Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Start the day with these headlines:

• Check if your Thermos was recalled.
• King Charles III toured Shenandoah National Park.
•  “It’s gonna be May.”

Nicole Fallert here, recovering from the Taylor Swift “Toy Story” countdown saga. Transportation Security Administration agents can work Friday knowing they’ll get paid. And we meet a Kentucky Derby horse.

House finally ends record-breaking Homeland Security shutdown

It felt as long as a winding airport security line: A 75-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown ended Thursday when the House of Representatives passed a funding bill for the agency with seemingly unanimous support, sending it to President Donald Trump’s desk.

The ordeal, which exposed fierce acrimony between House and Senate Republicans, left thousands of workers without pay, upended air travel and jeopardized Americans’ safety. 

The impasse was prompted by congressional Democrats’ demands for immigration enforcement reforms after the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota earlier this year. Yet the big changes they wanted, such as a ban on masks for officers and judicial warrant requirements for immigration raids, never materialized.

More news to know now

• Trump signals Iran blockade could last months. President Trump said the U.S. is currently in “what some people would call” a war with Iran, a new distinction from the president one day before the Trump administration prepares to cross the 60-day threshold to receive congressional approval for the war or withdraw troops from Iran.
• She’s held the title of “farmer.” Dr. Nicole Saphier is Trump’s new pick for U.S. surgeon general. Here’s what she’s said on health topics, including vaccines.
• Is “heroin chic” back? Lately, there’s concern about a “larger cultural swing towards the thin ideal yet again,” says Sam DeCaro, director of clinical outreach and education at The Renfrew Center, which specializes in eating disorder treatment.

Hollywood

A family affair

They’re not just costars; they’re also family. Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt together earned their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday a day before “Devil Wears Prada 2” releases in theaters. Read our review.

2026 Kentucky Derby

So Happy is your Derby horse to cheer for

The horse named So Happy, who sold for a modest $20,000 at a yearling sale, is headed for the Kentucky Derby this weekend. He is listed at 15-1 by TwinSpires.com for the race May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, and So Happy also stands at the center of a heartbreaking and heartwarming story. And here’s how to make a mint julep for the race.

Before you go

• Tom Holland talked to USA TODAY about sobriety.
• We’re listening to new Kacey Musgraves music.
• Sophie Cunningham was all of us after Blake Shelton crashed her practice.

Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.

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