A Filipino American nurse is at the center of a massive federal investigation into alleged hospice fraud schemes that authorities say siphoned millions from Medicare. Federal prosecutors identified Lolita Beronilla Minerd, 65, a licensed vocational nurse from Anaheim, California, as a key figure behind Topanga Hospice Care Inc. in Artesia described in court filings as a vehicle for fraudulent billing. Authorities allege that from July 2020 to April 2025, the operation submitt

A Fil-Am 17-year-old high school student was fatally stabbed during a violent after-school fight near Milpitas High School, prompting an outpouring of grief from family, friends, and the local community. Authorities said the incident happened Tuesday afternoon, shortly after classes ended, just one block from the campus. Responding officers found the victim, identified as Jarred Cavan, suffering from stab wounds. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounc

A Filipino lawful permanent resident and her husband are among those charged in a sweeping U.S. federal crackdown on health care fraud schemes that allegedly defrauded Medicare of millions of dollars. Nita Almuete Paddit Palma, 76, a Filipino national and lawful permanent resident, along with her husband Adolfo Catbagan, 68, of Glendale, are facing multiple federal charges tied to an alleged $4.8 million hospice fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Pros

NEW YORK —A 7-month-old baby girl has died after being shot in a brazen daytime attack in Brooklyn on Wednesday, prompting an urgent manhunt for two suspects who fled on a moped, according to police. The shooting happened at around 1:21 p.m. at the intersection of Moore Street and Humboldt Street. Authorities said two unidentified individuals riding a moped approached the area when the passenger at the rear pulled out a firearm and opened fire multiple times. The infant was

Filipino American communities joined millions of Americans who took to the streets across the United States to protest the policies of President Donald Trump. In New York, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets, marching from Columbus Circle to Times Square in Midtown Manhattan for the third “No Kings” protest. Carrying placards and banners, protesters openly condemned Trump’s leadership. At the center of their concerns were immigration policies, funding for the Depa

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has joined the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and its partners in intensifying efforts to protect Filipinos from online scams through digital literacy and improved cyber hygiene, including a warning for Filipinos abroad. In a joint push under the #BSPSecuriTips campaign, authorities flagged a rise in cybercriminals hacking social media accounts and impersonating friends or relatives to solicit money. The DFA said overseas Filipinos a

NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a total of $3 million in grants for two organizations serving the Filipino community in New York City, marking a major investment in cultural and community programs. The funding will be equally divided between Ma-Yi Theater Company and Woodside on the Move, with each organization receiving $1.5 million to expand services for Filipino New Yorkers. According to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the funds

Despite mounting public concern over soaring fuel prices and the weakening peso, Malacañang insists the situation has not yet reached crisis level. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said that while many Filipinos are already feeling the strain, the government does not consider the current economic pressures a full-blown crisis. “Hindi pa ito krisis,” Castro said, pointing to the country’s stable oil supply even as fuel prices continue to rise. Pe

The Philippine peso slid to a new record low, closing at ₱60.3 against the US dollar, as escalating conflict in the Middle East rattled global markets and boosted demand for the safe-haven greenback. Currency traders said heightened geopolitical tensions have strengthened the US dollar, with investors shifting funds to safer assets amid fears of a wider regional conflict. The surge in the dollar placed renewed pressure on emerging market currencies, including the peso. Analys

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will begin assisting Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations at U.S. airports starting tomorrow, as federal authorities move to address staffing pressures and operational challenges. Officials said the deployment is intended to support TSA personnel during periods of high passenger volume, with ICE agents expected to take on limited, support-related roles. TSA will remain the lead agency responsible for passenge

CALIFORNIA — A Filipina tax preparer has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme that resulted in more than $1.23 million in fraudulent tax refunds, authorities said. Amy Evangelista, 60, of Lathrop, was convicted of two counts of aiding or assisting in the preparation of false or fraudulent tax returns, according to U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. Prosecutors said that from 2017 to 2020, Evangelista falsified more than 1,000 tax returns without her

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, New Jersey — A Filipino nurse practitioner is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly assaulting a 16-year-old inside a medical unit at a county-run youth shelter, authorities said. Izee Dizon, 34, of Bridgewater, was arrested on March 8, two days after the reported incident at the Middlesex County Youth Shelter, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera. Dizon is charged with third-degree aggravated assault and child endangerment. Pro

The Philippine government has rejected China’s criticism of its maritime activities near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), insisting that its operations are lawful and conducted within its sovereign rights under international law. In a statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) pushed back against remarks from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which described Philippine actions in the contested area of the South China Sea as “a self-directed farce.” Defense s

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of the planned fare increase for public utility vehicles, saying the move is not appropriate at a time when oil prices are rising due to tensions and fighting in the Middle East. In a video message, Marcos directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to immediately suspend the fare hike and defer its implementation, stressing that the government must prioritize relief for commuters, workers, and students who rely o

The House Committee on Justice on Wednesday declared that the third and fourth impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte are sufficient in grounds. Because of this, the committee scheduled the impeachment hearings on March 25, April 14, 22, and 29, where witnesses and evidence against Duterte will be presented. During the committee meeting on Wednesday, panel chairperson Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangasapproved the motion on the two im

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. admitted that the Philippines’ tourism industry is lagging behind its Asian neighbors and must work harder to catch up. Marcos made the remark days after removing Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco from her post and appointing her as Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Speaking at the opening of the Mactan Expo Center in Cebu on March 16, the President said the country’s tourism sector is facing significant

Steven Raga serves as the representative of Assembly District 30 in Queens in the New York State Assembly. During his term, his initiatives have focused on housing protections, workers’ rights, immigrant services, healthcare transparency, and civic participation. According to legislative records from the New York State Assembly’s official website and LegiScan, Raga has sponsored and co-sponsored several pieces of legislation aimed at helping working-class families. During his

CEBU - What was supposed to be a simple trip to seek help after a typhoon turned into a heartbreaking tragedy for a young mother struggling to support her family. Mary Christ Cuizon, 31, collapsed and died while waiting in line to validate records for ₱5,000 financial assistancefor victims of Typhoon Tino, which hit Cebu last November, at the Barangay Opao gymnasium in Mandaue City. Cuizon, a resident of Zone Talong, Barangay Paknaan, was later declared dead on arrival at Man

A total of 442 Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived safely in the Philippines on government-assisted flights on Saturday, March 14, as tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran continue to escalate across the Middle East. The returning passengers many of them overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were flown home through coordinated repatriation efforts by Philippine authorities as security concerns rise in the Gulf region. The repatriation comes as t

The Philippine peso weakened further against the U.S. dollar on Friday, sliding close to the P60 mark as growing tensions in the Middle East fueled uncertainty in global financial markets. The local currency briefly dropped to P59.75 per dollar before closing at P59.735, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines. The peso opened the trading day at P59.55, already weaker than Thursday’s closing rate of P59.385. It initially strengthened in early trading