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	<title>Local News Now (WRGA AM)</title>
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	<title>Local News Now (WRGA AM)</title>
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		<title>Minnesota man captured in Somalia after allegedly helping orchestrate $250M child nutrition fraud scheme</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/27/minnesota-man-captured-in-somalia-after-allegedly-helping-orchestrate-250m-child-nutrition-fraud-scheme/</link>
		<comments>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/27/minnesota-man-captured-in-somalia-after-allegedly-helping-orchestrate-250m-child-nutrition-fraud-scheme/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 06:37:49 +0000</pubDate>
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		<atom:updated>2026-06-27T06:37:49+00:00</atom:updated>
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			<description><![CDATA[A fugitive accused of helping orchestrate a $250 million Minnesota fraud scheme that exploited a federal child nutrition program was captured this wee...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A fugitive accused of helping orchestrate a $250 million <a href="https://https//www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/midwest/minnesota" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minnesota</a> fraud scheme that exploited a federal child nutrition program was captured this week in Somalia after nearly four years on the run, federal authorities said.</p><p>Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, 42, of Burnsville, Minnesota, was taken into custody Thursday in Mogadishu, Somalia, according to the Justice Department.</p><p>Prosecutors allege Eidleh was one of the architects of the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/see-it-feeding-our-future-fraudsters-bought-mansions-mercedes-250m-stolen-meal-funds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Feeding Our Future" fraud scheme</a>, which authorities have described as one of the largest fraud cases in Minnesota history.</p><p>Eidleh was charged in connection with the scheme on Sept. 13, 2022.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/timeline-largest-covid-19-fraud-scheme-united-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>A TIMELINE OF THE ‘LARGEST COVID-19 FRAUD SCHEME' IN THE UNITED STATES</strong></a></p><p>He faces 31 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/crime/organized-crime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">money laundering</a> and money laundering.</p><p>"This defendant was a central figure in one of the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/magnitude-cannot-overstated-feds-say-minnesota-fraud-may-more-than-9b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">largest fraud schemes in Minnesota</a> history," Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division said in a statement.</p><p>"He not only <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/schemes-stacked-upon-schemes-1b-human-services-fraud-fuels-scrutiny-of-minnesotas-somali-community" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stole taxpayer dollars</a>, but he also robbed vulnerable children of critical resources they desperately needed," McDonald continued. "Rather than answer for his crimes in the United States, he fled to Somalia in a futile attempt to evade justice. That attempt ended thanks to the exceptional work of our FBI partners."</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nutrition-programs-lawsuit-triggers-mn-education-dept-ease-oversight-opening-door-more-fraud" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NUTRITION PROGRAM’S LAWSUIT TRIGGERS MN EDUCATION DEPT TO EASE OVERSIGHT, OPENING DOOR TO MORE FRAUD</strong></a></p><p>According to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/entertainment/events/in-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">court documents</a>, Eidleh was responsible for recruiting and supporting Federal Child Nutrition Program sites under the program's sponsorship while working as an employee of Feeding Our Future.</p><p>Prosecutors allege Eidleh, along with other members of the scheme, solicited and received bribes and kickbacks from individuals and companies seeking approval to operate <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/owner-daycare-viral-nick-shirley-video-charged-daycare-fraud-scheme-prosecutors-say" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program</a> sites.</p><p>According to the indictment, Feeding Our Future operated a "pay-to-play" scheme in which operators of fraudulent meal sites kicked back a portion of their illicit proceeds to employees, including Eidleh, often disguising the payments as consulting fees through shell companies.</p><p>The indictment further alleges Eidleh created Federal Child Nutrition Program sites using nominee owners, then falsely claimed the sites were serving meals to thousands of children each day.</p><p>Prosecutors allege he also created shell companies posing as meal vendors for those sites and submitted fraudulent invoices to obtain federal nutrition program funds.</p><p>According to prosecutors, Eidleh deposited more than $5 million in fraud proceeds, kickbacks and bribes into accounts associated with shell companies in an effort to conceal the source of the money.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>New Mexico AG launches criminal investigation into DEA over allegations agents let fentanyl flood state</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/27/new-mexico-ag-launches-criminal-investigation-into-dea-over-allegations-agents-let-fentanyl-flood-state/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 04:32:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-06-27T04:32:12+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[Fox News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[U.S. News Today on Fox News]]></category>

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			<description><![CDATA[New Mexico Attorney General Ral Torrez on Friday announced a criminal investigation into allegations that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DE...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/southwest/new-mexico" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Mexico</a> Attorney General Raúl Torrez on Friday announced a criminal investigation into allegations that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) knowingly allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to reach New Mexico communities while agents pursued larger criminal investigations.</p><p>The inquiry comes days after The Associated Press reported that DEA agents repeatedly monitored—but did not seize—large fentanyl shipments between 2023 and 2025 while attempting to build broader criminal cases.</p><p>Torrez said the investigation will examine potential legal remedies, including criminal prosecution, civil litigation and structural reforms intended to prevent similar conduct by DEA agents in the future.</p><p>"The families who have <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/father-whose-son-died-from-fentanyl-warns-overdoses-can-happen-anyone-states-fight-deadly-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost children, siblings, and parents</a> to fentanyl deserve the truth about what the federal government knew and what it failed to do," Torrez said in a statement.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/illicit-version-fentanyl-linked-deadly-new-mexico-incident-sickened-first-responders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'ILLICIT' VERSION OF FENTANYL LINKED TO DEADLY NEW MEXICO INCIDENT THAT SICKENED FIRST RESPONDERS</strong></a></p><p>"If the DEA stood by while poison flooded our communities, that is not a bureaucratic failure," he continued. "It is a betrayal of the people it was sworn to protect."</p><p>Torrez said his office "will pursue every legal avenue available to hold the responsible parties accountable and make certain this never happens again."</p><p>New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called for the investigation earlier this week, saying she was "appalled" by allegations that federal agents knowingly allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to reach communities across the state.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/national-guard-deployed-blue-city-overrun-juvenile-crime-fentanyl-not-enough-state-gop-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYED TO BLUE CITY OVERRUN WITH JUVENILE CRIME, FENTANYL IS 'NOT ENOUGH,' STATE GOP SAYS</strong></a></p><p>"Make no mistake: the DEA knew people would die if these pills made it into New Mexico communities, and the agency let it happen anyway," Grisham said. "The result: hundreds of New Mexican parents burying their kids. Hundreds of New Mexican kids growing up without stable parents. All while the federal government stood by."</p><p>Grisham also pointed to allegations that DEA agents monitored the delivery of 74,000 fentanyl pills to a mobile home park in Albuquerque without intervening.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/colorado-drug-bust-uncovers-cartel-connected-illegal-aliens-approximately-130k-fentanyl-pills" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COLORADO DRUG BUST UNCOVERS CARTEL-CONNECTED ILLEGAL ALIENS, APPROXIMATELY 130K FENTANYL PILLS</strong></a></p><p>"Shockingly, the federal government stood by while monitoring shipments, tallying exact pill counts, and watching as these deadly drugs hit the streets," she said.</p><p>Current and former DEA agents, including whistleblower David Howell, told the AP the agency's tactics gambled with public safety and may have violated <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/fbis-operation-box-cutter-indicts-chinese-pharma-firms-terror-linked-cartel-assest-fentanyl-takedown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Department of Justice guidelines</a>.</p><p>While the DEA initially denied Howell's allegations in a statement to the AP, the agency later requested that the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General conduct an independent review.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/justice-department-halts-deas-random-searches-of-airport-travelers-after-report-finds-serious-concerns" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HALTS DEA'S RANDOM SEARCHES OF AIRPORT TRAVELERS AFTER REPORT FINDS 'SERIOUS CONCERNS'</strong></a></p><p>"Should that review identify areas of improvement, the DEA will of course implement changes to better their practices," the Justice Department said in a statement. "We welcome a partnership with Governor Lujan Grisham, as well as New Mexico state and local leaders, to fight the scourge of fentanyl and keep her constituents safe."</p><p>The allegations stem from enforcement operations conducted during the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/border-your-backyard-mexican-cartels-fuel-record-fentanyl-meth-busts-rocky-mountain-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deadliest drug epidemic in</a> U.S. history, even as the DEA promoted its "One Pill Can Kill" public awareness campaign warning that even a small amount of fentanyl can be fatal.</p><p>Fox News Digital has reached out to the DEA for comment regarding the investigation.</p><p><i>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</i></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Missing 1200-pound giraffe Gracie found 2 weeks after wandering away from ranch in viral search</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/26/missing-1200-pound-giraffe-gracie-found-2-weeks-after-wandering-away-from-ranch-in-viral-search/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:54:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-06-27T01:54:56+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[Fox News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[U.S. News Today on Fox News]]></category>

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			<description><![CDATA[A fugitive 3-year-old giraffe was found via helicopter on Friday after two weeks on the run from her home at a private ranch in Texas.The 1,200-pound ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A fugitive 3-year-old giraffe was found via helicopter on Friday after two weeks on the run from her home at a private ranch in <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/southwest/texas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Texas</a>.</p><p>The 1,200-pound giraffe, named Gracie, wandered away from her unfenced habitat at Cedar Hollow Ranch in Leakey, Texas, on June 12.</p><p>The 10-foot-tall animal was located by helicopter on Friday morning about four miles south of the ranch in a remote, heavily-wooded area.</p><p>Vick Jones, who manages the ranch, told FOX 7 that Gracie moved there in May and still wasn’t used to her surroundings when she wandered away.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/runaway-zebras-wild-adventure-comes-end-after-dramatic-helicopter-rescue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RUNAWAY ZEBRA'S WILD ADVENTURE COMES TO AN END AFTER DRAMATIC HELICOPTER RESCUE</strong></a></p><p>He explained that she likely didn’t mean to leave the ranch, but had been feeding in an area of the ranch that giraffes never had before and got out and came back on the wrong side of the gate.</p><p>Gracie is one of two giraffes who live on the property.</p><p>"Just one of them bad deals that happen, you know?" he told the station. "And inadvertently, like I say, we’ve never had giraffes go up in that area before and she did."</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/beloved-pet-daring-escape-animal-hospital-surgery-travels-3-miles-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BELOVED PET MAKES DARING ESCAPE FROM ANIMAL HOSPITAL AFTER SURGERY AND TRAVELS 3 MILES TO GET HOME</strong></a></p><p>Jones decided to post a missing alert for Gracie on a local lost and found app.</p><p>"I just thought, well, maybe some of the locals out on the ranches, people who work on some of these ranches might would see that or hear about it and give me an idea of which way she might have went off the property," Jones explained. "And 24 hours later, it’s all over the world."</p><p>The post quickly went <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/entertainment/genres/viral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">viral,</a> with people making AI photos of Gracie everywhere from working as a lifeguard at a pool, as a firefighter who doesn’t need a ladder or floating down a lazy river in a floaty.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/travel/abandoned-bear-cub-under-arrest-cuteness-grabbed-state-troopers-ditch-interstate-highway" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ABANDONED BEAR CUB, 'UNDER ARREST FOR CUTENESS,' GRABBED BY STATE TROOPERS FROM INTERSTATE HIGHWAY</strong></a></p><p>"I now know what the word viral means," Jones joked.</p><p>Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson said Jones called a veterinarian after Gracie was found Friday, and they are getting ready to send a team to get her back to the ranch.</p><p>"She’s in good shape," Jones said. "She’s standing there, swishing her tail."</p><p>He also stressed that she is a gentle giant who wasn’t of any harm to anyone.</p><p>"If you move toward her, she's taking off," he said.</p><p>Gracie was found on empty private property near a pond and creek and had plenty of vegetation to eat.</p><p>For the trip home, Gracie will need to be sedated, have a hood put over her eyes, and then she’ll be transported in an open-air trailer, then an enclosed trailer made for giraffes.</p><p>Texas Hill Country has one of the largest concentrations of captive exotic animals in the U.S. and Johnson said in the past he’s had calls for <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/escaped-zebra-caught-camera-running-busy-tennessee-roadway-chaos-forces-lane-closures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost monkeys and zebras</a> but no giraffes.</p><p>Despite requiring jackhammering through rock, Jones said he now plans to put a fence around Gracie’s enclosure.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Report: Man set fire to residence with three people inside</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/26/report-man-set-fire-to-residence-with-three-people-inside/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:39:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David Crowder</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-06-27T01:39:02+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[Floyd County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Local News]]></category>

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			<description><![CDATA[-Floyd County Jail records- A homeless man is accused of intentionally setting fire to a West Rome residence. According to Floyd County Jail records: ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>-Floyd County Jail records-</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-17680" src="https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/4009/files/2026/06/img-9319.jpg" alt="" width="167" height="231" /></p>
<p>A homeless man is accused of intentionally setting fire to a West Rome residence.</p>
<p>According to Floyd County Jail records:</p>
<p>Three people were inside the structure on Mississippi Drive at the time of the incident on Thursday.</p>
<p>40-year-old Michael Alamia is charged with three felony counts of aggravated assault.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Texas Board of Education approves required reading list with Bible passages for 5 million students</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/26/texas-board-of-education-approves-required-reading-list-with-bible-passages-for-5-million-students/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:36:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-06-27T01:36:57+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[Fox News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[U.S. News Today on Fox News]]></category>

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			<description><![CDATA[The Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education approved a required reading list Friday that includes passages from the Bible, marking the la...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Republican-controlled <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/southwest/texas">Texas</a> State Board of Education approved a required reading list Friday that includes passages from the Bible, marking the latest effort by conservative officials to expand Christian teachings in public schools.</p><p>The Texas State Board of Education voted 9-5, with one abstention, to approve the required reading list for the state's more than 5 million public school students.</p><p>The required reading list includes works such as Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations" along with passages from the New Testament.</p><p>The decision came after intense debate between supporters and critics and has been closely watched by education observers, who say it appears to be the first statewide required reading list of its kind in the United States.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/texas-officials-back-optional-school-curriculum-biblical-references-sparking-backlash"><strong>TEXAS OFFICIALS BACK OPTIONAL SCHOOL CURRICULUM WITH BIBLICAL REFERENCES, SPARKING BACKLASH</strong></a></p><p>Critics argued the required reading list promotes Christianity over religious diversity and civil rights while blurring the constitutional separation of church and state.</p><p>Supporters argued Judeo-<a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/christianity">Christian traditions</a> are fundamental to the nation's founding and should be reflected in classroom instruction.</p><p>The required reading list will take effect beginning with the 2030-31 school year for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/education/primary-elementary">elementary school</a> students.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-court-upholds-texas-law-requiring-ten-commandments-public-classrooms"><strong>FEDERAL COURT UPHOLDS TEXAS LAW REQUIRING TEN COMMANDMENTS IN PUBLIC CLASSROOMS</strong></a></p><p>The board's decision follows a series of education measures in Texas, including allowing public schools to hire chaplains to counsel students, requiring the display of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-judge-rules-law-requiring-display-ten-commandments-texas-classrooms-unconstitutional">Ten Commandments in classrooms</a> and approving an optional Bible-infused curriculum.</p><p>A 2023 Texas <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/executive/law">law</a> requires a mandatory list of at least one literary work to be taught at each grade level. The newly approved required reading list contains roughly 200 texts, including books, essays and passages from the Bible.</p><p>One critic of the decision, Elva Mendoza, legislative communications associate for the progressive Texas Freedom Network, told The Associated Press that the required reading list lacked diversity and did not give teachers and students the flexibility to choose what they read.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/progressive-publishers-launch-childrens-bible-stories-social-justice-diversity-themes"><strong>PROGRESSIVE PUBLISHERS LAUNCH CHILDREN'S BIBLE STORIES WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE, DIVERSITY THEMES</strong></a></p><p>"Kids of all faith backgrounds and no faith are served by Texas schools and they should all feel welcome in Texas schools," Mendoza said.</p><p>"But this is sending the message to children that one and only one religious text — a Christian one — is worthy of making this required reading list," she added.</p><p>The board was also expected to vote Friday on a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/texas-requires-students-learn-about-perils-communism-sweeping-new-curriculum-overhaul">new social studies curriculum</a> that links Bible stories with American history.</p><p><em>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>[VIDEO] GHC celebrates the community, America on Friday</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/26/ghc-celebrates-the-community-america-on-friday/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:31:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David Crowder</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-06-27T01:31:40+00:00</atom:updated>
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			<description><![CDATA[-Nolan Hiott, WRGA News- On Friday, Georgia Highlands College invited students, employees, alumni, families, and community members to join a special c...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>-Nolan Hiott, WRGA News-</p>
<p><iframe title="Georgia Highlands College Makes an Announcement at Celebration" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7WCP0tOi0hg?feature=oembed&#038;wmode=transparent" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<article class="mainArticle">On Friday, Georgia Highlands College invited students, employees, alumni, families, and community members to join a special celebration at the Floyd Campus in Rome as the college marked three significant milestones: honoring accepted students, celebrating GHC’s impact on the community, and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.</p>
<div id="attachment_17676" style="width: 219px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17676" class="wp-image-17676 " src="https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/4009/files/2026/06/img-9322-300x202.jpg" alt="" width="209" height="141" srcset="https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/4009/files/2026/06/img-9322-300x202.jpg 300w, https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/4009/files/2026/06/img-9322-1024x690.jpg 1024w, https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/4009/files/2026/06/img-9322-768x517.jpg 768w, https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/4009/files/2026/06/img-9322-605x408.jpg 605w, https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/4009/files/2026/06/img-9322.jpg 1336w" sizes="(max-width: 209px) 100vw, 209px" /><p id="caption-attachment-17676" class="wp-caption-text"> GHC President Mike Hobbs speaks during Friday&#8217;s celebration.</p></div>
<p>The event featured a cookout, an apple pie contest, family-friendly activities, and a patriotic photo opportunity in front of the “World’s Largest American Flag.”</p>
<p>The celebration comes as Georgia Highlands College reaches a historic milestone of having served more than 250,000 community members since its founding. In recognition of the occasion, GHC has received proclamations and letters of commendation from cities throughout its service area, members of the Georgia General Assembly, and a special letter from Governor Brian Kemp.</p>
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		<title>Teen accused of killing two girls in alleged hit-and-run will be tried as adult after identity revealed</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/26/teen-accused-of-killing-two-girls-in-alleged-hit-and-run-will-be-tried-as-adult-after-identity-revealed/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:34:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-06-27T00:34:02+00:00</atom:updated>
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			<description><![CDATA[The teenager accused of killing two 17-year-old girls in an alleged hit-and-run crash in New Jersey last year has been publicly identified after prose...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The teenager accused of killing two 17-year-old girls in an alleged <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/families-claim-teen-murder-suspect-plotting-deadly-hit-and-run-months-before-killing-two-girls" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hit-and-run crash in New Jersey</a> last year has been publicly identified after prosecutors announced Friday that he will be tried as an adult.</p><p>The Union County Prosecutors Office announced that 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro of Garwood has been waived up to adult court and will be tried as an adult in connection with the murder of the two juvenile females.</p><p>Vincent Battiloro, 18, of Garwood, will now face counts of first-degree murder in the Criminal Part of Superior Court in Union County after his case was waived from juvenile court, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office.</p><p>Battiloro's identity had previously been withheld because he was a minor at the time of the alleged crimes. Prosecutors said his identity could now be released following the transfer to adult court.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-mexico-teens-13-15-charged-murder-hit-and-run-bicyclist-posted-social-media" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NEW MEXICO TEENS, 13 AND 15, CHARGED WITH MURDER IN HIT-AND-RUN OF BICYCLIST POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA</strong></a></p><p>Prosecutors allege Battiloro, who was 17 at the time, struck Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis while they were riding an electric bike in Cranford at about 5:26 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2025.</p><p>The two girls, who were both 17, were taken to local hospitals, where they were pronounced dead a short time later.</p><p>Battiloro was arrested following an extensive investigation and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and multiple traffic offenses, according to prosecutors.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/teen-driver-charged-killing-three-university-of-arizona-students-porsche-hit-run-crosswalk-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>TEEN DRIVER CHARGED WITH KILLING THREE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENTS IN PORSCHE HIT-AND-RUN CROSSWALK CRASH</strong></a></p><p>Fox News Digital previously reported on <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/911-calls-reveal-chaos-teen-allegedly-mows-down-two-girls-e-bike-charged-double-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">911 call audio and police</a> reports obtained through a public records request showing the suspect was released to his father after the alleged hit-and-run.</p><p>The records also show Battiloro's father contacted <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/executive/law" target="_blank" rel="noopener">law</a> enforcement after the crash.</p><p>In a previous statement to Fox News Digital, Union County Prosecutors Office Public Information Officer Lauren Farinas said Battiloro was detained for questioning after the incident and later released. He was arrested two days later, on Oct. 1.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/suspect-fatal-new-jersey-hit-run-crash-illegal-alien-fugitive-dhs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SUSPECT IN FATAL NEW JERSEY HIT-AND-RUN CRASH IS ILLEGAL ALIEN, FUGITIVE: DHS</strong></a></p><p>One caller told 911 dispatchers that a 2021 black <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/auto/make/jeep" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeep Compass</a> — which police said Battiloro was driving — "flew down the road and hit people," adding that one of the victims was unresponsive.</p><p>The same caller also reported that there was "someone underneath a car."</p><p>"This is really bad," the caller said.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/woman-accused-fatal-hit-and-run-killed-8-year-old-laughs-during-first-court-appearance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WOMAN ACCUSED OF FATAL HIT-AND-RUN THAT KILLED 8 YEAR OLD LAUGHS DURING FIRST COURT APPEARANCE</strong></a></p><p>"Nobody's conscious," another 911 caller said. "Everyone's stunned, not moving."</p><p>"There’s a girl on the road, and there’s a car! Oh my God, please hurry!" another caller said.</p><p>Maria Niotis' mother, Foulla <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/mother-says-alleged-stalker-who-killed-her-daughter-should-tried-adult" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Niotis, previously told Fox News</a> that she believes the suspect "planned" the attack and thought he was "untouchable" because he had relatives working in law enforcement.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/fatal-tennessee-hit-run-suspect-shared-social-media-post-victims-daughter-pleading-answers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SUSPECT IN FATAL TENNESSEE HIT-AND-RUN SHARED VICTIM'S DAUGHTER'S PLEA FOR ANSWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA</strong></a></p><p>She also alleged local police failed to act after the family reported that <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/teen-murder-suspect-allegedly-swatted-victims-home-weeks-before-deadly-hit-run-lawyer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Battiloro had been stalking</a> her daughter before the crash.</p><p>"They should have done a lot. They didn't do anything," Niotis said. "They didn't do anything to help my baby."</p><p>"I want justice for Maria and Isabella," she added. "That's what I want."</p><p><i>Fox News Digital's Adam Sabes and Fox News' Eric Shawn contributed to this report.</i></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Hundreds of pounds of fireworks explode, destroying homes and injuring firefighters</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/26/hundreds-of-pounds-of-fireworks-explode-destroying-homes-and-injuring-firefighters/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:07:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-06-27T00:07:03+00:00</atom:updated>
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			<description><![CDATA[A massive explosion of hundreds of pounds of fireworks this week rocked an island community in Western Washington, destroying several homes and injuri...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A massive <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/human-remains-discovered-days-after-devastating-california-fireworks-facility-explosion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explosion of hundreds of pounds</a> of fireworks this week rocked an island community in Western Washington, destroying several homes and injuring five people, including three firefighters, according to officials.</p><p>The fire was likely caused by someone smoking too close to where stored <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/one-dead-after-fireworks-explosion-sets-los-angeles-home-fire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fireworks were kept at a home</a> in the Lagoon Point neighborhood, Central Whidbey Island Fire &amp; Rescue Chief Jerry Helm told FOX 13.</p><p>"They’re kind of like a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/responders-put-explosive-blaze-fireworks-stand-oklahoma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">little ticking time bomb, and</a> you’re not sure when they’re going to go off," Helm said of fireworks.</p><p>Three firefighters were injured in the explosion after they responded to a call of a house fire in the neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, the Island County Sheriff’s Office said in a Thursday release.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/health/im-er-doctor-injuries-see-most-4th-july" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'I'M AN ER DOCTOR — THESE ARE THE INJURIES I SEE MOST ON 4TH OF JULY'</strong></a></p><p>Two of the firefighters are now recovering at home and the third is expected to leave the hospital soon.</p><p>Two civilians took themselves to the hospital before <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/america-250/all-american-heroes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first responders</a> could evaluate them, the release said.</p><p>The sheriff’s office said it will determine after the investigation if any <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/crime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criminal charges</a> are warranted.</p><p>The Bureau of <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/crews-respond-massive-explosions-fireworks-facility-california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives</a> is also investigating.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/honolulu-fireworks-accident-kills-3-injures-over-20-worst-possible-war-zone-injuries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>HONOLULU FIREWORKS ACCIDENT KILLS 3, INJURES OVER 20: 'WORST POSSIBLE, WARN-ZONE INJURIES'</strong></a></p><p>The first house was destroyed along with a neighboring one that caught fire, and a third home was damaged in the blast.</p><p>Tanya Hernandez-Garzon, one of the neighbors who lost her home, told FOX 13 that the fireworks were "exploding and shooting everywhere."</p><p>"It’s sad to see somebody so immature that they don’t think of other people and to see how much damage is done is really heartbreaking," she said.</p><p>Hernandez-Garzon was able to save her five dogs and pet bird.</p><p>"Our main concern was to get the dogs out of the house. Everything else is replaceable, but not my animals," she added.</p><p>She said she slept in her truck that night, but isn't sure where she's going to go.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Feds charge four as World Cup drone crackdown tops 400 seizures across US host cities nationwide</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/26/feds-charge-four-as-world-cup-drone-crackdown-tops-400-seizures-across-us-host-cities-nationwide/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 23:09:39 +0000</pubDate>
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		<atom:updated>2026-06-26T23:09:39+00:00</atom:updated>
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			<description><![CDATA[Four people are facing federal charges after allegedly flying drones into restricted airspace at FIFA World Cup events, as the FBI says authorities ha...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Four people are facing federal charges after allegedly <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/twice-deported-illegal-immigrant-charged-flying-drone-restricted-airspace-fifa-fan-festival" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flying drones into restricted airspace</a> at FIFA World Cup events, as the FBI says authorities have now seized more than 400 unauthorized drones across the tournament's 11 U.S. host cities.</p><p>The suspects, Huu An Nguyen Dinh, John Alexander Meza, Patrick Heer, and Jordan Lee Zale, are accused of violating Temporary Flight Restrictions established around FIFA World Cup venues, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.</p><p>According to the FBI, Dinh had been warned by police just days before he allegedly flew a drone into restricted airspace.</p><p>The FBI's Houston field office used the cases to send a blunt warning to anyone thinking about launching a drone near a World Cup match or official fan event.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nfl-implores-lawmakers-take-action-against-potential-drone-threats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NFL IMPLORES LAWMAKERS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST POTENTIAL DRONE THREATS</strong></a></p><p>"Don't want to be federally charged? Then don't fly in a #NoDroneZone!" the agency wrote in a social media post announcing the charges.</p><p>The federal charges are the latest sign authorities are aggressively enforcing airspace restrictions around World Cup venues nationwide.</p><p>"Due to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/world-cup-2026-security-far-complex-super-bowl-according-top-security-expert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unprecedented law enforcement coordination</a>, this FBI and our DHS partners have seized over 400 drones from restricted airspace across all 11 U.S. host cities since the start of the FIFA World Cup tournament," the bureau said in a separate statement.</p><p><strong><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f6a8.png" alt="🚨" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Know something we should investigate?</strong></p><p><strong><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f4e9.png" alt="📩" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> </strong><strong>stepheny.price@fox.com</strong></p><p><strong><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f4f8.png" alt="📸" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />: </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fndstephprice/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>@fndstephprice</strong></a></p><p><strong><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f3a5.png" alt="🎥" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />: </strong><a href="https://x.com/StephenyPrice" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>@StephenyPrice</strong></a></p><p><strong>Your tip could lead to our next story.</strong></p><p>The Transportation Security Administration <a href="https://www.livenowfox.com/news/tsa-300-drones-seized-world-cup-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously told FOX Local</a> that the federal government, led by the White House Task Force and working alongside the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, TSA, Federal Aviation Administration and state and local law enforcement, launched a coordinated airspace security and drone mitigation operation for the tournament.</p><p>"Unauthorized <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/tech/technologies/drones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drone flights</a> in restricted areas are a serious violation of federal law," a TSA spokesperson told FOX Local. "Operators can face fines up to $100,000, drone seizure, and federal criminal charges. Enforcement is swift and proactive."</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kash-patel-reveals-fbis-top-security-concerns-ahead-world-cup" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>KASH PATEL REVEALS FBI'S TOP SECURITY CONCERNS AHEAD OF WORLD CUP</strong></a></p><p>The FAA has designated every World Cup stadium and official fan event as a "No Drone Zone," warning that "unauthorized drone flights are strictly prohibited in the designated airspace and surrounding grounds." During major sporting events, the agency establishes Temporary Flight Restrictions, or TFRs, to secure the airspace around venues and protect players, fans, teams and law enforcement operations.</p><p>The restrictions extend beyond stadiums. The FAA has also imposed temporary drone bans around official fan festival sites in host cities, including Houston's East Downtown District, Dallas Fair Park, New York's Rockefeller Center, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Philadelphia's Lemon Hill Park. The agency says additional restrictions may also be implemented around <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/drone-intercepted-team-korea-world-cup-training-camp-ahead-game-mexico" target="_blank" rel="noopener">team hotels, training sites</a> and other tournament-related locations.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GOT A TIP?</strong></a></p><p>Federal officials warn the consequences can be steep. According to the FAA, operators who violate those restrictions "may face" civil penalties of up to $75,000 per violation, criminal fines of up to $100,000, confiscation of their drone and federal criminal prosecution. The agency has also deployed its Drone Expedited and Targeted Enforcement Response, or DETER, initiative to accelerate investigations during the World Cup.</p><p><a href="https://x.com/FoxUSNews" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FOLLOW US ON X</strong></a></p><p>The nationwide crackdown has already led to dozens of enforcement actions across multiple host cities.</p><p>Houston has seen 28 <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/drone-near-misses-surge-busiest-us-airports-amid-rise-unauthorized-flights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drone seizures since World Cup</a> events began, according to the FBI. Seattle's total climbed to 22 after agents seized six drones from operators who violated flight restrictions on June 24. In Dallas, the FBI recently announced agents confiscated four drones that allegedly violated Temporary Flight Restrictions over AT&amp;T Stadium and the city's FIFA Fan Festival.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-creates-national-counter-uas-training-center-redstone-arsenal-following-trump-executive-order" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FBI RAMPS UP COUNTER-DRONE EFFORTS AS PATEL WARNS OF GROWING THREATS FROM CRIMINALS, TERRORISTS</strong></a></p><p>Kansas City also saw a major enforcement operation on June 18, when federal authorities intercepted eight drones during FIFA World Cup events after operators allegedly violated Temporary Flight Restrictions, according to the TSA. The FBI seized all eight drones and their controllers, while two drone operators received misdemeanor violation notices. Officials said the counter-drone operation also led to the arrest of a woman wanted on six outstanding warrants.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/newsletters" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL</strong></a></p><p>"Not only is flying drones in TFR zones illegal, it's dangerous. My office is committed to keeping our community and visitors safe by keeping our skies drone free," U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price said following the Kansas City operation. "If you see a drone breaking the rules, report it. If you are flying an illegal drone, think twice because violators will be held accountable by the Department of Justice."</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS</strong></a></p><p>The warning has also been echoed by FBI field offices across the country.</p><p>In Seattle, the bureau cautioned fans, "Planning to fly your drone at a World Cup match? Think again!" The FBI warned that "Temporary Flight Restrictions will be in place around World Cup stadiums and fan festivals" and that "flying a drone in these areas is prohibited and a federal crime."</p><p>The bureau also urged drone operators to "always check airspace restrictions using FAA-approved B4UFLY apps or visit <a href="http://tfr.faa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">tfr.faa.gov</a>" before flying and encouraged the public to "report unsafe drone activity immediately at 1-800-CALL-FBI."</p><p><i>Fox News' Stephanie Weaver contributed to this report.</i></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Feds say rape convict lied his way into US citizenship by hiding sex assaults</title>
		<link>https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/26/feds-say-rape-convict-lied-his-way-into-us-citizenship-by-hiding-sex-assaults/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 21:44:30 +0000</pubDate>
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		<atom:updated>2026-06-26T21:44:30+00:00</atom:updated>
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			<description><![CDATA[A man living in Nevada has been charged with fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship by denying he had ever committed a crime, despite committing one ...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A man living in <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/west/nevada" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nevada</a> has been charged with fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship by denying he had ever committed a crime, despite committing one rape before applying for citizenship and a second before becoming naturalized, federal prosecutors said.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/justice-department" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Justice Department</a> has charged Kevin Jesus King with naturalization fraud, contending he lied on his 2018 U.S. citizenship application when asked if he had ever committed or assisted in an offense for which he was not arrested, or if he had ever lied to government officials.</p><p>Both times, he checked a box indicating "No," authorities said. King was eventually naturalized during a ceremony on June 15, 2018, in Reno.</p><p>On or about July 25, 2024, he pleaded guilty to two instances of sexual assault, which occurred on or about July 25, 2017, and March 18, 2018, court documents state.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/semitruck-driver-deadly-interstate-crash-fraudulently-obtained-license-citizenship-officials" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SEMITRUCK DRIVER IN DEADLY INTERSTATE CRASH FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINED LICENSE, CITIZENSHIP: OFFICIALS</strong></a></p><p>"<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United States</a> citizenship is one of the most meaningful privileges our Nation can bestow, and it cannot be obtained through lies, concealment, or fraud," Sigal Chattah, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada, told Fox News Digital.</p><p>"As alleged, this defendant hid serious felony conduct while seeking the rights and benefits of citizenship," Chattah added. "Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the naturalization process."</p><p>The indictment does not specify the country King is originally from.</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/justice-department-secures-denaturalization-convicted-gun-trafficker-health-care-fraudster" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SECURES DENATURALIZATION OF CONVICTED GUN TRAFFICKER AND HEALTH CARE FRAUDSTER</strong></a></p><p>The charges come as the Trump administration continues to ramp up denaturalization efforts to strip foreign-born Americans of citizenship if they allegedly obtained it by fraud or concealed serious crimes during the naturalization process.</p><p>Earlier this month, the Justice Department announced that it was moving to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/doj-moves-strip-citizenship-17-people-accused-hiding-disturbing-crimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revoke the citizenship of 17</a> people who allegedly obtained naturalization through fraud or deception.</p><p>The individuals, from 13 different countries, are accused of serious criminal conduct, including child sexual abuse, narcotics trafficking, and large-scale financial fraud.</p><p>Fraudulently obtaining citizenship is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and can result in automatic revocation of citizenship, according to U,S. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/executive/homeland-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a> (ICE).</p>]]></content:encoded>
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