Minnesota lawmakers, family condemn Trump for sharing “outrageous” conspiracy theories on Melissa Hortman’s assassination

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By Riley Moser

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — The children of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman are asking President Trump to remove a video he reposted on social media Saturday alleging Gov. Tim Walz is behind their mother’s assassination.

Walz responded to the president’s Truth Social post, saying it is “dangerous, depraved behavior from the sitting president of the United States.”

“In covering for an actual serial killer, he is going to get more innocent people killed. America is better than this,” Walz said.

Hortman was shot and killed alongside her husband, Mark, and their dog, Gilbert, on June 14, 2025, inside the family’s Brooklyn Park home. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and wounded in their Champlin home 90 minutes earlier.

Vance Boelter, 58, faces federal charges for the shootings, including two counts of murder. He allegedly dressed as a police officer and managed to evade arrest for nearly 40 hours. According to prosecutors, Boelter had a hit list of lawmakers and other public officials, including staffers at Planned Parenthood. He pleaded not guilty in August.

Mr. Trump first reshared the video that states Boelter made the claim Walz ordered him to kill Hortman in a letter authorities say they found in his vehicle. Then-acting U.S. attorney Joe Thompson called the letter a “delusion” that seemed “designed to conceal his crimes.”

The Hortmans’ children, Sophie and Colin, on Sunday afternoon asked Mr. Trump to remove the post, saying it promotes a “false narrative.”

“The video being shared by the president is another hurdle our family must overcome in grieving the loss of my parents, Mark and Melissa, and their beloved Gilbert,” Sophie Hortman said. “I ask President Trump to please consider the pain and sadness we have faced, and to honor the spirit of the holidays we have just spent without our parents by taking down the post on Truth Social.”

Colin Hortman also debunked one of the claims made in the video shared by Mr. Trump regarding a vote his mother made shortly before her death to remove undocumented immigrant adults from the state’s health care coverage program. Hortman was the sole Democrat to vote for it in the tied House chamber, clearing the way for its passage.

“When I called her after the legislative session ended, I asked why she voted for the bill mentioned in the video shared by President Trump, and she wept. That bill and her vote had nothing to do with fraud. She voted for that bill because it was the only way to avoid a government shutdown,” Colin Hortman said. “She had never really voted against her conscience like that. It was emotional and extremely difficult.”

The White House had not responded to CBS News’ request for comment.

In a statement, House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson called out Mr. Trump, saying the claims about Hortman’s death are “untruthful” and “outrageous.”

“Tonight, Donald Trump, who couldn’t be bothered to lower the flags to half staff or even say Melissa Hortman’s name until now, is spreading outrageous lies about her death,” Stephenson said. “Here is the truth: Melissa was murdered by a right-wing, anti-abortion extremist who believed conspiracy theories about COVID. Melissa Hortman and Tim Walz were friends and allies. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying.”

Stephenson went on to say that any political leader in the state who does not condemn the president’s post “isn’t fit to hold office.”

Republican state Sen. Julia Coleman also encouraged lawmakers to “call for an end to baseless conspiracy theories” above a post mentioning Mr. Trump’s online endorsement of the accusation.

“We must all reject this behavior outright and refuse to tolerate it. The American people, grieving families, and the legacies of those lost deserve far better,” Coleman said. “Debate policies fiercely. Fight for what you believe in. But do not speculate, guess, or spread stories that are plainly false and deeply harmful. It’s time to restore dignity to our political discourse.”

Several Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Angie Craig and Betty McCollum, called for Republican legislators to specifically condemn Mr. Trump’s post.

However, Republican state Rep. Walter Hudson disagreed.

“I’m not condemning anything, even if I disagree with it, after watching the abhorrent reaction to the death of Charlie Kirk from Democrats of every strata, and the indifference toward and election of Jay Jones. I’m not playing this stupid game,” Hudson said on X about Mr. Trump’s Truth Social post.

Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth, the speaker of the Minnesota House, did not condemn Trump’s post. She did say in a statement to WCCO that Hortman was “a friend an colleague, and her life was cut short far too soon in an unspeakable act of evil by a deranged killer.”

“She should still be here, and the man who took her life should spend the rest of his life in prison,” she said.

McCollum also demanded that the president apologize to the Hortman family, Walz and Minnesotans.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

CTA State/Lake elevated station 3-year closure begins

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By Adam Harrington, Lauren Victory, Sara Machi, Benson Cook

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    Chicago (WBBM) — The State/Lake Loop ‘L’ stop has now closed, and won’t reopen for three years, as the historic station is completely demolished and rebuilt.

The Chicago Transit Authority elevated station, which serves the Brown, Green, Purple, Orange, and Pink lines, is 130 years old. The city announced it will be completely demolished and rebuilt as a “new, fully accessible rail hub” in early December.

Preparations have been under way for some time for the project. On Sunday, anyone getting off at the Lake Street CTA Red Line subway stop on Sunday might have noticed some new signage near the station’s stairways to street level.

The updated signs direct passengers looking to transfer to the elevated lines to head for the Washington/Wabash stop, a short walk to the southeast, instead of the elevated State/Lake platform overhead.

This, again, is because there will be no elevated State/Lake platform for the next three years. Construction crews rolled into the station before dawn Monday.

The State/Lake elevated station is one of the oldest in the city’s system and has the fifth-highest ridership. Officials said the new station will have wider platforms, four new elevators with full ADA accessibility, two escalators, a glass canopy, and improved lighting and visibility.

The project will cost $444 million. Construction will take at least three years, with the new station set to open in 2029. That price doesn’t sit well with some passengers.

“I feel like it’s kind of dumb in my opinion because like we don’t really need this, and I feel like we should use his money for something else in my opinion,” said Brighton Park resident Michelle Cortes.

Until then, commuters who are used to an easy transfer from the subway will have to make some adjustments.

Little Village resident Jacqueline Sanchez was taking some photos on the platform on the station’s last day in operation.

“I went to high school downtown, and I used to work downtown, so I would use this station almost every day,” she said. “I don’t take it anymore, so I was like, you know what, this is a great way to say bye.”

Other riders were unaware it would be their last time on the decades-old platform.

“And no, I didn’t know that, and that’s actually crazy because I like this train,” said rider Kennedi Brown.

Transportation expert Joseph Schwieterman of DePaul University said three years is a long time, but hopes it’s a worst-case senario.

“There is going to be some hardship, probably walking through construction sites at certain times and even having to rethink your trip,” Schwieterman said.

Transfers between lines will be complicated in particular.

“You know, the biggest impact is people making connections between the Loop elevator and the Red Line are going to get off at a different station that involves a couple blocks of walking, and even those on buses might have impacts with State Street being a construction site so it’s a lot of things at once, and we’re going to feel the effects,” he said.

State Street has already been partially closed for months for construction, and crossing the Chicago River at State Street has not been an option. This has affected bus traffic already for months upon months — the No. 36 Broadway bus, which runs on State Street from Division Street south to Van Buren Street, has been rerouted by way of Kinzie Street, Clark Street, and Wacker Drive.

Beginning Monday, even more of State Street downtown will be disrupted. The southbound lanes will be closed from Wacker Drive to Washington Street. Northbound State will see all lanes reopened.

There could also be some changes to bus services with the street closures that accompany construction, but as of Sunday, the CTA has not shared those changes.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Venezuelan community in Southwest Detroit feeling mixed emotions about U.S. strikes, Maduro’s capture

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By Heath Kalb

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    Detroit (WWJ) — As reaction pours in from across the country about the U.S. strikes on Venezuela and former President Nicolás Maduro, whom President Trump said was “captured” early Saturday, the Venezuelan community in Southwest Detroit is voicing its opinion.

“We are finally free again,” said Rayner Gutierrez, the owner of the Venezuelan restaurant El Ray de las Arepas. “I thought it was fake news, but then, it’s true, Maduro, the dictator from Venezuela, they finally got him. So I think it’s a plus for Venezuelan people today. Everybody’s excited.”

Rayner Gutierrez and his father, Jose Gutierrez, immigrated to the U.S. over 30 years ago, and now own El Ray de las Arepas on McGraw Avenue, where they say the local Venezuelan community has flourished over the past few years.

“I opened the restaurant like 14 years ago. Nobody knew where Venezuela was. The only person they knew was Miguel Cabrera,” said Rayner Gutierrez.

The Gutierrez family says that they, along with most of their customers, are feeling mixed emotions. They’re Happy that Maduro is out, but concerned about what might be coming next to their home country.

“It’s like, you know, different emotions,” said Jose Gutierrez. “We are happy, but at the same [time] we have family there, friends and all Venezuelan people. We are scared. We are really scared, but we got faith in god, faith, you know, that everything gonna be right for everybody.”

While tensions and uncertainty continue to be seen and heard thousands of miles away, Jose Gutierrez says he just wants people to know that the Venezuelan people are good.

“We are Venezuela, we love Venezuela, but we love USA too,” said Jose Gutierrez.

The Gutierrez family says they are hoping and praying that this means they will feel better about being able to travel to Venezuela to visit their family, who is still there.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Marin County sees more widespread flooding due to king tides, heavy rain

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By Da Lin

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    MARIN COUNTY, California (KPIX) — King tides combined with heavy rain flooded low-lying areas across the Bay Area over the weekend, with Marin County experiencing some of the most severe impacts. Streets, homes and businesses in communities like Larkspur and Corte Madera were submerged under inches of water, forcing road closures and business shutdowns.

Just after 11 a.m. Sunday, Corte Madera Creek overflowed its banks, sending floodwaters rushing into the Larkspur Marina neighborhood. By noon, roughly half of the neighborhood’s streets were underwater.

Residents scrambled to protect their homes as water levels rose. Colette Tanaka, who has lived in Larkspur for 23 years, worked to keep floodwaters out using pumps and sandbags.

“We’re trying to keep it as dry as possible. Every sump pump, every sandbag. But this is just kind of normal for this area. But this is really much worse than we’ve ever seen,” Tanaka said.

Like many homes in the Larkspur Marina neighborhood, Tanaka’s house is elevated a few feet off the ground, keeping the living space dry. Her garage, however, was flooded.

“I’ve got the contractors coming tomorrow and see if we have to redo the concrete on the floor or tear stuff out,” she said.

Parts of Riviera Circle were submerged under knee-deep water, making high-profile vehicles the safest way to navigate the neighborhood. Grant Grobecker, a Larkspur resident, drove through the area to check on his home and make sure his parents and two brothers were safe.

“This is my house right here. You can see the right corner — just barely being touched by the water. And then front door wise, there’s no water in my front door. So I’d say my house is definitely doing better than a lot of these other houses,” Grobecker said.

Floodwaters entered many garages throughout the neighborhood. Since this marked the fourth consecutive day of king tides, many residents had already moved valuables to higher ground. Heavier appliances, such as washers and dryers, remained a concern.

“Look at this, this door just got destroyed,” Grobecker said.

Despite the damage, some residents expressed a sense of resignation.

“It’s mother nature, we just do what we can,” Tanaka said.

A few blocks away in Corte Madera, flooding and impassable roads forced businesses to close, including Big 5 Sporting Goods and Fitness SF. Sebastyen Jackovics, co-owner of Fitness SF, said the flooding was unprecedented in the gym’s 35-year history.

“We’ve been at this location for 35 years, and we’ve never seen it this bad. There have been flooding here on Lucky Drive, but not like this,” Jackovics said.

The gym has been closed since Friday afternoon as staff work to keep water out and clean up the facility. Jackovics said some damage had already occurred.

“There were some electronics that got damaged in offices; it just caught us by surprise. The gym itself has a couple of inches of water in it in certain areas. But we’re able to defend the gym pretty well because we’re sandbagged up and we have pumps going,” he said.

Residents and business owners said Saturday was the worst day for flooding, with water levels slightly lower on Sunday. Dixie Hurst, a Marin County resident, described how high the water reached in the backyard of a home that she’s caring for.

“Yesterday, the water was all the way up to the top of my boot in this yard. So it was probably almost 12 inches. You could not see any grass,” Hurst said.

Despite her attachment to the neighborhood, Tanaka said she remains uncertain about the future.

“Talk to me next year, we’ve got a date,” she said.

As cleanup efforts remain on hold, residents and business owners continue to monitor the forecast closely. Many said they cannot fully assess damage or begin repairs until the threat of additional king tides passes, and fatigue is setting in after days of repeated flooding.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

89-year-old woman’s spirit refuses to quit a year losing everything in Palisades Fire

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By Luzdelia Caballero

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    MALIBU, California (KCAL, KCBS) — One year after the Palisades Fire ripped through the Pacific Palisades and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, CBS LA speaks with an 89-year-old survivor whose spirit refuses to burn out despite the hurdles that have been thrown her way.

The quiet Malibu hillside that was once home to Dominica Schiro, known to her loved ones as Mimma, is still blackened, carrying a reminder of the devastating inferno that leveled entire communities after it erupted on Jan. 7, 2025.

“It was very bad,” Schiro said. “I lost everything.”

She says that while she was able to get out in time, her close friend and neighbor did not.

“Was very nice man. I feel bad,” she said.

Schiro’s daughter, Dorina, says that when they left the home, they could see smoke in the distance, but never thought that it would spread as far as Malibu.

“I didn’t grab anything, thinking that I was going to come home,” she said. “It was a big mistake, my family albums, my dad’s beautiful paintings — all gone.”

Among those family albums was Mimma’s wedding album.

“This was really sad for me. This make me cry,” Mimma said.

Her other daughter, Gracie Darden, says that the horrors of last January still haunt her, even now.

“Every time I see an alert on my phone, the fire alerts, I literally get traumatized,” she said.

Though they’re still trying to come to terms with the fact that the place where Mimma baked and cooked for the neighborhood and made memories with the family over the course of 30 years is no longer standing, they’re still able to find gratitude for life.

After months of setbacks and paperwork, the Schiro family now finally has a rendering for a new home on the Malibu property. They said that they’re one step closer to getting their rebuilding permits accepted.

“They say we could probably start in January, and finish, God willing, they think hopefully a year,” Dorina Schiro said.

The empty lot isn’t a graveyard of memories, they said, but rather a blank page where they plan to rebuild everything after the destructive fire. It will also be a reunion with the one item the blaze didn’t damage, a stone angel that once sat in the home’s yard.

“It’s the one thing that survived,” Darden said. “Every time I see it, I go, ‘Thank you, God.’ Because things come and go, family doesn’t.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Family receive special Christmas in January surprise, including toys and gifts

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By CBS Chicago Team

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    CALUMET CITY, Illinois (WBBM) — Three kids whose grandmother and mother struggled through the holidays were surprised with a Christmas in January blessing.

They were taken by police escort to the Calumet City Library, where they received toys and other gifts.

The children’s grandmother, Ada Britton, is raising them full-time. She faces various health issues and was recently a victim of domestic violence. Because of this, the kids did not get much for Christmas.

That’s when the community stepped in.

“At Christmas time, their mom was like we don’t have the money, mom, we trying to do what we can do. I tried to go to some of the banks that’s giving away toys, coats, and stuff. So my grandbabies like grandma, I didn’t get what I want for Christmas. I said Maybe Santa forgot … This is so amazing.”

The family also received $2,000 in cash and $1,000 in gift cards.

Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones said he hopes the money can bring some joy and comfort to the struggling family to start the new year.

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Man pistol-whipped, French bulldog stolen, police say

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By Steven Yablonski

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    MIRAMAR, Florida (WFOR) — An investigation is underway in Miramar after police said a man was pistol whipped and had his French bulldog stolen overnight.

Few details have been released, but police said they responded to a Shotspotter alert indicating possible gunfire in a neighborhood in the 3100 block of Southwest 128th Terrace.

When police arrived, they said officers located evidence consistent with the ShotSpotter alert and shell casing were found.

A male victim located at the scene sustained injuries as a result of being pistol whipped, police said.

He was evaluated at the scene and was cleared by Miramar Fire Rescue, according to police.

He remained at the scene and has been cooperating fully with the investigation, police added.

In addition, the victim said several people arrived in the area and took his French bulldog. That dog, police said, was later recovered in the area.

Police said the investigation remains active and ongoing as detectives continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

No other information was released.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Man stabbed ex-girlfriend to death in apartment then fled to India, police say

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By Mike Hellgren

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    HOWARD COUNTY, Maryland (WJZ) — An international manhunt is underway for a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and leaving her body inside his apartment in Columbia, Howard County, before fleeing to India, according to police.

Howard County police on Sunday issued an arrest warrant for 26-year-old Arjun Sharma on first and second-degree murder charges in the apparent stabbing death of 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala, of Ellicott City.

According to police, Sharma said Friday that he last saw Godishala on New Year’s Eve at his apartment in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road.

Later that day, police said they found out Sharma had left the country on a flight to India. A search warrant was then executed at his apartment, where officers said they found his ex-girlfriend’s body with stab wounds.

Detectives believe Sharma killed Godishala shortly after 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Police and federal law enforcement are still working to find and arrest Sharma. A motive is not currently known and the investigation is ongoing.

Police said the suspect, Sharma, called 911 to report his ex-girlfriend missing on Friday. They then believe he headed to Dulles International Airport and boarded a plane bound for India.

Sharma will be charged with first- and second-degree murder.

“There was obviously some premeditation to be able to do this and then to flee the country, so that’s what we have right now as far as charges,” Howard County police spokesman Seth Hoffman told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren.

Hoffman said officers carried out a search warrant at the suspect’s apartment in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road.

The building is adjacent to the Mall in Columbia.

Inside the apartment, they found the body of Godishala, of Ellicott City, with multiple stab wounds and other trauma, Hoffman said.

He was unsure whether the police were able to recover the murder weapon.

Hoffman said there were no calls to service or other prior complaints at the apartment.

“We are unaware of any previous calls for service or incidents involving the two of them,” Hoffman said. “We do believe it wasn’t uncommon that they would still meet each other and have communication after their relationship ended, but we don’t have a motive right now as to why he would kill her.”

Godishala’s friends grew increasingly concerned when they stopped hearing from her on New Year’s Eve. Some took to social media to ask if anyone knew her whereabouts. Police said she stopped contacting loved ones shortly after 7 p.m. on December 31.

“Her friends have already filed a police report, but we need more eyes on the ground. If you live in or around the Columbia area, please keep a lookout. If you have any information, no matter how small,” one post read.

“We received information from friends and family that really raised some red flags. It really propelled the investigation towards the instance of foul play being involved,” Hoffman said.

Godishala appeared to have posted in August in a Facebook group looking for someone to take over her room in the apartment and described her ex as “respectful” and clean.

Neighbors are stunned, including Daniel Wheeler Jr., who told WJZ Investigates he saw police cars outside the building.

“I feel deeply sorry for the family,” Wheeler said. “Guilty doesn’t rest oftentimes, and whatever he’s going through he will ultimately have to face.”

Murders in area surrounding the Mall in Columbia are rare.

“The biggest thing you’ll see over here is people fighting over parking spots. I like it like that myself,” Wheeler said. “It’s a very close-knit community. People are very friendly.

Wheeler said he hopes the neighborhood can recover.

“I hope us as a community we can come together and keep looking out for each other and show some love toward the beginning of this new year,” he told Hellgren.

Howard County Police said they are working with federal and international authorities to capture Sharma.

“The U.S. Attorney’s office works with Interpol, which is an international organization, and they will eventually issue what is known as a ‘red notice’—basically an international arrest warrant,” Hoffman said. “From there, that goes out to all the countries that work with Interpol, which is close to 200 countries including India, so that will give Indian authorities information. They will begin to track him and hopefully arrest him. From there, it could take quite a bit of time to process and hopefully get him extradited.”

India’s embassy posted about the case on X, formerly Twitter.

“The Embassy is in contact with the family of Ms. Nikitha Godishala and is extending all possible consular assistance,” officials wrote. “The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities.”

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Parents use ChatGPT to name New Year’s baby

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By Ryan Dickstein

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    WESTMINSTER, Maryland (WMAR) — Happy New Year folks!

As we enter 2026, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the new norm.

There’s no better example than in Carroll County, Maryland.

Hudson Oakley Winkler was the County’s first baby born after the clock struck midnight on January 1.

According to LifeBridge Health’s Carroll Hospital, “Hudson’s name was generated and selected using ChatGPT!”

Both of Hudson’s parents work in local County government, one for the police department, and the other with the public school system.

“Cheers to our next generation and the new family traditions that come along with them,” the hospital wrote on their Facebook Account.

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Additional charges filed in connection to death of 13-year-old Linn County boy

CNN Newsource on January 5, 2026

By KSHB 41 News Staff

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KSHB) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, have announced additional charges against a Linn County, Kansas, man in connection with the death of 13-year-old boy who had been missing.

On Monday, detectives with KCKPD filed new charges against Damon Leonard, 47, of Pleasanton, Kansas, including interference of law enforcement, criminal desecration and having a vicious dog at large.

Leonard was previously charged in Bates County, Missouri, with abandonment of a corpse.

In a news release Monday, a KCKPD spokesperson said several dogs were seized from Leonard’s Linn County property.

“The investigation remains ongoing, with the potential for additional charges being filed,” the KCKPD spokesperson said.

Police in KCK were asked to lead the investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

On Sunday, Dec. 21, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office asked for help in locating missing 13-year-old Airen Andula.

Andula’s body would eventually be recovered on Monday, Dec. 22, in a ravine on a property in Bates County, Misssouri. Searchers were directed to the location by Leonard.

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