Kristi Noem is leaving her post as the leader of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during President Trump's second term. Her time in office faced several controversies, leading to her replacement by Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem served as the head of DHS but faced personal and policy controversies.
President Trump plans to replace Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
Noem will now serve as a special envoy for a new initiative, the Shield of the Americas.
Noem faced criticism over comments about a protester shot by federal agents, which many found misleading.
DHS spent millions on immigration ad campaigns featuring Noem, which sparked political and fiscal scrutiny.
Noem's decision to use border funds for luxury jets was controversial among officials.
Corey Lewandowski, linked to Noem, drew attention for his influence and personal incidents at DHS.
Noem's leadership faced bipartisan criticism and was questioned for obstructing internal investigations.
Democrat Alex Holladay won a special election for a state legislative seat in Arkansas, marking the ninth time Democrats have flipped a Republican seat since President Donald Trump's second term began. These victories come as part of a broader effort by Democrats to gain more seats in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
Democrat Alex Holladay won a special election in Arkansas.
This marks the ninth Republican seat flipped by Democrats since early 2025.
Democrats have won special elections in six states, including Iowa, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Texas.
The 2026 midterm elections are approaching, with Democrats trying to gain more congressional seats.
Democrats have recently won governorships in Virginia and New Jersey.
Republicans hold slim majorities in Congress going into the midterms.
Former President Obama and former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have both discussed election issues on social media.
Party primaries are scheduled before the November 3 general election.
President Donald Trump has nominated Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as the Secretary of Homeland Security. Noem faced criticism over her management of the department and recent controversies. Mullin will assume the role on March 31, 2026, and Noem will join a new security initiative as a special envoy.
Key Facts
President Trump nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin to be the new Secretary of Homeland Security.
Kristi Noem, the current Secretary, was removed following criticism over her handling of policies and controversies within the department.
Noem's removal follows congressional hearings where she was questioned about DHS operations and incidents in Minnesota.
She was criticized for calling victims of DHS operations "domestic terrorists," contrary to video evidence.
Sen. Mullin will formally take over on March 31, 2026.
Noem will transition to a role as a special envoy for a new Western Hemisphere security initiative.
Mullin has a background in the House and Senate, as well as experience as a professional mixed-martial-arts fighter.
President Trump praised Noem's results but noted frustrations among aides and governors regarding her management.
President Donald Trump announced that he is replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin. Noem will take on a new role as a "Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas," focusing on security in the Western Hemisphere. The announcement comes after Noem faced tough questions from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
Key Facts
President Trump is replacing Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary.
Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin will be nominated for the position.
The announcement was made by President Trump on social media.
Kristi Noem will become a "Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas."
This new envoy role will focus on the Western Hemisphere's security.
Noem faced criticism from both parties during a recent congressional hearing.
The story is still developing and may be updated with new information.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks to show that their sugary drinks are safe, especially for teens. He is pushing for Americans to eat healthier foods and reduce sugar intake. His call for change has supporters but also faces backlash from some who enjoy these popular coffee chains.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the Health and Human Services Secretary.
He asked Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks to provide safety data on their sugary drinks.
Kennedy's campaign, called "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA), encourages healthier eating habits.
MAHA supported the removal of eight synthetic food dyes last year.
Dunkin' and Starbucks are two of the largest coffee chains in the U.S.
Some drinks from these chains have very high sugar content.
Kennedy's move has both supporters and critics, especially among consumers who enjoy these drinks.
Secretary Kristi Noem's position as head of Homeland Security is uncertain. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering firing her due to dissatisfaction with her performance and handling of certain incidents. Prediction markets show increased bets on her leaving the Cabinet by the end of the year.
Key Facts
President Trump is reportedly thinking about firing Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Secretary Noem recently faced tough questioning in Senate and House hearings about deportation-related shootings and her adviser, Corey Lewandowski.
Markets like Kalshi and Polymarket show increased bets on Noem leaving her job by year's end.
Newsweek reported that Noem dismissed rumors about a personal relationship affecting her job as "tabloid garbage."
House Democrats introduced a resolution to impeach Noem, citing various accusations including misuse of federal funds.
DHS faced criticism after immigration officers shot and killed U.S. citizens in separate incidents.
President Trump denied approving a $220 million DHS ad campaign featuring Noem.
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center is updating its tornado warning maps. These changes add new visual levels to show how severe storms might become. The modifications help people understand not just the chance of a storm, but also its possible strength.
Key Facts
The Storm Prediction Center is part of the National Weather Service.
They are adding new visual tiers to tornado warning maps.
The current risk categories (Marginal, Slight, Enhanced, Moderate, High) will not change.
New map symbols (hatching) will show the intensity of storms.
The new three-tier system will indicate different levels of storm intensity.
Level 1 is for significant severe weather, Level 2 for potentially dangerous environments, and Level 3 for historic intensity.
These changes have been tested since 2021 and are now ready for public use.
Upcoming forecasts predict severe storms in parts of the U.S. in the next week.
Savannah Guthrie, a host on NBC's Today show, is planning to return to work while continuing the search for her missing mother, Nancy, who disappeared from her Arizona home in early February. The authorities suspect Nancy was taken against her will, and a large number of tips have been received from the public. There is no set date for Guthrie's return to the show.
Key Facts
Savannah Guthrie is a host on NBC's Today show and is planning a return to work.
Guthrie's mother, Nancy, went missing on February 1st, and investigators believe she was abducted.
Guthrie has not appeared on the show since January 30th and also withdrew from covering the Olympic Games.
Guthrie's family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her mother's return.
Police have released images of a suspect seen on a doorbell camera at Nancy's home.
Ransom notes asking for $6 million in cryptocurrency have been sent to media outlets.
Nearly 40,000 tips have been received by detectives.
DNA evidence was found on a glove near Nancy's home, but it did not match anyone in the FBI database.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he might leave the Republican U.S. Senate race if Republican leaders agree to remove the filibuster and pass a bill called the SAVE America Act, supported by President Trump. Paxton criticized Senator John Cornyn for not supporting changes that would help advance the bill and emphasized his loyalty to President Trump.
Key Facts
Ken Paxton is currently the Attorney General of Texas.
Paxton is running in the Republican U.S. Senate race.
He proposed dropping out of the race if GOP leaders remove the filibuster.
The filibuster is a rule that allows extended debate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.
Paxton wants the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, which he calls very important.
He criticized Senator John Cornyn for not supporting rule changes needed for the bill.
Paxton claims to be a loyal supporter of President Donald Trump.
The news was shared by Paxton through a post on a social media platform called X.
The vote on President Donald Trump's plan to build a new ballroom at the White House has been delayed. The National Capital Planning Commission postponed the vote due to receiving over 32,000 public comments, primarily against the project. The ballroom, replacing the East Wing, is estimated to cost $400 million, with construction funded by private donors.
Key Facts
A proposed White House ballroom vote was postponed after receiving major public opposition.
Over 32,000 comments were submitted to the planning commission, mostly criticizing the project.
The East Wing was demolished to make way for the new ballroom.
The ballroom is expected to cost $400 million, twice the initial estimate.
President Trump stated private donors would cover the construction costs.
The National Capital Planning Commission will have a final vote on April 2.
The White House administration says the existing East Wing had structural problems, making demolition more cost-effective.
The new ballroom will include lobbies, a kitchen, an office for the first lady, and a movie theatre.
President Trump stated he did not approve a $200 million ad campaign about border security that features Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Lawmakers questioned Noem during a Senate hearing about the campaign's funding and the firms involved. President Trump is reportedly considering replacing Noem with a Republican senator.
Key Facts
President Trump said he did not know about a $200 million advertising campaign related to border security.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is featured in the campaign.
Senators questioned Noem on how the campaign funds were given out.
The firms involved in the campaign have connections to the Republican Party.
President Trump is said to be unhappy with Noem's testimony in the Senate.
He is reportedly looking at Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin and Senator Steve Daines as possible replacements for Noem.
Starting March 7, Social Security will centralize its customer service system, switching from local field office appointments to a national approach. This aims to reduce in-person visits and improve service efficiency across the United States.
Key Facts
Social Security's customer service will shift to a fully national system starting March 7.
Previously, people made appointments through local Social Security offices.
The agency plans to cut in-person visits by 50% to streamline operations.
More than 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits each month.
The change is part of efforts to modernize the agency with better technology.
Customers should expect increased appointment availability with this change.
The move is seen as necessary due to a reduction in the Social Security workforce.
The agency aims to enhance customer service by using technology.
Charles "Sonny" Burton is set to be executed in Alabama for his involvement in a robbery where someone else committed murder. Burton did not kill anyone but was charged under felony murder laws, which can result in a death sentence if someone dies during a crime. His clemency plea is supported by various parties, including the victim’s daughter and legal experts, who hope the governor will spare his life.
Key Facts
Charles "Sonny" Burton is 75 years old and facing execution in Alabama.
He was involved in a 1991 robbery where an accomplice killed a man.
Burton did not personally commit the murder nor was he in the store at the time.
He was sentenced under felony murder laws, which apply when someone dies during a felony.
Legal experts, jurors, and the victim’s daughter support clemency for Burton.
The execution method involves nitrogen gas, which UN experts have condemned.
Alabama has one of the highest rates of execution in the U.S.
Senator Steve Daines from Montana announced he will not seek reelection, leaving an open Senate seat. Betting markets predict Republicans will keep the seat, with Kurt Alme receiving endorsements from key Republicans, including President Trump. The upcoming primary is on June 2, and the general election is on November 3.
Key Facts
Steve Daines, a Republican Senator from Montana, is not running for reelection.
Kurt Alme, a former U.S. attorney, is the main GOP candidate with endorsements from Steve Daines and President Trump.
Betting markets show a high chance (98%) for a Republican to win the seat.
Democrats need to win four additional seats to regain Senate control.
The Cook Political Report rates the Montana seat as likely to remain Republican.
The primary election in Montana is on June 2, and the general election is on November 3.
Former Democratic Senator Jon Tester lost his seat to Republican Tim Sheehy in 2024.
Democrats won a special election for a state House seat in Arkansas, which had been held by Republicans. This victory occurred in a state where President Trump has consistently won in past elections.
Key Facts
Democrat Alex Holladay won the Arkansas House District 70 seat.
This victory added to a series of Democratic wins in special elections since President Trump's second term.
The seat was previously held by Republican Carlton Wing, who left for a new role.
Arkansas has historically been a strong Republican state, with President Trump winning there in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Holladay's campaign focused on economic issues and opposed a proposal for building a big prison.
It is the ninth time Democrats have flipped a Republican-held seat in a special election during President Trump's second term.
This district has shown signs of a tighter race, with changing voting patterns in recent elections.
More than 70 Democratic lawmakers want the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to investigate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for buying location data that tracks mobile phones in the U.S. There are concerns that ICE might be using this data without legal permission. DHS says ICE only uses tools it has the right to use.
Key Facts
Over 70 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter asking for an investigation into ICE's purchase of location data.
ICE gave a no-bid contract to PenLink in 2025 for a product called Webloc, used for tracking locations.
Webloc can monitor areas and track mobile devices over time using location information.
The DHS Inspector General reported in September 2023 that ICE, CBP, and the Secret Service used location data in ways that broke privacy laws and policies.
DHS stated that ICE only uses legal tools and complies with the U.S. Constitution.
Lawmakers worry ICE is again accessing data that was previously stopped due to legal issues.
ICE used two systems called Webloc and Tangles to track locations according to 404 Media.
The DHS Inspector General advised stopping the use of location data until proper safeguards exist.
A federal panel will decide on April 2 whether to approve President Donald Trump's plan to build a ballroom at the White House. The National Capital Planning Commission will gather more details before the final vote.
Key Facts
The ballroom plan is President Trump's project.
The final vote on the ballroom's approval is set for April 2.
The National Capital Planning Commission is the federal panel reviewing the plan.
Will Scharf, the panel's chairman, announced the voting date.
Additional details from the White House and the panel’s staff will be presented.
The commission delayed the vote initially expected at their March meeting.
The Old Farmer's Almanac released a map showing the last frost dates for different U.S. regions in 2026. This helps gardeners plan for planting by showing when the frost is expected to end. The map uses colors to indicate if last frost dates are earlier, normal, or later than usual.
Key Facts
The map shows 2026 last frost dates across the U.S.
Green indicates last frosts happen 1-2 weeks earlier than usual.
Yellow means last frosts occur around average dates.
Blue shows last frosts occur 1-2 weeks later than normal.
People in the Northeast, Atlantic Corridor, and Southeast can expect earlier frost end dates.
Central Florida and some western states expect later frost end dates.
The Almanac also forecasted a warmer-than-normal spring 2026 for most of the U.S.
Some areas like Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado might see cooler or average temperatures.
Republican-led states have asked a federal court to pause a recent decision that dismissed their challenge against the Biden administration's SAVE student loan repayment plan. They want to reinstate an order that keeps the program blocked while they appeal. This could affect millions of borrowers by potentially preventing reduced payments and loan forgiveness.
Key Facts
The SAVE plan is an income-driven repayment program aimed at lowering student loan payments and offering potential loan forgiveness.
Republican-led states are appealing a court's decision to dismiss their lawsuit against the SAVE plan.
The States want to keep the plan blocked during the appeal process to prevent reduced payments and loan forgiveness.
A prior court order blocked the SAVE plan in 2024.
The Education Department and President Trump's administration have not taken a position on the states' latest motion.
Congress plans to phase out the SAVE plan by 2028.
Approximately 7 million student loan borrowers could be affected by the outcome of the legal challenge.
President Donald Trump is reportedly upset with Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary, for testifying before the Senate that he approved a $220 million advertising campaign. As a result of her testimony, Trump is considering replacing her and has mentioned Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as a possible successor.
Key Facts
President Trump is unhappy with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Noem testified in the Senate that Trump approved a $220 million ad campaign.
The campaign prominently featured Noem.
Trump is thinking about replacing Noem due to her testimony.
Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin is a potential replacement mentioned by Trump.
The information comes from a report by National Review.
