What to know about how the DHS shutdown could affect you

Funding for theDepartment of Homeland Security has expired, potentially jeopardizing critical government services like airport security and disaster relief.

Appropriations for the 9/11-era Cabinet agency lapsed after Friday, Feb. 13, as negotiations continued between congressional Democrats and the White House over curbing immigration enforcement. No deal was in sight as lawmakers left for a week-long scheduled recess, with many taking planned trips overseas.

After the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration agents (ICE), communities across the U.S. are protesting against Trump's surge of immigration enforcement actions.

Pictured here, Demonstrators gather for a protest calling for the removal of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 30, 2026 in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Protests were held across the United States in response to ICE enforcement activity.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hundreds of people gather to protest ICE at the corner of Palafox and Garden Streets in downtown Pensacola, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Penn High School students participate in a walkout protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Mishawaka, Indiana.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Protesters gather at City Hall in response to recent actions by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly referred to as "ICE," and the presence of Flock cameras in the community and Indiana University campus, in Bloomington, Indiana, on Jan. 30, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A Penn High School student confronts a man in a car line at the school who was shouting, "Let's go ICE!" as students were marching past during a walkout protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Mishawaka, Indiana.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Protesters gather at City Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, on Jan. 30, 2026, in response to recent immigration enforcement actions by the government.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

'ICE Out' protests spark marches, confrontations across US

After the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration agents (ICE), communities across the U.S. areprotestingagainst Trump's surge of immigration enforcement actions.Pictured here, Demonstrators gather for a protest calling for the removal of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 30, 2026 in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Protests were held across the United States in response to ICE enforcement activity.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D–New York, pledged earlier this week that Democrats wouldn't back funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without added guardrails for federal immigration agents.

"The Republican bill on the floor allows ICE to smash in doors without warrants, to wear masks and not be identified, to use children as bait for their parents," Schumer said in avideo statement posted on social mediaFeb. 12. "No oversight? We are keeping our word. No funding for ICE until it is reined in, until the violence ends."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R–South Dakota,said on Fox NewsFeb. 12 that he hopes Democrats strike a funding deal with the White House over the weekend

"This isn't just ICE. This isn't just, you know, Border Patrol. This is FEMA. This is TSA. This is the Coast Guard. This is cyber security. A bunch of things covered by this bill," Thune said.

More:Coast Guard chief warns DHS shutdown will 'cripple morale'

Much of DHS's typical work,including Immigration and Customs Enforcement's operations, will continue even while the agency is shut down. Regardless, the heads of some of the department's most critical divisions warned lawmakers ahead of the latest funding lapse that the consequences of a prolonged shutdown could be dire.

DHS hasn't publicly released an updated contingency plan for this shutdown, but ittypically requiresthe vast majority of TSA's more than 64,000-person workforce to stay on the job without pay.

Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill told lawmakers Feb. 11 that the roughly 61,000 employees at more than 430 commercial airports who will be impacted by another funding lapse can't go through it all over again.

"Some are just recovering from the financial impact of the 43-day shutdown," she said. "We cannot put them through another such experience. It would be unconscionable."

Usually, as shutdowns drag on, callout rates for TSA workers spike, leading to longer wait times in security lines at the airport.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard, which falls under DHS purview during peacetime, will have to suspend missions that aren't critical for national security and the protection of life and property.

"Shutdowns cripple morale," said Vice Adm. Thomas Allan, the Coast Guard's acting vice commandant, at a Feb. 11 congressional hearing.

Allan told lawmakers the shutdown would cause deferred maintenance and potentially interrupt pay for 56,000 active-duty reserve and civilian personnel.

FEMA

Most employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency will also work without pay. Gregg Phillips, who leads FEMA, said on Feb. 11 the shutdown would "severely disrupt" the agency's ability to reimburse states for disaster relief costs.

He expressed concern about the approaching hurricane season.

"A federal government shutdown would have far-reaching and serious consequences for FEMA's operations and for the nation's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters," he told lawmakers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What to know about how the DHS shutdown could affect you

byAsher Jeferson

in

February 14, 2026

What to know about how the DHS shutdown could affect you

Funding for theDepartment of Homeland Security has expired, potentially jeopardizing critical government services like a...

Read More

FDA Issues Highest-Level Warning Over Nationwide Cake Mix Recall

• The FDA upgraded a nationwide cake mix recall to Class I due to undeclared milk allergens.

• The recall affects large commercial Spice Cake and Swiss Chocolate Cake mixes.

• Businesses are urged to stop using the products due to serious allergy risks.

If you've got a baking project on the calendar, you might want to double-check what mix you're using first. Anationwide recallinvolving commercial cake mixes has just been upgraded to the FDA's most serious classification, meaning there's a real risk for people with certain food allergies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has elevated a recall involving Dallas-based B.C. Williams Bakery Service to aClass I recall, its highest warning level. That classification signals there's a reasonable chance that consuming the product could cause serious health consequences or even death.

The issue traces back to undeclared milk found in certain cake mixes, meaning milk wasn't listed on the label despite being present. While milk might seem harmless to most shoppers, it can trigger severe or life-threatening reactions in people with dairy allergies, especially children and those with diagnosed sensitivities.

The recall originally began in late December but was recently escalated after further review. The affected products were distributed nationwide, though exact retail or foodservice destinations haven't been fully clarified. Because these mixes are sold in large 50-pound bags, they're more commonly used by bakeries, restaurants, and large-scale food operations than by home bakers.

The products included in the recall areSpice Cake MixandSwiss Chocolate Cake Mix,both in 50-pound bags. The specific lot numbers can be foundhere.

Businesses or distributors in possession of the affected mixes are being urged not to use them and to dispose of the products or return them to their supplier. For consumers, the biggest concern is indirect exposure. If you or someone in your householdhas a milk allergyand you've recently bought baked goods from local bakeries or foodservice locations, it may be worth asking about ingredient sourcing until the recall is fully resolved.

No illnesses have been officially confirmed at this time, but a Class I designation shows the FDA isn't taking chances.

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byAsher Jeferson

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FDA Issues Highest-Level Warning Over Nationwide Cake Mix Recall

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“The Simpsons” Writer Reveals the 1 Celebrity Guest Star They're “Still” Trying to Book Almost 4 Decades Later (Exclusive)

FOX; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• The Simpsons writer Matt Selman revealed the one celebrity guest star the show still wants to book after almost 4 decades in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE

• Selman serves as the current showrunner of the FOX series

• The Simpsons will air its 800th episode on Sunday, Feb. 15

The SimpsonswriterMatt Selmansays there is one celebrity he's still trying to get as a guest star on the long-running animated series.

Selman, 54, who also serves as the current showrunner ofThe Simpsons,spoke with PEOPLE exclusively at the show's 800th episode party in Los Angeles on Feb. 6.

When asked who his most sought-after guest star for the show remains, Selman responded, "Will Ferrell."

"Come on, Will. We keep writing great stuff for you," he added, speaking directly to the 58-year-old actor.

The Simpsonshas landed high-profile guest stars since it premiered on FOX in 1989.

Some notable cameos over the years have includedLady Gaga,Meryl StreepandPaul McCartney, to name a few.

Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via Getty

During his chat with PEOPLE, Selman also spoke about the show's unique reputation for writing storylines that seeminglypredict the future.

"The more you try to predict or not predict, it screws up the predictions. So you just got to go in pure and just let them happen or not," he said of the series' writing process.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Selman added, "People want magic to be real. That's what the insight is. People want to believe in magic. And is magic real? Well, it's real in people's minds. So maybe it is real. But I don't think it's really real. But whatever — coincidences are real. If there were no coincidences, that would be the really unlikely thing."

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

Selman also dished on the show's 800th episode, which will air on Sunday, Feb. 15, revealing how the plot for it came to be.

"Luckily, I have the best writers in the world who think of things for me, and I can just take the credit," he joked. "But they wanted to do a show, one of our funny travel shows set in Philadelphia."

"We wanted to do the show about the emotional rollercoaster of pet ownership. And they also wanted to do a show that parodied aNational Treasure-typeJerry Bruckheimeradventure movie," Selman added.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Selman also called out one part of the milestone episode that really stands out: "The speech Marge gives at the end about the journey and the emotional toll of owning a pet."

"I think it's as good as anything that the show has ever done in the spirit of [show co-creator]James Brooks'harsh, tortured, real view of what it's like to be a modern, emotional person in modern times," Selman explained. "So, as funny and silly as the speech at the end is, it's [also] a love letter to [James]. It's a love letter to the show. It's a love letter to pets. It's a love letter to Marge. I'm so proud of it."

The Simpsonsairs on FOX.

Read the original article onPeople

byAsher Jeferson

in

February 14, 2026

“The Simpsons” Writer Reveals the 1 Celebrity Guest Star They're “Still” Trying to Book Almost 4 Decades Later (Exclusive)

FOX; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty NEED TO KNOW The Simpsons writer Matt Selman revealed the one celebrity guest star the show still wants to bo...

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Rosanna Arquette Reveals She Wasn’t Invited to the Premiere of Her Hit ‘80s Film Starring Madonna

Orion/Kobal/Shutterstock

NEED TO KNOW

• On Feb. 10, 2026, Rosanna Arquette joined Sirius XM's Andy Cohen Live to discuss her breakout film, Desperately Seeking Susan

• During the podcast, the 66-year-old actress revealed that, at the time, she had not been invited to the Hollywood movie premiere

• Since then, Arquette has found her way back to the big screen as part of Charli xcx's mockumentary movie, The Moment

Rosanna Arquetterecently reflected on a "strange" moment from one of the biggest films of her career.

During a Feb. 10 appearance onSirius XM'sAndy Cohen Live, the actress shared that she was not invited to the Hollywood premiere of her breakout movie,Desperately Seeking Susan.

"While [Madonna] became so huge, they decided to make the movie around her. Which of course, made sense to make money, right?" the 66-year-old actress told Cohen. "But, they didn't invite me to the Hollywood premiere ofDesperately Seeking Susan."

Mondadori via Getty

The 1985 comedy followed a bored New Jersey housewife who becomes fascinated with a free-spirited woman named Susan after reading personal ads. Arquette played Roberta, whose obsession leads her into a case of mistaken identity and a whirlwind adventure through New York City.

Madonna, then on the brink of global superstardom, portrayedthe magnetic and mysterious Susan. As the singer's reputation exploded, the film's marketing increasingly centered around her.

Arquette recalled that she was in New York at the time, handling promotional duties, when she realized she hadn't been invited to the premiere of her own movie.

"I was here in New York doing this. Like, press... And so I was like 'what?' " the actress recalled on the podcast. "That was weird... It was very strange. But then you find out why that happened, the management... they made a thing about it because it ended up being [her movie]."

Despite the awkward moment, Arquette's performance earned critical acclaim, including a British Academy Film Award for best actress in a supporting role.

Gary Gershoff/Getty

Now, decades later, Arquette finds herself in a new chapter. Known as the eldest member of the famous Arquette family – she is known for memorable roles in films likePulp Fictionand for inspiring the title ofToto's hit song, "Rosanna."

At 66, however, Arquette says her focus has shifted toward personal growth. After a challenging few years that includeda divorceand a move to the East Coast, Arquette recently described this period in her life as one of renewal.

"It almost feels likeI was released from prison," she told PEOPLE exclusively. "I'm alone but not lonely."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In January 2026, Arquette returned to screens in a new way by starring inThe Moment– a mockumentary from Charli xcx that draws partial inspiration from 1984'sThis Is Spinal Tap.

"Charli wrote me the loveliest letter telling me she was a fan and it would mean the world to her if I came and played this part," she recalled. "I told my daughter [actress Zoë Bleu, 31, with ex-husband John Sidel], and she was like, 'Oh my God!' It definitely got me some cool points with her."

Read the original article onPeople

byAsher Jeferson

in

February 14, 2026

Rosanna Arquette Reveals She Wasn’t Invited to the Premiere of Her Hit ‘80s Film Starring Madonna

Orion/Kobal/Shutterstock NEED TO KNOW On Feb. 10, 2026, Rosanna Arquette joined Sirius XM's Andy Cohen Live to discuss her breakout ...

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Hollywood talent agent Casey Wasserman to sell company over Epstein files revelations

Casey Wasserman, a prominent entertainment and sports agent and the chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, is putting his eponymous talent agency up for sale after facing backlash over his appearance in files the US Justice Departmentreleasedlast month related to its investigations into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In an internal memo sent to agency staff on Friday, which was obtained by CNN,Wassermansaid he has "become a distraction" to the company's "efforts."

"That is why I have begun the process of selling the company, an effort that is already underway," Wasserman wrote.

Wasserman faced pressure from his talent to step aside in recent weeks, as well as calls to step down from the Olympics coordinating committee, after the files showed he held a deeper and more intimate relationship with Esptein's accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, than had been previously known.

Wasserman has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. CNN has reached out to a crisis communications firm representing him.

Wasserman rode on Epstein's plane and exchanged suggestivemessageswith Maxwell, the files the DOJ released show.

Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend, was convicted of sex trafficking and other crimes in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.

In Friday's memo, Wasserman said he only had "limited interactions with those two individuals," referring to Epstein and Maxwell.

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"It was years before their criminal conduct came to light, and, in its entirety, consisted of one humanitarian trip to Africa and a handful of emails that I deeply regret sending," Wasserman said. "And I'm heartbroken that my brief contact with them 23 years ago has caused you, this company, and its clients so much hardship over the past days and weeks."

Sources close to the business told CNN that Wasserman's investors were upset over the situation and pushed him to make this move.

In an earlier statementreported by the Associated Presslast month, Wasserman clarified that his exchange with Maxwell "took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light."

"I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. As is well documented, I went on a humanitarian trip as part of a delegation with the Clinton Foundation in 2002 on the Epstein plane. I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them," his statement read.

Details of Epstein's alleged secret lifefirst emerged in 2005when several underage girls accused him of offering to pay for massages or sex acts at his Palm Beach mansion. Epstein pleaded guilty to two state prostitutioncharges in 2008and served 13 months in prison.

Since the release of the latest files, singerChappell Roanannounced she was leaving Wasserman's agency. Singer Orville Peck quickly followed, and then singer-songwriter Weyes Blood, among others.

CNN's Michael Williams, Alli Rosenbloom and Lisa Respers France contributed to this report.

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byAsher Jeferson

in

February 14, 2026

Hollywood talent agent Casey Wasserman to sell company over Epstein files revelations

Casey Wasserman, a prominent entertainment and sports agent and the chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, is putting h...

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Germany Issues Warning to United States Amid 'Deep Rift'

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.S. President Donald Trump during a summit in Egypt on Oct. 13, 2025. Credit - Evan Vucci—Getty Images

German ChancellorFriedrich Merzhas warned of "a deep rift" between Europe and the United States, arguing that the latter "will not be powerful enough to go it alone."

In his address at the Munich Security Conference Friday, Merz urged Europe and the U.S. to "repair and revive trans-Atlantic trust together" in what he referred to as an "era of great power rivalry."

Switching to English as he addressed American "friends," Merz nodded to Trump'scontentious relationship with NATO,insisting that "being a part of [the alliance] is not only Europe's competitive advantage. It's also the United States' competitive advantage."

While he acknowledged that the existing global order has long been flawed, Merz—when discussing the "under destruction" theme of this year's conference—argued the "international order based on rights and rules is currently being destroyed."

He also referenced Vice President J.D. Vance'sspeechfrom last year's conference. Vance drew ire from European leaders when he argued that what concerned him most was Europe's "threat from within... the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values—values shared with the United States of America." He used "free speech" as an example of the values in retreat.

"The culture war of the MAGA movement is not ours," Merz continued. "Freedom of speech ends here with us when that speech goes against human dignity and the constitution. We do not believe in tariffs and protectionism, but in free trade."

The German leader appeared to make further strides to distinguish Europe from the Trump Administration, adding: "We stick to climate agreements and the World Health Organization (WHO) because we are convinced that global challenges can only be solved together."

On Jan. 22, the U.S., under Trump's direction, officially pulled out of the WHO. The move has garnered muchcriticismfrom global health experts.

In response to Merz's remarks, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told TIME: "Friends tell friends hard truths, and the President has also been clear to our European friends that they must follow his lead by ending unfettered migration, reversing'Green New Scam' policies,and moving away from leftist ideology, or risk their own destruction."

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Read More:Trump and Vance May Have Accidentally United Europe

As Europe takes part in ongoing negotiations regarding the hope for a cease-fire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Merz said he has also started private talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about "nuclear deterrence."

Johannes Simon—Getty Images" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Merz's concerns echo those made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Davos in January. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Carney argued that the old world order was "not coming back" and encouraged people not to "mourn" the way things used to be. He accused "great powers" of using economic pressure to yield results while urging middle powers to push back.

Carney's remarks were delivered shortly afterTrump threatened to tariff countrieswho oppose his campaign toannex Greenland—a threat he has since walked back. Trump laterlashed out in responseto Carney's speech.

Read More:Carney Hits Back at Trump as Relations Sour: 'Canada Doesn't Live Because of the U.S.'

The U.S. President will not be appearing at the Munich Security Conference. Instead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent the U.S. on Saturday and deliver a highly-anticipated speech.

Rubio also warned of a "new era" in geopolitics as he boarded his flight to Germany.

When asked if his message to Europeans will take a softer approach than Vance's address last year, Rubio told reporters: "The world is changing very fast right in front of us. We live in a new era in geopolitics, and it's going to require all of us to sort of re-examine what that looks like and what our role is going to be."

On Friday afternoon, the U.S. Department of Stateconfirmedthat Rubio and Merz had met in Munich, after the German Chancellor's speech.

"They discussed pressing global challenges including securing supply chains, advancing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and strengthening the partnership between the United States and Europe," said a spokesperson. "The Secretary expressed appreciation for Germany's strong support for Ukraine, including over $76 billion in assistance since 2022, and discussed continued coordination on reconstruction efforts."

Contact usatletters@time.com.

byAsher Jeferson

in

February 14, 2026

Germany Issues Warning to United States Amid 'Deep Rift'

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz and U.S. President Donald Trump during a summit in Egypt on Oct. 13, 2025. Credi...

Read More