The Washington Times AI News Desk

Minnesota ‘outstanding refugee’ honoree charged in Medicaid fraud tied to trafficking case

A Minnesota man, Salman Ahmed Elmi, once celebrated by the state as an "outstanding refugee," has been charged with eight felony counts tied to a Medicaid fraud scheme, with prosecutors alleging some of his business associates are separately linked to a sex-trafficking operation.

August 18, 2026

Tracee Ellis Ross asks if Leno, Letterman snub was racism

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross says her hit sitcom "Girlfriends" was shut out of late-night television with Letterman and Leno during its eight-season run, and she isn't sure why, other than the possibility that race played a role.

August 18, 2026

Paris Jackson details electroshock therapy after suicide attempts

Paris Jackson, the daughter of the late pop icon Michael Jackson, revealed that she underwent electroconvulsive therapy after coming close to another suicide attempt, opening up about a mental health battle that has included multiple attempts dating back to age 15.

August 18, 2026

Penn State cocaine bust nets charges against 14 in ‘indoctrination’

The Pennsylvania attorney general announced charges against 14 people in connection to a cocaine-trafficking operation involving primarily college students and two fraternities at Penn State University.

August 18, 2026

Same name, same party: Dan Sullivan says Dan Sullivan’s vote sabotage may hand Democrats the Senate

Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan faces a primary challenger with his exact name. President Trump says Democrats put him up to split the GOP vote and help them win.

August 18, 2026

Kanye West to become one of biggest Western stars to play Russia since invasion

Kanye West will perform two stadium shows in St. Petersburg, Russia, in October, making him one of the most prominent Western performers to play Russia since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to concert organizers.

August 18, 2026

Ryan Gosling’s ‘Ghost Rider’ locks July 2028 release date

Disney has set Ryan Gosling's "Ghost Rider" movie for July 28, 2028, making it the third Marvel Studios release on the calendar that year, Variety reported. "Black Panther 3" is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2028, while an untitled "X-Men" film will open first, on May 5, 2028.

August 18, 2026

Colombian national pleads guilty in 7-year drug money laundering scheme

A Colombian national pleaded guilty to participating in a seven-year money laundering conspiracy that used drug trafficking proceeds to purchase consumer electronics for export to Colombia, the Justice Department announced.

August 17, 2026

Justice Department finalizes rule allowing some to regain gun rights

The Justice Department finalized a federal regulation establishing a new process for eligible individuals prohibited from possessing firearms to apply for restoration of their federal firearm rights, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced. The rule marks one of Blanche's first actions as Attorney General.

August 17, 2026

Ex-New Mexico lawmaker convicted in $1.15 million school bribery scheme

A federal jury in Albuquerque convicted former New Mexico state Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton and her associate Joseph Johnson on all counts following a nine-day trial, according to the Justice Department.

August 17, 2026

Ohio man pleads guilty to laundering $3.4M in health care fraud case

An Ohio man pleaded guilty to laundering approximately $3.4 million in illicit health care fraud proceeds through multiple regional banks on behalf of a transnational criminal organization, according to the Department of Justice.

August 17, 2026

Report blames Biden rules for pushing gender transitions on children

A new HHS report says Biden-era policies pushed hospitals to turn children into lifelong "captive patients" through gender transitions. Detransitioners say their real problems were never treated.

August 17, 2026

5 questions about Trump’s vandalism assertions on the National Mall

President Trump blames vandals for dead grass at the National Mall in Washington -- in the same spot where his July 4 stage and crowds stood weeks earlier.

August 17, 2026

Dolly Parton sidelined by health issues, misses Dollywood ride debut

Country music icon Dolly Parton missed the dedication of her theme park's newest, most expensive attraction Friday after her doctor advised her to stay home in Nashville because of ongoing "health issues."

August 15, 2026

Jeff Daniels says Reagan-Gorbachev drama echoes today’s fears

Actor JARED HARRIS on new movie with Jeff Daniels about Reagan-Gorbachev talks: "The desire for something like this is to remind people what statesmen look like."

August 15, 2026

Marvel unveils ‘X-Men’ reboot cast, sets 2028 release

Marvel Studios has finally put faces to its long-rumored X-Men reboot, and the movie is due in May 2028.

August 15, 2026

Sign-stealing dispute flares again at Little League World Series

A sign-stealing controversy has erupted for the second consecutive year in the run-up to the Little League World Series.

August 15, 2026

Maher says some immigrants now reject assimilation, demand cultural exceptions

BILL MAHER on immigrants: "If you want the American Dream, you have to take the American values."

August 15, 2026

Geno Auriemma calls WNBA transgender athlete debate ‘manufactured’

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma says the trans controversy with the WNBA has been overblown by people seeking personal gain: "Why are we making a big issue over an issue that doesn't exist?"

August 14, 2026

Frankie Valli denies he has retired, disputes brother’s statement

Frankie Valli is disputing a wave of news reports that he has retired, calling the claim false after outlets took at face value a statement from his younger brother suggesting the 92-year-old singer's decades-long career had ended.

August 14, 2026