In a historic move, New Mexico will become the first state to offer free child care to all residents, regardless of income, starting in November. This initiative builds on the state’s previous efforts to lower child care costs, removing income requirements and waiving family copayments, potentially saving families $12,000 per child annually. Funding for the program comes from a $1 billion operating budget for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department and a portion of a $10 billion fund, alongside a request for additional state funding. The program also aims to improve child care facilities and staff wages, with the goal of creating new child care centers and options, though reactions to the initiative have been mixed.
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A recent Labor Department report revealed that the labor market created significantly fewer jobs than initially reported, with revisions showing a decrease of 911,000 jobs from the prior year. These downward revisions, the largest since 2002 and more than 50% higher than the previous year’s, indicated a weakening employment picture across various sectors, including leisure and hospitality, and professional and business services. The adjustments, based on quarterly census data, have sparked concerns about the economy’s health and have drawn criticism of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) data collection methods, leading to calls for new leadership. The White House has cited these revisions as evidence of economic struggles and increased pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.
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The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results reveal a continued decline in reading and math scores for high school students, with 12th graders’ scores reaching their lowest levels in over two decades. Eighth-grade students also showed significant losses in science proficiency, indicating a downward trend across multiple grade levels and subjects. Experts note these declines predate the pandemic and point to potential contributing factors such as increased screen time and shifts in teaching methods. Moreover, the achievement gap between highest and lowest performing students widened in both 8th grade science and 12th-grade math.
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Michael James Pratt, founder of the porn empire GirlsDoPorn, has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for sex trafficking. Pratt, who pleaded guilty in June, was found to have recruited hundreds of women, often in their late teens, through fraudulent modeling offers, using force, fraud, and coercion. The crimes resulted in a 2020 judgment against Pratt and others, after several women claimed they were victimized. Co-defendants Matthew Isaac Wolfe and Ruben Andre Garcia received 14 and 20-year sentences, respectively, while cameraman Theodore Gyi was sentenced to four years.
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Marvin Byrd, 54, has been charged with first-degree murder in St. Louis, Missouri, following the death of his roommate. Court records indicate the shooting occurred after a disagreement during a gathering to watch a college football game. Byrd reportedly shot his roommate after becoming angry over the failure to bring household items and drugs to the event. Byrd claimed the shooting was accidental, but police stated it stemmed from a build-up of frustration. He is currently held without bond.
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The West Point Association of Graduates has canceled its 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award ceremony for actor Tom Hanks, a decision announced just weeks before the event. The reason for the cancellation was to allow the academy to focus on its core mission of preparing cadets. While the announcement did not give a specific reason for the cancellation, Hanks has donated to Democrats and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The cancellation aligns with other actions taken by political figures against perceived enemies.
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A new mural by the elusive street artist Banksy, depicting a judge beating an unarmed protester, appeared outside London’s Royal Courts of Justice. The artwork, confirmed by Banksy via Instagram, has since been covered and will be removed due to the building’s historical status. Activists have interpreted the piece as a commentary on the UK government’s ban on Palestine Action, while the artist’s work often critiques political issues. Banksy’s pieces, which often appear unexpectedly, are well-known for their powerful social and political messages.
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In response to a fatal hit-and-run crash in which a Glenview woman was killed, ICE has launched “Operation Midway Blitz” in the Chicago area. The operation, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will target “criminal illegal aliens” who have allegedly been drawn to Illinois due to Governor Pritzker’s sanctuary policies. Hundreds of ICE agents are operating from Naval Station Great Lakes in Lake County for the operation. DHS stated that the operation honors Katie Abraham, who was killed in a crash caused by a Guatemalan national who was in the country illegally and had previously been deported.
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Donna, an Irish citizen who has resided in the U.S. for nearly 50 years and is a legal resident alien, is currently held by ICE and faces deportation. Her husband, Jim Brown, says she was arrested at customs after returning from a trip to Ireland. The arrest stems from a decade-old $25 bad check that was paid back, which the government now argues constitutes a “crime of moral turpitude,” justifying her deportation. Brown, a veteran, is fighting for his wife’s release, citing her long residency, marriage, and family ties in the U.S., but has been unable to get help from officials.
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The Supreme Court has decided to allow federal agents to continue with sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles for now, overturning a judge’s order that had limited the practice. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion that the lower court’s restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were too broad, although he noted that apparent ethnicity alone cannot furnish reasonable suspicion. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, claiming the decision subjects people in the Los Angeles area to potential mistreatment based on their appearance. The ruling comes as ICE agents increase enforcement, with the lawsuit continuing in California.
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John Q. Hosedrinker