Rant and Rave: Reader doesn’t appreciate being wet at the bus shelter

Declining U.S. Birth Rate and Proposed SolutionsAmericans are experiencing a declining birth rate, now near a record low, prompting discussions around potential solutions like a proposed $5,000 "baby bonus" by the Trump administration, although no final decision has been made. Experts suggest that more sustainable solutions, such as affordable childcare and paid parental leave, may be necessary to create a supportive environment for families, as financial incentives have had mixed success in other countries. Current...

Trump to Meet Atlantic Editor Following Signal Chat ScandalPresident Donald Trump is set to meet with Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, after Goldberg was unintentionally added to a Signal group chat where U.S. officials discussed air strikes against the Houthi group in Yemen. Trump expressed skepticism about the journalists' ability to write a fair story, referring to their anti-Trump stance, and claimed the meeting would be for an article titled "The Most Consequential President...

A number of nonprofit organizations focused on safety and victim support are facing federal funding cuts from the Department of Justice, with the National Center for Victims of Crime potentially shutting down its hotline service due to the reduction. The DOJ's memo indicates that grants are being terminated as they no longer align with agency priorities, affecting approximately 55 organizations nationwide, including Youth Alive in California. Critics, including former DOJ official Stacey Young, argue that...

Gwyneth Paltrow recently shared on her Goop podcast that she has reintroduced foods like sourdough bread, pasta, and cheese into her diet after years of adhering to a strict paleo regimen. The Oscar-winning actress, who turned to health and wellness following her father's throat cancer battle, expressed that while her connection to food remains strong, her approach has evolved as she navigates health complexities. Dietitian Priya Tew praised Paltrow's shift towards a more balanced diet,...

SummaryHouse Republicans are tasked with cutting $1.5 trillion from the budget, primarily targeting Medicaid, to offset President Trump's tax cuts, despite leadership's claims that benefits will not be reduced. The Energy and Commerce Committee is directed to find at least $880 billion in savings, with Medicaid being the primary source, prompting concerns from experts about the impact on vulnerable populations. Some Republicans propose shifting costs to states and enhancing oversight to achieve savings, while a...

Robert E. Crimo III, who killed seven people during the 2022 Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, was sentenced to life in prison without parole, with the judge labeling him as "irreparably corrupt and beyond any rehabilitation." Crimo, 24, received seven consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder after pleading guilty, while the attack also injured 48 others. His refusal to attend the sentencing prompted emotional remarks from victims' families, including a mother whose...