Category: News
Will Trump Seize Or Destroy Iran’s Oil Export Island?
Will Trump Seize Or Destroy Iran’s Oil Export Island?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier that the U.S. is “accelerating, not decelerating” Operation Epic Fury, with U.S. and Israeli forces conducting at least 1,000 strikes over five days against high-value IRGC assets and leadership. As those strikes have significantly degraded the IRGC’s capabilities on land, at sea, and in the air, the next big question is whether Iran’s energy infrastructure will become the conflict’s next major focal point, especially as the Strait of Hormuz remains paralyzed and Beijing grows increasingly concerned about disruptions to its cheap Iranian crude imports.
Operation Epic Fury has targeted key IRGC leadership, military support networks, and financial infrastructure, severely degrading core pillars of the regime. The next phase to watch is whether the Trump administration and Israel will move against Iran’s critical oil and gas infrastructure, which remains both the regime’s economic lifeline and an important source of cheap crude for China.
What comes to mind first is Iran’s main crude export terminal in the Persian Gulf, called “Kharg Island.” Think of it as Iran’s oil jugular.
Reuters reports that about 90% of Iran’s crude is exported via Kharg Island, located off the country’s southern coast in the northern Persian Gulf, in Bushehr Province, about 34 miles northwest of the port of Bushehr.
Kharg Island is Iran’s jugular.
80-90% of Iran’s crude exports flow through this supertanker terminal in the Persian Gulf. No Kharg, no oil revenue. No oil revenue, no regime. Every war plan, every sanctions package, every naval deployment in the Gulf orbits this one fact. https://t.co/E0mVmlC9ea pic.twitter.com/mRuT3gTY1s
— John Ʌ Konrad V (@johnkonrad) February 28, 2026
The latest from Bloomberg reports that Iran continued loading crude onto tankers at Kharg on Monday, despite U.S. and Israeli strikes on IRGC targets countrywide. It remains unclear whether the loading terminal will still be operational through the end of the week, given that the Strait of Hormuz is paralyzed and that any shadow tanker carrying Iranian crude through the chokepoint could be targeted by U.S. and allied forces.
One observation is that the Trump administration and Israel may be deliberately preserving operations at the Kharg loading terminal. If military planners had intended to immediately sever the regime’s funding pipeline, the terminal likely would have been among the first targets of the operation. This suggests that allied forces may be keeping the facility intact for the country’s next leadership.
Kharg is by far the most strategically important economic target. Iran’s regime depends upon it. If we want to break their will, it obviously should be impacted. https://t.co/IBB1Zg8kFP
— David Asher (@dasher8090) June 14, 2025
“Kharg Island handles up to 90% of Iran’s oil exports. Is President Trump thinking about seizing it?” Eurasia Group’s Ian Bremmer asked on X.
kharg island handles up to 90% of iran’s oil exports.
is president trump thinking about seizing it?@gzeromediapic.twitter.com/wczuNBr3o3
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) March 4, 2026
Our view is that if the Trump administration intends to push forward with a new government, Kharg Island’s oil and gas infrastructure is unlikely to be destroyed. Notably, it has remained untouched in the first five days of the conflict. If it is destroyed, China would be furious.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 03/04/2026 – 19:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/will-president-trump-destroy-or-seize-irans-oil-export-island
Florida reactiva investigación sobre Raúl Castro por el derribo de un avión de exiliados en 1996
Por JOSHUA GOODMAN y FREIDA FRISARO
MIAMI (AP) — El fiscal general de Florida manifestó el miércoles que se reabrirá una investigación penal a nivel estatal sobre el papel del exlíder cubano Raúl Castro en el derribo de cuatro aviones operados por exiliados anticomunistas en 1996.
En una conferencia de prensa en Miami, el fiscal general James Uthmeier señaló que una investigación sobre posibles delitos atribuidos a Castro, iniciada hace varios años, fue suspendida por el gobierno del presidente Joe Biden.
“Cuando esto llegó a mi conocimiento, reactivamos los expedientes”, afirmó Uthmeier. “Así que sí, esa investigación seguirá en curso”.
En las últimas semanas, a medida que se acercaba el 30º aniversario del derribo de dos aviones del escuadrón de pilotos civiles Hermanos al Rescate en febrero de 1996, varios republicanos de Miami, así como el senador de Florida Rick Scott, le pidieron al gobierno del presidente Donald Trump que reabra su investigación penal para centrarse en el presunto papel de Castro en el incidente.
El renovado interés en el caso llega en el contexto de la postura cada vez más agresiva de Trump contra el liderazgo comunista de Cuba, luego de la captura por parte de Estados Unidos de su estrecho aliado, el presidente venezolano Nicolás Maduro.
En una carta dirigida a Trump el 13 de febrero, algunos legisladores, entre ellos los representantes Maria Elvira Salazar y Carlos Gimenez, destacaron reportes periodísticos de hace décadas que indicaban que Castro —jefe de las fuerzas armadas de Cuba en ese momento— dio la orden de derribar las aeronaves Cessna, las cuales carecían de armamento.
“Creemos inequívocamente que Raúl Castro es responsable de este crimen atroz”, escribieron los legisladores. “Es hora de que sea llevado ante la justicia”.
Uthmeier coincidió el miércoles en que se necesita rendición de cuentas si se cometieron delitos contra ciudadanos de Florida.
“No puedo decir mucho más en este momento, pero vamos a continuar con esta investigación”, expresó durante la conferencia de prensa. “Sé que a muchos miembros de la legislatura estatal y a otras personas aquí en Florida les gustaría ver alguna resolución, e idealmente que haya rendición de cuentas”.
Su oficina no respondió de momento a una solicitud de comentarios adicionales sobre la investigación
Funcionarios del gobierno cubano tampoco respondieron de momento a una solicitud de comentarios el miércoles.
Hasta la fecha, Estados Unidos sólo ha declarado culpable a una persona por asociación delictuosa para cometer homicidio en relación con el derribo. Gerardo Hernández, el líder de una red de espionaje cubana desmantelada por el FBI en la década de 1990, fue sentenciado a cadena perpetua, pero el presidente Barack Obama lo liberó durante un intercambio de prisioneros en diciembre de 2014 tras estar 16 años en la cárcel.
Dos pilotos de aviones de combate y su oficial al mando también han sido acusados, pero están fuera del alcance de las fuerzas policiales de Estados Unidos mientras vivan en Cuba.
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Frisaro informó desde Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
_____ Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Daily Horoscope for March 05, 2026
General Daily Insight for March 05, 2026
Goodwill grows when we share our aims. With the life-giving Sun trining Jupiter, the Greater Benefic, at 12:13 pm EST, courage and generosity harmonize, making it easier to coordinate plans and support each other. The morning may feel more somber and reflective, yet by midday, the vibe smooths into something more cooperative and actionable. Later, the emotional Moon forms a tense square to Jupiter, so we should pace commitments, clarify expectations, and keep conversations balanced. Steady steps, taken with heart, create meaningful, shared progress.
Aries
March 21 – April 19
Aries, grab the reins and set the pace! The Sun trines Jupiter, harmonizing the internal peace of your 12th house with the domestic comfort of your 4th house. This cosmic support guides your efforts to find a workable rhythm to your daily duties at home. Try grouping similar chores or professional tasks together to make them all easier. Be realistic about your energy for the day — it’s okay if you don’t get done a lot of things, as long as you finish what’s necessary.
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Slow, steady calm guides your choices now. Your 11th House of Altruism gleams under the trine between the vibrant Sun and grand Jupiter, helping you gather allies and share a straightforward, doable vision. Jupiter in your 3rd House of Discourse backs you up, so a thoughtful chat with a teammate can rally useful support by explaining who does what. Move step by step, letting that reliable pace keep the project enjoyable and true to what you care about. Clear invitations draw genuine allies to you.
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
The universe is transforming potential walls into open doors of opportunity! Public goals can gain momentum as the Sun trines Jupiter, focusing your 10th House of Wins on visible, practical progress. Your 2nd House of Income quietly supports this progress, so you may adjust a budget or tool to showcase your strengths without overspending. Even if unscheduled meetings draw you off course, you can continue moving forward by keeping your message brief and anchored in results. Frank conversations are the best way to stay productive.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
This morning brings a wider sense of possibility. New horizons call as the shimmering Sun in your curious 9th house trines buoyant Jupiter, filling you with inspiration to travel far and wide (literally or mentally). Jupiter is in your sign, showering you with blessings of fortune every step along the way. Even just listening to an informative podcast or a new radio station on your commute can offer a valuable look at different parts of the beautiful world you live in. Say yes to growth!
Leo
July 23 – August 22
Your growth potential is even more amazing than usual. The Sun is in your 8th House of Deep Sharing, trining Jupiter in your 12th House of Contemplation. You may need to have some tough conversations with your loved ones very soon, but as long as you stay grounded, these chats can spark miraculous growth. Trust yourself to ask for what you need, especially in your closest relationships. If emotions spike, breathe slowly, then return to the facts. This is a strength you can count on.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Transparent plans will land best with others at this time. With the dynamic Sun and lucky Jupiter lining up across your 7th House of Partnership and your 11th House of Friendship, you’ve got this socializing thing in the bag! You understand how to craft agreements with people you rely on and those relying on you. Under your careful eye, progress gets measured, not guessed. The small improvements you make today prevent bigger headaches down the road. Thoughtful structure lets teamwork make reliable wins.
Libra
September 23 – October 22
Libra, choose balance that actually supports progress. Daily systems smooth out as the radiant Sun trines auspicious Jupiter, spotlighting your 6th House of Wellness and your career-oriented 10th house with their empowering glow. Public expectations of you may be high, but you’re capable of living up to them — as long as you protect your schedule and energy. Try setting a timer for yourself and seeing how much you can get done in quick bursts (with breaks in between, of course). Consistent effort is key.
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
Deep focus flows through your work and play. Your 5th House of Joy and your 9th House of Mindsets both brighten as Sun trines jovial Jupiter, encouraging bold expression that also feels safe and well-timed. When you’ve got questions, don’t hesitate to look up tutorials or ask a mentor for support. Share a draft with a trusted friend, then use their notes to refine the final pass. Patient pacing today anchors your playful work in real craft. Follow the spark and build from there.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
Support at home is vital and, thankfully, attainable. The willful Sun teams up with joyous Jupiter to energize your domestic zone and your intimidating 8th house. Acts of service are a great way to nourish yourself and anyone who lives with you. Pitching in as a team, whether you’re planning a long-term budget or cooking tonight’s dinner, can remove stress that lingers in the background. Don’t rush through things, even if that means you have to put off a less urgent task until tomorrow.
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
Confidence goes hand-in-hand with commitment right now. Your messages can land with authority under today’s Sun-Jupiter trine, which highlights the practical words of your 3rd house and the companionable kindness of your 7th house. The planets are helping you hear multiple points of view and assemble them into a summary that makes sense, whether this is a personal or professional project. Be as patient as possible as others make themselves heard — you’ll have your turn to speak. Clear agreements keep teamwork running smoothly.
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
When purpose meets resources, progress becomes simple. Your 2nd House of Self-Worth receives a timely lift as the almighty Sun trines extravagant Jupiter. Support from Jupiter’s presence in your 6th House of Daily Work encourages tidy systems, so making an organized task list or spreadsheet can free tons of mental space. You may need to ask an authority figure for instructions, but don’t hesitate to put your own spin on things when possible. Your innovative streak shines through small, steady improvements that stick.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
Confidence blooms as you own your story. The animated Sun in your sign trines lavish Jupiter in your expressive 5th house, centering your identity and how you present it to others. This is a great time for getting a new haircut or otherwise updating your style, perhaps even with something as permanent as a tattoo or piercing. You’re allowed to take risks with your look — it’s yours, after all. If uncertainty holds you back, ask an honest friend for their fashion advice.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/04/daily-horoscope-for-march-05-2026/
Al menos 200 muertos en derrumbe de mina de coltán en Congo, informan autoridades
Por JUSTIN KABUMBA, RUTH ALONGA y JEAN-YVES KAMALE
GOMA, República Democrática del Congo (AP) — El derrumbe en una mina dejó al menos 200 muertos en un yacimiento de coltán en el este de la República Democrática del Congo, de acuerdo con las autoridades congoleñas, una cifra que el grupo rebelde que controla la mina niega.
El derrumbe ocurrió el martes en las minas de Rubaya, que están controladas por los rebeldes del M23, según un comunicado de prensa del Ministerio de Minas emitido el miércoles.
Fanny Kaj, una alta funcionaria del M23, el grupo que controla las minas, cuestionó la cifra y afirmó que el derrumbe fue causado por “bombardeos” y que únicamente cinco personas habían muerto.
“Puedo confirmar que lo que la gente está publicando no es cierto. No hubo deslizamiento de tierra; hubo bombardeos, y el número de muertos no es el que la gente está diciendo. Se trata simplemente de unas cinco personas que murieron”, afirmó Kaj.
Ibrahim Taluseke, un minero del lugar, manifestó que había ayudado a recuperar más de 200 cuerpos de la zona.
“Tenemos miedo, pero son vidas las que están en peligro. Los dueños de las minas no aceptan que se revele el número exacto de muertes”.
Un derrumbe similar el mes pasado mató a más de 200 personas.
Rubaya se encuentra en el corazón del este del Congo, una parte rica en minerales de la nación centroafricana que durante décadas ha sido azotada por la violencia de las fuerzas gubernamentales y distintos grupos armados, incluido el M23, el cual es respaldado por Ruanda y cuyo reciente resurgimiento ha intensificado el conflicto y agravado una crisis humanitaria.
El Congo es un importante proveedor de coltán, un mineral que contiene tantalio, un metal clave en la producción de teléfonos inteligentes, computadoras y motores de aeronaves.
El país produjo alrededor del 40% del coltán del mundo en 2023, según el Servicio Geológico de Estados Unidos. Australia, Canadá y Brasil son otros grandes proveedores. Más del 15% del suministro mundial de tantalio proviene de las minas de Rubaya.
El M23 se apoderó de la ciudad en mayo de 2024 y tomó el control de sus minas. Según un informe de las Naciones Unidas, desde que se apoderaron de Rubaya, los rebeldes han cobrado impuestos al comercio y al transporte de coltán, generando al menos 800.000 dólares al mes.
El este del Congo ha tenido varias crisis durante décadas. Diversos conflictos han creado una de las mayores crisis humanitarias del mundo, con más de 7 millones de personas desplazadas, incluidas más de 300.000 que han huido de sus hogares desde diciembre.
Los gobiernos congoleño y ruandés firmaron un acuerdo de paz en junio, mediado por Estados Unidos, y continúan las negociaciones entre los rebeldes y el Congo. Sin embargo, los combates continúan en varios frentes en el este del Congo, y siguen cobrando numerosas víctimas civiles y militares.
El acuerdo entre el Congo y Ruanda también abre el acceso a minerales críticos para el gobierno de Estados Unidos y para empresas estadounidenses.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Degraded Schools
Degraded Schools
Authored by Larry Sand via American Greatness,
Many students are chronically absent or have dropped out of school.
Nat Malkus, a senior fellow in education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, oversees the Return to Learn Tracker, which monitors chronic absenteeism in U.S. schools. His latest report, released in early February, includes data from 39 states and Washington, D.C.
He states that after reaching a high of 29 percent in the 2021–22 school year, the chronic absenteeism rate—missing 10 percent or more of school days in an academic year—fell by 2.6 percentage points the following school year and by 2.2 percentage points the following school year. This progress was encouraging, but it stalled last school year, with rates falling by just over one percentage point on average. This leaves the average chronic absenteeism rate for most of the country at 23 percent, roughly 50 percent higher than the pre-pandemic baseline.
This chronic absence problem is especially egregious in our large urban areas. In Los Angeles, more than 32 percent of students were chronically absent during the 2023–24 school year. Thirty-four elementary schools have fewer than 200 students, and 29 use less than half of their buildings. Chicago is even worse, with a chronic absentee rate of 41 percent.
Malkus concludes that these patterns suggest that shifts in attitudes and behavior are largely driving the across-the-board increases in post-pandemic absenteeism. Six years into the pandemic, students and their parents are placing less value on attending school each day.
One realistic way to address chronic absenteeism—and save taxpayer dollars—would be to close ineffective schools. But government educrats and teacher union bosses refuse to allow that to happen. In fact, school closures have slowed over time.
An analysis by the IZA Institute of Labor Economics shows that in 2014–15, the closure rate—the share of schools nationwide that were open one year and closed the next—was 1.3 percent, but in 2023–24, the rate was just 0.8 percent.
Another way to alleviate the problem would be to reduce the number of teachers by eliminating the lowest performers, but that will not happen. Teacher union-mandated permanence clauses make it nearly impossible to fire an incompetent teacher. In California, a 2012 court case revealed that, on average, only 2.2 of California’s 275,000 teachers (0.0008 percent) were dismissed each year for unprofessional conduct or unsatisfactory performance.
Chronic absenteeism rates would also improve if students felt a sense of purpose in going to school. Currently, many kids lack interest in showing up. A 2024 report from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation surveyed over 1,000 Gen Z students aged 12 to 18 and found that only 48 percent of those enrolled in middle or high school felt motivated to show up. Only half said they do something interesting in school every day. Similarly, a 2024 EdChoice survey indicated that 64 percent of teens said school is boring, and 30 percent view it as a waste of time.
In addition to the problem of chronically absent students, families are removing their children, especially if they are high achievers, from government-run schools in large numbers.
Joshua Goodman, an associate professor of education and economics at Boston University, authored a study that found that nationally, white and Asian parents are far more likely to withdraw their children from public schools than Hispanics and blacks.
“The question that worries me is whether this means that public schools have now cemented a reputation as not being the place where high-achieving students attend. If you’re a family that’s looking for a challenging curriculum, and you have a talented student, you’re no longer seeing public schools in quite that light,” Goodman said.
Perhaps the leader in the public school exodus is Chicago, whose numbers are particularly grim. Dwindling enrollment has left about 150 Windy City schools half-empty, while 47 operate at less than one-third capacity, leading to high costs and limited course offerings.
Worth noting is that Chicago spends about $18,700 per student. At small schools that have been losing students, per-pupil costs are double or triple that. At one 28-student school, the cost per student is $93,000. (For the sake of perspective, the Latin School of Chicago, among the city’s most expensive private schools, costs about $47,000 per year.)
Not surprisingly, as the number of students declines, school district insolvency is on the rise. Education finance experts say more districts are grappling with this problem, especially those that spent pandemic federal aid on recurring expenses or didn’t scale back their budgets in anticipation of the aid’s end.
As a result, districts are facing increased involvement from their counties and states, ranging from financial monitoring to takeovers. In rarer cases, districts may even declare bankruptcy or consider merging with other districts.
While public schools are bleeding students, school choice of all types continues to grow. Overall, there are now 75 private school choice programs in 34 states, serving more than 1.5 million students.
Notably, microschools—where classes traditionally have had fewer than 15 students of varying ages, and the schedule and curriculum are tailored to each class’s needs—are growing in popularity, currently educating about 2 percent of the U.S. student population—roughly 750,000 students. Most microschools are independently run by parents, but some are part of a formal network that provides paid, in-person teachers. Lessons take place in settings such as homes, libraries, and other community centers.
In sum, unionized government-run schools, which offer a free (for the user) product, are losing customers because they are failing to fulfill their mission. It’s not about a lack of funding, COVID-related issues, large class sizes, low teacher pay, or any of the myriad excuses made by those who champion public schools.
Absent the elimination of all government-run schools and the adoption of a system of total privatization, we should give every family in the U.S. a choice of where to send their kids for an education and let tax dollars follow the child.
Until we make major changes, Americans’ dissatisfaction with schools will continue to mount, and the exodus will proceed apace.
* * *
Larry Sand is a retired 28-year classroom teacher who served as president of the nonprofit California Teachers Empowerment Network from 2006 to 2025. He now focuses on raising awareness of our failing education system.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 03/04/2026 – 18:55
Patriots informan al veterano Stefon Diggs que lo liberarán la próxima semana, dice fuente AP
Por ROB MAADDI
Los Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra informaron al receptor abierto Stefon Diggs que será dado de baja la próxima semana, cuando comience el nuevo año de la liga, dijo una persona con conocimiento de la decisión.
La persona habló con The Associated Press bajo condición de anonimato el miércoles porque el equipo no ha anunciado su intención.
Diggs publicó una despedida en redes sociales. Agradeció a los Patriots por la temporada y expresó: “Somos familia para siempre”.
Diggs fue el líder del equipo con 85 recepciones y 1.013 yardas, así como cuatro touchdowns, en su única temporada en Nueva Inglaterra. Ayudó a que los Patriots llegaran al Super Bowl, donde perdieron ante los Seahawks de Seattle.
Diggs se convirtió en el objetivo preferido de Drake Maye, quien terminó detrás de Matthew Stafford en la votación del premio de la AP al Jugador Más Valioso de la NFL.
El receptor de 32 años, elegido cuatro veces al Pro Bowl, ahora busca su quinto equipo y el cuarto en cuatro años.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
American Airlines recibe autorización para reanudar vuelos a Venezuela
Por JOSH FUNK
American Airlines recibió el miércoles autorización para convertirse en la primera aerolínea estadounidense en reanudar vuelos a Venezuela.
La aerolínea anunció su intención de restablecer el servicio a Venezuela en enero pasado, el mismo día en que el presidente Donald Trump ordenó al Departamento de Transporte la reapertura del espacio aéreo comercial sobre la nación sudamericana después de la incursión militar de Estados Unidos que culminó con la captura del entonces presidente Nicolás Maduro.
Aunque el Departamento de Estado mantiene su recomendación para que los estadounidenses no viajen a Venezuela, el gobierno allanó el camino para que American Airlines empiece a programar vuelos hacia ese país.
American Airlines fue la última aerolínea de Estados Unidos en realizar vuelos a Venezuela antes de suspender sus operaciones en 2019 entre Miami y la capital, Caracas, y la ciudad de Maracaibo. La aerolínea indicó que por el momento no hay detalles disponibles sobre qué vuelos programará entre Estados Unidos y Venezuela.
El plan podría permitir que venezolanos y estadounidenses regresen a vacacionar en sus países de origen, tal como solían hacerlo regularmente antes del deterioro en las relaciones diplomáticas entre las dos naciones en 2019. Al dar a conocer su plan en enero pasado, American Airlines señaló que daría a los clientes la oportunidad de reunirse con sus familias y buscar nuevas oportunidades de negocios.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Kristi Noem defends Homeland Security Department in post-shooting appearances before Congress
WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrapped up two days of scrutiny in Congress on Wednesday, appearing for the first time in front of lawmakers since the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis at the hands of immigration enforcement officers.
Noem came under blistering criticism from Democrats — and a few Republicans — over allegations that under her authority, immigration officers have abused the rights of immigrants and American citizens and used excessive force. She was also slammed over how her department is spending the billions of dollars allocated to it by Congress and accused of dodging accountability.
Noem, the secretary leading President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, argues she has strengthened the nation’s security by stemming migration from the southern border. She said immigration enforcement officers are following the law in the face of violent protesters. Most Republicans backed her stance, portraying Noem as a leader out to rectify immigration left unchecked by President Joe Biden’s administration.
Here’s a look at some highlights from her testimony.
Repeated Democratic attacks about immigration enforcement
During both days of testimony, Noem was repeatedly made to answer for her characterization of the two killed protesters, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as armed agitators. Bystanders’ video and accounts have contradicted Noem’s depiction of events.
The top Democrat on the House committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, pushed Noem about her comments.
“You told a lie about them. You said they were domestic terrorists,” Raskin said.
Other Democrats questioned why DHS officers used force to yank people out of vehicles or why they’d pulled an American citizen from his Minneapolis home in his pajamas.
Noem also faced criticism from some Republicans, including most notably retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who on Tuesday called her leadership a “disaster.”
Over the two days, Noem pushed back on the allegations, saying that Democrats didn’t have their facts correct and defended how her officers operate.
“We do targeted enforcement based on intelligence and go after the worst of the worst,” Noem said.
Speaking Tuesday of her comments after the shootings, Noem said she was relying on information from people on the scene and blamed “violent protesters” for contributing to the chaos officers encountered.
Lawmakers question whether Noem is obstructing watchdog investigations
In the letter obtained by The Associated Press, Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari said DHS leadership has “systematically obstructed” the office’s work in 11 instances, including one criminal investigation with a “nexus” to the department.
Cuffari said that his department was not allowed to access databases or take other steps that were necessary for their investigations.
Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia asked Noem about the letter, saying that her department had a “pattern of obstructing investigations.”
Noem denied the accusation and said Cuffari hadn’t outlined what information he wanted and the timeline for his request.
“He wants unfettered access to every single thing in the department. And that’s not the process,” Noem said.
DHS under scrutiny over spending
Noem’s department was infused with $170 billion, money granted by Congress that has since sparked questions over where and how it is being spent.
The secretary on Wednesday was asked about her department’s decision to carry out a $220 million ad campaign featuring Noem that encouraged people in the country illegally to leave voluntarily.
Democrats questioned whether the contracts went through a competitive bidding process and whether Noem’s associates unfairly benefited from the process.
“You’re using millions of dollars of taxpayer money in this way,” said Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse, who called it fraud. “Ultimately I think there’s going to be accountability.”
Noem said the spending was carried out lawfully.
The top Democrat on the committee also hammered Noem over her department’s purchase of luxury jets.
Noem defends use of administrative warrants
The Associated Press reported earlier this year that federal officers were asserting sweeping power to forcibly enter a suspect’s home without a judge’s warrant — something legal experts say infringes on constitutional rights.
Noem on both days said the warrants were appropriate and legal. She said their use in forcible entry was limited, saying that they were only used 28 times under her authority, without saying where they were used.
“We do use it, but it’s very rare when we do,” Noem said.
But the warrants’ use received pushback even from Republicans. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky said he’s a “strong proponent of the Fourth Amendment, and I think it would be helpful if we stuck to that.”
Questions about top Noem adviser’s role
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a Democrat from California, asked Noem about her relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a special government employee who is one of the secretary’s top advisers.
Lewandowski was Trump’s first campaign manager in 2016 and was long one of his most vocal supporters. He later became a key Noem supporter, helping her gain access to the former president’s political orbit.
When Noem took the position at DHS, Lewandowski became a special government employee — a position that is supposed to limit the number of days that he’s allowed to work at the department. But he’s been a constant presence at Noem’s side, raising questions about how many days he’s actually working and about the nature of the pair’s relationship.
Kamlager-Dove said Lewandowski wields “unchecked” and “unconfirmed” power and asked whether Noem and Lewandowski were having an affair.
“At any time during your tenure as director of the Department of Homeland Security have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?” said Kamlager-Dove.
“Mr. Chairman, I am shocked that we are going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today,” Noem said. She denied the allegations, calling the questioning offensive and said Lewandowski does not have decision-making authority.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/04/kristi-noem-homeland-security-congress/
‘Brady Bunch’ house, used in exterior shots for the popular sitcom, gets LA landmark status
LOS ANGELES — Here’s the story … of how a modest mid-century home became a Los Angeles landmark.
The LA city council voted unanimously on Wednesday to designate the the so-called “Brady Bunch” house in the San Fernando Valley as a historic-cultural monument.
The vote grants landmark protections to the house on Dilling Avenue that was used for exterior shots of the TV sitcom that ran from 1969 to 1974.
Interior scenes were shot on a soundstage, with sets that bore no resemblance to the property that become a photo-op magnet for “Brady Bunch” fans.
The show, which lived on for decades in syndication, featured the comic travails of a family of six blended-family siblings — “the youngest one in curls,” as the theme song explained.
The shingle-and-stone home with a peaked roof also appeared in the 1995 big screen film “The Brady Bunch Movie” and its sequel.
The landmark status protects the home, built in 1959, from demolition or major renovations — but doesn’t prohibit them. If owners ever decide to make big changes, they would be subject to a design review and the Cultural Heritage Commission can delay the process to find preservation solutions.
The nonprofit LA Conservancy pushed for the landmark status and CEO Adrian Scott Fine said he was thrilled it was approved. He said fans of the show have a personal connection to the property.
“If you watched the ‘Brady Bunch,’ you knew this house. People make a pilgrimage to see it,” Fine said Wednesday. “To have it designated like this, it makes it all the sweeter.”
When the house went on the market in 2018, the cable network HGTV won a bidding war that drove the price up to $3.5 million — or $1.6 million over the listing price for the then-2,400-square-foot (223-square-meter) residence.
The house was expanded, remodeled and redecorated to give it trademark elements of the set version, including the wood-paneled living room with a floating staircase and an orange-and-green kitchen.
The process was documented in a four-part HGTV miniseries called “A Very Brady Renovation.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/04/brady-bunch-house-landmark-status/
Man accused of stabbing girlfriend to death and discarding her body in Elk Grove Village hotel dumpster
The argument Arturo Taylor got into with his longtime girlfriend began with words. But the fight inside a northwest suburban hotel room soon turned violent, Cook County prosecutors alleged in court this week.
Colleen Bagley, 50, was stabbed to death at the Elk Grove Village hotel where she lived on Feb. 21, 2026. (Family photo)
They accused Taylor of strangling his girlfriend, 50-year-old Colleen Bagley, and fatally stabbing her twice in the chest on Feb. 21 with a butcher knife. He later threw her body near a dumpster, prosecutors said.
At a detention hearing on Monday, Judge James Murphy ordered Taylor detained pending trial, court records show. The 54-year-old Fox Lake man faces a first-degree murder charge.
In ordering him detained, Murphy said he poses a threat to the community and is a convicted felon with a “violent history,” including for aggravated battery, court records show.
Bagley’s brother, Jason Ehardt, told the Tribune in a phone call Wednesday that when he heard his sister had been brutally killed his first thought was “I hope they got him.” He described her as an “outgoing” and “nice” person, and fondly remembers them hanging out frequently as kids at parks. She had multiple adult children, he said.
“I wish we had more time together,” Ehardt said. “I’m gonna miss her.” Ehardt said for years he’s mostly only heard from Bagley in sporadic phone calls. She struggled with drug addiction, as did her boyfriend, he said. But he never imagined something so horrible could happen.
Captured on surveillance footage
Surveillance footage was captured hours before Bagley’s death on Feb. 21 at an Elk Grove Village hotel in the 2400 block of Landmeier Road. The couple, who had been together for nine years, had lived at the hotel for about two years, prosecutors said.
The footage showed Bagley throughout the day walking in the parking lot and shopping at a nearby Walgreens store, where she bought bleach. Just before 7 p.m., Taylor is shown on video going into their room, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors alleged the couple got into a verbal altercation about another female resident of the hotel Taylor had spent time with that evening. Taylor then strangled Bagley and stabbed her with a folding blade knife and “large” butcher knife, prosecutors alleged.
On Feb. 25, Taylor was again captured on video around 2 a.m. walking toward the dumpsters in the hotel’s parking lot. He carried a pink garbage bag, prosecutors said.
A couple of hours later, a witness walking in the parking lot found Bagley’s body wrapped in a white blanket with a blue check mark pattern next to the dumpster, prosecutors said.
Elk Grove Village police were called to the hotel and Bagley was pronounced dead. The Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled her death a homicide caused by multiple sharp force injuries.
Inside the dumpster, officers found a suitcase covered in Bagley’s blood. Inside the couple’s room, police recovered two knives, Taylor’s shoes and Taylor’s jeans, all of which had blood stains, prosecutors said. Blood stains and dried bleach also covered the floor.
Police also found a pillow with the same checkered pattern Bagley’s body was wrapped in, prosecutors said.
While police were investigating at the hotel, Taylor agreed to be questioned. At the Police Department he attempted to hang himself and was briefly hospitalized, prosecutors said.
He later admitted, however, to strangling and stabbing Bagley twice because she “pulled a pocketknife on him,” prosecutors alleged. He said he put Bagley’s body in a suitcase and threw it down the stairs, but wasn’t able to lift it into the dumpster. He also said he tried to clean the blood but became “very tired” and couldn’t clean it all, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors also said Schaumburg police had responded in 2023 to a different hotel to escort Bagley and Taylor from a room for nonpayment. At the time, Bagley told an officer that she feared Taylor would become physically aggressive with her.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/04/elk-grove-village-hotel-murder-charges/
