The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced changes to expand education benefits for veterans, allowing them to get more assistance through the G.I. Bill. These updates come after recent court rulings and could enable veterans to receive up to 48 months of benefits instead of the previous limit of 36 months.
Key Facts
The VA made changes based on two federal court rulings related to G.I. Bill benefits.
Eligible veterans can now receive up to 48 months of education assistance.
The changes affect veterans who qualify under both the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.
The VA will automatically check if veterans qualify for extra benefits.
Veterans don't need to formally ask for a review to get the expanded benefits.
The VA is updating its systems to apply these court decisions.
Priority will be given to veterans with less than three months of benefits remaining and who are currently or recently enrolled in school.
Veterans will receive notifications if further action is needed from them.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reopened applications for a large disaster preparedness grant program. This comes after a court ruling and makes $1 billion available to help various governments and tribes strengthen their infrastructure against natural disasters.
Key Facts
FEMA reopened applications for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.
A federal judge ordered FEMA to make the funding available after it was canceled last year.
The program offers $1 billion to help with projects that protect against natural disasters like fires and floods.
Karen S. Evans, FEMA's acting leader, supports the program, stating it saves lives and reduces future disaster costs.
The cancellation last year sparked criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
President Donald Trump's administration has cut funding in other FEMA preparedness programs.
It has been a year since President Trump approved any requests for hazard mitigation funding following disaster declarations.
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President Donald Trump voted by mail in a Florida special election. He defended his use of mail-in voting, although he generally opposes it, often calling it vulnerable to cheating. Trump supports limiting mail-in voting through a proposed bill with specific exceptions.
Key Facts
President Trump voted by mail in Palm Beach County, Florida, for a special state House election.
Trump often criticizes mail-in voting, calling it susceptible to fraud.
He voted by mail due to his role as president, which he says makes in-person voting difficult.
Trump is advocating for the SAVE America Act, which aims to restrict mail-in voting.
The proposed bill allows exceptions for mail-in voting for reasons like illness, disability, military service, or travel.
A White House spokesperson emphasized these exceptions, noting Trump's participation in Florida elections while living primarily in Washington, D.C.
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Savannah Guthrie, a U.S. television presenter, believes her mother, Nancy Guthrie, was kidnapped and the ransom notes were real. More than 50 days have passed since Nancy Guthrie was reported missing. The FBI has released videos showing a masked man outside her home on the night she disappeared.
Key Facts
Savannah Guthrie is a U.S. television presenter.
Her mother, Nancy Guthrie, is missing and believed to be kidnapped.
Two ransom notes demanding money were received by the family.
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1st.
The FBI released surveillance videos showing a masked man outside her home.
The Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward for information.
Nancy Guthrie is 84 years old.
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A homeowner in Maryland allegedly called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigrant workers she hired for a home project. A video of the incident was shared online, showing federal agents arresting the workers. Accusations suggest the homeowner might owe money to the workers and could face legal consequences under Maryland law.
Key Facts
A homeowner in Cambridge, Maryland, allegedly called ICE on immigrant workers she had hired.
The event was captured on video and shared on social media.
The workers were reportedly from Guatemala and traveled from Glen Burnie to the job site.
The video shows ICE agents arresting the workers on-site.
The homeowner allegedly owes the workers $10,000 for a three-day job.
If proven, the homeowner could face charges under Maryland law for potentially using the threat of ICE to avoid payment.
The exact immigration status of the workers is not confirmed.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet provided details on those arrested.
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The U.S. government deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to help with airport security operations due to staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Data shows varying wait times at major airports, suggesting that ICE deployment has had mixed effects on reducing delays.
Key Facts
ICE agents were sent to help TSA at airports across the country.
TSA faced staffing shortages due to a partial government shutdown, causing longer wait times for passengers.
Analysis of wait times at different airports showed inconsistent results, with some having stable times and others experiencing long delays.
Charlotte, Ronald Reagan Washington National, and Minneapolis–Saint Paul airports had wait times around 5 minutes throughout the observed week.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport saw wait times as high as 180 minutes on two days.
Orlando, Miami, and Phoenix airports experienced some improvements in wait times over the observed period.
Some airports had paused reporting, meaning data was temporarily unavailable.
ICE agents helped with logistics and crowd management but did not conduct the TSA screenings themselves.
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Savannah Guthrie, a U.S. TV presenter, believes her mother, Nancy Guthrie, was kidnapped from her home in Arizona. The family discovered two ransom notes but no suspects have been arrested yet. The Guthrie family is offering a reward for information that leads to finding her.
Key Facts
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen near her home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1.
Savannah Guthrie, her daughter, believes her mother was kidnapped, with two ransom notes received.
Nancy's cellphone and personal items were left at home, and a doorbell camera was removed.
A masked individual was seen on a security camera near the time Nancy went missing.
The FBI has been involved, offering additional reward money for information on the case.
Police think Nancy was targeted but have not disclosed the motive.
Savannah Guthrie has temporarily left her TV job following the incident.
The family is offering a $1 million reward for information that helps find Nancy.
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Democrats have improved their chances of winning 11 House races, according to The Center for Politics Sabato’s Crystal Ball. Changes in election ratings suggest stronger Democratic positions in several districts, some of which moved to more secure categories for Democrats. The House elections will occur in November 2026, with all 435 seats up for grabs.
Key Facts
The Center for Politics changed the rating for 11 House races to favor Democrats.
Eight races went from “likely Democratic” to “safe Democratic.”
Two races moved from “leans Democratic” to “likely Democratic.”
One race, Ohio's 1st District, changed from a “toss-up” to “leans Democratic.”
Every two years, all 435 House seats are up for election; Republicans currently hold the majority.
Democrats recently won special elections in Florida, increasing their election optimism.
The Cook Political Report lists 207 seats as likely Democratic and 201 as likely Republican.
Changes are part of redistricting and past voting patterns, with some districts having been won by President Trump or Vice President Harris in previous elections.
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Alen Zheng and his sister Ann Mary Zheng faced charges after an explosive device was found at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Alen fled to China, while Ann Mary is in custody. Authorities discovered the device outside a gate at the base, which led to increased security measures.
Key Facts
Alen Zheng and Ann Mary Zheng were charged by federal authorities.
Alen Zheng fled to China, and Ann Mary Zheng is in custody.
The explosive device was found outside a gate at MacDill Air Force Base on March 16.
Alen Zheng was charged with damaging government property, unlawfully making, and possessing an unregistered destructive device.
Ann Mary Zheng was charged with witness tampering and being an accessory after the fact.
MacDill Air Force Base is home to U.S. Central Command.
Authorities increased security at the base after finding the device.
Another man was arrested for making threatening calls to the base but is not linked to the Zheng siblings.
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President Trump has been using different terms to describe U.S. military actions in Iran to avoid calling it a "war," which requires congressional approval. He and his administration have given mixed messages about the nature and goals of these operations, creating confusion over whether it's a war or not.
Key Facts
President Trump says he avoids calling the conflict in Iran a "war" because it could require congressional approval.
The administration has used terms like "military operation" and "military decimation" instead of "war."
Congress has the power to declare war, but presidents often start military actions without formal approval.
The War Powers Resolution mandates the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops without a war declaration.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have criticized the War Powers Resolution.
The operation in Iran has been described with different terms, including "major combat operations" and "excursion."
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other officials argue that the U.S. is not technically at war.
Some members of Congress, like Rep. Nancy Mace, have used the term "war" and expressed concerns about prolonged conflict.
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In Utah, an effort by Republicans to repeal a law that requires an independent committee to handle redistricting failed to gather enough signatures to appear on the ballot for the 2026 midterm elections. This development means that the state will continue using new congressional maps after a court previously ruled the existing ones as gerrymanders. The current map splits the Democratic-leaning Salt Lake City area, but the new map will keep it together, benefiting Democrats.
Key Facts
A Republican-led initiative to repeal Utah's independent redistricting committee law will not be on the 2026 ballot.
Utah law requires signatures from 8% of voters statewide and in most state Senate districts for ballot initiatives.
Signature challenges in one district left the repealing effort short by 260 signatures.
Better Boundaries, an anti-gerrymandering group, campaigned for voters to remove their signatures from the repeal petition.
The Utah Republican Party expressed concerns over the practices used by opposition groups.
Utah's new congressional map will consolidate the Salt Lake City area into one district, likely favoring Democrats.
Redistricting involves redrawing congressional districts every ten years based on census data, but legal challenges can prompt changes before then.
Other states, like Texas and California, are also engaged in redrawing district maps to favor certain political parties.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican lawmakers visited the White House to discuss renewing a surveillance law called Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Some conservative lawmakers want changes to add warrant requirements, while President Trump and GOP leaders want an 18-month extension without changes.
Key Facts
House Speaker Mike Johnson attended a White House briefing on FISA reauthorization.
Section 702 of FISA is a surveillance law that needs reauthorization.
President Trump and GOP leaders support an 18-month reextension.
Some conservatives want new warrant requirements added to the bill.
Tensions arose during a recent briefing on Capitol Hill over the issue.
Johnson argues that changes made in previous updates to FISA are enough.
The discussion revolves around balancing security needs with protecting privacy rights like the Fourth Amendment.
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A video showing ICE agents giving out bottled water to travelers in U.S. airports has caused confusion online. ICE, typically focused on immigration issues, was helping at airports during a government shutdown, which affected TSA staffing.
Key Facts
ICE agents were seen giving bottled water to travelers at U.S. airports.
The video was shared by the White House and then went viral on social media.
ICE's involvement is due to a government shutdown affecting TSA staffing.
President Trump authorized the deployment of ICE agents to aid the situation.
The TSA usually handles airport security, including managing lines and screening.
ICE's role is typically focused on immigration, not airport security.
Some social media users criticized the move, questioning its effectiveness due to TSA's liquid restrictions.
Both ICE and TSA are part of the Department of Homeland Security with different primary missions.
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In New Hampshire, Democrats and Republicans are closely competing for an open Senate seat, previously held by retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. Polls show Democratic Representative Chris Pappas slightly ahead of Republican candidates John Sununu and Scott Brown. The race is seen as vital, with both parties trying to secure control in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Democrats are competing to keep an open Senate seat in New Hampshire.
Republican candidates include John Sununu, supported by President Trump, and Scott Brown.
Polls show Chris Pappas, a Democrat, slightly ahead against Sununu and Brown.
In primary polls, Sununu leads among Republican voters.
Midterm elections often see the party in the White House losing seats.
President Trump's declining approval rating could influence the election outcome.
Pappas has strong support from women and young voters.
The race is crucial as Republicans hold slim majorities in Congress.
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New U.S. Census data shows that population growth is slowing in most U.S. counties because immigration has dropped significantly. The decline in international migration is particularly affecting large counties that usually have many new arrivals from abroad.
Key Facts
U.S. Census data reveals slower population growth in most counties due to decreased immigration.
International migration decreased in 90% of U.S. counties from 2024 to 2025.
Large counties that typically gain many international migrants are losing people.
Los Angeles County, California, lost nearly 54,000 people between 2024 and 2025.
Overall, the U.S. population grew by 0.5% from 2024-2025, down from a 1% growth previously.
The decline in international migration was from 2.8 million to 1.3 million people, a 55% drop.
The fastest-growing metropolitan areas were Ocala, FL; Myrtle Beach, SC; and Spartanburg, SC.
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President Donald Trump stated that he wants to keep the National Guard in Washington, D.C. permanently. He believes their presence has made the city cleaner and safer, and he praised the Guard members for their work.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to keep the National Guard in Washington, D.C. indefinitely.
He says the Guard's presence has made D.C. cleaner and safer.
Trump compared the success in D.C. to other cities like New Orleans and Memphis.
He mentioned the Guard helps with everyday tasks like opening doors and picking up litter.
Trump believes the National Guard sees these deployments as similar to training exercises.
He also mentioned the improvement of city parks, noting they are now cleaner and more accessible.
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A Senate Budget Committee hearing discussed potential future financial problems for Social Security in the U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy warned of a funding shortfall around 2032-2033 that could lead to reduced benefits unless changes are made. Cassidy proposed creating an investment fund to help address the issue.
Key Facts
Social Security is projected to face a funding shortfall by 2032-2033.
More than 70 million Americans currently depend on Social Security benefits.
The system is strained by more retirees and fewer workers contributing.
Cassidy warned that without changes, benefits might need to be cut by 23-28%.
He suggested forming an investment fund with $1.5 trillion to support Social Security.
Cassidy noted this approach worked for the federal railroad retirement system.
Other proposals include changing payroll taxes and benefit calculations.
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A man named Bryan J. Parker was arrested after driving his car through a secured gate at Daytona Beach International Airport and attempting to board a running airplane. Parker, who was intoxicated at the time, was charged with several crimes including hijacking an aircraft and trespassing. The airport's operations were not disrupted despite the incident.
Key Facts
Bryan J. Parker is a 58-year-old man from Holly Hill, Florida.
Parker drove through a secured airport gate and onto the airfield.
He was highly intoxicated from alcohol and cocaine during the incident.
Parker attempted to enter unoccupied planes and a running airplane.
An airport technician stopped him, and deputies arrested him.
He faces charges including hijacking an aircraft, burglary, and trespassing.
Airport operations continued without any disruption.
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President Donald Trump predicted that the Republican Party will gain more seats in Congress after the upcoming midterm elections. Despite his optimistic outlook, there are concerns within the party about various political challenges, including high gas prices and long security wait times at airports.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at a House GOP dinner, predicting larger Republican majorities in Congress.
He mentioned the U.S. is doing well in the Iran war, but this has led to high gas prices.
Travelers are experiencing long wait times at airport security.
Americans are worried about high living costs.
Democrat Emily Gregory won a special election in Florida, flipping a district near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
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The House Ethics Committee is holding a public hearing to investigate Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for ethics violations. She faces charges related to campaign finance and misuse of funds, along with federal charges for allegedly stealing COVID-19 relief money.
Key Facts
The House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
The hearing into her alleged ethics violations is public and begins at 2 p.m. EDT.
She is accused of not following campaign finance laws.
Charges include mixing campaign, personal, and business funds.
She is accused of using her position to benefit her allies.
She allegedly stole $5 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funds.
Investigators found "substantial evidence" supporting the charges.
Cherfilus-McCormick denies doing anything wrong.
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