Grant Ashley

Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...

BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.

I had the honor to introduce my replacement on 9NEWS

British Teen Returning From Semester In U.S. Regales Friends With Tale Of Food That Tastes Good LONDON—Delighting his schoolmates as he weaved a rich tapestry of life in the United States, newly returned British exchange student Ethan Rowe, 15, reportedly regaled his friends Tuesday with stories...

British Teen Returning From Semester In U.S. Regales Friends With Tale Of Food That Tastes Good

Minnesota Investigators Barred From Taking Part In Probe Into Fatal ICE Shooting “Without complete access to the evidence, witnesses and information collected, we cannot meet the investigative standards that Minnesota law and the public demands," Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Appre...

Minnesota investigators said the Trump administration has barred it them from taking part in the investigation into yesterday’s ICE killing

Less than five hours before nighttime explosions rocked the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, an unknown trader doubled down on bets that Nicolás Maduro would soon be out as the country’s leader. The wagers on Polymarket, a popular crypto-based betting platform, netted the trader more than $400,000, a 12-fold return on investment—and fueled suspicions that someone used inside knowledge of the closely held U.S. operation to make a quick profit.

The anonymous user created an account last month and placed an initial bet on Dec. 27, buying $96 worth of contracts that would pay off if the U.S. invaded Venezuela by Jan. 31, Polymarket data shows. The person ramped up bets over the next week, sticking to a handful of similar contracts, as tensions mounted between Washington and Caracas. The trader focused bets on contracts that would pay out if Maduro would no longer be Venezuela’s leader by Jan. 31, when that still seemed like a long shot.

The trader’s final bet came at 9:58 p.m. ET on Friday, shortly before President Trump ordered the military to move forward. Such contracts were priced at just 8 cents apiece, implying that Polymarket users saw only an 8% probability of the Venezuelan strongman losing power this month, the platform’s data shows.  Several hours later, news broke of the U.S. operation to capture Maduro and the contracts shot up in value. In the end, the trader earned nearly $410,000 in profit on about $34,000 worth of wagers. More than half the value of the total wager was placed the evening before the attack. 

MADURO BETTING TIMELINE Dec. 27: Trader makes first bet, $96 on U.S. invasion of Venezuela Dec. 31 to Jan. 2: Trader bets thousands more on U.S. attack and Maduro losing power Jan. 2, 8:38 p.m. to 9:58 p.m.: In final spree, trader bets over $20,000 on Maduro’s downfall Jan. 2, 10:46 p.m.: President Trump orders military to strike Jan. 3, 1:00 a.m.: Explosions rock Caracas Jan. 3, 8:41 a.m.: Trader starts to cash bets for nearly $410,000 in profit

A mystery trader made $400,000 on bets that Nicolás Maduro would soon be out as Venezuela’s leader apple.news/AgJ76d0bCR9-...

Live Updates: Trump Speaks on U.S. Capture of Venezuela's Maduro 'We Are Going to Run the Country' The U.S. military operation in Venezuela comes after months of pressure on the Latin American country's president. Follow along for live updates, news and analysis as the story unfolds.

Trump says the U.S. is going to run Venezuela until there can be "a safe, proper and judicious transition"

Follow live: on.wsj.com/4jrSKKG

At least 7 explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard in Venezuela's Caracas At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.

At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in Venezuela's capital, Caracas.

The Very Official 2025 FOIA Advent Calendar

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING EVERYONE (or everyone who is a FOIA nerd): There's a public records request advent calendar.

h/t Cam Rodriguez docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Today in History: November 8, Florida election recount begins 1923: Hitler's failed 'Beer-Hall Putsch' 1960: JFK elected president over Nixon 2013: Typhoon Haiyan slams Philippines

thx to AP “Today in History” now I will probably not be able to forget that the Florida recount began on the anniversary of the Beer-Hall putsch

Meet the candidates on the ballot in Monroe County Early voting started Saturday, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Not sure what’s on the ballot in Monroe County this November? My colleagues at @wxxirochester.bsky.social and I have bios for every candidate running — everything from state justice to town highway superintendent. Check out our website before you head to the polls!

www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2...

Louvre closed after robbery, French culture minister says Rachida Dati announces robbery had taken place at world’s most-visited museum The Louvre in Paris, the world’s most-visited museum, has suddenly closed for the day after the French culture minister said there had a been a robbery. “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum,” Rachida Dati wrote on social media. She used the French word braquage, which can mean robbery or hold-up. Continue reading...

Louvre closed after robbery, French culture minister says

New Work by Gary Larson | TheFarSide.com Get an exclusive look at brand new cartoons and artwork from cartoonist Gary Larson, creator of the iconic comic strip The Far Side®.

It's kinda cool that Gary Larson is doing new cartoons because he picked up a digital tablet, taught himself how to use it, and it made him love drawing again.

www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/

President Trump commutes the prison sentence of George Santos The disgraced New York Republican was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a litany of federal charges, including wire fraud and identity theft.

The disgraced New York Republican was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a litany of federal charges, including wire fraud, identity theft and money laundering. n.pr/47uii5k

España veta el paso por Rota y Morón de armamento de Estados Unidos para Israel Los seis cazas F-35 entregados en los últimos meses por Washington han utilizado la base de Las Azores

España ha vetado el tránsito por las bases de Rota (Cadiz) y Morón de la Frontera (Sevilla) de aviones o buques de Estados Unidos cargados con armamento, munición o equipos militares para Israel

ICE agents in the Park Ave neighborhood spark large-scale protest The group shouted “shame” and "Gestapo,” and applauded as agents in the ICE-led action drove a Border Patrol SUV away on four flat tires, which had been slashed.

A protest against ICE in the Park Avenue neighborhood appeared to provoke the federal agents to leave a roofing job site.

www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2...

Ani DiFranco: Buffalo will 'always be my home' The folk singer said she “can’t wait” to see what a revitalized downtown and new immigrant populations have done for the city.

I interviewed Ani DiFranco for @buffalonews.com ahead of her concert tonight at Terminal B. We talked about her Broadway debut, her new album and what she’s expecting from her first trip to Buffalo since the pandemic. Check it out while there’s no paywall!
buffalonews.com/life-enterta...

It’s true. If I had learned this… I dunno, 35 years ago?… I’d have had a very different writing career.

Buffalo Common Council seeks to crack down on illegal dispensaries Buffalo city officials can now shutter illegal dispensaries, seize and destroy illicit products, and levy five-figure daily fines.

The new legislation allows the city to seize illicit products, shutter unlicensed businesses, hold landlords accountable and impose five-figured daily fines. https://www.btpm.org/local/2025-07-26/buffalo-illegal-dispensaries-enforcement-law

Discover rodeo, steampunk and sculptures at festivals throughout WNY Take a short drive out of Buffalo to enjoy a varied selection of summer events, festivals.

Looking for horses, art, steampunk or jazz in WNY this summer? Check out my latest for @buffalonews.com at the link or in tomorrow’s print edition:

buffalonews.com/life-enterta...

Nathan Lane should’ve gotten an Oscar for “The Bird Cage.”

I’m back for the summer as the weekend host on @btpmnpr.bsky.social! Tune in to 88.7 FM or stream the show online at btpm.org

JUST IN: The Justice Department's bid to relesae Epstein grand jury info comes with a huge caveat that it will seek to redact not just victim info but other "personal identifying information." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

The story behind why Buffalo's Club Marcella closed The owners insist they weren't to blame for the violence that plagued their club. Cops, public officials and victims' lawyers disagree.

My latest for Investigative Post has a serial cop impersonator, a "livid" Common Councilmember, bad blood between neighbors and the plea deal that put the nail in the coffin of a 28-year-old Buffalo establishment.
Behind the closing of Club Marcella: www.investigativepost.org/2025/07/10/b...

Kilmar Abrego Garcia describes ‘severe beatings’ and ‘psychological torture’ in Salvadoran prison Abrego submitted a harrowing and detailed account of abuse after the Trump administration illegally deported him.

NEW: In first public account, Kilmar Abrego Garcia details weeks in Salvadoran prison CECOT. Says he was subjected to 'severe beatings,' psychological torture & soiled himself. Also says jailers confirmed his tattoos have no gang meaning. w/@kyledcheney www.politico.com/news/2025/07...

Antonio Delgado, Hochul’s No. 2, Will Challenge Her in Governor’s Race Mr. Delgado, New York’s lieutenant governor, said he would take on Gov. Kathy Hochul in next year’s Democratic primary because her tenure had lacked “bold, decisive” leadership.

Breaking News: Antonio Delgado, New York’s lieutenant governor, said he would take on Gov. Kathy Hochul in next year’s Democratic primary. https://trib.al/8q4hdyT

NPR and Colorado public radio stations sue Trump White House NPR and three Colorado public radio stations are suing the Trump administration over the president's executive order seeking to ban the use of federal money for NPR and PBS.

NEWS: NPR and three Colorado public radio stations sue Trump White House over effort to ban federal funding for NPR & PBS

The lawsuit calls Trump's executive order "textbook retaliation" for protected free speech - threatening public radio

My story:

www.npr.org/2025/05/27/n...

ICE cancels 13 UB students’ visas; reasons unknown Four current UB students and nine recent graduates studying on F-1 visas had their immigration status terminated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement this week, the university confirmed Tuesday even...

ICE has cancelled the visas of 13 current and former UB students, per The Spectrum. University admin says the “exact reason for each visa revocation” is “unclear.”

www.ubspectrum.com/article/2025...

The main photo on the Cuomo for Mayor website is him in front of the giant foam COVID mountain he had his staff make and paint for a press conference prop.

www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/p...

From a FOIA perspective, "the entire federal workforce should write down and email what they did last week" is extremely funny