Midwest
Street takeovers and traffic control by agitators in Minnesota cross legal lines, retired detective says
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Agitators directing traffic and impeding law enforcement activity in Minnesota are drawing sharp criticism from a former police official, who warns the scenes signal a dangerous normalization of obstruction that threatens public safety and the rule of law.
Retired NYPD detective and adjunct professor Mike Alcazar told Fox News Digital the behavior would never have been tolerated during his career, calling the lack of intervention a clear departure from long-standing enforcement standards.
“It would have been shut down immediately. It never would have happened,” Alcazar said.
Drawing on decades of experience policing large-scale demonstrations in New York City, Alcazar said protesters were historically permitted to exercise their First Amendment rights, but only within clearly enforced boundaries intended to prevent disorder and violence.
ANTI-ICE AGITATORS THREATEN AGENTS IN CHAOTIC MINNESOTA PROTESTS: ‘YOU’RE GOING TO F—ING DIE’
Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Avenue in Minneapolis on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, where Renee Nicole Good was shot the day before by an ICE agent. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
He said civilians were not allowed to take over roadways, direct traffic or block pedestrian access, and officers routinely used barriers, separation tactics and a visible uniformed presence to maintain control.
“You cannot take over a roadway. That is not part of your right to protest,” Alcazar said. “That’s where we draw the line.”
Alcazar said those lines now appear increasingly blurred, allowing demonstrations to drift into obstruction. When enforcement standards are not clearly maintained, he said, agitators exploit the absence of consequences — surrounding officers, escalating confrontations and introducing items that can be used as weapons, such as wooden poles.
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An onlooker holds a sign reading “Shame” as law enforcement officers work the scene following a shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
According to Alcazar, the risks intensify when federal agents are operating without visible local law enforcement support. Immigration enforcement operations, he said, are not designed to manage hostile civilian crowds and instead rely on local departments to secure scenes and prevent interference.
“ICE agents are trained for enforcement operations — not crowd control,” Alcazar said. “When local police pull back, you’re leaving federal agents exposed.”
Those risks were visible on the ground. Fox News correspondent Matt Finn captured a tense moment in downtown Minneapolis when a resident used a vehicle to briefly block Border Patrol agents during an active enforcement operation, forcing agents to order the driver to move. Finn reported that Border Patrol units often avoid remaining in one location for extended periods because agitators frequently attempt to surround or impede them, making even brief delays a safety risk.
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Tensions escalated in Minneapolis after a fatal shooting Wednesday during a federal immigration enforcement operation, when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent.
Federal officials said Good attempted to drive her vehicle toward agents during the encounter, a claim disputed by family members and some local leaders. The shooting led to agitators taking to the streets and heightened scrutiny of federal enforcement activity in the city, contributing to repeated confrontations between demonstrators and federal agents.
City officials, however, said recent demonstrations have largely remained peaceful and that steps are being taken to ensure public safety.
A spokesperson for the Minneapolis Police Department said lawful assemblies had been peaceful and comparable to other small- and large-scale demonstrations that regularly occur in the city. Police emphasized that keeping streets clear is critical to protecting lives, property and first responders.
City Council member Jason Chavez addresses onlookers following a shooting by an ICE agent on Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The city said it was removing barriers blocking streets near the site of Wednesday’s shooting to ensure emergency access.
Minneapolis Fire Department Interim Chief Melanie Rucker warned that blocked streets can delay emergency response and endanger lives.
“Safety has to come first — every second matters when lives are on the line,” Rucker said, noting crews recently responded to a three-alarm fire just blocks from the area. “When streets are blocked, it slows our response and puts both residents and emergency responders at risk.”
City officials said residents have raised concerns about neighborhood access, with multiple 311 calls requesting barrier removal. While memorials created by community members will remain intact, the city said surrounding streets must stay clear to ensure emergency access.
MASKED AGITATOR TELLS LAURA INGRAHAM SHE’S ‘GETTING PAID RIGHT NOW’ AT ANTI-ICE PROTEST
Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Avenue in Minneapolis, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. The block is where Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE agent. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has sharply criticized the presence and actions of federal immigration agents following the shooting, telling ICE to “get the f— out of Minneapolis” and rejecting the Department of Homeland Security’s account of the incident. Frey said the city does not want federal agents there, arguing their presence has contributed to chaos and undermined public safety.
Additional concerns were raised by Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, who told Fox News Digital his firm declined to participate in Minneapolis demonstrations because many crossed into illegal activity, including blocking streets and obstructing federal law enforcement.
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Fox News host Laura Ingraham speaks with an agitator during a demonstration in Minneapolis. The agitator claimed she is being paid “right now” to attend the demonstration. (The Ingraham Angle)
Swart said mixing peaceful protesters with individuals engaging in obstruction creates serious safety risks, as officers cannot easily distinguish between lawful demonstrators and agitators.
“When you’re blocking streets, clashing with law enforcement, and obstructing federal agents, those are illegal protests,” Swart said. “Law enforcement can’t easily distinguish between peaceful protesters and people creating those obstructions.”
Swart rejected claims that blocking roadways or restricting law enforcement movement constitutes “nonviolent resistance,” warning that preventing federal agents from moving freely puts officers, protesters and emergency responders in danger.
He added that such tactics are often counterproductive, saying efforts to obstruct ICE operations are more likely to trigger an increased federal presence rather than deter enforcement.
Mark Ross, president of the St. Paul Police Federation, also weighed in, sharply criticizing local political leadership and the impact of so-called separation ordinances on public safety.
“It’s a recipe for disaster,” Michael Alcazar said about leaving federal officers to operate amid disorder. “That’s how civilians get hurt, officers get hurt and situations spiral out of control.” (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Ross said city leaders have conflated routine crowd control support with “working with ICE,” despite local police departments having no role in federal immigration enforcement.
“As far as I’m concerned, these mayors and councils have some blood on their hands and bear some responsibility,” Ross said.
Ross argued that allowing local police to provide basic crowd control — rather than restricting coordination — could have reduced risks during recent confrontations. He said police assistance focused solely on keeping crowds from interfering with federal agents might have prevented dangerous escalation.
Ross added that his department has repeatedly offered help limited to crowd management, not deportations or federal enforcement duties, to ensure the safety of both agents and demonstrators.
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Alcazar said the unrest underscores the danger of leaving federal agents to operate amid disorder without local law enforcement support, warning that the absence of a visible police presence increases the risk of escalation and injury for officers and civilians alike.
“It’s a recipe for disaster,” he said. “That’s how civilians get hurt, officers get hurt and situations spiral out of control.”
Alcazar warned that allowing obstruction to go unchecked sends a dangerous signal that enforcement standards no longer apply.
“Once civilians start controlling the streets, police lose control of the streets,” Alcazar said. “When people don’t know where the limits are, they’re going to take advantage.”
Fox News’ Matt Finn and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
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Detroit, MI
Metro Detroit braces for Frost Advisory, Freeze Warning overnight before rain arrives
Metro Detroit is in for another cold night, with frost and near-freezing temperatures possible early Tuesday morning before a wetter pattern arrives Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Alerts
A Frost Advisory will blanket the remainder of Southeast Michigan, including Genesee, Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe counties during the same time span. (WDIV)
A Freeze Warning will go into effect at midnight and remain in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday for Sanilac, Lapeer, St. Clair, and Macomb counties, where temperatures could drop to 27 degrees.
A Frost Advisory will blanket the remainder of Southeast Michigan, including Genesee, Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe counties during the same time span.
The coldest temperatures are expected north and west of Detroit.
Even if your thermometer reads 35 or 36 degrees, frost can still form on grass, rooftops, decks, and vehicles.
That is because surfaces cool more quickly than the air several feet above the ground.
Under clear skies and light winds, heat escapes rapidly from the ground overnight through a process called radiational cooling.
Cold air also sinks and settles into lower spots, allowing temperatures near the surface to briefly reach freezing while official air temperatures remain a few degrees warmer.
That means the temperature at ground level where plants are located can be colder than the temperature reported by a standard thermometer mounted several feet above the surface.
Sensitive plants and vegetation could be damaged or killed by the cold.
How to protect plants
Gardeners are encouraged to protect tender plants overnight by covering them with lightweight fabric sheets, blankets or frost cloths.
Bringing potted plants indoors or into a garage can also help prevent damage. Experts recommend avoiding plastic coverings directly on plants because plastic can trap moisture and transfer cold temperatures to leaves.
Flowers, vegetables, herbs and newly planted annuals are especially vulnerable this time of year.
Tomatoes, peppers, basil, petunias and other warm season plants are among those most sensitive to freezing temperatures.
The chilly pattern will not last long.
Clouds increase Tuesday morning, followed by scattered showers developing during the afternoon.
Temperatures rebound into the upper 50s and lower 60s with a gusty south breeze developing during the day.
Rain becomes more widespread Tuesday evening and Tuesday night. A few thunderstorms and rumbles of thunder are also possible overnight as a stronger weather system moves through the Great Lakes.
Severe weather is not expected, but brief downpours, gusty winds and small hail cannot be ruled out in a few stronger storms Tuesday night.
Behind the system, cooler air returns Wednesday with highs mainly in the 50s to around 60 degrees and gusty west winds.
Sunshine and milder weather return later in the week, with temperatures climbing into the 60s Thursday and around 70 degrees Friday.
This weekend
By the weekend, Southeast Michigan will get a taste of early summer.
Temperatures are expected to surge into the upper 70s and lower 80s Saturday through Monday, although there will be occasional chances for showers during the weekend.
That includes Flower Day on Sunday at Eastern Market in Detroit, one of the city’s most beloved spring traditions.
Thousands of people are expected to visit the market to shop for flowers, plants, herbs and garden supplies as growers from across the region fill the sheds with color.
Right now, the forecast calls for warm temperatures near 80 degrees Sunday with a chance of scattered showers.
While it may not be a completely dry weekend, it will feel dramatically different compared to the frosty start to the week.
For now, though, gardeners across Southeast Michigan will want to focus on protecting sensitive plants from one more cold Michigan night.
Remember to share your weather and garden photos with Local 4 at MIPics.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Milwaukee, WI
Same name keeps coming up in mock drafts as possible Bucks selection
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam talks greater involvement, Giannis future
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam says that he will have a greater involvement with the team and that includes the decision on if to re-sign Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Milwaukee Bucks know their placement in the 2026 NBA Draft, slotted No. 10 for their first lottery pick in a decade. Who are some of the possible selections at that spot when June 23 rolls around?
Check out what the first post-lottery wave of mock drafts has to say, most of them pointing to same prospect, that being Nate Ament of Tennessee, a 6-10 freshman small forward.
Nate Ament, forward, Tennessee
From Spencer Woo of ESPN: “While Ament’s stock has slipped from an early top-five projection, he had productive stretches this season within a tricky team context and has room to help himself in workouts. Although scouts are split on whether he has star potential or projects better as a long-term supporting player, there is still plenty of intrigue around Ament in the lottery. As a tall skill player with shotmaking upside, Ament fits a player archetype that teams often love to swing on. As Milwaukee considers a post-Antetokounmpo future, a malleable upside swing such as Ament could be a fit.”
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports: “The Bucks should take a swing to jump-start their new era, whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo is part of it. Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-foot-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and he severely struggled during the tournament. Bucks general manager Jon Horst has never been afraid to take risks though. If Ament pans out, it could look like a stroke of genius.”
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports: “Ament had an up-and-down freshman season for the Vols – but the upside isn’t hard to spot. Less than a year ago, the 2025 McDonald’s All-American was considered a possible top-five pick. So getting Ament here would be nice for a Bucks franchise that seems on the verge of rebuilding after presumably trading Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason.”
The Ringer: “Barring some transactional magic, this could be Milwaukee’s best bite at the talent apple in the draft for a while. The Bucks don’t currently have control over a first-round pick until 2031. If Giannis Antetokounmpo decides it’s time to move on, this roster will be rudderless and talent-deprived. If Giannis decides not to move on, it’ll have a rudder but still won’t go anywhere. Less than ideal, but that makes this a ‘best player available’ scenario, or rather ‘best wager available.’ There are definitely more stable options in this range, but Ament’s higher possible outcomes justify this pick. Ament fell short of expectations this past season, and he slid from top-five consideration as a result, but the jumbo-sized, smooth-moving ball handler is still a worthy bet here. Handling the ball at 6-foot-10 is an intriguing enough skill to instill some belief that he could develop into a quality asset. And the Bucks can take the risk given their circumstances.
Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports: “Ament is a polarizing prospect with a wide range of outcomes on draft night. A late-blooming 6-foot-10 combo-forward who is fluid, has touch, and skill, he’s also inconsistent and needs to get stronger. While his freshman year was up and down, Ament’s overall arc has been linear, and there’s still glaring potential. That upside makes him a logical choice for a Milwaukee team that has a very uncertain future ahead of them.”
Brian Lewis of New York Post: “After the run on guards, taking an upside swing on a gifted developmental player here seems like a worthy gamble for a Bucks team that could be in full-on rebuild in a post-Giannis era.”
Two other names mentioned
From Eric Nehm of The Athletic: “This was an incredibly difficult pick to make without knowing what the Bucks are going to do with Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the 10-time All-Star forward remains in Milwaukee, it might make more sense to look at someone like Yaxel Lendeborg, who could make an impact right away and give the Bucks more size and skill. Instead, though, I went with Philon, who has a lot of offensive upside and could be protected on the defensive end by Ryan Rollins. Philon is an electrifying offensive player who shot 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3 while averaging 22 points, 3.5 rebounds and five assists per game last season.”
From Kurt Helin of NBC Sports: “The Bucks need all the backcourt help they can get, and Burries may not be flashy, but he does a lot of things well — he can play on and off the ball, can knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers but also attack closeouts, and he gets downhill off screens and has a midrange pull-up game.”
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis grocer charged in $1.1 million SNAP fraud scheme
Food insecurity in Minnesota: SNAP cuts and rising demand
Minnesota food shelves are facing growing pressure as potential federal SNAP cuts, rising grocery prices and increased demand strain already limited resources. Some providers also report impacts tied to recent immigration enforcement activity, with families hesitant to seek assistance. Wendy Behm of ACBC Food Shelf joins to discuss how organizations are responding, efforts to combat food insecurity across the state, and what’s at stake during the current legislative session. Learn more at acbcfoodshelf.com.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis grocery store owner is facing a felony charge after investigators say he trafficked more than $1.1 million in SNAP benefits using other people’s EBT cards.
SNAP benefits trafficking investigation leads to felony charge
What we know:
According to criminal charges filed in Hennepin County Court, Abdidwahid Mohamed, owner of Minnesota Food Grocery LLC, is accused of using EBT cards registered to other people to purchase items like energy drinks and baby formula at Sam’s Club and Costco between March 8, 2021 and August 10, 2021. The goods were then resold at his store.
The complaint states law enforcement says they watched Mohamed make the purchases and tracked him returning directly to his store with the items. Video surveillance and GPS data confirmed the trips, and investigators say many of the EBT cardholders were out of the country or denied shopping at the stores Mohamed visited.
The complaint states, “Mohamed received $1,141,082 in EBT payments” during the period in question. The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to help low-income households buy food, with benefits issued through EBT cards that work like debit cards.
Wal-Mart team sparks investigation
The backstory:
The investigation began when Wal-Mart’s Global Investigation Team flagged suspicious EBT transactions at Sam’s Club locations in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) was contacted in May 2021, and surveillance of Mohamed followed.
The complaint states on Aug. 10, 2021, law enforcement executed search warrants at Mohamed’s store and vehicles. He was arrested at a Sam’s Club in Bloomington with an EBT card and a handwritten note containing a PIN number. Interviews with more than two dozen EBT cardholders revealed that many claimed their cards were lost or had never been used at the stores in question.
One woman admitted she had not shopped at Minnesota Food Grocery for more than a year-and-a-half after agreeing to let Mohamed use her EBT card.
The complaint states the offense “involved a high degree of sophistication or planning or occurred over a lengthy period of time.”
What’s next:
If convicted, Mohamed faces up to 20 years in prison or a $100,000 fine.
The Source: Information from a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.
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