Voices, The Peoples News
April 17, 2026
Published by Jedi Selman Since March 2000 to Inform and Educate
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The best weapon is the truth, principles.
– Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan
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This daily Voices, The Peoples News is posted through the blog function of www.MPEN-Ohio.net
# Border / Immigration / ICE / Migrants
New details emerge in case of Texas doctor detained by ICE. The doctor’s detention sparked an outcry from the South Texas medical community.
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/south-texas/article/ice-detains-south-texas-doctors-22209799.php
Immigration Court Interpreter, Whose Expertise Is Relied Upon Nationwide, Gets Picked Up by ICE. Her Lawyer Believes She Was Targeted. Meenu Batra, 53, has lived in Texas since 2002, and has worked as a court interpreter for more than 20 years. She is the state’s only licensed interpreter for Hindi, Punjabi, or Urdu
https://people.com/meenu-batra-immigration-court-interpreter-detained-by-ice-11950731
A Protester Threw a Snowball. Federal Agents Responded With Tear Gas and Pepper Balls. A new investigation examines federal agents’ response to protesters and bystanders at the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps. “We see, just, use of excessive force after use of excess force,” one expert said.
https://www.propublica.org/article/caught-in-crackdown-trump-immigration-ice-cbp-excessive-force
Trump’s Memphis Crime Task Force Arrested Over 800 Immigrants, Records Show. Only 2% of the Arrests Were for Violent Crimes.
https://www.propublica.org/article/memphis-safe-task-force-immigration-arrests-crime-data
ICE director stepping down. The Department of Homeland Security will see another leadership change as Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will step down May 31
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/16/ice-todd-lyons-leaving-trump-00878269
House approves bill extending TPS for Haitians. In a rare bipartisan moment, the House passed legislation Thursday that would extend temporary protections for Haitian immigrants, a long-shot effort fighting back against President Donald Trump’s attempts to end the program.
https://apnews.com/article/haiti-tps-immigration-trump-586b88b91051ad179276fc35d8c89e3f
More reports of torture, abuse at ICE detention camps: Detained migrants in Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” are being beaten and pepper sprayed, according to lawyers. Meanwhile, detainees in Camp East Montana in Texas are reporting “psychological abuse” and inhumane conditions
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/12/estados-unidos-nuevas-investigaciones-revelan-violaciones-de-derechos-humanos-en-los-centros-de-detencion-de-alligator-alcatraz-y-krome-en-florida/
Deadly Failures: Preventable Deaths in U.S. Immigration Detention. These deaths raise serious concern about continued, systemic problems with medical and mental health care provided in immigration detention facilities, and the absence of accountability or consequences faced by facilities where detained people have died
https://phr.org/our-work/resources/deadly-failures-preventable-deaths-in-u-s-immigration-detention/
Abuse of Migrants Rampant at Louisiana ICE centers, Report Finds. The ACLU of Louisiana and its coalition partners have released Inside the Black Hole, a new report documenting widespread abuse and inhumane treatment at nine immigration detention facilities across Louisiana.
https://www.laaclu.org/news/abuse-migrants-rampant-louisiana-ice-centers-report-finds/
Trump’s mass deportation plan has broken the quiet of small US towns: ‘We have to take care of each other.’ Immigration agents have spread into rural western Wisconsin, taking dozens of people from towns in more politically conservative areas
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/05/trump-deportation-rural-towns-wisconsin
2nd lawsuit against border wall construction in Big Bend region. The lawsuit says the Trump administration illegally waived environmental laws to speed up the process to build border barriers in the Big Bend area.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/16/texas-border-wall-lawsuit-big-bend/
# Economy / Finance / Trade / Banking / Taxes / IRS / Cryptocurrencies
Trump Org Convicted in Tax Fraud, in Dec. 2022. Two corporate entities of the Trump Organization (The Trump Corporation and Trump Payroll Corporation) were found guilty by a New York jury on 17 counts of criminal tax fraud, conspiracy, and falsifying business records
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2022/12/06/jury-finds-trump-org-guilty-of-17-counts-of-tax-fraud.html
# Employment / Labor / Unions
Hegseth orders termination of union contracts. Though some unions within the Defense Department are protected from the action by federal court orders, the American Federation of Government Employees’ locals remain vulnerable.
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2026/04/hegseth-orders-termination-union-contracts/412899/
How President Trump’s immigration crackdown is impacting construction. President Trump’s recent immigration raids have impacted construction in Los Angeles to rebuild homes destroyed by the Palisades wildfires. Contractors are finding that fewer workers are showing up, fearing detainment or deportation amid ramped-up ICE crackdowns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoZo51_D_5k
# Energy / Pipelines / Mining / Oil / Power Plants
Congress just handed a Chilean mining company with ties to China the keys to America’s most visited wilderness, and Trump is expected to seal the deal
https://attackofthefanboy.com/politics/congress-just-handed-a-chilean-mining-company-with-ties-to-china-the-keys-to-americas-most-visited-wilderness-and-trump-is-expected-to-seal-the-deal/
Trump is begging oil CEOs to drill more as gas crosses $4 a gallon, but experts say more pumping won’t fix what’s broken. The push comes as gasoline prices are now almost a dollar a gallon higher than they were one year ago, pushing the national average well above $4.00 a gallon.
https://attackofthefanboy.com/politics/trump-is-begging-oil-ceos-to-drill-more-as-gas-crosses-4-a-gallon-but-experts-say-more-pumping-wont-fix-whats-broken/
Trump officials tout New York pipeline project opposed by green groups. The Trump administration is celebrating a new natural gas pipeline expansion in New York City that broke ground Tuesday — boasting that the project will boost the region’s energy supply.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_87a4f157-c425-474e-b37f-8eea9b762774.html
# Environment / Climate / Infrastructure / EPA / BLM / Public Lands / Water
Florida is prohibiting bans on pollution-causing lawn equipment. The recently passed Senate Bill 290, which takes effect July 1, prevents cities and counties from banning gas leaf blowers, mowers and other gas-powered farm and residential lawn equipment.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/climate-change/article315160766.html
A family has made the most valuable land donation in U.S. history: The land, donated to Ducks Unlimited, provides crucial habitat for multiple migratory birds and serves as a defense against coastal flooding. It will now forever be protected from development.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/family-makes-unexpected-move-over-210000219.html
Plan to Cull All Deer on a California Island Is Dividing Conservationists: The deer, introduced in the 1920s, are considered an invasive species that harms native plants and the island’s ecosystem. The deer will be removed by ground-based professionals over several years, with the meat donated to the California Condor Recovery Program.
https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/california/2026/02/04/catalina-island-deer-to-be-killed-in-controversial-plan/88509975007/
# General News / Boat Strikes
U.S. military strikes continue daily along Pacific drug routes. The U.S. military’s recent surge against suspected drug traffickers in the Eastern Pacific has underscored President Donald Trump’s aggressive anti-drug strategy, with five deadly strikes since April 11, raising the total number of destroyed vessels to 53.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_dd90e38d-acfd-4a8c-8bc8-73082461cd6c.html
# General News / Epstein / Maxwell
Trump says he is ‘okay’ with Congress holding public hearings with Epstein survivors
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5835637-trump-open-epstein-hearings/
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse accuse Melania Trump of ‘shifting burden’ on to victims. Outrage from survivors follows first lady’s statement calling on Congress to hold public hearings with victims of Epstein’s abuse
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/10/epstein-survivors-melania-trump-reaction
# Gov / Politics
Nick Offerman Slams ‘Demented Grandpa’ Trump for Making America’s 250th Birthday About Himself. “Can we stop with these self-aggrandizing celebrations?” the “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” actor says. The first topic on his docket was Trump’s decision to have his signature featured on U.S. currency.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/nick-offerman-slams-demented-grandpa-183739505.html
Congress will not stop the war with Iran: US House votes down latest effort to curtail Trump’s power to wage Iran war. Nearly all Democrats vote in favour of the war powers resolution, a day after a similar measure failed in the US Senate along party lines.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/16/us-house-votes-down-latest-effort-to-curtail-trumps-power-to-wage-iran-war
Republicans, White House considering warrant-related amendment in high-stakes FISA talks. There’s growing acknowledgment that the clean reauthorization the White House desires is a no-go.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/15/house-gop-delays-action-on-fisa-extension-00874777
‘Financial Pawn of the Saudi Monarchy’: House Judiciary Opens Probe Into Jared Kushner: The House Judiciary Committee announced a “sweeping” probe into alleged self-enrichment by Jared Kushner, who served as a high-profile envoy in the Middle East while also, according to Congressman Jamie Raskin, “soliciting billions of dollars from Gulf monarchies for his private business ventures.”
https://www.commondreams.org/news/kushner-pawn-of-saudi-monarchy
President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah during a limited truce in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The ceasefire follows six weeks of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group, Hezbollah. In its war on Lebanon, Israel has killed at least 2,196 people and displaced more than one million.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/17/what-we-know-about-the-israel-lebanon-ceasefire
‘Who the Hell Wrote That?’ Trump Stops Mid-Speech To Say He Doesn’t Know What a ‘Corner Store’ Is
Important mainly because it was sent directly to you
Click to teach Gmail this conversation is not important
https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/who-the-hell-wrote-that-trump-stops-mid-speech-to-say-he-doesnt-know-what-a-corner-store-is/
‘Bizarre moves’ behind Trump’s decision to shutter Kennedy Center revealed: Palermo wrote. “On the inside, my colleagues and I instead saw cronyism, incompetence, and a series of bizarre moves that would lead to the Kennedy Center going dark.”
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-kennedy-center-2676755469/
House Democrats file six articles of impeachment against defense secretary Pete Hegseth – as it happened
https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/iran-war-pete-hegseth-congress-impeachment-articles-democrats-reflecting-search-interest-order
Trump Blurts Bombshell Claim When Fox Anchor Asks About His ‘Hoarse’ Voice. The President responded with a hoarseness explanation that seemed to indicate that he has been in direct and heated talks with unspecified “Iranians”:
https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/trump-casually-blurts-bombshell-claim-when-fox-anchor-asks-about-his-hoarse-voice/
President Donald Trump loses another top lieutenant as ‘Cabinet fixer’ Lea Bardon steps down from her role as Director of Cabinet Affairs. Bardon worked closely with chiefs of staff, helping manage policy communication, scheduling and execution of priorities.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-loses-another-top-lieutenant-000151806.html
Trump admin treated visas like ‘million-dollar Mar-a-Lago memberships’ and refused to hand over ‘any information’ about ‘impact on the public,’ lawsuit alleges. The Trump administration violated the law by refusing to hand over “any information” that would shed light on the president’s $1 million “Gold Card Visa Program” and its “impact on the public,” according to a new federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., against several agencies.
https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/trump-admin-treated-visas-like-million-dollar-mar-a-lago-memberships-and-refused-to-hand-over-any-information-about-impact-on-the-public-lawsuit-alleges/
Lawsuit Alleges Trump Administration Disproportionately Fired Black Officials From Federal Agencies
https://www.latintimes.com/lawsuit-alleges-trump-administration-disproportionately-fired-black-officials-federal-agencies-596638
The Magic Bullet Delusion. Neither impeachment nor the 25th Amendment offers remedies for removing a mad president leading the nation to disaster.
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/the-magic-bullet-delusion/
# Gov / Politics / Global
Iran declares Strait of Hormuz ‘completely open’ following ceasefire in Lebanon
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cqxdg17yr2wt
Israel May Be Preparing to Permanently Reoccupy Southern Lebanon. Negotiations may end up stopping bombs on Beirut, but are unlikely to end Israel’s expanding south Lebanon occupation.
https://theconversation.com/israeli-threats-to-occupy-or-annex-south-lebanon-dust-off-a-decades-old-playbook-279704
# Law / Law Enforcement / Prisons / FBI / CIA / ATF / DEA
A Fort Worth sting operation targeting online predators led to 10 arrests, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect children in Texas. Investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies used different online platforms to identify predators seeking sexual contact with children under age 17.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/watch-fort-worth-police-arrest-213203275.html
# Legal / DOJ / ICJ / International Criminal Court [ICC] / Supreme Court / United Nations (UN)
Judiciary Chair confirms House moving to expunge Trump impeachment over Ukraine phone call. A successful expungement resolution would substantiate Trump’s claims that the impeachments were illegitimate “hoaxes” driven by political malice and “lawfare.”
https://justthenews.com/government/congress/judiciary-chair-confirms-house-moving-expunge-trump-impeachment-over-ukraine
Texas judge deals blow to GOP plan, partially blocking push to remove women and minorities from key program in unusual ruling. A judge has sided against the state after acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock stripped women- and minority-owned businesses of their Historically Underutilized Business certifications in December.
https://www.statesman.com/business/article/texas-minority-women-business-hub-lawsuit-22206049.php
Judge who halted White House ballroom construction allows national security work to proceed at site
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/16/judge-trump-ballroom-limits/
# Media / Press / Mail / Radio / TV
‘There He Goes Again’: Murdoch-Owned Paper Tears Into Trump After He Renews Feud With Federal Reserve Chair. “Readers may have noticed this is becoming a presidential habit,” The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board wrote.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wall-street-journal-donald-trump-threats-jerome-powell_n_69e10748e4b09c81bf1690ee/amp
Florida doctor accused of removing wrong organ now faces manslaughter charge after patient dies on operating table. Operating room staff reported being ‘shocked’ as the surgeon allegedly insisted the removed organ was a spleen despite its distinct appearance
https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/florida-surgeon-manslaughter-organ-removal-b2958435.html
# Medicare / Medicaid / Disability Benefits / Health and Human Services [HHS]
Means testing Social Security is a benefit cut for many. There’s a growing push in Washington to “save” Social Security by means testing the program, which would cut or eliminate benefits for many Americans who have earned them.
https://www.actuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Means_Testing_SS_IB.pdf
# Medical / Nursing / Biologicals / Pharmaceutical / Chemistry / FDA / CDC
Life-threatening virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea at high levels in the U.S., CDC says. Rotavirus Is Surging Across The US; Health Experts Note Vaccine Hesitancy
https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/rotavirus-is-surging-across-the-us-health-experts-note-vaccine-hesitancy/
Texas Medical Board sanctions three doctors for delayed care that led to the deaths of two pregnant women. Two of the doctors failed to properly intervene as a pregnant teenager repeatedly sought care for life-threatening complications, the board found. The third did not provide a dilation and curettage procedure to empty a miscarrying patient’s uterus, and she ultimately bled to death.
https://www.propublica.org/article/tmb-disciplines-doctors-ngumezi-crain-cases
A Third Woman Died Under Texas’ Abortion Ban. Doctors Are Avoiding D&Cs and Reaching for Riskier Miscarriage Treatments.
https://www.propublica.org/article/porsha-ngumezi-miscarriage-death-texas-abortion-ban
JD Vance’s task force suspends 447 hospices amid $600M fraud allegation in California
https://www.the-express.com/news/politics/204941/jd-vance-task-force-hospices-fraud
Trump’s third attempt to fill the CDC director job just landed on a rear admiral who was passed over by Biden, and RFK Jr. is already welcoming her
https://attackofthefanboy.com/politics/trumps-third-attempt-to-fill-the-cdc-director-job-just-landed-on-a-rear-admiral-who-was-passed-over-by-biden-and-rfk-jr-is-already-welcoming-her/
A U.S. high school student discovered that oregano oil killed 100% of bacteria in aboratory tests-performing better than the widely used antibiotic amoxicillin under the same conditions. The study focused on oregano oil’s active compound, carvacrol, which damages bacterial cell membranes and disrupts vita functions. Unlike antibiotics that target specific pathways, carvacrol attacks bacteria in multiple ways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPW47m9eac4
# Military / Department of Defense [DOD]
Trump Administration Is Reportedly Laying Groundwork for a Military Operation in Cuba. “We may stop by Cuba after we’re finished with this,” Trump told reporters in reference to the U.S. war with Iran.
https://truthout.org/articles/trump-admin-is-reportedly-laying-groundwork-for-a-military-operation-in-cuba/
# Security / DHS / Communications
Struggling DHS agencies plead with Congress for funding security. Department of Homeland Security agencies are requesting a total of $63 billion in fiscal year 2027 appropriations from Congress – even as Congress continues to withhold DHS funding for the current fiscal year.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_50f6f1e9-d09e-4a39-af7d-96c1bffd207f.html
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