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The Short List

Mon Mar 23 2026

Phaedra Trethan | National Correspondent

@wordsbyphaedra

👋🏼 Hello and welcome to a new work week! I'm Phaedra Trethan , presenting for your National Puppy Day pleasure these sleeping cuties. 🐶 🥹

In Monday's news:

•	ICE agents are working at some U.S. airports amid ongoing TSA staffing shortages brought on by the partial government shutdown.
•	Two pilots were killed and several other people were injured when a plane collided with an emergency vehicle at New York's LaGuardia airport.
•	President Donald Trump says the U.S. and Iran are engaged in talks to end the war. The Iranians say no such talks have taken place. We have all the latest developments.

But first: Should Granny and Gramps get to toast with something stronger than prune juice at the nursing home? Lawmakers in Minnesota are considering the "Grandparents' happy hour." 🍷 🍺

ICE at the airport?

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are now working at some U.S. airports as travelers face significant delays partly due to TSA staff shortages, with workers continuing to work without pay or quitting altogether, amid a partial government shutdown. Democrats and some Republicans refuse to OK the annual budget for the Department of Homeland Security over concerns about the Trump administration's aggressive approach to immigration enforcement.

•	Is the presence of ICE agents at airports helping? What travelers say.
•	What are your rights? Here's what you need to know.
•	Travelers are reconsidering air travel amid rising costs, delays and safety concerns.
•	Weighing your travel options: Fly or drive? What's easier, and what's cheaper? 🛫 🚗
•	Photos: ICE agents appear at U.S. airports 📸
•	Watch: What Trump said about sending ICE to airports.

ICE agents walk through a long line of travelers at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on March 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. The travel disruptions continue as hundreds of TSA agents quit or work without pay during a partial government shutdown. President Donald Trump said ICE agents will be deployed to airports on Monday, with border czar Tom Homan in charge of the effort.

Megan Varner, Getty Images

Tragedy at LaGuardia

Two pilots were killed and dozens of others were injured when an Air Canada Express jet collided with a firetruck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport. The Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting truck was responding to a United Airlines plane that reported a safety issue. The New York airport was closed on Monday. What we know.

•	"Stop. Stop. Stop." Hear the audio from LaGuardia's control tower.
•	Photos: The aftermath at LaGuardia.
•	What we know about the pilots who were killed.

Listen to some of the air traffic control communications before the deadly Air Canada Express collision with a truck at LaGuardia Airport.

Reuters

Real quick

•	Hawaii has been hit by storms that caused the worst flooding in 20 years.
•	Savannah Guthrie and her family issued another plea for the safe return of their mother, Nancy, who's been missing since Feb. 1.
•	Hundreds of people were treated for heat-related illness at an airshow in Arizona.
•	A Georgia woman sought medical care after taking medication to induce an abortion. Now she's charged with murder.

Talking or not talking?

President Trump said Monday that the U.S. and Iran engaged in "very strong talks" and reached "major points of agreement that could end the war. Iranian officials said, well, no, that never happened . Trump added that Iran's regime wants to make a deal — but if negotiations (if there are any) break down, "we'll just keep bombing our little hearts out." The latest developments.

•	Why are people comparing Trump to a TACO? 🌮
•	Watch: What Trump said. 📺
•	A five-day pause? U.S. will suspend strikes, but only for a short time. ⏸️

USA TODAY Photo illustration/Bing Maps/USA TODAY

Deep fakes, deep pain for victims

Lancaster is a bucolic small city known for its long history, Amish farms, charming downtown and Pennsylvania Dutch buffets . But revelations of deepfake pornography at one of its K-12 private schools have roiled the community: Two juvenile male students at Lancaster Country Day School created and shared nearly 250 AI-generated pornographic images and videos of 60 people, 59 of them minors. All of the victims were female, and most were students at the school. The incident, though, is hardly isolated and experts say school policies, awareness and the law are all struggling to keep up as AI technology evolves and becomes more sophisticated and accessible.

A break from the news

•	This woman has fostered more than 100 dogs. As the pet parent to a former foster, I say, thank you! 🐕
•	Kids and puppies, puppies and kids. Doesn't get much cuter. 🐾 🥹 👧🏻
•	Want to adopt a puppy? Here's what you need to know first. 🐶

Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. She'd love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and your dog. Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com.

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