Summary
Highlights
Federal authorities, including ICE agents, conducted a crackdown on Canal Street in lower Manhattan, targeting illegal street vendors, many of whom are believed to be migrants. The operation led to chaos, traffic halts, and multiple detentions. This event coincided with increased federal presence in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, where a U.S. Marshal was shot during a targeted traffic stop involving a suspected undocumented immigrant.
Former President Trump is reportedly seeking $230 million in taxpayer money from the Justice Department as compensation for past investigations, including the Russia election interference probe and the classified documents case at Mar-a-Lago. Trump, who filed claims in 2023 and 2024, calls himself a victim of malicious prosecution. The unprecedented request would require sign-off from DOJ officials who once served as his personal lawyers, raising ethical concerns.
The government shutdown reached its 21st day with no compromise in sight, affecting millions of Americans. President Trump hosted Republican senators at the White House, seemingly more focused on the construction of a new $250 million ballroom. Democrats are advocating for the repeal of Medicaid cuts and the extension of healthcare subsidies, while many Americans, including a disabled Navy veteran, express concern about food insecurity due to cuts to programs like SNAP. The shutdown is now tied for the second-longest ever.
A Sky West flight from Omaha to Los Angeles made an emergency landing after pilots lost contact with the flight crew and heard banging on the cockpit door. Authorities later determined the banging was the flight crew trying to get the pilots' attention due to an interphone system problem. The plane eventually made it to Los Angeles, and Sky West apologized for the inconvenience.
Tropical Storm Melissa has formed in the Caribbean, about 300 miles south of Port-au-Prince. While currently disorganized, it is expected to strengthen and move north and then east. Jamaica and Western Haiti are on alert for hurricane conditions and substantial rainfall (5-10 inches), leading to a flash flood threat. The storm is encountering wind shear but has ample fuel from warm ocean waters.
Thieves disguised as construction workers carried out a $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre in Paris, completing the robbery in just under four minutes. ABC News was granted exclusive access to the museum, still on lockdown, to view the crime scene. The incident has reignited debates about museum security in France, with audit reports revealing significant gaps in CCTV surveillance in parts of the museum.
Christopher Moahan, a January 6th rioter pardoned by President Trump, has been re-arrested and charged with making terroristic threats against Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Moahan, who was among the first to breach the Capitol, reportedly sent chilling text messages threatening to kill Jeffries. Jeffries expressed gratitude to law enforcement and criticized the pardons of such individuals.
Longtime Today Show host Bryant Gumbel was reportedly rushed to the hospital in New York after suffering a medical emergency. TMZ reported the news, and a family member stated Gumbel is now okay. This comes after his brother, Greg Gumbel, passed away last year.
A measles outbreak in South Carolina has grown to 20 cases, with four new infections reported since last week. Most cases have been linked to two schools, one of which has a measles vaccination rate of only 17%. Unvaccinated students were asked to quarantine to prevent further spread.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began serving a five-year sentence for corruption, reporting to prison hand-in-hand with his wife. His lawyers have filed a request for his release while he appeals his conviction.
Daniel Naroditsky, an American chess grandmaster and former child prodigy, has died unexpectedly at the age of 29. He earned his grandmaster title in 2013 while still in high school and was a highly influential voice in the sport.
The broadcast concludes with a segment showcasing stunning images of peak fall foliage from across America, including snowy mountains in California, rivers in Michigan, suburban Washington state, Colorado's Gunnison National Forest, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, a scenic drive in Tennessee, and colorful lakes in Maine, celebrating the beauty of the season.