Source: United States Navy
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) returned to its homeport of Naval Base San Diego following a seven-month underway to the U.S. 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleet areas of operation, Jan. 6, 2026.
Defense News in Brief: Naval Research Lab Sharpens Navy’s Sights with a Domain-Centric Path for Smarter Sensing
Source: United States Navy
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) launched a remote sensing experiment to sharpen artificial intelligence (AI) applications in hyperspectral imaging across the Department of the Navy and broader scientific community.
Defense News in Brief: CNIC Recognizes Top Shore Installations with Battle Efficiency and Installation Excellence Awards
Source: United States Navy
Washington, D.C. (Jan. 6, 2026) – Commander, Navy Installations Command has announced the winners of two distinct installations awards – the inaugural 2025 Shore Battle Efficiency (Battle “E”) Award and the 2026 Installation Excellence Awards. These awards recognize installations for their outstanding performance in supporting the Fleet, Fighter, and Family, ensuring Navy readiness around the clock and across the globe.
Somali National Sentenced After Impersonating Deceased Mother to Obtain Over $25,000 in Social Security Funds
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Muna Abdi, 36, a Somali national living in Millcreek, Utah, was sentenced today to 12 months’ probation and ordered to pay $25,638.61 in restitution. She was sentenced for impersonating her deceased mother in order to keep Social Security benefits flowing to her mother’s account, even though her mother died in 2021 and was no longer entitled to Social Security benefits.
Zadeh Kicks Owner Sentenced to Federal Prison for $80 Million Wire Fraud and Bank Fraud Conspiracy
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
The former owner of Zadeh Kicks LLC, a now-defunct Oregon corporation that sold limited edition and collectible sneakers online, was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in a vast fraud conspiracy that cost customers more than $65 million in unfulfilled orders and defrauded financial institutions out of more than $15 million.
Grand jury indicts Ohio woman on meth charge
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Celina Serva aka Ce Ce, 26, of Akron, OH, with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
Nine Salinas Acosta Plaza Norteño Gang Members Indicted For Racketeering Conspiracy
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SAN JOSE – A federal grand jury has indicted nine South Bay men for taking part in a racketeering conspiracy to promote the aims of the Salinas Acosta Plaza Norteños (SAP Norteños) street gang by engaging in multiple crimes, including 11 murders, 14 attempted murders, drug and gun distribution, and other related offenses
Defense News in Brief: Air Force updates fitness test requirements
Source: United States Airforce
Changes from the September 2025 announcement include a shortened physical fitness diagnostic testing period to end in June and the option for either the 2-mile run or the 20-meter High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run every six months.
Defense News in Brief: Air Force selects 640 in chief master sergeant promotion cycle; list posts Jan. 8
Source: United States Airforce
Air Force officials selected 640 Air Force senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant out of 2,445 eligible for a selection rate of 26.18 percent in the 25E9 promotion cycle.
Justice Department Sues Arizona and Connecticut for Failure to Produce Voter Rolls
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced that it has filed federal lawsuits against the States of Arizona and Connecticut for failure to produce their full voter registration lists upon request. This brings the Justice Department’s nationwide total to 23 states and the District of Columbia.
“This Department of Justice has now sued 23 states for failing to provide voter roll data and will continue filing lawsuits to protect American elections,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Accurate voter rolls are the foundation of election integrity, and any state that fails to meet this basic obligation of transparency can expect to see us in court.”
“Accurate voter rolls are essential to ensuring that American citizens’ votes count only once, and only with other eligible voters,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to safeguarding fair and free elections, and will hold states accountable when they refuse to respect our federal elections laws.”
According to the lawsuits, the Attorney General is uniquely charged by Congress with the enforcement of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which were designed by Congress to ensure that states have proper and effective voter registration and voter list maintenance programs. The Attorney General also has the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (CRA) at her disposal to demand the production, inspection, and analysis of the statewide voter registration lists.