Midwest
Ilhan Omar says she’s frustrated since Somalis are also victims in ‘Feeding Our Future’ scam
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Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., expressed frustration Sunday with the framing of the massive “Feeding Our Future” fraud scheme that’s embroiled members of the Somali community in her state, saying many Somalis were victims as well since they could have benefited from the program.
“Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan called the extent of the scam “shocking,” noting it was the Biden-era Department of Justice that said it was the largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the nation and the majority of the reported offenders were Somalis, adding to the “spotlight” on Omar’s community.
“Why do you think this fraud was allowed to get so widespread?” Brennan asked.
“I want to say this also has an impact on Somalis, because we are also taxpayers in Minnesota,” Omar said. “We also could have benefited from the program and the money that was stolen. So it’s been really frustrating for people to not acknowledge the fact that we’re also, as Minnesotans, as taxpayers, really upset and angry about the fraud that has occurred.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has condemned the brazen fraud in Minnesota as “reprehensible.” (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT MINNESOTA’S ‘FEEDING OUR FUTURE’ FRAUD AT THE CENTER OF TRUMP’S LATEST CRACKDOWN
Brennan asked Omar if there had been a failure by the Minnesota state government, which is dominated by Democrats.
“That is what I alluded to in my letter that I had sent to the Secretary of AG was to see where things were going wrong. How can this amount of money disappear fraudulently without there being alarms set off?” Omar asked. “And it is something that, you know, we have to continue to investigate. We have to continue to ask those questions.”
President Donald Trump and other officials have zeroed in on this and other alleged fraud schemes in recent weeks, arguing that the criminal activity is a result of mismanagement and “incompetence” from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat and former vice presidential candidate.
MS NOW HOST CALLS MASSIVE MINNESOTA FRAUD SCHEME ‘ISOLATED’ IN INTERVIEW WITH M ATTORNEY GENERAL
Trump and Omar have traded barbs in recent days as well, with Trump calling Somalis “garbage” and saying they should return to their home country. Omar and other critics have called the remarks bigoted and said Trump is trying to distract from his own policy failings.
The back-and-forth comes as Minnesota has come under fresh scrutiny for alleged mismanagement of federal funds, including in distributing money for the nonprofit “Feeding Our Future” program.
Prosecutors have labeled the fraud scheme in the state as the largest pandemic fraud scheme in the country, stemming from allegations that the Minnesota nonprofit and its associates defrauded federal child-nutrition programs for hundreds of millions of dollars in COVID-19 aid.
The New York Times reported last month, “Over the last five years, law enforcement officials say, fraud took root in pockets of Minnesota’s Somali diaspora as scores of individuals made small fortunes by setting up companies that billed state agencies for millions of dollars’ worth of social services that were never provided.”
Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (Yuri Gripas/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
$1 BILLION REPORTEDLY STOLEN IN FRAUD UNDER MINNESOTA GOV. WALZ
Omar said she was one of the first members of Congress who inquired about what she called a “reprehensible” scam.
Omar previously told local outlet KARE 11 News, “The alleged fraud scheme orchestrated by ‘Feeding Our Future’ is reprehensible. Using the guise of feeding children to funnel millions of dollars toward extravagant expenses is abhorrent, and anyone who participated in this scheme must be held accountable.”
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Fox News Digital’s Brenna Deppisch and Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.
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Minneapolis, MN
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Indianapolis, IN
NFL Trade Rumor: Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers emerge as top landing spots for $4M Cleveland Browns’ QB
The Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has found his name regularly among trade speculations as the team reportedly received calls from rivals about him. Though the Cleveland Browns are seemingly not looking to trade him soon, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as potential landing spots.
Which teams are interested in Shedeur Sanders?
Over the last three weeks, as ESPN insiders confirmed that the Cleveland Browns have been speaking to team about Shedeur Sanders, the New York Jets, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccanners have been linked to him.
What are insiders saying about the rumors?
Recently, NFL insider Michael Moraitis of the Big Lead noted in a recent report, “The Cardinals figured to go into the 2026 season with Jacoby Brissett as their starter, but the veteran is holding out and now his future is uncertain. General manager Monti Ossenfort is on the hot seat and cannot afford to turn the ball over to Gardner Minshew, and there’s no telling when Carson Beck will be ready. Sanders is no sure thing, but he at least offers the upside Minshew doesn’t, and the starting experience Beck doesn’t have.” NFL insider Michael Moraitis of the Big Lead added, “The Bucs and Baker Mayfield are in a contract standoff, and while the veteran is not going to hold out, he will be a free agent in 2027 if nothing changes. If Mayfield isn’t re-signed, the Bucs would be in the market for a new starting quarterback without any semblance of a potential long-term solution on the roster behind Mayfield.”
Contract details and salary cap implications
The rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is currently on a 4-year, $4.647 million rookie contract with the team.For the team that trades for him, Shedeur Sanders would have a $1.005 million base salary in 2026.As per reports, trading Shedeur Sanders would instantly clear $781,310 in immediate 2026 cap space for the Cleveland Browns as the team takes a $335,535 dead cap hit from his accelerated signing bonus.
How will the trade affect the teams?
For the Indianapolis Colts, trading for Shedeur Sanders remains very affordable as he could be a $1.005 million insurance policy to push or backup Anthony Richardson.For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, trading for Shedeur Sanders makes him a low cost backup quarterback ready to become the starter if Baker Mayfield leaves.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Advances Housing Manufacturing Strategy with MMY US Selection and Historic Tax Credit Award for Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Building
June 30, 2026— CLEVELAND, OH — Mayor Justin M. Bibb, the City of Cleveland, and the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund (SRF) today announced two major milestones in Cleveland’s industrial and housing strategy with the selection of MMY US (MMY) as the City’s preferred modular housing manufacturer, and the award of $2.56 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits for the redevelopment of the historic Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Engineering Company building at 7000 Central Avenue.
Together, these announcements reflect a coordinated effort to expand housing production capacity in Cleveland, create quality manufacturing jobs, and activate one of the Midline’s most significant historic industrial assets.
The City and SRF selected MMY through the “Off-Site Construction Manufacturing in Cleveland” Request for Proposals, marking a major step forward in Cleveland’s effort to reduce the time and cost of building new homes through innovative construction methods. The process was made possible thanks to City Council’s participation and careful analysis.
MMY’s investment will support the City’s Housing Innovation District, a focused strategy spanning Central, Hough, and St. Clair-Superior designed to accelerate housing production through modern zoning, incentivized permitting, innovative construction techniques, and infrastructure investments.
“Clevelanders deserve access to high-quality, affordable homes, and addressing our housing shortage requires bold action. With the selection of MMY as our modular housing manufacturing partner, we are taking a major step toward building more housing, more quickly, and at a scale that meets the needs of our residents,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “This decision brings advanced manufacturing and good-paying jobs to Cleveland while creating the capacity to produce the homes our city needs. It is a powerful example of how we are tackling our housing challenges head-on and building a stronger, more affordable future for Cleveland families.”
The company’s decision to establish operations in Cleveland will expand the region’s capacity to produce off-site construction housing while creating up to 150 manufacturing jobs.
Pending the completion of state and local incentives, MMY intends to locate its manufacturing facility in the historic Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Engineering Company building at 7000 Central Avenue, a 185,000-square-foot industrial landmark situated within the Midline.
The redevelopment marks another significant milestone for the Midline, Cleveland’s long-term effort to transform more than 350 acres of former industrial land into a modern employment district, innovation corridor, and greenway connecting neighborhoods with opportunity.
“We are grateful to Mayor Bibb, the City of Cleveland, and the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund for the confidence they have placed in MMY US,” said Robin Bartram Brown, CEO of MMY US. “At MMY, we believe quality housing creates stronger communities, and that the best outcomes are achieved through innovation, skilled manufacturing, and strong partnerships. We look forward to contributing to Cleveland’s future.”
Founded by Samuel T. Wellman, inventor of the first open-hearth furnace in the United States, alongside Charles H. Wellman and John W. Seaver, the facility served as home to the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Company until 1978. The company earned an international reputation for engineering some of the largest material-handling systems ever built, including Cleveland’s renowned Huletts.
Recognizing its historic and engineering significance, the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office determined the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan building is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The site has also received a Cleveland Landmark designation, with a final National Register review anticipated this fall.
Building on that recognition, the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office awarded the project $2.56 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits to support the building’s rehabilitation. The award represents a key component of a nearly $26 million capital stack that will transform the long-vacant facility into a modern manufacturing hub.
“This is far more than the rehabilitation of a historic building. As the crown jewel of the Midline, Wellman-Seaver represents the opportunity to reconnect Cleveland’s industrial legacy with its economic future by creating a site that will attract investment, support housing production, and generate jobs for decades to come,” said Brad Whitehead, Managing Director of the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund. “We are grateful to receive the full amount requested to support the restoration and redevelopment of the historic Wellman-Seaver Building, and we thank Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Development, Mayor Justin Bibb, and the City of Cleveland for their continued partnership and commitment to this transformational project.”
The selection of MMY and the redevelopment of the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan building reflect cornerstone pieces of Mayor Bibb’s Cleveland ERA agenda, driving economic resurgence through industrial revival, neighborhood vibrancy, and government innovation citywide.
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