US & World News Archives

Mayors warn that Trump’s hardline immigration tactics could dent trust in law enforcement

January 30, 2026

By STEVEN SLOAN - Associated Press

Elizabeth Kautz, mayor of Burnsville, Minnesota, says she carries her passport in her own city due to concerns about immigration enforcement. Her comments came during the United States Conference of Mayors in Washington. The gathering, usually focused on issues like housing and climate change, was overshadowed by the recent killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. Mayor David Holt of Oklahoma City highlighted the chaos from increased immigration enforcement. Many mayors appreciate President Donald Trump’s calls to deescalate but face pressure to remove federal agents. Trust in law enforcement is at risk, as communities feel targeted.

Twins executive Derek Falvey departs in mutual agreement as organizational revamp continues

10 hours ago

By DAVE CAMPBELL - AP Sports Writer

The Minnesota Twins and president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey have mutually decided to part ways. The 42-year-old Falvey spent nine seasons with the Twins. He was hired to run the baseball department and elevated a year ago to oversee the business side as well. The Twins made the postseason four times during Falvey’s tenure. The last two years have been rocky for the organization both on and off the field. Executive vice president and general manager Jeremy Zoll remains in his role overseeing the baseball department. Executive chair Tom Pohlad assumes interim oversight of the business operations.

Ahead of potential final game with Seahawks, RB Kenneth Walker III is firing on all cylinders

3 hours ago

By ANDREW DESTIN - AP Sports Writer

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has surged lately and at optimal timing considering fellow tailback Zach Charbonnet is out with a season-ending knee injury. But Walker is also in the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season. As Walker continues to surge, so does his value, which brings uncertainty to his future in Seattle while the Seahawks seek to win their second Super Bowl in franchise history.

Vikings fire general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after 4 seasons and contract extension last year

8 hours ago

By DAVE CAMPBELL - AP Pro Football Writer

The Minnesota Vikings have fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after mixed results over four seasons and giving him a contract extension last year. The Vikings appointed executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski as the interim replacement through the NFL draft. The search for a new general manager will take place after that. Vikings owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf said they made the decision following their annual end-of-season organizational meetings. The Vikings finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs for a second time in Adofo-Mensah’s four years. They didn’t win a postseason game.

Protesters call for nationwide strike against Trump’s immigration policies

11 hours ago

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and HOLLY RAMER - Associated Press

Protesters across the U.S. are calling for a nationwide strike on Friday to oppose the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. The demonstrations calling for “no work, no school, no shopping” come almost a week after intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was killed while recording Border Patrol officers with his cellphone. Multiple businesses announced they would be closed during the “blackout,” while some schools canceled classes in anticipation of mass absences. Some students are planning walkouts, while others plan to gather in churches, courthouses and city centers in solidarity.

Bruce Springsteen sings out against Trump in ‘Streets of Minneapolis’

5 hours ago

The Associated Press,

Bruce Springsteen (CNN) Bruce Springsteen is dedicating his new song to the people of Minneapolis, criticizing President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city. The lyrics of “Streets of Minneapolis,” released Wednesday, describe how “a city aflame fought fire and ice ’neath an occupier’s boots,” which Springsteen calls “King Trump’s private army.” Springsteen in a statement said he wrote and recorded the song…

NASA delays the first Artemis moonshot with astronauts because of extreme cold at the launch site

12 hours ago

By MARCIA DUNN - AP Aerospace Writer

NASA has delayed astronauts’ upcoming trip to the moon because of near-freezing temperatures expected at the launch site. The first Artemis moonshot with a crew is now targeted for no earlier than Feb. 8, two days later than planned. NASA was all set to conduct a fueling test of the massive moon rocket on Saturday, but called everything off late Thursday because of the expected cold. The critical dress rehearsal is now set for Monday, weather permitting. The change leaves NASA with only three days in February to send four astronauts around the moon and back, before slipping into March.

Catherine O’Hara, Emmy-winning comedian of ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘SCTV’ fame, dies at 71

7 hours ago

The Associated Press,

Catherine O’Hara (CNN) LOS ANGELES (AP) — Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning actor known for comedic roles across the decades — from Kevin’s beleaguered mom in “Home Alone” to the iconic Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek” — died Friday at 71. The Canadian-born O’Hara died at her home in Los Angeles “following a brief illness,” according to a statement from her…

Fearing ICE, Native Americans rush to prove their right to belong in the US

8 hours ago

The Associated Press,

Courtesy: Associated Press (file) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement flooded Minneapolis, Shane Mantz dug his Choctaw Nation citizenship card out of a box on his dresser and slid it into his wallet. Some strangers mistake the pest-control company manager for Latino, he said, and he fears getting caught up in ICE raids. Like Mantz, many Native Americans are carrying…

DOJ has opened a federal civil rights probe into the death of Alex Pretti, deputy AG says

10 hours ago

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights probe into the death of Alex Pretti, according to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “We’re looking at everything that would shed light on that day,” Blanche said on Friday. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is now leading…

DOJ has opened a federal civil rights probe into the death of Alex Pretti, deputy AG says

10 hours ago

By MICHAEL BIESECKER and REBECCA SANTANA - Associated Press

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says the Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights probe into the death of Alex Pretti. Blanche said Friday the department is “looking at everything that would shed light on that day.”

FBI takes over investigation of Minnesota shooting as Trump calls Alex Pretti an ‘insurrectionist’

10 hours ago

The Associated Press,

A photo of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer over the weekend, is displayed at the shooting scene Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Minneapolis. WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is now leading the probe into the shooting of Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis resident killed Saturday by Border Patrol officers, the Department of Homeland Security…

Justice Department releases 3 million pages from its Jeffrey Epstein files

10 hours ago

The Associated Press,

NEW YORK (AP) — The Justice Department on Friday released many more records from its investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein, resuming disclosures under a law intended to reveal what the government knew about the millionaire financier’s sexual abuse of young girls and his interactions with the rich and powerful. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department was releasing more than…

Warsh’s challenge: Navigating Fed independence and Trump’s demands

10 hours ago

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and JOSH BOAK - Associated Press Writers

Kevin Warsh has sought the job of Federal Reserve chair, off and on, since President Donald Trump first considered him for the position nearly a decade ago. Now that he is in line for the job, the enormity of the challenge ahead of him is clear. To be effective, Warsh will have to gain the trust of the committee of Federal Reserve officials, the financial markets, and not least Trump. Warsh may also face a bumpy confirmation process in the Senate, where two Republicans have said they will oppose his nomination unless a recently-revealed criminal investigation of the Fed and its current chair, Jerome Powell, is resolved.

Detroit Opera orchestra to set George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic hits to classical music

21 hours ago

By COREY WILLIAMS - Associated Press

The Detroit Opera is showcasing Parliament-Funkadelic in a new way. George Clinton’s and P-Funk’s greatest hits will be performed by an orchestra. The event, titled “Symphonic PFunk-Celebrating the Music of Parliament Funkadelic,” takes place Saturday at the Detroit Opera House. Violins, cellos, horns, and more will bring some of the group’s classics to life. The 84-year-old Clinton says going classical is something he has been expecting to happen at some point with the group’s music. Detroit Opera has assembled 47 players, including a full string section and a harp, to perform these iconic tunes.

New US sanctions against Iran target interior minister over crackdown on protesters

11 hours ago

By FATIMA HUSSEIN - Associated Press

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions against Iran’s interior minister, accusing Eskandar Momeni of repressing nationwide protests that have challenged Tehran’s theocratic government. The penalties are the latest by the United States and the European Union targeting high-ranking officials over the crackdown. The administration says Momeni has overseen Iran’s law enforcement forces that are responsible for the deaths of thousands of peaceful protesters. The EU on Thursday imposed its own sanctions against Momeni, along with members of Iran’s judicial system and other high-ranking officers.

Judge bars federal prosecutors from seeking death penalty against Luigi Mangione

11 hours ago

By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER - Associated Press

A judge has ruled that federal prosecutors can’t seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett’s ruling Friday foiled the Trump administration’s bid to see Mangione executed for what it called a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” Garnett dismissed a federal murder charge against Mangione, finding that it was technically flawed. She left in place stalking charges that carry a maximum punishment of life in prison.

Who is Kevin Warsh?

12 hours ago

By JOSH BOAK - Associated Press

President Donald Trump says he’ll tap former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair to replace Jerome Powell in May. The appointment, which requires Senate confirmation, amounts to a return trip for Warsh, 55, who was a member of the Fed’s board from 2006 to 2011. He was the youngest governor in history when he was appointed at age 35. He is currently a fellow at the right-leaning Hoover Institution and a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Prior to serving on the Fed’s board in 2006, Warsh was an economic aide in George W. Bush’s Republican administration and was an investment banker at Morgan Stanley.

The Westminster dog show is turning 150. Here’s what has — and hasn’t — changed over time

15 hours ago

By JENNIFER PELTZ - Associated Press

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is celebrating a milestone. The 150th annual show opens Saturday and culminates with the best in show prize Tuesday night New York’s Madison Square Garden. What’s now the most famous dog show in the United States began when some 19th-century New York gentleman hunters organized an event to compare their dogs. That first show, in 1877, was no small thing, featuring about 1,200 dogs of dozens of breeds. This year’s show boasts 2,500 dogs, representing as many as 212 breeds and 10 “varieties.” Club President Donald Sturz says the trappings have changed over time, but the love of dogs remains the heart of the show.

Lindsey Vonn airlifted from course after crashing in final downhill before Milan Cortina Olympics

12 hours ago

By GRAHAM DUNBAR - AP Sports Writer

Lindsey Vonn crashed in her final downhill race before the Winter Olympics and was airlifted from the course for medical checks, just a week before the start of the Milan Cortina Games. Vonn lost control when landing a jump in a World Cup race and ended up tangled in the safety nets. She eventually got up after receiving medical attention and walked away gingerly, taking weight off her left knee and using her poles to steady herself. She then clicked her skis back on but stopped to check her left knee. The race was later canceled after three of the first six racers crashed.

Trump names former Federal Reserve official Warsh as the next Fed chair to replace Powell

12 hours ago

The Associated Press,

FILE – Kevin Warsh speaks to the media about his report on transparency at the Bank of England, in London, Dec., 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday that he will nominate former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh to be the next chair of the Fed, a decision likely to result in…

Journalist Don Lemon arrested after protest that disrupted Minnesota church service

12 hours ago

The Associated Press,

Don Lemon (CNN) WASHINGTON (AP) — Journalist Don Lemon was arrested in connection with an anti-immigration protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church and increased tensions between residents and the Trump administration, his lawyer said Friday. Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he had been covering the Grammy Awards, his attorney Abbe Lowell said. It is…

Patrick Kane passes Mike Modano for the most NHL points by a US-born player

January 30, 2026

By LARRY LAGE and STEPHEN WHYNO - AP Hockey Writers

Patrick Kane is now the highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history. Kane passed Mike Modano by recording his 1,375th point on Thursday night in the Detroit Red Wings’ game against the Washington Capitals. Kane reached the milestone a couple of months after turning 37. Modano was 40 when he scored a goal to register point No. 1,374. Kane has been one of the faces of American hockey since getting taken with the first pick in the 2007 draft by Chicago. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup three times from 2010-15.

Florida braces for frost and possible snow flurries as winter storms hit other parts of the US

13 hours ago

By DAVID FISCHER - Associated Press

Florida won’t be getting hit with massive blankets of snow and ice like the rest of the U.S., but even frosty windshields and a few flurries can feel like Antarctica to people with permanent sandal tans. The Midwest and South have been getting major winter storms for several days, and a giant cyclone forecast in the Atlantic Ocean is expected to pull that cold weather east as a powerful blizzard this weekend. The worst seems to be heading toward the Carolinas, but the Sunshine State’s humans, animals and even plants are preparing for winter weather. Ana Torres-Vazquez, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Miami, says a cold front earlier this week has already caused temperatures to dip some, but the region could experience record-setting cold this weekend.

The Latest: Congress scrambles to save bipartisan spending deal before Friday night deadline

13 hours ago

The Associated Press

Senate leaders were scrambling to save a bipartisan spending deal and avert a partial government shutdown at midnight Friday. Democrats have demanded new restrictions on federal immigration raids across the country following the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents. Democrats struck a rare deal with President Donald Trump Thursday to separate funding for the Homeland Security Department from a broad government spending bill and fund it for two weeks while Congress debates curbs on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he Democratic leader Chuck Schumer were trying to work through any objections that could delay passage past the Friday deadline.

Journalist Don Lemon arrested after protest that disrupted Minnesota church service

13 hours ago

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER - Associated Press

Journalist Don Lemon has been arrested after he entered a Minnesota church and recorded anti-immigration enforcement protesters who disrupted a service. The protest Jan. 18 increased tensions between residents and the Trump administration. It was not immediately clear what charge or charges Lemon was facing. The arrest came after a magistrate judge last week rejected prosecutors’ initial bid to charge the journalist.

Trump names former Federal Reserve governor Warsh as the next Fed chair, to replace Powell

14 hours ago

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER - AP Economics Writer

President Donald Trump says he’ll nominate former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh to be the next Fed chair. Friday’s pick is likely to result in sharp changes to the powerful agency that could bring it closer to the White House and reduce its longtime independence from day-to-day politics. Warsh would replace Jerome Powell when his term expires in May. Trump chose Powell to lead the Fed in 2017 but recently has assailed him for not cutting interest rates quickly enough. Warsh’s appointment requires Senate confirmation. Warsh was on the Fed’s board from 2006 to 2011. He’s a fellow at the right-leaning Hoover Institution and a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Towns once run by Warren Jeffs’ polygamous sect emerge from court supervision transformed

14 hours ago

By JACQUES BILLEAUD - Associated Press

Two neighboring towns on the Arizona-Utah border that once served as a haven for a polygamous religious sect have entered a new era. Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, were once controlled by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The changes to the towns came after the sect’s leader and prophet, Warren Jeffs, was imprisoned for sexually assaulting girls he considered brides, most followers moved away and religious influences were excised from the local governments and shared police force. Restrictions imposed by religious leaders were lifted, and the towns were released from court supervision last summer, nearly two years earlier than expected.

Fearing ICE, Native Americans rush to prove their right to belong in the US

21 hours ago

By GRAHAM LEE BREWER, SAVANNAH PETERS and STEWART HUNTINGTON - Associated Press/ICT

Many of the people whose ancestors lived in the U.S. thousands of years before Europeans are carrying tribal identification for protection against the Trump administration’s anti-immigration agenda. Dozens of the 575 federally recognized Native American tribes are making it easier to get tribal IDs by waiving fees, lowering the age of eligibility and printing cards on the spot. Experts say it’s the first time tribal ID cards have been widely used as proof of U.S. citizenship and protection against federal law enforcement. As Native Americans rush to secure the documents, many see a bitter irony in the first people of the land having to prove that they too are U.S. citizens. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment.

Ukraine is bracing for brutal weather as Trump says Putin agreed to halt power grid attacks

17 hours ago

By SUSIE BLANN - Associated Press

Ukraine is waiting to see if Russia will pause attacks on its power grid. U.S. President Donald Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a temporary halt as Ukraine faces severe winter weather. Trump didn’t specify when the call with Putin happened or when the moratorium would start. The Kremlin hasn’t confirmed the pause. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy doubts Russia’s intentions. Kyiv is experiencing power shortages and expects extreme cold. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to stop its attacks if Russia does the same. But there’s no official ceasefire agreement. Zelenskyy said Thursday in comments made public on Friday that “I do not believe that Russia wants to end the war.”

PHOTO ESSAY: Liberia’s largest gold miner and community tensions

20 hours ago

Associated Press - By MISPER APAWU

JIKANDOR, Liberia (AP) — The announcement posted in the village has a cheerful tone: “BMMC is pleased to inform you that there will be a blast” at a mining pit nearby. Residents told visiting journalists with The Associated Press and The Gecko Project that such explosions have cracked or crumbled homes during the operations of Liberia’s largest gold miner, the…

Liberia’s largest gold miner repeatedly spilled dangerous chemicals, records show

20 hours ago

By ED DAVEY and ALON AVIRAM - Associated Press

A joint investigation by The Associated Press and The Gecko Project has found that cyanide, arsenic and copper repeatedly leaked from a facility run by the largest gold miner in Liberia in recent years. The leakage occurred at levels that Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency described as above legal limits. That’s according to EPA reports that were taken down from its site but later retrieved, as well as interviews with government officials, experts and former company employees. Liberia’s recently dismissed minister of mines says he is “appalled by the harm being done to our country.” The gold enters international supply chains.

Through the eyes of Iranian protesters, glimpses of disorder, disarray and death

21 hours ago

By KAREEM CHEHAYEB and SARAH EL DEEB - Associated Press

Six Iranians spoke to The Associated Press about the protests in Iran, describing a renewed sense of hope even with a bloody crackdown on demonstrators. The Iranians said they demonstrated and witnessed state violence. Protests erupt in Iran every few years, but several said this time felt different, with unprecedented momentum and a diverse crowd. They described older residents, people from well-to-do families, even children on the streets. Activists estimate over 6,000 people were killed in the bloodiest crackdown on dissent since the Islamic Republic’s 1979 creation. The Iranians spoke on condition of anonymity as the crackdown continued. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not respond to questions from AP about these witnesses’ recollections.

Masked agents, face scans and a question: Are you a citizen? Inside Trump’s Minnesota crackdown

21 hours ago

By GARANCE BURKE and BYRON TAU - Associated Press

The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis is providing insights into the surveillance technologies the government is using in its mass deportation campaign. Department of Homeland Security officials insist their immigration enforcement operations are “highly targeted.” But some American citizens have been caught up in the raids as the Trump administration has built new surveillance tools and fused together datasets on citizens and noncitizens alike. Over the last year, the agency’s expanding digital dragnet has empowered federal agents to collect and analyze vast volumes of information. The Department of Homeland Security says it will not disclose law enforcement-sensitive methods.

As an uncertain 2026 begins, virtual journeys back to 2016 become a trend

21 hours ago

By PAVAN MAHAL - Associated Press

The year is 2016. Somehow it feels carefree, driven by internet culture. Everyone is wearing over-the-top makeup. At least, that’s how Maren Nævdal, 27, remembers it — and has seen it on her social feeds in recent days. For Njeri Allen, also 27, the year was defined by the artists topping the charts that year, from Beyonce to Drake to Rihanna’s last music releases. These days, a lot of people, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, are thinking about 2016. Over the past few weeks, millions have been sharing throwback photos to that time on social media, kicking off one of the first viral trends of the year — the year 2026, that is.

Trump sues IRS and Treasury for $10 billion over leaked tax info

23 hours ago

By FATIMA HUSSEIN - Associated Press

President Donald Trump is suing the IRS and Treasury Department for $10 billion. He accuses them of failing to prevent a leak of his tax information to news outlets. The lawsuit was filed in a Florida federal court on Thursday. In 2024, former IRS contractor Charles Edward Littlejohn was sentenced to five years in prison for leaking tax information about Trump and others. Earlier this week, the U.S. Treasury Department cut its contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, where Littlejohn worked. He was charged and imprisoned for leaking tax information about thousands of wealthy individuals, including Trump.

House Republicans propose voting changes as Trump administration eyes the midterms

January 29, 2026

By LISA MASCARO - AP Congressional Correspondent

House Republicans are proposing sweeping changes to the nation’s voting laws. The package released Thursday is a long-shot priority for President Donald Trump that would mean some stricter requirements before Americans vote in the midterm elections in fall. The legislation reflects a number of the party’s most sought-after election changes. They include requirements for photo IDs before people can vote, as well as proof of citizenship, which would both take effect in 2027. More immediately, it would would put prohibitions on universal vote-by-mail and ranked choice voting. The legislation faces a long haul in the narrowly split Congress, where Democrats have warned similar proposals would disenfranchise voters. One top Democrat vowed to fight it.

Trump says he will announce his Federal Reserve chair nominee on Friday morning

January 29, 2026

By JOSH BOAK and DARLENE SUPERVILLE - Associated Press

President Donald Trump said he plans to announce his choice for Federal Reserve chairman on Friday morning. Trump has criticized current Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates more aggressively. Trump is believed to have four finalists for the position, but did not give details on Thursday. Tensions have been high between Trump and the Fed, with Powell emphasizing the importance of independent judgment and accountability to Congress. Powell’s term ends in May, but he could remain on the board until 2028.

11 dead in South Africa minibus and truck collision days after similar crash killed 14 children

January 29, 2026

By MICHELLE GUMEDE and GERALD IMRAY - Associated Press

A crash involving a minibus taxi and a truck has killed at least 11 people in South Africa. A local government official and emergency services reported the incident Thursday. The collision happened in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province. Provincial transport department official Siboniso Duma says 11 people including a child died at the scene. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson has confirmed the deaths and says several people were critically injured. The driver of the minibus was trapped in the wreckage. South Africa’s Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has instructed the country’s Road Traffic Management Corporation to investigate. The accident follows a similar crash that killed 14 schoolchildren just over a week ago.

Immigration raids, election office search stir midterm concerns for Democratic election officials

January 29, 2026

MATT BROWN - Associated Press

Aggressive immigration enforcement in Minnesota, which resulted in the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal agents, and this week’s FBI search of an election office in Georgia have Democratic election officials concerned about what could be in store for this fall’s midterm elections. During an annual gathering of state election officials on Thursday, several Democratic secretaries of state said they had begun planning for a range of ways the Trump administration might seek to interfere with voting or how they run elections. That could include putting immigration agents near polling places or attempting to seize voting equipment, they said. The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.

Conservative judge in Minnesota tries to keep Trump administration in check during crackdown

January 29, 2026

By ED WHITE - Associated Press

The chief federal judge in Minnesota has added his voice to the weekslong confrontation between the public and the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. Judge Patrick Schiltz says Immigration and Customs Enforcement is “not a law unto itself.” He was referring to dozens of court orders that ICE has not complied with in cases where immigrants have sought release or other relief. It’s another example of judges trying to keep officials accountable during a surge of U.S. immigration enforcement. A judge in Chicago put limits on the use of force there, though the lawsuit has been dropped.

Trump threatens tariffs on any country selling oil to Cuba, a move that puts pressure on Mexico

January 29, 2026

By MICHELLE L. PRICE - Associated Press

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, a move that puts pressure on Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that her government had at least temporarily stopped oil shipments to Cuba, but said it was a “sovereign decision” not made under pressure from the United States. Trump has been squeezing Mexico to distance itself from the Cuban government. In the wake of the U.S. military operation to oust former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Trump has said the Cuban government is ready to fall.

FACT FOCUS: A look at false and misleading claims made during Trump’s first cabinet meeting of 2026

January 29, 2026

By The Associated Press

President Donald Trump has held his first cabinet meeting of 2026, focusing on the economy, housing, energy, health initiatives and drug prices. He painted a positive picture of his administration’s accomplishments, but some claims were exaggerated. Trump mentioned $18 trillion in investments, but evidence suggests this figure is inflated. The White House website lists a lower number, $9.6 trillion, which includes commitments from the Biden era. On housing, claims of a sharp rise in home sales are overstated. The National Association of Realtors reported only a 1.4% increase in December. Additionally, Trump’s statements on California wildfires and water supply were inaccurate.

Starbucks sees room to expand with hundreds of new US stores and increased seating

January 29, 2026

By DEE-ANN DURBIN - AP Business Writer

Starbucks says it plans to open hundreds of new stores across the U.S. and add seating at thousands of existing locations. The company detailed its plans during an investor presentation in New York on Thursday. Executives say they expect up to 175 new U.S. Starbucks cafes to open this year and around 400 in 2028. The company’s plans include smaller-format stores that are cheaper to build but still offer seating, drive-thru service, and mobile order pickup. CEO Brian Niccol has focused on making Starbucks stores more welcoming even as consumer demand for drive-thru coffee grows. He says Starbucks sees an opportunity to build at least 5,000 new cafes across the U.S.

A man impersonating an FBI agent tried to get Luigi Mangione out of jail, authorities say

January 29, 2026

By MICHAEL R. SISAK - Associated Press

Authorities say a man claiming to be an FBI agent showed up to a federal jail in New York City and told officers he had a court order to release Luigi Mangione. The man was arrested and charged with impersonating an FBI agent in a foiled bid to free Mangione from the Metropolitan Detention Center, where he is held while awaiting state and federal murder trials in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A criminal complaint filed against Mark Anderson did not did not identify the person attempted to free but a law enforcement official confirmed it was Mangione. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity.

After a terrifying fall, Red Panda retraces what went wrong and the support that carried her back

January 29, 2026

By ALANIS THAMES - AP Sports Writer

Rong Niu’s pink sequined dress shimmered under the arena lights at a recent Miami men’s basketball game. The popular halftime performer known as “Red Panda” finished her signature seven-minute set. She looked up at a crowd of fans chanting her name and flashed a smile before dismounting. Niu has grown somewhat accustomed to the fanfare over decades performing at NBA, WNBA and college basketball games. Still, even after sports fans rallied around her following a frightening fall during a WNBA game last July, she can hardly put words to what the support means to her.

Sen. Susan Collins announces end to ICE large-scale operations in Maine after talks with Noem

January 29, 2026

By PATRICK WHITTLE, KIMBERLEE KRUESI and HOLLY RAMER - Associated Press

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine says immigration officials have ceased their enhanced operations in the state. Collins, a Republican, announced the development Thursday after saying she spoke with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Collins says there are no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations in Maine. Collins has urged the Trump administration to reconsider its approach to immigration enforcement. Her statement follows an ICE operation called “Catch of the Day,” which led to more than 200 arrests in the state. Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who could face Collins in a high-profile Senate race this fall, has challenged immigration officials to provide more transparency.

Some blind fans to experience Super Bowl with tactile device that tracks ball

January 29, 2026

By LARRY LAGE - AP Sports Writer

Some blind and low-vision fans will have unprecedented access to the Super Bowl thanks to a tactile device that tracks the ball, vibrates on key plays and provides real-time audio. The NFL teamed up with OneCourt and Ticketmaster to pilot the game-enhancing experience 15 times during the regular-season during games hosted by five teams. About 10 blind and low-vision fans will have an opportunity to use the same technology at the Super Bowl when Seattle faces New England. With hands on the device, they will feel the location of the ball and hear what’s happening throughout the game.

Trump’s border czar suggests a possible drawdown in Minnesota, but only after ‘cooperation’

January 29, 2026

By GIOVANNA DELL'ORTO and REBECCA SANTANA - Associated Press

President Donald Trump’s border czar says immigration enforcement could reduce the number of officers in Minnesota. Tom Homan suggested during a news conference Thursday that a drawdown could happen, but only after “cooperation” from state officials. Trump sent Homan to Minnesota following last weekend’s fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti. Homan doubled down on the need for local jails to alert Immigration and Customs Enforcement to inmates who are eligible to be deported. He vowed to stay until the “problem’s gone,” but he seemed to acknowledge missteps while warning protesters they could face consequences if they interfere with federal officers.

Melania Trump’s documentary premieres at the Kennedy Center ahead of global release

January 29, 2026

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE - Associated Press

Melania Trump is capping her first year after becoming first lady again with the global release of a documentary about the 20 days before she and President Donald Trump returned to the White House. The Kennedy Center in Washington has scheduled a screening for the movie, “Melania,” on Thursday, one day before its release in theaters worldwide. The Trumps are expected to walk the red carpet. Melania Trump says the film will offer rare insight into her life as she juggled her private businesses and planned her family’s return to the White House in the run-up to the 2025 inauguration.