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Today's Leading Stories:

As we approach the 100-day mark of President Trump's administration, promises of mass deportations are facing scrutiny. The Migration Policy Institute has noted that while the number of arrests has seen a notable uptick, the actual pace of deportations is currently lagging behind figures recorded during the final fiscal year of the previous Biden administration. Over the weekend, federal authorities made headlines by detaining over 100 individuals lacking legal status during a raid on an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs.

Critics are raising alarms about what they perceive as the administration's frantic rush to boost deportation statistics. NPR's Joel Rose reported on a particularly troubling incident involving a 2-year-old American citizen who was wrongfully deported alongside her mother. Although the mother was undocumented, her daughter was born in Louisiana, making her a citizen by birthright. Legal representatives have since filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family, alleging that authorities failed to allow them any form of communication prior to their deportation to Honduras. The case has prompted a judge to schedule a hearing next month to examine the circumstances surrounding this distressing situation.

In health news, the resurgence of measles is being declared an outbreak, with nearly 900 confirmed cases across 30 states since the first reported case in late January. Alarmingly, this figure has already tripled compared to the total number of cases in all of 2024, raising significant concerns for public health officials. In the past, measles was thought to be eradicated in the U.S., but vaccine hesitancy is being cited as a major factor behind the return of this dangerous disease.

In Gaines County, Texasa region accounting for nearly half of the nation's measles casesthe vaccination rate was reported at only 82% at the start of the year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that a vaccination rate of at least 95% is critical to preventing outbreaks of this caliber. To address this alarming shortfall, local health authorities have rolled out initiatives such as pop-up clinics, billboards, and television ads aimed at increasing vaccination rates. Dr. Ana Montanez, a pediatrician in the area, has observed that some parents, skeptical of vaccines, are turning to unproven alternatives like Vitamin A.

Meanwhile, Canadians are heading to the polls today to cast their votes for the next prime minister. Earlier this year, Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, seemed to be the likely successor. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically when Justin Trudeau announced his resignation after nearly a decade of leadership within the Liberal Party. During his tenure, Trudeau faced significant challenges, including President Trump's threats to Canada's sovereignty and the imposition of tariffs on Canadian exports.

Under the leadership of new Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Liberal Party has gained considerable traction. Many Canadians have expressed their frustration over Trump's perceived targeting of their nation, viewing his actions as an attempt to annex Canada and transform it into the 51st state of the U.S. NPR's Jackie Northam reported that Poilievre's campaign has been marred by perceptions of him mirroring Trump's rhetoric, advocating for a Canada-first approach that calls for tighter border controls, reduced government, and a dismissal of what he refers to as 'wokeness.' In contrast, Carney is regarded as a steady hand, capable of navigating the complexities of U.S.-Canada relations. Notably, since Carney's appointment, Trump has ceased to publicly suggest Canada could be annexed and has addressed him as Prime Minister rather than Governor, as was the case with Trudeau.

Tune in Today:

As National Poetry Month draws to a close this Wednesday, the tradition of storytelling in cowboy poetry continues to resonate. Morning Edition is dedicating time to honor this unique poetic form, which has roots in the narratives shared by cowboys. Yvonne Hollenbeck, a prominent cowgirl poet, describes the genre as a heartfelt chronicle of the West's history, both past and present. Living on a ranch in South Dakota, Hollenbeck finds daily inspiration in the rhythms of cowboy life. Be sure to catch her insights and hear excerpts from her work.

From Our Hosts:

In a recent show, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tina Knowles, the mother of music icons Beyonc and Solange. Tina's new memoir, aptly titled Matriarch, offers a fascinating glimpse into her life, including her experiences raising one of the world's biggest stars. When I first received the memoir, I was unsure if it would follow the familiar pattern of celebrity stories that often lack depth. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The book paints a vivid picture of what it was like for Tina to grow up in a barely desegregated Galveston, Texas, where her family's circumstances were marked by hardship and resilience.

One riveting aspect of her story is how the family's last name evolved, with all seven of Ms. Knowles' children ending up with different spellings of the name Buyince. Tina herself became Knowles, and thus began a remarkable journey. Far from the glamorous life she and her family enjoy today, Tina's narrative reveals the struggles and triumphs of transitioning from an ordinary family to one at the forefront of the entertainment industry.

In stark contrast to these personal success stories, our colleague Emmanuel Akinwotu recently traveled to Khartoum, where a violent civil war has erupted, leading to what many have described as a humanitarian catastrophe. Even as notable figures like former U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield attempt to maintain global awareness of the crisis, it often gets overshadowed by other ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Yemen. Akinwotu's coverage brings to light the stark disparities in global fortuneswhy do some individuals suffer immensely while others thrive?

This juxtaposition of narratives serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of our world, leaving us to ponder the broader implications and our collective responsibility to respond.

Three Things to Know Before You Go:

• The baking of Shlissel challah, a special loaf for the first Shabbat after Passover, is gaining popularity on social media, inspiring many to try their hand at this tradition.
• A letter penned by Col. Archibald Gracie, a first-class passenger on the Titanic, recently fetched a staggering $399,000 at auction.
• In 2018, Alexis Agnew experienced a life-altering moment after receiving concerning medical test results, but found solace in a compassionate act from a hospital employee.

This newsletter was expertly edited by Suzanne Nuyen.