JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1059

Austin, local and regional authorities reported multiple water issues this week, ranging from long-term supply planning to contamination and service disruptions. Williamson County approved funding for a 50-year Integrated Water Resources Plan; other municipalities held community water tastings or issued conservation advisories after transmission-main failures; Los Angeles residents experienced hydrants running dry during wildfires; Ohio utilities announced multi-year rate increases; Yarmouth issued a drinking water notice after enterococci was detected on December 19, 2025. Authorities notified residents and implemented temporary safeguards immediately. Officials are repairing infrastructure, redirecting supplies, and monitoring water quality. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Eden Prairie, Minn. — Winnebago Industries reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $5.5 million and adjusted earnings of $0.38 per share, beating analyst estimates, and projected full-year earnings of $2.10–$2.80 per share with revenue of $2.8–$3.0 billion, and guidance details followed. Miami — Carnival Corp. reported fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $422 million, adjusted earnings of $0.34 per share, missed quarterly revenue forecasts at $6.33 billion, and reported annual profit of $2.76 billion. Delray Beach, Fla. — PetMed Express reported a fiscal first-quarter loss of $34.2 million, or $1.65 per share, with revenue of $51.2 million. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Robeson County, North Carolina — Congress granted federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe after President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act containing the Lumbee Fairness Act. The U.S. Senate approved the measure in a 77-20 vote Wednesday, completing congressional action following earlier House passage. Tribal Chairman John Lowery returned from Washington and held a news conference Friday, marking the end of a 137-year effort and making the Lumbee, with 55,000–56,000 members, the largest federally recognized tribe east of the Mississippi. State leaders and senators who sponsored the bill praised the outcome. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States: AAA projects 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, a 2.2% rise over last year; about 109.5 million will drive and roughly 8.03 million will fly. Airlines plan to add seats and expect about 52 million passengers this season. Regional reports show higher volume in Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, Connecticut, California and Texas, with airports reporting longer TSA lines. National gas prices have fallen below three dollars per gallon. Authorities and travel groups advise planning for peak days and preparing vehicles. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Providence, Rhode Island, police identified Claudio Manuel Neves Valente as the suspect in the Dec. 13 Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine. Investigators linked Valente to a Dec. 15 slaying of MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro. Authorities used surveillance footage, vehicle tracking and a civilian tip to obtain a rental agreement bearing his name, then executed warrants at a Salem, New Hampshire storage unit. There officers discovered Valente dead of a self-inflicted gunshot and recovered two firearms and a satchel; officials said ballistic and DNA testing are underway. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States officials paused the Diversity Visa lottery after investigators linked the Brown University and MIT shootings to a 2017 lottery recipient. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, at President Trump's direction, directed USCIS to halt the program this week while authorities continue investigations into the suspect's background. The suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, a Portuguese national who obtained permanent residency in 2017, was found dead after the attacks that killed two Brown students and an MIT professor. The action affects up to 50,000 annual visas and may face protracted legal challenges and oversight. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, The Justice Department on Friday posted thousands of Epstein-related files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, providing roughly 3,900 documents and officials saying several hundred thousand pages would be published in stages. The initial tranche included photos and grand jury material, some heavily redacted; officials removed or retracted certain images after posting. DOJ said it protected victim privacy through redactions. Lawmakers and survivors criticized the partial release as noncompliant, and DOJ officials said additional material will follow over the next weeks. Investigations and potential prosecutions for tampering were urged by lawmakers. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Phoenix, U.S. Turning Point USA's AmericaFest this week saw prominent conservatives publicly and sharply clash over the movement's direction after founder Charlie Kirk's September assassination. Ben Shapiro publicly denounced Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Steve Bannon and others as 'frauds and grifters' and criticized platforming of Nick Fuentes. Carlson and Bannon replied from the same stage, mocking deplatforming efforts and attacking Shapiro. Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, endorsed JD Vance for 2028. Utah prosecutors charged Tyler Robinson in the killing. The disputes revealed internal divisions that may shape Republican politics in coming months. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Authorities found a man suspected in the Brown University shooting dead Thursday evening in a New Hampshire storage facility. Investigators identified the 48-year-old as Claudio Neves Valente, a former Brown student and Portuguese national, and said he died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials said tips and vehicle-tracking led them to the facility and that evidence recovered from the vehicle aided the inquiry. Investigators also believe he is linked to a separate Brookline killing of an MIT professor earlier in the week; authorities have not formally confirmed that connection. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.