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Chapter 1: What recent changes have occurred in the Department of Homeland Security?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Senate has voted mostly along party lines to confirm one of its own, Republican Mark Wayne Mullen of Oklahoma, as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. He's taking over a department that has been without funding for more than a month as lawmakers in the White House square off over immigration enforcement. NPR's Sam Greenglass reports.
Mullen is inheriting a department at the center of a national debate about immigration after federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year. While ICE still has billions of dollars at its disposal despite the funding lapse, employees at other agencies under DHS, like TSA, are going without pay, and absences are causing long waits at major airports.
Some lawmakers hope their colleague will be a steadier hand compared to his predecessor, Kristi Noem, who Trump ultimately fired. But most Democrats still opposed his nomination, saying they don't believe a change in leadership is enough of a course correction. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.
Chapter 2: How is the partial government shutdown affecting airport security?
Travelers are waiting for hours in airport security lines during the partial government shutdown. Now the Trump administration is sending federal immigration agents to To support TSA officers, Amanda Andrews with member station GPB reports.
Atlanta travelers are being advised to arrive four hours ahead of their flights at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Lines have been stretching into the parking lot as TSA officers continue to work without pay. George Borick is a TSA union leader. He says ICE can't do what security screening agents do.
They're not trained to our level. They don't know what we do on a day-to-day basis. And an officer that becomes a TSA agent spends weeks and months trying to get certified.
Chapter 3: What are the implications of Trump's stance on Iran's nuclear deal?
The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down since February 14th. For NPR News, I'm Amanda Andrews in Atlanta.
President Trump says Iran is eager for a deal to end the war. Tehran has disputed that. Trump says he extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz or face more attacks on its power plants.
We were planning tomorrow on shooting down some of their power plants, and we're going to hold that up. Hopefully we won't have to do it. And hopefully we can make a deal that's good for all of us, including the Middle Eastern allies that have been very good to us, including Israel that's been a great partner in this fight.
The turnaround has driven down oil prices and boosted the U.S. stock market.
Chapter 4: How is the Supreme Court approaching mail-in ballot laws?
The Supreme Court's conservative majority largely sounds skeptical of state laws that allow the counting of late-arriving mail-in ballots, but it might be close. The case for Mississippi also could affect voters in several other states. A ruling is expected by late June, early enough to govern the counting of ballots in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.
The court challenge is part of President Trump's broader attack on most mail-in balloting. The S&P 500 rallied more than 1 percent today. This is NPR. WNBA players have unanimously approved the new collective bargaining agreement. The seven year agreement represents a landmark labor deal for the WNBA and its players.
The union says the deal, quote, delivers consequential economic progress and expanded benefits that support players on and off the court. A Republican sheriff running for California governor has seized hundreds of thousands of ballots in an election fraud probe.
Chapter 5: What significant labor agreements have WNBA players recently approved?
The state's top elections official says it's baseless. Madison Aument of member station KVCR reports.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized 650,000 ballots based on a tip from a local citizens group. It alleges that the vote tally was greater than the number of ballots turned in for last year's election to redraw California's congressional map to favor Democrats. Bianco says the investigation is simple.
Physically count the ballots and compare that result with the total votes reported.
the outcome of the investigation likely won't change the results of the election. California's Secretary of State says the investigation is based on unsubstantiated allegations and risks undermining public confidence in elections. For NPR News, I'm Madison Ahmet in Riverside, California.
Officials in Bug Tussle, Texas, say more than 70 road signs have been stolen over the years, and they're no longer getting new signs from the Department of Transportation.
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Chapter 6: What unusual issues is Bug Tussle, Texas, facing with road signs?
The Population 15 town has been targeted by thieves who like its unusual name. The Texas State Historical Association says how bug tussle got its name is in dispute. It could have come from a bug invasion that spoiled a church picnic, or there was little to do in the town besides watch bugs tussle. This is NPR News.
Water is abundant. We take showers, fill our glasses, and flush our toilets with it. But what if one morning you try to turn on the tap and nothing comes out? That is a reality that many people already face.
For much of the world, normal is gone.
What happens when our most vital resource runs out? Find out on Shortwave, listen in the NPR app, or wherever you get your podcasts.