Midwest
Illinois Gov. Pritzker accused of 'insulting' ICE with sanctuary policies as Noem, Angel families protest
Border czar Tom Homan slammed Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for the state’s sanctuary policies protecting illegal immigrants, arguing he has lied on the issue after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem protested alongside Angel families demanding change.
Homan accused Pritzker of lying about the state’s policies addressing illegal immigration during “Fox & Friends,” alleging officials in Chicago – a migrant hotbed – refuse to work with federal officials to get dangerous criminals off the streets.
“He continues to lie about sanctuary city status in the state, in Chicago especially,” Homan told Lawrence Jones on Thursday. “One of the first places I went to after President Trump took the oath of office was Chicago. And the first day, we arrested like nine TdA members.”
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“We arrested two illegal aliens that were convicted of murder, that were walking the streets,” he added. “We arrested, I think, six or seven child predators, child rapists in Chicago, and these people are all walking the street because… Cook County jail, one of the biggest jails in the nation, won’t accept ICE detainers. They won’t work with ICE.”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem led a press conference alongside Angel families on Wednesday near the governor’s mansion to spotlight the sanctuary status of the state, and to call on the potential presidential candidate to “abandon” the “dangerous” approach.
Secretary Kristi Noem holds a press conference alongside Angel families, demanding Illinois Gov. Pritzker end sanctuary policies protecting illegal immigrants. (‘Fox & Friends’ screengrab)
She held the presser at the site where Emma Shafer, 24, was stabbed to death by Grabriel Calixto Pichardo, 25, an illegal migrant who is wanted on three first-degree murder charges and an aggravated domestic battery charge. Pichardo was reportedly dating Shafer at the time of the murder.
Noem was also joined by the family members of Denny McCann and Jimmy Walden, who both lost their lives to illegal migrant crime.
“I’m calling on Governor Pritzker and all the other leaders of this state to abandon their dangerous sanctuary policies,” Noem said. “People who support sanctuary policies talk about love and compassion. Well, where’s the compassion for the families that stand behind me?”
“I just call on Governor Pritzker to be a true governor and stand by the federal laws and deport every one of them, every one,” an Angel family member said. “I don’t care if they’re 2 or 20 or 80, send them back.”
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Pritzker issued a statement in response to the press conference, accusing the Trump administration of violating the Constitutional right of due process.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a press conference at the UI Health Mile Square Health Center on Feb. 28, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“Unlike Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, Illinois follows the law,” he said. “The Trump Administration is violating the United States Constitution, denying people due process, and disappearing law-abiding neighbors – including children who are U.S. citizens. Yet, they are taking no real action to promote public safety and deport violent criminals within the clear and defined legal process.”
Homan pushed back on Pritzker’s claims, calling his remarks “insulting” to the men and women who work to reduce illegal immigration and lock up violent criminals.
“It’s insulting to the men and women of ICE, insulting to men and women of the Border Patrol,” Homan said. “President Trump’s been clear from day one. We’re going to concentrate on public safety threats and national security threats. I just listed to you, in one day, what we took off the streets of Chicago.”
“I’m sick and tired of hearing about deporting U.S. citizen children,” he continued. “We deported illegal aliens who had a U.S. citizen child, that requested the child go with her. The mother wanted her child to go with her. So we did as the mother wished. That’s parenting 101. If we wouldn’t have done it, then the story would be we’re separating families. We’re trying to keep families together.”
Fox News’ Preston Mizell contributed to this report.
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Wisconsin
Wisconsin safety Austin Brown shows out freakish skills on Pro Day
MADISON – Luke Fickell has long been a fan of Austin Brown’s potential.
The Wisconsin football coach sung the praises of the senior safety before last season and reiterated that opinion after an 11-tackle performance in a Week 3 loss to Alabama.
“He’s one of the more talented guys I think we have on the entire team,” Fickell said in September. “As far as speed, size, ability to run, ability to tackle, he’s one of those guys that I’ve always kept saying, your ability is everything that they’re looking for at the next level. Your ability to show that is what’s going to be the biggest difference.”
Brown was one of the iron men of the Wisconsin defense in 2025. He played 672 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, second only to cornerback Ricardo Hallman. His presence was especially key given the season-ended injury to field safety Preston Zachman
Brown finished fourth on the Badgers with 53 tackles and earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl. He started for the West in the Shrine Bowl, played 32 snaps and finished with one tackle in a 21-17 victory for over the East.
Friday March 6 at the McClain Center the Badgers held their Pro Day, a perfect time to shine for a player who was listed as one of athletic freaks in college football by The Athletic last summer.
Brown didn’t disappoint.
Unofficially Brown posted the No. 1 vertical of the day, 43 feet, the No. 2 broad jump (10-9), the second fastest 40-yard dash (4.47 seconds), the third-fastest shuttle run (4.21) and the fifth-best three cone drill time (7.05).
He also benched 225 pounds 20 times, which put himself behind some of UW’s linemen and tight end Lance Mason – Ben Barten did it 33 times – but it was better than any safeties or cornerback invited to the NFL Combine.
Brown has been training at X3 Performance in Fort Myers, Fla.
“I’m not satisfied by any means, but I’m happy with my overall performance,” Brown said. “On my vertical I did really good. I wanted to get another inch or two, but you can only get so much. On my bench, I wanted to get 20, and I lost some weight, so I didn’t want to lose any strength with that.”
Brown, who is 6-foot-1, played at about 215 pounds last season. He said he weighed 209 when he started training for the draft and was at 200 pounds with 8% body fat Friday.
“I had a lot of meetings with scouts just through the postseason stuff, Shrine Bowl and all that so I got to talk to a lot of them personally,” Brown said. “(Today) I just wanted to show them my athletic ability across the board overall, and I feel like I did that.”
What Brown showed during his college career was the ability to fill a variety of roles. It is the kind of the experience that could pay off for an NFL hopeful.
“I feel like versatility is one of my best strengths,” he said. “I’ve played both safety spots. I’ve played dime, I’ve played nickel when I started my junior year. I’ve played every special team, so I feel like versatility is one of my great strengths and that’s something I can hang my hat on.”
Midwest
Pentagon identifies four soldiers killed in March 1 drone strike during Kuwait military operation
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The Department of War on Monday identified four of the six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed in a March 1 drone attack in Kuwait while supporting Operation Epic Fury, and officials said the incident remains under investigation.
The soldiers were killed at the Port of Shuaiba during what officials described as an unmanned aircraft system attack. All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa, which provides logistical and operational support to U.S. forces overseas.
The fallen service members were identified as Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa. Two additional soldiers killed in the attack have not yet been publicly identified.
Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command, said the loss is deeply felt across the force.
“We honor our fallen Heroes who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation,” Harter said. “Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten.”
Officials said the soldiers were supporting operations in the region when the drone strike occurred.
Capt. Cody Khork and five other U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait March 1. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Khork enlisted in the National Guard in 2009 as a multiple launch rocket system/fire direction specialist before commissioning as a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. He deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018; Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, in 2021; and Poland in 2024. His awards include the meritorious service medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10 Year Device and “M” Device.
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Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor and five other U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait March 1. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Amor joined the National Guard in 2005 as an automated logistics specialist and transferred to the Army Reserve the following year. She deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019 and earned multiple commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device.
Tietjens entered the Army Reserve in 2006 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and completed two deployments to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said on X he was heartbroken to learn of Tietjens’ death.
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Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens and five other U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait March 1. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
“A native of Bellevue, he dedicated his life to defending our country and protecting the freedoms we hold dear,” Bacon wrote. “No words can fully express the sorrow his family and friends are enduring during this unimaginable loss.
“Angie and I are praying for their healing and comfort in the days ahead. We also extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of Capt. Cody Khork, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, and Sgt. Declan Coady,” he added. “These four soldiers are American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, and their courage and devotion to duty will never be forgotten.”
The youngest of the four identified soldiers, Coady enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as an Army information technology specialist and was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
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Sgt. Declan Coady and five other U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait March 1. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand also issued a statement.
“Iowa: please join me in praying for Declan Coady, a 20-year-old Army Reservist and Drake student, who was one of the lives lost among the escalating conflict in the Middle East,” the statement said. “Join me in also praying for his family and loved ones and for all the communities he was part of, and thanking him for his service and ultimate sacrifice.”
Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, commanding general of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, said the soldiers’ service reflected the highest ideals of the military.
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“To the families and teammates of these Cactus Nation Soldiers: you have my deepest sympathy and my respect,” Erskine said. “Our nation is kept safe by folks like these – brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day. They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”
Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
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Detroit, MI
Multiple tornadoes reported in Southwest Michigan amid severe weather
At least two tornadoes were reported in Southwest Michigan on Friday amid severe weather, according to CBS Detroit’s Chief Meteorologist Ahmad Bajjey.
Two of the tornadoes were reported in Union City and Three Rivers, while a possible third tornado may have been in St. Joseph County. Bajjey says the tornadoes caused significant damage. According to Consumers Energy, more than 3,200 customers are without power as of 7:40 p.m. on Friday.
Official reports of fatalities or injuries are unknown, but CBS-affiliate WWMT in Kalamazoo reports that the Branch County medical examiner is on scene in Union City.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the storms in Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties. The department says the center will be supporting local requests for assistance.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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