2026.03.24

[lsanderson]

As of Monday afternoon the federal government has not said whether Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will be among those hosting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents this week, MPR News reports. But MSP airport did not appear on a list obtained by CNN of 14 airports where agents were set to be deployed on Monday. ICE is being deployed to speed up slow security lines that have resulted in TSA staffing shortages due to the partial government shutdown, according to the Trump administration. Via MinnPost
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/tsa-wait-times-ice-airports-03-23-26?post-id=cmn37qf65000q3b6rfo32wpep

The cases of two women who were allegedly killed by their husbands is raising questions about the efficacy of the state’s orders for protection (OFP) system. “Ashley Kittelson and Jennifer Marsaw both turned to the courts for help and were swiftly granted orders for protection (OFPs) from the men now accused of killing them,” The Minnesota Star Tribune. Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/killings-of-2-minnesota-women-raise-questions-about-effectiveness-of-orders-for-protection/601619327?utm_source=gift

Contractors and union representatives are worried about a construction labor shortage for the upcoming spring and summer seasons after workers witnessed colleagues arrested and deported this past winter, Sahan Journal reports. Via MinnPost
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/labor-shortage-spring-summer-construction-twin-cities-immigration/

Minnesota activists, lawmakers reconsider César Chávez’s legacy amid rape allegations
The Minnesota House voted unanimously Monday to repeal César Chávez Day as St. Paul considers renaming a street named after the labor activist.
by Mohamed Ibrahim
https://sahanjournal.com/democracy-politics/minnesota-house-repeals-cesar-chavez-day-rape-allegations/

Bets on US-Iran ceasefire show signs of insider knowledge, say experts
New online accounts on Polymarket platform betting a total of $70,000 suggest ‘some degree of inside info’
Aisha Down
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/23/bets-us-iran-ceasefire-show-signs-of-insider-knowledge-say-experts-polymarket

Why is Trump still bombing Iran? Nixon’s Vietnam record offers a clue
Kenneth Roth
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/24/trump-iran-strategy-nixon-vietnam

US supreme court appears poised to limit mail-in ballots ahead of midterms
Case focuses on RNC’s challenge to a Mississippi law that allows ballots to count if they arrive after election day
Rachel Leingang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/23/supreme-court-mail-in-ballots-case

US democracy has settled into diminished state, experts find
Bright Line Watch researchers see stabilization in democratic health but at lower levels after sharp decline
Lauren Gambino
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/24/us-democracy-health-research

Epstein victim says Bard president helped legitimize sex offender
Leon Botstein’s communications and relationship with Epstein under review by WilmerHale law firm, while Bard president says he never witnessed anything inappropriate
Stephanie Kirchgaessner
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/24/jeffrey-epstein-bard-college-president

Bill Cosby found guilty of sexual assault and ordered to pay $59.25m in damages
Donna Motsinger wins civil case after accusing Cosby of drugging and raping her in California in 1972
Nick Robins-Early
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/23/bill-cosby-guilty-sexual-assault-civil-trial

Eight arrested for ‘brutal’ attack on capybara in Brazil
In incident filmed by security cameras in Rio de Janeiro, group of attackers beat animal with sticks and iron bars
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/24/brutal-attack-capybara-brazil-eight-arrested

Extra 11 minutes’ sleep each night can reduce heart attack risk, study finds
Researchers detail ‘surprisingly large’ cardiovascular health benefits of small shifts in behaviour
PA Media
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/24/extra-sleep-each-night-reduce-heart-attack-risk-study-finds

‘Strong evidence’ of lowered dementia risk: the benefits of shingles vaccination
A growing body of evidence suggests the vaccine may also lower risk of stroke and heart attack
Sarah Sloat
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2026/mar/17/shingles-vaccination-benefits-dementia-risk

‘I’d smoke Biscoff if I could’: how a little Belgian biscuit became a social media sensation
Biscoff-based recipes are breaking the internet – everything from cheesecakes and milkshakes to prawn dishes and salads. A few traditionalists are even enjoying the biscuits on their own. What’s behind this sweet success story?
Emine Saner
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2026/mar/24/biscoff-belgian-biscuit-viral-social-media-sensation-recipes

Dario Fo at 100: a deliriously funny playwright with a deadly serious purpose
The great Italian entertainer’s plays, such as Accidental Death of an Anarchist, have not lost their power to make audiences roar with laughter while confronting injustice
Michael Billington

Buddha’s birthday preparations and horseback goat-grabbing: photos of the day – Monday
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world
Eithne Staunton
https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2026/mar/23/buddha-birthday-horseback-goat-grabbing-photos-of-the-day-monday