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Hannah Kobayashi returns to US after Mexico disappearance, had no idea about global media coverage: report
Hannah Kobayashi, a formerly missing Hawaii woman, has returned to the United States after surveillance footage captured her crossing into Mexico on foot with a suitcase, according to authorities.
“The Los Angeles Police Department received notification from Customs and Border Protection that Hannah Kobayashi had presented herself on December 15, 2024, for entry into the US and appeared in good health,” the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said in a statement, adding that her missing persons case “is now closed.”
Kobayashi’s aunt, Larie Pidgeon, recently shared a statement from Kobayashi with People magazine. “At daybreak on December 15th, I crossed the border back into the United States. My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time.”
Koyabashi continued to explain that she was unaware of the national media coverage surrounding her disappearance.
“I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding,” the statement said, according to People.
HANNAH KOBAYASHI FOUND AFTER MEXICO BORDER CROSSING IN MONTH-LONG DISAPPEARANCE, FAMILY SAYS
Hannah Kobayashi sent mysterious texts to friends and family before losing contact entirely, writing that she “got tricked into pretty much giving away all [her] funds.” (Larie Pidgeon)
Kobayashi, 30, was first reported missing in early November after she missed two flights from Los Angeles International Airport to New York City, where she had made plans to visit her aunt.
Officials with the LAPD soon determined that Kobayashi missed both flights intentionally “for unknown reasons.”
In early December, the LAPD listed Kobayashi as a voluntary missing person after reviewing surveillance footage with her family, “from U.S. Customs and Border Protection which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said during a news conference at the time. She was carrying luggage across the border and appeared unharmed.
The case garnered national media attention due to concerns about Kobayashi’s well-being and her lack of communication with loved ones.
HANNAH KOBAYASHI MISSED LOS ANGELES FLIGHT INTENTIONALLY, POLICE SAY; FAMILY CLAIMS EVIDENCE SHOWS OTHERWISE
Hannah Kobayashi is pictured on surveillance footage from Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 9. Her family says that there is additional surveillance footage from Nov. 11 showing her with an unknown man at the Pico Metro Station, but that it has yet to be released to the public. (Missing People of America/Facebook)
On Dec. 11, days before the LAPD confirmed Kobayashi’s return to the United States, criminal defense attorney Sara Azari shared a statement on behalf of Kobayashi’s family saying she had been found safe.
“We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us,” the statement from Brandi Yee and Sydni Kobayashi said.
“Much like the public, the family is in the dark with the same unanswered questions.”
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, was heading to New York City to visit family. (Hannah Kobayashi via Instagram)
Azari told Fox News Digital in a Tuesday statement on behalf of Kobayashi’s mother and sister that they do not have answers regarding exactly how Kobayashi was located or why she traveled to Mexico.
HANNAH KOBAYASHI LISTED AS ‘VOLUNTARY MISSING PERSON’ AFTER VIDEO SHOWS HER CROSSING INTO MEXICO: POLICE
Pidgeon previously told Fox News Digital that friends and family received a flurry of bizarre text messages from Kobayashi after her missed flight that did not match her usual cadence. She texted a friend that she “got tricked into pretty much giving away all my funds” and that she was tricked “for someone I thought I loved.”
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, returned to the U.S. after crossing into Mexico. (Larie Pidgeon)
“She [wrote she] was having a spiritual awakening, that she was concerned about the matrix. It was just the most bizarre text messages,” Pidgeon previously said. “And it went from, ‘Hi, I can’t wait to see you guys. Love you. Everything’s great.’”
Hannah Kobayashi’s mother filed a missing person report after her daughter seemingly disappeared. (Hannah Kobayashi via Instagram)
Ryan Kobayashi, the 30-year-old’s father, was found dead on Nov. 24 of an apparent suicide after jumping from a parking structure in Los Angeles while he and his family were searching for the missing woman.
Los Angeles Magazine reported that Kobayashi had fallen victim to an immigration scheme before going missing. Kobayashi’s mother reportedly found documents in her daughter’s Hawaii home that listed an immigration attorney, according to the outlet, and turned that information over to law enforcement.
However, Azari wrote in a post on X that the family “has not confirmed the authenticity of the images or the accuracy of the information provided about a possible secret marriage… we did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the legitimacy of this information.”
Fox News’ Christina Coulter and Mollie Markowitz contributed to this report.
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The search for a new University of Montana president has drawn more than 60 applicants, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.
“We do not have an exact count at this time, as several applications are still being completed and additional submissions are expected,” said spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Galen Hollenbaugh in an email earlier this week.
In January, then-UM-President Seth Bodnar announced his resignation to pursue other public service. Wednesday, the final day of filing, he announced he was running as an independent for the U.S. Senate to try to unseat Republican incumbent Steve Daines.
Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian earlier said that with the advice of AGB Search, a firm that’s helped the Montana University System conduct other executive searches, he would undertake an expedited process to appoint a new president.
Christian has been providing brief updates on a website dedicated to the search. Last week, he said he and AGB Search are reviewing applications, and the pool of candidates was “strong and diverse.”
The commissioner also announced he was convening a small working group to assist in the search, members who “represent a variety of perspectives to assist in vetting and narrowing this field of exceptional candidates.”
In an email this week, Hollenbaugh identified the members of the working group who are assisting Christian with application review as:
- Community member and former Regent Joyce Dombrouski
- Faculty Senate Chairperson Valerie Moody
- Staff Senate President Dominic Beccari
- Administration Representative John DeBoer (Vice President of Academic Affairs)
- ASUM (Associated Students of the University of Montana) President Buddy Wilson
Hollenbaugh declined to comment on the way the rest of the process would unfold or the role the working group members would play.
Christian earlier said he anticipated an appointment within one to three months, or as soon as early this month.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – It’s time to “free your heels” and embrace Tahoe’s winter recreation at the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival on March 7. Whether you’re a seasoned pro at cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or you’re trying to get your feet wet, Saturday’s event is teeming with nature, brews, and camaraderie.
Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) is teaming up with Nevada Nordic, Tahoe Multisport, Alibi Ale Works, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation and other local partners in the wondrous Tahoe Meadows, providing attendees a chance to engage with outdoor recreation experts, check out free cross-country and snowshoe rentals, and more.
“We’re excited to see the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival enter its second year, building on last year’s strong community response. In collaboration with our local partners, this event is thoughtfully curated with residents in mind – offering free equipment for the day, expert instruction, locally crafted brews, and other experiences in a welcoming setting,” said Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. “It’s designed to make it easy for residents to get outside, try something new, and bring people together. Events like this reflect the spirit of North Lake Tahoe and what’s possible when our community comes together.”
Along with opportunities to test out free demos and rentals, there will be live music, beer tasting and races.
Tahoe Meadows is known for its gentle trails, and is a popular spot for snowshoeing due to its flat terrain. This event, located near Chickadee Ridge, will offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
This family-friendly event is on the second to last day of the 10-day SnowFest winter festival that’s been taking place in the North Lake Tahoe area. It starts bright and early at 9 a.m. and will close out at 2 p.m.
“Nevada Nordic is thrilled to be a part of SnowFest again this year,” said Meghan Pry, Nevada Nordic Board Member. “We love sharing our passion for cross-country skiing and watching our community grow. We are proud to keep winter recreation accessible by offering free access to our 20km trail network. This is the perfect opportunity for our community to gather together and free our heels!”
For more information about the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival or to check out the SnowFest schedule, visit tahoesnowfest.org.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform annual Daytona 500 flyover
The USAF Thunderbirds flew over Daytona International Speedway before The Great American Race on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.
A retired U.S. Air Force general who once commanded a research division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, has gone missing in New Mexico.
This is what we know.
McCasland commanded Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, 68, who has been missing since last week, Newsweek reports. He was last seen on Feb. 27 in Albuquerque. McCasland is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. He has white hair and blue eyes, and he has unspecified medical issues, per the sheriff’s office, which is worried about his safety.
McCasland was the commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, according to his Air Force biography. He managed a $2.2 billion science and technology program as well as $2.2 billion in additional customer-funded research and development. He joined Wright-Patterson in 2011 and retired in 2013.
He was commissioned in 1979 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in astronautical engineering. He has served in a wide variety of space research, acquisition and operations roles within the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office.
McCasland mentioned in WikiLeaks release in connection to UFOs
McCasland was described as a key adviser on UFO-related projects by Tom DeLonge, UFO researcher and guitarist for Blink-182, Newsweek reports. The general’s name appears in the 2016 WikiLeaks email release from John Podesta, then Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager.
In emails to Podesta, DeLonge said he’s been working with McCasland for months and that the general was aware of the materials DeLonge was probing because McCasland has been “in charge of the laboratory at Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base where the Roswell wreckage was shipped,” per Newsweek.
However, there is no official record of DeLonge’s claims, and McCasland has neither confirmed nor denied it.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base home to UFO project
The Dayton Air Force base was home to Project Blue Book in the 1950s and 60s, according to “The Air Force Investigation into UFOs” published by Ohio State University.
During that time, it logged some 12,618 UFO sightings, with 701 of those remaining “unidentified.” The U.S. government created the project because of Cold War-era security concerns and Americans’ obsession with aliens.
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