Comedian responds after venue cancels six sold-out shows over Renee Good joke
A Minnesota comedy club abruptly canceled six sold-out shows by comedian Ben Bankas after a viral clip of his stand-up routine — in which he mocked a woman who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent — ignited outrage.
Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St. Paul pulled the plug on Bankas’ scheduled January 30–February 1 performances after backlash erupted over jokes he made about Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother of three who was killed during an encounter with federal immigration authorities earlier this month.
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Bankas replied bluntly to the cancellations in a recent video posted to Instagram.
He told an audience, “I just found out that my shows were canceled in Minnesota,” prompting loud boos.
“F— ’em,” he added, appearing to refer to the venue.
In the caption, Bankas wrote that he is “working on a new venue and dates for the fine people of Minnesota.”
His response comes after he posted an Instagram video on January 13, filmed during a show in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., just days after Good’s death.
In the clip, which has racked up more than 8.9 million views as of February 3, Bankas said, “Her last name was Good. That’s what I said after they shot her,” and also referred to Good’s wife as a “dog.” He also called Good “r—–ded.”
Good was shot and killed on January 7 after authorities said she swerved her vehicle toward an ICE officer. Her death sparked protests in Minneapolis and beyond, intensifying scrutiny of federal agents’ use of force.
Tensions escalated further after another Minneapolis agitator, Alex Pretti, was shot and killed by federal agents on January 24. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other local leaders have publicly criticized ICE’s actions.
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As Bankas’ clip gained traction, St. Paul residents began signaling plans to protest outside his upcoming shows, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune — a development that pushed the comedy venue to cancel.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, club owner Bill Collins said the decision came after weighing escalating risks.
CELEBRITY ANTI-ICE PINS AT GOLDEN GLOBES SPARK MIXED REACTIONS ONLINE AFTER RENEE GOOD FATAL SHOOTING
“After discussions with, and concern from, public authorities, legal counsel and staff, combined with heightened threats, increasing media attention and civil disorder, we have determined the risks and related liabilities cannot be overcome,” Collins said in an email.
“A small club like ours does not have the needed resources to mitigate current risks,” he added. “We are obligated to place the highest priority on the safety of our guests, staff and talent, and we are left with no option but to cancel.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Bankas and Collins for comment.
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Collins, who has operated the club since 2007, told the Tribune the cancellations could cost him roughly $17,000. He also said Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which represents Bankas, is demanding full compensation for the canceled shows because the comedian was prepared to perform.
According to Collins, CAA has also barred its other clients from booking the club until the dispute is resolved.
Bankas was born in Toronto and is now based in Austin, Texas.
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He hosts YouTube’s “The Tanakas Show,” which his website says reaches more than 10,000 monthly listeners.
Patrick Mahomes’ father faces potential 10-year sentence after latest arrest
Patrick Mahomes‘ father, Patrick Mahomes Sr., is back in jail after allegedly violating his probation by drinking alcohol, per multiple reports. Mahomes Sr. was booked into the Smith County Jail on Tuesday.
The father is currently serving five years of probation for driving while intoxicated in February 2024. Mahomes Sr. was arrested on Feb 3. 2024 in Tyler, Texas, after he was pulled over with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.23.
He was sentenced to probation that September. If he were to fail his probation, he could face 10 years in prison.
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In video police footage of the 2024 incident, obtained by TMZ, Mahomes Sr. pleaded with officers while he was in handcuffs and mentioned his son’s name multiple times.
“Can I say one thing?” Mahomes Sr. began. “My son is getting ready to play in the f—ing Super Bowl.”
Mahomes Sr. admitted he had “had some drinks” before, citing concerns over how the arrest could hurt his son and the Chiefs as they prepared for the Super Bowl. “I am not drunk, I promise you. I’ve had some drinks, but he can’t have this right now. This can’t happen.”
Mahomes Sr. went on to explain that the car he was driving at the time was a gift, and he would have the appropriate registration in the “next day or two.”
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“We’ve never had a star here in this area, and now we got a chance to be a star, and now we going to have a scandal now,” he said. “We’re gonna have a scandal for no f—ing reason because my registration when he gifted me the car hasn’t gotten in yet, which would probably be in the next day or two.”
Both Patrick Mahomes Sr. and the Chiefs quarterback addressed the DWI incident in an episode of the ESPN docuseries, “The Kingdom.”
“It was during that Super Bowl. It became a story, and so, I had to answer questions about it,” Mahomes II said in the episode. “I think just knowing that it hurt me woke him up to know that like, you can’t keep doing the same things.”
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Mahomes Sr. said it was the “most embarrassing thing I’ve ever been through in my life.”
“I called [Mahomes II] right after, and I told him, I said, ‘I’m sorry that it’s taking away from your time and taking away from your focus,’” the father added.
State OKs long-fought deer eradication plan after months of public outrage
California officials have approved a highly contested environmental restoration plan to eradicate Catalina Island’s invasive mule deer population using sharpshooters, a conservation nonprofit announced Friday.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved the Catalina Island Conservancy’s restoration management permit on Jan. 26.
The lethal operation will reportedly be conducted by ground teams, after initial plans to use helicopter-mounted sharpshooters drew intense public backlash from opponents who described the proposal as a “violent and ugly” slaughter with “bullets raining down.”
“Since October 2023, residents shared concerns about aerial shooting of deer,” the nonprofit said. “That method was removed from the plan, and the Conservancy shifted to ground-based specialists using rifles in controlled operations under strict safety protocols. Under the permit, only trained, ground-based professionals may conduct lethal deer removal, which will occur over several years.”
HELICOPTER HUNT: CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS HORRIFIED BY PLAN TO CURB ISLAND’S DEER POPULATION: ‘VIOLENT AND UGLY’
Under the sweeping, multi-decade initiative, dubbed “Operation Protect Catalina Island,” deer would then be harvested and used as meat for the California Condor Recovery Program, helping provide a natural food source for the endangered birds, the nonprofit said.
It remains unclear exactly how many deer will be removed, as populations fluctuate between 500 and 1,800, according to the Conservancy.
HELICOPTER HUNT: CALIFORNIA ISLAND NOT BENDING ON PLAN TO ELIMINATE POPULATION OF THIS INVASIVE SPECIES
The invasive deer, introduced in the early 1930s, “have no natural predators, so their population goes through extreme boom and bust cycles,” the Conservancy said.
Over the years, they have reportedly decimated native vegetation, contributing to soil erosion, water loss, increased wildfire risks and reduced resources for native species.
COLORADO UTILIZING GRAZING CATTLE TO HELP PREVENT WILDFIRES IN AT-RISK AREAS
“The evidence of the severity of the threat the deer pose is overwhelming, and all other alternatives have been exhausted,” Scott Morrison, director of conservation and science for The Nature Conservancy in California, said in a statement. “Catalina Island can have either a functional, biodiverse and resilient ecosystem or it can have deer. It cannot have both.”
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The organization said the initiative will also include reintroducing native, fire-resistant plant species as officials seek to reduce escalating wildfire risks on the island.
It remains unclear when the plan to remove the deer will be implemented.
These states are considering eliminating property taxes for homeowners
American taxpayers could see relief from property taxes in the future as at least five states are currently considering eliminating property taxes altogether, which could force states and localities to turn to other sources to fund key public services.
An analysis by Realtor.com broke down the effort to eliminate property taxes in five states and noted that some of the proposals are more fully developed than others in terms of finding a replacement for lost tax revenue to avoid straining state and local government budgets.
Property taxes provide a key source of revenue for state and local governments, accounting for 90% of school funding, 70% of local revenue, and 25% of all aggregate state and local tax revenue, according to Billy Hamilton, deputy chancellor emeritus at Texas A&M University.
While they play a key role in state and local government finances, they can also pose a challenge to the affordability of homeownership – particularly Americans who live on a fixed income and can face large payments when the tax bill comes due.
THESE 10 STATES OFFER THE BIGGEST PROPERTY TAX SAVINGS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Here’s a look at the ongoing state efforts to reduce or eliminate property tax burdens that were detailed in the Realtor.com report:
North Dakota
North Dakota’s Republican Gov. Kelly Armstrong has proposed using about $483 million from the state’s general fund along with future earnings from the state’s oil tax savings account to offset property tax cuts and credits over time with the goal of eventually eliminating them for most homeowners within a decade.
Armstrong’s plan would start with expanding an existing tax credit for primary residences, lowering property tax bills up to $1,550 per household annually.
It would increase every two years from there with more of the proceeds from the oil tax savings account offsetting the shift, while capping annual increases in local property taxes at 3%. Further relief would come from expanding a property tax credit for senior citizens who meet income limits as well as people with disabilities.
SEVERAL STATES SEEK TO END PROPERTY TAXES: SHOULDN’T HAVE TO ‘RENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT’
Georgia
A proposal by GOP state lawmakers would eliminate most property taxes by 2032, with the effort starting with a $1 billion expenditure by the state government to lower current property taxes. It would also hike property tax exemptions for primary residences from $5,000 to $150,000 in 2031, with most property taxes eliminated the following year.
Local governments would then compensate for the lost revenue by billing homeowners for services such as garbage collection, stormwater control and fire protection. The proposal would require voter approval for other improvements, such as those to government infrastructure or schools.
WASHINGTON’S PROPOSED MILLIONAIRE TAX SPARKS CONCERNS OF BROADER LEVY, ‘DAMAGE’ TO STATE’S ECONOMY
Florida
Policymakers in Florida have been debating property tax elimination or relief measures for about a year, with more than half a dozen proposals discussed over the course of last year that would phase out or ease property taxes on primary residences.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has pressed lawmakers to coalesce behind one package that the state can put before Florida voters.
To illustrate the challenges with replacing lost property tax revenue, an analysis by the Tax Foundation found that replacing lost property tax revenue with higher sales taxes would require hiking the sales tax rate from an average of 7.02% to 15.34%. The nonpartisan think tank also noted that could understate the shortfall as taxpayers’ behaviors change.
BILLIONAIRES FLEE CALIFORNIA ‘WITHIN SEVEN DAYS’ OVER PROPOSED WEALTH TAX: INSIDE THE MIAMI MIGRATION
Texas
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking to eliminate school property taxes following the enactment of several measures aimed at easing property tax burdens in recent years, such as rate compression and homestead exemptions.
Abbott has proposed using surplus funds from the state’s budget to buy down school property taxes for a period of time until they’re eliminated. However, lawmakers are still debating a long-term solution for replacing lost education funding.
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Indiana
Indiana’s HB 1288 would abolish taxes on tangible property after Dec. 31, 2026, while also eliminating property taxes entirely in 2027.
The proposal would look to recoup lost tax revenue by expanding Indiana’s sales and use taxes to cover most services, and the proceeds of that move would be redistributed through a local government sharing fund.
Social media flips script on Schumer’s voter ID claim using his own words against him
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stood in the way of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) this week, claiming that it represents “Jim Crow” segregation laws, leading many on social media to bring up his identical claim about a Georgia voting law that resulted in record Black turnout.
Schumer pushed back on a Republican plan to add the SAVE Act, which would require states to obtain proof of citizenship in-person when people register to vote and remove non-citizens from voter rolls, to the spending package being debated in Congress.
“I have said it before and I’ll say it again, the SAVE Act would impose Jim Crow-type laws to the entire country and is dead on arrival in the Senate,” Schumer said on Monday. “It is a poison pill that will kill any legislation that it is attached to… The SAVE Act is reminiscent of Jim Crow era laws and would expand them to the whole of America. Republicans want to restore Jim Crow and apply it from one end of this country to the other. It will not happen.”
Many on social media quickly pointed to Schumer previously calling a Georgia election integrity law “Jim Crow 2.0” before the law resulted in record Black turnout in the 2022 state election.
RECORD TURNOUT IN GEORGIA PRIMARY DESTROYS LEFT’S LIES ABOUT ‘VOTER SUPPRESSION’
“Schumer used the same line to describe Georgia laws that indisputably expanded voter access back in 2022,” commentator and writer AG Hamilton posted on X. “It’s incredibly offensive and unserious to pretend that every voting law equates to a renewal of Jim Crow.”
Many Democrats, from Schumer, to President Joe Biden, to failed Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, warned that the Georgia voter integrity law would be “Jim Crow 2.0” and Major League Baseball even pulled its All-Star Game from Atlanta in 2021 amid public pressure.
TRUMP UNDERCUTS GOP PUSH TO ATTACH SAVE ACT TO SHUTDOWN BILL AS CONSERVATIVES THREATEN MUTINY
Ultimately, the Georgia Secretary of State revealed that the law did not suppress turnout, but rather increased it, particularly among minority voters.
“Chuck Schumer sounds like a broken record,” Honest Elections Project Executive Director Jason Snead told Fox News Digital. “When Georgia passed a new voting law in 2021, Schumer labeled it ‘Jim Crow’ even though the state went on to see explosive turnout in 2022.”
Snead pointed to a University of Georgia poll after the 2022 election finding that 0% of Black respondents had a poor experience voting.
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Snead continued, “Now, Schumer is smearing the SAVE Act the same way because he has no legitimate excuse for opposing a law that makes sure only American citizens are voting—which more than 80% of Americans support. Schumer’s smears were false then, and they are false now.
“Schumer and the Democrats keep trying to rig the rules of our elections by pushing failed, California-style election laws that invite chaos and fraud. That’s not what Americans want.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer’s office for comment.
Rising star from ‘The Voice’ dies at 26 after snake attack while sleeping
Former “The Voice Nigeria” contestant Ifunanya Nwangene has died after she was bitten by a snake while she was asleep at her home in Abuja, Nigeria. She was 26.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Sam Ezugwu, the co-founder and music director of the Amemuso Choir of which Nwangene was a member, announced that the singer had died at a hospital in Nigeria on Saturday due to a “snake bite.”
“Amemuso Choir [regrets] to announce the sudden demise of our beloved soprano who passed away yesterday 31st January 2026 at the Federal Medical Center due to a snake bite,” the statement read. “A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world. Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi for comment.
COLOMBIAN SINGER YEISON JIMÉNEZ DIES IN PLANE CRASH HOURS BEFORE SCHEDULED PERFORMANCE
In 2021, Nwangene appeared as a contestant on season three of the Nigerian version of the global “The Voice” franchise. In a clip from her audition, Nwangene was seen singing Rihanna‘s hit “Take a Bow” and her performance prompted two judges to turn their chairs around. According to a post on Nwangene’s Instagram account, she later competed on “The Voice Nigeria” judge Waje Iruobe’s team.
Per Nwangene’s Instagram account, she also performed at weddings, festivals and events. The singer, who was also known professionally as Nanyah, also worked as an architect.
During an interview with the BBC published Sunday, Ezugwu said that Nwangene was planning to perform her first solo concert later this year.
In videos shared on social media, handlers could be seen removing two snakes from Nwangene’s home and a bystander was heard identifying one as a cobra.
Nwangene’s friend Hilary Obinna, who also performed with her, explained that he had been told the singer was sleeping when “the snake bite woke her up” and two snakes were later discovered in her home.
Obinna told the outlet that Nwangene first went to a nearby clinic for treatment, but the facility lacked antivenom so she sought treatment at a hospital.
While speaking with the BBC, Ezugwu said he hurried to the hospital on Saturday after being informed that she had been admitted. He claimed that the facility had one of the necessary antivenoms but lacked the other.
“While they were trying to stabilize her, she could not speak but she could make hand gestures,” Ezugu said. “She was struggling to breathe.”
Ezugwu told the outlet that all of the members of the Amemuso Choir gathered at the hospital on Saturday night, saying they were “hoping that a miracle would happen.”
He told the BBC said he went out to look for the missing antivenom but returned to learn that Nwangene had passed away.
In a statement to the BBC, the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi denied that antivenom had been unavailable and disputed claims that its response fell short, saying they were “unfounded and do not reflect the reality of the situation.”
“Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom,” the hospital’s statement read.
According to the hospital, a “thorough but swift” assessment revealed that Nwangene had experienced severe complications from the bite. Her condition declined rapidly prior to an intensive care transfer, and efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.
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“We stand by the quality of care and dedication our team demonstrates daily,” the hospital concluded.
While speaking with the BBC, Obinna recalled Nwangene as “a very wonderful girl, she is humble – very intelligent and very talented.”
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“Everybody is shattered,” he said. “We could not sleep at night.”
Obinna shared a tribute to Nwangene on Instagram, post a photo of her and a video in which she was seen performing with a group of singers.
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“May God receive your soul, Nanya. It is really hard to believe,” a message on the post read.
In the caption, Obinna wrote, “IFY, you’ll be raised up on the last day with others who lived beautiful lives. “NO ONE CAN REALLY REPLACE YOU,” he continued. “YOU WERE UNIQUE AND BLESSED WHILE WITH US HERE. “IT’S REALLY HARD TO POST THIS but because you touched a lot of lives, we can’t help but share this sad news.” “And to all who are living, living a good life is what attracts you to people.” “REST IN PEACE NANYA Ifunanya Nwangene,” he concluded.
Measles-infected traveler potentially exposes thousands at major theme park, airport
Health officials are warning the public of potential measles exposure after an international traveler visited several high-traffic locations in Southern California, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Disneyland Resort.
The traveler arrived Jan. 26 on Viva Aerobus Flight 518 at Tom Bradley International Terminal B, Gate 201A, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH).
The department stated that individuals who were in Terminal B between 10:45 p.m. Jan. 26 and 1 a.m. Jan. 27 may have been exposed.
MEASLES OUTBREAK REACHES A MAJOR SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE CAMPUS
Following the arrival, the individual traveled to Orange County. The Orange County Health Care Agency shared the following exposure windows for Jan. 28.
- Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel) between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure from 12:30 p.m. until park closure
A subsequent exposure was identified on Jan. 30 at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Woodland Hills, according to the LADPH.
“People who were at these locations during these times may be at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days after exposure,” the Orange County Health Care Agency said in a statement.
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Health officials advise anyone who visited these locations during the specified windows to check their immunization status and monitor for symptoms for 21 days following exposure.
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Public health departments in both Los Angeles and Orange County will continue to track potential exposure sites and notify individuals at high risk.
People should contact a healthcare provider by phone before visiting a clinic if symptoms develop to prevent further spread, experts recommend.
Fox News Digital reached out to county officials for a statement.
What to know about measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. If one person is infected, up to 90% of nearby people who are not immune will also become infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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“Measles doesn’t only affect people who travel internationally — everyone is at risk if they’re not protected,” said Dr. Anissa Davis, deputy county health officer for Long Beach, California. “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated before exposure occurs.”
Symptoms of measles typically include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a characteristic rash that begins on the face and spreads downward, per the CDC. An infected person is contagious for four days before and four days after the rash appears.
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As of Jan. 30, there have been 588 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. so far in 2026, the agency reports. This follows a significant surge in 2025, which saw 2,267 cases — the highest annual count in more than three decades.
Sheriff investigates reports of ransom note in Nancy Guthrie disappearance
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed on Tuesday it is “aware” of reports of a possible ransom note in relation to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” officials wrote in a statement Tuesday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office added it is taking all tips and leads “very seriously.”
“Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI,” officials wrote.
INVESTIGATION INTO DISAPPEARANCE OF SAVANNAH GUTHRIE’S MOTHER TAKES DARK TURN AND MORE TOP HEADLINES
The announcement came minutes after TMZ reportedly received an unverified ransom note demanding a “substantial amount” of money in the form of Bitcoin cryptocurrency for Guthrie’s return.
TMZ said it verified the Bitcoin address is “real,” noting it included unreleased details about her disappearance.
TMZ said it contacted law enforcement, as the note included a deadline.
Local outlet KOLD 13 News also reportedly received what appears to be a ransom note, though it is unclear if the letters received by TMZ and KOLD are identical.
“Our newsroom also received what appears to be a ransom note, and we have sent it to law enforcement,” KOLD reporter Mary Coleman wrote in a statement on X.
In an interview with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier on “Special Report,” FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed federal officials are aware of a ransom note while reiterating that local police are acting as the lead investigative agency in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
“The local authorities notified the FBI of it, and we are working with them in any manner they choose,” Patel said. “But remember, they’re the lead right now, and we have to respect that. But we are there to help them in any way we can – on ransom notes or otherwise.”
TIMELINE: NBC HOST SAVANNAH GUTHRIE’S MOTHER DISAPPEARS AS SHERIFF SAYS SHE MAY HAVE BEEN ‘ABDUCTED’
Retired FBI special agent Jason Pack told Fox News Digital the letters will need to be authenticated, cautioning that scammers are known to take advantage of families involved in missing person cases.
”Scammers will do things that are very distasteful, like scamming the loved ones of people missing, but the police have to take it seriously until they can prove it’s not real,” Pack said. “And it ties up resources that could be devoted to an investigation.”
Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Tucson home at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the sheriff’s office.
While officials did not immediately elaborate on the circumstances of her disappearance, they said they believe Guthrie was either kidnapped or abducted.
A law enforcement source told Fox News Digital that there were “blood drops” leading from the entryway outside down the house’s pathway toward the driveway.
Guthrie did not attend her Sunday church service, leading another churchgoer to notify the family, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
Family members went to the house at about 11 a.m. and called 911 around noon.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE ASKS FOR PRAYER AS HER MOTHER REMAINS MISSING: ‘WE NEED YOU’
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department told Fox News Digital on Monday that officials believe Nancy Guthrie was either kidnapped or abducted.
It is unclear if she was targeted, or if the suspected kidnapping was random.
Savannah Guthrie spoke out on Instagram in a post Monday, writing “We need you.”
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“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him,” she wrote. “Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.”
Anyone with information on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is asked to call the tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Iranian gunboats attempt to stop US oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz, Navy intervenes
Six Iranian gunboats unsuccessfully attempted to halt a U.S.-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The security firm Vanguard Tech told its clients on Tuesday that the Iranian vessels were armed with .50-caliber guns, and they ordered the oil tanker to turn off its engines and prepare to be boarded. Instead, the tanker sped up and was ultimately escorted to safety by a U.S. Navy vessel, according to the Journal.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
The incident comes as the U.S. continues to ramp up its military presence surrounding Iran, with President Donald Trump describing an “armada” arrayed in the area.
IRAN TO HOLD LIVE-FIRE DRILLS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ WITH US ARMADA IN MIDDLE EAST
Iran’s regime has vowed that any military strike on its territory would ignite a regional conflict, even as senior Iranian officials signaled a willingness to negotiate with the U.S.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, according to Axios. The publication also reported that Witkoff will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul on Friday.
The talks in Israel are expected to focus on Iran, following Zamir’s weekend visit to Washington, where he held a series of meetings with U.S. defense officials on the Islamic Republic.
IRAN REVOLUTIONARY GUARD COMMANDER SAYS REGIME HAS ‘FINGER ON THE TRIGGER’ AS US WARSHIPS HEAD TO MIDDLE EAST
Trump said on Saturday he believes Iran is negotiating “seriously” with the U.S., stressing that he hopes an “acceptable” deal can be brokered.
When asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One whether he had decided on a strike against Iran, Trump responded, “I certainly can’t tell you that.”
“But we do have very big, powerful ships heading in that direction,” he added. “I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable.”
The president then sidestepped a question about whether Tehran would be emboldened if the U.S. opted not to launch strikes on Iran, saying, “Some people think that. Some people don’t.”
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“You could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons,” Trump said. “They should do that, but I don’t know that they will. But they are talking to us. Seriously talking to us.”