Federal authorities released fourth-grader Elizabeth Zuna, who was detained by immigration officers in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights, according to the school district's superintendent, Zena Stenvik, on Tuesday. Zuna and her mother were taken into custody by ICE on January 6 while on their way to school and were held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, Stenvik said.
Zuna's release came amid ongoing scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota. Paul Schnell, the state's corrections commissioner, said that there have been "conversations" with the federal government, including with people who report to White House border czar Tom Homan, regarding a possible de-escalation of federal forces in the state. However, Schnell noted that details remained "sketchy," and there were no clear signs of a drawdown. Homan had stated the previous week that he was preparing to reduce the number of ICE and Border Patrol agents in the Minneapolis area at some point, but the timeline was uncertain. Schnell also expressed continued concern about reported tactics used by agents.
Meanwhile, in Oregon, a judge temporarily restricted federal officers from using tear gas and projectile munitions at protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon issued a temporary restraining order, effective for 14 days, prohibiting federal officers from using chemical or projectile munitions unless the person targeted posed an imminent threat of physical harm. The order also limited officers from firing munitions at the head, neck, or torso "unless the officer is legally justified in using deadly force against that person." Simon wrote that the nation "is now at a crossroads" and that the order was necessary for a "well-functioning constitutional democracy."
In other news, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced that the death of former NFL player Kevin Johnson may be linked to other homicides near homeless encampments in the area. Johnson, 55, was found dead on January 21 at an encampment in Willowbrook, near Compton. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that he died from "blunt head trauma and stab wounds." According to a news release from the Sheriff's Department, "Between October 2025 and January 2026, four homicides occurred in this area and remain under active investigation by the Homicide Bureau."
In Australia, a 13-year-old boy was hailed as a hero after swimming 2.5 miles to shore to save his mother and two younger siblings who were swept out to sea. Austin Appelbee swam for hours after the family encountered difficulties on Friday. "I think, at one point, I was thinking of 'Thomas the Tank Engine,' you know, trying to get the happiest things in my head, trying to make it through, like, not the bad things that'll distract me," Austin said on Tuesday. Naturaliste Marine Rescue commander Paul Bresland described Austin's efforts as "superhuman," noting that he swam the first two hours with a life jacket on.
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