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Here’s what you need to know today: Iran tensions escalate as planned strikes pause, travel impacts rise amid TSA funding standoff, and more.
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Nostalgia Nerd
On this day in 1972, which crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola premiered in the United States?
(answer revealed below!)
(hint: Corleone family)
Before We Dip In (TL;DR)
In today’s issue:
TSA deal rejected as shutdown pressures mount.
AI ads raise election integrity concerns.
President Trump delays strikes amid Iran standoff.
ICE detention case raises concerns over influence.
Plus, take today’s poll and check out the Nostalgia Nerd quiz answer down below!
POLITICS
Trump Killed the Deal to End the Shutdown
Senate Republicans brought Trump a proposal to end the 37-day partial shutdown and start paying 61,000 TSA workers. Democrats were willing to sign. Trump rejected it, demanding Democrats first pass his SAVE America Act, a voter restriction bill that doesn’t have enough votes in his own caucus.
The fallout: TSA workers are approaching their second missed paycheck. Security lines are hours long. An aviation expert warns of a “breaking point.” Trump’s answer: send untrained ICE agents to airports. Meanwhile, jet fuel has doubled from the Iran war, two pilots were killed at LaGuardia Sunday, and Congress is about to leave for a two-week recess.
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TECHNOLOGY
AI Deepfakes Are Already in the Midterms
A Republican committee posted an AI-generated video of Texas Senate candidate James Talarico reading his tweets on camera. He never filmed it. The only disclosure: a barely visible watermark. In Massachusetts, a candidate used AI to fake a governor’s voice and called it “parody.” AI companies have pledged $265 million in midterm super PAC spending to fight regulation, and Trump just introduced a national framework that could limit states’ ability to set their own AI rules.
The concern: The technology is cheap, fast, and unenforceable. The president uses it constantly. And the companies building the tools are spending a quarter billion to keep it unregulated.
Dipper Poll
: Today’s Poll: Campaign Calculus
AI is quickly becoming a major force in midterm elections, and not always in a good way. Political campaigns are using deepfakes, manipulated audio, and AI-generated ads to target voters, sometimes with little to no disclosure. Critics warn this could mislead voters and erode trust, especially as millions of dollars from AI industry groups pour into key races. Supporters argue it’s just the next evolution of political messaging.
If you were in Congress, what would be your main response to AI usage in election campaigns?
LAW & POLICY
Trump Threatened Iran’s Power Plants. Then Backed Down.
Trump gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on power plants. Iran threatened to destroy energy infrastructure across the Gulf and permanently mine the waterway. This morning, Trump postponed strikes for five days, claiming “productive conversations.” Iran says no talks are happening.
The fallout: To manage oil prices, the administration has lifted sanctions on Iranian oil, Russian oil, and Belarusian companies. NATO allies are refusing to escort ships through the Strait. The IEA chief calls this the worst threat to global energy security in history. Two Iranian missiles wounded 180 in southern Israel Saturday. And in five days, the deadline resets.
CRAZY SH*T
Trump Associate Called ICE to Deport His Ex-Girlfriend
Paolo Zampolli, a longtime Trump associate who appears in the Epstein files, reportedly called a top ICE official to have his ex-girlfriend detained and deported as part of a custody battle. The official reportedly flagged the case as connected to the White House. She was picked up before making bail.
The bigger story: Under Trump, immigrant parents with citizen children are detained at 2x Biden’s rate. Mothers are deported at 4x the rate. 60% of cases now end in deportation (up from 30%). And the administration renamed its parental guidelines from “Parental Interests Directive” to “Detained Parents Directive,” removing the word “humane.”
Fun Facts
Archaeology: A 4,500-year-old board game called the Royal Game of Ur was found in Mesopotamia. Uh…we’ve seen this movie before, and it stars Robin Williams.
Sculpture: David by Michelangelo was carved from a block of marble that two other artists had abandoned. One man’s trash, Renaissance treasure.
Geology: Mount Everest contains marine limestone and fossils near its summit. The top of the world was once the floor of an ancient ocean.
WTF: In Venice, pigeons are not allowed to be fed in the entire city. Pigeons, be gone.
TODAY’S QUIZ ANSWER:
The Godfather
On March 24, 1972, The Godfather premiered in the United States and quickly established itself as a landmark in film history. The movie follows the powerful Corleone family and explores themes of loyalty, power, and moral conflict within organized crime. It featured iconic performances from Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, both of whom became closely associated with their roles. The film was praised for its storytelling, cinematography, and realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld. It went on to win several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, further cementing its legacy. Decades later, it is still regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and continues to influence modern cinema.
Poll Results From March 20, 2026
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Show Notes
Looking for more specific details on each story? Click here for the full show notes for yesterday’s PDS episode.