JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1039

ORLANDO, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis said Monday Florida is awaiting Department of Homeland Security approval to open a third immigration detention center in the Panhandle and is considering a fourth. Officials constructed a remote South Florida site called Alligator Alcatraz and use Baker Correctional Institution, dubbed Deportation Depot, to process detainees. Since April, joint state-federal Operation Tidal Wave has resulted in more than 10,000 detentions and about 3,000 deportations, according to officials. All 67 counties have 287(g) agreements enabling local arrests. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Oklahoma City — AEM's 2025 lightning report shows Oklahoma led the United States in lightning flash density, averaging 73 flashes per square mile, while Florida registered 72.9 flashes per square mile. Kay County, Oklahoma, recorded the highest county rate at 123.4 flashes per square mile. AEM's Earth Networks Total Lightning Network used more than 1,800 sensors to detect about 88.4 million lightning flashes nationwide, equal to roughly 430 million individual pulses. Texas registered the largest total strike volume, with about 13 million strikes. Florida reported four lightning-related deaths in 2025. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday issued a letter of censure to Sen. Mark Kelly and initiated proceedings to potentially reduce Kelly’s retired Navy rank and pay after Kelly appeared in a November video urging service members to refuse illegal orders. The Pentagon said Kelly was informed and has 30 days to respond; retirement-grade determination must conclude within 45 days. The video featured six Democrats who urged troops to uphold the Constitution. President Donald Trump later called the participants seditious on social media. Congressional and Pentagon reviews of the matter remain ongoing. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States, Multiple companies announced corporate and clinical developments this week, including conversions, leadership changes, financing, trial updates and adoptions. Advanced Flower Capital completed its conversion to a business development company, Casella installed a new CEO, and Corvus scheduled Phase 1 cohort results; several firms declared January distributions; Archrock proposed a $500 million senior note offering; Riot and TOMI released operational updates; Instil Bio discontinued a clinical program and terminated a license; Calumet provided preliminary fiscal results; Mama's Creations confirmed investor presentations. These are verified disclosures and filings issued Jan. 5–6, 2026. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Atlanta, Ga. Gov. Brian Kemp set a March 10 special election after Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned, leaving Georgia's 14th Congressional District vacant at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2026. State officials said qualifying will begin with a $5,220 qualifying fee and an initial runoff set for April 7 if needed. State and local election offices noted that no temporary appointments are allowed under Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. Several candidates have declared, and officials urged voters to prepare for the schedule ahead of Georgia's May 19, 2026 primary. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The Senate unanimously agreed to temporarily display a plaque honoring law enforcement who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack after the House declined to hang the commemorative marker required by a 2022 law. Senators Jeff Merkley and Thom Tillis sponsored the resolution directing the Architect of the Capitol to place the plaque in an accessible Senate wing until a permanent location is set. The plaque, completed but reportedly in storage, lists responding agencies; House Speaker Mike Johnson has said the production does not implement the statute. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Montgomery, Alabama, forecasts show unseasonably warm conditions across the Southeast this week, with highs reaching the 60s and 70s and overnight lows in the 40s and 50s. Morning fog and mostly cloudy skies are expected with light southwest winds. Temperatures climb through Wednesday and Thursday before a cold front approaches Friday, bringing an increasing chance of showers and possible thunderstorms into Friday night. Cooler air follows the front into the weekend. Local weather services advise monitoring updates for timing and impacts. Rain chances increase by Friday evening, with localized heavier downpours possible. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Cincinnati — Local and federal law enforcement investigated Vice President JD Vance’s East Walnut Hills residence early Monday after U.S. Secret Service reported suspicious activity around 12:15 a.m. Officers found apparent window damage and detained one person, whom police said was in custody while investigators assess charges and motive. Officials reported the Vance family was not present; authorities believe the individual did not enter the home. Security barricades placed during the holidays were removed by Monday morning. Agencies including Cincinnati police and the Secret Service continue to examine surveillance, statements and physical evidence. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Las Vegas — Kodiak AI and Bosch announced on Tuesday that they will collaborate to scale manufacturing of a production-grade, redundant autonomous platform for Class 8 trucks, combining Bosch-supplied automotive-grade sensors and actuation systems with Kodiak’s AI driver software. The companies said the platform can be integrated on factory lines or retrofitted, and that financial terms were not disclosed. The announcement was made at the CES trade show as Kodiak seeks to move from pilot deployments toward commercial rollout. Separately, UBS initiated coverage on Kodiak Sciences with a Buy rating and $50 target. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, US President Donald Trump warned Cuba, Colombia and Mexico this week that US patience is wearing thin over facilitation of drug trafficking and regional instability. He told reporters aboard Air Force One on January 5 that Cuba has lost Venezuelan economic support and "has no income," and said Washington could act if conditions do not change. Trump added the United States does not plan military action, predicting internal collapse in Cuba, and said many Cuban Americans would welcome that outcome. Officials cited drug flows of fentanyl and cocaine as central concerns. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.