Month: January 2026

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday that she is running for governor of Minnesota, launching a high-profile campaign at a moment of political upheaval and heightened tension in the state. Her decision follows Gov. Tim Walz’s unexpected move earlier this month to abandon his bid for a third term, opening the door to a wide-open contest.

Klobuchar posted on social media: “Minnesotans, we’ve been through a lot. And I believe this moment calls for grit, resilience, and faith in each other. I believe we must stand up for what’s right. And fix what’s wrong. Today, I’m announcing my candidacy for Governor.”  She went on to say in a video message: “These times call for leaders who can stand up and not be rubber stamps of this administration, but who are also willing to find common ground and fix things in our state.” Framing her bid as a call for steady leadership, Klobuchar said Minnesota needs someone who can restore confidence, protect public safety, and confront federal overreach without deepening political divisions. “I like my job in the Senate,” she said, “but I love our state more than any job.”

Klobuchar’s announcement comes during a period of intense strain in Minnesota, fueled by an aggressive federal immigration enforcement effort and a series of violent incidents that have shaken communities statewide. In recent weeks, two Minnesotans — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, triggering protests and renewed scrutiny of immigration tactics. Klobuchar has repeatedly criticized the surge of federal officers, saying ICE is “making us less safe” and calling its operations deeply troubling.

Klobuchar – a four-term senator (first elected to the Senate in 2006) and former Hennepin County attorney – enters the race as the dominant Democratic contender. No major rivals from her party have stepped forward, and her long record of statewide victories is expected to discourage challengers. If elected, Klobuchar would become Minnesota’s first female governor. Her departure from the Senate would allow the sitting governor to appoint a temporary replacement until a special election is held. She is not up for Senate reelection until 2030.

In her launch video, Klobuchar referenced the state’s recent hardships, including  a mass shooting at a Minneapolis-area church last summer, and the assassination of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband. Klobuchar also pledged to confront alleged fraud in state programs, an issue that contributed to Walz’s withdrawal from the race. Investigations into a massive child care and nonprofit fraud scheme — centered on Feeding Our Future — have drawn national attention and fueled political attacks from the Trump administration. Klobuchar said she would aggressively pursue accountability, vowing to ensure “the people who steal taxpayer money go to jail” and promising to overhaul state systems to prevent future abuse.

The governor’s race is shaping up to be competitive. Republicans already face a crowded primary field that includes former state senator Scott Jensen, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Kristin Robbins, and businessman Kendall Qualls. Minnesota has not elected a Republican governor in nearly 20 years, but GOP leaders see an opening amid the state’s recent turmoil.

Editorial credit: Bryan J. Scrafford / Shutterstock.com

The Senate failed to advance a government spending package on Thursday, pushing the federal government closer to a partial shutdown set to begin just after midnight Friday. Democrats blocked a package of six spending bills, as the White House worked on a deal to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security from other departments.

The procedural vote to move the legislation forward failed 45–55, well short of the 60 votes required. While all Democrats voted against advancing the measure, several Republicans also broke ranks. Senate Majority Leader John Thune voted “no” as a procedural move that allows him to bring the measure back up if negotiations produce a deal.

At the center of the impasse is funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats are demanding major reforms to immigration enforcement agencies following two fatal shootings in Minnesota involving federal agents — the death of Renee Good earlier this month and the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti over the weekend. Those incidents intensified calls to separate DHS funding from the broader package so changes could be negotiated without risking shutdowns at other federal agencies.

Democratic leaders want the five remaining bills — which cover funding for the military, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Head Start, and several cabinet departments — passed immediately, while DHS would receive only short-term funding. That temporary extension would allow time for negotiations on reforms aimed at tightening oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

Among Democrats’ demands are ending roving patrols, restricting agents from wearing masks, requiring body cameras, tightening warrant rules, and holding federal agents to the same use-of-force standards as state and local law enforcement. “Until ICE is properly reined in and overhauled legislatively, the DHS funding bill doesn’t have the votes to pass,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

While Democratic leaders expressed cautious optimism, White House officials were more reserved, and no formal deal had been announced by late Thursday. President Trump said he was hopeful a prolonged shutdown could be avoided, noting that talks were “getting close.” Even if an agreement is finalized in the Senate, a brief partial shutdown appears likely. Any revised funding package would need approval from the House, which is in recess until Monday. That timing means some agencies could begin shutdown procedures over the weekend, though the practical effects would be limited.

With Republicans holding 53 Senate seats, at least seven Democratic votes are needed to advance the legislation. Thune acknowledged the difficulty of navigating changes that would also need to pass the House, where some conservatives have warned they could oppose a revised DHS bill.

Editorial credit: ItzaVU / Shutterstock.com

Two federal officers involved in the fatal shooting of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti have been placed on administrative leave while investigations continue. The decision follows an internal review by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and contradicts earlier statements suggesting the agents had remained on duty in another city for safety reasons.

Pretti, 37, was shot and killed on Saturday during an encounter with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Border Patrol agents who were conducting enforcement actions as part of Operation Metro Surge near Nicollet Avenue and 25th Street. DHS said the temporary leave is standard protocol after an officer-involved shooting and “should not be viewed as any suspicion of wrongdoing.”

According to a preliminary DHS report sent to Congress, two officers discharged their agency-issued Glock pistols after a brief struggle. During the encounter, an agent repeatedly shouted, “He’s got a gun!” before shots were fired roughly five seconds later. Investigators have not confirmed whether bullets from both officers struck Pretti.

Homeland Security officials said early statements describing Pretti as a potential mass attacker were based on chaotic initial reports. “The initial statement was based on reports from CBP from a very chaotic scene on the ground. That’s precisely why an investigation is underway and DHS will let the facts lead the investigation,” a spokesperson said.

Federal officials said the confrontation began after officers tried to clear civilians from the roadway amid protests and whistle-blowing demonstrators. After pepper spray was used, agents attempted to detain Pretti, who resisted, leading to a brief struggle. Following the shooting, agents provided emergency medical aid until paramedics arrived. Pretti was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later at Hennepin County Medical Center.

Minnesota officials stated that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry and no criminal history. Video footage reviewed by multiple news outlets appears to show him holding a phone in one hand and nothing in the other immediately before he was shot. Additional footage indicates that an officer retrieved a firearm from Pretti’s waistband just moments before gunfire erupted. The report does not mention Pretti attacking officers or pointing a weapon.

A federal judge has ordered authorities to preserve all evidence after state investigators were initially blocked from accessing the scene. Both DHS and CBP are conducting separate investigations, and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to release autopsy results.

The shooting of Pretti follows another fatal encounter earlier this month, when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot by an immigration officer. In response, Democratic leaders called for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation “The country is disgusted by what the Department of Homeland Security has done,” House Democratic Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar said in a joint statement. “Kristi Noem should be fired immediately,” they added, “or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.”

The CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, which handles serious misconduct and criminal allegations, is leading the internal inquiry. Officials emphasized that the preliminary report outlines known facts but does not represent final conclusions.

Editorial credit: Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com

Amazon announced Wednesday it will eliminate about 16,000 positions across the company, marking its second major round of layoffs in three months as it continues to streamline operations and invest heavily in artificial intelligence.

In a memo to employees, Beth Galetti, Amazon’s senior vice president of people experience and technology, said the cuts aim to simplify the organization by reducing management layers, increasing ownership, and cutting bureaucracy. “The reductions we are making today will impact approximately 16,000 roles across Amazon, and we’re again working hard to support everyone whose role is impacted,” she wrote.

Most affected U.S.-based employees will receive 90 days to seek other roles within the company. Those who cannot find new positions will be offered severance pay, job placement assistance, and continued health benefits. Galetti said Amazon will keep hiring in strategic areas essential to its long-term growth, adding that the company does not plan to make broad layoffs a routine practice, but teams will continue adjusting staffing as business needs evolve. CEO Andy Jassy has said efficiency gains from generative AI are likely to reduce corporate headcount in coming years, following Amazon’s rapid hiring during the pandemic.

The move follows October’s layoffs of 14,000 corporate workers, bringing total cuts since then to roughly 30,000 — about 10% of Amazon’s corporate and technology workforce. Some reductions will impact divisions such as Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.

Amazon, which employs about 1.55 million people worldwide, has cut more than 27,000 jobs since 2022 and continues to reshape its business, including closing its Amazon Fresh grocery and cashierless Go stores. The company is redirecting resources toward AI and large-scale data center expansion, with capital spending projected to reach $125 billion in 2026.

The announcement comes amid widespread corporate layoffs as companies pursue efficiency and automation in a slower hiring environment. Firms including Pinterest, Microsoft, Meta, Target, and UPS have recently announced workforce reductions as they pivot toward higher-margin and AI-driven operations.

Editorial credit: Jidev jidu photography / Shutterstock.com

One person was critically wounded Tuesday morning in a shooting involving U.S. Border Patrol agents in southern Arizona, prompting a multi-agency investigation led by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD).

The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. near milepost 15 on West Arivaca Road, close to the U.S.-Mexico border and about 10 miles from the community of Arivaca — an area frequently patrolled because of migrant crossings and smuggling activity. Emergency crews from the Santa Rita Fire District and American Medical Response treated the injured individual at the scene before transferring them by medical helicopter to a regional trauma center. The person’s identity and current condition have not been released.

According to the FBI, the shooting stemmed from “an alleged assault on a federal officer,” and the individual involved was taken into custody. The sheriff’s department is overseeing the use-of-force investigation at the FBI’s request, which is standard protocol when a federal agent is involved in a shooting within Pima County. The Santa Rita Fire District said: “Patient care was transferred to a local medical helicopter for rapid transport to a regional trauma center. The incident remains under active investigation by law enforcement agencies.”

The PCSD said in a statement: “We ask the community to remain patient and understanding as this investigation moves forward. PCSD will thoroughly examine all aspects of the incident, however, these investigations are complex and require time.”

Officials have not confirmed whether any law enforcement personnel were injured, and no additional details about the suspect or circumstances leading up to the shooting have been released.

The shooting adds to heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement after a series of recent officer-involved shootings across the country, including two fatal incidents in Minnesota that sparked protests and political backlash. In response, House Democratic leaders accused the Trump administration of misusing federal authority and threatened impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem if she is not removed. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Noem would not step down and confirmed that border czar Tom Homan was meeting with Minnesota officials.

Editorial credit: ShutterDivision / Shutterstock.com

South Carolina is now facing the largest measles outbreak in the United States since the disease was declared eliminated more than 20 years ago, with confirmed cases climbing to 789, surpassing the major Texas outbreak of 2025 that sickened 762 people and claimed the lives of two young children.

State health officials reported that 89 new infections were confirmed in just a few days, signaling that transmission remains widespread. The outbreak, which began in October, is heavily concentrated in Spartanburg County, where most patients are either unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status. To limit further spread, 557 people are currently under a 21-day quarantine, and students from more than 20 schools have been sent home due to potential exposure.

Children and teenagers account for the vast majority of infections, with over 88% of cases occurring in those under 17. So far, 18 people, including children, have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been reported in South Carolina. Health authorities say only 20 patients were fully vaccinated, while more than 690 had no protection at all, underscoring how quickly measles can spread in communities with low vaccination rates.

The outbreak’s impact is no longer limited to South Carolina. Linked cases have surfaced in North Carolina, California, and Washington, and additional probable cases have been reported elsewhere. In North Carolina alone, 14 cases have been confirmed, many connected directly to the South Carolina surge. More than 170 people in Union County were quarantined following exposure at a private school where vaccination coverage sits just above 60%.

The rapid spread has pushed the United States dangerously close to losing its measles elimination status, a milestone achieved in 2000 after years of aggressive vaccination efforts. Federal health officials warn that if the virus continues circulating from a single source for more than a year, the designation could be revoked as early as this fall.

Nationwide, 2025 marked the worst year for measles since 1991, with 2,255 confirmed cases. So far in 2026, at least 416 infections have already been recorded across 14 states, even before including South Carolina’s most recent numbers. Another growing outbreak is also underway along the Arizona–Utah border.

Federal health officials say they are stepping up support, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approving $1.4 million in emergency funding to help South Carolina manage the crisis. The CDC is also working closely with state health departments to track transmission and contain further spread.

Public health leaders stress that vaccination remains the most effective tool to halt the outbreak and prevent measles from regaining a permanent foothold in the U.S. Without significant improvements in immunization rates, they warn, similar outbreaks could continue to emerge nationwide.

Editorial credit: sarijeruk / Shutterstock.com