95.1 The Bee

President Trump said over the weekend that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be sent to U.S. airports starting Monday to help ease mounting delays, as staffing shortages continue during an ongoing funding dispute over the Department of Homeland Security.

According to administration officials, the plan—overseen by border advisor Tom Homan—will place ICE personnel alongside Transportation Security Administration officers at key airport checkpoints. Their role will focus on monitoring entry and exit points rather than conducting baggage screenings, allowing TSA staff to concentrate on security lines that have stretched for hours in some locations.

The move comes as a partial shutdown of Department of Homeland Security has left many TSA employees working without pay, contributing to widespread absences and longer wait times nationwide. ICE, which operates under DHS but received separate funding, has remained unaffected.

Trump signaled the shift in a series of statements, writing, “ICE will do the job far better than ever done before!” and later adding, “On Monday, ICE will be going to airports to help our wonderful TSA Agents who have stayed on the job despite the fact that the Radical Left Democrats… are endangering the USA by holding back the money.”

The decision arrives amid a heated standoff in Congress. Republicans and Democrats have failed to reach an agreement on DHS funding, with disagreements centered on whether additional resources for ICE should be tied to paying TSA workers. Lawmakers on both sides have traded blame for the disruption, as negotiations continue.

Officials say ICE agents could be deployed first to the busiest airports experiencing the most severe delays. While the administration argues the move will reduce congestion and improve traveler experience, critics warn it underscores the broader impact of the unresolved funding battle.

With no immediate resolution in sight, airport conditions may worsen in the coming days as staffing challenges persist and political tensions remain high.

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The hockey community is mourning the tragic loss of beloved NHL reporter Jessi Pierce, who died alongside her three young children in a house fire in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Emergency crews responded early Saturday morning after neighbors reported flames coming through the roof of a single-family home. Firefighters arrived to find the residence fully engulfed. Despite immediate efforts, an adult, three children, and a dog were discovered inside and pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The National Hockey League confirmed Pierce’s death the following day, sharing, “The entire National Hockey League family sends our prayers and deepest condolences to the Pierce family on the passing of Jessi Pierce and her three young children,” and adding, “Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.”

Pierce, 37, spent 10 seasons contributing to NHL.com and was widely recognized for her coverage of the Minnesota Wild. She was also a co-host of the “Bardown Beauties” podcast and wrote for outlets including USA Hockey and The Athletic. A graduate of Iowa State University, she built a respected career while raising her family, often blending her professional and personal life.

Tributes poured in from colleagues and friends. The Minnesota Wild called her “a kind, compassionate person who cared deeply about her family and those around her,” while others remembered her upbeat personality and passion for the game. One colleague noted the emotional impact at a recent game, saying, “a lot of tears were shed at the arena yesterday.”

Pierce is survived by her husband, Mike. As the investigation continues, the local community and the broader hockey world are coming together to honor her memory and support her loved ones during an unimaginably difficult time.

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Sen. Markwayne Mullin is one step nearer to becoming the next head of the Department of Homeland Security after the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee narrowly approved his nomination on Thursday.

The panel voted 8–7 to advance President Donald Trump’s pick, sending the Oklahoma Republican’s nomination to the full Senate for a final decision. The vote revealed unusual bipartisan crossover: Republican Sen. Rand Paul opposed the nomination, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman backed it—ultimately allowing Mullin to move forward.

The decision followed a tense confirmation hearing a day earlier that highlighted sharp concerns about Mullin’s temperament and past behavior. Paul, who chairs the committee, openly challenged Mullin over previous remarks in which he called the senator a “freaking snake” and suggested he understood why Paul was physically attacked by a neighbor in 2017. The Kentucky senator, who suffered serious injuries in that incident, questioned whether someone perceived as condoning violence should lead a major federal agency. “I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force?” Paul said.

Mullin did not apologize during the exchange, instead pushing back on Paul’s criticism and defending his direct communication style. “For you to say I’m a liar, sir, that’s not accurate,” he said, adding that while the two lawmakers may not get along, he remains committed to doing the job if confirmed. Paul later confirmed his opposition, citing concerns about Mullin’s demeanor and lack of remorse. “I think there are anger issues,” Paul said. “I think there’s a lack of contrition.”

Democrats on the committee largely echoed those concerns. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, the panel’s top Democrat, argued that Mullin failed to demonstrate the judgment and transparency needed to lead DHS. He pointed to multiple incidents, including a 2023 hearing where Mullin challenged a labor leader to a fight, as well as questions surrounding a past overseas trip Mullin described as classified—though, Peters noted, federal agencies had no record of such designation. “Throughout the nomination process, he has failed to be forthright and transparent,” Peters said, adding that the department requires steady leadership capable of rebuilding public trust.

Despite the criticism, Mullin secured key support from Fetterman, who emphasized their working relationship and the need for leadership at DHS. “My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security,” Fetterman said.

Mullin has positioned himself as a different kind of leader from his predecessor, Kristi Noem, whose tenure faced heavy criticism. During his hearing, he emphasized a collaborative approach and a focus on restoring confidence in the agency. “I want to protect the homeland, I want to bring peace of mind, I want to bring confidence back to the agency,” Mullin said. “I’m not going to be the smartest guy in any room I walk into, but I know how to get talent and I know how to bring those people together.”

If confirmed by the full Senate, Mullin would take over a department at the center of contentious immigration debates and ongoing political disputes, including a prolonged funding standoff. He would also oversee major enforcement agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a period of heightened scrutiny.

A full Senate vote is expected soon, where Mullin needs only a simple majority to secure confirmation.

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Update: Authorities announced on Thursday that University of Alabama student James “Jimmy” Gracey, 20, who was reported missing in Barcelona, Spain while on spring break, has been found dead.

A representative from the Barcelona police said in a statement to CNN that the body of Gracey of Elmhurst, Ill. was found on Somorrostro beach near the Shôko Barcelona nightclub where he was last seen. “Everything points to it being an accident, not a criminal act,” the statement said.

CBS News reported slightly different details about where Gracey’s body was found, saying authorities recovered his body after sending out boats, divers and drones to search the sea.

Gracey, a junior accounting major, was last seen at Shôko, a beachfront nightclub in Villa Olimpica. A friend said he saw Gracey at around 3 a.m. (local time), but he failed to return to his Airbnb rental and was reported missing the following day. His parents, Taras and Therese Gracey, said in a statement after news of his discovery was released: “We are so grateful for the kindness and concern that has been shown for our family during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement read. “We have made the decision to pause media interviews at this time to focus on being together and caring for one another. Thank you for respecting our privacy and holding our family in your thoughts.”

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Authorities in Barcelona had expanded efforts to locate Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student who vanished during a spring break trip. Investigators focused heavily on the waterfront near where he was last seen, deploying helicopters, boats, divers, and ground units as they work through multiple possible scenarios.

Gracey disappeared in the early morning hours of March 17 after spending time with friends at Shôko Barcelona, a beachfront nightclub near Port Olímpic. According to those with him, he stayed behind when others left around 3 a.m. and never returned to his Airbnb. Surveillance footage reportedly shows him leaving the venue with another individual, though details remain unclear.

In the days since, investigators have been piecing together his movements. Reports from Spanish media indicate that his wallet may have been recovered floating in the sea near Somorrostro Beach, prompting an intensified search of the surrounding waters; however, authorities have not officially confirmed that detail. There are also conflicting accounts about whether his phone has been recovered, though officials acknowledge that analyzing location data could be key to understanding what happened.

Police, including the Mossos d’Esquadra, say they are exploring several possibilities, including the chance that Gracey entered the water. Search conditions have proven difficult, with divers working in extremely low visibility. At the same time, detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the nightclub and nearby areas to reconstruct a timeline and identify anyone he may have been with.

Gracey is described as about 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants—likely joggers—and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross. Friends and classmates have joined the effort on the ground, distributing flyers and raising awareness across the city.

The family of Jimmy Gracey continues to emphasize how unusual his disappearance is. In a statement, they said that “Our family is deeply concerned about James “Jimmy” Gracey, who has been missing in Barcelona since the early morning hours of March 17. Jimmy is a 20-year-old University of Alabama student visiting friends abroad during spring break. He was last seen around 3:00 AM CET at the Shoko nightclub in the Port Olímpic area. He was wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants (likely joggers), and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross. He is approximately 6’1” and 175 pounds. We are asking anyone who may have seen Jimmy or has any information—no matter how small—to please contact 224.505.3886. Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother. It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends. We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely. Thank you. — The Gracey Family”

Loved ones, along with U.S. officials including the State Department, are working closely with Spanish authorities as the search continues. Anyone with information is urged to come forward by calling 224-505-3886, as efforts remain focused on bringing Gracey home safely.

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