Newly declassified FBI documents show a suspected Chinese intelligence operative solicited illegal campaign contributions for then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, and the case was dropped for "national security reasons" without a single charge filed. The White House released the files Monday, pulling back the curtain on a three-year FBI undercover operation codenamed "Freshman Fifteen" that targeted the […] The post Declassified FBI files reveal suspected Chinese spy solicited illegal donations for Swalwell's campaign appeared first on American Almanac .
Newly declassified FBI documents show a suspected Chinese intelligence operative solicited illegal campaign contributions for then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, and the case was dropped for "national security reasons" without a single charge filed. The White House released the files Monday, pulling back the curtain on a three-year FBI undercover operation codenamed "Freshman Fifteen" that targeted the California Democrat and a woman named Fang Fang, also known as Christine Fang. The documents detail a web of straw donations from foreign nationals, cash smuggling, destroyed records, and false statements, all tied to a woman whose parents the FBI identified as "known intelligence officers" in China's Ministry of State Security. Swalwell, 45,…Open
A Minnesota immigrant who received a state "outstanding refugee" award in 2021 now faces eight criminal charges alleging he helped bill Medicaid for more than $1 million in fraudulent services, part of a scheme with ties to a sex-trafficking operation. Salman Ahmed Elmi was charged with three counts of aiding and abetting by swindle and […] The post Minnesota man once honored as 'outstanding refugee' now faces Medicaid fraud charges tied to sex-trafficking ring appeared first on American Almanac .
A Minnesota immigrant who received a state "outstanding refugee" award in 2021 now faces eight criminal charges alleging he helped bill Medicaid for more than $1 million in fraudulent services, part of a scheme with ties to a sex-trafficking operation. Salman Ahmed Elmi was charged with three counts of aiding and abetting by swindle and five counts of aiding and abetting by false representation, Fox News Digital reported . Two members of the alleged fraud ring are tied to a sex-trafficking operation involving brothels. The charges add another chapter to a fraud crisis in Minnesota that prosecutors say could exceed $9 billion. The same agency that handed Elmi his award, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, administers the Medicaid…Open
Historic flooding along Indiana's White River has killed at least seven people and left tens of thousands without power, after rainfall not seen in more than a century overwhelmed communities across the state. The death toll climbed over the weekend as floodwaters that began building on August 11 crested at record levels in multiple cities. […] The post Indiana flooding kills at least seven as White River shatters century-old records appeared first on American Almanac .
Historic flooding along Indiana's White River has killed at least seven people and left tens of thousands without power, after rainfall not seen in more than a century overwhelmed communities across the state. The death toll climbed over the weekend as floodwaters that began building on August 11 crested at record levels in multiple cities. AP News reported that the dead include a 4-year-old boy, three men, and three women, lives lost across days of relentless storms that dumped more than 11 inches of rain on parts of the state in just 48 hours. The White River crested above 24 feet in Anderson and Noblesville, north of Indianapolis, breaking records that had stood since 1913. In Indianapolis itself, emergency crews pulled more than 90…Open
Alabama-born country star Ella Langley is using her record-setting 2026 breakout to open doors for other women in the genre, stacking her Dandelion Tour with female opening acts while crediting Miranda Lambert's mentorship for her own rise. Langley swept all seven of her nominations at the 2026 ACM Awards, a new record for the most […] The post Ella Langley fills her tour lineup with female country artists — and credits Miranda Lambert for keeping her grounded appeared first on American Almanac .
Alabama-born country star Ella Langley is using her record-setting 2026 breakout to open doors for other women in the genre, stacking her Dandelion Tour with female opening acts while crediting Miranda Lambert's mentorship for her own rise. Langley swept all seven of her nominations at the 2026 ACM Awards, a new record for the most wins by an artist in a single year at the ceremony, and picked up two American Music Awards for best female country artist and best country song. Her single "Choosin' Texas" sat atop the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 weeks, a record for a non-holiday song by a woman. She released her sophomore album, "Dandelion," in April and extended her headlining Dandelion Tour through October, with stops at Red Rocks and two…Open
Chris Hansen says nobody asked for his blessing before Hollywood turned his career into a thriller, and he wants to know why they bothered using his name at all. The former "To Catch a Predator" host sat down with podcaster Annie Elise ahead of the September 25 theatrical release of Primetime, the A24 film starring […] The post Chris Hansen questions Hollywood's motives as Robert Pattinson film 'Primetime' nears release appeared first on American Almanac .
Chris Hansen says nobody asked for his blessing before Hollywood turned his career into a thriller, and he wants to know why they bothered using his name at all. The former "To Catch a Predator" host sat down with podcaster Annie Elise ahead of the September 25 theatrical release of Primetime, the A24 film starring Robert Pattinson as Hansen. He had not yet seen the movie. He said he plans to watch it soon. But he had already formed a pointed question about the project, as The Hollywood Reporter reported : "It looks dramatic. It looks very dramatic. I know [Robert Pattinson] is a popular actor, and I know the director [Lance Oppenheim] is a popular guy. I also have some questions: What's Hollywood's motive here?" That one line, "What's…Open
Investors who sank $1.2 million into Selena Gomez's mental health company Wondermind are suing the singer, her mother, and a former business partner in federal court, alleging they were deceived about the venture's readiness and resources. Two investment entities, Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind LLC, filed the lawsuit on August 13, 2026, in […] The post Selena Gomez faces investor fraud lawsuit over mental health startup Wondermind appeared first on American Almanac .
Investors who sank $1.2 million into Selena Gomez's mental health company Wondermind are suing the singer, her mother, and a former business partner in federal court, alleging they were deceived about the venture's readiness and resources. Two investment entities, Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind LLC, filed the lawsuit on August 13, 2026 , in federal court in Delaware. The complaint names Gomez, 34, her mother Mandy Teefey, 50, former business partner Daniella Pierson, and the company itself as defendants. The plaintiffs claim they invested nearly $1.2 million in September 2022 based on representations that turned out to be false, and that the defendants hid the company's unraveling for three years. Gomez's attorney, Mathew…Open
Bill Rasmussen, who co-founded ESPN with his son and a $9,000 credit card advance after getting fired from a hockey job, died at 93 from complications of Parkinson's disease, leaving behind a network now valued at $30 billion. Rasmussen died at his home in Land O' Lakes, Florida, The Hollywood Reporter reported. He had been […] The post Bill Rasmussen, the man who built ESPN from a credit card and a traffic jam, dead at 93 appeared first on American Almanac .
Bill Rasmussen, who co-founded ESPN with his son and a $9,000 credit card advance after getting fired from a hockey job, died at 93 from complications of Parkinson's disease, leaving behind a network now valued at $30 billion. Rasmussen died at his home in Land O' Lakes, Florida, The Hollywood Reporter reported . He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in July 2019, and the disease ultimately took his life. His family asked that memorial donations go to the American Parkinson Disease Association. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro issued a statement calling Rasmussen "a remarkable man, a visionary and an innovator who conceived the idea of a network entirely devoted to sports." Pitaro added that the company culture Rasmussen built in the…Open
The testimony of Lindsay Clancy’s former mother-in-law, Susan Clancy, was interrupted Tuesday after the prosecutor asked if she was aware that murder was considered “a mortal sin” by the Catholic Church. CNN’s Brynn Gingras reports.
