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Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Minneapolis last week calling for an end to federal immigration enforcement, drawing national attention to renewed opposition against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Organizers promoted the rally as a grassroots response to immigration policies, with protesters chanting slogans and urging state leaders to block ICE operations in Minnesota.

Estimates suggest roughly 15,000 people participated in the march, which took place on Friday. While many attendees described their involvement as personally motivated, some researchers and analysts argue that the scale and coordination of the event point to broader organizational support rather than a purely spontaneous uprising.

Reporting cited by the New York Post notes that influence researchers see similarities between the Minneapolis protest and previous large-scale demonstrations during President Donald Trump’s earlier time in office. In those cases, protests were publicly framed as organic movements but were later linked to structured activist networks and major financial backers.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has signaled caution about changing Senate rules to require a so-called “standing” or “talking” filibuster as Republicans seek to advance a voter identification bill that has stalled under current procedures.

The discussion follows reports from some House Republicans who suggested that Senate leaders and the White House had explored procedural options that could make it easier to bring certain legislation to a vote. One proposal involved limiting the modern filibuster, which allows senators to block legislation without holding the floor, by requiring continuous debate to delay action.

Under current Senate rules, a single senator can trigger a filibuster by signaling opposition, forcing the majority to secure 60 votes to end debate through cloture. A standing filibuster would require opponents to physically remain on the Senate floor and speak continuously, potentially for extended periods, in order to block a bill.

Speculation about potential changes increased after comments from several House Republicans, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who said discussions had taken place about using a standing filibuster to move election-related legislation. This includes the SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration and has already passed the House.

Speaking with reporters Tuesday, Thune said Senate Republicans would discuss the idea internally but stressed that no decision has been made. He warned that enforcing a talking filibuster could significantly limit the Senate’s ability to address other legislative priorities by consuming large amounts of floor time.

Thune also noted that the Senate faces a crowded agenda, including work on housing policy, infrastructure funding, artificial intelligence regulation, agricultural legislation, and permitting reform. He has previously expressed support for preserving the legislative filibuster, citing its role in protecting minority-party participation and encouraging bipartisan compromise.

CBS News is expected to end its professional relationship with contributor Peter Attia following the release of newly disclosed emails showing past communications between Attia and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a report from The Wrap. The emails were part of a large document release made public Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to the report, Attia’s name appeared more than 1,700 times among approximately three million emails connected to Epstein. Some of the correspondence reportedly reflected a casual tone, including jokes and remarks about Epstein’s lifestyle. If confirmed, CBS News’ decision would come amid broader internal changes at the network.

Attia addressed the controversy Monday in a detailed statement posted on X. He acknowledged meeting Epstein several times between 2014 and 2019 at Epstein’s New York residence but denied any involvement in or knowledge of criminal activity. Attia said he was never on Epstein’s private plane, never visited his private island, and was not present at any illicit gatherings.

He stated that his interactions with Epstein were limited to discussions involving scientific research, philanthropy, and professional introductions. Attia also expressed regret over the tone of some emails that are now public, describing them as inappropriate and embarrassing. “I accept responsibility for my words and the consequences that come with them,” he wrote.

One email exchange from 2015 has drawn particular attention. Attia explained that a message referencing a “fresh shipment” related to prescription medication he had received, and he acknowledged responding poorly to Epstein’s reply. Attia said he was ashamed of the exchange and would not attempt to justify it.

Attia said he first encountered Epstein through academic and philanthropic networks, where Epstein was known for funding scientific research. He stated that his perception of Epstein changed significantly after media investigations in 2018 detailed the scope of Epstein’s criminal conduct. Attia said he ultimately cut ties and now recognizes that any continued association was a mistake.

In recent days, Attia has also appeared to distance himself from other professional ventures, including being removed from the website of a food company in which he had invested. Attia is a physician known for his work in preventive medicine and longevity research, focusing on strategies to extend years lived in good health rather than treating disease after onset.

A new national survey suggests broad public support for stricter immigration enforcement, highlighting a potential challenge for Democratic messaging on the issue while aligning with long-standing positions held by President Donald Trump. The poll, conducted by the research firm Cygnal, indicates that a majority of voters favor enforcing existing immigration laws and continuing deportations of individuals who are in the country unlawfully.

According to the survey, 73 percent of respondents said entering the United States without legal authorization constitutes breaking the law. In addition, 61 percent said they support deporting individuals who are in the country illegally, compared with 34 percent who oppose deportation. The poll also found that 54 percent of voters want Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to actively enforce federal immigration laws, while 58 percent oppose efforts to defund the agency.

The data shows that views on immigration enforcement extend beyond partisan lines. Independents and swing voters were found to be more closely aligned with Republican voters on many immigration-related questions than with Democrats. The poll also tested voter reactions to hypothetical policy positions, such as opposing ICE enforcement or supporting a government shutdown to halt deportations.

Under those scenarios, Cygnal found notable shifts in voter preferences. When respondents were told that Democrats oppose ICE enforcement, the party’s advantage on the generic congressional ballot disappeared. If voters were presented with the idea of a government shutdown to defund ICE, Republicans gained a modest national lead, with a more pronounced shift among swing voters.

The survey also found that 64 percent of likely midterm voters view illegal immigration as a serious national issue, including a large majority of Independents. Cygnal CEO Brent Buchanan said the findings suggest many voters frame immigration primarily as a law-and-order concern and react negatively to policies perceived as limiting enforcement.

The polling results come amid increased immigration enforcement activity nationwide, which has prompted protests in several major cities. As immigration continues to be a central political issue, the data suggests it may remain a decisive factor for voters, particularly those who tend to determine outcomes in closely contested elections.

Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, have discovered evidence inside her Tucson home that has raised serious concerns. Law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times that investigators found signs of forced entry and indications of a struggle at the residence, prompting fears that she may have been taken from her home against her will.

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing after she failed to attend church on Sunday morning. She was last seen around 9:45 p.m. Saturday at her home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills area. Officials noted that her personal belongings, including her phone, wallet, and vehicle, were left behind, adding to concerns that she did not leave voluntarily.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators believe Guthrie did not leave on her own and confirmed she has limited mobility and requires daily medication. During a media appearance, Nanos became emotional when asked whether authorities believe she is still alive, emphasizing that deputies are continuing the search with urgency and hope.

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Investigators are treating the case as a possible abduction, though officials stressed that all possibilities remain under review. Nanos said there is currently no evidence suggesting the incident was connected to Savannah Guthrie’s public profile, but investigators are continuing to examine every angle as the case develops.

Savannah Guthrie traveled to Arizona shortly after learning of her mother’s disappearance and has stepped away from her professional commitments to focus on the situation. The Today show has devoted coverage to the case, sharing the family’s request for public support and prayers.

On Tuesday, authorities announced a reward of $2,500 for information leading to an arrest and reiterated that the effort remains a search-and-rescue operation. DNA analysis and other forensic work are ongoing, with results expected in the coming days. Officials urge anyone with relevant information to contact local law enforcement as the investigation continues.

Investigators have identified a new development in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie. Law enforcement sources say Guthrie’s pacemaker stopped syncing with her Apple Watch in the early hours of Sunday morning, providing a potential timeline in the ongoing investigation.

According to officials familiar with the case, the pacemaker ceased transmitting data to the Apple Watch around 2 a.m. Sunday. Authorities believe the watch was left inside Guthrie’s home, suggesting the connection ended when the pacemaker moved out of Bluetooth range. Apple Watches are capable of connecting to certain medical devices to monitor health data wirelessly.

Pacemakers are implanted medical devices used to regulate heart rhythm, and investigators say the loss of synchronization could indicate when Guthrie was separated from the device tracking system. Officials have not publicly confirmed how the information will factor into the broader investigation but say it is being carefully reviewed.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, around 9:45 p.m. Saturday and was reported missing after she failed to attend church services the following morning. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said investigators uncovered evidence inside the home that raised concerns about possible foul play, though details remain limited as the case is ongoing.

Sheriff Nanos also noted that Guthrie requires daily medication, raising additional concerns about her well-being. Savannah Guthrie has asked the public to keep her mother in their thoughts and prayers as authorities continue their search and urge anyone with relevant information to contact local law enforcement.

Twenty-one House Democrats broke with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to support legislation ending the four-day partial government shutdown, helping clear the way for the funding measure to pass. Their votes provided the margin needed to reopen the government after days of stalled negotiations in Congress.

The shutdown began after lawmakers failed to approve a spending package before the funding deadline, leading to disruptions across multiple federal agencies. While most Democrats opposed the bill, citing concerns over the process and policy priorities, the group of 21 argued that reopening the government was necessary to avoid further harm to federal workers and public services.

Minority Leader Jeffries had urged Democrats to withhold support, calling for additional negotiations and changes to the legislation. Despite that position, the lawmakers who voted in favor said the immediate impacts of the shutdown outweighed broader political disagreements.

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