A massive political and humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Minnesota, driven by explosive allegations of widespread welfare fraud within the state’s Somali community. The situation escalated dramatically after President Donald Trump announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for all Somalis in the state, citing corruption, gang activity, and the siphoning of millions in taxpayer dollars to foreign terrorist organizations.
The scandal has placed Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who represents a district with a large Somali population, in a precarious position. While many accusations remain subject to ongoing investigation, detailed reports suggest that Minnesota taxpayers are unknowingly funding the Al-Qaeda-linked terror group
Al-Shabaab through fraudulent government programs.
The controversy was thrust into the national spotlight when President Trump issued a severe executive order regarding the Somali population in Minnesota.
In a Truth Social post, President Trump stated:
“Minnesota under Governor [Tim] Walz is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity… I am as president of the United States hereby terminating and effective immediately the temporary protected status, the TPS program for Somalis in Minnesota. Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of the great state and billions of dollars are missing.
The termination of TPS—a status granted to eligible nationals of certain countries who are temporarily unable to return safely—for this population group is a drastic measure. It has immediate, life-altering consequences for potentially thousands of individuals who now face deportation.
The directive immediately triggered strong reactions, with some calling the President racist for “targeting Somalis,” while others argued he was taking necessary action against documented criminal activity ignored by local leadership.
The financial and security crisis is linked to two major government programs, both of which have seen costs explode in recent years under questionable circumstances.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) oversees the HSS program, which is designed to be a lifeline for people with disabilities, including those with substance use disorder, to find and maintain housing.
Cost Explosion: HSS billing has surged to nearly $250 million since the program started in 2020. Just five years ago, the program cost $2.6 million. By 2024, costs are projected to be around
Fraud Allegations: Investigations have uncovered allegations of fraud, forged signatures, and fraudulent billing to Medicaid for services that were never rendered. Victims, such as Steven Smith, have reported finding out that human services companies claimed to have helped them find housing and provided thousands of dollars in services, despite the victims never meeting the providers.
A second, more alarming scheme involves the state’s federally funded autism program.
Recruitment for Fraud: Several individuals, allegedly members of the Somali community, are accused of recruiting families and convincing them to get their children diagnosed as autistic, regardless of the child’s actual condition.
Financial Surge: As a result, autism claims to Medicaid surged, jumping from $3 million in 2018 to over $400 million by 2023. The number of autism providers in the state jumped from 41 to 328 in just five years, indicating a rapid influx of fraudulent operations designed to exploit the system.
The most explosive finding comes from reports by the City Journal, which connects the Minnesota fraud rings to international terrorism.
The reports allege that the Somali fraud rings are sending a massive amount of money back to Somalia through various means, including
Somalia Remittances: Remittances from abroad total $1.7 billion, which is more than the entire budget of the Somali government.
Terror Link: Most alarmingly, the money funneled through money traders and Hala transfers is alleged to end up in the hands of the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic terror group Al-Shabaab.
The conclusion drawn by critics is stark:
The crisis has led to calls for the immediate resignation of Minnesota’s Governor,
Fiscal Failure: Critics point to a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce report showing the state is “failing on every single economic measure” between 2019 and 2024.
Moral Failure: The failure to prevent the fraud, which now links state funds to terrorism, is considered a profound moral and governmental collapse. The sentiment among some residents, even Democrats, is that Walz should step down immediately for “failing the people of Minnesota.”
The controversy also directly implicates Ilhan Omar, whose political base is the community under scrutiny. While there is no direct evidence linking Omar to the fraud, the actions of a concentrated group of her voters—accused of massive federal theft and funneling money to a known terrorist group—significantly damages her standing and lends weight to the claims that she is more loyal to Somalia than to the United States.
The current situation is defined by a refusal among local leaders to address the fraud, driven, critics argue, by a fear of being “called racist” for pointing out the criminal activity. Trump’s intervention, regardless of its political motivation, forces the issue of accountability that local authorities allegedly ignored for too long.
The immediate consequence of the TPS termination is a wave of deportations that will reshape the demographics and political landscape of Omar’s district, signaling a massive legal and political escalation of the Minnesota Meltdown.
In the long, hot summers of the 1970s, a small transistor radio was my constant companion while working the fields with my father. Hours of hauling and stacking hay would pause at midday, when I’d park the tractor under a shady tree, unwrap my lunch, and tune in to Paul Harvey. His distinctive voice, rich with calm authority, seemed to cut through the noise of the world. Even now, the sound of his broadcasts transports me back to those days—days when my parents, my brother, my grandmothers, and my aunts and uncles were still alive and gathered often. Nostalgia reminds me how much I long for those simpler moments.
Paul Harvey wasn’t just a radio man; he was a national institution. From 1952 through 2008, his voice reached as many as 24 million people every week. His “Paul Harvey News” aired on 1,200 radio stations, 400 Armed Forces Network stations, and appeared in 300 newspapers. His signature program, The Rest of the Story, became a cultural touchstone. Listeners tuned in for more than headlines—they tuned in for the perspective, wisdom, and reflective pause he gave them in the middle of hectic lives. Harvey’s style wasn’t just informative; it was reassuring. He reminded people that stories could have meaning beyond the facts. For a few minutes, his storytelling could challenge you, comfort you, or change the way you thought.
Generations of Americans grew up with him. For many, Harvey was as familiar as family, a trusted presence whose cadence and phrasing made the world feel smaller and more comprehensible. His gift wasn’t just in delivering news; it was in making you think. He asked his audience, often without saying it directly, to consider what mattered most in life. That quality of reflection feels increasingly rare in today’s constant stream of digital noise.
What made Harvey even more fascinating was his willingness to write and speak pieces that cut deeper than daily headlines. Long before his television career, he wrote essays that he would revise and return to over the years, sharpening their edge as the world changed. One of those works became especially famous: a speech he adapted multiple times, sometimes referred to as “If I Were the Devil.” Whether you interpret it literally, metaphorically, or prophetically, the piece resonates because it captures anxieties about culture, morality, and the future of society. When Harvey read the 1996 version on air, many listeners were startled at how accurately his words seemed to predict the path the country was taking. Today, nearly three decades later, his observations still spark debate and reflection.
Listening to that recording now is an unsettling experience. Some of his “predictions” feel eerily on point, echoing challenges we still wrestle with: social division, moral confusion, and the loss of shared values. Harvey’s delivery, calm but firm, gives his words weight. He never shouted, never sensationalized, but he left his audience thinking hard about what kind of world they were building.
Yet for all the seriousness of his insights, Harvey also offered reassurance. He often reminded listeners to place their trust in God during times of trial. Faith, for him, was the anchor. Millions were moved by his famous “Letter From God” broadcast, a meditation on purpose and work. In that piece, Harvey painted a vivid picture of the farmer as the backbone of society. “God gazed down on his intended paradise on the eighth day and said, ‘I need a caretaker.’ So God created a farmer.” With those words, he captured the dignity of hard labor, the connection between land and people, and the sacred responsibility of stewardship.
That essay lived on long after Harvey first read it. In fact, decades later, Ram Trucks used his “God Made a Farmer” broadcast as the centerpiece of a Super Bowl commercial. The combination of Harvey’s timeless narration with striking visual imagery made it one of the most memorable ads in recent memory, introducing his words to a new generation.
Paul Harvey’s greatness wasn’t in being perfect or universally agreed with. It was in being trustworthy. Audiences knew that when he spoke, it came from a place of conviction and sincerity. He respected his listeners enough to challenge them, and in return they respected him enough to listen closely.
Looking back now, I realize why his voice mattered so much to me and millions of others. He carved out space for reflection in a world that rarely slows down. He reminded us that news wasn’t just about information—it was about values, meaning, and how we choose to live.
Today, as we navigate uncertain and divisive times, Harvey’s words remain relevant. Whether through his predictions, his parables, or his simple reminder to trust in God, he gave us tools to think more deeply about life and society. For those of us who grew up listening under the summer sun, his broadcasts are more than memories; they are lessons etched into our way of seeing the world.
Paul Harvey has been gone since 2009, but the legacy of his voice still lingers. He was a storyteller, a teacher, and in many ways, a moral compass. And even now, when his words resurface, they remind us that we could use more moments of stillness, more listening, and more reflection.
Because as Harvey might say: now you know the rest of the story.
ROSELAND, La. (AP) — A fire at an automotive supply plant in Louisiana was 90% contained Sunday, but a mandatory evacuation order remained in place as crews tried to address remaining flames, law enforcement officials said.
The fire at Smitty’s Supply just north of the town of Roseland ignited Friday after an explosion at the facility sent flames into the air and black smoke billowing over the surrounding rural area. No injuries have been reported.
Everyone within a one-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius of the plant was ordered to evacuate. The order remained in place at noon Sunday, state police said. During a press conference Saturday, police urged residents to minimize their contact with soot from the fire.
Louisiana State Police wrote in the update Sunday that all air monitoring for contaminants has shown “either non-detectable readings or levels well below health-based or actionable thresholds.”
Response crews were removing structural debris and addressing covered hotspots. Environmental response efforts were ongoing in the Tangipahoa River and surrounding waterways.
Smitty’s Supply delivers “high performance lubricants and automotive parts,” including oils, brake fluid, power steering fluid and antifreeze, according to the company’s website. Local officials said the plant employs about 400 people.
Roseland, which is home to about 1,100 people, is roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Baton Rouge.
A towering column of dark smoke was visible across Melbourne’s skyline this week after a large industrial fire broke out at a factory complex in Derrimut, in the city’s western suburbs. The incident prompted one of the most extensive firefighting operations in Victoria in recent years, with authorities warning the clean-up and recovery could take weeks.
The blaze began late Wednesday morning at a factory on Swann Drive, an industrial zone surrounded by warehouses, transport depots, and distribution centers. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) confirmed that multiple chemical storage drums inside the facility were caught in the flames, triggering bursts of heat and debris.
Deputy Commissioner Michelle Cowling said firefighters received reports of a rapidly spreading fire just after 11 a.m. Within minutes, thick smoke was visible for kilometres, with residents from both Melbourne’s west and inner suburbs reporting they could see the plume stretching across the horizon.
“This was an aggressive fire requiring a large-scale response,” Cowling said. “The warehouse contained a range of chemicals, and as a result, our crews had to take every precaution to protect both themselves and the wider community.”
In total, more than 180 firefighters were called to the scene, supported by dozens of fire trucks and aerial units. Crews from both FRV and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) worked side by side under intense conditions.
By mid-afternoon, authorities confirmed the fire was officially “under control,” though smaller hotspots would continue to burn for days. Firefighters are expected to maintain a presence at the site until the risk of reignition is fully eliminated.
“This is not something that will be resolved overnight,” Cowling said. “Our teams will remain here for as long as necessary to ensure the site is safe.”
As a precaution, factories and offices in the immediate area were evacuated. Several major roads were also closed, including sections of the Western Freeway, which caused delays for drivers during the busy afternoon commute. Power outages in nearby suburbs disrupted traffic signals, adding to congestion.
By Wednesday evening, some arterial roads were reopened, but police urged motorists to avoid the area if possible to give emergency services clear access.
Witnesses described dramatic scenes as barrels and containers inside the warehouse overheated and launched into the air. Ravenhall worker Trent Chamberlain, whose office is three kilometres away, said the fire’s scale was alarming.
“Every few minutes, there was another burst that went high into the air,” he told reporters. “The smoke was thick and heavy — it was impossible to miss.”
Residents as far away as St Kilda, more than 20 kilometres from the scene, reported seeing the dark plume against the afternoon sky.
Despite the scale of the fire and the hazardous materials on site, authorities confirmed there were no injuries among factory workers, nearby residents, or emergency personnel. Ambulance Victoria said paramedics were stationed at the site from the early stages of the emergency but did not need to transport anyone for treatment.
“This is a positive outcome considering the risks our teams faced,” Cowling said. “All staff are accounted for, and no firefighters have been seriously harmed.”
As dark smoke spread across Melbourne’s west, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued warnings for surrounding suburbs. Residents were urged to remain indoors where possible, close doors and windows, and switch off heating or cooling systems that draw in outside air.
EPA monitoring units were deployed to measure air quality. While the smoke was expected to dissipate with changing wind conditions, residents with respiratory sensitivities were advised to take precautions.
The fire prompted concerns from community groups, particularly given the site’s industrial nature. The factory is understood to belong to ACB Group, a company that has previously experienced fire-related incidents. The company did not provide comment during the immediate aftermath.
Authorities stressed the importance of keeping the community safe while crews continued to manage the site. “We ask that people stay away from the area,” Cowling said. “These are hazardous conditions, and the fewer people nearby, the safer it is for everyone involved.”
Beyond the immediate firefighting efforts, attention quickly turned to the potential environmental impacts of the incident. The factory stored large quantities of chemical substances, including kerosene, fuel products, and ethanol. When such materials are exposed to heat and water during firefighting, there is a risk of runoff entering nearby creeks and storm drains.
EPA officials confirmed they were working closely with Melbourne Water to contain contaminated water and prevent it from spreading into natural waterways. Trucks and pumps were deployed to capture excess water, while sandbags were installed to slow runoff.
“Right now, we are focused on limiting the impact on local creeks,” an EPA spokesperson said. “Monitoring will continue for as long as needed.”
This is not the first time Melbourne’s western suburbs have faced major industrial blazes. In recent years, sites in Footscray, Tottenham, and West Footscray have experienced large-scale fires that raised long-term questions about storage practices and regulatory oversight.
Experts say these incidents highlight the challenges of balancing industrial growth with environmental safety. “The community has every right to be concerned,” said one environmental specialist. “We need stronger prevention measures to ensure these events are less likely to happen in the first place.”
Authorities have confirmed that investigators will enter the site once it is deemed safe. At this stage, the cause of the fire remains unknown, but early indications suggest it was not deliberately lit.
“This will be a thorough investigation,” Cowling said. “It’s important that we determine exactly what occurred so that steps can be taken to reduce future risks.”
WorkSafe Victoria is also expected to review the incident as part of its ongoing oversight of industrial sites.
Although the fire is largely contained, its aftermath is expected to stretch into the weeks and months ahead. Environmental clean-up, workplace inspections, and community reassurance will all form part of the recovery process.
For now, firefighters remain stationed at the factory, ensuring the site is stable and preventing any chance of reignition. Residents are being kept updated through official emergency channels, with regular air quality and traffic bulletins issued.
While Melbourne has seen industrial fires before, the Derrimut blaze serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with large chemical storage facilities. The incident has reignited calls for tighter safety measures and stricter enforcement to protect both the environment and local communities.
Avery White is 20 years old, a young woman who, despite her frail body, has shown a strength beyond her years. Weighing just 77 pounds, Avery has faced challenges that would break most of us. Diagnosed at 15 with gastroparesis after years of unexplained pain, weight loss, and constant vomiting, her journey took a devastating turn two years later when she was diagnosed with lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
Over the years, Avery’s body has waged a relentless battle against her own immune system, but her spirit remains unbroken. Her aunt, Paige Smith, shared Avery’s heartbreaking story of strength and perseverance: “Avery’s condition worsened rapidly,” Paige wrote. “At 17, she was diagnosed with lupus, Raynaud’s disease, and antiphospholipid syndrome, and it quickly progressed to catastrophic APS. Despite multiple hospital stays, and several more surgeries, Avery fought on.”