Author: Andrew Rogers

For over a decade, California State Auditor reports have warned lawmakers about government waste, fraud, and broken oversight systems. These audits, commissioned and funded by the state, repeatedly identified problems and recommended changes to state law. Yet, many recommendations were ignored. CBS News California Investigates analyzed audit recommendations dating back to 2015 and found lawmakers failed to act on three out of every four recommendations requiring legislative action. The unresolved warnings touch on some of California’s most urgent and costly issues, including unemployment fraud, homelessness program oversight, public safety funding, wildfire management, and drinking water safety. Some of the most…

Minneapolis has become the focal point of President Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy, following a surge in federal agents and two fatal shootings in under three weeks. The deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, both Minneapolis residents, have intensified local tensions and drawn national scrutiny. The federal crackdown, dubbed “Operation Metro Surge,” began in early December 2025, targeting individuals with deportation orders and alleged fraud in state welfare programs. ICE initially focused on the Somali-American community, which represents the largest such population in the United States, after President Trump criticized state officials over fraud cases linked to Somali immigrants.…

Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has publicly pushed back against US influence, saying she has “enough” of Washington’s orders. Rodríguez made the remarks on Sunday while addressing oil workers in Puerto La Cruz, emphasizing that Venezuela must resolve its political issues internally. Rodríguez assumed leadership after the US-backed capture of former president Nicolás Maduro in early January. In her new role, she has been balancing pressure from the United States while trying to maintain support from Maduro loyalists and other factions within the country. “Enough already of Washington’s orders over politicians in Venezuela,” Rodríguez said. She called for Venezuelan politics…

A United States official confirmed that Hamas’ disarmament in Gaza will likely include “some sort of amnesty” for members of the group. The announcement comes after Israel recovered the body of the last captive held in Gaza, moving the ceasefire agreement signed in October closer to its next phase. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Monday, said Hamas has signaled willingness to disarm. “If they don’t disarm, then they’ve breached the deal,” the official noted, adding that the US has a structured program to oversee the disarmament process. The possibility of amnesty for fighters who lay down their…

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy divers on Tuesday to search for the remaining missing passengers after a ferry carrying over 300 people capsized en route to Sulu province. At least 18 people have died in the incident. The ferry, MV Trisha Kerstin 3, sank shortly after midnight on Monday while traveling from Zamboanga to Jolo. Authorities confirmed that 316 passengers have been rescued, and 10 remain missing. The Department of Transportation has suspended the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping, the operator of the sunken vessel. The company has a record of 32 maritime accidents, raising safety concerns.…

A federal judge has sharply criticized Iowa ICE agents for illegally detaining an asylum seeker and attempting to mislead the court through legal filings. The case involves 28-year-old Jorge Gonzalez Ochoa of Iowa City, who fled Colombia in 2024 seeking asylum due to threats and extortion. In October 2025, ICE charged Gonzalez Ochoa with unlawfully using a Social Security number and immigration documents while working under a false identity at The Bread Garden Market in Iowa City. During the arrest, agents were in plain clothes and failed to identify themselves when questioned by the public, according to U.S. Magistrate Stephen…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that Georgian authorities are increasingly detaining and harassing peaceful demonstrators, raising serious concerns about freedom of assembly in the country. The findings highlight how new restrictions on public gatherings are being used to limit dissenting voices. In December 2025, Georgia amended its Law on Assemblies and Manifestations. The revisions give police broad authority to regulate demonstrations not only on roadways but also on sidewalks and pedestrian areas. Organizers must now notify the Internal Affairs Ministry at least five days in advance. Police are allowed to issue binding instructions on location and timing, including on-site…

Florida lawmakers approved a bill on Monday that would expand vaccine exemptions while keeping vaccine mandates in place. The legislation allows more people to claim religious exemptions but maintains public health protections. The bill, passed by the Senate, received support from several Republican senators, though some expressed concerns about certain provisions. One proposed amendment, which would have required people seeking an exemption to consult with a medical professional, was rejected. Critics said it could create unnecessary barriers for those seeking religious exemptions. The legislation differs from a separate House bill that could have forced doctors to see unvaccinated patients. That…

Colorado Springs Police Department announced that K9 Roam has medically retired after sustaining severe injuries while on duty in October. The dog, a trained gun apprehension K9, suffered multiple stab wounds during a domestic dispute. Roam joined the department in March and was paired with Officer Robert Comstock. The pair completed their certification in August, allowing them to actively patrol the streets together. Comstock described Roam’s career as short but successful and said the incident that ended it has been emotionally difficult for him and his family. During the incident, Roam received three stab wounds, requiring multiple blood transfusions and…

California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused TikTok of limiting the reach of content that criticizes President Donald Trump. On Monday, January 26, Newsom announced a formal review of the platform’s content moderation practices to see if they break state law. The move follows reports that certain political posts were harder to find or received lower visibility on the app. According to the governor’s office, these reports were reviewed, and some cases were independently confirmed. The concern centers on content that was critical of President Trump. State officials say the review will focus on whether TikTok unfairly restricted political speech. The…