Midwest
Audio of Ellison meeting with convicted fraudsters resurfaces as lawyer alleges Walz, AG share blame
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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is facing new scrutiny over a 2021 audio recording of him meeting with members of the Somali community who would soon be convicted of defrauding millions of dollars in taxpayer money.
In the recording, now obtained by Fox News, the would-be fraudsters can be heard asking Ellison to help them secure more funding, before the conversation then turns to campaign donations.
“The only way that we can protect what we have is by inserting ourselves into the political arena. Putting our votes where it needs to be. But most importantly, putting our dollars in the right place. And supporting candidates that will fight to protect our interests,” one of the Somalian community members says in the recording.
“That’s right,” Ellison responds.
FROM CONGRESS, TO VP NOMINEE TO DISGRACED FORMER GOVERNOR: A LOOK AT THE RISE AND FALL OF TIM WALZ
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is facing new scrutiny over his connection to convicted fraudsters. (Getty)
Ellison has denied any wrongdoing regarding the recording, saying he was completely unaware of the fraudsters’ crimes at the time of the meeting.
“I took a meeting in good faith with people I didn’t know and some turned out to have done bad things. I did nothing for them and took nothing from them,” Ellison wrote in an April op-ed for the Minnesota Star Tribune.
HOUSE GOP BILL COULD TRIGGER SELF-DEPORTATION FOR SOMALI REFUGEES AMID MINNESOTA FRAUD PROBE
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announces he will not seek re-election on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at a press conference at the state Capitol in St. Paul. (Jerry Holt/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Ellison did receive campaign donations from some of the convicted fraudsters, according to the Center for the American Experiment, but he later returned those donations after they were convicted.
The recording was first unearthed by Minnesota attorney Kenneth Udoibok, who represents Aimee Bock, one of many convicted in the $250 million “Feeding Our Future” scam last year. Udoibok is arguing that state leaders like Ellison and Gov. Tim Walz need to be held accountable as well.
“I would like to see someone, someone in the state, I don’t care what if it is the governor, I don’t care what the attorney general, someone take responsibility,” he told Fox News in an interview.
“Mr. Ellison, your department that your agency represents have some culpability,” Udoibok continued. “As much as I like Mr. Walz, he didn’t take responsibility on behalf of his agency. The buck stops with him, and in the worst-case scenario, he ought to have fired the commissioner. He ought to fire the director of the food program, somebody.”
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Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., plans to ask witnesses about the 2021 recording at a House Oversight hearing on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with his plans.
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MADISON – Luke Fickell has long been a fan of Austin Brown’s potential.
The Wisconsin football coach sung the praises of the senior safety before last season and reiterated that opinion after an 11-tackle performance in a Week 3 loss to Alabama.
“He’s one of the more talented guys I think we have on the entire team,” Fickell said in September. “As far as speed, size, ability to run, ability to tackle, he’s one of those guys that I’ve always kept saying, your ability is everything that they’re looking for at the next level. Your ability to show that is what’s going to be the biggest difference.”
Brown was one of the iron men of the Wisconsin defense in 2025. He played 672 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, second only to cornerback Ricardo Hallman. His presence was especially key given the season-ended injury to field safety Preston Zachman
Brown finished fourth on the Badgers with 53 tackles and earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl. He started for the West in the Shrine Bowl, played 32 snaps and finished with one tackle in a 21-17 victory for over the East.
Friday March 6 at the McClain Center the Badgers held their Pro Day, a perfect time to shine for a player who was listed as one of athletic freaks in college football by The Athletic last summer.
Brown didn’t disappoint.
Unofficially Brown posted the No. 1 vertical of the day, 43 feet, the No. 2 broad jump (10-9), the second fastest 40-yard dash (4.47 seconds), the third-fastest shuttle run (4.21) and the fifth-best three cone drill time (7.05).
He also benched 225 pounds 20 times, which put himself behind some of UW’s linemen and tight end Lance Mason – Ben Barten did it 33 times – but it was better than any safeties or cornerback invited to the NFL Combine.
Brown has been training at X3 Performance in Fort Myers, Fla.
“I’m not satisfied by any means, but I’m happy with my overall performance,” Brown said. “On my vertical I did really good. I wanted to get another inch or two, but you can only get so much. On my bench, I wanted to get 20, and I lost some weight, so I didn’t want to lose any strength with that.”
Brown, who is 6-foot-1, played at about 215 pounds last season. He said he weighed 209 when he started training for the draft and was at 200 pounds with 8% body fat Friday.
“I had a lot of meetings with scouts just through the postseason stuff, Shrine Bowl and all that so I got to talk to a lot of them personally,” Brown said. “(Today) I just wanted to show them my athletic ability across the board overall, and I feel like I did that.”
What Brown showed during his college career was the ability to fill a variety of roles. It is the kind of the experience that could pay off for an NFL hopeful.
“I feel like versatility is one of my best strengths,” he said. “I’ve played both safety spots. I’ve played dime, I’ve played nickel when I started my junior year. I’ve played every special team, so I feel like versatility is one of my great strengths and that’s something I can hang my hat on.”
Midwest
Pentagon identifies four soldiers killed in March 1 drone strike during Kuwait military operation
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The Department of War on Monday identified four of the six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed in a March 1 drone attack in Kuwait while supporting Operation Epic Fury, and officials said the incident remains under investigation.
The soldiers were killed at the Port of Shuaiba during what officials described as an unmanned aircraft system attack. All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa, which provides logistical and operational support to U.S. forces overseas.
The fallen service members were identified as Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa. Two additional soldiers killed in the attack have not yet been publicly identified.
Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command, said the loss is deeply felt across the force.
“We honor our fallen Heroes who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation,” Harter said. “Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten.”
Officials said the soldiers were supporting operations in the region when the drone strike occurred.
Capt. Cody Khork and five other U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait March 1. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Khork enlisted in the National Guard in 2009 as a multiple launch rocket system/fire direction specialist before commissioning as a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. He deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018; Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, in 2021; and Poland in 2024. His awards include the meritorious service medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10 Year Device and “M” Device.
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Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor and five other U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait March 1. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Amor joined the National Guard in 2005 as an automated logistics specialist and transferred to the Army Reserve the following year. She deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019 and earned multiple commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device.
Tietjens entered the Army Reserve in 2006 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and completed two deployments to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said on X he was heartbroken to learn of Tietjens’ death.
TRUMP SAYS US SANK 10 SHIPS IN IRAN STRIKE, ‘LAST, BEST CHANCE’ TO ACT
Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens and five other U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait March 1. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
“A native of Bellevue, he dedicated his life to defending our country and protecting the freedoms we hold dear,” Bacon wrote. “No words can fully express the sorrow his family and friends are enduring during this unimaginable loss.
“Angie and I are praying for their healing and comfort in the days ahead. We also extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of Capt. Cody Khork, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, and Sgt. Declan Coady,” he added. “These four soldiers are American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, and their courage and devotion to duty will never be forgotten.”
The youngest of the four identified soldiers, Coady enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as an Army information technology specialist and was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
US STRIKES MORE THAN 1,700 TARGETS IN IRAN DURING FIRST 72 HOURS OF OPERATION EPIC FURY
Sgt. Declan Coady and five other U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait March 1. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand also issued a statement.
“Iowa: please join me in praying for Declan Coady, a 20-year-old Army Reservist and Drake student, who was one of the lives lost among the escalating conflict in the Middle East,” the statement said. “Join me in also praying for his family and loved ones and for all the communities he was part of, and thanking him for his service and ultimate sacrifice.”
Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, commanding general of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, said the soldiers’ service reflected the highest ideals of the military.
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“To the families and teammates of these Cactus Nation Soldiers: you have my deepest sympathy and my respect,” Erskine said. “Our nation is kept safe by folks like these – brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day. They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”
Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
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At least two tornadoes were reported in Southwest Michigan on Friday amid severe weather, according to CBS Detroit’s Chief Meteorologist Ahmad Bajjey.
Two of the tornadoes were reported in Union City and Three Rivers, while a possible third tornado may have been in St. Joseph County. Bajjey says the tornadoes caused significant damage. According to Consumers Energy, more than 3,200 customers are without power as of 7:40 p.m. on Friday.
Official reports of fatalities or injuries are unknown, but CBS-affiliate WWMT in Kalamazoo reports that the Branch County medical examiner is on scene in Union City.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the storms in Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties. The department says the center will be supporting local requests for assistance.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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