đ¤ĄWashington State AG Warns Citizen Journalists Away from Somali Daycare Probes Under Threat of Hate Crime
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown issued a statement warning citizen journalists to cease visiting and filming Somali-run home-based daycare providers amid allegations of fraud, citing reports of harassment and threats against the facilities. Brown stated that his office had received complaints from Somali community members about unverified accusations and urged individuals to report suspected fraud through official channels at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families rather than conducting on-site investigations themselves. He emphasized that showing up at residences, threatening providers, or filming minors constitutes unsafe and potentially dangerous behavior that could warrant involvement from law enforcement or the stateâs hate crimes hotline. The warning follows viral videos from independent journalists documenting apparent discrepancies at several taxpayer-funded Somali daycares in Washington, including facilities receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars with no visible signs of children or operations, echoing a larger fraud investigation that began in Minnesota and has expanded nationwide.
Sources: ZeroHedge, American Greatness
đď¸Trump Orders National Guard Withdrawal from Major Cities
President Trump announced the withdrawal of National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, stating that their presence had greatly reduced crime in these Democrat-led urban centers and asserting that the cities would have been lost without federal intervention. He emphasized that the dedicated service of these patriotic guardsmen alone accounted for the crime reductions and warned that federal forces could return in a stronger capacity should crime rates rise again, describing it as merely a matter of time given the perceived incompetence of local Democrat leadership. The decision follows multiple legal challenges, including a Supreme Court denial of the administrationâs request to deploy troops in Chicago, a federal judgeâs temporary block in Los Angeles restoring state control, and a permanent block in Portland, while federal immigration operations continue in Chicago and Guard presence remains in other locations like Washington, D.C., and New Orleans.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, The Daily Wire
đąMinnesota Fraud Scandal Sparks Citizen Scrutiny in Other States
A massive fraud scheme in Minnesotaâs federal child nutrition programs, where perpetrators stole hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds intended to feed needy children during the pandemic, has rightfully alarmed citizens nationwide and prompted independent investigations into similar childcare providers in Ohio and Washington. The scandal centered on nonprofit organizations claiming to serve thousands of meals daily while providing few or none, leading to dozens of convictions and highlighting serious lapses in government oversight that allowed such exploitation of public resources. Viral videos by citizen journalists conducting unannounced visits to apparently inactive facilities have exposed potential patterns of abuse, raising legitimate concerns about the integrity of state-administered welfare programs and the need for stronger safeguards to protect taxpayer dollars from waste and criminal activity.
Sources: Breitbart, The Daily Caller
đď¸New York City Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani Sworn In at Midnight; AOC, Sanders Attend
Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and former state assemblyman, was officially sworn in as New York Cityâs mayor just after midnight on January 1, 2026, in a private ceremony held at the historic decommissioned Old City Hall subway station. New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath while Mamdaniâs wife, Rama Duwaji, stood beside him. Mamdani became the cityâs first Muslim mayor and the first to take the oath on a Quran. In his initial remarks as mayor, he described the event as the honor and privilege of a lifetime and highlighted the subway station as a testament to public transitâs vital role in the cityâs health and legacy. He also announced Mike Flynn as his new commissioner of the Department of Transportation. A larger public inauguration followed later that day at City Hall, with Senator Bernie Sanders administering a ceremonial oath after remarks by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, accompanied by an open block party for all New Yorkers. Mamdani had won the November 2025 election against former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa after surging from single-digit polling support.
đ13% of Homes Destroyed in LA Fires Have Permit to Rebuild; âEndangered Plantsâ Hindered Firefighting
Nearly one year after the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed over 16,000 structures in Los Angeles, only about 13 percent of affected homes have received rebuilding permits, with Los Angeles County issuing permits for roughly 16 percent in areas like Altadena and the city managing under 14 percent. Many applications remain pending as homeowners grapple with insurance shortfalls, design decisions, and permitting processes. A lawsuit brought by fire victims alleges that state policies prioritizing protection of endangered plants, such as Brauntonâs milkvetch in Topanga State Park, restricted aggressive firefighting tactics during the blazes. Evidence from a draft Wildlife Management Plan designates large avoidance areas where heavy equipment, vehicles, retardants, and mop-up operations are limited without resource advisor consultation to safeguard sensitive natural and cultural resources. Text messages among state parks employees during the Lachman Fire, which reignited into the larger Palisades Fire, reference concerns over impacting endangered plants and cultural sites, influencing decisions against using bulldozers.
Sources: The Post Millennial, The City Journal
âď¸Jack Smith Withheld Key Details from Judges on GOP Lawmakersâ Phone Records
Former special counsel Jack Smith testified in a closed-door deposition that judges approving subpoenas and non-disclosure orders for phone records from carriers like AT&T and Verizon were not informed the targets included Republican members of Congress, as it was not Department of Justice policy at the time to identify them. This occurred during the FBIâs Arctic Frost investigation into 2020 election interference, which involved seizing metadata from around a dozen GOP lawmakers, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, Rep. Scott Perry, and senators such as Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty, Rick Scott, Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley, Tommy Tuberville, Ron Johnson, Dan Sullivan, and Cynthia Lummis. Smith maintained the actions were lawful, consistent with policy, and necessary to prevent obstruction risks, while emphasizing respect for the Speech or Debate Clause and noting DOJ approval. Lawmakers raised concerns over potential violations of constitutional protections and Separation of Powers.
Sources: The New York Post, The Washington Examiner
đ°Federal Appeals Court Halts Hawaii Cruise Ship Tax
On New Yearâs Eve, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction pending appeal that blocks enforcement of Hawaiiâs Act 96 as it applies to cruise ships, preventing a new 11 percent taxâpotentially rising to 14 percent with county surchargesâon prorated gross passenger fares from taking effect on January 1, 2026. This tax, part of a broader increase in transient accommodations taxes aimed at generating revenue for climate-related issues such as shoreline erosion and wildfires, was challenged by the Cruise Lines International Association on grounds that it violates constitutional provisions against taxing vessels for port entry and would raise costs for travelers. A federal district judge had previously upheld the law, prompting the successful appeal for a temporary halt while the case proceeds. Hawaii officials expressed confidence in the lawâs ultimate validity.
Sources: The Epoch Times, CBS News
đď¸Congressional Testimony Reveals Key January 6 Testimony Based on Hearsay
Former special counsel Jack Smith acknowledged in a December 2025 congressional deposition that Cassidy Hutchinson, a prominent witness in the January 6 proceedings, provided substantial testimony reliant on secondhand or thirdhand hearsay rather than firsthand knowledge. Smith stated that if acting as a defense attorney, he would seek to exclude portions of her testimony on hearsay grounds, noting it formed a significant part of her accounts. He described Hutchinson as a second or thirdhand witness whose claims, including reports of events inside the presidential vehicle, were contradicted by direct interviews with Secret Service agents and others present. Smith emphasized that hearsay evidence lacks the strength of direct testimony and may prove inadmissible in court. These admissions highlight evidentiary weaknesses in aspects of the January 6 investigation tied to Hutchinsonâs 2022 statements.
Sources: Legal Insurrection, PJ Media
đNYC Socialist Mayor Appoints Al-Qaeda Defender as Chief Counsel Amid Outrage
New York Cityâs newly elected socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, announced the appointment of Ramzi Kassem as chief counsel effective January 1, 2026. Kassem is a CUNY law professor with prior experience as a senior policy advisor in the Biden administration from 2022 to 2024. He defended Ahmed al-Darbi, an al-Qaeda terrorist who pled guilty to conspiracy in the 2002 bombing of the French oil tanker MV Limburg off Yemenâs coast. That attack resulted in one civilian death and multiple injuries. Al-Darbi was convicted in 2017 and transferred to Saudi custody in 2018 under the Trump administration. Kassem expressed hope that the transfer marked the end of injustice for al-Darbi after sixteen years in captivity. Kassem also represented Columbia University anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil, arrested by ICE in 2025 for leading antisemitic demonstrations. Khalilâs case remains ongoing after his release. Kassem founded the CLEAR law clinic to support Muslim communities and others targeted by government agencies under national security and counterterrorism guises. Mamdani stated that Kassemâs remarkable experience and commitment to defending abandoned individuals would strengthen City Hall. The mayor-elect emphasized building a prosperous city for marginalized groups like homeless veterans, patients needing care, and immigrants. The appointment has sparked significant backlash. Assemblyman Kalman Yeger accused Mamdani of signaling welcome to America haters. Yeger noted that Kassemâs defense of terrorists disqualified him when many brilliant legal minds without such histories are available. Councilwoman Vickie Paladino described the choice as a monumental failure of post-9/11 immigration policies. She called for greater federal involvement to check such appointments less than twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks that killed thousands of New Yorkers.
Sources: The Times of Israel, YouTube
đTexas Muslim Development Faces Strong Opposition
A proposed 402-acre residential development in rural Collin and Hunt counties near Dallas, initially named EPIC City and later rebranded The Meadow after public backlash, is led by the East Plano Islamic Center and Community Capital Partners with plans for over 1,000 homes, a central mosque, a faith-based K-12 school, community college, senior housing, sports facilities, businesses, and an outreach center, while early promotional materials described it as the epicenter of Islam in America. Local residents have voiced deep concerns at public meetings about compatibility with American laws and potential imposition of sharia principles in a predominantly Christian area, prompting Texas Governor Greg Abbott to declare the project would remain an empty meadow and direct multiple state agencies to investigate alleged violations. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit alleging securities fraud, improper fundraising, and personal enrichment by leaders, alongside new state laws banning exclusionary religious compounds and restricting foreign adversary land ownership that directly target such developments. Developers insist the community is open to all and complies with U.S. laws, denying any intent to enforce sharia or discriminate.
Sources: Office of the State of Texas Attorney General, The Epoch Times
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đĽDozens Killed in Crans-Montana Ski Resort Fire
A devastating fire ripped through the Le Constellation bar in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time on January 1, 2026, during a crowded New Yearâs celebration with over 100 people inside. Swiss authorities report several tens of people presumed dead, with estimates around 40 fatalities based on information provided to the Italian foreign ministry. More than 100 individuals were injured, most seriously with severe burns requiring treatment across multiple hospitals, overwhelming local intensive care units and prompting patient transfers. Emergency services mobilized 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances in a swift response praised by officials. Prosecutor-general Beatrice Pilloud confirmed authorities favor a fire as the cause with no indication of an attack, while investigations continue as experts have yet to fully access the building. The incident involved multiple nationalities given the resortâs tourist appeal, and victim identification proceeds carefully out of respect for families amid a closed district.
Sources: Wales Online, The Daily Mail
đ¨Venezuela Detains Additional Americans Amid Heightened U.S. Pressure
Venezuelan authorities have detained several American citizens in recent months as the Trump administration has intensified military and economic measures against the Maduro regime, including naval deployments in the Caribbean and actions targeting oil exports. These detentions include three Venezuelan-American dual nationals and two U.S. citizens with no prior ties to Venezuela, with some facing criminal charges under local laws while the U.S. considers designating at least two cases as wrongful. The increase in arrests followed stalled negotiations after an earlier release of 17 Americans and permanent residents, with one identified detainee being 28-year-old James Luckey-Lange from New York, who went missing after entering the country in December. Former detainees have reported harsh conditions and baseless charges, and the State Department maintains a Level 4 travel advisory warning of risks including wrongful detention.
đľFrance Protects Children From Social Media Harms
France is advancing a draft law to prohibit online platforms from providing social media services to minors under the age of 15 starting September 2026. The measure addresses documented risks associated with excessive screen time among youth, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyber-harassment, and disruptions to sleep patterns. Supported by President Emmanuel Macron, the proposal follows previous efforts, such as a 2023 law requiring parental consent for under-15 accounts that faced enforcement difficulties, and it aligns with growing recognition of the need to safeguard young people from online dangers while extending existing mobile phone restrictions in schools.
Sources: The Straits Times, Reuters
đIranian Protesters Defy Regime with Anti-Khamenei Chants
Widespread protests have erupted across Iran for a fourth consecutive day amid severe economic hardship and political repression, marking the largest nationwide unrest since the 2022 demonstrations following Mahsa Aminiâs death in custody. Demonstrators in cities including Tehran, Bandar Ganaveh, Marvdasht, and Nurabad have clashed with security forces deploying gunfire, tear gas, and water cannons. Protesters have chanted âDown with Khameneiâ and âDeath to Khamenei,â while merchants initiated strikes over inflation, currency collapse, regime corruption, and declining living standards. The government imposed a one-day shutdown of businesses, universities, and offices in 21 provinces to curb the unrest. In several locations, crowds stood firm against attacks, forcing security retreats and destroying repressive vehicles. Videos document full market closures and direct defiance of the clerical leadership established in 1979.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit, Breitbart
â ď¸New Yearâs Eve Massacre Christian Community Nigeria
On December 31, 2025, gunmen attacked the Christian Bum community in Chugwi, Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area in Plateau State, Nigeria, around 11:00 p.m. as residents prepared for the new year. Seven bodies were recovered the following morning, with ongoing search-and-rescue efforts raising concerns of a higher death toll despite prior security warnings about risks to local communities. Churches in Adamawa State canceled traditional crossover services after intelligence from the Department of State Services indicated planned terrorist attacks. The Adamawa State government also canceled its official New Year event for safety reasons. This incident fits a pattern of violence against Christian communities in Nigeriaâs central and northern regions, exacerbated by armed banditry and jihadist activities.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit, The Washington Times