News Above the Noise—Week of March 29, 2026
Photos courtesy of the hundreds of protesters yesterday who answered Maria’s call for photos of their signs.
1. Third No Kings Day Draws Reported 8 Million
Millions of protesters filled the streets on Saturday to rally against issues like rising gas prices, the war against Iran, and restrictions on voting. Stars like Bruce Springsteen and Jane Fonda joined the crowds, with Springsteen performing his tribute song “Streets of Minneapolis” in the city itself. Read more here.
2. The Shutdown Drags on—and TSA Is Still Without Pay
With hundreds of TSA officers quitting and call-out rates shooting from 4% to nearly 50% at some airports, Americans may still face travel difficulties. Workers have reported sleeping in their cars, selling blood and plasma, and taking on second jobs. It’s unclear how quickly Trump’s executive order may get checks to employees, but it still could take weeks to return to full staffing. Read more here.
3. Car Safety Was Designed for Men. Women Are Suffering the Consequences.
Crash test dummies have been based on the average male body for almost 50 years — and the physical differences are significant. Women have less muscle mass in their neck and upper torso, making them more vulnerable to upper-body injuries, and differences in pelvic anatomy leave them more susceptible to lower-body injuries too. A more anatomically accurate female dummy, called the THOR-5F, exists but still isn't required for federal crash tests. Read more here.
4. The Invisible Workforce: Millions of Americans Are Caring for Aging Parents for Free
The 59 million Americans providing that care now average 27 hours a week, and 57 percent are in high-intensity roles, taking on complex medical tasks once handled by trained professionals. The average value of one caregiving hour rose from $16.59 to $20.41 in 2024, yet most caregivers see none of it. Read more here.
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