Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are expected to skip work or quit as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown stretches on, causing long lines at airports and more headaches for travelers. The lack of funding for DHS has left many of its employees unpaid, which has prompted those absences and departures. Travelers have been […]
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Airport security headaches grow as DHS shutdown drags on: What to know
Meghan Patrick Owns the Night
Meghan Patrick‘s stock in country music rose considerably on Friday night (March 20) in Nashville.
She delivered a star-making performance when it mattered most on one of country music’s most important stages, cementing her position as one of the genre’s most promising rising artists.
Who Are the CRS New Faces of Country Music in 2026?
Patrick rocked the house during her performance at the 2026 CRS New Faces of Country Music show on Friday evening.
The annual showcase caps off the yearly Country Radio Seminar (CRS), which brings radio programmers and journalists from across the country together with artists, PR people and labels for a three-day conference consisting of interviews, performances, showcases, panels and more that determines the agenda in the country music business for the rest of the year.
READ MORE: See Taste of Country’s RISERS: 2026 Artists to Watch
Patrick was part of a Class of 2026 that also includes Chase Matthew, Kelsey Hart, John Morgan, Josh Ross and Ella Langley.
All but Langley are also included in Taste of Country’s RISERS: 2026 Artists to Watch program.
What Did Meghan Patrick Perform at the 2026 New Faces of Country Music Show?
Patrick took the stage for a highly energetic, deliriously over-the-top performance that kicked off with an unexpected medley of Led Zeppelin covers, beginning with “When the Levee Breaks” — complete with Patrick blowing some blues harmonica — and running through “Black Dog” before ending with “Rock and Roll.”
If the question is, “When’s the last time a female country artist strapped on a Gibson Flying V guitar and delivered an incendiary set of Zeppelin covers at one of country music’s most prestigious events?,” then as of publication time, the answer is, “Last night inside the ballroom at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville, while one of the toughest, most seen-it-all audiences in the world sat there with their mouths hanging open.”
Patrick wore a short, form-fitting golden dress and thigh-high leopard-print boots as she performed, displaying an innate star power that outstripped all of the other very worthy performances on the stage on Friday night.
She showed off a completely different side when she switched to acoustic guitar for a sensitive rendition of her breakthrough single, “Golden Child,” demonstrating her musical and emotional range.
The highlight performances at the 2026 Country Radio Seminar leaned heavily toward organic sounds, with an emphasis on traditional country, Americana and roots music.
However, Friday night’s New Faces show slanted heavily toward heavy rock, with Chase Matthew, Kelsey Hart, John Morgan and Josh Ross all relying on distorted guitars and energetic, up-tempo material for the bulk of their sets.
That’s not to say there weren’t some slower or more emotionally resonant songs.
Matthew brought Lauren Alaina to the stage for a joint rendition of their recent collaboration, “All My Exes,” and Hart drew cheers when he had to pause and wipe away tears after he paid emotional tribute to his wife in introducing his breakthrough song, “Life With You.”
“One More Sunset” was a highlight of John Morgan’s set, while Ross included “Namin’ Names” in his performance.
Ella Langley closed out the night with the only performance that drew more on traditional country forms, delivering a set that included “Dandelion,” “Be Her,” “Loving Life Again” and her mega-hit, “Choosin’ Texas.”
Her performance was less a prediction of big things to come and more of a confirmation that she’s already arrived, after a breakthrough year that places her in the company of country music’s most popular artists in 2026.
Scroll through the pictures below to see highlights from the 2026 CRS New Face of Country Music showcase.
PICTURES: See the 2026 CRS New Faces of Country Music
The annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville has unveiled its New Faces of Country Music for 2026, including the most up-and-coming artists in contemporary country music.
Taste of Country’s RISERS: 2026 Artists to Watch
Taste of Country has unveiled its RISERS: 2026 Artists to Watch. The list highlights some of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in country music, including both men and women, traditionalists and pop-country artists — representing a true cross-section of contemporary country.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
How Five Americans Made It to the Middle Class
Rising up from poverty isn’t easy, but paths like healthcare and the trades offer a lift.
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Men’s tournament odds: Arizona, Michigan jockey for first, St. John’s on the move
Not only did all of the top four seeds advance to the round of 32 in the men’s tournament for the second year in a row, but they did so in spectacular fashion: The first round’s average margin of victory was 17.4 points, the highest since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, according to ESPN Research. All betting favorites won their games outright Friday, only the second time that has happened on a single opening-round day in tournament history.
This is all to say that the national championship favorites stayed the favorites, but there was some minor infighting near the top of the odds board. Arizona (+350) and Michigan (+370) maintained favorite status after surpassing Duke, which fell from top favorite status on Thursday and lengthened further from +425 to +450 since Friday. Florida‘s remarkable blowout win in the round of 64 moved the Gators up from +800 to +750.
Purdue, one of the betting public’s main future preferences, continues to climb the board, moving from 25-1 to 22-1 to be the seventh favorite. To make room, Iowa State lengthened from 18-1 to 25-1 since Friday, tying the Cyclones with another sportsbook liability, UConn (25-1). Other notable movers include Arkansas (50-1 to 40-1) and St. John’s, which shortened the most of any team since Friday from 70-1 to 40-1.
MORE: Spreads, money lines, totals and BPI projections for every matchup
Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook, subject to change.
2 skiers killed, 5 hurt in northern Italy avalanche
Two skiers died and five others were injured on Saturday when an avalanche rumbled down on them in the Italian Alps, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, the mountain rescue service said.
The service’s operation centre received an alert around midday that a dozen skiers were caught up in the avalanche, a spokesman said.
“Six helicopters were dispatched,” and nearby hospitals were notified, he said.
The avalanche happened at an altitude of around 7,874 feet on the slopes of the 8,757-foot Hohe Ferse near the town of Ratschings, close to the border with Austria, the Associated Press reported.
Italian Alpine the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps Trentino Via AP 
Dozens of rescue personnel, as well as firemen and law enforcement, participate in the search-and-rescue effort.
A total of 25 skiers were on the mountainside where the avalanche occurred, but most had escaped the brunt of the slide of snow, rocks and ice.
A few days ago, in the same region, a Polish man was killed by an avalanche.
The avalanche warning given for the region on Saturday evaluated the danger as between low and moderate.
Europe has been hit by a string of avalanches this winter. Last month, at least five people, including an American, were killed in a string of avalanches in western Austria. Three avalanches across Austria killed eight skiers in Jan., authorities said. Six skiers died in France after being caught in avalanches in various Alpine resorts.
Cat named Louis Vuitton crosses US-Canadian border daily
IN CANADA… ONE CULPRIT SEEMS TO BE IGNORING INTERNATIONAL LAW ON A DAILY BASIS! IT’S A CAT — THAT JUMPS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA AS HE PLEASES! AND HE’S BECOME A LOCAL LEGEND. <0:31 Nats “Illegal. What?”…Nats “I think it’s because he’s got 4 legs, not 2.”0:35> ON ZERO AVENUE IN SOUTH SURREY- British Columbia, THESE HOMES SIT SMACK ON THE BORDER. ONE SIDE IS CANADA — ACROSS THE STREET, THE UNITED STATES. ONLY A LITTLE DITCH AND SIGNS WARN TO NOT CROSS… AND PEOPLE FOLLOW THE RULES… EXCEPT FOR ONE RESIDENT — LOUIS VUITTON, THE CAT. <0:53 “He’s a cool little cat, keeps coming back and forth and says hello to everybody.”0:57>
A cat in Canada seems all too comfortable with breaking international law on a daily basis.A cat named Louis Vuitton, who lives on Zero Avenue in South Surrey, British Columbia, lives at a home that sits right on the border of Canada and the United States.See the report in the video aboveThe cat has gotten a reputation for jumping back and forth between the two countries as he pleases, and has become a bit of a local legend in his neighborhood.”He’s a cool little cat, keeps coming back and forth and says hello to everybody,” said Bob Christy, a local resident.Only a small ditch and some signs separate the two countries, and while people follow the rules, Louis does not.”It’s a bit mind-blowing. He kind of flaunts his recklessness toward the law,” said neighbor Deb Tate with a laugh.
A cat in Canada seems all too comfortable with breaking international law on a daily basis.
A cat named Louis Vuitton, who lives on Zero Avenue in South Surrey, British Columbia, lives at a home that sits right on the border of Canada and the United States.
See the report in the video above
The cat has gotten a reputation for jumping back and forth between the two countries as he pleases, and has become a bit of a local legend in his neighborhood.
“He’s a cool little cat, keeps coming back and forth and says hello to everybody,” said Bob Christy, a local resident.
Only a small ditch and some signs separate the two countries, and while people follow the rules, Louis does not.
“It’s a bit mind-blowing. He kind of flaunts his recklessness toward the law,” said neighbor Deb Tate with a laugh.
G6PD Drop New Track, “BLACK SUN”
Hailing from the north of Thailand, death metalcore group G6pd are creating a rather ferocious mix of traditional Thai-folk instrumentals with the tones of metal we all know and love. There’s a sense of grandeur to the song, it’s epic, as if it could be played during battle. And there’s a certain amount of truth to that.
G6pd says of the track, “”Black Sun” is the state of a world where the light has gone out… and death is drawing near. The Sun, a symbol of life and hope, has turned into a sign of doom… a curse hanging over the world. In the lyrics, “Black Sun” describes the moment when humanity is forced to face the darkest sides of the world and of themselves. Blood, fear, death, spirits, but we have to keep fighting, even the End is near. Only the fight to survive or the choice to accept the fate that’s coming exist.”
G6pd is (TJ) Pisitpong Chandaphom on vocals, Wipoopong Jiraprapoosak on bass, Toranid Keratipal on rhythm guitar, and it’s the band’s newest release with Maximillian Villagran on drums and Ivan Sadovnikov on lead guitar. You can stream the new single here.
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3M, Bain Capital to Buy Madison Fire & Rescue, Form Safety Venture
3M is teaming up Bain Capital to buy Madison Fire & Rescue for $1.95 billion as part of a deal to form a new fire and safety venture.
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Giants’ Cam Skattebo says CTE, asthma are fake, calls it an ‘excuse’
The New York Giants could face questions about Cam Skattebo’s media appearances following comments he made this week surrounding CTE and asthma, serious health conditions the running back believes are fake. Skattebo, who’s entering his second season in the NFL, was asked by podcast host Frank Dalena if he thought the brain disease stemming from repeated head injuries was real.
“No, it’s an excuse,” Skattebo said this week during an appearance on the “Bring The Juice” podcast.
Breathing issues associated with asthma, a lung ailment, are also a fake medical condition, per Skattebo. As the conversation steered toward asthma, Skattebo said to “just literally breathe air” as a means to prevent lung issues.
The American Lung Association has determined the following factors play a role in developing asthma, which could be fatal: family history, allergies, occupational exposure, viral respiratory infections, smoking, air pollution and obesity.
A 2023 study conducted by Boston University revealed 92% of former NFL players who were analyzed after death had CTE, a degenerative brain disease often caused by repetitive head impacts during contact sports or military service. For the first time ever in 2016, the NFL acknowledged a direct link between football and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
“Following a thorough assessment and extensive analysis by our neuropathology experts, OCME has found unambiguous diagnostic evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE, in the brain tissue of the decedent. The findings correspond with the classification of low-stage CTE, according to current consensus criteria,” The Office of Chief Medical Examiner said in a statement.
Skattebo’s comments likely won’t come without repercussions. Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have worked to make the game safer for more than a decade. The league said in 2025 that it has significantly reduced concussion injuries since the adoption of new rules and guardian caps, soft-shell covers that go over helmets and lessen the impact of hits.
Skattebo is coming off a season-ending injury during his rookie campaign after dislocating his ankle in October. Skattebo, the No. 105 overall pick out of Arizona State, had rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries, to go along with 24 receptions for 207 yards and two scores over his first eight NFL games.
The Giants or the NFL has not commented on Skattebo’s remarks.
A deadly South Tyrol avalanche kills 2 skiers, trapping 25 near the Austria border
An avalanche in high alpine terrain in Italy ‘s South Tyrol on Saturday killed two skiers, according to the country’s mountain rescue service.
The avalanche happened at an altitude of around 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) on the slopes of the 2,669-meter (8,757-foot) Hohe Ferse (also known as Monte Tallone Grande) near the town of Ratschings, close to the border with Austria.
The CNSAS rescue service’s Bolzano emergency center reported that 25 skiers were caught in the avalanche. Besides the two dead, three were seriously injured and two lightly injured, it said.
The avalanche took place at 11:40 a.m. local time (1040 GMT). A rescue operation involved six helicopters and around 80 rescuers from CNSAS, the Alpine Association, police and firefighters, Italian news agency ANSA reported.
This season has seen an unusually high number of death from avalanches. European Avalanche Warning Services reports in its website avalanches.org that fatalities average 100 per season. As of March 16, reported deaths this season starting Oct. 1 were at 127, including 33 in Italy, 31 in France and 29 in Austria.
In early February, just as Italy was hosting the Winter Olympics, a record 13 skiers had died on the slopes during one week, including 10 in avalanches.
Experts attributed the deaths to an exceptionally unstable snowpack and the rush of skiing enthusiasts to off-piste slopes after recent heavy snowstorms.
Climate experts have argued that snow instability is due to rising temperatures and stronger winds.