JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 916

Nashville and other U.S. cities reported earlier spring blooms and elevated pollen levels this week as local stations cited data showing growing seasons have lengthened since 1970 and a recent HouseFresh study ranking cities by allergy severity.

Consequences include record or near-record local pollen counts, increased patient symptoms reported by clinics, and health advisories; experts and data sources warn of sustained high pollen in the coming weeks and recommend monitoring counts.

New York: An Air Canada Express Bombardier CRJ-900 taxiing at LaGuardia Airport collided with a Port Authority fire truck early Monday, March 23, 2026, while arriving from Montreal, causing severe nose damage to the aircraft and triggering an immediate emergency response and airport operational halt.

Emergency teams treated multiple injured including firefighters and crew, authorities reported; the FAA issued a ground stop for LaGuardia initially until 05:30 GMT, airport operations were suspended, videos and images circulated, and officials began securing the scene and collecting flight, vehicle and air-traffic data.

MIAMI — Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified Tuesday in the federal trial of former Congressman David Rivera, who is accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela in 2017; prosecutors allege Rivera secured a multi‑million dollar contract from a Venezuelan state oil entity and sought meetings with U.S. officials.

The testimony, given on March 24, 2026, provides prosecutors with firsthand context about Rubio's past relationship with Rivera and overlaps with alleged meetings; Rivera faces charges filed in 2022 for money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent, and the trial will proceed with additional evidence and witness statements.

Memphis: President Donald Trump visited the Tennessee Air National Guard Base Monday to participate in a roundtable about the Memphis Safe Task Force and its operations, with the White House scheduling the event and local officials providing logistics and flight-impact guidance.

Officials and administration aides released enforcement tallies this week, citing thousands of arrests, weapons and drug seizures, National Guard deployments, and rally activity; local protesters and advocacy groups held counter-demonstrations and said they will press for independent data and community-based solutions.

Tampa, Fla. Alvaro Folgueiras hit a three-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining, giving No.9 Iowa a 73-72 win over defending champion No.1 Florida on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament second round, eliminating the Gators and sending the Hawkeyes into the Sweet 16.

Iowa, now 23-12 under first-year coach Ben McCollum, will face No.4 Nebraska on Thursday in Houston; Florida, 27-8, became the first No.1 seed knocked out this year, ending its defense of the national title and concluding the Gators’ tournament run.

Boston — The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Boston Celtics 102-92 on Sunday night in Boston, snapping an 18-game road losing streak there; Bones Hyland scored 23 points, Jaden McDaniels added 19 and Ayo Dosunmu contributed 17 with eight rebounds and six assists.

The loss ended Boston’s four-game winning streak and tightened Eastern Conference positioning this week; Anthony Edwards missed his fourth straight game with right knee inflammation, and Minnesota’s 16-0 fourth-quarter run decided the contest and boosted the Timberwolves’ immediate momentum.

WASHINGTON: The Senate confirmed Oklahoma Republican Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of Homeland Security on Monday by a 54-45 vote, after a weekend procedural advancement. Mullin, a Cherokee Nation citizen and former congressman and businessman, will replace Kristi Noem and assume DHS leadership immediately.

His confirmation creates an open Oklahoma Senate seat viewed as likely Republican, follows bipartisan criticism of Noem’s tenure, and coincides with operational issues at TSA and border enforcement; lawmakers and agency leaders say they will address staffing and funding disputes this week.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — On Sunday, Michigan defeated N.C. State 92-63 at Crisler Center as Olivia Olson scored 27 second-half points and Syla Swords added 26, propelling the second-seeded Wolverines into the women's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 after forcing 22 Wolfpack turnovers.

The Wolverines (27-6) converted turnovers into a decisive lead, entering the fourth quarter ahead by 16; Michigan will play the winner of Louisville vs. Alabama in the Fort Worth Regional semifinal on Saturday, with game time to be determined and team momentum increasing.

United States: President Donald Trump announced on March 21 that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be deployed to U.S. airports beginning March 23 to support Transportation Security Administration operations amid a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown that left many TSA employees working without pay.

Airports and unions warned of travel delays and raised operational and safety questions this week; border czar Tom Homan outlined non‑screening duties, officials said ICE would guard exits and check IDs, and congressional negotiations over DHS funding continued while local airports issued advisories.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence College announced Sunday that it has hired South Florida head coach Bryan Hodgson to serve as the Friars' next men's basketball coach; Hodgson led USF to a 25-9 record, the American Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and an NCAA Tournament berth this season.

The move follows Providence's March 13 dismissal of Kim English after a 15-18 season; Reuters and other outlets reported Hodgson will sign a multi-year (reported five-year) contract, USF will begin a coaching search, and university officials issued statements praising Hodgson's leadership and program-building credentials.