JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1020

WASHINGTON — U.S. Southern Command said U.S. forces apprehended Motor/Tanker Veronica in a pre-dawn Caribbean operation on Jan.15, marking the sixth sanctioned vessel seized under a Trump administration quarantine on Venezuela-linked tankers. Marines and sailors launched from USS Gerald R. Ford and a U.S. Coast Guard team conducted the boarding; officials said the seizure occurred without incident and shared video. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Veronica had passed through Venezuelan waters and defied sanctions. Shipping analytics firm Kpler, cited by the Wall Street Journal, reports Venezuela’s crude loadings fell about half this month. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces to Minnesota after protests erupted over Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations following a fatal ICE shooting on Jan. 7 and a later wounding during a federal stop. Federal authorities increased deployments under Operation Metro Surge, and state officials criticized masked federal agents in the streets. The president framed the move as necessary to stop “professional agitators” and enforce federal law. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, President Donald Trump hosted Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday to discuss Venezuela's political and economic future. The meeting followed a Jan. 3 U.S. special forces operation that removed Nicolás Maduro from power and Trump's call with interim president Delcy Rodríguez. Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, offered to share the award and has sought a leadership role after fleeing Venezuela. The administration emphasized economic rebuilding and access to oil while maintaining relations with elements of Maduro's government. U.S. authorities seized a tanker this week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

RICHMOND, Va. House Democrats advanced four constitutional amendments that would enshrine abortion protections, restore voting rights to people with felony convictions, remove a defunct ban on same-sex marriage and permit temporary mid-decade congressional redistricting pending voter approval. The measures passed the Democratic-controlled House after public testimony and await Senate consideration, where Democrats also hold a slim majority; the Senate advanced the redistricting proposal later in the week. Officials said voters will see proposed congressional maps before an expected April referendum. Supporters framed the push as restoring rights; opponents focused objections on abortion. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Los Angeles. The Schall Law Firm announced this week that it has opened investigations and filed class actions on behalf of shareholders of Nutanix, Beta Bionics, Fermi, Wealthfront, Ardent Health and Varonis, alleging possible securities law violations after company disclosures and stock price declines. The notices cite specific dates including Nutanix’s November 25, 2025 results, Beta Bionics’ January 8, 2026 patient-starts update, Fermi’s October 2025 IPO, and Barron’s report regarding Wealthfront’s January 13, 2026 asset-flow softening. Investors facing losses were invited to contact the firm before stated deadlines. Contact details were included. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Minneapolis federal officers shot a man in the leg Wednesday night during a targeted traffic stop in north Minneapolis, local outlets reported. DHS said officers fired after the subject allegedly attacked agents with a shovel or broom and attempted to flee; the wounded person is in custody. The city said officials were aware of reports and were confirming details. The incident occurred a week after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good during a deportation operation, prompting protests. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Minneapolis — Federal immigration agents used a battering ram to arrest Garrison Gibson during a Department of Homeland Security enforcement operation that officials say produced more than 2,500 arrests following the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good. A U.S. district judge later ruled Gibson’s arrest unlawful; he was detained during a routine check-in and then released. Separately, the Justice Department has opened an inquiry into whether Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements, a probe reported by CBS News and described to The Associated Press. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

ATLANTA, Governor Brian Kemp outlined priorities in his final State of the State address Thursday, urging lawmakers to approve multi billion dollar investments in transportation, affordability, energy and education. He previewed a plan to spend about $1.8 billion on highway congestion projects, citing a study that commuters lose roughly 75 hours annually at a cost exceeding $1,400 per person. Kemp released amended fiscal year 2026 and 2027 budget proposals and highlighted administration economic and rural investments. Lawmakers will consider the proposals during this legislative session. Official statements and budget documents accompanied presentations. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Minneapolis, federal and local authorities and lawmakers responded this week after a Jan. 7 federal agent fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother. Federal enforcement surged following a late-November operation that arrested about 2,400 individuals in Minnesota; officials reported roughly 2,000–3,000 agents deployed. Protests and confrontations followed, including property damage and demands for accountability. A Minnesota lawsuit seeking to limit ICE tactics prompted a judicial hearing; federal and state lawmakers proposed legislation to restrict ICE hiring and funding. Federal agencies issued brief public statements. Local police departments reviewed cooperation policies with ICE. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Wednesday, allowing schools in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole and 2% milk alongside low‑fat and skim alternatives. Congress passed the bipartisan bill unanimously late last year; it affects about 30 million students. Administration officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, praised the change and said implementation could begin by fall. Rep. Kevin Kiley and dairy industry groups supported the measure. The law removes the requirement tied to Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.