Support Public Schools: Pastors Urge Gov. Lee to Reject Vouchers

Group says Trump's actions could harm Tennessee students. A group of Tennessee pastors affiliated with the Southern Christian Coalition is speaking out amidnews that 50% of the workforce at the U.S. Department of Education has been fired. The terminations come as President Trump continues efforts to shrink the size and scope of the federal government.

Tech billionaire and advisor to President Donald Trump, Elon Musk said that he “Will check with the President” on a $5,000 Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) dividend for every American taxpayer.

I recently dove into some updates about the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, and let me tell you, there’s a lot going on. First of all, don’t worry – Section 8 isn’t affected by any temporary federal funding freezes, so if you're relying on this program, you're still covered. The Trump administration never had a valid reason to cancel it, and it’s still going strong.

Jacksonville sheriff’s officers have made 146 arrests since a new homeless law took effect in Florida to prohibit sleeping in public spaces. The Sheriff’s Office reported the number during a meeting Wednesday with City Council members including Ron Salem, chair of the council’s Finance Committee. The agency said it has given out 631 warnings since the new law began.

My wife and I are struggling to agree on tithing. She’s been attending church regularly for years, and while I respect her faith, I don’t participate. Recently, she asked to start giving 10% of our joint income to her church, which is a significant amount for us financially. I told her I’m uncomfortable donating that much to an institution I’m not involved with, and it turned into a heated argument. She says tithing is non-negotiable for her faith, and my refusal feels like a rejection of her values.

My mom married my Texan stepdad two years ago after splitting with my dad (who moved to Florida). My stepdad’s ultra-conservative—he hates that I’m applying to art school (“useless degree!”), shames me for dating (my boyfriend’s 25 and a mechanic!), and constantly trashes my mom’s “California parenting.” Now that Mom’s pregnant, he’s pushing me to leave our Arizona home by August when I graduate. Mom says she’s “too stressed” to stand up to him, even though I planned to live here while working part-time.

Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included. A federal grand jury has indicted two individuals on charges related to a massive bank fraud scheme involving stolen U.S. Treasury checks. According to the Office of Inspector General, authorities revealed that the suspects, Franchesca Calagui, 25, and Dondre Gray, 27, engaged in a fraudulent operation that spanned nearly a year, from May 2022 to March 2023, resulting in the illegal cashing of 339 Treasury checks totaling more than $850,000.

SARATOGA, CA – A recent study by GOBankingRates has ranked Saratoga, a small city west of San Jose, as the richest retirement town in the United States. Nestled in Silicon Valley, Saratoga has a population of about 30,000 and boasts a median household income of $241,348, according to the study.

Regional offices assisting U.S. citizens with Social Security benefits are being closed by the Trump administration. The Department of Government Efficiency has terminated leases for five of Georgia’s 34 Social Security offices.

Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included. Recently, Floyd Mayweather appeared on Fox Business News' Making Money, where he voiced strong support for President Trump.

In an announcement on the Senate floor on his 83rd birthday, Senator Mitch McConnell, the longest serving Senate leader in U.S. history, said he would not be seeking reelection for an eighth term at the end of his current term in 2026.

My dad (60) has struggled with severe anxiety and paranoia for years. He refuses medication, calling it “mind control,” and my mom (58), his primary caregiver, is emotionally exhausted and considering separation. I live across the state, work full-time, and fear becoming his sole support. He can’t manage bills, groceries, or basic self-care alone.

Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included. Steve Bannon, former adviser to President Donald Trump, has cautioned the Trump administration against implementing cuts to Medicaid, emphasizing that a significant portion of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) base relies on this program. In a recent episode of his "War Room" podcast, Bannon stated, "Get into Medicaid. Medicaid, you got to be here because a lot of MAGAs on Medicaid. I’m telling you, if you don’t think so, you are dead wrong. Medicaid is going to be a complicated one. Just can't take a meat axe to it, although I would love to."

Homeless people often are immersed in drugs and they aren’t getting the substance abuse treatment they need, an original investigation published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA, shows.

My parents’ will splits their estate equally between me, my brother, and sister. Growing up in a toxic environment where my mother was emotionally abusive, I’ve worked hard to build stability for my daughter, who’s now in college. My brother already owns two homes—one occupied rent-free by his adult child—yet his kids insist it’s “fair” to buy out my share of our childhood home for $15K, despite its $120K value. I’ve demanded a professional appraisal and equal split to support my daughter’s education, but they’re accusing me of selfishness. My brother even proposed a bidding war, which feels manipulative.

As employees at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sit anxious in anticipation of losing their jobs, they were visibly absent from a conference held in Los Angeles this week by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

The Trump administration has indicated it may target the food stamp program, also known as SNAP, for deep budget cuts. It also may strengthen the work requirement for SNAP. Many SNAP recipients are already required to work, especially those who are able bodied and under the age of 54. “If you are age 16 to 54 and able to work, you will probably need to meet the general work requirements to get SNAP benefits,” according to the SNAP website. “The general work requirements include registering for work, participating in SNAP Employment and Training or workfare if assigned by your state SNAP agency, taking a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your work hours below 30 a week without a good reason.”

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently introduced a young dog named Coco who is searching for her forever family. This adorable 3-month-old puppy may be small in size, weighing in at approximately 4.5 pounds, but she makes up for it with her endless energy and loving personality. Despite her tiny stature, even smaller than the resident cats in her foster home, Coco approaches life with curiosity and enthusiasm. "She has bounds of energy, loves playing with all types of toys, and then ultimately adores snuggling up on her foster mom's lap to get lots of pets," explains Sandy Paws Rescue.

A Chatham County judge denied bond for a former Savannah Police officer, ruling that he posed a “significant risk of committing a felony” ahead of his murder trial for the June 2022 killing of a Carver Village man.

Health officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and Franklin County Health Department announced a confirmed case of measles identified in an adult Kentucky resident.

Representatives from the Denver Zoo attended the Land Use, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee of the Denver City Council on Tuesday. They made a pitch for eliminating lower admission fees in the winter after this season. The committee agreed to the change. The fee structure still must be approved by the full council.

The 101st Airborne Division sent an unspecified number of soldiers to the U.S. southern border in January, and a Thursday press release said about 300 more soldiers are being sent.

I share an apartment with a coworker who has chronic fatigue. Her family mentioned her health struggles upfront, asking me to “be understanding” about messiness. Initially sympathetic, I didn’t anticipate daily issues: unwashed dishes, food left rotting in shared spaces, and stained carpets from spilled meals. I’ve tried chore charts and reminder apps, but she ignores them unless I nag.

A 3–14–25 eclipse reading. If you are still here, following me and reading my stuff, I would like to say thank you. Peace be with you. ❤. In today’s reading, I decided to do a “what is going on” communal reading with a focus on America at the national level, while attempting to account for my own liberal bias.

A federal judge denied, on February 18, the request by a coalition of 14 states, including California, for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against tech billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

A $300 tuition fee popped up a month ago, but she delayed paying it, opting to spend on non-essentials. Now, she urgently needs me to cover it to enroll in summer classes. I suggested a subsidized loan (interest-free, quick disbursement), but she insists I pay today.

Just got slapped with a warning letter from my HOA for the ultimate crime against humanity: letting my kids draw with sidewalk chalk on our driveway. Apparently, their stick-figure unicorns and rainbow scribbles “disrupt community aesthetics” (direct quote). Never mind that rain washes it away in hours—this is now a finable offense.

Avoid condos, townhouses, or any property with an HOA—unless you enjoy micromanagement. Our HOA fined us 275 for leaving our trash 、can out overnight and 450 for planting a "non-approved" shrub. They dictated everything: grass height, mailbox color, even our Christmas lights’ timing.

CALIFORNIA – Joann announced, February 12, that it was closing 500 stores nationwide, including 61 in California. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) sent to the Employment Development Department, 209 Joann employees are also being laid off at a Visalia distribution center effective March 31.

Been diving deep into Section 8 housing lately, and thought I'd share my real-world experience with the good, the bad, and everything in between. Guaranteed Rent Payments: This is the biggie! The government portion of rent arrives like clockwork each month. In today's uncertain economy, knowing that check is coming feels like finding gold.