Latest News Digest – January 19, 2026

National News

President Trump Threatens Tariff Increases Over Greenland

European leaders reacted with outrage to President Trump's tariff threats over Greenland, describing the tactics as "blackmail" and preparing potential retaliatory measures dubbed a "trade bazooka." Officials from affected countries, including Denmark and others in the EU, signaled readiness to impose significant counter-tariffs if U.S. demands escalate. Greenland is where the U.S. gets its earliest warning of ballistic and hypersonic missile launches from the Arctic.  It sits along the shortest missile route between Russia and North America.  As Arctic ice melts, trade routes between Europe and Asia could become 40 percent faster.  The standoff has raised fears of a broader transatlantic trade war disrupting global markets. – X Post of Defense Intelligence, abcnews.go.com

National Guard Put on Standby in Minnesota

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has put the National Guard on standby status amid escalating protests related to immigration enforcement and federal policies. The mobilization aimed to maintain order in affected areas as demonstrations grew in intensity. State officials cited concerns over public safety as the primary reason for the deployment.  President Trump had threatened on January 15 that he would invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy U.S. armed forces if the governor couldn’t get violent protests to stop. – usatoday.com

DOJ Investigating Disruption at Minnesota Church

On Sunday, January 18, approximately 30 to 40 protesters interrupted Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, yelling at and berating the Christians and the pastor.  The demonstrators entered the church mid-service, chanting phrases such as "ICE out," and "Justice for Renee Good."   Former CNN anchor Don Lemon, now an independent journalist hosting "The Don Lemon Show," was present at the protest and live-streamed it on his YouTube channel, following the demonstrators as they entered the church. He interviewed activist Nekima Levy Armstrong outside and inside the church, as well as Pastor Parnell, while framing the event as an exercise of First Amendment rights to protest.  The U.S. Department of Justice, under Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, announced an investigation into the protesters for potentially violating federal laws protecting places of worship, with threats of prosecution under statutes like the FACE Act. – thehill.com, nbcnews.com

Message of Support for Regime Change Sent by Hackers as Thousands of Protestors Have Been Killed in Iran

Hackers interrupted Iranian state television broadcasts, displaying messages in support of the exiled crown prince during ongoing anti-government protests that have resulted in thousands of deaths. The intrusion highlighted growing domestic unrest and international attention on the regime's crackdown. Iranian authorities quickly restored control but faced criticism for their handling of dissent. On Saturday, President Trump said it’s “time to look for new leadership” in Iran, after the nation’s leader lashed out at the president for supporting anti-government protesters. A human rights group tracking deaths during the protests says that the number of people killed is now over 4,000. – thehill.com, pbs.org

President Trump Unveils Healthcare Plan

President Trump's "The Great Healthcare Plan," unveiled on January 15, 2026, is a framework aimed at reducing costs and empowering patients by bypassing insurance companies and middlemen. Key highlights include slashing prescription drug prices through continued negotiation and transparency measures, as well as lowering insurance premiums by funding cost-sharing reductions under the Affordable Care Act, potentially saving taxpayers billions while making plans more affordable. His plan would redirect billions in taxpayer subsidies—previously going to insurers—directly to Americans via health savings accounts or cash payments to cover health expenses. President Trump's plan would require any healthcare provider who accepts Medicare or Medicaid to prominently post their pricing and fees in their place of business, enhancing price transparency. - whitehouse.gov

100-Vehicle Pile Up in Michigan

A powerful winter storm swept across the Midwest and beyond, triggering a massive pileup involving over 100 vehicles on a Michigan interstate due to lake-effect snow and icy conditions. The chaos left motorists stranded for hours, with numerous injuries reported but no fatalities, as emergency crews worked through blinding snow. Forecasters warned of continued severe weather, including unusually cold temperatures extending into southern regions. – foxweather.com

Smaller Portions on Menus Across the U.S.

Major chain restaurants across the U.S. quietly updated menus with smaller portions and lighter options to cater to customers using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Zepbound, and Wegovy. The changes reflect a broader industry shift as weight-loss medications become mainstream, influencing dining trends nationwide. Even non-users have embraced the new offerings for healthier choices. – nbcnews.com

California News

Independent Journalist Exposes Suspicious Hospice and Home Healthcare Businesses in Los Angeles

An independent journalist exposed dozens of hospice and home healthcare businesses operating from a single Los Angeles building, many with suspicious or absent signage, suggesting potential fraud schemes. The discovery raised alarms about Medicaid billing irregularities in a state already under scrutiny for healthcare spending. Investigations into similar "fraud hubs" have intensified. – X Post of Wall Street Apes

Dr. Oz Reveals Abuse of Elderly Through Hospice Enrollments Without Patient’s Knowledge or Consent

In early January 2026, Dr. Mehmet Oz, as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), spotlighted massive fraud in California's hospice and home health care programs during a visit to Los Angeles for listening sessions with DOJ officials. He described a sevenfold spike in hospice enrollments over recent years—far exceeding natural death rates—as evidence of systemic abuse, estimating fraudulent billing at up to $4 billion in California alone. Fraudsters enroll patients—often elderly and unaware—into hospice (intended for those with six months or less to live), causing them to lose access to curative Medicare treatments and potentially hastening deaths while providers bill for unrendered services. Doctors receive kickbacks for referrals, and many bogus agencies operate from single addresses. – X Post of Jan Jekielek, townhall.com

Proposed Billionaire Tax is Fueling Exodus from California

Several prominent billionaires publicly announced relocations out of California, citing tax policies and the regulatory environment.  A proposed ballot initiative backed by the Service Employees International Union would impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on Californians with assets exceeding $1 billion, including unrealized gains, and would apply to those who are California residents as of January 1, 2026. The retroactive date may be the subject of legal challenges if the initiative is enacted.  As the proposal began gaining momentum late last year, some of the wealthiest people in the country quickly moved out of the state, according to some reports.  Billionaires who have threatened to leave or taken steps to leave include Larry Page and Sergey Brin (Google co-founders), Peter Thiel (PayPal co-founder), and Palmer Luckey (Anduril founder, Oculus VR Creator).  Luckey posted on his X account that the proposed Billionaire Tax Act “makes founder-led companies practically illegal.  If a founder-CEO of a $1B private company owns 3% but keeps 100% of the voting power, he gets taxed on the value of the whole company.  $50M tax bill for $30M net worth.” The exodus has fueled discussions on state competitiveness. Lawmakers defended revenue needs for public services. – cnbc.com, X Post of Fox News