NEWS FOR US ROUNDUP — Monday, June 22, 2026
1. AP Investigation: DEA Let Hundreds of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills Hit New Mexico Streets
A major Associated Press investigation, based on hundreds of internal DEA records and interviews with current and former agents, including a whistleblower — found the DEA allowed massive fentanyl shipments to reach the streets of New Mexico between 2023 and 2025 rather than seizing them, as agents tried to build bigger cases against traffickers. In one instance, agents tracked a 2023 deal at an Albuquerque mobile home park where 74,000 pills were delivered and went un-seized, a figure prosecutors later confirmed in court. Whistleblower David Howell, a 19-year DEA veteran, said the practice was like "providing one fentanyl pill to each person at a football stadium," and several agents likened it to the 2011 "Fast and Furious" gun-walking scandal. The Justice Department's internal affairs office reviewed the matter in 2024 and found no "specific danger to public" safety from the decisions. Former U.S. Attorney Alex Uballez defended the approach, saying going after "bigger fish... will save more lives." The DEA disputes the characterization, calling the decisions "lawful, reasonable... and consistent with Department guidance."
2. Bloody Chicago Weekend Reignites Trump-Pritzker Feud
At least 7 people were killed and 38 injured in shootings across Chicago since Friday evening, including a mass shooting during a Juneteenth gathering in the Princeton Park/Roseland neighborhood where gunmen in an SUV opened fire on a crowd, wounding around 13. Mayor Brandon Johnson called it "heartbreaking" and a "horrific act of violence." President Trump seized on the violence, posting on Truth Social: "Why isn't Governor Pritzker calling me for help? I could make Chicago a safe City in ONE MONTH." Pritzker's office hasn't responded publicly. No arrests have been announced in the mass shooting.
3. Man Dies in Fall at Madison Square Garden During Goose Concert
Paul Kueker, 51, of Niantic, Connecticut, fell from the arena's upper 300-level section during a sold-out Goose concert Saturday night and was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital. He was attending with his wife; police don't suspect foul play and are still investigating exactly how the fall happened. Goose, visibly shaken, dedicated Sunday's Central Park show to him and is directing proceeds to a fan support fund. MSG also issued condolences.
4. U.S.-Iran Talks Continue in Switzerland Amid Tension
Negotiators wrapped a second day of talks at a Swiss resort after a rocky start — Trump had threatened to resume bombing Iran and "take over" the Strait of Hormuz, briefly stalling things. Qatar and Pakistan, mediating, say discussions are now "positive and constructive," with a "line of communication" being set up over the Strait of Hormuz and a draft sanctions exemption on Iranian oil reportedly completed. Talks remain tangled with the fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon, which Iran insists must be resolved before other parts of the deal move forward. Asian markets were mixed and U.S. futures dipped on the news.
5. World Cup 2026: Messi, Mbappé, Haaland Headline Group Stage
Round two of group play is underway across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Today's marquee matchup: Argentina vs. Austria (1 p.m. ET, Dallas), with Messi looking to build on his opening hat-trick against Algeria. Also today: France vs. Iraq and Norway vs. Senegal. Spain's been held to a surprise scoreless draw by Cape Verde, and Egypt jumped to the top of Group G after beating New Zealand. Telemundo carries the Spanish broadcast.
6. Colombia's Runoff Election Takes a Hard Right Turn
Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella scored a preliminary runoff win, signaling a shift in Colombia's approach to security, the economy, and armed-group negotiations.