The impasse marks an escalation in Democrats’ negotiating tactics with Congressional Republicans and White House officials, who have been in delicate talks over reforming 9/11 Cabinet agencies since the January killing of a second Minnesota nurse, Alex Preti, 37, by federal agents.

Losing funding to the agency would affect the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency and others, resulting in cuts to services and many employees continuing to work without pay. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which Congress gave surplus funding to last year, will continue its operations.

The Coast Guard chief warned lawmakers at a Feb. 11 Congressional hearing that the Coast Guard must suspend all operations except those critical to national security and the protection of life and property.

Large-scale Pacific weather patterns are changing, with La Niña likely to give way to El Niño in the coming months, according to a Feb. 12 forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center.

“The La Niña phenomenon continued into January 2026, with below-average sea surface temperatures (SST) observed in the east-central Pacific Ocean just below the equator,” the Chinese Communist Party said in an online report on February 12.

After La Niña disappears, there may be a short period of so-called “ENSO neutral” conditions, where neither La Niña nor El Niño exists. After that, a full-fledged El Niño is likely to occur by autumn.

“There is a 50-60% chance of El Niño occurring after late summer,” the Climate Prediction Center said.

At the finish line on February 10, he tearfully told Norway’s NRK television that his beloved had recently cheated on him.

“There’s someone I didn’t see today. Six months ago, I met the love of my life, the most beautiful and best person in the world. And three months ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her,” Reagreed said, according to an NRK transcript translated into English by Google Translate.

“I’m not sure what I want to achieve by saying this right now, but sports have been in second place for the past few days,” he continued. “I wish I could share that with her.”

“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this push operation end,” White House Border Director Tom Homan said at a Feb. 12 press briefing, adding, “We have already begun a significant reduction this week and will continue into next week.”

Homan said he will remain in Minnesota to oversee the removal, which he credited, among other things, to “unprecedented” cooperation between federal and local officials that expanded immigration authorities’ access to local jails.

The announcement marks the end of the largest immigration operation in modern U.S. history, with federal officials fanning out 3,000 more federal agents to the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The incident also came as lawmakers pressed federal immigration officials about their operations in Minnesota and the tactics of federal agents deployed across the country.

Around the same time, references to transgender people were removed from the Stonewall National Monument website, and conservation groups began sounding the alarm about other potential changes to public lands.

The park has changed a lot since then. But unlike the recent introduction of new fees for foreign tourists at some of America’s most popular parks and the introduction of new public lands passes featuring Presidents Donald Trump and George Washington, some changes aren’t necessarily obvious to visitors.

“They need to be more aware of what’s happening to their beloved national parks,” Bill Wade, executive director of the nonprofit National Park Ranger Association, told USA TODAY.

Here are three major systemic changes that have occurred over the past year.

1. Expression in the park

In recent years, national parks have made a concerted effort to “find the stories that aren’t often told or haven’t been told and passionately tell them,” the Biden-era National Park Service chief, the first Native American, told USA TODAY shortly before leaving office in January 2025. “So over the past three years, we’ve been able to work across the park system to tell stories so that every American can see a reflection of themselves in our parks.”

On his first day in office, Trump addressed the federal government’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, then issued several executive orders on how the United States would write its own history. The former called the DEI program “illegal and immoral,” and the latter specifically directed the Secretary of the Interior to “ensure that all public monuments, monuments, statues, markers, or similar facilities within the Department’s jurisdiction contain any descriptions, depictions, or other material that inappropriately disparages past or living Americans, and instead focuses on the greatness of the accomplishments and progress of the American people, or, with respect to natural features, the beauty, richness, and greatness of the American people.” landscape. ”

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum followed suit with a department-level order aimed at “ending extremism in DEI programs and gender ideology” and “returning truth and sanity to American history.”

As parks take measures, some, like Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park, have asked visitors to report any signs that could be a negative sign for Americans.

Philadelphia slavery exhibit removed by National Park Service

An exhibit memorializing the enslaved people who lived and worked in George Washington’s home during his presidency has been removed in Philadelphia.

In January, visitors to Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia recorded a video of a sign saying enslaved people were being removed from President George Washington’s home. Volunteers recently reported that the Pride flag was removed from the Stonewall monument in New York City. The Washington Post also reported on plans to remove signage about Native American history and climate change at parks such as the Grand Canyon, sparking backlash from tribes. Wade said many parks have been asked to remove signage, videos and information on their websites.

The Interior Department told USA TODAY in January: “The President directed federal agencies to review interpretive materials to ensure accuracy, integrity, and consistency with the nation’s shared values. After completing the necessary reviews, the National Park Service is currently taking steps to remove or revise interpretive materials in accordance with the order.”

But Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs for the nonprofit National Park Conservation Association, told USA TODAY, “This is definitely an effort to cleanse our history, to minimize some of these tragic moments in our history and completely erase them from our parks.” The association says its mission is to protect and preserve parks “on the ground, in the courtroom, or in the Capitol.”

“Some of the things that happened in the history of this country…we may not be very proud of these days, and we shouldn’t be, but they’re part of history,” said Wade, who spent his career working in parks before retiring as superintendent of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The National Park Ranger Association is comprised of current and former park staff, volunteers, and supporters.

When asked about the change in interpretation and how the Park Service decides what to remove, the Office of the Secretary of the Interior told USA TODAY: “The National Park Service continues to operate under current law, policy, and direction from the Department of the Interior, and we reject the premise that there was a system-wide effort to erase history, limit science, and politicize park operations.” The agency added that there is no central mandate to remove interpretive content and that the site’s core mission remains unchanged.

National parks are more than just places. What you need to know about people.

2. Reduction in personnel

According to the National Park Service website, the National Park Service’s mission is to preserve the system’s natural and cultural resources for present and future generations.

However, these days there are fewer people taking on this mission. The National Park Service has lost about 25% of its full-time employees over the past year, according to the National Park Conservation Association and the National Park Rangers Association.

“That’s due to both layoffs and people being encouraged to resign or people just trying to get out before they get laid off,” Brengel said, adding that more layoffs are likely.

Wade noted that many of the retirees were senior leaders and professional scientists working on issues that not only affect parks, such as water and air quality. He and Brengel noted that years of research have been paused and other park projects have been shelved.

Brengel also warned of concerns faced by visitors, including the possibility of vandalism and poaching.

“All of these activities that we’ve been preventing for over 100 years are starting to happen again because people know we’re short staffed,” she said.

The Interior Secretary’s Office told USA TODAY that it “does not confirm third-party staffing claims or speculate on hypothetical impacts, and continues to manage staff, research, and visitor services to keep parks open, safe, and accessible.”

Last April, Burkum issued an executive order to “ensure our national parks remain open and accessible” and that the National Park Service “provide the best customer service experience for all visitors.”

Both Brengel and Wade praised the continued dedication of National Park Service employees despite the loss of colleagues and, at times, taking on additional duties. “National Park Service staff remains extremely passionate about doing the best job they can for the American people,” Wade said.

3. Land management

The National Park System has 433 sections and includes 87 national monuments.

National monuments have received particular attention throughout recent administrations. They are unique because, under the Antiquities Act of 1906, the president can establish them on existing federal lands or waters at his discretion.

“We don’t need Congressional approval,” said J.B. Ruhl, the David Daniels Allen Distinguished Chair in Law at Vanderbilt Law School. “Just say, OK, this is a national monument. As long as it’s designed to protect its natural, historical and scientific features.” Ruhl, who specializes in environmental and natural resource law, likened the declaration to an executive order or presidential memorandum.

Once established, a national monument may be managed by one or more Interior agencies, including, but not limited to, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

During his first presidential term, Trump reduced the size of two BLM-managed national monuments in Utah: Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Esculante. At the time, President Trump said local communities know best how to manage their land and accused the previous administration of abusing antiquities laws to lock up resources from local communities and impose “harmful and unnecessary restrictions on hunting, ranching, and responsible economic development.”

Former President Joe Biden subsequently reversed President Trump’s changes in 2021, but the Grand Staircase of Escalante remains a point of contention and concerns about other national monuments have also been raised following executive orders and executive orders encouraging “energy exploration and production on federal lands and waters.”

In May, a Justice Department legal opinion held that the president has the authority to cancel or reduce the size of national monuments established by previous presidents under the Antiquities Act.

The National Park Conservation Association previously shared a list of potential targets, including some within the National Park System.

“I absolutely believe that national monuments remain threatened,” Brengel said. “What we’re hearing is that they’re trying to find monuments that are legally vulnerable…As the administration continues to push for energy development, we’re guessing they’re going to specifically target places where they think they can develop fossil fuels or some type of mining.”

Even if national monuments were spared, many national parks border other types of public lands and could still be affected, she and Wade noted.

“If you have mining activity on the border of a national park area, you are impacting the quality of the water that flows into that national park area. You are also impacting wildlife habitat,” Brengel said.

Protected land may also be opened up to other types of activities. In January, Burgum issued an executive order directing the Interior Department to reduce barriers and expand access to hunting and fishing “where consistent with law, refuge purposes, park establishment laws, land reclamation requirements, safety, and conservation needs.”

Contributors: Phaedra Trethan and Dinah Voyles Pulver

About 20 monks embarked on the 3,300-mile journey from Fort Worth’s Phuong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center to the capital. The trip will begin Oct. 26 and end Feb. 12, when the men will board a bus in Maryland and return home.

Once you arrive in Fort Worth, take a return walk to the temple.

Standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Walk for Peace leader Bhikkhu Pannakara thanked the monastic community, governors, ministers, chaplains and local law enforcement officers who welcomed them along the way.

He called on participants to engage in mindfulness and choose love and kindness.

“Love and kindness don’t require power, money, or titles. Just the choice to stop before you hurt and to sharpen before you speak,” Pannakara said. “If each of us took just one second to ask, would we hurt anyone? The world would already be a kinder place.”

“Let’s walk for peace”: Why are monks walking all over America? Here’s what you need to know:

A sometimes dangerous path to peace

The monks braved the frigid weather that recently hit the southern United States and East Coast to walk, sometimes barefoot, across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia to reach the capital.

Sometimes the journey was dangerous. In November, two men were hospitalized after a monk’s security vehicle was involved in a traffic accident in a Houston suburb. The driver of a pickup truck rear-ended the car the group was traveling in, pushing the men into the car.

One monk’s leg had to be amputated, but the other monk’s injuries were less serious. Also in January, the group’s 4-year-old dog, Aloka, suffered an injury to one of her legs and required surgery. The pup was then reunited with the men.

Why did monks make pilgrimages?

The trek aimed to foster national healing, unity, and compassion as the nation faces challenges of division, mental health crisis, and internal and international conflict.

“The Walk for Peace aims to remind Americans that peace is a practice, not a destination…This pilgrimage offers a simple but profound message: Peace begins within each person’s heart and spreads outward to families, communities, and the nation as a whole,” said a news release announcing the Walk for Peace.

Along the journey, the monks were greeted by thousands of people and welcomed into communities, churches and state capitols as the streets filled with well-wishers and police officers. It was common to see children handing flowers to monks and monks giving blessing strings in return. In Georgia, I encountered a wedding, where monks blessed the bride and groom.

On February 11, hundreds of people gathered in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the end of their journey. As the men walked along the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial to the steps, the crowd cheered in unison, some crying tears of admiration.

Millions of people have followed them on social media since their journey began. Aloka the dog has her own Facebook page with around 1 million followers. The monks have 2.8 million followers on Facebook and 1.3 million followers on TikTok.

Buddhist monks often undertake long walking pilgrimages lasting many months. During the pilgrimage, monks observe strict celibacy rules, including sleeping under a tree and eating one meal a day.

“Everyone is looking for community.”

Amber Kilroy, 46, a dog walker and sitter from Rogers, Arkansas, wore an Aloka sweatshirt to an event in Washington, D.C. She told USA TODAY that she has been following the monks since October and that their walks inspired her to start her own mindfulness journey.

“I feel like Monks really resonates on a level that relates to all humans, regardless of their religion or background,” Kilroy said. “When people are around monks, they can actually face their own suffering, and they can let it go, or they can feel this energy relieving them in some way.”

Dozens of monks arrive in Washington, DC, final destination of Peace Walk

Dozens of monks have arrived in Washington, D.C., the final destination on the “Path to Peace.”

Lana Lewis, 37, handed out carnations to people gathered outside the monument. Flowers are symbols of Buddhism and reflect core teachings such as impermanence, enlightenment, and interconnectedness. She noted that the carnations she handed out were donated by American immigrants who were unable to attend the event, as symbols of peace and nonviolence in America.

Lewis, a Washington, D.C., restaurant worker, said it was important to attend the event to confront what she called disturbing points in history.

“People are very afraid for their lives, for the lives of others, for their freedoms and rights. This is a moment where I think everyone is looking for some kind of community,” she said.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.

The moment will soon reverberate across the country, escalating violent protests against President Donald Trump’s broader immigration campaign.

But eight miles across town, Core Power Yoga’s studio in northeast Minneapolis was quiet. The instructor there had just finished a power yoga class when he heard the news.

“I was teaching students in savasana when I learned that someone had been murdered on the street,” said the teacher, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution at work. Preti’s death comes less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, 37, inside her car.

Figure skating just won an Olympic gold medal for the French ice dance team, which exists thanks to the investigation and subsequent suspension of sexual abuse suspect Nicolai Sorensen and has been consistently publicly supported by the team of Laurence Fournier Baudry and Guillaume Cizeron.

Sorensen’s girlfriend Fournier Beaudry, 33, joined forces with Cizeron a year ago after Sorensen was suspended for at least six years for sexually assaulting an American skater in 2012. His suspension was revoked last year but is currently under review and the suspension could be reinstated. On Wednesday night, he was in the Olympic arena, and when the French team spotted him in the crowd, they waved gleefully from the podium and he whistled back.