Trump orders pay and benefits for DHS workers during shutdown

PresidentDonald Trumphas signed a memorandum ordering that all U.S. Department of Homeland Security employees receive pay and benefits during apartial government shutdownnearing the end of its seventh week.

More than 35,000 employeeshave gone paylessduring that time, according to Trump. In addition to Transportation Security Administration workers whose absences have disrupted airport operations around the country, the list has also included cybersecurity agency professionals and employees of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"As President of the United States, I have determined that these circumstances constitute an emergency situation compromising the Nation's security," Trump wrote.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents patrol at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, March 23, 2026. Hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were ordered to deploy to airports to help fill TSA staffing gaps across the country.

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ICE agents appear at airports as TSA delays snarl check-in

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents patrol at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, March 23, 2026. Hundreds ofImmigration and Customs Enforcement agents were ordered to deploy to airportsto help fill TSA staffing gaps across the country.

Inthe order, titled "Liberating the Department of Homeland Security From the Democrat-Caused Shutdown," Trump directed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to work with Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought to use funds with "a reasonable and logical nexus to the functions of DHS to provide each and every employee of DHS with the compensation and benefits that would have accrued to them if not for the Democrat-led DHS shutdown."

Once regular DHS funding has been restored, the president said "every effort should be made" to adjust applicable funding accounts within DHS to continue agency operations and activities consistent with planned funding before the lapse.

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"This callous treatment of DHS employees must end in order to ensure that America is not susceptible to security threats and maintains readiness to respond to emergencies," Trump said in the memo.

The shutdown is the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history.

On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, and House SpeakerMike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said they'd hammered out a deal toend the shutdown, saying House and Senate Republicans agreed to pass the previously approved bipartisan Senate bill to fund DHS — minus ICE and Border Patrol, both already funded by Trump'sOne Big Beautiful Bill.

The House's change of heart opens the door for a two-track plan to fund DHS through a spending bill and a budget reconciliation package later this year. But the addition of Republican-pushed measures, like Trump's SAVE America Act, could hamper progress.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump orders pay and benefits for DHS workers during shutdown

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April 03, 2026

Trump orders pay and benefits for DHS workers during shutdown

PresidentDonald Trumphas signed a memorandum ordering that all U.S. Department of Homeland Security employees receive pay...

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2nd man arrested in drive-by shooting that killed 7-month-old girl in Brooklyn

A second suspect in thestray-bullet killingof a 7-month-old baby on a Brooklyn street was arrested Friday, police said, two days after a shooting the police commissioner called "a tragedy that truly shocks the conscience."

Matthew Rodriguez, 18, was apprehended in Pennsylvania by New York Police Department detectives working with U.S. Marshals, the NYPD said.

The suspected shooter, 21-year-old Amuri Greene, was arrested shortly after the drive-by gunfire that killed Kaori Patterson-Moore. Greene pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges at an arraignment Friday night and was held without bail.

Kaori was in her stroller when a two men sped down a street on a moped Wednesday afternoon. Greene, riding on the back of the vehicle, fired into a group of people on a street corner, according to a court complaint.

Kaori's mother, Lianna Charles-Moore, told the New York Post that after hearing what she initially believed were fireworks, she was comforting her startled 2-year-old son — who had been grazed by a bullet — when she looked to her left and saw her baby daughter bleeding. The infant had been shot in the head.

"My daughter was innocent. She didn't deserve that," Charles-Moore told the newspaper. She said her daughter was just about starting to crawl and had recently begun saying "Mama."

Greene told police he was aiming for another person in the crowd, according to the court complaint.

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His attorney, Jay Schwitzman, said after court that he would conduct "an independent and thorough investigation of the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident."

Police said that after the shooting, the moped sped and crashed into a car two blocks away, hurling both men off the vehicle. Greene was injured and soon was hospitalized in police custody, but the moped driver fled.

Authorities haven't yet released court papers that detail Rodriguez's alleged role. But they haven't indicated they were looking for anyone other than the gunman — alleged to have been Greene — and the moped driver.

Police didn't immediately have information on how the men may know each other or where Rodriguez lives; no working telephone number for him could immediately be found. Police charges against him were pending.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch expressed heartbreak and outrage over Kaori's death.

"This is a terrible day in our city, a tragedy that truly shocks the conscience," Tisch said at a news briefing Wednesday.

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2nd man arrested in drive-by shooting that killed 7-month-old girl in Brooklyn

A second suspect in thestray-bullet killingof a 7-month-old baby on a Brooklyn street was arrested Friday, police said, t...

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The white shark forecast is in. Expect more in SoCal this summer

Southern California already has plenty ofwhite sharksinhabiting its waters, but a brewingEl Niñomay only increase the population of these large predators — and bring with it other aquatic visitors.

Chris Lowe, a professor of marine biology who heads the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, shared an unusual observation this winter: the presence of baby white sharks as early as February. He said they're generally not seen until April.

"The reason for that, we think, is the water off Southern California is unusually warm right now," Lowe said. "So, we're experiencing a marine heat wave, even though it's not even summer yet."

Female white sharks are believed to be using temperature as a cue to let them know it's time to give birth, he said.

"It could be that if a female's eating really well and she's been in warm water, she may be able to produce a litter of pups faster," Lowe said. "But what's unusual is seeing pups that early in the year. So that would suggest that females are coming back earlier than they normally would."

Also, their litter is hanging out at Southern California beaches in part because of the warmer water which "kind of reminds them of mom," the Shark Lab director said.

Now take into consideration that forecasters expect an El Niño — a phase of a natural climate phenomenon that warms up the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean — to develop late this year. It's one thatcould be strong.

Scientists have discovered more than 900 species of sharks and rays and related species

That could impact white sharks, too.

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As El Niño conditions emerge around the summertime, per the Climate Prediction Center'sforecast in March, so might Southern Californians start to see more white sharks come our way.

The Shark Lab director pointed to an observation from about a decade ago when an El Niño coincided witha major marine heatwave, resulting in Southern California experiencing a big influx of white sharks that'd been driven north by ocean water believed to have gotten too warm for them further south.

This is what Lowe anticipates happening again this year. His prediction is that around July is when we'll see a bigger influx of sharks.

However, Southern California could get some other visitors, too, Lowe said, pointing to other instances that occurred during "strong" El Niños.

"During El Niños, we've had tiger sharks come into Southern California. We've had bull sharks come into Southern California," Lowe said. "So, depending on how warm and how early, we could have species that we don't normally see here."

On March 26, Newport Beach Fire Department lifeguards confirmed the sighting of a white shark. Also making headlines early April arereportsof a juvenile white shark that got caught on a fishing line at Hermosa Beach.

"You should always assume there are white sharks in the water when you go to the beaches in California because that's the new norm," Lowe said. "And it's been the new norm for about the last 10 years. The population is increasing, mainly because they were protected (in) 1994. So, as a result, we're seeing more sharks, but also climate plays into this."

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her atpbarraza@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:SoCal beachgoers, you may see more sharks in 2026

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The white shark forecast is in. Expect more in SoCal this summer

Southern California already has plenty ofwhite sharksinhabiting its waters, but a brewingEl Niñomay only increase the pop...

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Cody Bellinger bobble turns into highlight catch for Yankees

Cody Bellinger made a hard catch even harder in Friday's game, but the New York Yankees outfielder ended up pulling it off. Somehow.

In the ninth inning against the Marlins, Miami shortstop Xavier Edwards hit a fly ball to the warning track in left field off the Yankees' Ryan Yarbrough. Bellinger ran back and made what appeared to be a simple but impressive leaping catch at first glance.

However, replay showed the ball initially bounced off the heel of Bellinger's glove. He still managed to corral the ball with a stab downward.

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It's not exactly the catch of the year, but it's certainly something.

The catch saved the Yankees a runner in scoring position in a game theyended up winning 8-2. Hitting third, Bellinger went 1-for-4 at the plate with a walk, while Aaron Judge hit his third homer of the year.

The Yankees entered this season with the outfield projecting to be another strength.Bellinger re-signed with the team on a five-year, $162.5 million deal. With center fielder Trent Grisham also returning on a signed qualifying offer and Judge not going anywhere in right, Bellinger remained in left,where he was among the best in MLB last season.

He's off to a good start this year too, hitting .280/.400/.400 through seven games.

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Cody Bellinger bobble turns into highlight catch for Yankees

Cody Bellinger made a hard catch even harder in Friday's game, but the New York Yankees outfielder ended up pulling i...

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Stephen Curry likely to make long-awaited injury return for Warriors Sunday

TheGolden State Warriorsare reportedly getting back their superstar this weekend withStephen Curryset to return Sunday for their game against theHouston Rockets.

Curry is expected to be cleared to play,according to ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, after missing more than two months – 27 consecutive games – due to a persistent knee injury.

Curry has averaged 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 39 games played this season, while shooting 46.8% from the field, 39.1% on 3-pointers and 93.1% on free throws.

TheWarriorshave posted a 9-18 record in those 27 games without Curry, including back-to-back home losses against the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers on April 1 and 2, respectively.

LUKA DONCIC:How injury impacts Lakers' NBA playoff scenarios

Magic Johnson
college dominance: Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.
NBA: 5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Carmelo Anthony college dominance: In his lone season (2003), led Syracuse to a national championship and earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. Averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game as a freshman.
NBA: 10× NBA All-Star. 2012–13 NBA scoring champion, averaging 28.7 points per game.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Before NBA glory: How Jordan, Bird, Magic and Curry ruled in college

Magic Johnsoncollege dominance:Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.NBA:5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Prior to the Warriors' April 2 game against Cleveland, the team had a scrimmage which Curry participated in. Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters before the Warriors-Cavaliers game that Curry looked liked himself during the action.

"Everything went well. Yeah, he looked good," Kerr told reporters. "He's pretty good. He looks like Steph Curry."

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The Warriors have suffered a number of injuries in the 2025-26 season. So it's no question that getting their superstar and leader back would be huge, not just for the gameplay on court, but to the team morale, as well, Kerr said.

"Yeah, I mean he brings hope to a tough situation," Kerr told reporters. "I thought [Spurs'] game, we were never really in the game, but the guys fought, they competed, they stayed with it until the end. The vibe was good. When Steph's around, the vibe tends to be better. It's definitely better right now so hopefully we'll have another good effort tonight and he'll be on the sidelines cheering. We'll see how it goes the next couple of days but we're obviously dying to get him back."

NBA PLAYOFF BRACKET:Where teams stand, who can clinch berths today

Warriors' playoff race

Curry's return in just in time to get back into basketball shape for the post season.

The Warriors are set to play in the NBA Play-In Tournament, as the won't be able to catch the Western Conference's No. 6 seed before the regular season ends. The Warriors (36-41) arecurrently the No. 10 seed in the Westand have five games remaining before the postseason begins Tuesday, April 14.

Atop them, by three games, are the Los Angeles Clippers (39-38) at the No. 9-slot. The Portland Trail Blazers are 40-38, a half game above the Clippers at No. 8.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Steph Curry injury update: Warriors star expected to return vs Rockets

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Stephen Curry likely to make long-awaited injury return for Warriors Sunday

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Robert MacIntyre leaps out to 4-shot lead at Valero Texas Open

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre opened up a four-shot lead at the midway point of the Valero Texas Open on Friday at TPC San Antonio.

MacIntyre shot the round of the week so far, an 8-under-par 64, to climb to 14-under 130 through two rounds. Sweden's Ludvig Aberg is his closest competitor after he shot a second consecutive 67 to get to 10 under par.

Bud Cauley (66), Kevin Roy (68), Tony Finau (69) and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen (66) are tied for third at 9 under.

MacIntyre started on the back nine and went 4 under through a three-hole stretch at Nos. 14-16. He set himself up for an 8-foot eagle putt at the par-5 14th, then knocked in two more putts inside 8 feet for birdies at the next two holes.

The World No. 11 finished his round with four birdies on the final five holes. He made just one bogey against seven birdies.

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While MacIntyre seeks his third PGA Tour win, Finau is vying for his seventh. The difference is he hasn't triumphed since April 2023, and he has yet to be invited to next week's Masters -- something only a victory in Texas can change.

Finau ended his round with a bang, sinking a 34 1/2-foot eagle putt at the par-5 18th. He made an even longer eagle putt at No. 14 on Thursday, from 41 1/2 feet.

As the final few groups finished their rounds Friday evening, the cut line was projected to be 2 under. Jordan Spieth shot consecutive 71s to sit right on the line. Mark Hubbard, the first-round leader following a 7-under 65, stumbled to a 77 Friday and may also make the cut right on the number.

Those on the wrong side include Russell Henley (1 under), Max Homa (1 under), South Korea's Tom Kim (even), Austrian Sepp Straka (even), Rickie Fowler (1 over) and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon (4 over).

--Field Level Media

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Robert MacIntyre leaps out to 4-shot lead at Valero Texas Open

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre opened up a four-shot lead at the midway point of the Valero Texas Open on Friday at T...

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John Oates Calls “Masked Singer” the 'Weirdest Thing' He's Done, Almost Fainted During His Elimination: 'Never So Happy to Lose'

John Oates called his time on The Masked Singer both the "weirdest thing I've ever done"

NEED TO KNOW

• The Hall & Oates rocker struggled with the bulky costume, and nearly fainted during his elimination

• He appeared on season 10 of the hit series in 2023 as Anteater

John Oatesis no longer masking his true feelings on his time spent competing onThe Masked Singer.

The former Hall & Oates rocker, 77, came in sixth place when he competed as Anteater on season 10 of the Fox series in the fall of 2023. But in a new interview on theRock & Roll High Schoolpodcast, Oates said his experience wasn't exactly the best.

"It's either a high point in my career or a low point in my career. Maybe a little of both," he said on Thursday, April 2. "I took a leap of faith and I said, 'Sure, let me give it a try.' I didn't know what I was getting myself into. It was really weird, I have to say. In fact, it was the weirdest thing I've ever done."

Oates said he'd never seen the show before, but is at a point in his career where he "just want[s] to do stuff." Still, he faced difficulty singing, moving and seeing while stuck inside the bulky costume.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer explained that he wasn't allowed to tell anyone that he was filming the show, so "made up some bulls---" about filming a TV pilot to explain why he was constantly flying to and from Los Angeles.

On the day he was eliminated, Oates had flown into L.A. around 2:30 a.m. after playing theNewport Folk Festival, and had to report to set at 8:30 a.m.

"So I go from folk music to wearing an anteater suit, and then I get out there and I was starting to feel dizzy and really weird," he recalled.

After his performance, Oates was semi-eliminated, and had to compete in a sing-off to battle it out in an attempt to stick around.

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"I'm on stage and I'm literally thinking, 'I'm gonna fall over. I know I'm going to fall over.' I'm sweating and I felt so s---ty," he said. "And so luckily, I lost. And when they told me I lost, I was so happy. I couldn't wait to take that head off."

He continued: "I did my best to act like I was having fun, but honestly, I swear to God, I thought I was going to faint. And I said, 'Okay, that's it.' I was never so happy to lose."

Other stars on Oates' season ofThe Masked Singerincluded tennis playerBillie Jean Kingand singersMacy GrayandKeyshia Cole. Cow — who turned out to beNe-Yo— was eventually crowned the winner.

During his stint on the series, Oates sang hits including "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn, "I Want it That Way" byBackstreet Boysand Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."

During his unmasking, Oates appeared somewhat relieved as the judging panel expressed shock that they hadn't been able to guess his identity.

"I'll tell you what. I've done a lot of crazy stuff in my career. This is one of the best things I've ever done. So thank you very much" he said on stage at the time. "It's been a blast. It's so great to be in this costume and just sing whatever you want. No one knows.. This is crazy."

Oates released his self-titled solo album in August, which followed his 2024 solo recordReunion.

"I spent the entire early 2000s squeezing my individual creativity into this very regimented schedule of touring and business," hetold PEOPLE in 2024. "It was debilitating for me, and I couldn't do it anymore. There was really no creativity left for me in that. It was just about celebrating our past," he said, noting that Reunion felt like the first time he'd been able to "fully commit."

Read the original article onPeople

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John Oates Calls “Masked Singer” the 'Weirdest Thing' He's Done, Almost Fainted During His Elimination: 'Never So Happy to Lose'

John Oates called his time on The Masked Singer both the "weirdest thing I've ever done" NEED TO...

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