Your Morning: Minnesota fraud fallout

Minnesota: Federal agencies have descended on Minnesota this week to investigate suspected fraud at child care centers and other facilities after a viral YouTube video claimed to uncover $110 million in fraudulent payments. Key questions answered about the investigation >

Viral video: The video by YouTuber Nick Shirley, which has garnered over 40 million views, documented visits to multiple licensed child care facilities in Minnesota that appeared inactive or deserted. Investigation going door-to-door > 

Probe: One major fraud case involves the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, which claimed to feed thousands of children each day during the pandemic. But court documents say the money was spent on island vacations, luxury vehicles, waterfront properties and jewelry. What the FBI has said >

Fraud: The investigations mark an escalation of federal involvement in Minnesota’s fraud crisis, which has resulted in 86 indictments tied to the largest known COVID-19 fraud case in the U.S. Of those indicted, 79 are of Somali descent, sources said. How does ICE factor in? >

‘Jaw-dropping’: House Speaker Mike Johnson is requesting data from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who has come under fire by federal officials for his response. Walz’s office said he “has worked for years to crack down on fraud.” Read more: SBA halts Minnesota funding >

Missing: Sydney Marquez’s family says they are “clueless” about how she went missing Dec. 11. Video shows the 24-year-old last seen walking near a hotel while in Houston visiting friends. “There’s just no explanation why she didn’t make it back,” her father told “Banfield.” The latest >

Video: In a separate case, a Texas sheriff investigating the disappearance of 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos says he believes a driver’s dashcam video shows her walking near her home. Watch the “CUOMO” interview >

Strike: The U.S. military said it killed two “narco-terrorists” during an attack on another alleged drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific. Since Sept. 2, the military has conducted at least 30 strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats. The latest >

Tensions: The strike comes as Trump increases pressure against Venezuela’s president. Trump said the U.S. took out an “implementation area” along Venezuela’s shore, describing it as a “major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs.” Details >

Recall: About 2,855 pounds of ground beef have been recalled due to potential E. coli contamination. “Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef” was shipped to multiple states. What you need to know >

‘Billionaire tax’: A billionaire backlash is brewing among California’s wealthiest residents over a proposed 5% wealth tax, with some warning they could move their businesses and their money out of the state. Where they’re going >

California: Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is against the proposal. State analysts warn that if the measure becomes law, California could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue each year. The latest >