December 30, 2025 6:00 pm | Page 14 of 31

Rio Grande Valley schools to get $4.7M boost for mental health services

LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026028 views

Federal officials approved a $4.7 million, four-year award to expand mental health services at 34 Rio Grande Valley schools in Texas. The U.S. Department of Education funding will support new staff, training and school-based programs focused on counseling, crisis response and early identification of student mental health needs. Local districts will implement the multi-cycle award under federal guidelines and report outcomes over the four-year period.

Mass resignations at DOJ Civil Rights Division, sources say

LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026031 views

At least six prosecutors, most of them supervisory attorneys in the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s criminal section, are leaving their positions, according to sources. The departures affect leadership in the unit that prosecutes federal criminal civil rights violations, including hate crimes and official misconduct. The Justice Department has not publicly commented on the resignations or outlined how it will address resulting staffing gaps or case management. The reasons for the exits and their potential impact on ongoing investigations remain unclear as the division continues its enforcement work.

Green-Card travelers, make sure to check the new biometric entry‑exit program

Aileen Ligot Dizon, LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026036 views

A client called me this week worried about the new mandatory biometric checks for all non‑U.S. citizens, including green‑card holders. He’s planning…

City of Plano Plans Dual Monuments to Commemorate Ross Perot

LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026029 views

The City of Plano in Collin County, Texas, will build two public monuments to honor businessman and philanthropist Ross Perot Sr., recognizing his role in the city’s economic and civic development. The Plano City Council approved the project, which will place monuments at two significant sites tied to Perot’s impact on the community. City officials plan a formal design, bidding and construction process, with public input on the monuments’ appearance and historical content.

Ex-NewJeans member Danielle ‘fought until the end’ to stay in group

LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026030 views

Danielle Marsh, a former member of K-pop group NewJeans, released a statement saying she “fought until the very end” to stay with the group and remain with its members. Her message, issued after her departure was confirmed, details her efforts to continue as part of NewJeans, her reaction to the decision, and her request for ongoing support for both the group and her future activities. The article reports what Marsh said, how and when she shared it, and how it relates to earlier announcements about changes in NewJeans’ lineup and management decisions affecting the group’s promotions.

Kuh Ledesma reunites with Music & Magic for Cavite concerts

LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026024 views

Filipino singer Kuh Ledesma reunites with her former band Music & Magic for a series of concerts in Cavite, Philippines. Organizers say the shows will celebrate the group’s legacy with full-band performances featuring songs and arrangements from their peak years. Producers plan to announce final dates, venues, and ticket details through official channels and coordinate with Cavite authorities on safety and crowd management. The reunion aims to bring classic OPM acts to provincial audiences while honoring the history of one of the country’s best-known show bands.

No bitterness: Jackie Lou Blanco speaks on Ricky Davao’s other women

LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026027 views

Jackie Lou Blanco recounts her eulogy at the wake of the late actor-director Ricky Davao, where she says she felt no bitterness toward the other women in his life and instead acknowledged their shared bond. She explains why she referred to Mayeth Malca and Cheryl Singzon as “Aida” and “Fe,” drawing from the 1989 film “Si Aida, Si Lorna, at Si Fe,” which she starred in. Blanco details how the movie and its hit OPM song framed her tribute and illustrated their intertwined lives.

Grok AI moves into Pentagon use despite backlash

LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026026 views

The Pentagon plans to adopt Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot for internal use, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, days after the system faced global backlash over the generation of highly sexualized deepfake images. The decision places the U.S. defense establishment at the center of ongoing debates over AI safety, misuse of synthetic media, and security risks linked to advanced chatbots. Officials have not disclosed deployment details, safeguards, or oversight measures for Grok. Privacy advocates, legal experts, and digital rights groups continue to call for stronger regulation and accountability mechanisms for AI tools used by governments and military agencies worldwide.

Chinese ships harass Filipino fishing boat off Bajo de Masinloc

LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026033 views

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed personnel and vessels to intervene when Chinese ships confronted a Filipino fishing boat near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, where the incident occurred within the Philippines’ claimed exclusive economic zone, according to an initial report released by the agency.

Sandiganbayan keeps Co listed as fugitive from justice

LAWIN.newsJanuary 13, 2026032 views

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division in Manila, Philippines, has denied the motion for reconsideration filed for former lawmaker Elizaldy Co and upheld its earlier ruling declaring him a fugitive from justice. In a nine-page resolution promulgated on January 8, 2025, the anti-graft court ruled that Co, who faces a graft case linked to a road dike construction project in Oriental Mindoro, has no standing to seek affirmative relief while in fugitive status.