Boss of Trump’s Crisis-Hit $1BN Self-Deportation Scheme Ordered to Come Clean

A senior lawmaker has told the multi-millionaire boss of Donald Trump’s crisis-hit self-deportation scheme that he must explain conflicting claims about how many migrants his firm has helped leave the country. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, told PunchUp that Congress must probe Salus as DHS recompetes the $2.34 billion Project Homecoming contract. “If the Trump administration is going to award Salus with hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds through questionable procurement practices, it is incumbent for us not only to investigate DHS for its contracts with Salus, but we also must investigate Salus and determine if its claims are based in reality,” Thompson, 78, said. Analysis by PunchUp, the Daily Beast’s sister Substack, shows Salus has issued at least eight totals in as many months without saying whether they count actual departures or mere sign-ups. Salus also claimed each departure cost $4,500. That figure produces savings roughly $500 million below the $2.4 billion the company claims its scheme has saved the U.S. taxpayer “when compared to involuntary deportation, since the program began.” When asked to walk us through the discrepancy, Walters declined.

Tom Latchem exposes the secrets, scandals, and stories that powerful people and institutions want to keep under wraps. Follow all of his reporting at PunchUp on Substack.

An American Airlines plane blew two tires while taxiing before takeoff—the fourth jet to suffer a similar issue at the same airport in two weeks. Passengers on board American Airlines flight 3280 were preparing to leave ​Chicago ​O’Hare ​International Airport when they heard a strange noise. “It was extremely loud,” passenger Lataisa Williams told CNN. “Everybody heard the tires pop… it all happened so quick.” Passengers were ferried back to the terminal while awaiting a replacement for the 13-year-old Boeing plane. They took off for Charlotte, North Carolina, about two hours later. “Shortly after ​pushing back ​from ​the gate ​at ​Chicago ​O’Hare ​International Airport ​(ORD), American Airlines flight 3280 experienced a tire ​issue on ​the taxiway,” American Airlines said in a statement. “Customers safely returned to the ​terminal ​and ​will ​re-depart shortly ​on ​a ​replacement aircraft.” The plane is the fourth to suffer tire issues at the airport in two weeks. Another American Airlines plane burst two tires landing at the airport last Monday, and a United Airlines plane’s tires were also damaged on landing that day. The week before, a flight bound for Phoenix aborted its takeoff after a tire burst while taxiing, CBS News reported.

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Whether they’re the result of years of sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations, or the ghosts of breakouts past, dark spots and hyperpigmentation are among the most stubborn skincare woes to treat… and they tend to become more noticeable as we get older. Sure, prescription topicals like tretinoin and hydroquinone can definitely help address pigmentation, but they can also be challenging for sensitive skin, and hydroquinone generally isn’t intended for long-term use. If you’re looking for a potent over-the-counter option that takes a clinical approach to discoloration without hydroquinone, PCA Skin’s Pigment Gel Pro may be the next best thing. ​

The dermatologically tested corrective takes a multi-pronged approach to discoloration, targeting existing dark spots while helping defend against the appearance of new ones. At the center of the formula is PCA Skin’s proprietary SynerPro Complex, which uses multiple pathways to address stubborn pigmentation. The gel also contains tranexamic acid to help minimize visible discoloration and purified licorice root extract to target uneven tone. Hexylresorcinol helps brighten while calming the skin, while niacinamide provides additional brightening and barrier-supporting benefits.

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According to PCA Skin, you may start to notice visible improvements in discoloration in as little as four weeks with consistent use. The formula is also suitable for all skin types and tones, including sensitive, acne-prone, and reactive complexions.

If you’re looking for a potent over-the-counter treatment, Pigment Gel Pro packs plenty of pigment-fighting power into one easy step, replacing multiple formulas in one bottle. Of course, as with any brightening or pigment-inhibiting treatment, daily SPF is non-negotiable—trying to fade dark spots while piling on more unprotected UV exposure is basically the skincare equivalent of mopping the floor while the faucet is still running.

A routine cross-country flight turned into a high-stakes diversion after a captain fell ill midair and personally requested an immediate trip to the emergency room upon landing. The drama unfolded aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 437, a Boeing 757 carrying 147 passengers from Los Angeles to Boston. Midway through the journey, the captain reported feeling sick, forcing the crew to divert to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Air traffic control recordings captured the pilot delivering a calm yet urgent update directly to the tower. “This is the captain. I am the one who is ill,” he told controllers. “Um, I am going to taxi the jet to the gate, and then I need to go to the hospital.” A former military and commercial aviator explained to CBS News Boston that having the sick captain handle communications while the first officer focused purely on flying is standard procedure. “They did this by the book, right?” he noted, adding that crew protocol dictates diverting immediately if a pilot feels incapacitated. Delta apologized for the disruption, replacing the crew before the flight landed safely at its final destination roughly 90 minutes behind schedule. The captain’s condition has not been revealed.

A Florida woman’s alleged attempt to enter a Secret Service checkpoint near Mar-a-Lago ended with the death of her dog and an officer being bitten. Alexa Rae Scharf, 29, drove an SUV through a closed security checkpoint Tuesday night and ignored Secret Service officers’ requests to identify herself, CBS12 reported, citing a probable cause affidavit. She parked beside vehicle-screening tents, exited, walked to a hose, and turned it on. When an agent asked who she was, she said, “I’m here for the car wash,” then returned to her vehicle and drove toward him, forcing him to get out of her path. Minutes later, the agent found a nearby home’s entrance gate knocked down and damaged, with Scharf’s vehicle further up the driveway. As officers approached, she returned to her vehicle and backed up toward them, ignoring commands to stop. She eventually wove through police cruisers and fled the property, pursued by the officers. She was stopped again later, with officers breaking her driver-side window and taking her into custody. Palm Beach police told CBS12 in a separate account that Scharf had a pit bull in the car who charged officers when they opened her door. It bit one officer before it was shot twice and died. Officials said Scharf faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault, resisting an officer without violence, and eluding police.

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By now, GLP-1 medications need little introduction. Drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide (the active ingredients in Ozempic and Mounjaro, respectively) have completely changed the conversation around weight loss and metabolic health. And if you happen to live in Los Angeles (or, frankly, any major city), there’s a decent chance someone you know has tried one… even if they insist their dramatically leaner physique is exclusively the result of “drinking more water and weekly Pilates appointments.” Unfortunately, these prescription weight-loss drugs aren’t for everyone. They can be expensive, difficult to access, and, more importantly, aren’t necessarily appropriate for people who only want to lose a few pounds (especially if you’re concerned about maintaining lean muscle mass). Naturally, the meteoric rise in GLP-1 pharmaceuticals has also fueled interest in the supplement category, but not all formulas are created equal.

Veracity’s Metabolism Cleanse + Ignite are two clinically backed supplements that help target GLP-1 levels in the body while also supporting gut health and weight management—and without causing side effects like “Ozempic face,” hair thinning, or muscle loss. Rather than marketing itself as an over-the-counter Ozempic dupe (a red flag if there ever was one), the two-part system takes a more holistic approach to fostering metabolic health, with ingredients designed to support the gut, liver, hormones, and the body’s own GLP-1 (the gut hormone that signals fullness after eating) response, including magnesium, milk thistle, and caffeine-free green coffee extract.

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Metabolism Ignite is the weight-management component of the duo. Its formula combines ingredients selected to promote metabolic function, healthy blood sugar levels, and satiety, including those that may help encourage the body’s natural production of GLP-1. Meanwhile, Metabolism Cleanse approaches metabolism from a different angle. The 10-day program is formulated to support healthy liver function and digestion, helping create a healthier foundation for the metabolism functions the body already performs on its own.

If your physician has greenlit you to try metabolism-boosting supplements, you’d prefer to skip the side effects of injectable GLP-1s, or are just terrified of needles, Veracity’s Metabolism Cleanse + Ignite Set is the ultimate alternative.

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A judge has pushed the murder trial of Anna Kepner’s stepbrother from September to early November to give her accused stepbrother’s team more time to investigate. Timothy Hudson, 16, was detained as a juvenile on Feb. 2 and charged with 18-year-old Kepner’s murder on board a Carnival Cruise Ship. Kepner was found under a bed wrapped in a comforter and covered with life vests. Hudson was reportedly in the cabin alone with Kepner for three hours, and she didn’t emerge alive. Her death was ruled a homicide following an autopsy by mechanical asphyxia, with Hudson’s DNA found on a swab consistent with assault. Hudson’s lawyers requested a delay because of a “unique and very unfortunate family dynamic” allegedly complicating the defense team’s investigation. The plea agreement deadline is Oct. 23, with an Oct. 27 calendar call and a Nov. 2 trial date. Hudson’s defense team told Fox News that it “still weren’t in a position to give a statement.”

A man accused of killing father-of-four Jared Bridegan in a murder-for-hire scheme four years ago was found guilty Wednesday. Mario Fernandez-Saldana, 38, was convicted of first-degree murder and solicitation of murder in the 2022 killing, which prosecutors say was driven by a bitter custody dispute between Bridegan and his ex-wife Shanna Gardner. The Microsoft executive was fatally shot after he got out of his SUV to remove a tire from a road in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Officials allege that Fernandez-Saldana’s former tenant, Henry Tenon, was the one to pull the trigger. Fernandez-Saldana wrote three checks totaling $10,000 to Tenon after the murder. According to Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler, Tenon was “basically homeless, squatting on people’s couches with overdrawn bank accounts.” Stifler also said that the motivation for the killing was that Gardner and Fernandez-Saldana, who were married at the time, wanted more custody of their shared twins. “They fixed it [the custody situation] by executing a man when they had other alternatives available to them. Thats why we’re here,” she said. Gardner is awaiting trial next month.

Dolly Parton’s Tennessee theme park has vowed to remain open following the country music legend’s death, in accordance with her wishes. After news of the star’s passing on Tuesday, the park wrote, “With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton. Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit.” Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton promised that the Nashville star’s legacy would live on under his watch. “The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” he said. “Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward.”

Miley Cyrus said her heart “breaks for the world” in a statement following her beloved godmother’s death. Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, asked Dolly Parton to be Miley’s godmother after touring with the 11-time Grammy winner as her opening act in the ‘90s. The 33-year-old said Parton had supported her throughout her life and noted that the country star appeared on Hannah Montana multiple times. Cyrus said she knows Parton would want her to feel every emotion, write a song about it, and be strong. Their last conversation was about music and metamorphoses, and Cyrus punctuated that statement with a butterfly emoji. She didn’t want to share intimate details, saying their “most sacred moments were private, and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.” Their last performance together was tearful renditions of Parton’s popular hits “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene.” Her statement ended on an encouraging note for those mourning the loss. “We’re in this loss together, and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things,” Cyrus said.

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When you’re looking for the right medication, the trial-and-error process (not to mention combating side effects) can be frustrating, time-consuming, and downright expensive. ClarityX is a simple, at-home DNA test that analyzes genes related to how the body may process and respond to commonly prescribed medications, including many used in mental health care.

Your DNA determines how you process medication. ClarityX cross-references your DNA with over 285 medications to identify how effectively your body metabolizes them and flag potential side effects. ClarityX uses data from the FDA and CPIC to give your doctors precise dosing guidelines that will work best for you.

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The process is simple: after you receive your test kit, simply activate it, complete a painless 30-second cheek swab, and drop the sample off in the mail. In about seven days, you’ll get a comprehensive report by email. The best part? ClarityX is offering 25 percent off its tests.

While it’s always essential to consult your physician about medication of any kind, this DNA test can help take some of the guesswork out of the process.

Jaye P. Morgan, the singer and actor who became a fan favorite for her risqué behavior on The Gong Show, died on Monday at age 94, her family announced. Morgan lived in Castle Rock, Washington. Her family did not disclose a cause or place of death. Born Mary Margaret Morgan on Dec. 3, 1931, in Mancos, Colorado, she performed in a family vaudeville act as a child. After leaving school at age 17, she joined Frank DeVol’s orchestra and was the lead female vocalist from 1950 to 1953. Morgan had several hits in the 1950s, including “That’s All I Want From You,” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “The Longest Walk,” which reached No. 6. She later became a frequent television guest, appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and other variety programs. Morgan was a celebrity judge on Chuck Barris’ The Gong Show from 1976 to 1978, where she infamously unbuttoned her blouse and exposed her breasts during a dance routine. She later appeared in The Gong Show Movie and George Clooney’s Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Morgan is survived by her son, Paul.

Debbie Clark, known for her role as “Storm” on American Gladiators, died on Monday at the age of 61. Clark’s brother Steven confirmed her death to TMZ, telling them she died at her home in Boston after her pacemaker gave out. She died in her son Crayton Clark’s arms as they waited for paramedics to arrive. Paramedics tried to resuscitate her but it was too late. Crayton believes Debbie was overworking herself and died from cardiac arrest. He started a GoFundMe to be able to spread her ashes with her mother. “I’m already struggling because she didn’t leave me with much because she didn’t have much material wise, but she made up for it in love and kindness,” he wrote. The Gladiators posted a tribute to Clark on Facebook: “We’re incredibly saddened to hear that former American Gladiators star Debbie Clark, known to millions of fans as Storm, has passed away aged 61. Why the name Storm? Because producers told her she had “blown them all away”. The post also noted Clark was an exceptional athlete, and was a regular on the show for two years, before an ACL injury forced her to retire.