TSA workers for Grand Junction Airport dey work without pay but security lines dey move well-well

For Grand Junction Regional Airport for Colorado, TSA officers don dey work for weeks without collecting their salary, but dem still dey show up for work and keep security lines moving smoothly. According to Angela Padalecki, wey be CEO of the airport, the security checkpoint lines remain short and travelers no need to plan extra time for their trips. Padalecki explain say the TSA officers for Grand Junction dey unpaid just like all other TSA officers nationwide because the Department of Homeland Security no get funding, but dem still dey report to work with smiles on their faces.

The airport management don show support for the officers by providing regular meals, and the community don also come together to support them. Padalecki talk say the community don show tremendous support through gifts and kindness, wey don help keep morale high among the officers. Currently, dem dey run gift card drive for the 45 TSA officers at the airport, with target of $22,500 to give each officer $500 in gift cards. So far, dem don raise $16,000, and gift cards fit dey dropped off for slot on the second floor near the security checkpoint.

Meanwhile, for Washington D.C., the Senate don confirm Markwayne Mullin as the new Homeland Security Secretary late Monday. Mullin, wey be Republican senator from Oklahoma and close friend of President Donald Trump, go take over the embattled department after the firing of Kristi Noem. The confirmation come amid budget standoff for Congress wey cause routine funding for the Department of Homeland Security to lapse since February 14, leading to long waits at U.S. airports as TSA agents dey call out instead of work without pay.

Mullin first challenge go be to restore routine funding to the department, as Democrats dey demand tighter restraints on immigration enforcement operations. Dem want immigration officers to identify themselves, no wear masks, refrain from operations around sensitive locations like schools and churches, wear body cameras, and obtain judge approval on warrants before entering people homes. At his confirmation hearing, Mullin try portray himself as steady hand, but Republican Sen. Rand Paul challenge am during heated exchange.

The Senate confirm Mullin on largely party-line vote of 54-45, with Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico joining Republicans to support the nominee. Mullin come into office as public support for Trump immigration agenda don fall after year of high-profile operations in multiple American cities. Under Noem leadership, officers don accuse of using force to arrest immigrants, detaining them in squalid conditions, and bypassing due process to rapidly deport immigrants.

Mullin don walk back some of his comments from confirmation hearing, say he wrong to malign protester Alex Pretti after he shot and kill by ICE officer. He say as secretary he go refrain from making judgments before investigation dey carry out. He also shed light on other ways he might influence policy, say officers go required to use warrant signed by judge—not administrative warrants now used by ICE officers—to enter house except for rare circumstances.

For Mesa County, Colorado, the Grand Junction Regional Communications Center get emergency alerts system to notify residents of emergencies like weather alerts, law enforcement activity, wildfires and evacuations. Residents fit sign up for notifications by text, email or phone call, and dem fit receive information for multiple addresses in the county. Cindy Casteel, manager of the communications center, say the system allow people to “set it and forget it” as dem go automatically get notifications when emergencies happen.

Local agencies also dey share information on social media outside of the notification system. Casteel emphasize say e important for people to know wetin dey happen for their area, especially when dem need stay out of certain areas for their own safety. Residents fit sign up for the alerts online through the communications center website.