Combined WGCU and Associated Press dispatches

In this image from undated video released by the Office of Attorney General James Uthmeier shows an isolated Everglades airfield about 45 miles (72 kms.) west of Miami that Florida officials said an immigration detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" is just days away from being operational. (Courtesy of the Office of Attorney General James Uthmeier via AP)

Environmental groups sue to block migrant detention center rising in Everglades; Florida Audubon urges state use 'alternatives'

Environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit to block a migrant detention center being built on an airstrip in the heart of the Florida Everglades. The lawsuit filed Friday seeks to halt the project until it undergoes a stringent environmental review as required by federal law. The lawsuit filed in Miami federal court says there is also supposed to be a chance for public comment. Gov. Ron DeSantis says Friday on "Fox and Friends" that the center he dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" is set to begin processing people who entered the U.S. illegally as soon as next week.

Brooklyn Park, Minn., Fire Department at the scene of a plane crash and fire in the Minneapolis suburb on Saturday. The plane that crashed originally left from Naples Airport earlier Saturday and stopped in Dews Moines prior to the crash.

Human Interest

Minnesota crash of plane that departed from Naples under investigation; U.S. Bank official possible sole victim

Combined WGCU and Associated Press dispatches

A small plane traveling from Iowa to Minnesota crashed Saturday in a residential area of a Minneapolis suburb, the Federal Aviation Administration said.On Sunday U.S. Bancorp issued a statement saying that it believes that Terry Dolan, the company's vice president and chief administration officer, was aboard the plane and federal officials said they believe he was piloting the craft and was the sole occupant.

Human Interest

23andMe files for bankruptcy as co-founder resigns; states offer data removal information

Combined WGCU and Associated Press dispatches

23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and its co-founder and CEO has resigned as the struggling genetic testing company continues its push to cut costs.The company said Sunday that it will look to sell “substantially all of its assets” through a court-approved reorganization plan.

Court documents from the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia shows Christopher Worrell spraying pepper spray gel on police officers at the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2020.

Government & Politics

Trump issues sweeping pardon of supporters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack; no word on Southwest Florida participants' status

Combined WGCU and Associated Press dispatches

President Donald Trump on Monday said he was pardoning about 1,500 of his supporters who have been charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, using his sweeping clemency powers on his first day back in office to dismantle the largest investigation and prosecution in Justice Department history.The pardons were expected after Trump’s years-long campaign to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 attack that left more than 100 police officers injured and threatened the peaceful transfer of power. Yet the scope of the clemency still comes as a massive blow to the Justice Department’s effort to hold participants accountable over what has been described as one of the darkest days in American history.There was no word on specific individual cases involving Southwest Florida participants such as Christopher Worrell from Naples.

Edward Bruski, right, hugs New Orleans police officer Zachary Stevenson at the scene where a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025.

Crime

Two 2023 Canterbury School graduates injured in New Orleans Bourbon Street terror attack

Combined WGCU and Associated Press dispatches

Two of the more than 30 people injured in what is being termed as a terror attack in New Orleans Wednesday morning have been confirmed as former students from the Canterbury School in Fort Myers.Congressman Byron Donalds on Wednesday posted the names of the two injured students, Elle Eisele and Steele Idelson, both 2023 graduates of Canterbury. Social media posts say Eisele is studying at the University of Georgia while Idelson is attending San Diego State University.Further details on their injuries were not available.