JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1027

Washington, Republican U.S. Representative Randy Fine introduced the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act on Monday, authorizing the president to pursue acquisition of Greenland for admission as a state. Fine said the measure aims to counter expanding Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic and to secure U.S. national security interests. He announced the bill in a post on X and in a congressional statement. In response, bipartisan senators introduced the NATO Unity Protection Act to prohibit U.S. occupation or annexation of allied territories without consent. Reporting and statements provided the primary sources. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — State governments and federal agencies moved to restrict items purchasable with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, prompting legal challenges. Tennessee will ban processed foods and sugary drinks effective July 31, 2026; Georgia lawmakers proposed similar restrictions and annual recertification; Iowa began enforcing a rule limiting sugary drinks this month. The USDA sought recipient data and officials suspended payments to noncompliant states, prompting lawsuits and injunction requests. States report hundreds of thousands to over a million SNAP recipients affected and millions in federal funds at stake and ongoing policy debates. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington President Donald Trump on Monday announced a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran and said his administration is considering military, cyber and psychological options as nationwide protests intensified. U.S. officials received briefings and the national security team planned further deliberations this week, and international outlets corroborated. Human rights groups and eyewitness videos reported hundreds killed amid a government internet blackout and mass arrests. Iran’s foreign minister denied responsibility, blamed foreign actors, and said the situation was under control. The White House cited messages from Iranian officials seeking talks. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington. President Donald Trump announced 25 percent tariff on any country doing business with Iran, effective immediately. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remains the president’s preferred approach while confirming he keeps military options, including airstrikes, on the table. Leavitt noted private messages from Iranian officials differ from public statements, prompting U.S. engagement. Trump said his administration is weighing strong options as protests in Iran continued, with reports of casualties. The tariff order did not specify sectors or implementation details. Authorities and markets are assessing implications for international trade and diplomacy. Based on 7 articles reviewed and research.

Chicago and the State of Illinois filed suit on Monday against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, alleging that federal agents deployed under Operation Midway Blitz used unlawful and dangerous tactics in neighborhoods. Attorney General Kwame Raoul, backed by Governor JB Pritzker and City of Chicago, accused Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement of making warrantless arrests, interrogating people without probable cause, deploying tear gas and chemical agents, and operating with military-style weaponry. The 103-page complaint seeks court orders to restrict roving patrols, biometric searches, and specific crowd-control practices. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

COLUMBIA, S.C. Governor Henry McMaster unveiled his 2026 executive budget Tuesday, proposing allocations from a reported $2.7 billion surplus for roads, education, and public safety. The package requests more than $1 billion for transportation, $150 million to raise starting teacher pay, expanded pre-K funding and universal school breakfast, and $9.9 million for First Steps. It also proposes a small income-tax cut for highest earners and set-asides for disaster relief and corrections. State economic reports show $9.12 billion in 2025 capital investments and 8,100 announced jobs. Legislative deliberations and changes are expected soon. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Greenville, S.C. Police responded to an ambush outside the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center on Jan. 11, when a man fired into a parked patrol vehicle and wounded an officer. Deputies later pursued the suspect, identified as 42-year-old David William Lane, and exchanged gunfire near Independence Boulevard and Ponders Ray Lane. Lane was pronounced dead at the scene; the coroner reported at least one self-inflicted fatal gunshot wound to the head. The injured officer was hospitalized and released. SLED opened an investigation and released video of the attack this week for investigators. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Federal agents shot two people during an enforcement operation at an Adventist Health parking lot this past week; one man was grazed in the arm and a woman suffered a chest wound. Authorities identified the man as Luis David Nino-Moncada and the woman as Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras. Officials say agents targeted Zambrano-Contreras in an immigration operation and that Nino-Moncada allegedly rammed an unoccupied Border Patrol vehicle before an agent fired. Federal prosecutors charged Nino-Moncada Monday with aggravated assault of a federal officer and depredation of federal property. Records were unsealed. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Tallahassee, Fla. — Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins announced Monday he is running for governor in 2026, entering crowded Republican primary to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Collins, appointed lieutenant governor in August 2025 after Jeanette Nuñez departed for Florida International University, cited his 23 years of Green Beret service on X. He joins contenders including U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, Paul Renner and James Fishback; Donalds carries a presidential endorsement from Donald Trump. Collins framed his campaign around leadership under pressure. His announcement drew statewide attention. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings by January 14 on legal challenges to President Donald Trump's emergency-based tariffs, which his administration imposed under a 1977 law. Trump warned this week on Truth Social and in remarks that a court rejection could force repayments totaling many hundreds of billions and produced trillions when accounting for investment responses. The administration is appealing lower-court rulings that found the tariffs exceeded executive authority. On January 14 Trump also defended tariffs at the Detroit Economic Club, saying they boosted Treasury receipts and investment. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.