Immigration Clashes, Meloni's School Bans, & Nicki Minaj on Trump – Sept 21, 2026

This edition of The Big Stories examines national debates over federal immigration enforcement priorities in Washington and international policy proposals targeting foreign student limits and face-covering bans in Italian classrooms. The episode also covers cultural headlines, including public school regrets expressed by Sixteen Nineteen Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones and career reflections alongside political advocacy from rapper Nicki Minaj. Additionally, we look at recent California grocery store sightings fueling romance speculation involving actor Kevin Costner.

00:00 – Introduction

01:14 – The DHS Secretary Mullin and Rep. Jayapal Clash Over Immigration Enforcement Priorities Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin rejected claims from Representative Pramila Jayapal that recent federal immigration arrests predominantly involved non-threats, arguing that illegal border crossing constitutes a crime requiring enforcement. The dispute follows Department of Homeland Security figures showing nearly 51,000 illegal immigrant arrests in August alongside the deportation of over 2,000 known or suspected terrorists since President Trump took office.

03:55 – Kevin Costner Sparks Romance Rumors During Outing with Lifestyle Coach Jennifer Milburn Seventy-one-year-old actor Kevin Costner was photographed shopping at a Santa Barbara, California Albertsons with 40-year-old lifestyle coach Jennifer Milburn. The public appearance comes after Costner resolved divorce proceedings with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner in joint custody and previously clarified that his reported link to country singer Jewel was strictly a friendship.

05:37 – Italian Prime Minister Meloni Proposes Foreign Student Caps and Classroom Face-Covering Bans Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced upcoming Cabinet proposals to establish maximum quotas for foreign students per class and legally ban religious face coverings, including burqas and niqabs, in Italian schools. Meloni stated high concentrations of non-Italian speakers hinder integration, with data from Fondazione ISMU indicating non-citizens currently represent 11.6% of enrolled students.

07:43 – Nikole Hannah-Jones Expresses Regret Over Daughter’s Public Schooling Amid School Choice Debate Reporter and Sixteen Nineteen Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones disclosed in a New York Times Magazine essay that she regrets enrolling her daughter in high-poverty Brooklyn public schools after her daughter stated she did not receive her desired education. The admission drew responses from school choice advocates like The Heritage Foundation's Corey DeAngelis while teachers' unions oppose New York Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed tax-credit scholarship program.

10:09 – Nicki Minaj Reflects on Career Journey, Small Business Advocacy, and Support for Donald Trump Music mogul Nicki Minaj shared career advice on "The Ingraham Angle," discussing her transition from entry-level roles at Red Lobster and telemarketing into executive leadership. Minaj defended her alignment with President Donald Trump and highlighted her role as a celebrity judge for the Small Business Administration's Million Dollar Pitch Competition.

Key Topics

Politics • Immigration • Education • Entertainment & Culture • Business & Economy • World News

Sources & Further Reading

Immigration Hearing: https://www.foxnews.com/media/dhs-chief-fires-back-jayapal-over-claim-majority-immigration-arrests-pose-no-threat

Kevin Costner Update: https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-costner-sparks-romance-rumors-after-grocery-run-lifestyle-coach

Italy Education Policy: https://www.reuters.com/world/italy-ban-veils-schools-limit-foreign-students-per-class-meloni-says-2026-09-20/

School Choice Debate: https://www.foxnews.com/media/1619-project-founder-regrets-school-choice-her-daughter-admits-putting-ideals-ahead-her-education

Nicki Minaj Interview: https://www.foxnews.com/media/nicki-minaj-offers-career-advice-young-americans-delivers-blunt-response-trump-critics

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