“Sinners” Breaks Records at 98th Annual Oscar Awards
By Trey Voegtlin
The Academy released their nominations for the 2026 Oscars on Jan. 22, 2026, giving praise for this year’s strongest performances. Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” broke the all-time record for most nominated motion picture, receiving a total of 16 nominations across several categories, dethroning films like “La La Land,” “Titanic” and “All About Eve.” Some of these nominations include Michael B. Jordan for best actor in a motion picture, Wunmi Mosaku for best supporting actress, Ryan Coogler for best director and the whole film for best motion picture.
Border Patrol “Commander at Large” Gregory Bovino Removed from Role
By Daniela Palatchi
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Border Patrol “Commander at Large” Gregory Bovino left Minneapolis and returned to his former job in El Centro, California. Bovino was the face of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota. The “mutual decision” of his departure was a result of the way he and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem handled the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24. Alex Pretti was a US citizen that was killed by an ICE agent. In a news conference on Sunday, Jan 25, Bovino claimed that Pretti was intending to “massacre” ICE agents. Additionally, Noem claimed that Pretti was a “domestic terrorist” and accused him of “brandishing” his handgun. The Department of Homeland Security suspended Bovino’s access to his social media accounts. President Trump is sending longtime border czar Tom Homan to replace Bovino in managing ICE operations in Minneapolis.
Man Fatally Shot in Confrontation with ICE Officers
By Riley Jones
On Jan. 24, 2026, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, was fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers (ICE) in Minneapolis. This incident follows the death of Renee Good, who was also fatally shot by an ICE officer. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense while trying to disarm Pretti; however, multiple eyewitnesses and bystander video have shown Pretti was holding a cellphone to record the agents, not a gun. One video has shown a federal agent removing a gun from Pretti’s waist area prior to his shooting.
A preliminary assessment of Pretti’s shooting, reviewed by NPR, explains that the officers were initially confronted by two women blowing whistles while the officers were conducting an immigration enforcement operation. The officers then pushed the two women away, and one of the women ran to Pretti. The officer attempted to move Pretti and the woman, and then sprayed them with oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) after the two did not move.
Prior to the investigation, Kristi Noem, head of the DHS, compared Pretti to a “domestic terrorist,” alleging that he carried “dozens — of rounds of ammunition; wishing to inflict harm on these officers, coming, brandishing like that.” Local officials have responded that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. His only previous interaction with law enforcement was a traffic violation.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz criticized the federal government for not conducting an investigation on Pretti before making statements. Following the shooting, protests against ICE have continued across the state as well as nationally.
Melania Trump Releases Movie
By Joy Ferguson
First Lady, Melania Trump, released a documentary called “MELANIA,” with the First Lady being an executive producer herself. The documentary follows her experience in the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s 2025 presidency. It premiered in the Trump-Kennedy Center on Jan. 29, and premieres in theatres worldwide on Jan. 30. A private screening of the documentary was shown at the White House on Jan. 24, with friends and family watching. Approximately $35 million was spent on the film. Though many guests attended the private screening, one guest, conservative influencer Link Lauren, posted on X ,or Twitter, and said “It’s not a documentary; it’s a film that takes you on a cinematic journey. I’ve heard from many women saying they have no date for the ‘MELANIA’ film.” He also added, “It’s a celebration of our country and an American story.” Melania posted a photo on platform X of the screening that took place in the East Room. President Trump is also posted on X promoting the film, saying, “‘MELANIA, the Movie,’ is a MUST-WATCH. Get your tickets today – selling out, FAST.”
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Transfers Prize to President Donald Trump
By Akiva Bryant
On Jan. 15, 2026, Nobel Peace Prize Winner María Corina Machado transferred her Peace Prize to President Trump, despite a Jan. 9 announcement from the Norwegian Nobel Committee stating that Nobel Prizes can’t be transferred, shared or revoked by others. She transferred her Peace Prize to Trump “as a recognition for his unique commitment for our freedom.” Her defense is that Marquis de Lafayette, an American Revolutionary War soldier, gave a medal, with George Washington’s face on it, to Simon Bolivar, one of Venezuela’s founding fathers. Although President Trump thanked the gesture, he refused to endorse Machado as the new Venezuelan president due to the lack of support from her country. Machado, a Venezuelan political opponent to Venezuelan President Nicholás Maduro, who was recently captured in a U.S. military operation, received the prize for her efforts in promoting democracy in Venezuela, along with trying to transition the country from a dictatorship to a democracy.
Senators Call for Kristi Noem to Resign as Secretary for Department of Homeland Security
By Kaden Bruton
On Jan. 27, Republican senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski called for Kristi Noem to step down as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Tillis stated, “If I were in her position, I can’t think of any point of pride in the last year,” days after ICE officers fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. These senators aren’t the only senators who have called for her to resign, with multiple democrat senators calling for her to resign or be impeached. The primary reason why most senators are calling for her to resign is because of recent and past ICE shootings, claims of kidnapping and horrible conditions in ICE detention centers. Other concerns also come from Kristi Noem’s statements and writing, such as her claiming that she killed her dog.
SGA Hosts First Casino Night
By Tatum Trammell
Friday, Jan. 30 update: Due to inclement weather on Saturday, Casino Night has been postponed to an unknown date.
Woodward’s SGA is hosting Casino Night tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 31, from 8 p.m.–11 p.m. This Vegas-themed night will be held in Paget Gym. Arrive in your best cocktail attire. This new Woodward event will feature the classic casino games like blackjack, baccarat, poker and more. The winners of the night will be rewarded with prizes such as Drip Thru gift cards, snack bar credits and lunch line skip passes. To register, visit Coach Myers in his office in the lounge. Registration is $10 and will be charged on your student account. Come with your student ID written or memorized! To watch the Casino Night video that played on the announcements, visit thebutterknifewa.com, and ask any questions to any SGA members.
Teams for the Super Bowl Decided
By Shaw Gordon
Super Bowl LX is set, featuring the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. The Super Bowl takes place on Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. To get to the Super Bowl, the Seahawks beat the Rams 31-27 and the Patriots beat the Broncos 10-7. This recreates the 2015 XLIX matchup, where the Patriots beat the Seahawks 28-24.
Thousands Without Power After Ice Storm
By Alex Piazza
Following the winter storm, dubbed “Fern” by the Weather Channel, roughly 40 thousand homes north of I-20 were left without power. Per their website, Georgia Power has restored power to nearly every household affected by the storm, which passed over Atlanta Jan. 24-25.
The Winter Olympics
By Harper Scully
The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are the first cities to co-host the Olympic Games. There will be 16 disciplines across eight sports. The events will start Feb. 6, finish up on Feb. 22, and are scheduled to take place at different venues ranging from Lombardy to northeastern Italy. New events have been added this year, including ski mountaineering, cross-country skiing, figure skating and more.
