Midwest
Dr. Oz warns Walz to address alleged Somali Medicaid fraud or lose federal funding: ‘We’ll stop paying’
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz on Friday warned Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz the state could lose federal Medicaid funding unless it restores “the integrity” of its program.
In a post on X, Dr. Oz claimed more than $1 billion had been stolen through a massive Medicaid fraud scheme carried out by “bad actors” within Minnesota’s Somali community, alleging some of the funds “may have even made its way to the Somalian terrorist group (al-Shabab).”
“Our staff at CMS told me they’ve never seen anything like this in Medicaid — and everyone from Gov. Tim Walz on down needs to be investigated, because they’ve been asleep at the wheel,” Oz said.
COMER TARGETS WALZ IN NEW HOUSE INVESTIGATION, CITING NEARLY $1B IN ALLEGED MINNESOTA FRAUD
Oz claimed that more than $1 billion was stolen through a massive Medicaid fraud scheme carried out by “bad actors” within Minnesota’s Somali community. (@DrOzCMS via X)
Oz demanded Walz take the following corrective measures within 60 days:
- Send weekly updates on anti-fraud efforts to CMS
- Freeze enrollment of high-risk providers for six months
- Verify all current providers as “legitimate” or remove them
- Send CMS a corrective action plan to prevent fraud in the future
“If we’re unsatisfied with the state’s plans or cooperation, we’ll stop paying the federal share of these programs,” Oz warned.
The CMS administrator pointed to two Minnesota Medicaid programs launched in recent years, noting dramatic spikes in costs.
The Housing Stabilization Services program, projected at $2.6 million annually, paid out over $100 million in 2024, according to Oz.
The Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention program grew from $3 million in 2018 to nearly $400 million in 2023, he said.
WALZ ‘DERELICT LEADERSHIP’ TO BLAME IN $1B FRAUD SCANDAL WITH ‘HAUNTING REMINDS OF WATERGATE’: GOP CHALLENGER
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is demanding Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz address an alleged Medicare fraud scheme carried out by “bad actors” within the state’s Somali community. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“These scammers used stolen taxpayer money to buy flashy cars, purchase overseas real estate and offer kickbacks to parents who enrolled their kids at fake autism treatment centers,” Oz said. “Some of it may have even made its way to the Somalian terrorist group al-Shabab. … So why didn’t Walz stop them? That’s simple: because he went all-in on identity politics.”
Minnesota officials previously reported the problem to CMS but failed to address it effectively, according to Oz.
“We stepped in and shut down the worst program: housing. We also froze provider enrollment in a few of the most abused programs,” Oz said.
PHOTOS EMERGE OF SOMALI ILLEGAL’S TIES TO TOP MINNESOTA DEMS AFTER ICE ARREST
President Donald Trump recently announced a flurry of actions to investigate alleged fraud schemes in Minnesota. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)
“The message to Walz is clear: either fix this in 60 days or start looking under your couch for spare change, because we’re done footing the bill for your incompetence.”
President Donald Trump recently announced a flurry of actions to crack down and investigate fraud schemes in Minnesota, which he has assailed as a “hub of money laundering activity,” and cited it as the basis of his decision to terminate deportation protections for hundreds of Somali migrants.
This week, senior Trump administration officials announced fresh investigations, including a new Treasury Department probe into how taxpayer dollars were allegedly diverted to the terrorist organization al-Shabab, according to Secretary Scott Bessent.
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Walz’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report.
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IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – University of Iowa student and staff were asked to avoid the University Capital Centre as a small fire broke out inside the building.
The first Hawk Alert was sent around 9:30 p.m. as the building was evacuated. In about 15 minutes the situation was deemed under control.
The University credits the Iowa City Fire Department for extinguishing the blaze.
There have been no reports of any injuries in this fire.
The Centre is inside the Capital Mall which is home to several businesses.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The National Weather Service confirmed Saturday that two EF-0 tornadoes struck the Kansas City metro on Thursday night.
Tornado #1: Nashua Neighborhood, Kansas City
The NWS says the first tornado touched down at around 8:55 p.m. Thursday, east of Highway 169 in Kansas City’s Nashua Neighborhood, dissipating just 5 minutes later around 9 p.m.
The EF-0 twister packed peak winds of 85 mph and carved a nearly 2-mile path at about 75 yards wide.
The tornado produced sporadic tree damage near Main St. to Oak Trfwy., then strengthened as it moved east toward Charlotte St., where it caused extensive tree damage between 113th and 115th St.
According to the NWS, the twister continued northeast through Tracy and Virginia Ave., where several trees fell onto vehicles and homes.
The tornado weakened as it tracked northeast toward Cunningham Dr. and Wooldand Ave., finally dissipating after damaging trees at a home north of Cookingham Dr.
Tornado #2: Clay County/Clinton County Border
The NWS adds that the second EF-0 tornado touched down just after 9:10 p.m. Thursday near 200th St. on the Clay County side of the Clinton/Clay County border, ending around 9:15 p.m.
It had peak winds of 75 mph, a 1.5-mile path and a width of about 50 yards.
The twister produced minor tree damage along 200th St. before moving northeast toward 204th St., where several trees were visibly snapped near their tops near Owl Creek, according to the NWS.
It then damaged trees and power poles along 204th St., and metal debris was scattered onto trees and property at a home along the road.
The tornado tracked north of the road, damaging additional trees before dissipating west of Fightmaster Rd.
Note: Investigators observed minor tree and limb damage southeast of the tornado track, but determined it was caused by straight-line winds – not the tornado itself – based on the northeast-facing direction of the damage.
How Do These Compare?
The NWS rates tornadoes on the Enhanced Fujita Scale based on estimated peak wind speeds:
| Rating | Peak Winds |
|---|---|
| EF-0 | 65-85 mph |
| EF-1 | 86-100 mph |
| EF-2 | 111-135 mph |
| EF-3 | 136-165 mph |
| EF-4 | 166-200 mph |
| EF-5 | 201+ mph |
Thursday’s Kansas City tornadoes were among the weakest on the scale. For context:
- The tornado that struck Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday was rated an EF-4
- The 2022 Andover, Kansas, tornado was rated an EF-3
- The devastating 2011 Joplin, Missouri, tornado was rated an EF-5
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
A 2.9 magnitude earthquake near Amherstburg, Ontario, was felt across parts of Downriver and Monroe County Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. (USGS.gov)
DETROIT (FOX 2) – A 2.9-magnitude earthquake near Amherstburg, Ontario, was felt across parts of southeast Michigan Sunday morning.
What we know:
The U.S. Geological Survey reports the earthquake occurred around 10:30 a.m. Sunday at a depth of 2.1 kilometers near Lakewood Beach, across from Rockwood, Michigan.
Big picture view:
The Canadian town, near the mouth of the Detroit River, is about 16 miles south of Detroit, across from communities including Grosse Ile, Gibraltar, Trenton and Wyandotte.
Local perspective:
According to a USGS map, the quake was felt across Downriver and Monroe County, as well as parts of eastern Ontario and near Toledo, Ohio.
Reports show the quake was felt across Downriver, Monroe County, parts of eastern Ontario and as far south as the Toledo, Ohio, area. (USGS.gov)
The Source: Information for this story came from the U.S. Geological Survey
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