By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">Anna Kaminski</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas City Chiefs are moving to Kansas with a deal to use taxpayer funding to help build a domed stadium, entertainment district, new team headquarters and a training facility, Kansas officials announced Monday.

The announcement followed a closed-door meeting by legislative leaders who then voted unanimously&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/18/kansas-legislators-to-meet-monday-about-deal-to-bring-kansas-city-chiefs-across-the-state-line/">to issue STAR bonds</a>&nbsp;to finance the project.

More information about the deal is expected at a news conference called by Gov. Laura Kelly, who appeared with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt before talking to reporters.

“This agreement to bring the Chiefs to Kansas takes our state to the next level,” Kelly said in a statement as the news conference began. “With this new stadium, we’re creating thousands of jobs, bringing in tourists from around the world, attracting young people, and most importantly, we’re continuing to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family. This is a game-changer for Kansas, and it’s a signal to America and the world that our state’s future is very bright.”

The Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of Republican and Democratic legislative leaders, booted a standing-room-only crowd out about three minutes into its Monday meeting and returned in less than 30 minutes to vote on the STAR bonds deal. They didn’t discuss the plan in an open meeting or with reporters.

Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said in a statement that “Kansas won the Super Bowl.”

“This is a big win our state really needed,” Masterson said. “As someone who loves watching the big game every week, I can tell you this will make the football experience better for Chiefs Kingdom. The overall fan experience will be greatly improved with this new stadium: better seats, enhanced tailgating, and smoother traffic flow to and from games.”

(Click below to watch the roll call vote)

The state has been trying to lure the Kansas City Chiefs football team and Kansas City Royals baseball team across state lines. The Legislature passed a law during a special session in 2024 to use STAR bonds to pay for up to 70% of a development project with a minimum investment of a billion dollars. The bonds would be paid through liquor sales and retail sales tax revenue in the development area, with a window up to 30 years.

Chiefs flags lined the street leading into the Docking State Office Building, and a lone Topekan sat outside to show his support of bringing the team to Kansas.

Steve Bushnell said he has made the trip to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, many times. He was excited at the idea of moving the team to the Sunflower State.

“It’s certainly a little bit bittersweet with the nostalgia of Royals stadium, Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium,” he said.&nbsp;

But, he said, when he heard Chiefs leaders were going to be in Topeka for the news conference with the governor, he “jumped at” the opportunity to be part of this “historic event.”

Inside, red and yellow balloon pillars welcomed an expected 400 guests, according to a spokesperson for the governor.&nbsp;

Kelly, legislative leadership, Chiefs president Mark Donovan, Hunt, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Lt. Gov. David Toland, who is also the Kansas commerce secretary, convened at the Docking building ahead of the news conference to commemorate the deal by posing for photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766434608613.png" alt=" Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly holds a Chiefs jersey with team owner Clark Hunt ahead of a news conference Dec. 22, 2025, at the Kansas Docking State Office Building in Topeka. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly holds a Chiefs jersey with team owner Clark Hunt ahead of a news conference Dec. 22, 2025, at the Kansas Docking State Office Building in Topeka. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">Anna Kaminski</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas City Chiefs are moving to Kansas with a deal to use taxpayer funding to help build a domed stadium, entertainment district, new team headquarters and a training facility, Kansas officials announced Monday.The announcement followed a closed-door meeting by legislative leaders who then voted unanimously&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/18/kansas-legislators-to-meet-monday-about-deal-to-bring-kansas-city-chiefs-across-the-state-line/">to issue STAR bonds</a>&nbsp;to finance the project.More information about the deal is expected at a news conference called by Gov. Laura Kelly, who appeared with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt before talking to reporters.“This agreement to bring the Chiefs to Kansas takes our state to the next level,” Kelly said in a statement as the news conference began. “With this new stadium, we’re creating thousands of jobs, bringing in tourists from around the world, attracting young people, and most importantly, we’re continuing to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family. This is a game-changer for Kansas, and it’s a signal to America and the world that our state’s future is very bright.”The Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of Republican and Democratic legislative leaders, booted a standing-room-only crowd out about three minutes into its Monday meeting and returned in less than 30 minutes to vote on the STAR bonds deal. They didn’t discuss the plan in an open meeting or with reporters.Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said in a statement that “Kansas won the Super Bowl.”“This is a big win our state really needed,” Masterson said. “As someone who loves watching the big game every week, I can tell you this will make the football experience better for Chiefs Kingdom. The overall fan experience will be greatly improved with this new stadium: better seats, enhanced tailgating, and smoother traffic flow to and from games.”(Click below to watch the roll call vote)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P_VAc_3kmn0?si=-jAzhQQw6SS61clV&amp;start=2499" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The state has been trying to lure the Kansas City Chiefs football team and Kansas City Royals baseball team across state lines. The Legislature passed a law during a special session in 2024 to use STAR bonds to pay for up to 70% of a development project with a minimum investment of a billion dollars. The bonds would be paid through liquor sales and retail sales tax revenue in the development area, with a window up to 30 years.Chiefs flags lined the street leading into the Docking State Office Building, and a lone Topekan sat outside to show his support of bringing the team to Kansas.Steve Bushnell said he has made the trip to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, many times. He was excited at the idea of moving the team to the Sunflower State.“It’s certainly a little bit bittersweet with the nostalgia of Royals stadium, Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium,” he said.&nbsp;But, he said, when he heard Chiefs leaders were going to be in Topeka for the news conference with the governor, he “jumped at” the opportunity to be part of this “historic event.”Inside, red and yellow balloon pillars welcomed an expected 400 guests, according to a spokesperson for the governor.&nbsp;Kelly, legislative leadership, Chiefs president Mark Donovan, Hunt, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Lt. Gov. David Toland, who is also the Kansas commerce secretary, convened at the Docking building ahead of the news conference to commemorate the deal by posing for photos.

Kansas lures Chiefs across state lines with offer to use build domed stadium, training facilit

GREENE COUNTY, Mo. —The pilot of a small plane was forced to make an emergency landing Saturday in Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the aircraft made the "off-field landing just before 1 p.m. on U.S. 65 one and one half miles north of Interstate 44 near Springfield. "

 The pilot and one passenger were not injured.&nbsp; The mishap affected traffic&nbsp; for a short time until they plane was removed.&nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will investigate.&nbsp; The Patrol released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766357879881.png" alt="Photo MSHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>GREENE COUNTY, Mo. —The pilot of a small plane was forced to make an emergency landing Saturday in Missouri.According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the aircraft made the "off-field landing just before 1 p.m. on U.S. 65 one and one half miles north of Interstate 44 near Springfield. " The pilot and one passenger were not injured.&nbsp; The mishap affected traffic&nbsp; for a short time until they plane was removed.&nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will investigate.&nbsp; The Patrol released no additional details..

Small plane forced to make emergency landing on highway

The Powerball® holiday jackpot streak continues! No ticket matched all six numbers drawn last night, sending the jackpot soaring to an estimated $1.60 billion for Monday night’s drawing, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $735.3 million.

Monday’s jackpot ranks as the fourth largest in Powerball history and the fifth largest among U.S. lottery jackpots.

“Powerball is giving players a chance to dream bigger than ever this holiday season,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Every ticket sold not only offers the chance at a life-changing prize but also supports important public programs and services in communities nationwide. We encourage everyone to enjoy the thrill responsibly.”

The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 4, 5, 28, 52, 69 and red Powerball 20. The Power Play® multiplier was 3.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.

Nationwide, eight tickets matched all five white balls. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in California, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan (2), New Hampshire and Ohio. The Match 5 prize is a set cash prize of $1 million in all jurisdictions except California, where prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

The drawing also produced 112 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 22 tickets that won $150,000 prizes.

In the Double Play® drawing, a ticket in New Jersey won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. The Double Play drawing is live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.

Monday’s Powerball drawing will be the 46th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has produced back-to-back jackpots exceeding $1 billion. The only other occurrence was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won in California.

If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.60 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $735.3 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

The Powerball® holiday jackpot streak continues! No ticket matched all six numbers drawn last night, sending the jackpot soaring to an estimated $1.60 billion for Monday night’s drawing, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $735.3 million.Monday’s jackpot ranks as the fourth largest in Powerball history and the fifth largest among U.S. lottery jackpots.“Powerball is giving players a chance to dream bigger than ever this holiday season,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Every ticket sold not only offers the chance at a life-changing prize but also supports important public programs and services in communities nationwide. We encourage everyone to enjoy the thrill responsibly.”The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 4, 5, 28, 52, 69 and red Powerball 20. The Power Play® multiplier was 3.Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.Nationwide, eight tickets matched all five white balls. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in California, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan (2), New Hampshire and Ohio. The Match 5 prize is a set cash prize of $1 million in all jurisdictions except California, where prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.The drawing also produced 112 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 22 tickets that won $150,000 prizes.In the Double Play® drawing, a ticket in New Jersey won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. The Double Play drawing is live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.Monday’s Powerball drawing will be the 46th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has produced back-to-back jackpots exceeding $1 billion. The only other occurrence was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won in California.If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.60 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $735.3 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Record U.S. Lottery Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Powerball – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.787 Billion – Powerball – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Powerball – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.602 Billion – Mega Millions – Aug. 8, 2023 – FL</li><li>$1.60 Billion est. – Powerball – Dec. 22, 2025</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Powerball – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.537 Billion – Mega Millions – Oct. 23, 2018 – SC</li><li>$1.348 Billion – Mega Millions – Jan. 13, 2023 – ME</li><li>$1.337 Billion – Mega Millions – July 29, 2022 – IL</li><li>$1.326 Billion – Powerball – April 6, 2024 – OR</li>
 </ol>

Powerball jackpot jumps up to 4th largest prize in game’s history

INDIANAPOLIS — Austin Ryan Lauless, 31, of Colorado, has been sentenced to 84 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In September 2025, Lauless pleaded guilty to 13 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, five counts of sex trafficking of a minor, two counts of advertising child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to the United State's Attorney.

As of Dec. 17, 84 victims have been identified from nearly every state in the United States and at least five foreign countries. Investigators believe additional victims may still be unidentified. If you or someone you know has been a victim of Lauless, also known online as Cason Fredrickson or APOPHIS, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov.

According to court documents, between late 2019 and May 19, 2023, Lauless used social media applications such as Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, Yubo, Purp, and others to coerce, exploit, and threaten at least 84 minor victims into producing thousands of sexually explicit images and videos. The victims ranged in age from 13 to 17 at the time of the offenses.

Using these social media platforms, Lauless misrepresented his identity, posing as “Cason Fredrickson,” a teenager from New York or other cities. In reality, Lauless was in his late 20s, unemployed, and living in hotels and motels in Texas and Colorado. To conceal his identity, he accessed the public Instagram page of Individual A and, without their knowledge or consent, saved images and videos to impersonate Individual A while posing as “Cason Fredrickson.”

Lauless’ criminal methods included misrepresenting his age, identity, background, and likeness to groom minors and create a false sense of safety in online communications. He also used voice modulators and third-party image and video applications to edit content, making it appear as though it was recorded live through social media platforms such as Snapchat.

He feigned romantic interest in victims, told them they were attractive, and pretended to be in online relationships. He purchased items for many victims through Amazon — including fishnet stockings, sexual devices, and customized t-shirts — which he instructed them to wear while producing sexually explicit material. These items were shipped either directly to victims or to designated Amazon lockers for pickup.

To prolong his exploitation and avoid detection, Lauless threatened victims with dissemination of their images and videos if they failed to comply with his demands or sought help from parents or law enforcement. At least one victim reported to Lauless that she was contemplating suicide.

Lauless also sex trafficked at least five minor victims by forcing them to engage in oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse with adult males, producing numerous videos of these commercial sex acts. Some victims were forced to endure sadomasochistic abuse at his direction.

Once he obtained images and videos, Lauless advertised and sold the sexually explicit material on platforms such as Discord, Instagram, Telegram, and MEGA. He engaged in at least 141 transactions, receiving payment through Venmo, PayPal, Bitcoin, and CashApp. He admitted that his collection of child sexual abuse material included thousands of images and videos depicting prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, as well as children subjected to bestiality and sadomasochistic abuse.

“The sheer scale of this investigation and prosecution underscores the relentless commitment of federal law enforcement to dismantle networks of exploitation that prey on our children,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Childress &nbsp;for the Southern District of Indiana. “Austin Lauless orchestrated a campaign of abuse that spanned nearly every state and multiple countries, leaving behind profound harm. While no punishment can erase the trauma these young survivors endured, today’s sentence sends a clear message: we will pursue predators across every platform, every jurisdiction, and every border until justice is served.”

“This case represents one of the most egregious forms of exploitation the FBI investigates,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley of FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “This was not an isolated crime - it was a nationwide and international campaign of exploitation that victimized at least 84 people, including children, and involved the trafficking of human beings. The FBI is committed to identifying offenders who use technology to abuse, manipulate, and control others, and to ensuring they are held fully accountable. Today’s sentence delivers justice for the victims and reinforces that these crimes will not go unanswered.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Preston and Carolyn Haney for the Southern District of Indiana prosecuted this case with invaluable assistance from Victim Witness Coordinators Stephanie Lloyd and Johnna Preidt.

The FBI conducted the investigation, with additional support from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker for the Southern District of Indiana.

Additionally, 13 U.S. Attorney’s Offices provided cooperation during the investigation. Without their assistance, bringing Lauless to justice and legally resolving the harm he imposed on the victims would have been delayed. They include: Southern District of Iowa, Eastern District of Missouri, Northern District of Florida, Northern District of Texas, Western District of Kentucky, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of New York, District of South Carolina, Southern District of Texas, District of Colorado, Central District of California, District of Arizona, and Eastern District of Tennessee.

This case was brought as part of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-sdin%2Fproject-safe-childhood%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b3255de7f-81fd8676-bf36-42a7-83e8-c9dd44707b6f-000000/WGKNo-oy2wVyroINc20x1rCDx4ka1avklk2VRvhddBw=436">Project Safe Childhood</a>, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state,&nbsp;and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

INDIANAPOLIS — Austin Ryan Lauless, 31, of Colorado, has been sentenced to 84 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In September 2025, Lauless pleaded guilty to 13 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, five counts of sex trafficking of a minor, two counts of advertising child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to the United State's Attorney.As of Dec. 17, 84 victims have been identified from nearly every state in the United States and at least five foreign countries. Investigators believe additional victims may still be unidentified. If you or someone you know has been a victim of Lauless, also known online as Cason Fredrickson or APOPHIS, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or report it online at tips.fbi.gov.According to court documents, between late 2019 and May 19, 2023, Lauless used social media applications such as Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, Yubo, Purp, and others to coerce, exploit, and threaten at least 84 minor victims into producing thousands of sexually explicit images and videos. The victims ranged in age from 13 to 17 at the time of the offenses.Using these social media platforms, Lauless misrepresented his identity, posing as “Cason Fredrickson,” a teenager from New York or other cities. In reality, Lauless was in his late 20s, unemployed, and living in hotels and motels in Texas and Colorado. To conceal his identity, he accessed the public Instagram page of Individual A and, without their knowledge or consent, saved images and videos to impersonate Individual A while posing as “Cason Fredrickson.”Lauless’ criminal methods included misrepresenting his age, identity, background, and likeness to groom minors and create a false sense of safety in online communications. He also used voice modulators and third-party image and video applications to edit content, making it appear as though it was recorded live through social media platforms such as Snapchat.He feigned romantic interest in victims, told them they were attractive, and pretended to be in online relationships. He purchased items for many victims through Amazon — including fishnet stockings, sexual devices, and customized t-shirts — which he instructed them to wear while producing sexually explicit material. These items were shipped either directly to victims or to designated Amazon lockers for pickup.To prolong his exploitation and avoid detection, Lauless threatened victims with dissemination of their images and videos if they failed to comply with his demands or sought help from parents or law enforcement. At least one victim reported to Lauless that she was contemplating suicide.Lauless also sex trafficked at least five minor victims by forcing them to engage in oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse with adult males, producing numerous videos of these commercial sex acts. Some victims were forced to endure sadomasochistic abuse at his direction.Once he obtained images and videos, Lauless advertised and sold the sexually explicit material on platforms such as Discord, Instagram, Telegram, and MEGA. He engaged in at least 141 transactions, receiving payment through Venmo, PayPal, Bitcoin, and CashApp. He admitted that his collection of child sexual abuse material included thousands of images and videos depicting prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, as well as children subjected to bestiality and sadomasochistic abuse.“The sheer scale of this investigation and prosecution underscores the relentless commitment of federal law enforcement to dismantle networks of exploitation that prey on our children,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Childress &nbsp;for the Southern District of Indiana. “Austin Lauless orchestrated a campaign of abuse that spanned nearly every state and multiple countries, leaving behind profound harm. While no punishment can erase the trauma these young survivors endured, today’s sentence sends a clear message: we will pursue predators across every platform, every jurisdiction, and every border until justice is served.”“This case represents one of the most egregious forms of exploitation the FBI investigates,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley of FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “This was not an isolated crime - it was a nationwide and international campaign of exploitation that victimized at least 84 people, including children, and involved the trafficking of human beings. The FBI is committed to identifying offenders who use technology to abuse, manipulate, and control others, and to ensuring they are held fully accountable. Today’s sentence delivers justice for the victims and reinforces that these crimes will not go unanswered.”Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Preston and Carolyn Haney for the Southern District of Indiana prosecuted this case with invaluable assistance from Victim Witness Coordinators Stephanie Lloyd and Johnna Preidt.The FBI conducted the investigation, with additional support from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker for the Southern District of Indiana.Additionally, 13 U.S. Attorney’s Offices provided cooperation during the investigation. Without their assistance, bringing Lauless to justice and legally resolving the harm he imposed on the victims would have been delayed. They include: Southern District of Iowa, Eastern District of Missouri, Northern District of Florida, Northern District of Texas, Western District of Kentucky, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of New York, District of South Carolina, Southern District of Texas, District of Colorado, Central District of California, District of Arizona, and Eastern District of Tennessee.This case was brought as part of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-sdin%2Fproject-safe-childhood%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b3255de7f-81fd8676-bf36-42a7-83e8-c9dd44707b6f-000000/WGKNo-oy2wVyroINc20x1rCDx4ka1avklk2VRvhddBw=436">Project Safe Childhood</a>, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state,&nbsp;and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Predator coerced 84 minors to send him explicit videos, sold them online

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump has been clear: the blockade of sanctioned oil tankers departing from, or bound for, Venezuela will remain in full force until Maduro’s criminal enterprise returns every stolen American asset. The <a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeptofWar</a>, with our partners at <a href="https://twitter.com/USCG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USCG</a>, will unflinchingly… <a href="https://t.co/2NuUTYon05">https://t.co/2NuUTYon05</a>&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/2002504193924342003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥US forces stop a second merchant vessel off the coast of Venezuela

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) requesting approval to combine the two railroads. The companies entered into a merger agreement on July 29, 2025, to create America’s first transcontinental railroad.

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) requesting approval to combine the two railroads. The companies entered into a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up.com/press-releases/growth/norfolk-southern-transcontinental-nr-250729" target="_blank">merger agreement</a>&nbsp;on July 29, 2025, to create&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up-nstranscontinental.com/" target="_blank">America’s first transcontinental railroad</a>.

The nearly 7,000-page application provides comprehensive and compelling new details on how the end-to-end combination will enhance competition and deliver broad public benefits. The application includes a record-breaking 2,000 letters of support from stakeholders, joining shareholders at both companies who cast votes that were 99% in favor of the merger.

America’s first transcontinental railroad will:

“We look forward to working with the Surface Transportation Board as it reviews our historic application to create America’s first transcontinental railroad,” said Union Pacific CEO&nbsp;Jim Vena. “As time and technology continue to transform how freight is delivered, our industry must keep pace and move forward, reaching underserved markets with new rail solutions and strengthening the U.S. supply chain.&nbsp;Customers deserve stronger, more connected freight rail, and our merger will make that happen.”

“This combination will bring together Union Pacific’s expansive Western reach and Norfolk Southern’s unparalleled access to Eastern manufacturing and population centers in an end-to-end combination,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO&nbsp;Mark George. “It will create a cohesive freight rail solution with 50,000 route miles that connect 43 states and more than 100 ports.”

Enhanced railroad competition.&nbsp;The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern combination is a classic end-to-end merger. Today, each railroad serves a distinct geographic region with complementary networks, customers and markets. Connecting the two systems will create a transcontinental network that bridges the gap between East and West, allowing freight to bypass congested interchanges and take the fastest and most efficient, price-competitive route. The result: substantial public benefits like expanded affordability; competitive options for customers in virtually every major corridor; and a stronger, more efficient national rail system. The combined network will move freight more efficiently, eliminating an estimated 2,400 rail car and container handlings and 60,000 car-miles each day. Faster, more reliable single-line rail service enhances competition – when it’s available, the share of freight traveling by rail versus the highway is roughly two to three times greater than interline service.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Less congestion and wear on America’s roadways.&nbsp;A seamless transcontinental railroad will compete more aggressively with long-haul trucking, shifting an estimated 2 million truckloads of freight from road to rail annually. The result will be reduced congestion, safer roads and less wear on taxpayer-funded roads.

An economic boost for America’s heartland.&nbsp;The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern combination will remove the artificial barrier that divides America’s rail system between East and West, getting freight moving in the Watershed region. This previously underserved rail market – where trucking was often the only option because crossing the divide made rail too expensive and complicated due to handoffs between railroads – will have access to single-line manifest service for the first time. Leading industry advisor Oliver Wyman estimates that 105,000 carloads of merchandise traffic will convert from road to rail when single-line service is available to the Watershed markets. Providing domestic shippers a cheaper alternative to truck will make them more competitive, which strengthens the entire U.S. economy.

More direct and reliable access to global markets.&nbsp;A transcontinental railroad will provide efficient, flexible and reliable single-line access to more than 100 ports connecting to global markets and 10 international gateways to markets in Canada and Mexico.&nbsp;

Reduced emissions.&nbsp;Rail is already the most sustainable way to move freight over ground, according to the Association of American Railroads, with roughly 75% less carbon emissions than trucks. The merger will further reduce emissions by removing more trucks from the road, running trains more efficiently, investing in cleaner and more efficient technologies, and providing customers with better tools to achieve their own sustainability goals.&nbsp;

Dedicated support for passenger rail.&nbsp;Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will maintain dedicated systems to support passenger rail. A route-by-route analysis of projected volume growth verified sufficient capacity to continue fulfilling all service obligations to Amtrak and commuter rail agencies.&nbsp;

Faster, more efficient service.&nbsp;Integrating Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern into one network will transform 10,000 existing lanes from interline service – which requires time-consuming handoffs between railroads – into faster, more efficient single-line service. It also will create an additional 84,000 county-to-county lanes where shippers are moving freight by road that could – for the first time – move by single-line rail service.

Expanded service offerings.&nbsp;As part of its optimized operating plan, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will improve service without overhauling existing networks. The combined railroad anticipates adding several routes, including two new daily intermodal train pairs connecting the East and the West with more direct service – reducing estimated transit times from Southern California to the Ohio Valley and Northeast by up to 20 hours and from Southern California to the Southeast by more than two days.&nbsp;The combined railroad also will introduce six new manifest trains to bridge the East-West divide more efficiently, reducing over 600 daily car handlings. To meet expected intermodal growth, the combined company plans to introduce a total of six premium intermodal lanes operating seven days a week.

Improved customer asset utilization. Customers who own rail cars will see improved productive use of their assets. With faster, more predictable service, they can turn cars more quickly, minimize idle time and lower equipment costs.

Simplified customer experience backed by innovative technology.&nbsp;A unified digital experience will allow shippers to integrate scheduling, tracking and shipment visibility.&nbsp;Customers will have one commercial team, one contract, one invoice and one accountable partner for their entire rail journey.&nbsp;

Streamlined pricing for interline moves.&nbsp;Committed Gateway Pricing will further enhance competition by streamlining pricing of interline moves for thousands of customer locations that otherwise may not directly benefit from the merger.&nbsp;

Efficient dispute resolution.&nbsp;As an added protection for customers, Union Pacific will voluntarily create an alternative dispute resolution program to efficiently address certain claims regarding merger-related service issues.

Growth for short lines. As Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern create new single-line routes, open competitive markets and streamline service, short lines are positioned to capture new volumes flowing directly onto their rails.

Safety remains the No. 1 priority.&nbsp;A safety integration plan was created working with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and submitted to the STB. The plan outlines how the new company will combine best practices from each railroad to further enhance the safety benefits for all. For example, comparing the first three quarters of 2023 to the same period in 2025, Union Pacific improved its personal injury rate by 41% and now leads the industry in employee safety. Norfolk Southern’s advanced technologies and industry-leading rail safety practices have improved its FRA accident rate by 45% over the same period.

Protection for all union jobs.&nbsp;Railroading offers some of the best-paid industrial careers in America. Average compensation including benefits is $160,000, which is roughly 40% above the national industrial average.&nbsp;<a></a>Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern expect to add approximately 900 net new union jobs by the third year following the merger to handle expected volume growth. Along with pledging that every employee with a union job at the time of the merger will continue to have one, Union Pacific has formalized groundbreaking jobs-for-life agreements with multiple unions. Any merger-related union job efficiencies will be achieved solely through attrition.

The Most Thoroughly Planned Merger in Railroad History

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are well-run, successful railroads coming together from positions of strength. They have the benefit of state-of-the-art transportation systems and anticipate investing an estimated $2.1 billion of incremental capital to integrate the two companies and deliver benefits to customers. The combined company also expects $133 million in annual capital synergies by leveraging the combined network and fleet more efficiently. Both railroads have a recent history of successfully managing large, complex system changes and will bring that proven record of precision integration to the merger’s implementation.

The transaction remains subject to STB review and approval within its statutory timeline and will be subject to continuing STB oversight post-closure. The Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern application to the STB is available for public review on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stb.gov/" target="_blank">its website</a>. The statements contained herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full application to the STB.

The two companies expect the transaction to be completed by early 2027. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up-nstranscontinental.com/" target="_blank">AmericasGreatConnection.com</a>.&nbsp;

For Immediate Release<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560465551027.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) requesting approval to combine the two railroads. The companies entered into a merger agreement on July 29, 2025, to create America’s first transcontinental railroad.Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) requesting approval to combine the two railroads. The companies entered into a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up.com/press-releases/growth/norfolk-southern-transcontinental-nr-250729" target="_blank">merger agreement</a>&nbsp;on July 29, 2025, to create&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up-nstranscontinental.com/" target="_blank">America’s first transcontinental railroad</a>.The nearly 7,000-page application provides comprehensive and compelling new details on how the end-to-end combination will enhance competition and deliver broad public benefits. The application includes a record-breaking 2,000 letters of support from stakeholders, joining shareholders at both companies who cast votes that were 99% in favor of the merger.America’s first transcontinental railroad will:<ul>
 <li>Connect the United States from coast to coast, transforming 10,000 existing lanes from interline service into faster, more efficient single-line service – eliminating time-consuming handoffs between railroads.</li><li>Move freight more efficiently, eliminating an estimated 2,400 rail car and container handlings and 60,000 car-miles each day.</li><li>Retain competitive shipping alternatives for the three customer locations out of more than 20,000 that are served by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern but no other carrier.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Compete more effectively with long-haul trucking, converting an estimated 2 million truckloads of freight from road to rail annually.</li><li><a href="https://www.up.com/news/people/railroading-secure-jobs-251216" target="_blank">Protect all union jobs</a>&nbsp;– every employee with a union job at the time of the merger will continue to have one, and growth of the combined company is expected to create about 900 net new union jobs by the third year following the merger.</li><li>Further enhance competition by voluntarily creating Committed Gateway Pricing, streamlining pricing of interline moves for thousands of customer locations that otherwise may not directly benefit from the merger.</li><li>Keep open all existing gateways for eligible traffic on commercially reasonable terms.</li><li>Provide customers with a unified digital experience, with one accountable partner for their entire rail journey.</li><li>Invest an estimated $2.1 billion of incremental capital to support revenue and cost synergies, and expect $133 million in annual capital synergies.</li>
 </ul>“We look forward to working with the Surface Transportation Board as it reviews our historic application to create America’s first transcontinental railroad,” said Union Pacific CEO&nbsp;Jim Vena. “As time and technology continue to transform how freight is delivered, our industry must keep pace and move forward, reaching underserved markets with new rail solutions and strengthening the U.S. supply chain.&nbsp;Customers deserve stronger, more connected freight rail, and our merger will make that happen.”“This combination will bring together Union Pacific’s expansive Western reach and Norfolk Southern’s unparalleled access to Eastern manufacturing and population centers in an end-to-end combination,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO&nbsp;Mark George. “It will create a cohesive freight rail solution with 50,000 route miles that connect 43 states and more than 100 ports.”<h2>Benefits for America</h2>Enhanced railroad competition.&nbsp;The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern combination is a classic end-to-end merger. Today, each railroad serves a distinct geographic region with complementary networks, customers and markets. Connecting the two systems will create a transcontinental network that bridges the gap between East and West, allowing freight to bypass congested interchanges and take the fastest and most efficient, price-competitive route. The result: substantial public benefits like expanded affordability; competitive options for customers in virtually every major corridor; and a stronger, more efficient national rail system. The combined network will move freight more efficiently, eliminating an estimated 2,400 rail car and container handlings and 60,000 car-miles each day. Faster, more reliable single-line rail service enhances competition – when it’s available, the share of freight traveling by rail versus the highway is roughly two to three times greater than interline service.&nbsp;&nbsp;Less congestion and wear on America’s roadways.&nbsp;A seamless transcontinental railroad will compete more aggressively with long-haul trucking, shifting an estimated 2 million truckloads of freight from road to rail annually. The result will be reduced congestion, safer roads and less wear on taxpayer-funded roads.An economic boost for America’s heartland.&nbsp;The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern combination will remove the artificial barrier that divides America’s rail system between East and West, getting freight moving in the Watershed region. This previously underserved rail market – where trucking was often the only option because crossing the divide made rail too expensive and complicated due to handoffs between railroads – will have access to single-line manifest service for the first time. Leading industry advisor Oliver Wyman estimates that 105,000 carloads of merchandise traffic will convert from road to rail when single-line service is available to the Watershed markets. Providing domestic shippers a cheaper alternative to truck will make them more competitive, which strengthens the entire U.S. economy.More direct and reliable access to global markets.&nbsp;A transcontinental railroad will provide efficient, flexible and reliable single-line access to more than 100 ports connecting to global markets and 10 international gateways to markets in Canada and Mexico.&nbsp;Reduced emissions.&nbsp;Rail is already the most sustainable way to move freight over ground, according to the Association of American Railroads, with roughly 75% less carbon emissions than trucks. The merger will further reduce emissions by removing more trucks from the road, running trains more efficiently, investing in cleaner and more efficient technologies, and providing customers with better tools to achieve their own sustainability goals.&nbsp;Dedicated support for passenger rail.&nbsp;Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will maintain dedicated systems to support passenger rail. A route-by-route analysis of projected volume growth verified sufficient capacity to continue fulfilling all service obligations to Amtrak and commuter rail agencies.&nbsp;<h2>Benefits for Customers</h2>Faster, more efficient service.&nbsp;Integrating Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern into one network will transform 10,000 existing lanes from interline service – which requires time-consuming handoffs between railroads – into faster, more efficient single-line service. It also will create an additional 84,000 county-to-county lanes where shippers are moving freight by road that could – for the first time – move by single-line rail service.Expanded service offerings.&nbsp;As part of its optimized operating plan, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will improve service without overhauling existing networks. The combined railroad anticipates adding several routes, including two new daily intermodal train pairs connecting the East and the West with more direct service – reducing estimated transit times from Southern California to the Ohio Valley and Northeast by up to 20 hours and from Southern California to the Southeast by more than two days.&nbsp;The combined railroad also will introduce six new manifest trains to bridge the East-West divide more efficiently, reducing over 600 daily car handlings. To meet expected intermodal growth, the combined company plans to introduce a total of six premium intermodal lanes operating seven days a week.Improved customer asset utilization. Customers who own rail cars will see improved productive use of their assets. With faster, more predictable service, they can turn cars more quickly, minimize idle time and lower equipment costs.Simplified customer experience backed by innovative technology.&nbsp;A unified digital experience will allow shippers to integrate scheduling, tracking and shipment visibility.&nbsp;Customers will have one commercial team, one contract, one invoice and one accountable partner for their entire rail journey.&nbsp;Streamlined pricing for interline moves.&nbsp;Committed Gateway Pricing will further enhance competition by streamlining pricing of interline moves for thousands of customer locations that otherwise may not directly benefit from the merger.&nbsp;Efficient dispute resolution.&nbsp;As an added protection for customers, Union Pacific will voluntarily create an alternative dispute resolution program to efficiently address certain claims regarding merger-related service issues.Growth for short lines. As Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern create new single-line routes, open competitive markets and streamline service, short lines are positioned to capture new volumes flowing directly onto their rails.<h2>Benefits for Safety</h2>Safety remains the No. 1 priority.&nbsp;A safety integration plan was created working with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and submitted to the STB. The plan outlines how the new company will combine best practices from each railroad to further enhance the safety benefits for all. For example, comparing the first three quarters of 2023 to the same period in 2025, Union Pacific improved its personal injury rate by 41% and now leads the industry in employee safety. Norfolk Southern’s advanced technologies and industry-leading rail safety practices have improved its FRA accident rate by 45% over the same period.<h2>Benefits for Railroad Employees</h2>Protection for all union jobs.&nbsp;Railroading offers some of the best-paid industrial careers in America. Average compensation including benefits is $160,000, which is roughly 40% above the national industrial average.&nbsp;<a></a>Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern expect to add approximately 900 net new union jobs by the third year following the merger to handle expected volume growth. Along with pledging that every employee with a union job at the time of the merger will continue to have one, Union Pacific has formalized groundbreaking jobs-for-life agreements with multiple unions. Any merger-related union job efficiencies will be achieved solely through attrition.<h2>The Most Thoroughly Planned Merger in Railroad History</h2>Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are well-run, successful railroads coming together from positions of strength. They have the benefit of state-of-the-art transportation systems and anticipate investing an estimated $2.1 billion of incremental capital to integrate the two companies and deliver benefits to customers. The combined company also expects $133 million in annual capital synergies by leveraging the combined network and fleet more efficiently. Both railroads have a recent history of successfully managing large, complex system changes and will bring that proven record of precision integration to the merger’s implementation.The transaction remains subject to STB review and approval within its statutory timeline and will be subject to continuing STB oversight post-closure. The Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern application to the STB is available for public review on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stb.gov/" target="_blank">its website</a>. The statements contained herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full application to the STB.The two companies expect the transaction to be completed by early 2027. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up-nstranscontinental.com/" target="_blank">AmericasGreatConnection.com</a>.&nbsp;

UP and NS STB Merger Application Details Enhancements to Competition and Public Benefits

&nbsp;By Cindy Gonzalez | Nebraska Examiner

&nbsp;Mark Martinez, former U.S. marshal for Nebraska and community advocate, speaks at a news conference seeking support for Lexington workers losing jobs when a Tyson Foods plant closes in January. Left to right, Albert Varas of the Latino Center of the Midlands; Roger Garcia, Douglas County Board chair; Beth Roberts of the Lexington Community Foundation; Lina Translaviña Stover of the Heartland Workers Center. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

OMAHA —&nbsp;A group of community leaders from Nebraska’s largest urban area met Tuesday to voice support and seek donations to help with pressing needs of thousands of rural “brothers and sisters” losing jobs as Tyson Foods’ meatpacking plant closes in Lexington.

“We will not be forgetting nor letting our brothers and sisters in a smaller community in Nebraska go through this alone,” said Douglas County Board chair Roger Garcia.&nbsp;

Noting that he grew up in Columbus, Nebraska, Garcia added: “We knew our neighbors, we helped our neighbors. Regardless of ethnicity or background, we were there for each other. And those are the values that we carry across the entire state.”

Garcia was among a panel of speakers requesting that people donate to the Lexington Community Foundation at&nbsp;<a href="http://lexfoundation.org/" target="_blank">lexfoundation.org</a>. Beth Roberts, foundation executive director, attended the media event at Omaha’s Latino Center of the Midlands, and said proceeds would be used to help workers and families with day-to-day needs as they navigate next steps.

About 3,200 Tyson workers who live in the Lexington area of about 11,000 —&nbsp;many of them immigrants and refugees —&nbsp;will lose their jobs when Tyson shutters its longtime beef plant in mid-January.&nbsp;

Roberts said this is the most challenging time the town has faced and said the relief fund should help with immediate needs including food, rent and utility assistance. She said the foundation is assembling a team of grassroots community advocacy agencies to meet with workers and to help determine the direction of donations.

“We have a lot of people in crisis right now,” said Mark Martinez, a former U.S. Marshal for Nebraska and community advocate who helped organize the event.

Other speakers included Lina Traslaviña Stover, executive director of the Heartland Workers Center and Albert Varas, CEO of Latino Center of the Midlands. Several offered comments in Spanish.

Traslaviña said her Omaha-headquartered nonprofit, which has statewide offices and reach, visited with Tyson workers during recent job fairs in Lexington. Representatives of various industries were recruiting, she said, including packing plants from towns such as Gibbon and North Platte.

But worker needs are complex and stretch beyond finding new jobs, Traslaviña said. Many came from Spanish-speaking countries and have invested decades in the Tyson plant. They’re dealing with mortgages, child care and the anxiety of uncertainty.

Laras said his team at the Omaha-based Latino Center of the Midlands stands in solidarity with families of Lexington and will donate as well. “When one Nebraska community is in crisis, it touches us all,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition to the personal toll on families, speakers spoke of ripple effects expected to hit schools, restaurants and other businesses that over the past decades had been lifted by the Tyson workforce. They fear the loss of teachers, talent and tax base.

Roberts noted that more than 70 different national flags are represented at Lexington High School. The town created a Welcome Center that helps families access resources.&nbsp;

“We want to keep that going. We know that’s going to be challenging, but we want to keep that spirit alive,” she said.

People can help in ways beyond financial donations, including volunteer and services as interpreters. Roberts said multiple languages are spoken in the Tyson plant. She suggested calling the foundation for more information.&nbsp;

Martinez and others suggested reaching out to elected officials, nationally and statewide, to question what is being done for Lexington.&nbsp;

Said Garcia: “We care about you and we will walk with you through this journey.”

&nbsp;By Cindy Gonzalez | Nebraska Examiner<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_4967-1536x877.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Mark Martinez, former U.S. marshal for Nebraska and community advocate, speaks at a news conference seeking support for Lexington workers losing jobs when a Tyson Foods plant closes in January. Left to right, Albert Varas of the Latino Center of the Midlands; Roger Garcia, Douglas County Board chair; Beth Roberts of the Lexington Community Foundation; Lina Translaviña Stover of the Heartland Workers Center. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Mark Martinez, former U.S. marshal for Nebraska and community advocate, speaks at a news conference seeking support for Lexington workers losing jobs when a Tyson Foods plant closes in January. Left to right, Albert Varas of the Latino Center of the Midlands; Roger Garcia, Douglas County Board chair; Beth Roberts of the Lexington Community Foundation; Lina Translaviña Stover of the Heartland Workers Center. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Mark Martinez, former U.S. marshal for Nebraska and community advocate, speaks at a news conference seeking support for Lexington workers losing jobs when a Tyson Foods plant closes in January. Left to right, Albert Varas of the Latino Center of the Midlands; Roger Garcia, Douglas County Board chair; Beth Roberts of the Lexington Community Foundation; Lina Translaviña Stover of the Heartland Workers Center. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)OMAHA —&nbsp;A group of community leaders from Nebraska’s largest urban area met Tuesday to voice support and seek donations to help with pressing needs of thousands of rural “brothers and sisters” losing jobs as Tyson Foods’ meatpacking plant closes in Lexington.“We will not be forgetting nor letting our brothers and sisters in a smaller community in Nebraska go through this alone,” said Douglas County Board chair Roger Garcia.&nbsp;Noting that he grew up in Columbus, Nebraska, Garcia added: “We knew our neighbors, we helped our neighbors. Regardless of ethnicity or background, we were there for each other. And those are the values that we carry across the entire state.”<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/LexingtonNE-300x150.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Garcia was among a panel of speakers requesting that people donate to the Lexington Community Foundation at&nbsp;<a href="http://lexfoundation.org/" target="_blank">lexfoundation.org</a>. Beth Roberts, foundation executive director, attended the media event at Omaha’s Latino Center of the Midlands, and said proceeds would be used to help workers and families with day-to-day needs as they navigate next steps.About 3,200 Tyson workers who live in the Lexington area of about 11,000 —&nbsp;many of them immigrants and refugees —&nbsp;will lose their jobs when Tyson shutters its longtime beef plant in mid-January.&nbsp;Roberts said this is the most challenging time the town has faced and said the relief fund should help with immediate needs including food, rent and utility assistance. She said the foundation is assembling a team of grassroots community advocacy agencies to meet with workers and to help determine the direction of donations.“We have a lot of people in crisis right now,” said Mark Martinez, a former U.S. Marshal for Nebraska and community advocate who helped organize the event.Other speakers included Lina Traslaviña Stover, executive director of the Heartland Workers Center and Albert Varas, CEO of Latino Center of the Midlands. Several offered comments in Spanish.<h2>Ripple effects</h2>Traslaviña said her Omaha-headquartered nonprofit, which has statewide offices and reach, visited with Tyson workers during recent job fairs in Lexington. Representatives of various industries were recruiting, she said, including packing plants from towns such as Gibbon and North Platte.But worker needs are complex and stretch beyond finding new jobs, Traslaviña said. Many came from Spanish-speaking countries and have invested decades in the Tyson plant. They’re dealing with mortgages, child care and the anxiety of uncertainty.Laras said his team at the Omaha-based Latino Center of the Midlands stands in solidarity with families of Lexington and will donate as well. “When one Nebraska community is in crisis, it touches us all,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to the personal toll on families, speakers spoke of ripple effects expected to hit schools, restaurants and other businesses that over the past decades had been lifted by the Tyson workforce. They fear the loss of teachers, talent and tax base.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_4976-300x225.jpeg" alt="Beth Roberts, executive director of the Lexington Community Foundation (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Beth Roberts, executive director of the Lexington Community Foundation (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Roberts noted that more than 70 different national flags are represented at Lexington High School. The town created a Welcome Center that helps families access resources.&nbsp;“We want to keep that going. We know that’s going to be challenging, but we want to keep that spirit alive,” she said.People can help in ways beyond financial donations, including volunteer and services as interpreters. Roberts said multiple languages are spoken in the Tyson plant. She suggested calling the foundation for more information.&nbsp;Martinez and others suggested reaching out to elected officials, nationally and statewide, to question what is being done for Lexington.&nbsp;Said Garcia: “We care about you and we will walk with you through this journey.”

‘We will walk with you’: Omaha advocates urge support for Lexington workers as plant closes

Late Friday afternoon,&nbsp; the U.S. Department of Justice Department&nbsp; began releasing a portion of the long awaited files on&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein">Click here to see</a>&nbsp;the files and do a search

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766179629581.png" alt="mage released Thursday by the House Oversight Committee" />
 <figcaption>mage released Thursday by the House Oversight Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>Late Friday afternoon,&nbsp; the U.S. Department of Justice Department&nbsp; began releasing a portion of the long awaited files on&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein">Click here to see</a>&nbsp;the files and do a search<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766179219604.png" alt="Image from the DOJ web site on Friday Dec. 19, 3p.m. CST" />
 <figcaption>Image from the DOJ web site on Friday Dec. 19, 3p.m. CST</figcaption>
 </figure>

See the files: Some long-awaited Epstein files finally released

WASHINGTON— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth used social media to announce retaliatory strikes in Syria.

He wrote "Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria."

"This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people.

As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you."

"Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766004117046.png" alt="On Wednesday, President Trump witnesses the dignified transfer of the three American Patriots killed in Syria." />
 <figcaption>On Wednesday, President Trump witnesses the dignified transfer of the three American Patriots killed in Syria.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth used social media to announce retaliatory strikes in Syria.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">CENTCOM forces launched fighter jets, attack helicopters and other assets to conduct the large-scale strike. <a href="https://t.co/3szSo2u5rm">pic.twitter.com/3szSo2u5rm</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2002154219089113254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He wrote "Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria.""This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people.As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.""Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue."

US launches retaliatory strikes in Syria targeting ISIS

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced the unsealing of multiple indictments against more than 70 individuals, including leaders and members of designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA), linked to various violent crimes inside and outside the United States, including murder, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, and controlled substance trafficking. These actions include indictments across five U.S. Attorney offices, including the District of Colorado, District of Nebraska, District of New Mexico, Southern District of New York, and the Southern District of Texas.

Since January 20, 2025, the Department has federally indicted over 260 members of TdA. &nbsp;

“Immediately upon taking office, I directed the Department of Justice to fiercely pursue the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This latest multi-state series of charges underscores the Trump Administration's unwavering commitment to restoring public safety, dismantling violent trafficking networks, and ridding our country of Tren de Aragua terrorists.”

“Tren de Aragua is a terrorist cartel that exploits our borders to bring murder, drugs, and chaos into American communities,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This Department is crushing their leadership, dismantling their networks, and cutting off their money across the United States. There will be no safe haven here. If you cross our border to commit violent crime, we will find you, prosecute you, and put you away.”

“The FBI is committed to investigating members of violent transnational gangs whose actions violate our laws and put American lives at risk,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The existence of TdA is a direct threat to our national security, and we will not allow such a dangerous criminal organization to take root in our communities. Together with our law enforcement partners at every level, we are working to bring these ruthless criminals to justice.”

“Tren de Aragua is a ruthless, highly organized, and rapidly expanding foreign terrorist organization that thrives on chaos and human suffering,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “They exploit alliances with other terrorist-designated groups and transnational networks, including the FARC, ELN, and Cartel de los Soles, fueling instability, corruption, and violence across the region while endangering American communities. DEA is confronting this threat by relentlessly targeting their leadership, financial networks, and infrastructure. Those who align with TdA are standing against the United States and will face the full force of federal law enforcement.”

“The United States Marshals Service makes this point clear to all members of gangs like Tren de Aragua, we are coming for you,” said Gadyaces S. Serralta, Director of the United States Marshals Service. “We will not give you a moment of rest. We will find you. We will arrest you. You will be made to answer for your crimes. We will continue to work with all of our federal partners, to rid you from our country. Together, we are making the communities of America safer.”

“The foreign terrorist organization known as Tren de Aragua has used illicit firearms to maintain and expand control of its criminal enterprise, and imparted untold violence, widespread narcotics addiction, and death in American communities,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Deputy Director Rob Cekada. “The men and women of ATF, along with our federal law enforcement partners, have worked tirelessly to bring the members of this organization to justice. We will continue to systematically dismantle Tren de Aragua and other foreign terrorist organizations to ensure our communities are protected from harm. The days of Tren de Aragua running roughshod over the American public, preying on, and profiting from American citizens is over.”

“These actions reflect the strength of our partnerships and our determination to dismantle criminal networks like Tren de Aragua,” said BOP Director William K. Marshall III. “The Federal Bureau of Prisons is proud to support this mission by providing critical intelligence and secure management of offenders, ensuring justice and safety for our communities.”

<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-co%2Fpr%2Falleged-tren-de-aragua-leaders-indicted-multiple-charges-including-rico%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/mridQlnxFifI1I2k7UjGXpyFqxR0eZ9O7hX5rfhEuu8=436" target="_blank">DISTRICT OF COLORADO</a>:

Two alleged leaders of TdA have been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with a series of crimes in Colorado. These defendants are facing several charges including a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) conspiracy. The indictment alleges that from May 2024 through on or about March of 2025, the defendants conducted activity for TdA through a pattern of racketeering activity that included robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering and controlled substance offenses. The defendants are also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and firearms offenses in connection with the armed robberies of two jewelry stores in the Denver, Colorado area in June of 2024.

<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-ne%2Fpr%2Ftren-de-aragua-members-and-leaders-indicted-multi-million-dollar-atm-jackpotting-scheme%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/uznvPHERtfMIpSa6naabQEkm_7M9wyw9FROaWWruKog=436" target="_blank">DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA</a>:

A grand jury returned two indictments charging a total of 54 individuals, some associated with TdA, for leading and facilitating a large-scale conspiracy to use malware to steal millions of dollars from U.S. financial institutions by hacking ATMs. Charges against some of the defendants included conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism, in addition to conspiracies to commit bank fraud, money laundering, bank burglary, and computer fraud and abuse.

<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-nm%2Fpr%2Feleven-tda-members-indicted-new-mexico-rico-conspiracy-and-violent-acts%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/RIpj_Jmpavxi16gb6umtdbAKfAeqK8zhGfbjaDSpZII=436" target="_blank">DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO</a>:

Federal prosecutors have indicted 11 alleged members and leaders of TdA on racketeering charges, accusing them of kidnapping, brutally interrogating, and strangling a victim in an Albuquerque apartment, before burying his body in a remote desert grave. Some defendants were also directly involved in an armed confrontation at an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado, during which rival groups exchanged gunfire and a victim was killed.&nbsp;

<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-sdny%2Fpr%2Fleader-tren-de-aragua-charged-manhattan-federal-court-racketeering-terrorism-drug%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/u6LZtKJaHqjPWhuItoTnEmJovR0z0juPBkQveUniYQw=436" target="_blank">SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK</a>:

An indictment has been unsealed charging Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, a/k/a “Nino Guerrero,” in connection with a leadership role in TdA operating throughout North America, South America, and Europe. For over a decade, Guerrero Flores has served as either the leader or co-leader of TdA, acting as the mastermind over TdA’s expansion across the Western Hemisphere. While operating from Venezuela and elsewhere, Guerrero Flores ordered, directed, facilitated, and supported acts of violence and terrorism transcending national boundaries, including murders, kidnappings, extortions, and maiming against victims located inside and outside the United States, and facilitated the transport of tons of cocaine from Venezuela to the United States. Guerrero Flores is currently at large, and the U.S. Department of State is offering rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.&nbsp;

<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-sdtx%2Fpr%2Ftren-de-aragua-senior-leadership-charged-terrorism-and-international-drug-distribution%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/-lxXDOiGvW9cBDBRRO484UjE13AtXgziW_E175-FAUY=436" target="_blank">SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS</a>:

A six-count superseding indictment has been unsealed charging four Venezuelan nationals, including multiple alleged high-ranking members of TdA, for conspiring to provide and providing material support to TdA, and for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine in Colombia intended for distribution in the United States. According to court records, two of the defendants are some of the topmost TdA leaders, with one allegedly exercising command and control over all of TdA’s criminal operations, including the illegal importation and smuggling of gold and narcotics, extortion, and murder. The two other defendants are also high-ranking TdA leaders who operate out of multiple South American countries and direct operations to include gold smuggling, narcotics export and violent crime.

These cases are part of Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), which was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and now&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fag%2Fmedia%2F1388546%2Fdl%3Finline=%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/IckTr_BxWHImvDDgyDJ5O2JDMrLiW8rPCXNu5-AzquE=436" target="_blank">expanded</a>&nbsp;at the direction of Attorney General Bondi to target Tren de Aragua. JTFV is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. Those include Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia;&nbsp;Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Texas; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Indiana; and the District of Nevada; as well as the as well as the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys &nbsp;Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, USMS, and the Bureau of Prisons are essential law enforcement partners with JTFV. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Office of Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia, has also provided significant assistance.

TdA is a violent transnational criminal organization that originated as a prison gang in Venezuela in the mid-2000s. TdA has expanded its criminal network throughout the Western Hemisphere and established a presence in the United States. TdA’s criminal activities include a variety of violent and criminal offenses, including drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, commercial sex trafficking, kidnapping, robbery, theft, fraud, and extortion. TdA members also commit murder, assault, and other acts of violence to enforce and further the organization’s criminal activities. TdA has also developed an additional source of revenue stream through financial crimes that target financial institutions throughout the United States, including using jackpotting to steal millions of dollars in cash.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

For Immediate Release<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766092033682.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced the unsealing of multiple indictments against more than 70 individuals, including leaders and members of designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA), linked to various violent crimes inside and outside the United States, including murder, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, and controlled substance trafficking. These actions include indictments across five U.S. Attorney offices, including the District of Colorado, District of Nebraska, District of New Mexico, Southern District of New York, and the Southern District of Texas.Since January 20, 2025, the Department has federally indicted over 260 members of TdA. &nbsp;“Immediately upon taking office, I directed the Department of Justice to fiercely pursue the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This latest multi-state series of charges underscores the Trump Administration's unwavering commitment to restoring public safety, dismantling violent trafficking networks, and ridding our country of Tren de Aragua terrorists.”“Tren de Aragua is a terrorist cartel that exploits our borders to bring murder, drugs, and chaos into American communities,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This Department is crushing their leadership, dismantling their networks, and cutting off their money across the United States. There will be no safe haven here. If you cross our border to commit violent crime, we will find you, prosecute you, and put you away.”“The FBI is committed to investigating members of violent transnational gangs whose actions violate our laws and put American lives at risk,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The existence of TdA is a direct threat to our national security, and we will not allow such a dangerous criminal organization to take root in our communities. Together with our law enforcement partners at every level, we are working to bring these ruthless criminals to justice.”“Tren de Aragua is a ruthless, highly organized, and rapidly expanding foreign terrorist organization that thrives on chaos and human suffering,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “They exploit alliances with other terrorist-designated groups and transnational networks, including the FARC, ELN, and Cartel de los Soles, fueling instability, corruption, and violence across the region while endangering American communities. DEA is confronting this threat by relentlessly targeting their leadership, financial networks, and infrastructure. Those who align with TdA are standing against the United States and will face the full force of federal law enforcement.”“The United States Marshals Service makes this point clear to all members of gangs like Tren de Aragua, we are coming for you,” said Gadyaces S. Serralta, Director of the United States Marshals Service. “We will not give you a moment of rest. We will find you. We will arrest you. You will be made to answer for your crimes. We will continue to work with all of our federal partners, to rid you from our country. Together, we are making the communities of America safer.”“The foreign terrorist organization known as Tren de Aragua has used illicit firearms to maintain and expand control of its criminal enterprise, and imparted untold violence, widespread narcotics addiction, and death in American communities,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Deputy Director Rob Cekada. “The men and women of ATF, along with our federal law enforcement partners, have worked tirelessly to bring the members of this organization to justice. We will continue to systematically dismantle Tren de Aragua and other foreign terrorist organizations to ensure our communities are protected from harm. The days of Tren de Aragua running roughshod over the American public, preying on, and profiting from American citizens is over.”“These actions reflect the strength of our partnerships and our determination to dismantle criminal networks like Tren de Aragua,” said BOP Director William K. Marshall III. “The Federal Bureau of Prisons is proud to support this mission by providing critical intelligence and secure management of offenders, ensuring justice and safety for our communities.”A case summary is below:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-co%2Fpr%2Falleged-tren-de-aragua-leaders-indicted-multiple-charges-including-rico%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/mridQlnxFifI1I2k7UjGXpyFqxR0eZ9O7hX5rfhEuu8=436" target="_blank">DISTRICT OF COLORADO</a>:Two alleged leaders of TdA have been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with a series of crimes in Colorado. These defendants are facing several charges including a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) conspiracy. The indictment alleges that from May 2024 through on or about March of 2025, the defendants conducted activity for TdA through a pattern of racketeering activity that included robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering and controlled substance offenses. The defendants are also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and firearms offenses in connection with the armed robberies of two jewelry stores in the Denver, Colorado area in June of 2024.<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-ne%2Fpr%2Ftren-de-aragua-members-and-leaders-indicted-multi-million-dollar-atm-jackpotting-scheme%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/uznvPHERtfMIpSa6naabQEkm_7M9wyw9FROaWWruKog=436" target="_blank">DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA</a>:A grand jury returned two indictments charging a total of 54 individuals, some associated with TdA, for leading and facilitating a large-scale conspiracy to use malware to steal millions of dollars from U.S. financial institutions by hacking ATMs. Charges against some of the defendants included conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism, in addition to conspiracies to commit bank fraud, money laundering, bank burglary, and computer fraud and abuse.<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-nm%2Fpr%2Feleven-tda-members-indicted-new-mexico-rico-conspiracy-and-violent-acts%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/RIpj_Jmpavxi16gb6umtdbAKfAeqK8zhGfbjaDSpZII=436" target="_blank">DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO</a>:Federal prosecutors have indicted 11 alleged members and leaders of TdA on racketeering charges, accusing them of kidnapping, brutally interrogating, and strangling a victim in an Albuquerque apartment, before burying his body in a remote desert grave. Some defendants were also directly involved in an armed confrontation at an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado, during which rival groups exchanged gunfire and a victim was killed.&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-sdny%2Fpr%2Fleader-tren-de-aragua-charged-manhattan-federal-court-racketeering-terrorism-drug%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/u6LZtKJaHqjPWhuItoTnEmJovR0z0juPBkQveUniYQw=436" target="_blank">SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK</a>:An indictment has been unsealed charging Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, a/k/a “Nino Guerrero,” in connection with a leadership role in TdA operating throughout North America, South America, and Europe. For over a decade, Guerrero Flores has served as either the leader or co-leader of TdA, acting as the mastermind over TdA’s expansion across the Western Hemisphere. While operating from Venezuela and elsewhere, Guerrero Flores ordered, directed, facilitated, and supported acts of violence and terrorism transcending national boundaries, including murders, kidnappings, extortions, and maiming against victims located inside and outside the United States, and facilitated the transport of tons of cocaine from Venezuela to the United States. Guerrero Flores is currently at large, and the U.S. Department of State is offering rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fusao-sdtx%2Fpr%2Ftren-de-aragua-senior-leadership-charged-terrorism-and-international-drug-distribution%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/-lxXDOiGvW9cBDBRRO484UjE13AtXgziW_E175-FAUY=436" target="_blank">SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS</a>:A six-count superseding indictment has been unsealed charging four Venezuelan nationals, including multiple alleged high-ranking members of TdA, for conspiring to provide and providing material support to TdA, and for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine in Colombia intended for distribution in the United States. According to court records, two of the defendants are some of the topmost TdA leaders, with one allegedly exercising command and control over all of TdA’s criminal operations, including the illegal importation and smuggling of gold and narcotics, extortion, and murder. The two other defendants are also high-ranking TdA leaders who operate out of multiple South American countries and direct operations to include gold smuggling, narcotics export and violent crime.These cases are part of Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), which was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and now&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fag%2Fmedia%2F1388546%2Fdl%3Finline=%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019b32ad99f1-ad7a5716-b085-4aa4-8882-09f3fcb3df2b-000000/IckTr_BxWHImvDDgyDJ5O2JDMrLiW8rPCXNu5-AzquE=436" target="_blank">expanded</a>&nbsp;at the direction of Attorney General Bondi to target Tren de Aragua. JTFV is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. Those include Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia;&nbsp;Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Texas; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Indiana; and the District of Nevada; as well as the as well as the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys &nbsp;Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, USMS, and the Bureau of Prisons are essential law enforcement partners with JTFV. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Office of Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia, has also provided significant assistance.TdA is a violent transnational criminal organization that originated as a prison gang in Venezuela in the mid-2000s. TdA has expanded its criminal network throughout the Western Hemisphere and established a presence in the United States. TdA’s criminal activities include a variety of violent and criminal offenses, including drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, commercial sex trafficking, kidnapping, robbery, theft, fraud, and extortion. TdA members also commit murder, assault, and other acts of violence to enforce and further the organization’s criminal activities. TdA has also developed an additional source of revenue stream through financial crimes that target financial institutions throughout the United States, including using jackpotting to steal millions of dollars in cash.An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Justice Department Highlights Nationwide Crackdown on Tren de Aragua

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>

WASHINGTON — The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a prestigious cultural hub in the nation’s capital, will be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday.

<a href="https://www.kennedy-center.org/about-us/leadership/trustees/">Click here to see the</a> Center's Board of Trustees

The renaming comes after President Donald Trump named himself chair of the board in February in a major shake-up. He later fired the Kennedy Center president as well as board members appointed by President Joe Biden before appointing his own members.

Leavitt said the board unanimously approved the name change. However, a federal statute appears to prohibit the renaming of portions of the center, which is considered a living memorial to Kennedy.

“After December 2, 1983, no additional memorials or plaques in the nature of memorials shall be designated or installed in the public areas of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,”&nbsp;<a href="https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter3/subchapter5&amp;edition=prelim" target="_blank">according to the U.S. code.&nbsp;</a>

Congress likely would need to change the law for the center to be renamed officially.&nbsp;

The Kennedy Center was renamed in 1964 to honor President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated.

Leavitt said the renaming was “because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation.”

“Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future!,” she wrote.

Since the president’s takeover of the center, major artists and performers have canceled performances or boycotted performing. The artist Issa Rae, and the musical “Hamilton” will no longer perform at the center and dozens of cast members of “Les Misérables” refused to perform for Trump officials earlier this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766113484318.png" alt="The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which the White House said will be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center. (Photo courtesy of Kennedy Center) " />
 <figcaption>The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which the White House said will be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center. (Photo courtesy of Kennedy Center) </figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>WASHINGTON — The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a prestigious cultural hub in the nation’s capital, will be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday.<a href="https://www.kennedy-center.org/about-us/leadership/trustees/">Click here to see the</a> Center's Board of TrusteesThe renaming comes after President Donald Trump named himself chair of the board in February in a major shake-up. He later fired the Kennedy Center president as well as board members appointed by President Joe Biden before appointing his own members.Leavitt said the board unanimously approved the name change. However, a federal statute appears to prohibit the renaming of portions of the center, which is considered a living memorial to Kennedy.“After December 2, 1983, no additional memorials or plaques in the nature of memorials shall be designated or installed in the public areas of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,”&nbsp;<a href="https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter3/subchapter5&amp;edition=prelim" target="_blank">according to the U.S. code.&nbsp;</a>Congress likely would need to change the law for the center to be renamed officially.&nbsp;The Kennedy Center was renamed in 1964 to honor President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated.Leavitt said the renaming was “because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation.”“Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future!,” she wrote.Since the president’s takeover of the center, major artists and performers have canceled performances or boycotted performing. The artist Issa Rae, and the musical “Hamilton” will no longer perform at the center and dozens of cast members of “Les Misérables” refused to perform for Trump officials earlier this year.

Controversy: Kennedy Center to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center

By Cindy Gonzalez | Nebraska Examiner

LINCOLN —&nbsp;A Nebraska state official responsible for overseeing state data security and privacy allegedly submitted duplicate travel reimbursement claims on two occasions for his own financial benefit, according to a new report from the state auditor.

Auditor Mike Foley this week made public his office’s review of reimbursements sought by the state’s “chief information security and privacy officer,” a man whose state employment has since ended.

Identified as Patrick Wright, he worked under the Department of Administrative Services’ Office of the Chief Information Officer. The state information office said it alerted Foley’s office and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office in December, when it found alleged improprieties.

The Auditor’s Office issued a<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2025/SA65101-12152025-December_15_2025_OCIO_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;24-page report,</a>&nbsp;largely copies of reimbursement forms, and recommendations for improvement to Wright’s supervisors, who said Wright at first was placed on administrative leave and then resigned during the investigation.

Contacted by the Nebraska Examiner, Wright and his lawyer said they were reviewing the auditor’s report and would make a statement at a later date.

Foley said his team did not reach out to Wright for comment or explanation, given that the Attorney General’s Office already was involved. A spokesperson for the AG said the office had no comment on the matter.&nbsp;

The auditing team noted that Wright was employed by the state from July 2020 through this February, and was paid about $120,000 when he left.

Foley called the situation concerning.&nbsp;

“That these allegations of financial impropriety are leveled at someone to whom the state’s data security and privacy was entrusted should give everyone pause,” Foley said.&nbsp;

According to the auditor’s report, Wright during his tenure and on two separate occasions submitted reimbursement requests to both the state and third-party organizations for the same expenses, using “identical documentation.”

Wright allegedly received about $500 of undue duplicative payments, Foley said. Those were related to an August 2024 work-related trip to Milwaukee.&nbsp;

Foley said the overall amount of alleged undue reimbursements might have been higher, but that it appears Wright sought to rectify a double payment situation a few months later related to a Washington D.C. trip, after officials questioned “suspicious” reimbursement requests.&nbsp;

Wright in January returned a $2,266 check to a third-party organization, explaining in an accompanying letter that there was a “misunderstanding” and the check related to the D.C. trip should be issued to the State of Nebraska rather than to him personally. The letter was&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2025/SA65101-12152025-December_15_2025_OCIO_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">included in the auditor</a>’s report.

“In addition to giving rise to concerns regarding possible theft, forgery and even abuse of public records, the putative double-dealing by the former Security and Privacy Officer could implicate him in having violated Nebraska law forbidding use of public office or resources for unauthorized personal gain,” Foley said in a news release.

He said the auditing team’s findings were turned over to the Attorney General’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission and the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office for review.

While employed by the state, Wright also served on the executive committee of the Center for Internet Security’s Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. The auditor’s report notes that he currently directs Cyber Strong Nebraska, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity awareness, education and resources within the state.&nbsp;

Foley said the state information office, directed by Chief Information Officer Matthew McCarville under Administrative Services, cooperated and pledged to take safeguards against similar situations.

The information office’s response included in the auditor’s letter said the agency would try to recoup any funds determined to have been improperly paid and said it would cooperate with any further investigations.&nbsp;

McCarville, in a statement to the Examiner, said his office is dedicated to being a good steward of taxpayer dollars and that prevention of fraud and misuse of public funds remains a top priority.&nbsp;

He&nbsp; said the review led the information office to amend internal policies and to enhance procedures for approving travel expense reimbursement forms.

“Our agency acted quickly to ensure that proper and immediate reporting occurred to the State Auditor and the Attorney General’s Office when this situation came to light,” said McCarville.

By Cindy Gonzalez | Nebraska Examiner<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0564-1536x978.jpg" alt="&nbsp;Nebraska State Auditor’s Office in the Nebraska Capitol. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Nebraska State Auditor’s Office in the Nebraska Capitol. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN —&nbsp;A Nebraska state official responsible for overseeing state data security and privacy allegedly submitted duplicate travel reimbursement claims on two occasions for his own financial benefit, according to a new report from the state auditor.Auditor Mike Foley this week made public his office’s review of reimbursements sought by the state’s “chief information security and privacy officer,” a man whose state employment has since ended.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_4990-scaled-e1766079038704-300x166.jpg" alt="Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Identified as Patrick Wright, he worked under the Department of Administrative Services’ Office of the Chief Information Officer. The state information office said it alerted Foley’s office and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office in December, when it found alleged improprieties.The Auditor’s Office issued a<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2025/SA65101-12152025-December_15_2025_OCIO_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;24-page report,</a>&nbsp;largely copies of reimbursement forms, and recommendations for improvement to Wright’s supervisors, who said Wright at first was placed on administrative leave and then resigned during the investigation.Contacted by the Nebraska Examiner, Wright and his lawyer said they were reviewing the auditor’s report and would make a statement at a later date.Foley said his team did not reach out to Wright for comment or explanation, given that the Attorney General’s Office already was involved. A spokesperson for the AG said the office had no comment on the matter.&nbsp;The auditing team noted that Wright was employed by the state from July 2020 through this February, and was paid about $120,000 when he left.Foley called the situation concerning.&nbsp;“That these allegations of financial impropriety are leveled at someone to whom the state’s data security and privacy was entrusted should give everyone pause,” Foley said.&nbsp;<h2>‘Misunderstanding’</h2>According to the auditor’s report, Wright during his tenure and on two separate occasions submitted reimbursement requests to both the state and third-party organizations for the same expenses, using “identical documentation.”Wright allegedly received about $500 of undue duplicative payments, Foley said. Those were related to an August 2024 work-related trip to Milwaukee.&nbsp;Foley said the overall amount of alleged undue reimbursements might have been higher, but that it appears Wright sought to rectify a double payment situation a few months later related to a Washington D.C. trip, after officials questioned “suspicious” reimbursement requests.&nbsp;Wright in January returned a $2,266 check to a third-party organization, explaining in an accompanying letter that there was a “misunderstanding” and the check related to the D.C. trip should be issued to the State of Nebraska rather than to him personally. The letter was&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2025/SA65101-12152025-December_15_2025_OCIO_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">included in the auditor</a>’s report.“In addition to giving rise to concerns regarding possible theft, forgery and even abuse of public records, the putative double-dealing by the former Security and Privacy Officer could implicate him in having violated Nebraska law forbidding use of public office or resources for unauthorized personal gain,” Foley said in a news release.He said the auditing team’s findings were turned over to the Attorney General’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission and the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office for review.While employed by the state, Wright also served on the executive committee of the Center for Internet Security’s Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center. The auditor’s report notes that he currently directs Cyber Strong Nebraska, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity awareness, education and resources within the state.&nbsp;<h2>Recoup funds</h2>Foley said the state information office, directed by Chief Information Officer Matthew McCarville under Administrative Services, cooperated and pledged to take safeguards against similar situations.The information office’s response included in the auditor’s letter said the agency would try to recoup any funds determined to have been improperly paid and said it would cooperate with any further investigations.&nbsp;McCarville, in a statement to the Examiner, said his office is dedicated to being a good steward of taxpayer dollars and that prevention of fraud and misuse of public funds remains a top priority.&nbsp;He&nbsp; said the review led the information office to amend internal policies and to enhance procedures for approving travel expense reimbursement forms.“Our agency acted quickly to ensure that proper and immediate reporting occurred to the State Auditor and the Attorney General’s Office when this situation came to light,” said McCarville.

Top Nebraska data security officer target of auditor probe of ‘suspicious’ reimbursements

WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers in Pharr, Texas intercepted more than $10.3 million in alleged methamphetamine concealed in a tractor trailer filled with cereal ingredients.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Our frontline CBP officers shut down a significant meth smuggling attempt hidden within ingredients that shouldn’t grace anyone’s breakfast table,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “As this seizure perfectly illustrates, our officers continue to use their inspections skills and technological tools to prevent this poison from reaching American streets.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Dec. 12, CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge encountered a tractor trailer hauling a commercial shipment of oat flakes attempting to make entry to the U.S. from Mexico. The tractor trailer was selected for further inspection utilizing nonintrusive inspection&nbsp;equipment and CBP canines. Physical inspection led to the discovery of 64 packages of alleged methamphetamine with a combined weight of 1,156.32 pounds (524.50 kg) concealed within&nbsp;the shipment of oat flakes.&nbsp;The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $10,336,846.

CBP OFO seized the narcotics, tractor and trailer. Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation.

Follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.us%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2Ftwitter.com%2FDFOLaredo__%3B!!BClRuOV5cvtbuNI!EcuK-cHQzvBPAD20E-bxpL4CbD-cBvYB39xVFmjrm6BgigYsgNSUzM1o0NnFbJY7kNEnZUjkow4rpXd0LVDVCfoWuF9hOxA%24&amp;data=05%7C02%7CRICHARD.J.PAUZA%40CBP.DHS.GOV%7Cab8020be5fa1479537f108de3d79b269%7Ce4b16b844c564f279af730345a161ad4%7C0%7C0%7C639015790046594711%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=es0hwf%2FYoruZM4yDr2B6AIpv7%2FrbMIjAiVwQlyp0FB8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">X at @DFOLaredo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.us%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2Fwww.instagram.com%2F%40dfolaredo__%3B!!BClRuOV5cvtbuNI!EcuK-cHQzvBPAD20E-bxpL4CbD-cBvYB39xVFmjrm6BgigYsgNSUzM1o0NnFbJY7kNEnZUjkow4rpXd0LVDVCfoWsFPcQNA%24&amp;data=05%7C02%7CRICHARD.J.PAUZA%40CBP.DHS.GOV%7Cab8020be5fa1479537f108de3d79b269%7Ce4b16b844c564f279af730345a161ad4%7C0%7C0%7C639015790046612249%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=gvCXXlV7aSZrsjB2%2FeXqoHn58dXNBVVAv0q7LvY5gcM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Instagram at @dfolaredo</a>&nbsp;as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.us%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2Fwww.twitter.com%2FCBPSouthTexas__%3B!!BClRuOV5cvtbuNI!EcuK-cHQzvBPAD20E-bxpL4CbD-cBvYB39xVFmjrm6BgigYsgNSUzM1o0NnFbJY7kNEnZUjkow4rpXd0LVDVCfoWhOfD5Z8%24&amp;data=05%7C02%7CRICHARD.J.PAUZA%40CBP.DHS.GOV%7Cab8020be5fa1479537f108de3d79b269%7Ce4b16b844c564f279af730345a161ad4%7C0%7C0%7C639015790046628676%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=80l0%2FXAWJ0UfAkIZ3bfIfuaciaoCEh%2BeHa3PY0C9TFQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">@CBPSouthTexas</a>&nbsp;for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

Press Release<figure>
 <img src="https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/styles/300px_newsroom_body_image/public/1156lbsmethpharr121225.jpg.webp?itok=DmICwa8i" alt="Packages containing 1,156 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge. (Photo CBP)" />
 <figcaption>Packages containing 1,156 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge. (Photo CBP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers in Pharr, Texas intercepted more than $10.3 million in alleged methamphetamine concealed in a tractor trailer filled with cereal ingredients.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Our frontline CBP officers shut down a significant meth smuggling attempt hidden within ingredients that shouldn’t grace anyone’s breakfast table,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “As this seizure perfectly illustrates, our officers continue to use their inspections skills and technological tools to prevent this poison from reaching American streets.”&nbsp;&nbsp;On Dec. 12, CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge encountered a tractor trailer hauling a commercial shipment of oat flakes attempting to make entry to the U.S. from Mexico. The tractor trailer was selected for further inspection utilizing nonintrusive inspection&nbsp;equipment and CBP canines. Physical inspection led to the discovery of 64 packages of alleged methamphetamine with a combined weight of 1,156.32 pounds (524.50 kg) concealed within&nbsp;the shipment of oat flakes.&nbsp;The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $10,336,846.CBP OFO seized the narcotics, tractor and trailer. Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation.Follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.us%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2Ftwitter.com%2FDFOLaredo__%3B!!BClRuOV5cvtbuNI!EcuK-cHQzvBPAD20E-bxpL4CbD-cBvYB39xVFmjrm6BgigYsgNSUzM1o0NnFbJY7kNEnZUjkow4rpXd0LVDVCfoWuF9hOxA%24&amp;data=05%7C02%7CRICHARD.J.PAUZA%40CBP.DHS.GOV%7Cab8020be5fa1479537f108de3d79b269%7Ce4b16b844c564f279af730345a161ad4%7C0%7C0%7C639015790046594711%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=es0hwf%2FYoruZM4yDr2B6AIpv7%2FrbMIjAiVwQlyp0FB8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">X at @DFOLaredo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.us%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2Fwww.instagram.com%2F%40dfolaredo__%3B!!BClRuOV5cvtbuNI!EcuK-cHQzvBPAD20E-bxpL4CbD-cBvYB39xVFmjrm6BgigYsgNSUzM1o0NnFbJY7kNEnZUjkow4rpXd0LVDVCfoWsFPcQNA%24&amp;data=05%7C02%7CRICHARD.J.PAUZA%40CBP.DHS.GOV%7Cab8020be5fa1479537f108de3d79b269%7Ce4b16b844c564f279af730345a161ad4%7C0%7C0%7C639015790046612249%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=gvCXXlV7aSZrsjB2%2FeXqoHn58dXNBVVAv0q7LvY5gcM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Instagram at @dfolaredo</a>&nbsp;as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.us%2Fv3%2F__https%3A%2Fwww.twitter.com%2FCBPSouthTexas__%3B!!BClRuOV5cvtbuNI!EcuK-cHQzvBPAD20E-bxpL4CbD-cBvYB39xVFmjrm6BgigYsgNSUzM1o0NnFbJY7kNEnZUjkow4rpXd0LVDVCfoWhOfD5Z8%24&amp;data=05%7C02%7CRICHARD.J.PAUZA%40CBP.DHS.GOV%7Cab8020be5fa1479537f108de3d79b269%7Ce4b16b844c564f279af730345a161ad4%7C0%7C0%7C639015790046628676%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=80l0%2FXAWJ0UfAkIZ3bfIfuaciaoCEh%2BeHa3PY0C9TFQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">@CBPSouthTexas</a>&nbsp;for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.<figure>
 <img src="https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/styles/300px_newsroom_body_image/public/1156lbsmethpharr121225partb.png.webp?itok=nWfDi-YF" alt="A package of methamphetamine within a sack of oat flakes. (Photo CBP)" />
 <figcaption>A package of methamphetamine within a sack of oat flakes. (Photo CBP)</figcaption>
 </figure>

CBP seizes more than $10.3 million in ‘cereal ingredients’ not made for breakfast

On Thursday at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.

 Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of five male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions - three in the first vessel and two in the second vessel. No U.S. military forces were harmed.

On Thursday at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">On Dec. 18, at the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known… <a href="https://t.co/CcCyOgYRto">pic.twitter.com/CcCyOgYRto</a>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2001840669313135099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of five male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions - three in the first vessel and two in the second vessel. No U.S. military forces were harmed.

🎥 US strikes 2 more drug boats killing 5 'narco-terrorists'

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/alexcastro/">Alexander Castro</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

With those three words from Ted Docks, FBI special agent in charge, the six-day manhunt for the person believed to be responsible for a mass shooting at Brown University ended. The suspect and former Brown graduate student, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, was found dead in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, Docks confirmed at a press conference in Providence.

Neves Valente, 48, is also the suspect in Monday’s fatal shooting of Massachusetts Institute of Technology physics professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro in Brookline, Massachusetts, Rhode Island public officials confirmed Thursday. U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah B. Foley said Valente was found with a satchel when investigators arrived to execute a search warrant at a press conference in Boston&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/us-attorneys-offices-fbi-and-atf-announce-death-brown-university-and-mit-professor" target="_blank">Thursday night</a>.

It’s a marked turnaround from one day earlier, when clues appeared, at least publicly, scarce about the man captured on grainy video footage and still images around the Ivy League campus before and after the Saturday afternoon shooting. Frustration, criticism, and fear mounted as the university and the capital city desperately searched for answers and investigators searched for justice.

But just as Attorney General Peter Neronha promised, the seemingly unending case “cracked wide open,” swiftly Thursday thanks largely to public assistance that helped connect the man captured on area security camera footage to a rental car agency in Massachusetts, and ultimately, 85 miles north to the storage unit where he took his own life Thursday night.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/affidavit.pdf">state arrest warrant</a>&nbsp;issued by Rhode Island state court earlier Thursday charges Neves Valente with two counts of murder and 23 felony counts of assault and firearms offenses.&nbsp;

Evidence is still being processed, but Neronha added, “There won’t be a prosecution now, of course.”

“I don’t think we have any idea why now, or why, why Brown, why these students, why this classroom, that that is really unknown to us, and it may become clear, I hope that it does, but it hasn’t as of right now,” Neronha said.

What is known is that Neves Valente was a Brown University student from the fall of 2000 to the spring of 2001, admitted to a master’s graduate program in physics. He took a leave of absence in April 2001, before formally withdrawing in July 2003. During his time at the university, most physics classes were held in the Barus and Holley engineering building where the shooting took place, though the university course schedule for that time period is not available, Christina Paxson, university president said.

He was also described as a Portuguese national, whose last known address was in Miami. He is believed to have traveled by plane to Providence in October, moving throughout the region over the intervening months. Officials said Loureiro, 47, and Valente attended the same academic program in Portugal between 1995 and 2000.

“This was a highly dangerous individual capable of extreme violence,” said Tom Greco, special agent in charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ Boston division.

The thread that unraveled the mystery of who and where he was: a second person, identified in the affidavit as John, who was captured on property security camera footage in the East Side residential neighborhood at the same time as Neves Valente on the day of the shooting. Officials on Wednesday released photos of John, asking for tips or for him to come forward for questioning.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766142171994.png" alt="Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez is shown at the right of the podium before the start of the press conference announcing the identify of the Brown University mass shooting suspect who was found dead in New Hampshire on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)" />
 <figcaption>Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez is shown at the right of the podium before the start of the press conference announcing the identify of the Brown University mass shooting suspect who was found dead in New Hampshire on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/alexcastro/">Alexander Castro</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>“We got him.”With those three words from Ted Docks, FBI special agent in charge, the six-day manhunt for the person believed to be responsible for a mass shooting at Brown University ended. The suspect and former Brown graduate student, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, was found dead in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, Docks confirmed at a press conference in Providence.Neves Valente, 48, is also the suspect in Monday’s fatal shooting of Massachusetts Institute of Technology physics professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro in Brookline, Massachusetts, Rhode Island public officials confirmed Thursday. U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah B. Foley said Valente was found with a satchel when investigators arrived to execute a search warrant at a press conference in Boston&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/us-attorneys-offices-fbi-and-atf-announce-death-brown-university-and-mit-professor" target="_blank">Thursday night</a>.It’s a marked turnaround from one day earlier, when clues appeared, at least publicly, scarce about the man captured on grainy video footage and still images around the Ivy League campus before and after the Saturday afternoon shooting. Frustration, criticism, and fear mounted as the university and the capital city desperately searched for answers and investigators searched for justice.But just as Attorney General Peter Neronha promised, the seemingly unending case “cracked wide open,” swiftly Thursday thanks largely to public assistance that helped connect the man captured on area security camera footage to a rental car agency in Massachusetts, and ultimately, 85 miles north to the storage unit where he took his own life Thursday night.A&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/affidavit.pdf">state arrest warrant</a>&nbsp;issued by Rhode Island state court earlier Thursday charges Neves Valente with two counts of murder and 23 felony counts of assault and firearms offenses.&nbsp;Evidence is still being processed, but Neronha added, “There won’t be a prosecution now, of course.”A motive remains elusive.“I don’t think we have any idea why now, or why, why Brown, why these students, why this classroom, that that is really unknown to us, and it may become clear, I hope that it does, but it hasn’t as of right now,” Neronha said.What is known is that Neves Valente was a Brown University student from the fall of 2000 to the spring of 2001, admitted to a master’s graduate program in physics. He took a leave of absence in April 2001, before formally withdrawing in July 2003. During his time at the university, most physics classes were held in the Barus and Holley engineering building where the shooting took place, though the university course schedule for that time period is not available, Christina Paxson, university president said.He was also described as a Portuguese national, whose last known address was in Miami. He is believed to have traveled by plane to Providence in October, moving throughout the region over the intervening months. Officials said Loureiro, 47, and Valente attended the same academic program in Portugal between 1995 and 2000.“This was a highly dangerous individual capable of extreme violence,” said Tom Greco, special agent in charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ Boston division.The thread that unraveled the mystery of who and where he was: a second person, identified in the affidavit as John, who was captured on property security camera footage in the East Side residential neighborhood at the same time as Neves Valente on the day of the shooting. Officials on Wednesday released photos of John, asking for tips or for him to come forward for questioning.&nbsp;John previously posted on a popular reddit forum relaying a piece of what he observed, according to the affidavit of a Providence police detective.“The police need to look into a grey Nissan with Florida plates, possibly a rental,” John, then still anonymous, wrote on the subreddit r/Providence on Dec. 15. “That was the car he was driving. It was parked in front of the little shack behind the Rhode Island Historical Society on the Cooke St side. I know because he used his key fob to open the car, approached it and then something prompted him to back away.”John spoke briefly with Neves Valente in the bathroom of the engineering building, following him out and asking him about his presence in the university building. He came forward to Providence police within an hour of his photo being released publicly Wednesday.“He was as outstanding a witness as I’ve seen, and he deserves a lot of credit,” Neronha said, adding that he would “vote” for the witness to receive the $50,000 reward previously offered by the FBI.John’s interview and written tips helped investigators identify and trace the vehicle to the Boston car rental where he rented the car, in his own name, Neronha said.&nbsp;The New Hampshire storage unit was also in his name, and evidence recovered in the car and the unit, including two firearms, confirmed he was responsible for the shooting, Neronha said.“We are 100% confident that this is our target ,and this case is closed from a perspective of pursuing people involved,” Neronha said.Perez later professed pride for the city, whose residents, students and public safety officials succeeded in the complex and winding investigation.“In this nation, when horrific incidents happen, law enforcement steps up,” Col. Oscar Perez, Providence police chief, said during the late evening press conference.&nbsp;The sense of accomplishment and relief was also met with continued grief for the two students killed and nine wounded, along with the wider community. Six of the injured students remained at Rhode Island Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition Thursday.“We hope this outcome tonight brings an increased sense of safety for Brown and our surrounding area,” Paxson, university president, said. “This has been a period of great fear and anxiety for many people and now, perhaps some form of relief. Truly, this week has been devastating for our community in a number of ways.”Including public doxxing, misinformation and rampant conspiracies that filled the void of facts on social media over the last six days.&nbsp;“The endless barrage of misinformation, disinformation, rumors, leaks and click bait were not helpful in this investigation, distractions and unfounded criticisms do not support this work,” said Col Darnell Weaver, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police. “They complicate it and threaten to undermine the justice we seek for the victims and the grieving families.”