Del Monte Foods, the iconic food producer, has filed for bankruptcy due to declining sales of its canned goods as consumers turn to healthier and cheaper alternatives. The company, also grappling with increased costs from tariffs and a lawsuit, has secured $912.5 million in financing to facilitate its operations and planned asset sale. While brands like Joyba and broth experienced growth, they couldn’t compensate for the overall decline in sales. This strategic move aims to accelerate the company’s turnaround and create a stronger future for Del Monte.
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On Monday afternoon, 37-year-old Kalista Rae Hallberg was found dead inside a Muscatine Hy-Vee with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspected shooter, Ian Hernandez, was found nearby with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics with life-threatening injuries. Authorities have confirmed the shooting was related to an ongoing domestic dispute. Hy-Vee is cooperating with the Muscatine Police Department, and the store will reopen once it is deemed customer-ready.
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The Colombian navy recently seized an unmanned “narco sub” equipped with a Starlink antenna off its Caribbean coast, believed to be a test run by a major cocaine trafficking cartel, which has the capacity to transport 1.5 tons of cocaine. This is not the first instance of Starlink usage by drug traffickers; in November, Indian police seized a meth consignment in a remote-controlled vessel utilizing Starlink. The rise of autonomous subs, described as hard-to-detect and operated with autonomy, reflects a shift towards more sophisticated unmanned systems. The absence of a crew also removes the risk of captured operators cooperating with authorities and makes it difficult to identify the drug lords behind the shipments.
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Merit Street Media, the anti-woke television network and streaming service founded by Dr. Phil McGraw, has filed for bankruptcy just over a year after its launch. The network, which aimed to combat the perceived “cultural ‘woke’ assault,” filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Texas after experiencing significant financial struggles. The company, which partnered with Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), is also suing TBN for failing to meet its distribution commitments. Despite the bankruptcy filing, Merit TV continues to operate as of Thursday morning.
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Texas Representative Chip Roy, a member of the House Rules Committee, is withholding support for the GOP tax and spending bill, criticizing the Senate for failing to address spending cuts. Roy views the bill, which includes $4 trillion in tax cuts and could increase the federal deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion, as a betrayal of conservative principles. Despite President Trump’s deadline for passing the bill, Roy believes its chances of passing in its current form are slim, while Republican leaders remain confident in their ability to gain support.
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French authorities arrested an 18-year-old male in Saint-Etienne, suspected of plotting attacks on women. The suspect, who identified as an “incel,” was apprehended with two knives and has been charged with terrorist conspiracy. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) is investigating the case, marking a significant step in recognizing gender-based violence as a form of terrorism. This marks the first time the PNAT has investigated an individual exclusively identifying as “incel,” with his case highlighting the influence of misogynistic content on social media.
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, detailed severe abuse in the country’s infamous CECOT prison in new court documents. He reported experiencing beatings, sleep deprivation, and psychological torture, including threats from officials. Despite a 2019 order barring his deportation due to potential gang persecution, the administration deported him, later attributing it to an “administrative error.” Abrego Garcia’s account of his ordeal, including witnessing violence and rapid weight loss, has been added to a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
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Columbia University has received a warning from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, putting its accreditation at risk. The commission cited “insufficient evidence” of compliance with standards on ethics and integrity as the reason for the warning. This formal notification was sent to Columbia’s Acting President, Claire Shipman. The university’s accreditation status is now under scrutiny due to these concerns.
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Noah Lamb, a member of a White supremacist group, has been charged with multiple counts, including soliciting the murder of federal officials, for his involvement in an alleged assassination plot. Lamb and others allegedly created a “kill list” targeting perceived enemies of White supremacist accelerationism, which was disseminated through the Terrorgram Collective, a network on Telegram. Lamb’s role included identifying targets and gathering personal information for the list, which included a US senator and a federal judge. Authorities arrested Lamb, finding White supremacist materials and gun parts in his possession, and the Justice Department has requested he be detained.
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Luis Alvarez, a construction worker who recently helped rescue a shark attack victim, is now potentially facing deportation. He was arrested for driving without a license after being pulled over and is currently held at the Collier County Jail. His arrest occurred despite possessing a work permit, raising questions from an immigration attorney. Alvarez’s family is seeking legal guidance, and a fellow rescuer believes he deserves a second chance.
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John Q. Hosedrinker