</a> <a href="https://t.co/vF1YfDsUnp">pic.twitter.com/vF1YfDsUnp</a>&mdash; NWS Goodland (@NWSGoodland) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSGoodland/status/2011954940529258678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> The strongest winds are expected between NOON and 2:00 PM (Mountain Time). If you have travel plans, please plan around this window if possible. EXTREME FIRE SAFETY REMINDER:• NO OPEN FLAMES — no burning trash, brush, or fire pits. We are under a burn ban anyway, in case you didn't know. • Extinguish cigarettes completely — do NOT toss them on the ground or out vehicle windows.• Even a small spark could cause a fast-moving grass fire under these conditions. BLOWING DUST &amp; HEALTH CONCERNS:• Blowing dust is likely, which may reduce visibility and impact air quality.• Those with asthma, COPD, or other breathing difficulties should plan ahead, limit outdoor exposure during peak winds, and have medications readily available. Travel Impacts:• Strong crosswinds may make driving hazardous, especially for high-profile vehicles.• Be alert for sudden drops in visibility due to dust. COMMUNITY SUPPORT REQUEST:• If you have water tankers, fill those suckers up!• We may be calling on you to assist the fire department if you’re willing and able during this wind event. Your help could make a critical difference. Preparation Tips:• Secure loose outdoor items (trash cans, patio furniture, decorations).• Stay weather-aware and monitor local alerts.Please take this event seriously and help keep our community safe. Share this post so others can prepare.

First responders in NW Kan. preparing for threat of possible fires

Washington&nbsp;–&nbsp;On Thursday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall issued a statement in support of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-calls-on-congress-to-enact-the-great-healthcare-plan/">Great Healthcare Plan</a>&nbsp;– a comprehensive package released by President Trump.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-calls-on-congress-to-enact-the-great-healthcare-plan/">Click here to read details on President Trump's plan</a>

“President Trump’s Great Healthcare Plan includes many of the key reforms we’ve been fighting for in a comprehensive healthcare package,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“Price transparency is exactly what my Price Tags legislation delivers — lowering costs for every American by empowering patients to shop for care and forcing the system to compete. We must also put patients back in control through Health Savings Accounts and cut out the PBM middleman that drives up prescription drug prices. I’m ready to work with President Trump and my colleagues to get this done.”

The Great Healthcare Plan is a comprehensive package aimed at lowering costs for American families and improving access to patient-centered care. Many of its core components align with Senator Marshall’s ‘<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshall-drops-the-marshall-plan/">Marshall Plan’</a>, including stronger price transparency requirements, expanded HSAs, reforms to reduce prescription drug middlemen, and targeted efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.&nbsp;

Washington&nbsp;–&nbsp;On Thursday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall issued a statement in support of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-calls-on-congress-to-enact-the-great-healthcare-plan/">Great Healthcare Plan</a>&nbsp;– a comprehensive package released by President Trump.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-calls-on-congress-to-enact-the-great-healthcare-plan/">Click here to read details on President Trump's plan</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">THE GREAT HEALTHCARE PLAN. President Donald J. Trump unveils the Great Healthcare Plan to lower costs and deliver money directly to the American people. 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/VWtNZzNbQC">pic.twitter.com/VWtNZzNbQC</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2011833504452002121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> Karoline Leavitt outlines &quot;The Great Health Care Plan&quot; <a href="https://t.co/vknyBPdgMR">pic.twitter.com/vknyBPdgMR</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2011867730677547239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“President Trump’s Great Healthcare Plan includes many of the key reforms we’ve been fighting for in a comprehensive healthcare package,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“Price transparency is exactly what my Price Tags legislation delivers — lowering costs for every American by empowering patients to shop for care and forcing the system to compete. We must also put patients back in control through Health Savings Accounts and cut out the PBM middleman that drives up prescription drug prices. I’m ready to work with President Trump and my colleagues to get this done.”The Great Healthcare Plan is a comprehensive package aimed at lowering costs for American families and improving access to patient-centered care. Many of its core components align with Senator Marshall’s ‘<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshall-drops-the-marshall-plan/">Marshall Plan’</a>, including stronger price transparency requirements, expanded HSAs, reforms to reduce prescription drug middlemen, and targeted efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.&nbsp;

🎥Kan. U.S. Senator supports President Trump's new healthcare plan

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the recovery of stolen government property and/or the arrest of individuals responsible for the destruction and theft of government property in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On January 14, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., FBI personnel responded to an assault on a federal officer investigation in North Minneapolis, Minnesota.&nbsp; Several government vehicles were subsequently vandalized and broken into, and government property was stolen from inside the vehicles.&nbsp; The FBI seeks information that will lead to the recovery of the stolen government property and/or the arrest of the individuals responsible for the destruction and theft of government property.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You may also contact your<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field/" target="_blank">local FBI office</a>, the nearest&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/legat/" target="_blank">American Embassy or Consulate</a>, or you can submit a tip online at&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/" target="_blank">tips.fbi.gov</a>.

Field Office:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/minneapolis">Minneapolis</a>

<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/?fugitive_type=fbi&amp;fugitive_name=VANDALISM%2C+DESTRUCTION%2C+AND+THEFT+OF+GOVERNMENT+PROPERTY" target="_blank">Submit an anonymous Tip online</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768524103609.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the recovery of stolen government property and/or the arrest of individuals responsible for the destruction and theft of government property in Minneapolis, Minnesota.On January 14, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., FBI personnel responded to an assault on a federal officer investigation in North Minneapolis, Minnesota.&nbsp; Several government vehicles were subsequently vandalized and broken into, and government property was stolen from inside the vehicles.&nbsp; The FBI seeks information that will lead to the recovery of the stolen government property and/or the arrest of the individuals responsible for the destruction and theft of government property.<h2>Submit a Tip:</h2>If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You may also contact your<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field/" target="_blank">local FBI office</a>, the nearest&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/legat/" target="_blank">American Embassy or Consulate</a>, or you can submit a tip online at&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/" target="_blank">tips.fbi.gov</a>.Field Office:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/minneapolis">Minneapolis</a><a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/?fugitive_type=fbi&amp;fugitive_name=VANDALISM%2C+DESTRUCTION%2C+AND+THEFT+OF+GOVERNMENT+PROPERTY" target="_blank">Submit an anonymous Tip online</a>

FBI offering reward to find items taken from federal  vehicles

WASHINGTON — An indictment unsealed Wednesday in the District of Kansas charged a Honduran man and Kansas woman for conspiring to submit, and submitting, a sponsorship application with false statements to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to gain custody of an Unaccompanied Alien Child (UAC) after the child entered the U.S. illegally, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.

“This indictment represents the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment to prosecuting individuals who fraudulently pose as suitable&nbsp;Unaccompanied Alien Child sponsors to obtain custody of vulnerable children,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This conduct represents a violation of the societal responsibility to safeguard children. Our efforts are a continuation of the Department’s commitment to hold accountable those who commit crimes related to the exploitation of UACs, and will serve to strengthen ORR’s UAC program and ensure it is not manipulated.”

“We are determined to protect the most vulnerable members of our society,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser for the District of Kansas. “This task often takes a multi-faceted approach involving multiple agencies and superior coordination. Given Task Force Alpha’s efforts, we are seeing real results, and my office is happy to be on the front line.”

According to the indictment, Romulo Hernandez Murillo, 45, a Honduran national without legal authorization to be in the U.S., agreed to pay defendant Lisa Marie Lopez Perdomo, 48, of Syracuse, Kansas, to assist him with applying to sponsor and obtain custody of a Honduran Unaccompanied Alien Child.

 The agreement included being permitted to misrepresent himself by using Lopez’s address on the application to sponsor the minor. The defendants intended for the child to reside with Hernandez and work in the United States. In furtherance of his fraudulent sponsorship application, Hernandez submitted and signed, under the penalty of perjury, documents falsely claiming he resided at Lopez’s address. An employee of the HHS-funded care provider where the child was staying ultimately recommended that Hernandez’s application be denied after an investigation uncovered Hernandez’s false representations. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The defendants are both charged with one count of making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement and one count of conspiracy to commit the same offense. If convicted of either offense, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.&nbsp;

This investigation was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and ForfeitureSection, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 435 domestic and international arrests, which includes those of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 385 U.S. convictions; more than 330 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood.

HHS’s Office of Inspector General and DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case with assistance from the Kansas Department of Labor, Special Investigations Unit; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations; and the Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additionally, HSI’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking in Washington, D.C., and ORR have provided invaluable assistance along with the United States Marshals Service.

Acting Deputy Chief Christian Levesque and Trial Attorney Matthew Thiman of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for the District of Kansas are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768511964072.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — An indictment unsealed Wednesday in the District of Kansas charged a Honduran man and Kansas woman for conspiring to submit, and submitting, a sponsorship application with false statements to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to gain custody of an Unaccompanied Alien Child (UAC) after the child entered the U.S. illegally, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.“This indictment represents the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment to prosecuting individuals who fraudulently pose as suitable&nbsp;Unaccompanied Alien Child sponsors to obtain custody of vulnerable children,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This conduct represents a violation of the societal responsibility to safeguard children. Our efforts are a continuation of the Department’s commitment to hold accountable those who commit crimes related to the exploitation of UACs, and will serve to strengthen ORR’s UAC program and ensure it is not manipulated.”“We are determined to protect the most vulnerable members of our society,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser for the District of Kansas. “This task often takes a multi-faceted approach involving multiple agencies and superior coordination. Given Task Force Alpha’s efforts, we are seeing real results, and my office is happy to be on the front line.”According to the indictment, Romulo Hernandez Murillo, 45, a Honduran national without legal authorization to be in the U.S., agreed to pay defendant Lisa Marie Lopez Perdomo, 48, of Syracuse, Kansas, to assist him with applying to sponsor and obtain custody of a Honduran Unaccompanied Alien Child. The agreement included being permitted to misrepresent himself by using Lopez’s address on the application to sponsor the minor. The defendants intended for the child to reside with Hernandez and work in the United States. In furtherance of his fraudulent sponsorship application, Hernandez submitted and signed, under the penalty of perjury, documents falsely claiming he resided at Lopez’s address. An employee of the HHS-funded care provider where the child was staying ultimately recommended that Hernandez’s application be denied after an investigation uncovered Hernandez’s false representations. &nbsp;&nbsp;The defendants are both charged with one count of making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement and one count of conspiracy to commit the same offense. If convicted of either offense, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.&nbsp;This investigation was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and ForfeitureSection, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 435 domestic and international arrests, which includes those of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 385 U.S. convictions; more than 330 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood.HHS’s Office of Inspector General and DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case with assistance from the Kansas Department of Labor, Special Investigations Unit; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations; and the Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additionally, HSI’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking in Washington, D.C., and ORR have provided invaluable assistance along with the United States Marshals Service.Acting Deputy Chief Christian Levesque and Trial Attorney Matthew Thiman of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for the District of Kansas are prosecuting the case.An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Indictment: Kan. woman fraudulently obtained custody of unaccompanied alien child

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after an encounter with police.

Shortly after 6:00PM on Wednesday an officer was conducting a traffic stop in the 1600 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. During the traffic stop, 51-year-old Bobby Glaspie, a family member of the stopped driver arrived at the scene and a short time later drove away, recklessly. 

Just before 7p.m. officers went to Glaspie’s residence in the 400 block R Street in Atchison regarding the reckless driving. Glaspie came out of the residence in an aggressive manner towards the officers and was subsequently taken into custody on requested charges of assault and battery on the officers as well as the reckless driving.

Glaspie has multiple previous convictions that include forgery, burglary, robbery,&nbsp; theft, criminal damage to property and for a variety of drug arrests.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768496876311.png" alt="Glaspie photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Glaspie photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after an encounter with police.Shortly after 6:00PM on Wednesday an officer was conducting a traffic stop in the 1600 block South 6th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. During the traffic stop, 51-year-old Bobby Glaspie, a family member of the stopped driver arrived at the scene and a short time later drove away, recklessly. Just before 7p.m. officers went to Glaspie’s residence in the 400 block R Street in Atchison regarding the reckless driving. Glaspie came out of the residence in an aggressive manner towards the officers and was subsequently taken into custody on requested charges of assault and battery on the officers as well as the reckless driving.Glaspie has multiple previous convictions that include forgery, burglary, robbery,&nbsp; theft, criminal damage to property and for a variety of drug arrests.

Kan. felon jailed after agressive encounter with police

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the death of two people at a Kansas City home.

Just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 1200 block of NE 83rd Terrace, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino As officers arrived they were directed inside a residence where hey located a man and woman both suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers also located a juvenile boy with an unknown injury. 

The child was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Both the man and woman were pronounced deceased at the scene.This is currently a death investigation and investigators are not looking for anyone else involved. Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incident.&nbsp;

Police did not release the names of the two who died or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768509792019.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the death of two people at a Kansas City home.Just after 8:30p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 1200 block of NE 83rd Terrace, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino As officers arrived they were directed inside a residence where hey located a man and woman both suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers also located a juvenile boy with an unknown injury. The child was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Both the man and woman were pronounced deceased at the scene.This is currently a death investigation and investigators are not looking for anyone else involved. Detectives are working to determine what led up to the incident.&nbsp;Police did not release the names of the two who died or additional details.

Police: Couple found dead, infant injured at KC home

NEW YORK (AP) — Verizon said it resolved an outage that disrupted many U.S. customers’ calling and other cellular services for more than 10 hours on Wednesday.

The New York-based carrier didn’t specify what caused Wednesday’s disruptions, but&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/VerizonNews/status/2011639517728387452">confirmed</a>&nbsp;that the outage was resolved by 10:20 p.m. ET. Verizon previously said it had deployed its engineering teams to address “an issue impacting wireless voice and data services.”

“Today, we let many of our customers down and for that, we are truly sorry,” Verizon&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/VerizonNews/status/2011619325782999285">wrote</a>&nbsp;in updates shared on social media. A spokesperson later added that the company would give those impacted a $20 account credit through Verizon’s app, which on average “covers multiple days of service,” and directly contact its business customers with compensation.

Outage tracker Downdetector showed that Verizon customers began to report issues with their service around noon E.T. Wednesday. Reports appeared to peak in the early afternoon, but remained elevated later in the day. Downdetector&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/downdetector/posts/1357390536187206?ref=embed_page">said</a>&nbsp;it had received a total of over 1.5 million reports before 5 p.m. ET.

Impacted users said their phones were in “SOS” mode or had other no signal messages. In cities like New York, alerts warned that the outage may disrupt 911 calls — urging residents to try landlines and devices from other carriers, if available, or visit a local police or fire station in-person in case of an emergency.

Other major hubs impacted by Verizon’s outage included Houston, Philadelphia, Dallas and Miami, per Downdetector. But many consumers across the country said they experienced disruptions.

A handful of outage reports for other carriers also bubbled up on Wednesday — but companies like T-Mobile and AT&amp;T quickly confirmed online that their services were operating normally. Both suggested that their customers may have encountered issues contacting people with Verizon’s service, however.

When cellular outages happen, some phone companies also urge consumers to try to connect to Wi-Fi and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/att-outage-cell-service-phone-1cd6f595356b385cc9a4495d1f06b983">use internet calling</a>. If Wi-Fi is still unavailable, there can be a limited number of other options — including sending messages via satellite on newer iPhones.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727730650405.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Verizon said it resolved an outage that disrupted many U.S. customers’ calling and other cellular services for more than 10 hours on Wednesday.The New York-based carrier didn’t specify what caused Wednesday’s disruptions, but&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/VerizonNews/status/2011639517728387452">confirmed</a>&nbsp;that the outage was resolved by 10:20 p.m. ET. Verizon previously said it had deployed its engineering teams to address “an issue impacting wireless voice and data services.”“Today, we let many of our customers down and for that, we are truly sorry,” Verizon&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/VerizonNews/status/2011619325782999285">wrote</a>&nbsp;in updates shared on social media. A spokesperson later added that the company would give those impacted a $20 account credit through Verizon’s app, which on average “covers multiple days of service,” and directly contact its business customers with compensation.Outage tracker Downdetector showed that Verizon customers began to report issues with their service around noon E.T. Wednesday. Reports appeared to peak in the early afternoon, but remained elevated later in the day. Downdetector&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/downdetector/posts/1357390536187206?ref=embed_page">said</a>&nbsp;it had received a total of over 1.5 million reports before 5 p.m. ET.Impacted users said their phones were in “SOS” mode or had other no signal messages. In cities like New York, alerts warned that the outage may disrupt 911 calls — urging residents to try landlines and devices from other carriers, if available, or visit a local police or fire station in-person in case of an emergency.Other major hubs impacted by Verizon’s outage included Houston, Philadelphia, Dallas and Miami, per Downdetector. But many consumers across the country said they experienced disruptions.A handful of outage reports for other carriers also bubbled up on Wednesday — but companies like T-Mobile and AT&amp;T quickly confirmed online that their services were operating normally. Both suggested that their customers may have encountered issues contacting people with Verizon’s service, however.When cellular outages happen, some phone companies also urge consumers to try to connect to Wi-Fi and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/att-outage-cell-service-phone-1cd6f595356b385cc9a4495d1f06b983">use internet calling</a>. If Wi-Fi is still unavailable, there can be a limited number of other options — including sending messages via satellite on newer iPhones.

Verizon to issue credits to customers affected by cell service outage

“I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado told reporters after leaving the White House and heading to Capitol Hill. She said she had done so "as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”

(Jan. 9, President Trump commented on Machado and theNobel Peace Prize)

She did not provide more information on what was said, and the White House did not say if Trump accepted the medal or offer other details of its own.

After a closed-door meeting with Trump, Machado greeted dozens of cheering supporters waiting for her near the White House gates, stopping to hug many.

“I don’t think he needs to hear anything from Ms. Machado," the press secretary said while the meeting was still going on, other than to have a ”frank and positive discussion about what’s taking place in Venezuela.”

Asked if Machado had heard any commitment from the White House on holding elections in Venezuela, Murphy said, “No, I don’t think she got any commitment from them."

Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, was exultant following the meeting, saying Machado "delivered a message that loud and clear: What President Trump did was the most important, significant event in Latin America. That getting rid of Maduro was absolutely essential.”

Machado's Washington stop coincided with U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-sanctioned-oil-tanker-seized-a415e247fca429b00b9fbcf6b6cd90a5">seizing another sanctioned oil tanker</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration says had ties to Venezuela. It is part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">the South American country’s oil</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-presidential-palace-blowtorches-7969152ae48510003fe9cbde92f3c102">U.S. forces captured Maduro</a>&nbsp;and his wife less than two weeks ago at a heavily guarded compound in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and brought them to New York to stand trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maduro-venezuela-trump-criminal-case-131f59e517cc8314a53c8dace230d328">drug trafficking charges</a>.

Leavitt said Venezuela's interim authorities have been fully cooperating with the Trump administration and noted that Rodríguez's government said it planned to release more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-prisoners-released-us-maduro-rodriguez-7dc52c3ed6251f561b7754fd50182588">prisoners detained under Maduro</a>. Among those released were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezeula-american-detainees-released-43f779bfccc1c5df98780938a30a3417">five Americans</a>&nbsp;this week.

Just hours after Maduro's capture, Trump said of Machado that “it would be very tough for her to be the leader.” Machado had steered a careful course to avoid offending Trump, notably after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nobel-peace-prize-oslo-41b6bff88e2d57af0917bcf778e132ad">winning the peace prize</a>, and had sought to cultivate relationships with him and key administration voices like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-greenland-trump-maduro-60481ca89c1fa4ec94f692d648141051">Secretary of State Marco Rubio</a>.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday even as he has questioned her credibility to take over her country after the U.S. ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Donald J. Trump meets with María Corina Machado of Venezuela in the Oval Office, during which she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition and honor.🕊️ <a href="https://t.co/v7pYHjVNVO">pic.twitter.com/v7pYHjVNVO</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2012006221340164338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-machado-nobel-peace-prize-c7f47c161edc9b719dea3d0165f32a1f">Nobel Institute</a>&nbsp;has said Machado could not give her prize to Trump, an honor that he has coveted. Even if it the gesture proves to be purely symbolic, it was extraordinary given that Trump has effectively sidelined Machado, who has long been the face of resistance in Venezuela. He has signaled his willingness to work with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/delcy-rodriguez-maduro-trump-venezuela-e71f2289bc801446e05550d8f900a8d1">acting President Delcy Rodríguez</a>, who had been Maduro’s second in command.“I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado told reporters after leaving the White House and heading to Capitol Hill. She said she had done so "as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”(Jan. 9, President Trump commented on Machado and theNobel Peace Prize)<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Q: If Machado gives you her Nobel Peace Prize, will that change your view on her running Venezuela? Trump: Well, I have to speak to her. I think it&#39;s very nice she wants to come in…Norway is very embarrassed by what took place. They’re getting decimated <a href="https://t.co/FPQhsHU5es">pic.twitter.com/FPQhsHU5es</a>&mdash; Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/2009746495675695370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump has raised doubts about his stated commitment to backing democratic rule in Venezuela, giving no timetable on when elections might be held. Machado indicated that he had provided few specifics on that front during their discussion.She did not provide more information on what was said, and the White House did not say if Trump accepted the medal or offer other details of its own.<h2>‘We can count on President Trump’</h2>After a closed-door meeting with Trump, Machado greeted dozens of cheering supporters waiting for her near the White House gates, stopping to hug many.“We can count on President Trump,” she told them without elaborating, prompting some to briefly chant, “Thank you, Trump.”Before her visit to Washington, Machado had not been seen in public since she traveled last month to Norway, where her daughter received the peace prize on her behalf. She had spent 11 months in hiding in Venezuela before she appeared in Norway after the ceremony.The jubilant scene after her meeting with Trump stood in contrast to political realities in Venezuela. Rodríguez remains in charge of day-to-day government operations, along with others in Maduro’s inner circle. In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-delcy-rodriguez-state-of-union-trump-us-b5c53860386752930a56d1d8846d6440">her first state of the union speech</a>&nbsp;Thursday, the interim president promoted the resumption of diplomatic ties between the historic adversaries and advocated for opening the state-run oil industry to more foreign investment after Trump pledged to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-revenue-companies-sales-bdd21181e08889d6cca93f5acc7c0ee0">seize control</a>&nbsp;of Venezuelan crude sales.Trump has said it would be difficult for Machado to lead because she “doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.” Her party is widely believed to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-election-tally-sheets-actas-oas-carter-center-41d1000926d0ab99e522e53bf6c2b916">won 2024 elections</a>&nbsp;rejected by Maduro.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Machado “a remarkable and brave voice” but also said the meeting didn’t mean Trump’s opinion of her changed, calling it “a realistic assessment.”Leavitt told reporters that Trump supported new Venezuelan elections “when the time is right” but did not say when he thought that might be.<h2>A ‘frank and positive discussion’ about Venezuela</h2>Leavitt said Machado had sought the face-to-face meeting without setting expectations for what would occur. She spent about two and a half hours at the White House.“I don’t think he needs to hear anything from Ms. Machado," the press secretary said while the meeting was still going on, other than to have a ”frank and positive discussion about what’s taking place in Venezuela.”After leaving the White House, Machado went on to a closed-door meeting with a bipartisan group of senators.Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Machado told them that “if there’s not some progress, real progress towards a transition in power, and/or elections in the next several months, we should all be worried.”“She reminded us that Delcy Rodríguez is, in many ways, worse than Maduro,” he added.Asked if Machado had heard any commitment from the White House on holding elections in Venezuela, Murphy said, “No, I don’t think she got any commitment from them."Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, was exultant following the meeting, saying Machado "delivered a message that loud and clear: What President Trump did was the most important, significant event in Latin America. That getting rid of Maduro was absolutely essential.”Machado's Washington stop coincided with U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-sanctioned-oil-tanker-seized-a415e247fca429b00b9fbcf6b6cd90a5">seizing another sanctioned oil tanker</a>&nbsp;that the Trump administration says had ties to Venezuela. It is part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">the South American country’s oil</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-presidential-palace-blowtorches-7969152ae48510003fe9cbde92f3c102">U.S. forces captured Maduro</a>&nbsp;and his wife less than two weeks ago at a heavily guarded compound in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and brought them to New York to stand trial on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maduro-venezuela-trump-criminal-case-131f59e517cc8314a53c8dace230d328">drug trafficking charges</a>.Leavitt said Venezuela's interim authorities have been fully cooperating with the Trump administration and noted that Rodríguez's government said it planned to release more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-prisoners-released-us-maduro-rodriguez-7dc52c3ed6251f561b7754fd50182588">prisoners detained under Maduro</a>. Among those released were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezeula-american-detainees-released-43f779bfccc1c5df98780938a30a3417">five Americans</a>&nbsp;this week.Trump said Wednesday that he had a “great conversation” with Rodríguez, their first since Maduro was ousted.<h2>Machado doesn't get the nod from Trump</h2>Just hours after Maduro's capture, Trump said of Machado that “it would be very tough for her to be the leader.” Machado had steered a careful course to avoid offending Trump, notably after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nobel-peace-prize-oslo-41b6bff88e2d57af0917bcf778e132ad">winning the peace prize</a>, and had sought to cultivate relationships with him and key administration voices like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-greenland-trump-maduro-60481ca89c1fa4ec94f692d648141051">Secretary of State Marco Rubio</a>.The industrial engineer and daughter of a steel magnate, Machado began challenging the ruling party in 2004, when the nongovernmental organization she co-founded, Súmate, promoted a referendum to recall then-President Hugo Chávez. The initiative failed, and Machado and other Súmate executives were charged with conspiracy.A year later, she drew the anger of Chávez and his allies again for traveling to Washington to meet President George W. Bush, whom Chávez considered an adversary.Almost two decades later, she marshaled millions of Venezuelans to reject Chávez’s successor, Maduro, for another term in the 2024 election. But ruling party-loyal electoral authorities declared him the winner despite ample credible evidence to the contrary. Ensuing anti-government protests ended in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-election-edmundo-gonzalez-rights-75393ebfa98a0ae7f30801547265c2ba">brutal crackdown</a>.___Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Stephen Groves, Michelle L. Price and Matthew Lee in Washington, and Megan Janetsky in Mexico City contributed to this report.

Venezuela’s Machado presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal prosecutors charged 20 people on Thursday, including 15 former college basketball players, in what they called a betting scheme to rig NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games.

<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/981641066/Sports-Betting-Indictment-in-Philadelphia">Click here to read the </a>full indictment

Of the defendants, 15 played basketball for Division 1 NCAA schools as recently as the 2024-25 season. School included in the indictment are Nicholls State, Tulane, Northwestern State, St. Louis, La Salle, Fordham, DePaul, Robert Morris, Southern Miss, North Carolina A&amp;T, Kennesaw State, Coppin State, New Orleans, Abilene Christian, Eastern Michigan and Alabama State.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423601/dl?inline">Indictment - U.S. v. J. Smith et al</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423721/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Blakeney</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423746/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Adams</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423751/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Etienne</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423756/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Gray</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423761/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Hines</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423766/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. D. Smith</a>

The other five defendants were described by authorities as fixers.

They include two men who prosecutors say worked in the training and development of basketball players. Another was a trainer and former coach, one was a former NCAA player and two were described as gamblers, influencers and sports handicappers.

The charges, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, include wire fraud.

In the 70-page indictment, authorities say the fixers recruited the college basketball players with “bribe payments” usually ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.

The indictment follows a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-sports-betting-college-players-415d6d8987237fd1393819460986db47">NCAA investigations</a>&nbsp;that led to at least 10 players receiving lifetime bans this year for bets that sometimes involved their own teams and their own performances. And the NCAA has said that at least 30 players have been investigated over gambling allegations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750679049780.jpg" alt="Image Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal prosecutors charged 20 people on Thursday, including 15 former college basketball players, in what they called a betting scheme to rig NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games.<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/981641066/Sports-Betting-Indictment-in-Philadelphia">Click here to read the </a>full indictmentOf the defendants, 15 played basketball for Division 1 NCAA schools as recently as the 2024-25 season. School included in the indictment are Nicholls State, Tulane, Northwestern State, St. Louis, La Salle, Fordham, DePaul, Robert Morris, Southern Miss, North Carolina A&amp;T, Kennesaw State, Coppin State, New Orleans, Abilene Christian, Eastern Michigan and Alabama State.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768506815211.png" alt="<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423636/dl?inline">Defendants chart</a>&nbsp;U.S. Department of Justice" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423636/dl?inline">Defendants chart</a>&nbsp;U.S. Department of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423601/dl?inline">Indictment - U.S. v. J. Smith et al</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423721/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Blakeney</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423746/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Adams</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423751/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Etienne</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423756/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Gray</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423761/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Hines</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423766/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. D. Smith</a>The other five defendants were described by authorities as fixers.They include two men who prosecutors say worked in the training and development of basketball players. Another was a trainer and former coach, one was a former NCAA player and two were described as gamblers, influencers and sports handicappers.The charges, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, include wire fraud.In the 70-page indictment, authorities say the fixers recruited the college basketball players with “bribe payments” usually ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.The indictment follows a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-sports-betting-college-players-415d6d8987237fd1393819460986db47">NCAA investigations</a>&nbsp;that led to at least 10 players receiving lifetime bans this year for bets that sometimes involved their own teams and their own performances. And the NCAA has said that at least 30 players have been investigated over gambling allegations.

See the names, schools: Former NCAA players charged in betting scheme

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Court records show Rachel M. Perkins, the former director of the Hutchinson Kids Wrestling Club, has been charged with one count of theft by deception involving an alleged loss of between $1,500 and $25,000.

According to Reno County booking records, Perkins was booked into the Reno County Detention Center on Jan. 2. She made her first appearance in Reno County District Court on Jan. 9. As of now, no additional court date has been announced.

Charging documents allege Perkins stole approximately $10,000 from the wrestling club. Further details surrounding the allegations were not immediately available in court filings.

She met the requirement for bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768498994656.png" alt="Perkins photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Perkins photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Court records show Rachel M. Perkins, the former director of the Hutchinson Kids Wrestling Club, has been charged with one count of theft by deception involving an alleged loss of between $1,500 and $25,000.According to Reno County booking records, Perkins was booked into the Reno County Detention Center on Jan. 2. She made her first appearance in Reno County District Court on Jan. 9. As of now, no additional court date has been announced.Charging documents allege Perkins stole approximately $10,000 from the wrestling club. Further details surrounding the allegations were not immediately available in court filings.She met the requirement for bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Former director accused of theft from kids wrestling club in Kansas

By:<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/max-nesterak/">Max Nesterak</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/alyssachen/">Alyssa Chen</a> <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday morning to send the military into Minnesota to stop protests, following another shooting by immigration agents that injured one person, seven days after an agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.

Writing on his own social media platform, Trump said he would invoke the Insurrection Act, a 19th-century law empowering the government to deploy the military domestically to “repress insurrections and repel invasions.”

“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State. Thank you for you attention to this matter! President DJT,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115899252938886431" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on Truth Social.

The law grants an exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the military from performing domestic law enforcement.

The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush in response to civil unrest that included the deaths of 63 people, following the acquittal of four white police officers charged with beating to death Black driver Rodney King. The statute has been used about 30 times since the country’s founding, according to records kept by the Brennan Center for Justice.

Protests erupted across the Twin Cities after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/07/ice-officer-fatally-shoots-driver-through-car-window-in-minneapolis/">shot and killed</a>&nbsp;37-year-old Renee Good in south Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

The demonstrations escalated Wednesday night after a federal immigration agent shot and injured a man in north Minneapolis.&nbsp;

According to a statement issued by the Department of Homeland Security, a man crashed his vehicle and ran away as agents were “conducting a targeted traffic stop” at 6:50 p.m. Central time. An agent fired “a defensive shot to defend his life” after the man and two bystanders “attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle,” according to the statement.&nbsp;

The agent shot the man in the leg, according to the department. The statement described the man as “an illegal alien from Venezuela who was released into the country by Joe Biden in 2022.”

States Newsroom’s Minnesota Reformer was unable to confirm the account.&nbsp;

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a late-night press conference that the man was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Reformer&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/14/second-person-in-a-week-shot-by-federal-immigration-agent-in-minneapolis/">reported</a>&nbsp;that scores of demonstrators arrived at the scene, sparking a back-and-forth with agents, who deployed tear gas and flash bangs. Agents detained at least two people after someone threw fireworks at the agents. At least two vehicles believed to be used by federal officers were vandalized. The clashes largely stopped by 11:30 p.m., according to the Reformer.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked for calm and reiterated his call for the Trump administration to remove ICE from the city.

Trump surged more ICE agents to Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Good, bringing the total to roughly 3,000 — far outnumbering the city’s 600 local police officers.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768497897095.jpeg" alt="Federal Bureau of Prisons officers on the scene where a federal immigration agent shot a man Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in north Minneapolis. (Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)" />
 <figcaption>Federal Bureau of Prisons officers on the scene where a federal immigration agent shot a man Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in north Minneapolis. (Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/max-nesterak/">Max Nesterak</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/alyssachen/">Alyssa Chen</a> <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday morning to send the military into Minnesota to stop protests, following another shooting by immigration agents that injured one person, seven days after an agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768498113412.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Writing on his own social media platform, Trump said he would invoke the Insurrection Act, a 19th-century law empowering the government to deploy the military domestically to “repress insurrections and repel invasions.”“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State. Thank you for you attention to this matter! President DJT,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115899252938886431" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on Truth Social.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/EFBOPpNluy">pic.twitter.com/EFBOPpNluy</a>&mdash; Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz/status/2011832759522615367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The law grants an exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the military from performing domestic law enforcement.The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush in response to civil unrest that included the deaths of 63 people, following the acquittal of four white police officers charged with beating to death Black driver Rodney King. The statute has been used about 30 times since the country’s founding, according to records kept by the Brennan Center for Justice.Protests erupted across the Twin Cities after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/07/ice-officer-fatally-shoots-driver-through-car-window-in-minneapolis/">shot and killed</a>&nbsp;37-year-old Renee Good in south Minneapolis on Jan. 7.The demonstrations escalated Wednesday night after a federal immigration agent shot and injured a man in north Minneapolis.&nbsp;According to a statement issued by the Department of Homeland Security, a man crashed his vehicle and ran away as agents were “conducting a targeted traffic stop” at 6:50 p.m. Central time. An agent fired “a defensive shot to defend his life” after the man and two bystanders “attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle,” according to the statement.&nbsp;The agent shot the man in the leg, according to the department. The statement described the man as “an illegal alien from Venezuela who was released into the country by Joe Biden in 2022.”States Newsroom’s Minnesota Reformer was unable to confirm the account.&nbsp;Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a late-night press conference that the man was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The Reformer&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/14/second-person-in-a-week-shot-by-federal-immigration-agent-in-minneapolis/">reported</a>&nbsp;that scores of demonstrators arrived at the scene, sparking a back-and-forth with agents, who deployed tear gas and flash bangs. Agents detained at least two people after someone threw fireworks at the agents. At least two vehicles believed to be used by federal officers were vandalized. The clashes largely stopped by 11:30 p.m., according to the Reformer.Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked for calm and reiterated his call for the Trump administration to remove ICE from the city.Trump surged more ICE agents to Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Good, bringing the total to roughly 3,000 — far outnumbering the city’s 600 local police officers.&nbsp;

President Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act, deploy military in Minnesota

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea have seized another sanctioned oil tanker the Trump administration says has ties to Venezuela, part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">the South American country’s oil</a>.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote Thursday on social media, “Motor Tanker Veronica had previously passed through Venezuelan waters, and was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”

A social media post from U.S. Southern Command on the capture said that Marines and sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to make the capture while Noem’s post noted that, like in previous raids, a U.S. Coast Guard tactical team conducted the boarding and seizure.

Noem posted a brief video that appeared to show part of the ship’s capture. The black-and-white footage showed helicopters hovering over the deck of a merchant vessel while armed troops dropped down on the deck by rope.

The Veronica is the sixth tanker that has been seized by U.S. forces as part of the effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control the production, refining and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products, and the fourth since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">the U.S. ouster of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid almost two weeks ago.

Noem, in her social media post, said that the raid was carried out with “close coordination with our colleagues” in the military as well as the State and Justice departments.

“Our heroic Coast Guard men and women once again ensured a flawlessly executed operation, in accordance with international law,” Noem added.

As with prior posts, Noem and the military framed the seizure as part of an effort to enforce the law. Noem argued that the multiple captures show that “there is no outrunning or escaping American justice.”

However, other officials in Trump's Republican administration have made clear they see it as a way to generate cash as they seek to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry and restore its economy.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea have seized another sanctioned oil tanker the Trump administration says has ties to Venezuela, part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">the South American country’s oil</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Through <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpSouthernSpear?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpSouthernSpear</a>, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere in partnership with <a href="https://twitter.com/USCG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USCG</a> through <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DHSgov</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheJusticeDept</a>. In another pre-dawn action, Marines and Sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear,… <a href="https://t.co/brxO9xXUu3">pic.twitter.com/brxO9xXUu3</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2011798070816612578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote Thursday on social media, “Motor Tanker Veronica had previously passed through Venezuelan waters, and was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”A social media post from U.S. Southern Command on the capture said that Marines and sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to make the capture while Noem’s post noted that, like in previous raids, a U.S. Coast Guard tactical team conducted the boarding and seizure.Noem posted a brief video that appeared to show part of the ship’s capture. The black-and-white footage showed helicopters hovering over the deck of a merchant vessel while armed troops dropped down on the deck by rope.The Veronica is the sixth tanker that has been seized by U.S. forces as part of the effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control the production, refining and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products, and the fourth since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">the U.S. ouster of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid almost two weeks ago.Noem, in her social media post, said that the raid was carried out with “close coordination with our colleagues” in the military as well as the State and Justice departments.“Our heroic Coast Guard men and women once again ensured a flawlessly executed operation, in accordance with international law,” Noem added.As with prior posts, Noem and the military framed the seizure as part of an effort to enforce the law. Noem argued that the multiple captures show that “there is no outrunning or escaping American justice.”However, other officials in Trump's Republican administration have made clear they see it as a way to generate cash as they seek to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry and restore its economy.Last week, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-chevron-exxonmobil-conocophillips-0e0619a991e92fd546504f1a613161e7">met with executives from oil companies</a>&nbsp;to discuss his goal of investing $100 billion in Venezuela to repair and upgrade its oil production and distribution. His administration has said it expects to sell at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-trump-democrats-9d16138866bebdc2644eb009c6326066">30 million to 50 million barrels</a>&nbsp;of sanctioned Venezuelan oil.___