Latest News Digest – January 15, 2026

National News

Ongoing Conflicts in Minneapolis as ICE Continues Operations - On January 7, 2026, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good during an immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. Federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), maintain that Good attempted to ram the agent with her SUV, striking him and causing internal bleeding to his torso, prompting him to fire in self-defense. The agent was treated and released from the hospital the same day. As of January 15, 2026, protests over Good's death have intensified, with demonstrations turning violent at times, including reports of vandalism to ICE vehicles (such as spray-painting threats) and confrontations where agents smashed car windows to remove protesters. A separate ICE-related shooting occurred on January 14, when a federal agent shot a Venezuelan man in the leg after allegedly being attacked with a shovel during an operation in north Minneapolis; the man survived, and an agent was also reportedly injured in that incident. President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act if unrest continues, while local officials like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have condemned federal tactics. - foxnews.com

$700 Million in Cash Moved Through Minneapolis Airport - Federal authorities, prompted by Senate Judiciary Committee inquiries from Sen. Chuck Grassley, are investigating reports that nearly $700 million in U.S. cash was detected by TSA in passengers' luggage at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport over the past two years, with much of it allegedly carried by Somali couriers potentially heading abroad. The probe has drawn attention amid concerns over potential money laundering or fraud ties to Minnesota's Somali community, with President Trump publicly calling for mass arrests in connection to the findings. – justthenews.com

Growing Calls to End Filibuster in Congress and Pass the SAVE Act - The SAVE Act—a bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration that had passed in the House in prior sessions but stalled in the Senate—has been revived in discussions for the new Congress. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is calling for an end to the filibuster rule that allows senators to extend debate on a bill indefinitely, effectively delaying or blocking a vote unless 60 senators (three-fifths of the full Senate) agree to invoke cloture and end debate. It stems from the Senate's tradition of unlimited debate, unlike the House of Representatives, which has stricter time limits on debate. President Trump has repeatedly called for eliminating the legislative filibuster, particularly intensifying his push in late 2025 and into 2026. It is because of the filibuster rule that President Trump has not been able to get the Senate to pass his agenda, including budget and spending reforms for fiscal year 2026, healthcare changes, voter ID laws, tax policies, and reversing perceived damage from prior administrations. - X Post by Senator Ron Johnson

SpaceX Capsule Carries Four Astronauts Back to Earth - A SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts from the international space station, including one who was ailing, safely splashed down off the coast of San Diego, CA, marking a successful return and underscoring advancements in commercial spaceflight partnerships. - X Post of NASA

Immigrant Visas to be Suspended for Immigrants from 75 Countries - The U.S. State Department announced it will suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries due to concerns that citizens from those nations may rely on public assistance, marking a significant tightening of immigration policies aimed at reducing potential burdens on US welfare systems.  The suspension will begin on January 21^st and will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas or temporary tourist or business visas.  – pbs.org

Tense Situation Continues in Iran - As of January 15, 2026, Iran is experiencing a significant wave of anti-regime protests that began in late December 2025, initially sparked by economic grievances such as high inflation, declining oil income, and sanctions, but quickly evolving into broader calls against the government. Protests have spread across multiple provinces, involving millions in the streets at their peak, with reports of large-scale demonstrations in cities like Tehran, Kermanshah, and Zahedan. The regime has imposed a nationwide internet blackout to limit information flow and coordination, while security forces, including the IRGC and conventional military (Artesh), have used live ammunition, leading to a high death toll estimated between 2,000 and 2,600 by rights groups and monitors, though some unverified reports claim higher figures. The government has labeled protesters as "rioters" or "terrorists," justifying escalated crackdowns, and there have been reports of bank runs exacerbating economic instability. By mid-January, protest activity has reportedly subsided somewhat, with airspace reopening and officials claiming the situation is "under control," though security remains heavily reinforced in major cities. President Donald Trump has been actively involved, initially threatening military action in response to the regime's violent suppression and reports of impending executions of protesters.  On Wednesday, President Trump said that he has been informed that the “killing” in Iran has stopped and the anticipated executions of arrested protesters won’t take place. – abcnews.go.com

President Trump Signs New Law Expanding Milk Choices in School Lunches -On January 14, 2026, President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 (S. 222) into law during a White House ceremony attended by lawmakers, dairy farmers, and children. This bipartisan legislation allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)—which serves nearly 30 million students daily—to offer whole milk and 2% reduced-fat milk alongside the previously mandated fat-free and low-fat (1%) options. The law also expands access to nutritionally equivalent nondairy alternatives (like fortified soy milk) and permits parents to request substitutes for dietary restrictions without requiring a doctor's note. – fns.usda.gov

Defective Part Identified as the Cause of UPS Cargo Plane Crash -National Transportation Safety Board investigators identified a repeatedly failed aircraft part as the cause of a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky in November of 2025, raising questions about maintenance and safety protocols in aviation.  The defective part identified by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), was a spherical bearing race located in the aft (rear) mount of the left engine pylon—the structural framework that attaches the engine to the wing of the MD-11 cargo aircraft. – cbsnews.com

Dilbert Creator's Death - Scott Adams, the renowned creator of the satirical comic strip "Dilbert," which humorously depicted corporate office life and was syndicated in thousands of newspapers at its peak, died on January 13, 2026, at the age of 68 from metastatic prostate cancer. He had announced his terminal diagnosis in May 2025 and shared updates about his declining health, including entering hospice care. His death was confirmed by his former wife, Shelly Miles Adams, amid reflections on his legacy as both a cultural commentator and a controversial figure following the 2023 cancellation of his strip by many outlets. In his final message to his followers, he stated “I accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior, and I look forward to spending an eternity with him.” – X Post of Scott Adams

California News

A Republican Entering the Race for California Attorney General’s Office - Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates, a Republican with prior experience in the U.S. Department of Justice, announced on January 14, 2026, his candidacy for California Attorney General in the 2026 election, entering what is expected to be a crowded field if current AG Rob Bonta pursues the governor's race. – latimes.com

Gallagher Entering Race to Fill Doug LaMalfa's Vacant Seat - California State Assemblyman James Gallagher, a Republican from Yuba City and the current Assembly GOP leader, announced on January 14, 2026, that he will run in the upcoming special election to fill the vacant U.S. House seat in California's 1st Congressional District following the death of longtime Rep. Doug LaMalfa earlier in the month. Gallagher, representing a heavily conservative northern California region focused on agriculture, positioned himself as a natural successor to continue LaMalfa's work, setting the stage for a competitive Republican primary in the reliably red district.  LaMalfa’s widow has given her support to Gallagher. – sacbee.com

Federal Court Upholds Proposition 50 Redistricting Map - On January 14, 2026, a federal appeals court’s three-judge panel upheld California's Proposition 50, a voter-approved 2025 ballot measure that authorized temporary redrawing of congressional districts to counter partisan gerrymandering in states like Texas. The ruling rejected Republican and Trump administration challenges claiming the map constituted unconstitutional partisan favoritism, allowing the new districts—expected to net Democrats up to five additional House seats—to proceed for the 2026 midterms. Proposition 50, officially an amendment responding to out-of-state redistricting imbalances, had passed easily in November 2025 amid Democratic efforts to bolster national House representation. Governor Gavin Newsom hailed the decision as a defense of voter will, while Republicans criticized it as retaliatory gerrymandering and signaled potential appeals. The 2-1 ruling cited recent Supreme Court precedent on similar maps, solidifying the districts' use through at least the upcoming election cycle. – usatoday.com

2025 and Early 2026 Precipitation Brings Drought Relief Throughout California - For the first time in 25 years, the entire state of California is completely free of drought and abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor's map released on January 9, 2026. This marks a dramatic end to persistent water shortages that have affected the state since the early 2000s, with the last fully normal period occurring briefly around 2000. – abcnews7.com

California Investigating Grok AI Over Sexual Content - California authorities launched an investigation into Elon Musk's xAI company after receiving an "avalanche" of complaints regarding the generation of sexual content by its Grok AI system. – calmatters.org