Harlingen, Texas, experienced over 21 inches of rainfall this week, leading to severe flooding in the Rio Grande Valley and resulting in at least three deaths in Hidalgo County. In response, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez signed a local disaster declaration to access state and federal recovery funds after a significant storm brought up to 14 inches of rain to the area. While the weather began to improve on Friday, rescue operations continued as residents dealt with the aftermath, including trapped individuals, abandoned vehicles, and a temporarily closed airport, with similar flooding impacts reported across the border in Reynosa, Mexico.
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Columbia University's interim president, Katrina A. Armstrong, has decided to step down following an agreement with the Trump administration regarding federal funding, after stepping in during a period of significant challenges and campus unrest. David Greenwald, chair of the Board of Trustees, praised Armstrong for her leadership during a time of uncertainty, particularly amid protests related to the conflict in Gaza. Claire Shipman, co-chair of the Board of Trustees, will take over as acting president immediately, ensuring continuity until a permanent president is appointed.
A federal jury in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, found singer Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, guilty of wire fraud charges related to a scheme to acquire luxury items without payment. The trial revealed their involvement in defrauding multiple businesses to obtain high-end goods, leading to convictions on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud. Following the verdict, Turner was taken into federal custody, while Kingston was placed under house arrest, with both facing potential 20-year prison sentences for each count.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has publicly addressed a significant breach involving a Signal group chat at the highest levels of the U.S. government, ruling out an investigation and instead defending the Trump administration while criticizing its detractors. This decision has sparked debate over whether Bondi's stance serves as a protective measure for the administration or a strategic focus on other priorities, with the controversy becoming a key point in discussions about the Trump administration's national security handling. Concurrently, President Trump withdrew Elise Stefanik's nomination for U.N. ambassador, fueling speculation about the administration's internal dynamics and approach to appointments, all within a rapidly evolving political landscape.
A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., has permitted the Trump administration to proceed with the dismissal of certain members from the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board, overturning a previous district court decision that blocked these removals. The case, involving the removal of Gwynne Wilcox and Cathy Harris, is part of broader legal challenges against the administration's policies, including a separate request to the Supreme Court to lift a block on the deportations of Venezuelan detainees. The district court has extended its restraining order until at least April 12, underscoring the ongoing legal battles over the administration's efforts to enforce its board dismissals and deportation policies.
Elon Musk has announced plans to hold a rally in Wisconsin, where he will distribute $2 million to two voters who have already participated in the state's Supreme Court election, despite state laws prohibiting offering anything of value in exchange for voting. This move has drawn significant attention and scrutiny, especially given Musk's prior financial contributions to the conservative candidate in the race. As the election nears, Musk's involvement underscores the influence of high-profile figures in state elections and raises questions about the intersection of wealth, politics, and legal boundaries.
Utah has become the first state in the U.S. to ban the addition of fluoride to its public water systems, following Governor Spencer J. Cox's signing of the bill into law on March 27. This decision has sparked debates about the safety and necessity of water fluoridation, a practice traditionally used to prevent tooth decay and supported by many health organizations. While Governor Cox expressed minimal personal concern over the bill, its passage has significant implications for public health policy and may influence similar discussions in other states.
The Justice Department has requested emergency intervention from the Supreme Court after a federal appeals court in Washington blocked the deportation of individuals suspected to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador, a move initially pursued under the Trump administration using the wartime Alien Enemies Act. This legal conflict, which involves U.S. District Judge James Boasberg deliberating on potential contempt of court by the administration, highlights the ongoing tension between the executive branch and the judiciary over immigration policies and the use of wartime authority. The split decision by the appeals court, with Judges Karen Henderson and Patricia Millett in the majority and Judge Justin Walker dissenting, underscores differing judicial perspectives on national security and immigration enforcement, with Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris noting the case's potential impact on the separation of powers.