NewsWave: December 2025

Tuesday, 30 December 2025

Missing Camila Mendoza Olmos: Dashcam Captures Last Sighting of Texas Teen Who Vanished Christmas Eve

Dashcam Shows Possible Last Sighting of Missing Texas Teen

Newly released dashcam footage may have captured the last known sighting of 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, a Texas teen who mysteriously disappeared on Christmas Eve from her San Antonio home — and authorities are urgently appealing for help as the search enters its fifth day. Law enforcement fears she may be in “imminent danger” as the investigation continues across local neighborhoods.

What the Dashcam Footage Shows

The dashcam video — recorded by a neighbor driving to work around 7 a.m. on December 24 — shows a figure matched to Olmos’ description walking northbound on Wildhorse Parkway, close to Shetland Wind and Caspian Spring just a short distance from her home. Sheriff Javier Salazar said this clip is considered the most recent confirmed sighting of Camila before she vanished.

Authorities have urged residents in that area to review their own surveillance video for anything that might help investigators piece together what happened.

How She Disappeared: Unusual Circumstances

Camila Mendoza Olmos was last seen leaving her home around 6:58 a.m. on Christmas Eve. A separate security camera captured her looking inside her car, which she left behind when she disappeared.

Her cell phone and iPad were left at home, and she took only her car keys and possibly her driver’s license — behavior her family says was unusual. Her mother told authorities that Camila would often go for morning walks but never without her phone, making this incident especially concerning.

Authorities: She May Be in “Imminent Danger”

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has classified the case as a CLEAR Alert, indicating that Camila may be in imminent danger of bodily harm or death — a designation used when law enforcement believes a missing person could be at serious risk.

Sheriff Salazar said that investigators are not ruling anything out, including scenarios such as:

Self-harm or mental health crisis,
Voluntary disappearance, or
Foul play, including possible abduction or human trafficking.

Search Efforts: Local, Federal, and Community Involvement

Law enforcement is approaching the search from multiple angles:

Ground searches with deputies, cadaver dogs, and drones,
Neighborhood canvassing with flyers and volunteers,
FBI and Department of Homeland Security assistance, and
Monitoring of possible flight or border activity — although immigration authorities say she has not been taken into custody.

A reward has even been offered by local organizations for credible information that leads to finding her.

Family’s Perspective: Hope and Concern

Camila’s parents have been actively involved in the search, showing both worry and hope. Her mother, Rosario Olmos, initially thought Camila had just gone on a routine walk, as she often did, but realized something was wrong when she didn’t return.

Her father and extended family have participated in community search efforts, distributing maps, coordinating volunteers, and appealing to the public via social media and local news. Many community members have joined the search — reflecting how much the case has resonated locally.

What Camila Was Wearing and Physical Description

When she disappeared, Camila was described as:

19 years old,
About 5’4″ tall,
Weighing around 110 pounds, and
Wearing a black and baby-blue hoodie, baby-blue pajama bottoms, and white shoes on the morning she vanished.

These details have been circulated widely to help witnesses identify her in other footage or public sightings.

Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, was last seen outside her home in San Antonio, Texas, on Christmas Eve, authorities said. (Bexar County Sheriff's Office)

Possible Leads and What Officials Are Asking For

Investigators are urging anyone who:

Lived in the Wildhorse Parkway vicinity,
Was driving through between 6:45–8:00 a.m. on Dec. 24, or
Captured dashcam or home surveillance that day

…to check their recordings and share them with authorities. Any new angles — even from a few streets away — could be critical to the investigation.

Officials emphasize that even a brief clip or timestamp could help clarify her movements after she was last seen.

Why the Case Has Drawn So Much Attention

Camila’s disappearance has drawn significant local and national concern because:

It occurred on a holiday morning,
She left behind essential personal items, and
There are very few confirmed clues about her destination.

The dashcam footage represents a rare time anchor in an otherwise puzzling case — a potential key to understanding what came next.

Ongoing Search as Community Holds Hope

The disappearance of Camila Mendoza Olmos remains a deeply unsettling mystery. With dashcam footage possibly capturing her last confirmed sighting, authorities and loved ones are intensifying efforts to locate her and determine what happened after she left home that Christmas Eve morning.

As the investigation expands — with federal aid, community volunteers, and surveillance cooperation — every piece of footage and every tip could help bring resolution to her family during this harrowing time. If you have any information, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office urges you to contact them immediately.

Anti-Iran Regime Protests Grow Across Country as Trump Administration Boosts Demonstrators’ Morale

Nationwide Unrest in Iran Meets U.S. Support

Anti-regime protests in Iran have expanded across major cities and towns, driven by deepening economic hardship, widespread discontent with government policies, and the sharp decline of the Iranian currency. As protesters continue to take to the streets — sometimes clashing with security forces — the Trump administration has publicly expressed support for the demonstrators, urging the Iranian government to respect their rights and urging a peaceful resolution to the unrest.

What Triggered the Protests

The current wave of demonstrations was triggered by a historic plunge in the Iranian rial, which has severely reduced purchasing power and worsened inflation — with food prices reportedly soaring and living costs skyrocketing.

Protesters, including bazaar merchants, shopkeepers, students, and ordinary citizens across Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, and more, have taken part in strikes, marches, and rallies. Slogans such as “death to the dictator” and “we want change” have been widely reported — signaling public frustration not only with economic decline but also with long-standing political grievances.

The unrest has been described as the largest anti-government protest movement in Iran in years, reflecting frustrations not only over living conditions but also broad discontent with the regime’s handling of internal issues and international tensions.

Government Response and Clashes

Iranian authorities have responded with a mix of force and limited concessions. There have been reports of security forces using tear gas, heavy deployments in city centers, and clashes with demonstrators. Mobile phone traders and shopkeepers near Tehran’s Grand Bazaar were among the early groups to participate in strikes and demonstrations, illustrating how economic pressure has become a central mobilizing force.

In some instances, protesters have been met with live fire and tear gas, and the government has taken measures to restrict social media access, including platforms like Telegram and Instagram, in an apparent effort to disrupt protest coordination and information sharing.

Despite these crackdowns, protests have persisted for consecutive days and reportedly expanded to regions including Qeshm Island, Zanjan, Hamadan, and more, illustrating the nationwide scope of discontent.

Trump Administration’s Public Support

Amid the unrest, former President Donald Trump and officials aligned with his administration have publicly expressed support for the Iranian demonstrators. Trump himself noted that the U.S. “stands with Iranians in the streets” and underscored that “the people of Iran want freedom,” signaling moral support for those protesting against the regime’s leadership.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz also underscored American support on social media, emphasizing that Washington backs Iranians’ rights to peaceful protest and calls on the regime to respect fundamental freedoms rather than suppress dissent.

The official U.S. Persian-language account (@USAbehFarsi) reiterated these messages, directly addressing the Iranian people in their language and encouraging the Islamic Republic to respect protesters’ rights.

Why the U.S. Support Matters

The Trump administration’s vocal backing of Iranian demonstrators marks a continuation of broader American policy aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran — both diplomatically and economically. This includes past sanctions, rhetoric around human rights, and opposition to perceived abuses by the Iranian government. Public support from U.S. officials can offer moral support to protesters and draw international attention to their cause.

However, the extent of U.S. influence on domestic Iranian protests remains debated. While protesters have expressed some appreciation for international backing, many emphasize that real change must come from within Iran — rooted in local organizing, community mobilization, and sustained civic pressure rather than external interference.

Red roses adorn nooses exhibited at the Anglo-Iranian community rally to back the Iranian people's call for a new revolution. Members of the Anglo-Iranian community, together with advocates of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), marked the 45th anniversary of the revolution in Iran that resulted in the removal of the Shah's regime and ultimately gave rise to a theocratic Islamic republic in 1979. (Loredana Sangiuliano/SOPA Images/LightRocket through Getty Images)

Iranian Government’s Reaction

Iranian officials have acknowledged the protests and, in some instances, reiterated their commitment to maintaining order. President **Masoud Pezeshkian’s government reportedly instructed ministers to engage with protest leaders and address their “legitimate demands,” signaling a willingness to open communication channels amid the unrest.

Despite these gestures, other parts of the regime have been more confrontational, and state media has sometimes portrayed international expressions of support — including from the U.S. — as foreign interference rather than genuine solidarity with the Iranian people.

Economic and Political Context

The backdrop of these protests goes beyond immediate price shocks. Iran’s long-term economic challenges — including sanctions, a volatile currency, reduced oil revenues, and domestic economic mismanagement — have contributed to decades of frustration among many citizens.

Public dissent has also been fueled by continuing tensions with Western nations, especially over nuclear negotiations and regional conflicts involving Israel and the U.S. These broader geopolitical pressures add another layer of complexity to the protests and the regime’s responses.

Looking Ahead: Protest Momentum and International Attention

The durability and growth of anti-government protests in Iran suggest that public dissatisfaction is broad and deep. The participation of diverse societal groups — from merchants and shopkeepers to students and workers — signals that the discontent is not limited to a single demographic.

As demonstrations continue, international attention — including backing from global political figures — may shape how the movement evolves. At the same time, analysts caution that systemic change inside Iran will require sustained effort from within, and external gestures of support, while symbolically significant, may not by themselves lead to immediate political transformation.

A Nation at a Crossroads

Anti-regime protests in Iran are spreading widely amid economic collapse and rising frustration with long-standing political and social grievances. As the Trump administration publicly supports the demonstrators and urges the Iranian government to respect their rights, the situation reflects a complex interplay between internal dissent and international geopolitics.

Iran now faces a critical moment where the outcome of these protests, and how both domestic leaders and foreign governments respond, could have lasting implications for the country’s future stability, governance, and its relations with the global community.

Chappell Roan Retracts To Brigitte Bardot Tribute After Learning of Controversial Views

Pop Star Walks Back Tribute After Backlash

Pop star Chappell Roan publicly retracted a tribute she posted for French film icon Brigitte Bardot after realizing the late actress had expressed widely criticized views — including statements many consider racist and anti-LGBTQ+. The incident quickly ignited discussion across social media and entertainment news, with Roan clarifying she does not condone Bardot’s controversial beliefs and expressing disappointment upon learning more about her legacy.

What Happened: Tribute, Backlash, and Retraction

When news broke of Bardot’s death at age 91, Roan took to her Instagram Story to post a brief tribute. She wrote, “Rest in peace Ms. Bardot. She was my inspiration for ‘Red Wine Supernova,’” referencing a lyric from her 2023 hit that name-drops the French star.

However, after fans highlighted Bardot’s controversial political history, including far-right viewpoints and multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred in France, Roan deleted the original post and shared a new message of clarification. In that follow-up, she wrote (expletive omitted): “Holy s— I did not know all that insane s— Ms. Bardot stood for. Obvs I do not condone this. Very disappointing to learn.”

The Legacy of Brigitte Bardot: Icon and Controversy

Brigitte Bardot rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s as a groundbreaking film star and sex symbol, celebrated worldwide for her roles in movies like And God Created Woman and Contempt.

Later in life, Bardot became known for her animal rights activism and founded a foundation dedicated to that cause. However, she also espoused far-right political views, made remarks that many interpreted as racist, Islamophobic, and homophobic, and was convicted several times in French courts for inciting racial hatred.

This complicated legacy helped explain why Roan’s initial tribute sparked immediate fan reactions and subsequent reevaluation.

Public Reaction: Fans and Critics Respond

Reactions were swift and mixed. Many fans pointed out Bardot’s controversial political positions, prompting Roan’s retraction. Some commentators on social media praised Roan for taking responsibility and correcting her tribute after learning more. Others criticized her for not being aware of Bardot’s full history before posting.

Online conversations show a range of perspectives — from empathy for Roan’s quick honest update to frustration over the initial tribute itself. Some fans highlighted the importance of public figures educating themselves before referencing influential cultural icons. Others defended Roan’s willingness to apologize and correct her message once informed.

Chappell Roan’s Ongoing Public Image

Roan, 27, is a Grammy-winning pop artist known for hits like “Red Wine Supernova” and her outspoken support for LGBTQ+ rights and progressive causes. The Bardot episode underscores how modern celebrities navigate the complex intersection of cultural history, social awareness, and public identity.

In her apology, Roan reiterated that she does not endorse views that conflict with her own values — a clear attempt to reassure fans of her personal beliefs and artistic integrity.

Left: Chappell Roan attends the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Peacock Theater on Nov. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles, Calif. Right: A studio portrait of actor and model Brigitte Bardot wearing a light blue off-the-shoulder dress at an undisclosed location in the 1960s. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic (left); Hulton Archive/Getty Images (right))

Why This Matters: Celebrity, History, and Accountability

This incident highlights a broader cultural dynamic: the challenge of remembering beloved public figures whose legacies are mixed. Bardot’s contributions to film are undeniable, but her political statements later in life have significantly altered how many view her legacy.

For contemporary artists like Roan — especially those whose audiences include younger and socially conscious fans — awareness of historical context is increasingly important. Missteps can rapidly lead to backlash, but how artists respond can also shape public perception. Roan’s quick retraction and candid apology reflect one way celebrities are navigating that landscape responsibly.

A Swift Response to a Cultural Misstep

Chappell Roan’s retraction of her tribute to Brigitte Bardot after learning about the late actress’s controversial views became a trending topic in celebrity news. By openly acknowledging her lack of awareness and clarifying her stance, Roan showed a willingness to learn and uphold her values — a move that many fans and commentators saw as thoughtful and accountable. Yahoo News

The episode also rekindled discussion about how society remembers influential figures whose legacies include both artistic achievement and problematic statements, reminding fans and public figures alike of the importance of considering the whole story behind admired icons.

Feds Launch ‘Massive Operation’ in Minnesota Amid Major Fraud Scandal

Federal Authorities Surge into Minnesota to Tackle Rampant Fraud

Federal law enforcement officials have launched a massive investigation in Minnesota aimed at dismantling widespread fraud schemes that allegedly diverted billions of dollars in public funding from federal and state programs. The coordinated effort — involving Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI — comes after years of probing cases that include pandemic-era fraud, childcare program abuse, and suspected misuse of federal aid funds.

What’s Behind the Massive Operation

Federal agents have been actively investigating fraud in Minneapolis and the surrounding Twin Cities area, where dozens of suspected civil and financial crimes have emerged. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said law enforcement officers are “conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud,” posting footage of agents entering local businesses as part of the sweep.

The operation focuses on accusations that millions — possibly billions — of taxpayer dollars intended for social services were misused through fraudulent claims tied to childcare, welfare, Medicaid, autism services, housing programs, and food aid.

A Long-Running and Expanding Probe

This latest surge builds on years of federal and state investigations. A notorious case, Feeding Our Future, involved a nonprofit that stole hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic food aid claimed to feed children — fraud prosecutors called it the largest COVID-related fraud in U.S. history.

Prosecutors have alleged that up to half of roughly $18 billion in federal funds allocated to 14 Minnesota programs since 2018 may have been misappropriated. Charges in these and related cases have already led to numerous convictions and ongoing indictments.

Daycare and Childcare Fraud Under Scrutiny

The renewed federal action was sparked in part by a viral social media video that appeared to show numerous daycare centers receiving government funds despite appearing vacant or not serving children. While details are still emerging, authorities are investigating whether those funds were fraudulently claimed.

Homeland Security and the FBI describe the situation as part of large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs — and officials have said they aim to “dismantle” these operations.

Federal Leadership Sounds Alarm

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the bureau has surged personnel and investigative resources into Minnesota, warning that earlier arrests from ongoing cases are “just the tip of a very large iceberg.”

Secretary Noem echoed this urgency, emphasizing that federal agencies are working to identify and arrest individuals who exploit public funds, with a focus on transparency and accountability.

Political and Community Reactions

The fraud investigation has stirred political debate. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has pledged cooperation with federal authorities and reaffirmed that fraud will not be tolerated, even as tensions rise over both enforcement strategies and public perceptions of specific communities.

Some elected officials and immigrant-rights advocates have expressed concern about the impact of the investigations on Minnesota’s Somali community, which makes up a significant part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul population. Others emphasize the need for rigorous oversight to protect taxpayers and prevent fraud.

The Broader Fraud Context in Minnesota

Minnesota has previously been at the center of several high-profile fraud cases, including large Medicaid and federal assistance schemes. Investigations have uncovered alleged misuse of funds across childcare, housing services, food aid, and autism programs, among others.

Convictions have already been secured in dozens of cases, but authorities say much work remains to fully unravel the scope of suspected fraud.

Why This Matters

The scope of the operation reflects increasing concern over how federal and state funds are administered and protected. Large-scale fraud not only drains public resources but undermines trust in government programs designed to support vulnerable populations.

Federal officials argue that robust investigations and enforcement efforts are necessary to ensure that aid goes to intended recipients and that those who misuse the system are held accountable.

What Comes Next

As the massive federal operation continues, investigators are expected to:

Execute additional sweeps and investigations across Minnesota, including Minneapolis and surrounding areas.
Arrest and charge individuals tied to suspected fraud schemes.
Coordinate with state law enforcement to recover misused funds.
Provide more public updates as evidence develops and cases proceed.

Officials have not yet released a full list of allegations or destinations of funds, but future actions could include criminal prosecutions, civil suits, and tighter federal oversight of social service programs.

Conclusion: A Major Federal Crackdown on Fraud in Minnesota

The massive federal operation in Minnesota marks a significant escalation in efforts to unravel what authorities describe as widespread fraud affecting federal social service programs. With Homeland Security and the FBI active on the ground and ongoing investigations into abuses tied to childcare, housing, and pandemic relief funds, this multi-agency push underscores the federal government’s commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring integrity in public aid systems.

As the probe unfolds, developments are expected to impact politics, funding oversight, and public perception of fraud enforcement efforts — making this one of the most consequential fraud investigations in recent U.S. history.

HUD Uncovers Billions in ‘Questionable Payments’ Under Biden Administration

Major HUD Report Reveals Billions in Questionable Payments

A newly released report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has raised serious concerns about federal rental assistance spending during the final year of the Biden administration. The agency’s internal review found that billions of taxpayer dollars went to “questionable” recipients, including thousands of deceased tenants and potential non-citizens, highlighting weaknesses in oversight and eligibility verification across major housing programs.

What the HUD Report Found

According to HUD’s Agency Financial Report for fiscal year 2025, rental assistance programs distributed approximately $50 billion in federal aid. Of that total, about $5.8 billion (11%) was identified as questionable, meaning the funds were disbursed to recipients with eligibility issues or unclear status. AOL

The report flagged more than 200,000 rental assistance recipients whose eligibility couldn’t be confirmed, including:

Roughly 30,000 individuals listed as deceased but still enrolled or receiving funds, and
Thousands of individuals who may not have met citizenship or other eligibility requirements.

These findings were revealed through automated data cross-matching — including comparisons between HUD records and the U.S. Treasury database — a process meant to catch improper payments and mismatches.

Programs Under Scrutiny: PBRA and TBRA

The questionable payments span HUD’s two largest rental support programs:

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) — about $33 billion spent supporting more than 4 million households, and
Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) — about $16 billion used for property-linked aid.

Of the funds reviewed, about $1.5 billion of TBRA and roughly $4.3 billion of PBRA payments showed potential eligibility issues — evidence of how widespread the concern may be across both major spending streams.

Where the Funds Were Most Concentrated

HUD officials noted spatial trends, indicating that questionable payments had large concentrations in major urban areas, including:

New York
California, and
Washington, D.C.

However, the report also found problematic payments scattered across all 50 states, underscoring systemic issues rather than localized errors.

What HUD Officials Are Saying

HUD Secretary Scott Turner sharply criticized the lack of controls that allowed these payments to occur, saying the findings likely reflect “massive abuse of taxpayer dollars” under previous administrative practices. Turner said weaknesses in verification tools and minimal oversight created an environment where improper disbursements could happen.

HUD has said it will pursue deeper investigations, tighten monitoring processes, and may even pursue criminal referrals where fraud is verified.

Why the Findings Matter

The revelation comes at a time when housing affordability and federal spending integrity are already key issues in national policy debates. Questions about taxpayer stewardship become more politically and economically significant when billions of dollars are involved.

The findings raise broader concerns like:

Whether current eligibility verification systems are robust enough,
How future funding can be protected from improper use, and
What accountability mechanisms must be improved across federal housing programs.

Systemic Issues Highlighted by HUD

The HUD report did not emerge in isolation. A separate audit from the HUD Office of Inspector General found that the agency has failed to comply with improper payment laws for multiple years and been unable to produce compliant estimates of improper payments for major programs — a pattern extending for nearly a decade.

For example:

HUD’s inability to comply with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 for rental programs suggests longstanding verification challenges, and
The system that checks for improper payments — the Do Not Pay database — has not been fully implemented due to a lapsed data-sharing agreement that expired in 2019.

These structural gaps have contributed to vulnerabilities in financial oversight, making it harder to catch improper or questionable disbursements before they occur.

Response and Next Steps

HUD says it will use the findings to strengthen program integrity and improve transparency in how federal rental assistance funds are administered. Part of that process includes restoring compliance with improper payment laws, renewing data-sharing agreements, and improving coordination across offices and with external partners like the Treasury.

The agency has also pointed to ongoing efforts to recover misplaced or improperly allocated funds and identify savings where possible, even as debates about federal spending policy continue in Congress and across the executive branch.

Conclusion: Balancing Aid Delivery and Accountability

The HUD report on questionable rental assistance payments under the Biden administration has thrust federal housing policy into the spotlight. While the goal of rental support programs is to assist vulnerable homeowners and renters, the latest findings show there is work to be done to safeguard taxpayer funds and ensure aid reaches eligible recipients only.

As HUD and its partners refine controls and improve oversight tools, policymakers and citizens alike will be watching closely to see how the agency strengthens payment integrity and restores confidence in one of the nation’s largest housing assistance systems.