JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1046

New Orleans officials deployed the National Guard this week to bolster security for New Year’s celebrations one year after a vehicle attack on Bourbon Street killed 14 people. Governor Jeff Landry requested 350 troops and President Donald Trump authorized their deployment; state and local police will coordinate a French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone with checkpoints, bag restrictions and vehicle closures. Authorities said guardsmen will provide visible support but will not conduct immigration enforcement. Families of attack victims continue to press for permanent physical protections on Bourbon Street as temporary measures take effect. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.

San Antonio — Authorities recovered dashcam and doorbell footage in the search for 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, last seen Dec. 24. Investigators released video showing a woman matching her clothing walking near her home and said it provided a direction for search teams. Volunteers and deputies conducted ground searches across an eight-square-mile area using drones and maps. Family members spoke publicly and urged tips. On Tuesday evening authorities reported a body was found near Mendoza Olmos’s home; officials said the remains were not yet formally identified and they did not suspect foul play. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Palm Beach, Florida: President Donald Trump warned Iran against rebuilding missile or nuclear capabilities and urged Hamas to disarm during a joint appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week. He threatened military strikes if Iran reconstituted its programs and set a short deadline for Hamas disarmament. The U.S. Treasury additionally sanctioned ten individuals and firms tied to Iran's drone and ballistic procurement networks. Officials said sanctions aimed to reinforce UN measures and disrupt procurement channels. Multiple officials commented. Israeli and Iranian officials issued contrasting statements about compliance and threat levels. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, officials announced Monday that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Rural Health Transformation Program plans, allocating first-year awards from a five-year $50 billion fund to strengthen rural hospitals, clinics, workforce, technology and access. States submitted applications detailing proposed investments; CMS awarded first-year amounts ranging from about $147 million to $281 million based on formulas and application metrics. Governors and health agencies said they will use the funds to expand primary, specialty and behavioral services, modernize facilities, support workforce training, and implement innovative care models starting in fiscal year 2026. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Minneapolis. Federal Homeland Security officials conducted an in-person fraud investigation Monday after Secretary Kristi Noem posted public video footage of agents visiting businesses she identified as suspected fraud sites. The action followed a viral inspection of childcare centers and comes amid probes that traced a $300 million Feeding Our Future fraud and convictions of 57 defendants. A federal prosecutor this December said up to half of roughly $18 billion sent to 14 Minnesota programs since 2018 may have been stolen. FBI Director Kash Patel said agents surged investigative resources to Minnesota this week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Denver, ModivCare Inc. reported a $73.1 million third-quarter loss and $679.7 million revenue on Monday, while earlier filings showed a $303.7 million second-quarter loss with $659.6 million revenue. Los Angeles-based Daily Journal Corp. reported a $42.2 million fiscal fourth-quarter profit and $28.4 million revenue, and $112.1 million annual profit on the year. The figures come from AP-generated earnings snapshots also using Zacks Investment Research data and were published this week by multiple local outlets. Companies provided per-share results: ModivCare losses of $5.08 and $21.16; Daily Journal net income of $30.61 per share. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized former President Donald Trump this week, telling the New York Times she believes he lacks Christian faith and disagreeing with his remarks at a Sept. 21 memorial for Charlie Kirk. Greene described a September phone call in which she alleges Trump warned 'My friends will get hurt' after she pressed about alleged abusers from Epstein-related hearings, and she tweeted criticism of his foreign-policy focus ahead of meetings with Ukraine and Israel. Greene announced plans to retire from Congress and will step down in early January. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, President Donald Trump said this week the United States struck a dock area in Venezuela used by drug traffickers, and U.S. Southern Command confirmed another strike on an alleged narcotics vessel in the eastern Pacific. Trump said the strike targeted a facility where boats load drugs and declined to name the U.S. agency involved. The Pentagon, CIA and White House provided limited public details. U.S. authorities say about 30 known boat strikes have occurred since September, with at least 107 people killed. Venezuelan officials have not confirmed the reported land strike. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States. Municipalities this week are accepting natural Christmas trees for curbside pickup or centralized drop-off to be chipped into mulch, officials said. Programs announced Tuesday and in recent days require trees to be free of decorations, lights, tinsel, flocking and stands; some jurisdictions require advance pickup requests while others allow regular yard-waste collection from Jan. 5–31 or through January. Cities and counties cited landfill diversion and reuse in parks and landscaping as goals, and they provided phone numbers and drop-off locations for residents. and accepted at county transfer stations without fee. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — Gas prices fell across multiple states this week, recently, driven by higher refinery outputs and growing gasoline inventories, according to GasBuddy data and local news reports. National average gasoline dropped four cents over the past week to $2.75 per gallon, while diesel declined 5.4 cents to $3.521 per gallon. Local averages reported declines in Peoria, Asheville, Indiana, Montana, Natrona County and Campbell County between late December and Monday, with some stations reporting prices as low as $2.19 and highs near $3.29. Analysts anticipate prices may bottom in January or February. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.