President Donald Trump has commuted the federal prison sentence of James Phillip Womack, son of U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark. Womack was sentenced to eight years in May 2024 for distributing over 5 grams of methamphetamine, though his supervised release remains intact. The congressman expressed gratitude for the commutation, stating it allows his son to be with family during a difficult time. Phillip Womack had previously pleaded guilty to the drug charge after being caught selling methamphetamine to a confidential source, and had faced prior convictions.
Read More
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case concerning the constitutionality of geofence warrants, which gather location data of cellphone users near crime scenes. This case stems from a 2019 bank robbery in Virginia where police used a geofence warrant served on Google to find the perpetrator. While a lower court initially found the warrant to violate privacy rights, it upheld the conviction. The case, which has seen conflicting rulings in federal appeals courts, is expected to be argued later this year and could significantly impact how law enforcement uses this investigative technique.
Read More
Central banks globally are rapidly accumulating gold reserves, spurred by geopolitical tensions and concerns about the dollar’s declining dominance. This shift has pushed the price of gold to record highs, with central banks doubling their gold holdings in the last decade, particularly in countries facing geopolitical pressures. Many nations are also repatriating gold stockpiles held abroad and reducing their reliance on the US dollar. Despite the rise of gold, experts suggest the dollar’s replacement is not yet clear, as other fiat currencies lack global scale and the rise of other reserve assets like cryptocurrencies is still limited.
Read More
Trump Sets Fraudster Free From Prison for a Second Time, and it’s Hard to Believe
In 2021, the world watched as former President Trump extended a hand of clemency to Adriana Camberos, a convicted fraudster. He commuted her sentence, essentially giving her a second chance at freedom.
Rather than seize this opportunity for a fresh start, reports indicate Camberos returned to her old ways. She, along with her brother, was convicted again in 2024, this time for a different, but related, fraud.
Then, astonishingly, this week, Trump pardoned both siblings, marking the second time he’s intervened to release Camberos from the grip of the justice system.… Continue reading
In Crystal, a parent was arrested by ICE agents Wednesday morning while waiting for the school bus with their child. The incident occurred in front of children, prompting the school to provide counseling and support for students and staff. School officials assured that all students boarded the bus safely, following district safety protocols. The school principal acknowledged the potential for fear and anxiety caused by the event.
Read More
Following an incident in which four ICE officers ate at El Tapatio, a Mexican restaurant in Minnesota, three staff members were arrested later that evening. Witnesses reported the staff appeared frightened during the arrests, which took place near a local school and church. This operation is part of “Operation Metro Surge,” a broader initiative targeting immigrant communities, and has caused increased tension with reported closures of restaurants due to ICE presence. While the reasons for the arrests and the identities of those arrested remain unclear, these actions highlight the impact of increased immigration enforcement in the state.
Read More
Skeletal remains discovered in Washington State have been identified as those of Edwin Asher, the former mayor of Fossil, Oregon, who disappeared in 2006. Asher vanished while crabbing in Tillamook Bay, leading to the assumption that he drowned and was declared dead that same year. Despite the discovery of skeletal remains in a Washington County in November of 2006, the individual remained unidentified until the Grays Harbor Coroner’s Office and Othram, a forensic genetic genealogy lab, employed genome sequencing and genetic genealogy, ultimately leading to the identification of the remains as Asher. The identification was confirmed after comparison to a relative’s DNA, ending the 20-year mystery of his disappearance.
Read More
The Associated Press, established in 1846, operates as a global news organization committed to factual reporting. It is recognized as a highly trustworthy source for delivering fast, accurate, and unbiased news across various formats. AP also provides crucial technology and services for the news industry. Consequently, AP’s journalism reaches over half the world’s population daily.
Read More
The Justice Department is reportedly investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for potential obstruction of federal immigration enforcement, specifically focusing on a possible conspiracy statute violation. The investigation stems from public statements made by the officials. Both Walz and Frey have responded, with Walz’s office denying any official notification of an investigation and both leaders condemning the move as politically motivated intimidation. This investigation coincides with a large-scale immigration crackdown in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, resulting in over 2,500 arrests.
Read More
In Minneapolis, a federal judge has ruled that immigration enforcement officers cannot detain or use tear gas on peaceful protesters who are not obstructing authorities. The ruling, stemming from a case filed by six activists observing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations, addresses clashes that have occurred since an immigration crackdown began last month. The judge’s decision specifically prohibits the detention of drivers and passengers without reasonable suspicion of obstruction, and also prevents arrests without probable cause. This ruling comes amidst another lawsuit filed by the state of Minnesota and two cities seeking to suspend the crackdown.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
ICE Raid at Minnesota Mexican Restaurant Sparks Outrage and Calls for Resistance
Following an incident in which four ICE officers ate at El Tapatio, a Mexican restaurant in Minnesota, three staff members were arrested later that evening. Witnesses reported the staff appeared frightened during the arrests, which took place near a local school and church. This operation is part of “Operation Metro Surge,” a broader initiative targeting immigrant communities, and has caused increased tension with reported closures of restaurants due to ICE presence. While the reasons for the arrests and the identities of those arrested remain unclear, these actions highlight the impact of increased immigration enforcement in the state.
Read More