Day: December 31, 2025

Minnesota’s new Medicaid fraud prevention fix won’t make ‘any difference,’ former FBI agent says

4:30 pm December 31, 2025

Minnesota officials are adding an extra layer of verification to payments from high-risk Medicaid programs, a move one former law enforcement official says won’t make “any” difference as federal authorities allege taxpayers in the state have lost more than $9 billion to fraud since 2018. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced an additional […]

ISIS exploiting Syria’s chaos as US strikes expose growing threat

4:30 pm December 31, 2025

U.S. and partner forces killed or captured nearly 25 Islamic State operatives in Syria in the days following a large-scale U.S.-led strike on Dec. 19, according to a new statement from U.S. Central Command, underscoring Washington’s assessment that ISIS remains an active and persistent threat inside the country. CENTCOM said those forces conducted 11 follow-on […]

Budget travelers value ‘hard-to-beat’ Costco vacations, but service may not be for everyone

4:30 pm December 31, 2025

Costco may be best known for its bulk groceries and its $1.50 hot-dog combo — but the warehouse retailer also sells vacation experiences through Costco Travel. The service allows members to book cruises, vacation packages and rental cars through a curated selection of partners, according to Costco Travel’s website. Standalone airfare is not sold, and […]

Two African nations ban American citizens in diplomatic tit-for-tat following Trump admin move

3:48 pm December 31, 2025

Two West African nations have issued a simultaneous ban on American citizens in a diplomatic tit-for-tat move, amidst heightened tensions with both the United States and Europe, and as Russia seeks to increase its economic and geopolitical influence in the region. Mali and Burkina Faso made the move in response to the Trump administration’s Dec. […]

Former GOP Sen. Jon Kyl announces dementia diagnosis, steps away from public life

2:32 pm December 31, 2025

Former Republican Sen. Jon Kyl announced on Tuesday he is withdrawing from public life after being diagnosed with dementia. Kyl, 83, became one of Arizona’s most prominent Republicans during a career that spanned nearly three decades across both chambers of Congress, including a stint as Senate minority whip. “I was blessed to represent the people […]