Strait of Hormuz traffic near collapse as Iran reportedly demands $2M from tankers

The Iranian regime is charging some tankers $2 million to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to further its control over the global shipping choke point, according to reports.

Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi told state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Sunday that the massive toll marks the start of a new approach to controlling the waterway, Iran International reported.

“Collecting $2 million as transit fees from some vessels crossing the strait reflects Iran’s strength,” Boroujerdi said during a television program cited by Iranian media.

The member of parliament’s national security committee also said the measure has already been implemented and reflects what he called a new “sovereign regime” in the strait after decades, the outlet said.

TANKERS TO RESUME NORMAL MOVEMENT IN MIDDLE EAST IN ‘A FEW WEEKS’ AT WORST, ENERGY SEC SAYS, ENDING OIL SURGE

“Now, because war has costs, naturally we must do this and take transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Boroujerdi’s comments came after President Donald Trump warned Saturday that the United States could target Iran’s power infrastructure if the strait is not reopened within 48 hours.

NATO HEAVYWEIGHTS BALK AT HORMUZ MISSION AS TRUMP WARNS ALLIANCE AT RISK

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social.

The strait is “open to everyone” except Iran’s adversaries, Tehran’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization, Ali Mousavi, also told the Mehr News Agency on Sunday, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also set out Iran’s policy on X.

“The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our soil,” he said.

TRUMP’S STRAIT SHOWDOWN: FIVE BOLD MOVES TO CRUSH THE IRAN THREAT NOW

According to Lloyds List, Iran has set up a de facto ‘safe’ shipping passage in the Strait of Hormuz and is offering vetted tankers passage in exchange for approval — and in “at least one case, a reported $2m payment,” it said.

Several governments, including China, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Iraq are in talks with Tehran over ship transit, as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard sets up a new system to register “approved” vessels for safe passage, the outlet reported.

OIL, GAS PRICES JUMP AS TRUMP FLIRTS WITH STRIKING IRANIAN OIL INFRASTRUCTURE

Maritime intelligence firm Windward AI reported Sunday that Strait of Hormuz traffic was “near collapse”, with only “16 AIS-visible crossings recorded over the past seven days.”

Transit is controlled increasingly stringently, with vessels rerouting via Iran’s territorial waters, the firm said, noting that Gulf energy exports continue to decline, with crude and LPG flows at recent lows.

“Iranian exports remain active, supported by alternative routing and sustained on-water volumes,” Windward said.

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The strait normally handles about 20 million barrels of oil per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade. The closure has driven up shipping and insurance costs, pushed oil prices higher, and raised global economic concerns.

Russian crude volumes remain elevated, reinforcing continued reliance on maritime energy transport, Windward said.

Senate hopeful cites Apostle Paul after making provocative remarks about God’s gender

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico recalled “provocative” remarks he previously made about God during a Thursday appearance on “The Bulwark” podcast, where he later defended the comment as both political and theological.

“I know that I was being provocative with that comment,” Talarico said. 

The Democrat Senate nominee acknowledged that he made the statement during a 2021 speech in the Texas legislature, where he said that “God is nonbinary” in a rebuke of Republican legislation focused on youth sports and transgender children.

“While it’s maybe provocative politically, I don’t think it’s controversial theologically. Most Christians believe that God is beyond gender,” Talarico said during the podcast.

‘GOD IS NON-BINARY:’ TEXAS DEM NOMINEE TALARICO’S PAST REMARKS ON ABORTION, RACE AND GENDER DRAW SCRUTINY

“In Christ, there is neither male nor female,” he added, citing the Apostle Paul. “So, if you have a problem with what I said, don’t take it up with me, take it up with the Apostle Paul.”

The exchange came during a segment of the interview where host, Tim Miller, referenced “God’s sausage.”

“I made it on the floor of the house when the extremists in the Texas legislature were trying to pick on kids who were different,” Talarico said to Miller.

The comment came as Talarico ramps up his U.S. Senate campaign in Texas following his primary victory over Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Talarico, 36, will now try to become the first Democrat in nearly four decades to win a Senate election in Texas, as he faces off against the winner of a bruising Republican primary runoff between longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

JAMES TALARICO’S PAST ANTI-MEAT STANCE GOES VIRAL, DRAWS REPUBLICAN FIRE FROM ACROSS TEXAS POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

During the podcast, Talarico also took aim at Paxton and Cornyn.

“And so Ken Paxton was impeached for using his public office to enrich his donors,” Talarico said. “And that’s exactly what John Cornyn does at the biggest scale.”

“I just believe that neither John Cornyn nor Ken Paxton deserve the honor of representing this great state in the United States Senate,” he later added.

The race for the Republican Senate nomination in Texas is heading to a high-stakes runoff between Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton scheduled for May 26, after neither candidate cleared the 50% threshold in the primary election.

Talarico advocated to abolish the Senate filibuster during the interview as well, saying he agreed with Cornyn’s stance. 

“I think we should abolish the filibuster so that we can actually govern in this country,” Talarico noted. “People… want to see the results of that vote.”

The offices of Paxton and Cornyn didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. 

JAMES TALARICO SAYS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS CONVINCED BORDER SECURITY WAS ‘RACIST’

Talarico was also pressed on how he had planned to reach Black voters in the general election, as Miller raised concerns about whether enthusiasm and turnout within the voting bloc could ultimately reshape the race’s outcome.

“I’m going to be doing the work to earn the trust and the respect and the support of every Black Texan,” Talarico said.

He pointed to Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., as a model for his campaign.

“I’m deeply inspired by Reverend Raphael Warnock… he knows how to flip a red state,” and added that Texas Democrats plan to “follow the same playbook” to win statewide.

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Paying guests outraged as buffet crashers walk in and eat for free without being stopped

A complimentary breakfast buffet may be a favorite perk at many hotel chains nationwide — but these days, not everyone in the buffet line may be a paying guest.

Viral videos making the rounds show buffet crashers strolling into hotel dining rooms, piling up plates with food and heading out — no payment in sight. 

The buffet configurations can make it difficult for hotels to monitor who belongs in the breakfast area, according to Kenneth Free, Connecticut-based hospitality expert and president of Straightline Hospitality.

TRAVELERS SLAM HOTELS FOR ELIMINATING BATHROOM DOORS: ‘I’D LIKE SOME PRIVACY’

“Because most complimentary breakfasts are in smaller, limited-service properties, they usually don’t have the personnel resources to aggressively police whether breakfast patrons are truly guests of the hotel,” Free told Fox News Digital. 

Complimentary breakfast is a common offering at many hotel chains, including brands like Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Residence Inn, where self-service buffets are often included with overnight stays.

Since the meals are often self-serve, some non-guests are able to blend in without drawing attention, said Free.

“In most cases, the best a hotel can do in these circumstances is to ask all staff members to be alert [about] suspicious activity, such as ‘guests’ entering from the outside, as opposed to coming from the in-house guest room elevator bank,” he said. 

ETIQUETTE EXPERT REVEALS 5 COMMON COFFEE SHOP HABITS THAT CUSTOMERS NEED TO STOP DOING

Free said unauthorized use of hotel amenities can greatly impact the guests who did and do pay.

When “breakfast shoplifters succeed in pilfering breakfasts… additional financial pressure is applied to the hotel, causing it to investigate cost-savings measures.”

In turn, the quality of the breakfast offerings may go down, he said. Free believes hotels might even consider increasing nightly rates for guest rooms.

Many travelers online expressed dismay about the breakfast bandits — with some hotel employees even unofficially confirming the scam is definitely a trend.

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“Literally anyone can walk in, go upstairs and eat all the breakfast they want. No one checks,” said one commenter on Instagram who claimed to work at a major brand. 

Another commenter said, “I hope everyone knows that this is equivalent to walking into a restaurant or gas station and helping yourself. It’s theft.”

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California-based hospitality expert Sarah Dandashy, a travel media personality and creator of the Ask a Concierge brand, told Fox News Digital that while hotels do have systems in place, enforcement can vary.

“Complimentary hotel breakfast is meant for registered guests,” she said. 

“So most hotels have some kind of process in place. Usually that means a room number check, sometimes a guest name, sometimes a voucher, sometimes key-card access. It really depends on the hotel.”

“You do not want guests feeling like they are being interrogated before coffee.”

Dandashy said the level of oversight depends on how the property is designed and how busy the breakfast area is.

“Some hotels are pretty relaxed. Others are more structured, especially if breakfast is included and the space gets busy fast,” she said. “Either way, staff is usually keeping an eye on things.”

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She added that hotels like to find a balance between monitoring access and maintaining a welcoming environment.

“You do not want guests feeling like they are being interrogated before coffee,” Dandashy said. 

“At the same time, if anyone can walk in, it creates crowding, extra cost and a worse experience for the actual guests.”

Fox News Digital reached out to several hotel chains for comment. 

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Meanwhile, in one recent viral clip, a woman declared, “They make it so easy to get the free hotel breakfast when you’re not staying at a hotel.” The video shows the creator eating eggs, sausage and other buffet items at an unnamed location. 

A person on Reddit shared a “hack” a couple of years ago. “The trick is to not go for the upscale resorts… Common hotels with bland, generic breakfast are a dime a dozen and super easy to walk into,” the person wrote. “I’ve literally jogged into them like I’m getting BACK from a morning run, eaten breakfast and walked out.”

Tom Brady admits Logan Paul ‘impressed me’ after heated flag football showdown

WWE star Logan Paul left a lasting impression on NFL legend Tom Brady during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on Saturday, the seven-time Super Bowl champion said after the game.

Brady and Paul had a few flare-ups on the field, but kept things professional. The two had a heated feud over the last month leading up to the game.

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“I’ll say this, he impressed me out there,” Brady told Fox News Digital in the postgame press conference. Some of the coaches that were coaching him said how serious he was taking it and how he just wanted to learn and be a sponge to go out there and do a great job.

“To watch what he and his brother have done … you know, there’s a lot of tit-for-tat stuff but I do have respect for people that are really driven to succeed. I’m a firm believer in you don’t wait for things to happen, you make it happen. And if you want positive things to happen in your life, you go for it and you’re fearless and you don’t settle for a backup plan. He really displayed that today.”

SUPER BOWL CHAMP, 66, LOOKING TO MAKE US FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM

Brady showed that he hadn’t really lost a step on the football field but it was Team USA that outpaced everyone. The national team crushed Brady’s team, 43-16, after defeating Joe Burrow’s squad, 39-16.

Some NFL players have made clear their intentions of trying out for the U.S. Olympic team as the sport will debut in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

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However, national team stars Darrell Doucette III and Nico Casares have made clear they aren’t going to just relinquish their spots easily.

Ruth’s Chris gets schooled by Chili’s in viral dress code feud online

Chili’s is calling out Ruth’s Chris Steak House after the chain’s dress code sparked backlash online.

The exchange unfolded on X, where Chili’s responded to a post highlighting Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s “business casual” policy, which requires guests to wear what the company describes as “proper attire.”

The casual dining chain quickly jumped into the conversation with a blunt response.

POPULAR STEAKHOUSE’S DRESS CODE SPARKS BACKLASH AS DINERS TOLD TO DITCH HATS OR EAT AT THE BAR

“The only dress code at Chili’s is that you have to be dressed,” the company wrote.

The remark quickly gained traction, drawing more than a million views and prompting users to weigh in on the two chains’ very different approaches.

Ruth’s Chris’ policy states that guests who do not meet the dress code may be asked to dine in the bar or lounge area, a move that has drawn criticism from some diners, Fox News Digital previously reported.

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The guidelines also say hats should be removed upon entering, with those wearing ball caps directed to sit in the bar instead of the main dining room.

“The following attire is not permitted in our dining rooms: Gym wear, pool attire, tank tops, clothing with offensive graphics or language, revealing clothing or exposed undergarments,” the notice added.

Ruth’s Chris is owned by Darden Restaurants, which also operates Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Darden for comment.

Chili’s response drew a range of reactions on social media.

“I’d rather go to Chili’s,” one user wrote, while others leaned into the chain’s more laid-back approach.

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Others disagreed, pointing to the difference between the two chains.

“Chili’s is not fine dining,” another commenter said, as some users argued that restaurants like Ruth’s Chris should maintain a higher standard.

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“I should be able to go have a nice date night with a significant other in a classier steak house with a proper ambiance, and I should also be able to go hang with the boys with some delicious food and ice cold beer in a rowdier and more comfortable environment,” a user noted.

The real reasons you’re still exhausted after 8 hours of sleep, according to an expert

Getting a full eight hours of sleep and still feeling drowsy? Sleep experts say it’s not just about how much shuteye you get.

Dr. Wendy Troxel, a licensed clinical psychologist and senior behavioral scientist at RAND based in Utah, emphasized the “really important distinction” between quantity and quality of sleep.

SLEEP PATTERNS COULD PREDICT RISK FOR DEMENTIA, CANCER AND STROKE, STUDY SUGGESTS

“Many people will say, ‘Man, I’m sleeping enough, I got seven to eight hours of sleep, but I still wake up feeling groggy and not refreshed,’” she told Fox News Digital during an in-studio interview. “About one in three adults has non-restorative sleep quality.”

“There are many factors that can contribute to poor sleep quality, regardless of how many hours you slept,” Troxel noted.

These include drinking alcohol — a “major contributor” to poor quality or disrupted sleep — and consuming caffeine late in the day.

Being stressed or feeling worried about something can also contribute to fragmented sleep, as can phone use at bedtime.

CHANGE TO NIGHTLY EATING HABITS MAY HELP PROTECT YOUR HEART, STUDY SUGGESTS

Troxel addressed the belief that women need more sleep than men, noting that research does support it — though only slightly, by about 10 to 15 extra minutes per night.

“What we absolutely know is that women’s sleep quality often suffers more than men’s,” she said. “They may be getting more non-restorative sleep quality, therefore needing slightly more sleep.”

Women are also twice as likely to have insomnia compared to men, and their risk for sleep disturbances “skyrockets” during the menopausal transition.

For those who claim they sleep better with fewer hours of sleep — and feel sleepier when they get the recommended seven to nine hours — Troxel said this is not an indicator that they actually require less shuteye. “It’s simply that their body is not used to it,” she said. 

Laboratory studies have shown that sleep deprivation causes impairments in judgment, according to the expert. “That means someone who thinks they’re fine with only four hours of sleep per night likely isn’t aware of the impact sleep deprivation has on their cognition and performance.”

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For those getting less than the recommended amount, Troxel recommends taking small steps toward sleeping longer. That might mean adding about 15 minutes each night to see how it impacts the body, eventually getting into a healthier circadian rhythm.

“You will likely see benefits when you increase your sleep in small increments,” she said.

Tips for better quality sleep

Quality sleep hinges on following a healthy lifestyle and a consistent sleep-wake schedule, according to experts.

INSUFFICIENT SLEEP LINKED TO MAJOR HIDDEN HEALTH RISK, STUDY REVEALS

Eating a nutritious diet free of foods that cause upset stomach or indigestion, especially in the late evening hours, can help improve sleep quality, Troxel shared.

“You don’t want to be starving at bedtime, but you also don’t want to be trying to fall asleep on a full stomach while your body’s still actively digesting,” she said.

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Exercise helps to promote quality sleep, just as sleep also improves exercise quality. However, it’s best to avoid vigorous physical activity too close to bedtime, Troxel advised.

“Exercise is very stimulating, particularly if it’s in a social environment, and that can disrupt sleep,” she said. “Exercising earlier in the day is better.”

That doesn’t have to mean working out first thing in the morning, Troxel noted, as not everyone’s circadian rhythm supports early wake-ups for exercise.

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“Those who are natural morning people are more likely to benefit from exercising earlier,” she said. “If you’re a night owl, don’t expect to love doing a workout first thing in the morning. That might not be consistent with your circadian rhythm.”

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Troxel added that people should not be “sleep-shamed” for adhering to their own internal clocks.

“These cultural trends have these subtle, or not-so-subtle, ways of undermining people’s sleep-wake biology, which is largely out of our control,” she said.

Accidental drowning suspected in missing Alabama student Jimmy Gracey’s death

An autopsy of the body of a 20-year-old University of Alabama student who disappeared last week while on spring break in Barcelona shows he likely died from an accidental drowning, according to a preliminary report filed by local police.

The body of James “Jimmy” Gracey, whose disappearance in the wee hours last Tuesday set off a frantic search by Catalan police forces, was found floating in the Mediterranean Sea days later. The report police filed with a local judge found no signs of foul play, but final results will be available on Thursday, according to Spanish newspaper El Periódico.

The Elmhurst, Ill., native had been out with friends at a world-famous nightclub at the city’s Port Olímpic district, which flanks a promenade on sea. 

A police spokesman told Fox News that Gracey’s phone had been found on an individual known to local authorities for past charges. The individual was ultimately determined to not have come into contact with Gracey and instead was charged with “illegal possession of another person’s belonging.”

JIMMY GRACEY’S WALLET FOUND INTACT, BUT DRUGGING NOT RULED OUT IN DEATH OF ALABAMA STUDENT IN BARCELONA

On Thursday, Gracey’s wallet was found floating in the water. Police finally recovered Gracey’s body from the water near the nightclub where he had been on Friday afternoon.

POLICE CALL JIMMY GRACEY’S DEATH AN ACCIDENT AFTER VANISHING ON SPRING BREAK IN BARCELONA, AUTOPSY PERFORMED

According to the newspaper, security camera footage shows Gracey walking by himself onto a dock near the Shoko club and falling in the water. 

The preliminary autopsy report points to drowning as the cause of death with multiple injuries to the body consistent with repeated hitting against breakwater rocks, possibly during a swell.

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA STUDENT JAMES GRACEY DISAPPEARS IN BARCELONA AFTER VISITING FRIENDS STUDYING ABROAD

The police spokesman told Fox News that the investigation is ongoing and that their first line of investigation is accidental death. He noted that Gracey’s wallet was found intact with money, credit cards and documents, which lessen the likelihood of foul play.. They also confirmed the preliminary autopsy report did not indicate Jimmy suffered injuries prior to drowning. 

Fox News is still waiting on confirmation of Spanish media claims and on whether Gracey’s body was found with his gold chain and rhinestone cross. 

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A Hungarian tourist reported being robbed of her gold necklace in the same area where Jimmy was last seen alive the night before the American student went missing.

Venezuelan illegal accused of killing Loyola student was caught and released, DHS says

The illegal immigrant accused of killing Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman entered the U.S. during the Biden administration before being apprehended and released into the country, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Sunday.

DHS also confirmed that Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national, had been previously arrested for shoplifting in Chicago, marking a prior criminal incident before the alleged murder.

He is being quarantined for a potentially contagious condition — possibly tuberculosis — according to Chicago Police Department sources.

A police source also told Fox News the shooting Thursday was an apparent ambush, with the gunman reportedly wearing a mask or face covering. Medina-Medina is believed to have been living in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.

GOV. PRITZKER IGNORED MY LETTER — AFTER HIS SANCTUARY POLICIES KILLED MY DAUGHTER

Investigators have since recovered a firearm believed to be connected to the killing, sources said, and are awaiting the results of a gunshot residue test.

DHS said in a statement Sunday that Medina-Medina was first apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and released into the country during the Biden administration.

He was later arrested in Chicago on June 19, 2023, for shoplifting and released again — marking a prior criminal incident before the alleged murder.

DHS HONORS ILLINOIS WOMAN WHOSE CORPSE WAS ALLEGEDLY ABUSED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FREED UNDER SANCTUARY LAWS

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also announced it had lodged an arrest detainer and called on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary city leaders not to release Medina-Medina.

“Jose Medina-Medina was previously released after an arrest for shoplifting in Chicago,” DHS said.

“Sheridan Gorman had her whole life ahead of her before this cold-blooded killer decided to end her life,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis.

“We are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this criminal illegal alien from jail back into American neighborhoods.”

The agency also pointed to broader concerns, noting that ICE has previously urged Illinois officials to honor detainers for thousands of criminal illegal aliens in state custody.

GRIEVING ILLINOIS FATHER CONDEMNS SANCTUARY ‘CHAOS,’ PLEADS FOR ‘COMMON SENSE’ AFTER DAUGHTER’S DEATH

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, Gorman, a freshman from Westchester County, New York, was shot in the head after a gunman approached her group of friends walking on the Chicago lakefront and opened fire.

As she attempted to flee, he shot her.  Gorman was pronounced dead at the scene, and no other injuries were reported.

The suspect was reportedly identified shortly after the shooting, in part due to a distinct limp, according to local records. The investigation remains ongoing.

One month before Medina-Medina was caught at the border and released into the U.S. in 2023, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified on Capitol Hill that the border was secure. “It is my testimony that the border is secure,” Mayorkas said.

GRIEVING FATHER SAYS DAUGHTER’S DEATH BY ILLEGAL ALIEN SHOWS COST OF SANCTUARY POLICIES

“We are again faced with the unbearable truth: our daughter’s life was taken, and our family will never be the same,” Sheridan Gorman’s family said in a statement.

“Sheridan was the heart of our family. She had a rare ability to bring people together—to make others feel included, understood, and loved. She lived with intention, with faith, and with a kindness that defined who she was every single day. She was just beginning her journey, with so much ahead of her.”

Gorman’s family also said, “Three days ago, our lives were shattered in a way no family should ever have to endure.”

ILLINOIS FATHER SAYS PRITZKER SHOWS ‘INDIFFERENCE’ TO HIS DAUGHTER BEING KILLED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT

However, Alderwoman Maria Hadden suggested to Fox 32 Chicago the incident appeared to be a case of Sheridan Gorman being in the “wrong place at the wrong time.”

Hadden said there was no indication of a broader threat, adding that “we don’t believe there is cause for broader community concern.”

“The kids were out doing normal things people do in the neighborhood,” she said. “They may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, running into a person who had a gun.”

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“They might have unintentionally startled this person at the end of the pier,” she added. “We don’t believe there is cause for broader community concern,” she assured.

Frustrated passengers lash out as long airport lines wreak havoc on travel plans

Airport security delays amid the partial government shutdown have created weekend travel nightmares, with massive TSA lines choking terminals across the country, unpaid officers calling out in growing numbers, and President Donald Trump vowing to send U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports to try to stem the tide of American angst.

“This is insane,” a frustrated passenger told CNN at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International, regarded as the busiest airport in the world. “We didn’t think it was going to be this bad.”

“It’s pandemonium out there,” another added in videos posted to social media this weekend.

“We shouldn’t have to deal with this just to get on an airplane,” an X poster raged — a complaint that now captures the mood at airports nationwide as travelers absorb the fallout from Washington’s funding fight.

TSA OFFICIAL WARNS SMALLER AIRPORTS COULD SHUT DOWN AMID DHS FUNDING CRISIS

The chaos is being fueled by deepening TSA staffing shortages during one of the busiest travel stretches of the season due to spring breaks for schools and colleges. Officers are working without pay under the shutdown, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned absenteeism, resignations and delays are likely to worsen if the stalemate drags on.

More than 400 TSA workers have already quit since the shutdown began Feb. 14, according to DHS.

The immediate concern for travelers, though, is far more fundamental: getting through the checkpoint before their flight leaves.

DHS SHUTDOWN FORCES AIRPORTS TO TELL TRAVELERS TO ARRIVE 4 HOURS EARLY AMID MASSIVE DELAYS

Among the most eye-popping wait times and airport line scenes reported this weekend:

Atlanta (ATL): Reported wait of 153 minutes early Sunday, with lines described as wrapping around baggage claim. 

New Orleans (MSY): Security line reportedly stretched into the parking garage. 

Houston (IAH/HOU): Some passengers reportedly faced waits of up to two to three hours, with Hobby Airport hit especially hard by staffing shortages.

JFK (New York): Waits climbed to 75 minutes Sunday morning after being much lower a day earlier.

Newark (EWR): Delays reached 44 minutes at points.

LaGuardia (LGA): Waits rose to around 20 minutes, lower than other major hubs but still up from minimal waits the previous day.

Cincinnati (CVG): Third-party tracker estimates showed waits approaching nearly an hour.

San Juan (SJU): Third-party tracker estimates also showed waits approaching nearly an hour.

AIRPORT CHECKPOINT CLOSURES SPREAD AS TSA WARNS OF SECURITY ‘THREAT,’ MORE TRAVEL DELAYS

The full national picture remains murky because official TSA tools are no longer reliably current.

“Due to the lapse in federal funding, this website will not be actively managed,” a red alert atop the My TSA app reads Sunday. “Click here for more information.”

That link reveals the data has not been updated for more than a month:

AIRLINE CEOS TORCH LAWMAKERS FOR TURNING AIR TRAVEL INTO A ‘POLITICAL FOOTBALL’

“This website was last updated on February 17, 2026 and will not be updated until after funding is enacted. As such, information on this website may not be up to date. Transactions submitted via this website might not be processed and we will not be able to respond to inquiries until after appropriations are enacted.”

VIDEO CAPTURES CRAZY AIRPORT CROWDS AS PASSENGERS POUR INTO TERMINAL AFTER SECURITY CHECKPOINTS CLOSE

DHS has said more than 10% of TSA officers called out on more than half of the past seven days, with some airports averaging absence rates near 20%. At Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, the rate reportedly climbed above 40% on certain days. Those no-shows have forced lane closures, longer backups and wild swings in wait times from one hour to the next.

For weeks, Republicans in Congress have been sharing the narrative – with photos and videos of TSA security delays – “thank a Democrat.“

Trump even went so far as to call Democrats the “greatest enemy” Americans face, as he continues to declare victory over Iran.

SHUTDOWN SPARKS FLIGHT CHAOS AS TSA LINES SPILL INTO PARKING LOTS WITH 3-HOUR WAITS OR LONGER

“Now with the death of Iran, the greatest enemy America has is the Radical Left, Highly Incompetent, Democrat Party!” Trump wrote Sunday morning on Truth Social.

Trump’s post came after his vow to send ICE agents to overwhelmed TSA security checkpoints at American airports. Coincidentally, Democrats have forced the Senate’s government shutdown for DHS funding over alleged abuse of power by ICE agents in Democrat-run sanctuary cities and states.

But, as Trump and Republicans frequently remind their counterparts, ICE is already fully funded since last summer’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, so shutting down DHS appropriations is not accomplishing its stated goals.

HOMELAND SECURITY REACTIVATES MAJOR GLOBAL ENTRY PROGRAM FOR TRAVELERS AMID SHUTDOWN

“On Monday, ICE will be going to airports to help our wonderful TSA Agents who have stayed on the job despite the fact that the Radical Left Democrats, who are only focused on protecting hard line criminals who have entered our Country illegally, are endangering the USA by holding back the money that was long ago agreed to with signed and sealed contracts, and all,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, hailing border czar Tom Homan as the fixer the TSA chaos needs urgently.

“But watch, no matter how great a job ICE does, the Lunatics leading the incompetent Dems will be highly critical of their work. THEY WILL DO A FANTASTIC JOB. The great Tom Homan is in charge!!!”

Democrats blasted the idea, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., calling it “another reckless, lawless threat to misuse ICE agents,” and Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., accusing Trump of “manufacturing chaos at airports for political leverage.”

TRUMP SAYS ICE WILL DEPLOY TO AIRPORTS MONDAY TO ASSIST TSA AMID FUNDING STANDOFF

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned the mess could get much worse, saying current delays may look like “child’s play” if TSA personnel miss another paycheck. Officials have even suggested some airports could face deeper disruptions — or possible closures — if the staffing crisis keeps intensifying.

For now, airports are urging travelers to arrive at least three hours early, even for domestic departures. But for passengers staring down marathon lines, the advice is landing more like a warning than reassurance: the shutdown is no longer just a fight in Washington — it is now a checkpoint crisis playing out in real time at airports across America.

“The current unpredictability is being driven by unpredictable staffing levels, basically, how many TSA officers are showing up for work on any given day,” Sheldon H. Jacobson, , the founder professor of engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an expert on aviation security and airport security screening, told Business Insider.

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“TSA officers have historically been cross-trained to do many different tasks, so the number that show up is the key factor,” Jacobson said.

ICE agents are not specifically trained for airport security, the domain of TSA, which has 65,000 employees, including 50,000 airport security officers. ICE has played a central role in the Trump administration’s illegal immigration crackdown.

“He seems to have no concept of what the limits are on ICE, and I think America would be absolutely appalled to see ICE agents roaming through airports, just as they’ve been breaking down doors at homes,” Blumenthal told reporters in Washington.

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Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, on Saturday offered to cover TSA paychecks “during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.”

Homeland Security historically has shifted resources across agencies during emergency staffing shortages, said Stewart Baker, who was a DHS policy official in President George W. Bush’s administration. Keeping TSA going without paying staff creates “serious trouble” for the agency, Baker said.

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Using ICE agents for airport security “may be slower than using trained people, but it would be better than having nobody,” he added.