Good morning, everyone. It’s a relatively slow news morning as we head into the new year. To kick off 2026 on the right note, I’m planning a good-news-only update on the 1st, with the hope of setting a positive tone for what’s ahead.
Today, I’m tracking a few major developments: a confirmed strike by the Central Intelligence Agency in Venezuela—the first U.S. strike on Venezuelan soil; the removal of panels honoring Black U.S. soldiers from a World War II cemetery following President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI orders; and additional mass cancellations at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, now affecting New Year’s Eve performances.
As I reflect on the past year, I want you to know how deeply grateful I am—this community has genuinely changed my life. And based on everything we’ve seen over the last several weeks, independent journalism has never mattered more.If you’re able, I ask you directly to consider subscribing before the end of the year.Your subscriptions are what make it possible for me to do this work full time. Thank you.
CNN has confirmed that the The Central Intelligence Agency carried out a previously unreported drone strike on a remote port facility on the Venezuelan coast believed to be used by the gang Tren de Aragua for drug trafficking, marking the first known U.S. attack inside Venezuela; the strike caused no casualties, was later loosely acknowledged by Donald Trump, and represents a significant escalation in his administration’s counter-narcotics campaign and pressure strategy against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
According to the Associated Press, The American Battle Monuments Commission removed two visitor-center panels honoring Black U.S. soldiers from the American WWII cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands, following President Donald Trump’s executive orders ending DEI programs, sparking outrage from Dutch officials, families of fallen soldiers, and local residents who care for the graves. The displays had highlighted the service of segregated Black troops, including the story of George H. Pruitt, and emails later showed the removal was directly tied to Trump’s policies despite a lack of public explanation at the time.
After a viral YouTube video by right-wing creator Nick Shirley alleged widespread fraud at Somali-run child care centers, federal authorities including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security surged agents into Minneapolis to investigate alleged child care, health care, and immigration fraud. Officials said the buildup was driven in part by the video despite limited publicly presented evidence and no announced arrests.
According to MS Now reporting, President Donald Trump named Tom Homan as border czar despite an ongoing FBI bribery investigation, after Trump’s transition team delayed standard background checks, raising questions about how Homan later received a security clearance and how the probe was ultimately shut down
Multiple musicians have canceled upcoming performances at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts after its board voted to add President Donald Trump’s name to the building, with artists citing concerns about artistic integrity and political influence in a publicly funded cultural institution.
According to KSTP, a Minneapolis tobacco and vape shop employee says she was unknowingly recorded by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents during a door-to-door visit to businesses labeled online as “suspected fraud sites,” was not accused of any wrongdoing, and later faced widespread online harassment, unwanted attention at her workplace, and safety concerns after DHS posted the video publicly, prompting unanswered questions about why she was filmed and whether the video will be removed.
Federal authorities from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched a “massive” door-to-door fraud investigation in Minneapolis, focusing on child care and other social service programs after a viral video fueled allegations of widespread abuse, drawing criticism from some Minnesota officials who warn the probe risks unfairly targeting the state’s Somali community.
President Donald Trump shared a video promoting congressional candidate Colton Moore that called for eliminating mail-in voting, restricting elections to a single day, and turning July 4 into Election Day, while also using violent rhetoric tied to 2020 election denial claims.
Trump amplified dozens of MAGA-themed posts from foreign-based social media accounts on Christmas Day, sharing screenshots from accounts operating in South Asia, Europe, and Taiwan that promoted election denial claims, attacks on Democrats, and anti-immigrant rhetoric despite presenting themselves as U.S.-based.
Trump amplified posts from a fake social media account impersonating White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, including election-denial and anti-immigrant content, despite the account being flagged as a parody and traced to Taiwan.
President Donald Trump said he was “not worried” as China conducted large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan, including missile launches into nearby waters, adding that Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not inform him of the exercises despite rising cross-strait tensions.
After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump issued fresh warnings to Iran and Hamas, threatening “very powerful” consequences if Iran rebuilds nuclear facilities or if Hamas refuses to disarm under the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan. Iran’s leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, responded by warning that any aggression would provoke a harsh and unexpected reaction.
The Kremlin stated this morning there was no need to provide evidence of an attack on Putin’s residence:
Ukraine rejected Russia’s claim that Ukrainian forces carried out a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s state residence, saying Moscow has provided no evidence to support the allegation. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the claim is a familiar Russian tactic meant to justify future attacks and undermine peace talks, accusing Russia of projecting its own intentions onto others.
Russia announced that its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system has entered active service in Belarus, marking a significant escalation as peace talks over Ukraine reach a fragile stage. President Vladimir Putin said the intermediate-range missiles, which can carry nuclear or conventional warheads and fly at hypersonic speeds, would be deployed before year’s end.
Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s port city of Mukalla, saying it targeted a weapons shipment allegedly sent by the United Arab Emirates to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, signaling a sharp escalation in tensions between the two allies as they back rival factions in Yemen’s civil war.
Good news:
Graham Walker, CEO of family-owned Fibrebond, set aside 15% of the company’s $1.7 billion sale to Eaton to give roughly $240 million in bonuses to 540 employees, rewarding them for decades of shared success.
A rare fisher, a native North American mammal not seen in the Cleveland area since the 1800s, was captured on a trail camera by Cleveland Metroparks, marking the species’ first recorded appearance in Cuyahoga County and highlighting the success of long-term conservation efforts in northeast Ohio.
Sonia Lewis, whose college plans were once saved when administrators at Bodine International Affairs High School redirected scholarships to support her during a family medical crisis, returned 20 years later to repay the kindness by covering the full senior-year costs for the school’s graduating class, completing a full-circle act of gratitude.
Travel writer Rick Steves bought the land beneath the Lynnwood Hygiene Center for $2.25 million, saving the center from closure and ensuring continued access to showers, laundry, meals, and basic medical care for people experiencing homelessness, with additional funds pledged for expansion.
