An ICE Shooting Becomes a Political Flashpoint

US News

An ICE Shooting Becomes a Political Flashpoint

What's going on: Shortly after an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old mother, Renee Good, in Minneapolis, two vastly different narratives took hold. Local officials and Democrats called it murder. Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) said the shooting was “totally avoidable” and accused federal officials of running a “propaganda machine.” Those at the federal level, however, said the shooting was lawful and necessary. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem doubled down on her claim that Good committed “domestic terrorism.” As for the investigation, state and federal authorities are also at odds. Minnesota officials said they were essentially ousted from the case, leaving the FBI in charge of the probe. While ICE promises to continue enforcement in Minneapolis, Walz has activated the state’s National Guard “out of an abundance of caution,” though the troops have not yet been deployed.

What it means: The deadly shooting marks a pivotal moment in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. As we all discuss the broader implications with our friends, families, and on social media, it can feel like everyone’s operating under a different set of facts. What’s undisputed is the scale of ICE’s presence in communities across the country — and the fear that often follows. For people who may encounter ICE, resources exist. For instance, the National Immigration Justice Center has a “know your rights” breakdown, with suggestions on how to craft a safety plan and what to say in a traffic stop. As for what’s next? The Trump administration plans to deploy over 100 more border patrol agents to Minnesota, according to The New York Times.

Related: What To Know About Recording ICE & Police (USA Today)

The News in 5

🗞️  Federal agents shot and injured a man and woman in Portland during a “targeted” vehicle stop yesterday, authorities said. A Homeland Security spokesperson said an agent fired a “defensive shot.” Meanwhile, Portland’s mayor called on ICE operations to stop while an investigation takes place. 

🗞️ A group of Republican Senators broke with President Donald Trump on his actions in Venezuela. The president reacted how you’d expect.

🗞️ Democratic leaders Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a plan that targets the holy grail of parenting: child care.

🗞️ Overdose deaths in the US dropped, but the main reason why isn’t what you think it is, according to a new study.

🗞️ The USPS changed the way it postmarks mail. It could have big consequences for mail-in ballots and your taxes. 

Sports

Down to the Buzzer

What’s going on: The WNBA and its players are in late-game territory, with the shot clock winding down fast. After nearly a year of talks and extensions, today marks the deadline for the league and the players’ association to reach a new contract — and a deal looks unlikely. Players association vice president and WNBA star Breanna Stewart confirmed they’re far from an agreement, but that talks are expected to continue in good faith. If the current contract expires, it wouldn’t trigger an immediate strike, but it would leave the door open to a lockout that could delay the season. At the center of the standoff: money — with both sides far apart on how the league’s growth should translate into player pay.

What it means: This fight arrives at a critical time for the league. Stars like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Paige Bueckers are driving record attendance, TV ratings, and attention — momentum the league has never seen before. Players argue their pay hasn’t caught up. Unlike the NBA and NFL, where salaries rise with revenue, the WNBA relies on preset increases. The union wants a system that ties pay directly to growth. The league says the math doesn’t work over the long haul. For now, everyone waits — players, owners, and fans alike — to see whether opening night brings tipoff or another delay.

Related: Caitlin Clark Roasts Her Teammate’s Dance Moves (Sports Illustrated)

Sports

Kids' Leagues Are Getting Pricey

What’s going on: Whoever said you can’t put a price on your child’s happiness either doesn’t have kids or has a very healthy bank account. The cost to play in youth sports continues to explode, with one survey estimating that parents spent nearly $40 billion from 2019 to 2024. One mother told The Washington Post she thinks she spends at least $8,000 a year for her son to play club baseball. Aside from sports equipment costs, some teams even charge try-out fees, and tournaments can come with streaming fees (with fines in place if you’re caught recording). One big reason it’s getting ridiculously expensive? Private equity showed up. Investment firms have bought into youth sports clubs and leagues, turning them into year-round, for-profit businesses. Parents are also convinced these club teams can help their kids get a college scholarship, even though there’s little evidence to support that. 

What it means: The “pay-to-play” model is out of hand. Some parents have picked up a second job, scaled back family vacations, and even turned to GoFundMe to alleviate costs. If you’re at a breaking point, there are options: Many community centers (including the YMCA) offer scholarships or income-based pricing, and national organizations also offer grants. It might also be worth having a frank conversation with your child about moving from all-year-round to seasonal playing. Some studies show that year-round participation can actually increase your child’s risk of a sports-related injury. And specializing in one sport early could hurt their athletic development. Friendly reminder: Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school varsity basketball team as a sophomore.

Related: Athletic Scholarships Aren’t Always Enough To Pay for College (Forbes)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ On the edge of our seats for the next monthly jobs report.

🗓️ The Women’s Wear Daily Style Awards will honor some big names, from Pamela Anderson to Hailey Bieber. 

🗓️ People We Meet on Vacation is on Netflix. To celebrate, we interviewed Emily Henry about the weirdest thing she’s Googled for a book.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

Only one US airline made the top 10 list for best airline food. Who soared above?

Extra Credit

Listen

For many of us, following our passions doesn’t always pay the bills. So in this special podcast episode, we chatted with a woman who turned her childhood passion for skateboarding into a career. Kirsten Dermer is the CEO and co-founder of Spohn Ranch, and she went from skating on backyard ramps in Southern California to leading an award-winning skatepark design-build firm. Listen in to learn how she built her dream business from scratch and steal the advice she’d give to her younger self. Warning: Side effects of tuning in may include motivation and inspiration.*

Game Time

Kick your weekend off with Pile-Up Poker, a brand-new game where poker meets solitaire. Create as many poker hands as possible to earn cash and climb the leaderboard. We’re all in.