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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Fertility clinic closing after couple gave birth to someone else's baby

A Florida fertility clinicaccused earlier this year of making a mistake that led to a couple giving birth to a baby not biologically related to themis closing its doors, according to an announcement on its website.

The Fertility Center of Orlando was sued by the couple, Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, after Score was implanted with an embryo after undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment at the clinic in March 2025 and gave birth that December. The baby she gave birth to appeared to be a different race than Score and Mills, who are both White, and testing showed she had "no genetic relationship" to either parent, reported theUSA TODAY Network in Florida.

The couple said in the lawsuit that they developed an emotional bond with the baby, but believe she should be "united with her genetic parents," and worried that another woman could be carrying their biological child. The couple said in a post on social media that the mix up led to a "healthy baby girl whom we love more than words can express," the USA TODAY Network in Florida reported.

Previously:Florida mom sues IVF clinic for giving birth to another couple's baby

The clinic, which is operated by IVF Life, said in a statement on its website that after "thoughtful consideration," it will be closing its operations. The statement gave patients a recommendation for where to seek future fertility care, and said they "will continue to see many of the same trusted and familiar faces who have been part of your care team."

The clinic didn't say when it would close or give a reason for closing, but said patients have until April 15 to arrange transfer of "cryopreserved specimens." It did not immediately respond to an inquiry from USA TODAY on April 3.

The center previously said in a statement obtained by the USA TODAY Network that it was cooperating with an investigation to determine "the source of an error that resulted in the birth of a child who is not genetically related" to the couple.

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"Our priority remains transparency and the well-being of the patient and child involved. We will continue to assist in any way that we can regardless of the outcome of the investigation."

More:Judge in Florida embryo mixup case calls latest development a 'curveball'

An attorney for Score and Mills said in a court hearing on March 30 that the couple found out IVF Life was selling the clinic when it sent letters to all its patients, the USA TODAY Network in Floridareported. The judge on the case, Margaret Schreiber, called the news of the sale "a bit of a curveball" and wanted to know if the new owners will assume liability for the cost of testing being done to determine the biological parents of the baby born from the embryo mix up. Robert Terenzio, an attorney representing IVF Life, said he assumed responsibility would remain with IVF Life and the doctor who runs it, Milton McNichol.

Terenzio did not immediately respond to an inquiry from USA TODAY on April 3.

Attorneys have said that testing to determine who the baby's biological parents are is underway, the Network reported.

Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Florida fertility clinic closing after couple sued over embryo mix-up

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April 03, 2026

Fertility clinic closing after couple gave birth to someone else's baby

A Florida fertility clinicaccused earlier this year of making a mistake that led to a couple giving birth to a baby not b...

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Journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Iraq. An Iran-aligned militia is demanding ransom

Supporters of an American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad say she risked her life reporting from some of the world's most dangerous places. Now she's the one in danger.

"Bring Shelly home now." That's a growing call from friends, family, and supporters ofkidnapped U.S. journalistShelly Kittleson. The 49-year-old freelancer, who has spent years reporting on the Middle East, was abducted from a busy street in Baghdad on March 31.

Now, days later, the New York Times reports a ransom has been demanded in exchange for her release. So far only one suspect has been arrested. The State Department says they're believed to be connected to an Iranian-aligned militia group.

RELATED NEWS |US journalist abducted in Iraq; State Department says she was warned of threats

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The State Department also says Kittleson was repeatedly warned about credible threats to her safety prior to her kidnapping. Meanwhile, supporters of Kittleson warned against blaming the journalist for her abduction.

"I think it's really critical that we not go down the road of suggesting that the journalist shouldn't have been there or should have been better prepared. Putting the onus on the back of the person who is attacked, who people are trying to silence, is not the right way to go," said Elisa Lees Muñoz, with the International Women's Media Foundation.

Friends of Kittleson told Scripps News she knew the risks, but they didn't stop her from choosing to do her job.

The New York Times reports representatives from an Iranian-backed militia group have contacted Iraqi government officials to negotiate for Kittleson's release. They've demanded the release of several detained militia members in exchange.

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April 03, 2026

Journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Iraq. An Iran-aligned militia is demanding ransom

Supporters of an American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad say she risked her life reporting from some of the world's ...

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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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April 03, 2026

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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