2026.03.04

[lsanderson]

Protesters demanded hotels ban ICE agents. Here’s why that didn’t happen.
Despite widespread opposition to Operation Metro Surge, local leaders have so far been stymied in efforts to limit their hotel stays.
by Trevor Mitchell
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/03/protesters-demanded-hotels-ban-ice-agents-heres-why-that-didnt-happen/

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended her characterization of Minnesotans killed during Operation Metro Surge as “agitators” during a nearly five-hour Senate hearing on Tuesday, the AP reports. “It was Noem’s first congressional appearance since the shooting deaths of the two protesters galvanized widespread opposition to how the Trump administration is executing its mass deportation agenda, a centerpiece policy of President Donald Trump’s second term.” Via MinnPost
https://apnews.com/article/noem-testifies-congress-homeland-security-immigration-enforcement-ebb715699e3f4f6dd6fdd22157b4e1a7

Minnesota Republicans ask Kristi Noem to limit ICE activity near schools
In a mid-February letter, four House Republicans asked the Homeland Security secretary to keep enforcement actions away from schools and children when possible.
Avatar photo
by Becky Z. Dernbach
https://sahanjournal.com/education/minnesota-republicans-kristi-noem-ice-action-near-schools/

Federal judge weighs contempt charge for Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor over ICE failures
A federal judge told Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen that he isn’t ruling out imprisonment over government failures to follow through with court orders related to immigrants released from federal custody.
Avatar photo
by Andrew Hazzard
https://sahanjournal.com/public-safety/federal-judge-contempt-imprisonment-us-attorney-daniel-rosen-ice-immigration/

Minnesota Congress members expected to vote with parties on resolution to stop Trump’s military strikes on Iran
While the attempt to rein in the president’s war-making power is expected to fail, lawmakers are demanding the administration justify Operation Epic Fury as the conflict escalates.
by Ana Radelat
https://www.minnpost.com/national/washington/2026/03/minnesotas-lawmakers-emmer-illhan-omar-to-vote-on-halting-trumps-military-strikes-on-iran/

At House hearing, Walz will defend anti-fraud actions and accuse Trump administration of political retribution
Walz and Ellison have been asked to testify before a House committee investigating fraud and plan to pivot from fraud to Operation Metro Surge.
by Ana Radelat
https://www.minnpost.com/national/washington/2026/03/house-hearing-tim-walz-anti-fraud-accuse-trump-administration-political-retribution/

Global sea levels have been underestimated due to poor modelling, research suggests
Analysis shows average levels are 30cm higher than thought, and up to 150cm in south-east Asia and Indo-Pacific
Tara Russell
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/04/global-sea-levels-underestimated-poor-modelling-research

House opens inquiry into Texas lawmaker over alleged affair with aide
Tony Gonzales allegedly had affair with Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who later died after setting herself on fire
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/04/tony-gonzales-texas-rep-alleged-affair

Louisiana mayor convicted of raping 16-year-old boy at her home while still in office
Misty Roberts, 43, faces sentences of up to 10 and seven years in prison after July 2024 sexual assault at pool party
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/04/louisiana-mayor-convicted-rape-16-year-old

Workers at top 20 US low-wage firms rely on public assistance, report says
Exclusive: study finds workers at 20 S&P 500 firms rely on Medicaid and Snap as CEO pay and buybacks soar
Michael Sainato
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/04/workers-medicaid-snap-low-pay

‘Thought it was a collapsed drain’: golf course sinkhole exposes lost wine cellar
Groundsman stumbles across room, sealed for more than 100 years, that was part of 12th-century Manchester hall
Mark Brown North of England correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/04/thought-it-was-a-collapsed-drain-golf-course-sinkhole-exposes-lost-wine-cellar

‘He paints phalluses the way others paint landscapes’: the disturbing genius of erotica pioneer Félicien Rops
A new exhibition at Kunsthaus Zurich revisits the Belgian artist whose wild women of the demimonde scandalised the belle epoque – and still shock audiences today
Christian House
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/mar/04/laboratory-of-lust-exhibition-kunsthaus-zurich-felicien-rops