U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained four members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Minneapolis. The tribe is trying to confirm the men's identities and understand the reason for their detention. The tribal authorities assert that, as U.S. citizens, the men should not be detained by ICE.
Key Facts
ICE detained four members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Minneapolis.
The men were homeless and staying near the Little Earth housing complex.
Their names were not recorded when taken into custody.
The tribe is based on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out expressed concern on social media.
The tribe contacted Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to verify the men's identities.
The tribe emphasizes the men are U.S. citizens, which means ICE should not detain them.
The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 recognizes Native Americans born in the U.S. as citizens.
A federal judge in Boston is planning to temporarily block President Trump's plan to end a program that allows family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders to join them while their immigration applications are pending. The Family Reunification Parole program affects about 10,000 people, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had planned to end it due to concerns about fraud and abuse. The judge expressed concerns about the method being used to end the program and may issue a temporary restraining order to prevent families from being separated.
Key Facts
A judge plans to temporarily stop the ending of a program called Family Reunification Parole.
This program lets family members join U.S. citizens and green card holders while waiting for visa processing.
About 10,000 family members benefit from this program.
The Department of Homeland Security announced ending the program in December due to fraud and abuse concerns.
Many affected by the change come from countries like Colombia, Cuba, and Guatemala.
The program was expanded in 2023 during the Biden administration.
DHS suggested security concerns could be handled at U.S. ports of entry.
Government lawyers claim resources for this program can be used better elsewhere.
Some Democrats are considering impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after shootings in Minneapolis and Portland. A few Democratic members of Congress argue for impeachment, while others believe investigations should happen first. With Republicans controlling Congress, it's unlikely any impeachment efforts will succeed.
Key Facts
Democrats are discussing impeachment for Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary.
The discussion intensified after recent shootings in Minneapolis and Portland.
Some Democrats, like Rep. Robin Kelly, plan to introduce articles of impeachment against Noem.
Allegations against Noem include obstruction of justice and violation of public trust.
Not everyone in the Democratic Party agrees with pursuing impeachment without investigations.
Republicans control Congress, making impeachment unlikely to progress.
Democrats believe there is public outrage over the recent events involving Noem.
Some Democrats continue to urge for oversight and hearings before deciding on impeachment.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has urged 10 states to reject a Justice Department request for detailed voter registration files, citing legal concerns. The DNC argues that the request could violate federal election laws and mistakenly remove eligible voters. States considering the request include Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas.
Key Facts
The DNC sent letters to officials in 10 states, asking them to reject a DOJ request for unredacted voter rolls.
The DOJ seeks access to voter data that includes driver's license numbers and partial Social Security numbers.
The DNC argues this request may violate the National Voter Registration Act.
The agreement proposed by the DOJ could wrongfully remove eligible voters from rolls.
The DOJ's request includes a 45-day timeline for states to clean up voter registration data.
President Trump's administration previously attempted to require proof of citizenship for voter registration, but it was struck down by a court.
States like Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas are considering negotiations with the DOJ.
The DNC states that compliance with the DOJ request would require significant resources and could lead to errors.
A federal judge in Chicago is considering a request to dismiss a lawsuit regarding the use of force by federal agents after a woman was shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The judge is concerned about the safety measures for journalists and protesters, as previous enforcement operations have faced criticism. A related legal injunction is also under review, which could affect how federal agents operate.
Key Facts
A federal judge in Chicago is reviewing a motion to dismiss a lawsuit about federal agents' use of force.
The lawsuit includes claims from news organizations and protesters about excessive force during ICE operations.
The judge is worried about another recent shooting involving an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
An ICE officer shot a woman, Renee Nicole Good, claiming self-defense during a traffic stop.
State and local leaders dispute the ICE officer's claim of self-defense.
The lawsuit had led to an injunction limiting federal agents’ use of force.
A federal appeals court temporarily blocked the injunction.
Plaintiffs have moved to dismiss the lawsuit, citing changes in enforcement operations in Chicago.
President Trump is planning a new ballroom addition to the White House. The building will be 90,000 square feet and can hold up to 1,000 guests. It will also include public access to the White House and improvements to a nearby park.
Key Facts
The new ballroom will be located in the East Wing of the White House.
Architect Shalom Baranes is responsible for the design.
The ballroom will be 90,000 square feet in size.
It will have ceilings about 40 feet high.
The ballroom can accommodate 1,000 seated guests.
The project includes improving Lafayette Park, located across the street.
Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Her wife, Becca Good, released a statement describing Renee's kindness and their life together. This incident is part of an ongoing investigation.
Key Facts
Renee Nicole Good, aged 37, was shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
Her wife, Becca Good, described her as a kind and joyful person.
They moved to Minnesota to start a better life and felt welcomed by the community.
They were raising their child with the values of compassion and kindness.
The shooting happened on January 7th during a situation where they were unarmed.
The family requests privacy and aims to honor Renee’s memory by promoting kindness.
The Colorado attorney general has accused President Donald Trump's administration of punishing the state for not releasing a jailed elections clerk, Tina Peters, and for maintaining its mail-in voting system. The state claims the administration cut funds and moved federal programs as a form of revenge. The administration has not yet responded to these allegations.
Key Facts
Colorado's attorney general claims the Trump administration is punishing the state over their refusal to release former elections clerk Tina Peters.
Tina Peters was convicted for her role in a data breach related to false claims about the 2020 election.
The administration is alleged to have cut funds and moved federal programs affecting Colorado.
Colorado's mail-in voting system, which Trump opposes, is cited as a reason for these actions.
The state attorney general has filed a lawsuit challenging these federal decisions.
White House representatives have not formally addressed the lawsuit's claims.
President Trump issued a symbolic pardon for Tina Peters, which does not apply to state convictions.
Experts say Colorado's mail-in voting system is safe and impartial.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is facing scrutiny after a video emerged showing the perspective of an ICE agent during a shooting incident in Minneapolis, where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot. The video has led to divided reactions, with some supporting the agent's claim of self-defense and others criticizing the shooting. The investigation into the incident continues, with officials calling for a broader review.
Key Facts
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman, was killed during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
ICE claims that Good tried to use her vehicle as a weapon against an agent, prompting him to shoot in self-defense.
A video showing the agent’s perspective was released, stirring diverse public reactions.
Prominent Republicans have expressed support for the agent, citing self-defense.
Critics argue that the video shows the shooting was unnecessary and question the agent's claim of fearing for his life.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has asked for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to assist in the investigation.
The incident highlights ongoing debates over ICE operations and use of force.
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal criticized ICE, calling it fake law enforcement. She said she would arrest ICE agents who commit crimes in the city. District Attorney Larry Krasner supported her statement after an ICE officer was involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis.
Key Facts
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling it "fake, made-up law enforcement."
Bilal promised to arrest ICE agents who commit crimes in Philadelphia.
District Attorney Larry Krasner supported Bilal's comments.
The remarks followed an incident where an ICE officer fatally shot a driver in Minneapolis.
President Donald Trump and his officials said the shooting was in self-defense.
The Minneapolis shooting incident has led to public outrage.
The U.S. is experiencing a severe flu season with some initial signs of decline, but experts believe the season hasn't peaked yet. The most common flu virus this year is a new variant that differs from the strain in the current flu vaccines. The flu has led to millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths in the U.S. so far this season.
Key Facts
Flu infections in the U.S. showed a small decline last week.
The flu season is severe and may not have peaked yet.
The H3N2 flu virus is the most reported this season.
Over 91% of H3N2 infections involve a new variant not covered by this year's vaccine.
15 million flu cases and 180,000 hospitalizations have occurred this season.
There have been about 7,400 flu-related deaths, including 17 children, reported.
Health officials will no longer officially recommend flu vaccines for children; this is now advised to be a decision made with a doctor.
Flu season usually worsens during winter along with COVID-19 and RSV infections.
President Trump's administration announced higher fees for fast-track processing of certain visa applications, including work and student visas. The fee increases are due to inflation, and the new costs will be effective from March 1. The changes aim to improve processing times but some criticize the system for favoring those who can afford to pay more.
Key Facts
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased fees for premium processing of several visa types.
Fee increases apply to H-1B, L1, O-1, P visas, and student visas like the F1 and STEM-OPT.
The increase ranges from about $50 to $100 to account for inflation.
Premium processing speeds up applications, aiming for review within 15 to 45 business days.
Using premium processing is optional, and applicants need to request it.
Revenue from these increases will help improve case processing and reduce application backlogs.
The new fees take effect on March 1, with other fee increases for asylum and work permits already in place.
Luigi Mangione, charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared in court to challenge the death penalty and certain evidence against him. His lawyers argue that pretrial publicity and improperly obtained evidence prejudice his case. Mangione has pleaded not guilty, and the judge has yet to set a trial date.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.
Prosecutors want the death penalty, but Mangione’s lawyers are fighting this in court.
Mangione was arrested five days after the incident at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania.
Police say they found a gun and a notebook in Mangione's backpack during his arrest; his lawyers argue this search was illegal.
Judge Margaret Garnett has not set a date for Mangione's trial.
Mangione’s defense team claims pretrial publicity has unfairly influenced public opinion.
The U.S. Attorney General announced she wants the death penalty for Mangione, calling the crime "premeditated."
In 2025, the United States saw job growth slow down, with December adding only 50,000 jobs, marking the weakest job creation since 2020. The unemployment rate fell to 4.4%, and overall, the year experienced an average of 49,000 new jobs per month, influenced by President Trump's policy changes.
Key Facts
In December 2025, the US added 50,000 jobs, according to Labor Department data.
The unemployment rate in December 2025 dropped to 4.4%.
The job growth in 2025 was the lowest since the Covid pandemic in 2020.
On average, 49,000 jobs were added each month in 2025.
Job gains in October and November 2025 were revised down by 76,000 jobs.
US employers faced challenges due to policy changes such as tariffs and immigration restrictions.
The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate to try to boost the economy amid slow job growth.
There were no widespread layoffs despite the slow hiring rate.
A judge has ruled that police legally took Luigi Mangione's backpack during his arrest, which included evidence related to the alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. This decision affects Mangione’s defense strategy, but the judge still needs to decide if any of the evidence from the backpack will be excluded from the case.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione is accused of shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
A U.S. judge said police legally seized Mangione's backpack during his arrest in Pennsylvania.
The backpack might contain important evidence like the alleged murder weapon.
Mangione's defense wanted the case dismissed, claiming the evidence was obtained illegally.
The judge will decide which pieces of evidence from the backpack can be used in court.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to charges of stalking and killing Thompson.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in this case.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has asked the public to send any evidence related to the shooting of Renee Good to her office. This request comes after the Trump administration decided to let only the FBI handle the investigation, excluding state and local agencies.
Key Facts
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty requested public help in gathering evidence for the Renee Good shooting case.
The shooting happened in Minneapolis and involved an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
The Trump administration decided that only the FBI should investigate the case.
Moriarty is concerned that state investigators won't get evidence from the FBI.
Moriarty believes her office has the right to be involved in the case despite it involving a federal officer.
The decision to leave the investigation to the FBI has sparked some protests.
President Donald Trump posted unreleased jobs data on social media, leading to concerns about market influence. The unauthorized early release occurred due to a mistake involving data normally shared only with the president before public release. The official jobs report showed fewer jobs added than President Trump's post suggested, sparking speculation and criticism.
Key Facts
President Trump shared unreleased jobs data on social media before the December jobs report was officially out.
A White House official stated that the early data release was accidental and under review.
Trump had previously fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, claiming she manipulated data for political reasons.
The graphic posted by Trump showed a large increase in private sector jobs but no context or comments were provided with it.
The official December jobs report showed the U.S. added about 50,000 jobs, contrary to the higher numbers suggested by Trump's post.
Revisions to previous months’ data showed 76,000 fewer jobs than initially reported.
The early release led to accusations and speculation about attempts to influence market reactions.
Critics on social media accused the administration of manipulating job data for political gain.
A video has gone viral of a woman commenting on the usefulness of "white tears" at a memorial for Renee Nicole Good, who was shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The shooting is under investigation, with differing opinions on whether it was justified. The incident has sparked online debates about race and privilege in the United States.
Key Facts
Renee Nicole Good was shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.
The video of a woman discussing "white tears" at Good's memorial has been viewed over 7 million times on social media.
The woman in the video discussed her discomfort about attending the memorial due to her white privilege.
The Department of Homeland Security claims Good threatened the officer with her car.
Critics argue that video footage shows Good was attempting to drive away during the incident.
The shooting and the video have led to debates on social media, involving both political sides.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has requested federal investigation support from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
A new video shows the perspective of an ICE agent involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis. Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE officer during a traffic stop, and the incident happened amid President Trump's immigration operations. The video has been shared publicly, and officials are looking into the details.
Key Facts
A video from Alpha News shows an ICE agent's point of view during a shooting in Minneapolis.
Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot by an ICE officer during a traffic stop.
The incident occurred in a residential area of Minneapolis.
The shooting was part of immigration enforcement under President Trump.
Vice President JD Vance shared the video, stating the agent acted in self-defense.
The video contains exchanges between the ICE agent and individuals at the scene.
The situation escalated, and gunshots were heard after a vehicle moved forward and backward.
Democrats are trying to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem after a federal agent was involved in a deadly shooting. The effort faces long odds in a Congress where Republicans control both the House and Senate. The Department of Homeland Security called the move "silly" and said the focus should be on protecting people.
Key Facts
Democrats want to impeach Kristi Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security.
The call for impeachment follows a fatal shooting by a federal agent in Minneapolis.
Democratic Representative Robin Kelly announced the impeachment push.
House and Senate are both controlled by Republicans, making impeachment unlikely.
DHS dismissed the impeachment efforts as a distraction.
Kelly and other Democrats accuse Noem of misconduct and mismanagement.
Noem has previously faced an impeachment ultimatum from another Democrat.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus criticized Noem's response to the shooting.
