Author: Andrew Rogers

Georgia lawmakers are entering the new legislative session with education funding high on the agenda. State leaders and school advocates say public schools across Georgia are facing growing pressure as costs rise and student needs increase. During his State of the State address, Governor Brian Kemp announced a one-time stipend of $2,000 for teachers and state employees. Education groups welcomed the payment as a short-term relief measure. However, many leaders say it does not solve deeper funding problems affecting classrooms statewide. The Georgia Department of Education is now asking lawmakers to approve a larger and longer-term investment. The department is…

The United States government is taking its first formal step toward possible seafloor mining off the coast of Alaska. A federal agency under the Interior Department announced it will soon seek public and industry input on mineral exploration in offshore waters. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said it plans to release a call for information related to future mineral lease sales in federal waters near Alaska. This move will open a 30-day public comment period. During that time, companies and other groups can share their interest and views on offshore mineral development. Federal officials say the effort is meant…

US President Donald Trump has praised recent developments in Syria following a military offensive by Syrian government forces against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The comments mark a clear shift in tone from Washington after years of US support for the SDF. Trump spoke after holding a phone call with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The call took place shortly before al-Sharaa left Damascus for Moscow, where he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, the situation in Syria is moving in a positive direction. Speaking to reporters, the US president said he was pleased with how…

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…