March 3, 2026
State Department Tells Americans to Leave Middle East
“DEPART NOW”
On Monday, the U.S. State Department urged Americans in 14 Middle East countries to leave immediately “via commercial means” due to “serious safety risks” in the region. The advisory followed a worldwide caution alert issued Saturday, instructing Americans to follow security guidance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Since then, strikes on Iran, along with retaliatory attacks, have disrupted or closed many U.S. embassies and commercial airports, complicating travel in and out of the region.
Learn More: State Department urges Americans across Mideast to depart as strikes continue (NBC News)
U.S. Death Toll in Operation Epic Fury Rises to 6
“Killed in action.”
U.S. Central Command has raised the death toll of U.S. service members in Operation Epic Fury to six. This comes after U.S. forces recovered the remains of two additional service members who had previously been unaccounted for after enemy fire struck a tactical operations center in Kuwait.
Learn More:
- 6 U.S. service members killed in Iranian strike in Kuwait, Pentagon says (CBS News)
- Iran conflict escalates: 6 U.S. service members killed as death toll climbs (Axios)
House Oversight Committee Releases Video of Clinton Depositions
“I saw nothing.”
Former President Bill Clinton during his House Oversight Committee deposition tied to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The deposition marked the first time a former president was compelled to testify under a congressional subpoena. The committee released the full depositions of both former President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday.
Learn More:
- Watch the deposition of former President Clinton
- Watch the deposition of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
- Video of Clinton depositions in Epstein investigation released by House Republicans (NPR)
- Highlights of the Clintons’ videotaped Epstein depositions (Washington Post)
Homeland Security Secretary Testifies on Capitol Hill
“Reckless”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem describing the DHS shutdown during her first day of testimony on Capitol Hill Tuesday, about three weeks after Congress failed to pass funding amid disagreements over immigration enforcement. The lapse in funding caused some DHS employees — including TSA workers — to miss paychecks Friday. Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin accused Noem and the Trump administration of “unspeakable cruelty against children, immigrants, and American citizens.”
Learn More:
- WATCH: Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security
- Watch Live: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem testifies at Senate hearing (CBS News)
Primaries Kick Off In 3 States
“The 2026 midterm election season kicks off.”
The Washington Post describing Tuesday’s primaries in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas — marking the start of the process that determines who will appear on the midterm election ballot. Midterm elections shape which party controls the House and Senate.
Learn More:
by Stephanie Wagner, based in Florida
