A retired San Francisco firefighter diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer is seeking city intervention after his insurance provider, Blue Shield, denied his treatment. His colleagues and family members pleaded with the City and County of San Francisco’s Health Service Board, which approved Blue Shield’s insurance plan, to get involved. They are concerned that Blue Shield is prioritizing profits over the lives of those who spent their careers protecting the city, and Supervisor Matt Dorsey pledged to question Blue Shield regarding this matter. Blue Shield took over from UnitedHealthcare a year ago, and other firefighters are reporting problems with their coverage, leading to concerns for future firefighters.
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Following the recent shooting of three people, one fatally, by ICE agents in Minneapolis and Portland, over a thousand protests were planned across the US. Demonstrations, organized by groups like Indivisible, saw participation in major cities like New York and Philadelphia, as well as smaller communities. Protesters voiced their outrage, demanding justice, the removal of ICE from communities, and action from elected officials. These actions are a response to escalating tensions and the increasing deployment of ICE agents, leading to confrontations and arrests within various communities.
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During a meeting with two dozen oil executives, President Trump abruptly shifted focus, interrupting the serious discussion about rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure to admire the construction of his White House ballroom. The President expressed excitement over the project, boasting of its scale and unique features, even as it was reported to be significantly over budget. While the meeting aimed to pressure companies into investing billions in Venezuelan oil production, many executives expressed hesitation, citing the country’s instability and past asset seizures, despite Trump’s aggressive encouragement of at least $100 billion in investment.
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The recent killing of Renee Good by a federal immigration officer has fueled a debate among Democrats regarding the funding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), particularly the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Progressive lawmakers are urging Democratic leadership to use the upcoming government funding deadline as leverage to limit the agency’s power and hold them accountable. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have shown little interest in using the appropriations process to rein in ICE, despite rising public disapproval and calls for defunding the agency, leading to criticism from some within the party. Facing a January 30th deadline, some progressives, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, argue that cutting funding is crucial, even if it risks another government shutdown. Some commentators have called on Democratic leadership to challenge the funding of DHS.
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The Washington National Opera announced it would end its affiliation with the Kennedy Center and operate independently, citing financial constraints imposed after President Trump’s takeover of the venue. The opera will reduce its spring season and move performances to other venues, aiming to ensure fiscal prudence. The opera’s leadership stated that the new business model, which requires productions to be fully funded in advance, is incompatible with opera operations. This decision follows a trend of event cancellations at the venue since Trump ousted the previous leadership and rebranded the center.
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In Minneapolis, a significant ICE operation has led to the detention and questioning of several Native American men, with community members reporting racial profiling and mistaken identity concerns. ICE agents attempted to enter Little Earth Housing Project, a Native American residential area, and detained multiple individuals, including a Red Lake Nation descendant, Jose Roberto “Beto” Ramirez, who was later released. These actions have sparked protests and calls for ICE’s removal from the state, with tribal leaders and community advocates expressing concerns about the targeting of Native communities and the lack of readily available data on ICE encounters. Several tribal organizations have issued statements condemning ICE’s actions and presence in Minneapolis, with some tribes now working to issue tribal IDs to all members ages five and up.
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The reality of Venezuela’s oil situation, as communicated by the Exxon CEO during a White House meeting with Trump, is stark: “uninvestible” for now. It’s a phrase that cuts through the political rhetoric and gets to the heart of the matter. You get the sense that the oil executives were trying to navigate the situation with diplomatic finesse, but the core message was clear: Venezuela presents a huge challenge to any investment in the current climate.
It seems the oil companies were always going to play it safe, and the US taxpayer would have to fund any changes required. This sentiment underscores a fundamental truth about big business, it does not like unnecessary risk.… Continue reading
The speaker expressed regret that the ballroom was not yet completed, as it would be filled to capacity. Today’s meeting focused on Venezuelan oil, the long-term relationship with Venezuela, and its security, with the goal of reducing oil prices for Americans. A crucial aspect of the discussion was also the prevention of drugs and criminals entering the United States. It’s been reported that the speaker often uses current events to promote this personal project.
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In early January 2026, social media users widely shared a post from “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings, who stated he would vote for a 2028 presidential candidate promising to “prosecute the former regime at every level.” The post, referencing the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the death of Renee Nicole Good, was correctly attributed to Jennings’ verified Bluesky account. This comment, which appeared on January 7, 2026, echoed Jennings’ history of controversial social media remarks, including past criticisms of Donald Trump. Jennings became the permanent host of “Jeopardy!” in 2023, after serving as interim host, and holds significant records for his performance on the show.
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Recent Russian air strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have left over a million people in the south-eastern region without heat and water, prompting President Zelensky to call for increased Western support. The attacks, targeting crucial infrastructure, are part of a broader strategy aimed at crippling power supplies during the harsh winter. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy provider, has been struggling to recover from the frequent attacks, leading to lengthy power cuts. Zelensky has been on a diplomatic tour, seeking guarantees from allies, while also participating in ongoing peace negotiations which have included discussions on territorial concessions with Russia.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Trump, 79, Appears to Gaze at Nonexistent Building, Sparks Concerns
During a meeting with two dozen oil executives, President Trump abruptly shifted focus, interrupting the serious discussion about rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure to admire the construction of his White House ballroom. The President expressed excitement over the project, boasting of its scale and unique features, even as it was reported to be significantly over budget. While the meeting aimed to pressure companies into investing billions in Venezuelan oil production, many executives expressed hesitation, citing the country’s instability and past asset seizures, despite Trump’s aggressive encouragement of at least $100 billion in investment.
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