Author: Andrew Rogers

A missing 15-year-old girl with autism has been found safe in North Carolina, authorities confirmed Wednesday. The search, which began after she went missing on the evening of December 16, has now been called off. Officials said Jettie Edwards was last seen around 9 p.m., wearing a pink sweatshirt, blue jeans, and no shoes. Her disappearance prompted an immediate search by local authorities and assistance from national organisations. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) led the effort. Sheriff Bill Rogers said multiple resources were deployed, including utility task vehicles, drones, helicopters, and K-9 units. The National Centre for Missing &…

President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation further restricting travel to the United States. The updated measures, set to take effect January 1, 2026, expand travel bans to a total of 39 countries, citing security concerns and recent global events. The new rules impose total travel bans on nationals from Syria and several African nations, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan. People holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are also now completely restricted from entering the US. Sierra Leone and Laos, previously under partial restrictions, have been moved to full bans. Citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar,…

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation authorizing the construction of a new water pipeline in Southern Nevada. The measure, known as the Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act, was approved Monday in a voice vote, marking a significant step forward for regional water infrastructure. The bill allows the Southern Nevada Water Authority to build a portion of the pipeline beneath the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. Officials say this tunnel project will help secure water reliability for the region and provide protection against potential supply disruptions or outages. “This pipeline will help ensure that Southern Nevada has…

A deadly crash on US-395 near Red Rock led to major road closures and traffic delays on December 16, 2025. The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) is investigating the incident, which claimed one life and caused significant disruptions for motorists. The crash occurred between Red Rock Road and White Lake Parkway. Northbound US-395 was closed at Red Rock Road while authorities worked at the scene. Officials warned that the closure could last three to four hours. Intermittent southbound closures at White Lake Parkway were also possible, adding to traffic complications. Drivers in the area were urged to avoid the stretch and…

Montana lawmakers are pushing for federal action after severe flooding struck Northwest Montana, causing widespread damage to infrastructure and water systems. U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Representative Ryan Zinke, have formally urged President Trump to approve Governor Greg Gianforte’s request for an emergency declaration. The request follows intense storms on December 10 and 11 that led to heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt in Lincoln County, Sanders County, and the Blackfeet Tribe’s lands. Rivers in the affected areas reached flood stages between 7.5 and 8.3 feet, overwhelming local infrastructure and creating urgent safety concerns for residents. Several…

Montana’s congressional delegation is praising the recent renewal of funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program. The bipartisan effort ensures that rural counties across the state will continue receiving critical support for schools, roads, and local services. The program, known as SRS, faced a lapse in 2023, leaving many Montana communities without vital payments. Following a bipartisan letter urging the U.S. House to act, Congress passed the reauthorization bill last week with only five votes against it. Both of Montana’s U.S. representatives voted in favor, extending funding through the 2026 fiscal year and covering payments from the last…

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has announced that a portion of Missouri Route 291 will be reduced from two lanes to one lane starting next week. The change affects the northbound Missouri 291 river bridge in Sugar Creek, Missouri, and is part of ongoing efforts to maintain safety until the bridge is fully replaced in 2026. MoDOT officials said the lane reduction will take effect on December 22. On that day, the river bridge will close temporarily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. while crews reconfigure the roadway for one-lane traffic. After this work is completed, the bridge will…

Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that could change how national pharmacy chains operate and give patients more freedom in choosing their pharmacies. The proposed legislation aims to tackle growing concerns over pharmacy closures and rising drug costs caused by Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs. Small pharmacy owners say the middlemen are hurting their businesses. Anthony DeSha, owner of Flow’s Pharmacy, says smiles and personal service make his store unique, but profit remains elusive. According to DeSha, PBMs set drug prices and reimbursements in ways that favor large chains, leaving small independent pharmacies struggling to survive. “I can’t compete with…

President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit Monday against the BBC, claiming the broadcaster misrepresented his Jan. 6, 2021, speech in its documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?” The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Southern Florida, alleges the BBC edited the footage to make it appear that Trump called for violent action and rioting at the U.S. Capitol. The edited clip quotes Trump saying, “We’re going down to the Capitol, and I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.” The lawsuit argues this misrepresentation is “false, deceptive, and defamatory.” In the full speech, Trump said, “We’re…

Chile has elected a conservative politician, José Antonio Kast, in a victory that signals a shift toward the hard right in Latin America. Kast, 59, has expressed support for the country’s former military dictatorship under Gen. Augusto Pinochet, opposed same-sex marriage, and advocated for a constitutional abortion ban. Despite these positions, which had previously limited his appeal in an increasingly liberal country, Kast won in a landslide. Experts say his success reflects growing frustration with rising crime, economic challenges, and unfulfilled expectations under outgoing President Gabriel Boric. The result highlights a broader anti-incumbent mood across South America that has helped…