Charles M. Blow shares his experience of growing up without a father and highlights an organization called Son of a Saint in New Orleans. The group supports boys who have lost their fathers by providing mentors, classes, and emotional help.
Key Facts
Charles M. Blow grew up without a stable father because of his parents’ split and his father’s alcoholism.
Son of a Saint is a group founded in 2011 in New Orleans to help boys whose fathers are absent due to death or incarceration.
The organization was started by Bivian "Sonny" Lee III, who lost his father at a young age.
It offers mentors, case teams, and classes, including cooking and wellness programs focused on mental health.
Boys in the program receive support for academic, emotional, and social needs.
The group also funds summer camps for the boys.
Many boys celebrate Father’s Day with their mentors from Son of a Saint, who act as father figures.
Charles M. Blow visited the organization’s community center and met boys benefiting from its programs.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Climate activists in the UK worry delays in their court cases may cause them to lose the right to a trial by jury. Proposed government rules would limit jury trials for certain offences, affecting ongoing protest cases related to climate actions.
Key Facts
Some climate protest cases from 2021 and later have been postponed multiple times.
New rules may stop defendants from choosing jury trials in many cases and will start around 2028.
Jury trials allow peers to decide guilt and can lead to more acquittals based on conscience.
Activists say jury trials let them explain their climate-related reasons for protesting.
The new rule applies even to cases already in the court system.
Some defendants face trials for actions like slow marches or property damage during protests.
Judges, unlike juries, may not consider protest motivations as much in decisions.
The Ministry of Justice says most low-level protest cases are already heard in magistrates’ courts without juries.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article highlights the importance of mentoring boys who do not have their fathers around. It discusses a New Orleans group called Son of a Saint that helps these boys by giving them guidance, good examples, and hope for the future.
Key Facts
The article focuses on mentoring young boys who lack their fathers.
Charles M. Blow is the commentator discussing this issue.
The article features the New Orleans youth organization named Son of a Saint.
Son of a Saint provides guidance and role models for fatherless boys.
The organization aims to help these boys develop self-control and see more life options.
The goal is to positively change the lives of boys without fathers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kemi Badenoch criticized Nigel Farage for accepting a £5 million gift before the 2024 election and rejected any electoral alliance between the Conservative Party and Reform UK. She highlighted recent election results where Reform UK performed poorly and said working with them would damage the Conservative Party’s success.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage received a £5 million gift from a Thailand-based crypto billionaire before the 2024 election.
Farage gave different explanations for the gift: personal security costs and a reward for campaigning for Brexit.
Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative leader, questioned the honesty of Farage’s explanations.
The parliamentary standards commissioner is investigating whether Farage should have declared the gift.
Reform UK did poorly in recent byelections, with Labour winning Makerfield and Conservatives winning Aberdeen South.
Badenoch ruled out any deal or cooperation between the Conservatives and Reform UK in elections.
Reform UK claims they will never work with the Conservatives and say the Tories “broke Britain.”
Badenoch said Conservatives and Reform UK have different values and voters should not be “traded” between parties.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump warned Iran to stop using groups in Lebanon to cause problems. This message came as Vice President Vance traveled to Switzerland for nuclear discussions with Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump sent a strong warning to Iran on Truth Social.
He asked Iran to stop their groups in Lebanon from causing trouble.
These groups are called “proxies,” meaning they act on Iran’s behalf.
Trump mentioned the United States hit Iran hard last week as a warning.
Vice President Vance went to Switzerland to take part in nuclear talks with Iran.
The nuclear talks aim to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.
The situation shows tension between the U.S. and Iran during the talks.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Childhood obesity in the United States has increased from about 1 in 20 children in 1970 to 1 in 5 today. Programs like the YMCA’s "Healthy Weight and Your Child" and Harlem Children’s Zone’s efforts aim to improve children's health by focusing on better eating, physical activity, and changing family and community habits.
Key Facts
Over 60% of calories consumed by children come from ultra-processed foods.
Childhood obesity rates have risen significantly since 1970, according to the CDC.
Multiple factors contribute to obesity, including socioeconomic and lifestyle issues.
The YMCA program teaches children and families to eat healthier and exercise regularly.
FDA leaders have called for diets higher in protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while reducing processed foods.
Weight loss drugs like GLP-1 are new but not approved for children under 12.
Harlem Children’s Zone distributes fresh produce and promotes nutrition and physical activity to change community habits.
Childhood obesity increases the risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer later in life.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A large fire has been burning for several days at a warehouse in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. The fire has caused smoke to spread across the city and raised health and safety concerns, with officials warning about hazardous gases and rotting food inside the building.
Key Facts
The fire started on Wednesday afternoon at a cold-storage warehouse in Eastside Los Angeles.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass declared states of emergency.
The fire caused an ammonia line to rupture, leading to small explosions.
Firefighters are using helicopters and special methods to fight the fire, which is difficult to control.
Officials warn that gases from burning foam walls and spoiling food inside the building pose health risks.
The warehouse holds about 45,000 tons of frozen food, which is now warming and rotting.
Residents are advised to wear N95 or P100 masks to protect themselves from smoke and gas.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but it may have started during solar panel testing on the roof.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dylan Mwaniki, a teenager from Kansas City, Missouri, was diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer in 2022 and given only eight months to live. Thanks to the care and support of Dr. Mary Austin, he has survived and is now graduating from high school.
Key Facts
Dylan Mwaniki was 14 years old when diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer in 2022.
Doctors initially gave Dylan about eight months to live.
Dr. Mary Austin treated Dylan’s cancer and developed a close, supportive relationship with him.
Dylan has survived beyond the expected prognosis and will graduate from high school.
The story highlights the bond between patient and doctor during difficult illness.
Dylan lives in Kansas City, Missouri.
The report was covered by CBS News and Steve Hartman.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A religious group is concerned about a plan supported by President Trump to keep daylight saving time year-round without changing clocks twice a year. They say this change could be very hard for some people to handle.
Key Facts
President Trump supports a plan to stop the twice-yearly clock changes.
The plan would keep daylight saving time all year long.
A religious group has expressed worry about this plan.
They say staying on one time all year could be very difficult for some people.
The group did not specify exactly why it would be difficult.
Changing clocks twice a year is commonly seen as annoying by many.
The permanent daylight saving time plan is still under discussion.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Trump administration told a federal court that a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B visas is a legal immigration rule, not a tax. This fee requires some employers to pay before hiring foreign workers, and the administration argues it helps protect U.S. jobs and national security. A lower court blocked the fee, but the administration is appealing the ruling.
Key Facts
The $100,000 fee applies to some employers seeking new H-1B visas for foreign workers.
The administration says the fee is a lawful immigration restriction, not a tax.
A district judge ruled that the fee was a tax and blocked it because Congress did not approve it.
The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers temporarily in specialized jobs.
The fee aims to reduce misuse of the visa program and protect U.S. jobs and wages.
The Departments of Homeland Security and State must deny new H-1B petitions without the fee payment.
A coalition of states challenged the fee as exceeding presidential authority and as an unauthorized tax.
The case is now with the U.S. Court of Appeals, which will decide if the fee is a legal immigration rule or an illegal tax.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is opening on July 4 in the North Dakota Badlands. The 96,000-square-foot building honors the 26th president and reflects his connection to the nature and land that shaped him.
Key Facts
The library is located in the North Dakota Badlands, near Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
It covers 96,000 square feet and cost $450 million to build.
Its design blends with the natural landscape, including a grass-covered roof with walking paths.
The building uses compressed earth walls and natural light from skylights.
Theodore Roosevelt spent significant time in North Dakota, which influenced his life and presidency.
Roosevelt moved to the Badlands after his mother and wife died on the same day in 1884.
The library aims to offer visitors an immersive, adventure-inspired experience rather than a traditional museum.
Theodore Roosevelt is often ranked among the top five most popular U.S. presidents.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential library has opened in North Dakota more than a century after his death. The library offers an interactive experience about his life, work, and the natural environment that influenced him.
Key Facts
The library is located in North Dakota, where Roosevelt spent much time.
It is called the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States.
The library provides an immersive experience, using displays and exhibits.
It focuses on both Roosevelt’s legacy and the nature important to him.
The library opened 107 years after Roosevelt’s death.
It aims to educate visitors about Roosevelt’s vision for America.
The project highlights the connection between Roosevelt and the prairie landscape.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will likely be drained to fix problems like algae growth and peeling paint. These issues appeared after a recent major renovation during his administration.
Key Facts
President Trump announced plans to drain the Reflecting Pool for repairs.
The pool developed an algae bloom, which means unwanted plant growth in the water.
There were also signs of peeling paint on the pool after renovations.
The renovation of the Reflecting Pool happened under President Trump's administration.
Contractors have been consulted about how to address the issues.
Draining the pool means removing most or all of the water temporarily.
The Reflecting Pool is a well-known landmark near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says anyone born in the United States is automatically a citizen, except for children of diplomats and invading armies. In January 2025, President Donald Trump issued an order to block citizenship for most children born to parents in the U.S. illegally, but courts have stopped this order, and the Supreme Court is now reviewing the case.
Key Facts
The 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship to almost everyone born in the U.S.
Exceptions include children of foreign diplomats and members of invading armies.
About 250,000 children born annually to undocumented immigrants could lose citizenship if President Trump’s order is upheld.
President Trump’s executive order claims the 14th Amendment has never meant universal birthright citizenship.
A lower court blocked the order, and the Supreme Court is now deciding the issue.
The Supreme Court first ruled on citizenship in the 1857 Dred Scott case, which denied citizenship to Black people, but the 14th Amendment later overturned that.
The 1898 case of Wong Kim Ark confirmed birthright citizenship for a U.S.-born child of Chinese immigrants.
There is public debate, with polls showing Americans split almost evenly on birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says anyone born or made a citizen in the country is a citizen. President Donald Trump signed an order in January 2025 to limit citizenship for children born to parents in the U.S. illegally or temporarily. The Supreme Court is now deciding if this order is legal.
Key Facts
The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all born or naturalized in the U.S.
President Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 aiming to restrict birthright citizenship.
The order targets children born to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily.
Pew Research Center estimates that this could affect about 250,000 children each year.
The Supreme Court is reviewing the legality of President Trump’s executive order.
The discussion includes how the U.S. has a history of welcoming immigrants.
Experts explain what changing birthright citizenship could mean for the country.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aims to finish building the primary border wall along the southern border by the end of 2027. Currently, only 10% of the planned wall is complete, and the project faces legal, land access, and construction speed challenges.
Key Facts
About 698 miles of the primary border wall remain to be built.
To meet the deadline, construction must increase to about 13 miles per week, but recent rates were closer to 2.6 miles per week.
The fastest recent progress was 4 miles built in five days.
Most contracts have been awarded to two construction companies, and projects are moving beyond the design phase.
Environmental reviews have been waived to speed up construction, though some wall sections near parks have been removed after local opposition.
DHS has filed eminent domain lawsuits to gain access to private land needed for the wall.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and CBP officials say the wall is a priority to prevent illegal border crossings.
President Donald Trump prioritized the wall, but only about 30 miles were built in his first year in office.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Get on the Bus program helped families visit incarcerated fathers at a California prison by providing free transportation, food, and a special Father's Day event. This program supports children's mental health and strengthens family bonds by allowing rare, meaningful visits with their imprisoned parents.
Key Facts
The event took place on June 13 at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, California.
More than 100 families attended, traveling by bus and passing security checks.
The Get on the Bus program provided free rides and meals to the families.
Incarcerated fathers could spend quality time with their children and families during this visit.
The program aims to help children deal with feelings like abandonment and shame due to their parent's incarceration.
Typical prison visit costs, including vending machine food, can be very high, around $100 or more per family visit.
Families could bring up to five people, and the event included activities like board games, photo booths, and sharing meals together.
Special moments included celebrating a high school graduation and giving children teddy bears from their fathers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Most Americans want the war with Iran to end, especially those who have felt the impact of high gas prices. However, many do not believe that the U.S. has achieved its main goals in stopping Iran’s nuclear program or threats, and they feel the cost of the conflict has not been worth it.
Key Facts
Many Americans hope for lower gas prices and support ending the Iran conflict.
Most believe Iran’s nuclear program has not been permanently stopped.
The majority think Iran will continue to threaten its neighbors in the region.
Many Americans feel the U.S. has not advanced its economic or strategic interests through the conflict.
Opinion among Republicans is divided, with 40% wanting the war to continue until Iran gives up more.
Few Americans believe the current agreement benefits the U.S. more than Iran.
About half of Americans do not accept ending the war while Iran’s current leaders remain in power.
The public largely thinks the Trump administration is focused on ending the war quickly rather than having fully met its goals.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency due to a large fire at a cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights. Firefighters continue to work on controlling the fire and smoke, which has affected air quality, leading to shelter-in-place orders and the opening of relief centers.
Key Facts
The fire started on June 17 at a 500,000-square-foot cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.
A solar-panel system on the roof caught fire, and an ammonia refrigerant line ruptured, making the situation more dangerous.
Ammonia is flammable and can produce toxic fumes, complicating firefighting efforts.
Firefighters had to retreat and fight the fire from a distance using water drops from helicopters.
Smoke and air pollution have caused shelter-in-place orders for local residents.
Los Angeles city and county opened relief centers to help residents affected by the smoke.
Officials expect to remove about 85 million pounds of spoiled food from the facility after the fire is out.
The emergency declaration asks Governor Gavin Newsom to speed up state aid under the California Disaster Assistance Act.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s board will take over the Sarasota-Manatee campus of the University of South Florida (USF) next month. This will triple the size of New College of Florida, which DeSantis has turned into a center for conservative higher education, despite opposition from students, faculty, local leaders, and Democrats.
Key Facts
New College of Florida will acquire the 32-acre Sarasota-Manatee campus of USF.
The Sarasota-Manatee campus has about 2,000 students and includes new buildings like a residential hall and student center.
New College currently has about 900 students and is focused on a conservative, “anti-woke” agenda.
USF students, faculty, local businesses, and education leaders oppose the takeover.
The Sarasota-Manatee campus offers nursing, tourism, hospitality, and health programs that serve local employers and students.
USF President Moez Limayem said programs will continue for four years before closing, allowing current students to finish their degrees.
Florida Democrats say the handover was pushed through quickly and unfairly as part of DeSantis’s wider political agenda.
Critics highlight significant state funding for New College under DeSantis’s administration.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
