The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Thursday that 10,000 full-time employees will soon lose their jobs, coming on top of the nearly 10,000 who have already left the agency in the last few months through buyout offers or early retirements. The agency oversees the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, among other divisions.
Amid an executive order from President Donald Trump to downsize federal agencies, the HHS announced the plans to cut 10,000 employees, stating it will undergo a “dramatic restructuring in accordance” with the executive order issued in February that federal agencies need to reduce their workforces. Other employees may be offered early retirement or deferred resignation, which the agency said will reduce its total workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees.
HHS further stated that this personnel reduction will “save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year, and streamline the functions of the Department,” making the agency “more responsive and efficient, while ensuring that Medicare, Medicaid, and other essential health services remain intact.” The HHS also noted it will employ a new effort toward “ending America’s epidemic of chronic illness by focusing on safe, wholesome food, clean water, and the elimination of environmental toxins.”
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in a statement on Thursday that “we aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic. Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants. This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and for those that HHS serves. That’s the entire American public, because our goal is to Make America Healthy Again.”
On Thursday, President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Trump cited the slight margin that majority Republicans hold in the House of Representatives for his decision to pull Stefanik from consideration for the U.N. post, with the president saying he’s asked her to remain in Congress.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress. We must be unified to accomplish our Mission, and Elise Stefanik has been a vital part of our efforts from the very beginning. I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress to help me deliver Historic Tax Cuts, GREAT Jobs, Record Economic Growth, a Secure Border, Energy Dominance, Peace Through Strength, and much more, so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations. Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American People. Speaker Johnson is thrilled! I look forward to the day when Elise is able to join my Administration in the future. She is absolutely FANTASTIC. Thank you Elise!”
The surprise development is a significant blow to Stefanik, a Trump loyalist and rising star in the party. There was little doubt Stefanik would have the votes to be confirmed, and her nomination was advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Jan. 30.
Trump announced on Nov. 11, 2024 that he selected Stefanik, 40, to represent the United States at the UN, praising her as “an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter.” Stefanik, a New York Republican, was elected to Congress in 2014 and rose to House GOP leadership to be the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House. She served as chair of the House Republican Conference from May 2021 to Jan. 2025, stepping down from the House GOP leadership post after being picked to serve in the administration..
Zendaya has joined the animated ‘Shrek’ film series as the daughter of Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz). The sequel film is set to open in theaters on Dec. 23, 2026.
Universal Pictures released a teaser for Shrek 5 which revealed Zendaya as the voice of Shrek and Fiona’s daughter; see the cast announcement: HERE.
The Shrek franchise began with the Oscar-winning 2001 feature film that centered on an ogre named Shrek, who falls in love with Fiona, the princess of Far Far Away who has been cursed and trapped in the body of an ogre. In addition to the main Shrek films, the franchise also spawned two Puss in Boots spinoffs, starring Antonio Banderas,
In addition to Myers and Diaz, other returning cast members include Eddie Murphy as Donkey and Cody Cameron as Pinocchio (both whom voiced the characters in the first four Shrek movies). In addition, Shrek veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon direct, along with Minions: The Rise of Gru co-director Brad Ableson.
Showtime announced that Krysten Ritter and Neil Patrick Harris have joined the cast of Dexter: Resurrection. Production for the “Dexter” sequel series started in January in New York, with the show expected to air this summer on Paramount+ with Showtime. Michael C. Hall returns as Dexter Morgan, the titular role he made famous when starring in the original Dexter, which launched on Showtime in 2006 and ran for eight seasons.
Ritter will guest-star as the character ‘Mia Lapierre,’ a famed sommelier whose alter ego is the “Lady Vengeance” serial killer. Harris will play the character ‘Lowell,’ but no other information was provided. The series also stars Uma Thurman as Charley, described as ‘a former special ops officer who works security for a mysterious billionaire’. That billionaire in question, Leon Prater, will be played by Game of Thrones alum Peter Dinklage.
“Resurrection” is one of many offshoots in the “Dexter” universe — a sequel series, “Dexter: New Blood,” aired in 2021 (which also saw Hall reprise the role of Dexter). In addition, the Dexter prequel series “Dexter: Original Sin” launched last year and became the most streamed global original series for Showtime in 10 years, with its finale’s 2.68M global viewers.
Additional cast members include: David Zayas as Detective Angel Batista, Jack Alcott as Dexter’s son Harrison Morgan, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine as Blessing Kamara, Kadia Saraf as Detective Claudette Wallace, Dominic Fumusa as Detective Melvin Oliva, Emilia Suárez as Elsa Rivera, and James Remar as Dexter’s father, Harry Morgan.
University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham visited the Crookston campus on Wednesday, March 26. It was a busy day for President Cunningham who visited with students, faculty, staff and members of the community. KROX sat down with Cunningham in the Sargeant Student Center Leadership Room for a Q & A session before she had to move on to her next scheduled campus engagement.
Q: What is being done to increase the on-campus enrollment at the Crookston campus? A new program was recently added; will there be any more? A: I can’t speak to specific programs, but I know our Crookston campus is an important campus for us and our five-campus system. We are continuing to look at ways to increase our enrollment, and I know that enrollment has been up this year and we are excited about that. We are excited about the vibrancy of this campus. I’m excited that this campus was named the number one best value in the state of Minnesota, which is so very exciting. I am also really excited that not only do we have increase enrollment but we find here that 93 percent of our students go on to find careers right after college. We prepare them here, we don’t just enroll them, we prepare them here for careers after college.
Q: Lysaker gymnasium here on campus has some structural issues with cracks and shifting of the building. With over half the on-campus enrollment in Crookston being student-athletes, is there any talk in Minneapolis of a new field house/gymnasium in the future? A: Our extra-curricular activities, including sports are a really critical part of success for our students in preparing them to be leaders and future citizens. I have heard about the need for improved facilities here and I know that they are part of our long list of things that do need facility repairs across the state of Minnesota. We have requests in for HEAPR money for this year for the state. We hope that those funds will come through so that we can address the aging facilities we have across our system, including athletics.
Q: What are some of the challenges the Crookston campus faces and what is being done to combat them? A: I think everyone coming out of COVID these past couple years has made an adjustment into the balance between online and residential life and Crookston has done a really great job of navigating this with increasing campus enrollment in person, but also, really focusing the online enrollment for how you reach students who might not have as much accessibility or a need to get there degree or finish their degree in a different way. I am really appreciative of Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause and how she has addressed some of those concerns. I met with some wonderful students this morning that told me why Crookston is the best place for them, the best University of Minnesota campus for them. It’s provided them the in person connections and support, and advising, in a small format, that was the right learning for them.
Q: How have cuts to federal programs affected the University as a whole? A: We are in a time of budget uncertainty. With state budget uncertainty and a looming deficit for the state, that certainly concerns us for what our state appropriation will be this year and federal uncertainty we’re still navigating through. We are going to have to see where that lands. The university has already lost $20 million dollars in Stop Work Order Grants federally. We know some of those have affected the Crookston community here as well and we remain concerned about that and are doing what we can to address and advocate for the federal work that is being done that we know does good work in communities like Crookston. There is ongoing federal uncertainty for grants. One of the executive directives a few weeks ago that were to change our over head rate would have been an immediate reduction in funds between $100 and $130 Million for the University of Minnesota system. That surely would also affect Crookston and our ability to deliver the excellent anchor community we have here. I don’t have the answer to those yet and I know people want more certainty but, what I can say is, we do have a process on how we are taking in that information as it comes in nearly every day now, including information about the Department of Education just two days ago. We are working to sift through it and make assessments about what it means for our students. Right now, the most recent Department of Education changes, we are hoping will not impact Federal Financial Aid for students and PELL Grants but, this is something we are all going to have to stay tuned about because we know those are really important to our students.
Q: What are you and the Board of Regents doing to make Crookston better than it already is? A: Well, I am so glad you asked. We have just launched a strategic planning process for what the future of our system should look like in 2030 and 2035, and the Crookston campus right now, like all of our system, is participating in system-wide strategic planning. We are looking to focus on what the strategic focus should be for the system and we know that Crookston is a vibrant, important part of our five campus system and I am committed to having it continue to be the great anchor institution it is for this region serving so much of Northwest Minnesota.
President Cunningham mentioned that this was her third or fourth trip up to the Crookston campus and that she is always struck by the commitment of the faculty and the passion of the students in Crookston.
The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Golden Eagles Baseball team is hosting the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the Sanford Sports complex.
FIRST INNING UMC gave the ball to Josh Dykhoff (Jr. Wadena) to start the game and he was ready to roll as he retired the first three batters with a fly out, strike out, and ground out. In the bottom of the inning, UMC’s bats were ready to go. After a strike out, Sawyer Satrom (Sr. Portland, ND) and Dykhoff walked before Americo Sculati (Jr. Golden Valley) tripled to score two runs. Aaron Wensloff (Soph. Roseau) flew out to center field, but Sculati scored to give the Golden Eagles a 3-0 lead.
SECOND INNING UMC’s Dykhoff continued his stellar pitching as he retired all three batters with two strikeouts and a fly out. In the bottom of the inning, UMC was retired in 1-2-3 fashion on three ground outs.
THIRD INNING Concordia-St. Paul got their first hit of the game with a lead off single before the next batter hit into a double play. The next batter lined out to retire the Golden Bears. UMC’s Dylan Debilzen (Fresh. Parkers Prairie) led off the bottom of the inning with a walk. After an out, Dykhoff singled, Sculati reached on an error and a run scored for a 4-0 Golden Eagle lead. Aaron Wensloff singled to load the bases. Kobe Senn (Sr. Fargo, ND) grounded out, but a run scored for a 5-0 lead.
FOURTH INNING Concordia-St. Paul started the top of the fourth inning with a single before they hit into their second double play of the game. The next batter singled before a strikeout. UMC added some more runs in the bottom of the inning when Brock Larson (Jr. Blaine) singled. Kyler Miller (Grand Rapids) was hit by a pitch, and Debilzen singled to load the bases. Satrom reached on a fielder’s choice as the Golden Bears got the out at home plate. Dykhoff helped his own cause with a double to score two runs for a 7-0 lead. After a strike out, Aaron Wensloff singled to score another run for an 8-0 lead.
FIFTH INNING UMC’s Dykhoff continued to deal as he struck out three batters in the inning. In the bottom of the inning, the Golden Bears made a pitching change and that didn’t make a difference as Larsen was hit by a pitch with one out. Kyler Miller and Debilzen singled to load the bases. Satrom singled to score two runs for a 10-0 lead. Dykhoff flew out to left field, but a run scored for an 11-0 lead.
SIXTH INNING Dykhoff struck out the first two batters of the sixth inning before a ground out to retire the Golden Bears in 1-2-3 fashion in the sixth inning. UMC’s Aaron Wensloff and Jaiden Smith (Fresh. Aberdeen, SD) singled to lead off the inning. The next batter hit into a double play before a fly out retired the Golden Eagles.
SEVENTH INNING The Golden Bears were down to their final three outs and Dykhoff struck out the first batter, got the next batter to pop out before striking out the next batter to secure a UMC 11-0 victory in game one of the four game series.
Box Score
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
CSP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
UMC
3
0
2
3
3
0
–
11
12
0
UMC offensive leaders- Aaron Wensloff – 3 for 3, 2 rbi Josh Dykhoff – 2 for 2, 3 rbi, 2 runs, double, walk Dylan Debilzen – 2 for 3, 3 runs, walk
Pitching
IP
H
R
ER
BB
K
Josh Dykhoff – UMC (WP)
7.0
3
0
0
0
11
Korey Dahlberg-CSP
4.0
7
8
7
3
3
Leo Bustos-CSP
1.0
3
3
3
0
1
Jake McNeil-CSP
1.0
2
0
0
0
0
GAME TWO –
FIRST INNING UMC’s Nate Benning got the start on the mound and gave up two singles to start the game before settling down with a strike out, a caught stealing, and a pop out to retired the side. UMC’s Debilzen kept his hot bat going with a single to left field. After a fly out, Dykhoff blasted a shot over the left-center field fence for a two-run home run for a 2-0 lead. The next two batters were retired.
SECOND INNING Concordia-St. Paul started the second inning with a double. The next two batters struck out before a walk and a fielder’s choice to retire the side. UMC’s Senn walked before the next three batters were retired.
THIRD INNING UMC’s Benning continued to pitch well in the third inning with a fly out. After a walk, he got an out on a fielder’s choice before a ground out to retired the Golden Bears. UMC added some more runs in the bottom of the inning as Debilzen doubled and Satrom singled to score a run for a 3-0 lead. Satrom stole second base, Dykhoff walked and after an out, Aaron Wensloff doubled to score two more runs for a 5-0 lead. The next two batters were retired.
FOURTH INNING The first Concordia-St. Paul batter grounded out before a walk and a single. The next batter hit into a double play. UMC’s Larsen started the bottom of the inning with a double before he got a ground out, a fielder’s choice out, and a strike out.
FIFTH INNING The first two Golden Bear batters popped out and flew out. The next two batters singled before a fly out. UMC was retired in 1-2-3 fashion in the bottom of the inning.
SIXTH INNING Concordia-St. Paul finally scored their first run of the doubleheader as they had a ground out, a single and a home run to get within a 5-2 deficit. The next two batters were retired. UMC’s first two batters struck out. Larsen walked before the next batter struck out and UMC took a 5-2 lead into the seventh inning.
Leif Enger, author of the recently released and highly acclaimed novel, I Cheerfully Refuse, will visit several local libraries this spring. The public is invited to hear about the author’s work and experience as an author. Set in a dystopian version of future America, I Cheerfully Refuse is the story of a grieving musician sailing Lake Superior in search of his departed and deeply beloved wife.Enger’s debut novel, Peace Like a River, sold over a million copies, followed by So Brave, Young, and Handsome and Virgil Wander.
The tour is sponsored by Lake Agassiz Regional Library and will include visits to the following locations:
Monday, April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Moorhead Public Library
Tuesday, April 15 at 11 a.m. at the Crookston Public Library
Tuesday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bagley Public Library
Wednesday, April 16 at 2 p.m. at the Detroit Lakes Public Library
Admission is free thanks in part to funding from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Legacy Fund. More information is available at larl.org/legacy.
The University of Minnesota Crookston had eight student-athletes named to the NSIC All-Academic Teams as announced by the conference office Thursday, March 26.
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference announced that 777 student-athletes have earned NSIC All-Academic honors for the 2024-25 winter athletic season; 474 student-athletes were named to the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence, while 303 earned NSIC All-Academic Team honors. To be eligible for the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence, a student-athlete must have a 3.60 cumulative GPA or higher, while NSIC All-Academic Team members must have a 3.20 cumulative GPA or higher. Additionally, the student-athlete must be a member of the varsity traveling team, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at her/his institution (true freshmen, red-shirt freshmen and ineligible athletic transfers are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at that institution.
Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball had two student-athletes, Ben Hoverson (Sr., Grand Forks, N.D.), and Cuinn Berger (Fr., Esko,) named to the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence, while Reid Grant (Sr., Johnston, Iowa), and Pedro Rossi (Sr., Bahia Blanca, Argentina) were selected to the NSIC All-Academic Team.
The women’s basketball team had three student-athletes from the 2024-25 roster named to the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence; Natalie Mikrot (Jr., Willow River), Rayna Klejeski (So., Barnum), and Olivia Walsh (So., Austin,). Riley Jenkins (So., Galesburg, Ill.) was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.
The year the first Apple Computer launched and the United States was celebrating the Bicentennial, Boonsong Sterger joined Benedictine Living Community-Crookston’s (then Villa St. Vincent) Dietary Department and started making a difference for the thousands of residents that have called the Villa home. Forty-seven years later, when asked why she keeps at her meaningful work in Culinary? She responds humbly, “I love it here”.Benedictine Living Community-Crookston (BLC-C) recognizes the commitment of their associates and celebrates an exceptional group of four individuals who have been with BLC-C for over 40 years.
In addition to Boon; Vicky Peck, LPN, MDS Coordinator is a 42 year veteran. “I love the people here; everyone I work with and those we serve.” Vicky was the Charge Nurse for the, then Board and Care, which remodeled to The Summit Assisted Living back in the 90’s.Teresa Persson, Culinary, states, “It just feels like home. And all of the staff and the residents and tenants; are wonderful to be around.” Teresa has 40 years of service and is a former Sr. Claudia Legacy Recipient.Jody Gudvangen began as a Nurse Aide and transitioned into a Medical Secretary role; and currently works in HR with payroll, benefits specialist and assists with all things “IT”. Jody has been with BLC-C for 42 years. “There is a comradery here that is unmistakable. I so enjoy the relationships amongst us all.”
Executive Director Lindsey Erdman adds, “Day in and out I am so very thankful for the talented, caring commitment of our Benedictine Team….and then to consider the years of beautiful service these four standouts have given to so many; it just brings me joy. Thank you ladies for holding up our Mission withcompassion and grace!”
Pictured left to right: Boonsong Sterger, Vicky Peck, Teresa Persson and Jody Gudvangen
On Wednesday, The Atlantic posted a detailed follow-up story, including transcript of text messages and screenshots disclosing the full text chain from the Signal group chat that inadvertently included the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg.
In an article titled “Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal,” Goldberg quoted from texts in which Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth detailed types of U.S. military aircraft and the timing of recent airstrikes against Houthi militias in Yemen (the texts did not, however, include information about specific targets).
The updated after comes after the White House and top administration officials involved in the chat claimed no “war plans” were discussed. In testimony at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Tuesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe both claimed no classified material was shared in the group chat. Ratcliffe said his “communications … in the Signal message group were entirely permissible and lawful and did not include classified information.” They also both testified Tuesday that Hegseth was the “original classifying authority” on the chat.
Goldberg and journalist Shane Harris said in The Atlantic article published Wednesday that “statements by Hegseth, Gabbard, Ratcliffe, and Trump — combined with the assertions made by numerous administration officials that we are lying about the content of the Signal texts — have led us to believe that people should see the texts in order to reach their own conclusions. There is a clear public interest in disclosing the sort of information that Trump advisers included in nonsecure communications channels, especially because senior administration figures are attempting to downplay the significance of the messages that were shared.”
The screenshots include Hegseth sharing details of the timing and targets of the attack on Houthis in Yemen earlier this month, and were discussed in the chat. Hegseth posted in the chat, in all caps, at 11:44 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 15: “TEAM UPDATE: TIME NOW (1144et): Weather is FAVORABLE. Just CONFIRMED w/CENTCOM we are a GO for mission launch.” The ensuing message included the timing of the expected strikes and what type of weapons would be used.
Goldberg and Shane Harris wrote: “This Signal message shows that the U.S. secretary of defense texted a group that included a phone number unknown to him—Goldberg’s cellphone—at 11:44 a.m. This was 31 minutes before the first U.S. warplanes launched, and two hours and one minute before the beginning of a period in which a primary target, the Houthi ‘Target Terrorist,’ was expected to be killed by these American aircraft. If this text had been received by someone hostile to American interests—or someone merely indiscreet, and with access to social media—the Houthis would have had time to prepare for what was meant to be a surprise attack on their strongholds. The consequences for American pilots could have been catastrophic.”
The White House has not denied the authenticity of the message; however, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X Wednesday morning: “The Atlantic has conceded: these were NOT ‘war plans. This entire story was another hoax written by a Trump-hater who is well-known for his sensationalist spin.”
National security adviser Mike Waltz also wrote on X Wednesday morning: “No locations. No sources & methods. NO WAR PLANS. Foreign partners had already been notified that strikes were imminent. BOTTOM LINE: President Trump is protecting America and our interests.” Waltz also asserted that the sources of the intelligence were not discussed but did not address the timing or weapons packages used in the strikes.
