Texas House Democrats made national headlines this summer when they fled the state to stall a vote on a new congressional map that would help Republicans pick up 5 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to remove their caucus leader from office.

Now, that high-stakes case is before the Texas Supreme Court on Thursday (Sept. 4) and could set a precedent for any lawmaker in the future who attempts to flee the state to avoid voting on a measure.

Abbott touted the court’s decision as a victory, posting on social media that the briefing schedule brings the “ring leader of the derelict Democrats … closer to consequences.”

The Court has combined Abbott’s lawsuit against Houston Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, with a similar case brought by Attorney General Ken Paxton, who seeks to oust Wu along with 12 other Democratic members.

Although Abbott and Paxton initially disagreed over which office had the legal authority to file such suits, Paxton said that he now looks forward to working alongside Abbott to “hold these cowards accountable.”

On Aug. 3, dozens of House Democrats left Texas to halt the Legislature and block passage of the GOP’s proposed congressional map. The redistricting push came under pressure from President Donald Trump, who has called for adding five Republican seats to bolster the party’s slim House majority ahead of the 2026 midterms.

As the minority party, their only viable tactic to derail the map is to break quorum—refusing to attend sessions so the chamber lacks the numbers needed to move legislation forward.

Wu’s attorneys contend that by leaving the state, he is acting in accordance with the will of his constituents, aiming to block the passage of legislation they oppose, the outlet noted.

Wu “has not died and has not been expelled from the House by the constitutionally prescribed means: a 2/3 vote of the House,” his lawyers said in a brief. “His presence in another state is not a voluntary resignation — as his opposition to this petition makes evident.”

The Texas Supreme Court is composed entirely of Republicans, with two-thirds of its members initially appointed by Governor Abbott. Among them are two justices — including the chief justice — who previously served as Abbott’s general counsel.

“They have their own independent authority, of course, but it does put them in a tough political position,” Andrew Cates, an Austin-based attorney and expert on Texas ethics law, told The Texas Tribune in an earlier interview. “They don’t want to be in the position of potentially biting the hand that initially fed them.”

Texas Republicans also made a big move this week to try and stop this from ever happening again.

Late on Monday, the Texas House enacted a bill that would punish people who break quorum in the future.

“In the past, legislators have used quorum breaks to raise political funds, creating concerns that members were benefitting financially while preventing the Texas Legislature from conducting its work,” said state Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-Plano), the author of House Bill 18.

“Current law does not limit fundraising or expenditures during these unexcused absences, only during the moratorium period during years when we’re in session. This current arrangement creates a financial incentive to break quorum,” Shaheen added.

During a quorum break, HB 18 would stop lawmakers from raising money. It would fine members up to $5,000 for each donation they accept and the same amount for each donation they make.

During a quorum break, lawmakers who aren’t breaching the law would still be able to raise money.

In his closing remarks in favor of the bill, State Rep. Richard Hayes (R-Hickory Creek) elaborated on what Shaheen had said.

Hayes pointed out three parts of the state constitution.

He added that the oath of office that lawmakers take requires them to be present at both regular and special sessions, and the constitution gives the Legislature the power to order them to do so.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach dropped a bombshell Wednesday, announcing election fraud charges against Coldwater Mayor Jose (Joe) Ceballos, just one day after voters handed him another term in office. Ceballos, 54, was charged in Comanche County with three counts of voting without being qualified and three counts of election perjury, non-person felonies that could land him behind bars for more than five years.

“In large part, our system right now is based on trust. Trust that when the person signed the registration or signs the pollbooks saying that he’s a qualified elector or that he is a United States citizen, that the person is telling the truth,” Kobach said. “In this case, we allege that Mr. Ceballos violated that trust.”

Kobach said Ceballos is a legal permanent resident but not a U.S. citizen — calling him a citizen of Mexico who never should have been voting in American elections, let alone leading a Kansas town

Jose Ceballos. (Coldwater, Kansas)

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said new tools from the Trump administration helped uncover the alleged fraud. “We now have tools, thanks to the current White House, that we haven’t had in over 10 years,” Schwab said. “That we can check through the SAVE program, to find out if folks end up on our voter rolls. And they could be a legal resident, but they’re not a citizen. We want to make sure that gets clarified.”

The SAVE program — run by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Department of Homeland Security — lets government agencies verify immigration and citizenship status for things like licenses or voter rolls.

Locals expressed frustration, accusing state leadership of misleading them — including Republican gubernatorial candidate Philip Sarnecki, who shared his reaction on X.

Kansas is one of eight states requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, a law Kobach helped pioneer years ago.

In Coldwater, city leaders scrambled to contain the fallout. City Council President Britt Lenertz said Ceballos called an emergency meeting on Wednesday to address the charges

“At this time, our focus remains on ensuring that city operations continue to run smoothly and that the needs of our community are met,” Lenertz said. “While the recent allegations involving the mayor are understandably concerning, we will allow the proper legal process to take its course before making any further comments. It’s important that we respect both due process and the integrity of our local government.”

Coldwater officials later confirmed Ceballos would need to prove his citizenship to keep his seat. City Attorney Skip Herd said Ceballos is a green card holder who’s been registered to vote since 1990 — despite never being a U.S. citizen.

“He’s been a registered voter since 1990. He applied for citizenship in February of this year, and through that, raised the issue of whether he was a legal citizen,” Herd said.

Under Kansas law, candidates for city office must be eligible voters and residents, though home rule gives cities some leeway. But as the case unfolds, the small Kansas town finds itself at the center of a national flashpoint over election integrity.

Susan Collins Seeks Re-Election In High-Stakes 2026 Midterm Race

Main Republican Sen. Susan Collins reaffirmed this week that her “position in the middle of American politics” is why she will run for re-election in 2026, setting up a high-stakes Senate race in the midterms.

During a 30-minute phone call with Punchbowl News in Washington, Collins, 72, said again that she plans to run for a sixth six-year term.

“I still plan to run for re-election,” she said, despite frustrations with current Senate dynamics and its increasingly irregular budgeting and appropriations process. “People who are in the middle are tending to leave. They’re tending to retire.”

Collins, who is the head of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that she is the only Republican in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives from the six New England states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. This is a big change from when she joined the Senate in 1997, when the region was more bipartisan.

Collins said, “I think that was much healthier. It was a much less polarized era, and it’s important to have voices of people who want to solve problems. I’m not one who tends to rant and rave on certain news shows. Instead, I like to bring people together to search for common ground.”

“What we need in this country is for those that are in the center to be as riled up and involved as those on the far left and the far right,” Collins said. “It is hard to get things done.”

The race will be closely watched.

Collins got some troubling news recently about her reelection in Maine.

Collins, who is considered the most centrist Republican in the Senate and has been popular in the state for a long time, has won tough races for Republicans in the past.

Experts view the race as highly competitive ahead of the 2026 midterms, attracting significant investment from both major parties.

A new Cygnal survey released on Monday showed Collins behind a generic Democratic candidate. This suggested that extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies could help her win over Mainers. Politico was the first to report on the poll.

According to the survey, 41% of those who answered said they would vote for Collins, while 49% said they would vote for a Democrat. The report said that she “starts behind but beats expectations.”

If the Republican senator votes to extend the tax benefits, the election would get closer.

“Collins consistently overperforms the GOP baseline, especially among college-educated women (+8 net), voters over 55 (+6), and swing voters (+10),” the polling memo reads.

The ACA, which was President Barack Obama’s main program, gave Congress the power to make those credits. They let Americans with low incomes sign up for health insurance coverage. They were expanded in 2021 to cover more Americans during the pandemic.

If Congress doesn’t do anything, they will probably run out by the end of the year. As part of a deal with moderate Democratic senators to reopen the government, Senate Republicans are going to vote on the tax credit.

The poll revealed that 43% of people would vote for Collins if he votes to prolong the tax credits, while 45% would vote for the Democratic candidate. That still gives the Democrats a small edge, but it indicates that the battle is close.

CBS News stated that Collins favors their extension but thinks they require “reform.”

There were no questions concerning individual candidates in the survey. Mills and Platner are in a heated primary race on the Democratic side to see who will oppose Collins. Collins hasn’t officially started her campaign yet, but she has said she plans to run again.

Polls have shown that the race is quite close.

A poll from the Maine People’s Resource Center last month showed Collins ahead of Mills by four points (46% to 42%), and Platner ahead of Collins by four points (45% to 41%).

It asked 783 Maine voters from October 26 to 29, and the results could be off by as much as 3.5 percentage points.

Grief has a strange way of blurring time, turning days into a fog you move through without direction. Three weeks after losing my daughter in a tragic accident, I was barely functioning—moving from room to room like a shadow in my own home. Then, on a quiet, misty morning, something happened that pulled me sharply out of that numbness. Our dog Baxter began scratching frantically at the back door, more urgently than I had ever seen. And when I opened it, he was holding something I never expected to see again—my daughter Lily’s yellow sweater, the one the police had taken as part of the accident investigation. In that instant, confusion, disbelief, and a surge of emotion collided, and Baxter’s determined gaze made it clear he wanted me to follow him.

In those weeks after the accident, memories filled every corner of our home. Lily’s room stayed exactly the way she left it—her colored pencils scattered on her desk, her sunflower drawing half-finished, and the fairy lights she loved still glowing softly in the evenings. My husband Daniel, recovering physically and emotionally, could barely speak without breaking down. The silence in our house wasn’t peaceful; it was heavy, stretching from room to room like a reminder of everything we had lost. That morning, when Baxter dropped the yellow sweater at my feet, it felt impossible. I had watched the officers collect Lily’s belongings, each item sealed away. How could Baxter have found something meant to be locked up far from home?

When Baxter dashed into the foggy backyard and slipped through a small gap in the fence, something in me knew I had to follow. He led me across the empty lot behind our house, straight toward an old shed we hadn’t used in years. Inside, the air was dusty and still, but what I found buried in one corner stole my breath. Nestled on a pile of familiar clothing—pieces I hadn’t even realized were missing—was a mother cat nursing three tiny kittens. As I knelt beside them, I recognized each sweater and scarf in the nest. These were Lily’s things, carefully placed, warm, and soft. In that moment I understood: before she passed, Lily had been secretly caring for this cat, building a safe little refuge for her growing family. Baxter had simply brought me back to what Lily had started.

Bringing the cats home breathed a small but meaningful warmth back into our lives. Daniel, broken by grief, softened when he saw them settled in the living room, their gentle purring filling a space that had felt painfully empty. Caring for them—feeding them, keeping them warm, watching them grow—slowly reminded us how love continues even when everything else feels lost. The kittens became tiny reminders of Lily’s kindness, each heartbeat echoing the tenderness she carried into the world. And for the first time since the accident, we found ourselves smiling at something real. Grief didn’t disappear, but it changed shape, making room for the quiet comfort Lily had unknowingly left behind. Through our dog’s instinct and our daughter’s gentle secret, hope found its way back into our home.

On Saturday morning, in the Missouri Bootheel area of the state, a matted dog was rescued from the middle of the road that appeared to have been a discarded “wig” when discovered and transported to the rescue Mac’s Mission.

This ball of fur was found in the middle of the road and is in AWFUL shape. Lots of people have been helping get it safe and now on its way to us!!

When the dog arrived at Mac’s Mission, she was immediately cleaned up and bathed. She had been severely matted embedded with burrs in her fur. The dog, dubbed Pear, sat through this entire grooming and bath and never moved. She is like a new dog after her spa session.

After her grooming, veterinarians were better able to assess her physical condition. She is missing an eye, and the other eye is being treated for an infection. She came through her ordeal with flying colors and has already been learning how to relax and dealing with a much kinder and more loving life.

Check out her video when she was rescued:

We will be checking back on Pear. For now, she’s safe, and many thanks to everyone who helped.

At a recent event at the University of Mississippi, Erika Kirk stepped into her new role as CEO of Turning Point USA, following the tragic loss of her husband, Charlie Kirk. The event marked a significant and emotional moment for Erika, as she honored Charlie’s legacy and expressed her commitment to continuing his work. Surrounded by supporters and friends, she delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on her husband’s encouragement and the faith that continues to guide her.

During her remarks, Erika welcomed Vice President JD Vance, who attended as a guest of honor to support her on this meaningful day. When Vance joined her on stage, the two shared a long embrace, which quickly drew attention online. Social media users debated the moment, with some questioning the nature of the hug. However, many recognized it as a gesture of comfort between friends during a deeply emotional time.

A professional lip reader later analyzed the exchange and explained that the interaction seemed rooted in empathy and support. According to the expert, Erika was seeking strength before coming on stage, and Vance reportedly offered words of encouragement, telling her he was proud of her. Erika’s response, expressing grief and acknowledging that nothing could bring her husband back, highlighted the deep emotional weight she carried during the event.

While online discussions continued, Erika chose not to directly address the viral moment. Instead, she focused on seeking privacy and dignity for her family as they navigate legal proceedings related to her husband’s passing. In speaking about media coverage surrounding the tragedy, she emphasized the importance of allowing space for healing, reminding the public of the sensitivity of the situation and her family’s need for respect and compassion.

Solomon Dryden didn’t come to be noticed; he came to witness a promise fulfilled. He arrived quietly for his son Tyran’s high-school graduation, wearing his Marine dress uniform in honor of a commitment he made years ago. The photo of his late wife tucked inside his jacket reminded him why today mattered. He had driven hours just to see their boy cross that stage. His heart was steady, but full.

Inside the packed gym, Solomon moved with calm purpose, settling into his seat among cheering families. He scanned the rows of students until he spotted Tyran, proud and tall, carrying features of both parents. Memories washed over him — first steps, first day of school, late-night homework struggles. Time had moved fast, yet every moment felt present. Today wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a milestone stitched with love, effort, and hope.

As the music played and the flag ceremony began, two school security guards approached Solomon politely. They whispered that his formal military attire had drawn attention, and they needed to verify his guest status for safety protocol. Solomon stood quietly, respecting the rules, though confusion filled the air. Before he could speak, six young men in Navy shirts stepped forward. They introduced themselves as friends and future service members inspired by him — and they spoke up on his behalf with admiration.

The crowd, realizing what was happening, applauded. The principal quickly intervened and welcomed Solomon back to his seat with sincere gratitude for his service. When Tyran walked the stage and saw his father standing tall, his eyes shone with pride only years of love could build. Afterward, the young men gathered around Solomon, thanking him for setting an example of strength and humility. That day, Solomon learned that sometimes honor isn’t loud — it simply stands, and the world recognizes it.

Brooke Rollins, agriculture secretary under the renewed Trump vision for America, dropped a bombshell on the American public. She exposed a rot within the federal welfare system that not only drains taxpayer dollars but also emboldens corruption and inefficiency. Rollins revealed in an interview that nearly 5,000 dead individuals were still receiving SNAP benefits and that over 500,000 instances of duplicate enrollees had been uncovered.This isn’t just a bureaucratic blunder. This is emblematic of a broken system that Democrats have allowed to fester, enabling abuse at the expense of working Americans. For decades, the left has wrapped welfare in the warm language of compassion, but what Rollins reveals is a scheme benefiting fraudsters, illegals, and career welfare recipients while punishing the responsible and the honest.

We found one guy receiving benefits in six different states,” Rollins said. This is not just anecdotal. It’s systemic. It’s widespread. And it’s been protected by blue states that refused to cooperate with federal investigations into their welfare rolls.

Rollins’ testimony reinforces what conservatives have warned for years: that the Democratic Party is less interested in accountability and more invested in creating a permanent dependent class that can be controlled and harvested for votes.

This revelation confirms what President Trump emphasized during both his terms and campaign trail speeches: America must put its citizens first, and part of that is cleaning up fraud and prioritizing the deserving over the deceitful.

Under Rollins’ leadership, nearly 700,000 individuals have already been removed from the rolls. But the job is far from over. Democrat-led states have refused to share eligibility data and have filed lawsuits to block investigations. What are they hiding?

It’s no surprise that the Biden administration resisted such reforms. While Rollins and Trump aimed to safeguard the public trust and restore fiscal integrity, the Biden camp seems committed to open-handed spending with little oversight.

The mainstream media barely blinked at Rollins’ revelation. Had a Trump official been caught enabling such fraud, the outcry would be deafening. But when Democrats are the culprits, silence prevails.

The question Americans must ask is simple: Why is the left so afraid of transparency? Why do they fight to keep dead people on welfare and illegals on the dole?

Every fraudulent SNAP card represents dollars stolen from hard-working Americans. It means fewer resources for truly needy citizens. And it means a culture of dependency is being fostered, not the self-reliance and dignity that America First policies promote.

Rollins framed this as a national security issue as well, with illegal immigrants potentially benefitting from these systems through fraudulent documentation. This is not just an economic drain; it’s an attack on national sovereignty.

President Trump has long called for E-Verify, biometric ID, and strict eligibility rules for any federal assistance. His policies, backed by data like Rollins presented, are the only viable path forward.

What this country needs is a full audit of every entitlement program. The rot is deeper than SNAP. If dead people can draw food assistance, who else is bleeding the system dry?

The welfare state must be rebuilt from the ground up. And the only party willing to do that is the one led by Trump.

Blue states are terrified of what audits might reveal: networks of fraud, collusion, and incompetence that date back decades. They would rather sue than comply because exposure would cost them power.

This is a wake-up call to every Republican governor and lawmaker. The time for polite requests is over. Subpoenas and legislation must compel compliance. Any official obstructing this mission is complicit in theft.

Brooke Rollins has done more than expose fraud. She has given patriots the ammunition to demand change. The GOP must seize this moment.

Taxpayers must understand that the stakes are high. Every dollar wasted on a dead man’s EBT card is a dollar not spent securing the border, rebuilding infrastructure, or helping our veterans.

Morning light spilled softly across the nursery, but something felt different. A young mother froze in the doorway, heart racing, as she saw her eldest son sitting quietly beside his baby brother’s crib. The boy’s small frame curled protectively around the infant, one tiny hand resting on the baby’s chest as if guarding him from unseen danger.

“Sweetheart, what are you doing?” she asked, voice trembling.

“I have to protect him, Mom,” he whispered. “They told me he might be taken away.”

A chill ran through her. “Who told you that?”

The child hesitated. “I heard them in my dreams. Every night they come — dark shapes. They say the baby isn’t safe. If I don’t stay with him, he’ll disappear.”

Her pulse quickened. She could have dismissed it as a nightmare. But the fear in his voice was real. This wasn’t a monster under the bed — it was love, fierce and overwhelming. Kneeling beside him, she brushed his hair back gently. “Dreams can feel real, but they can’t hurt us. Your brother is safe. We’re all here together.”

Tears welled as he clutched his brother tighter. “No, Mom. It feels real. I’m the only one who can stop it.”She pulled both boys into her arms. “You’re a good big brother. The best. But you don’t have to carry this alone. We’ll figure it out together.”

That afternoon, when her husband returned, they sat their son down to explain dreams — how the mind sometimes makes up stories when we’re worried. They reassured him their home was safe and that he and his brother would always be protected.

Still, words weren’t enough. So they gave him a tangible role: diaper changes, fetching bottles, singing to the baby during naps. Each small act gave him purpose, turning anxiety into love. A soft nightlight eased the dark, and gradually, his nightly check-ins grew shorter — then stopped altogether.

Weeks later, she found him building towers of blocks while his brother watched from the crib. No shadows. No fear. Just laughter.

“Look, Mom,” he said proudly. “I’m teaching him to build.”

Through that season of fear, she learned something profound: children feel deeply, imagine vividly, and often channel their anxieties through love. His dreams weren’t about monsters — they were about responsibility and protection. By listening instead of dismissing, she helped him transform fear into confidence.

Months later, as the baby learned to crawl and the older brother cheered him on, the mother realized the true lesson: fear, when met with patience and empathy, can strengthen bonds and teach resilience. Beneath the nightmares had been loyalty, beneath the worry had been love.

Years later, she would recall the memory whenever her eldest defended his brother at school or shared the last slice of cake. That morning in the nursery had shaped him — not through fear, but through love.

And for the parents, the lesson was clear: meet children’s fears with compassion. Listen. Comfort. Guide. That presence can turn anxiety into trust, and nightmares into stories of connection.

In that small home, laughter replaced whispers, fear gave way to love, and the bond between two brothers became unshakable.

Have you ever seen a child’s fear transform into something beautiful? Share your story in the comments and inspire others!

Social Security Announces New Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Checks – What You Need to Know

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a new Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for the upcoming year, designed to help recipients manage rising inflation and increased living costs. Millions of Americans, particularly seniors, are set to benefit from this adjustment.

This year’s COLA represents a 3.2% increase, which is lower than last year’s historic 8.7% rise. Over 70 million beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled individuals, and others who rely on Social Security, will experience changes in their monthly payments starting in January 2025.

Key Details:

• Effective Date: The new COLA will be reflected in checks starting in January 2025.
• Average Monthly Benefit: The average retired worker will see their monthly benefit increase by approximately $50, bringing the average benefit to $1,790.

Predicted Benefits With COLA 2025 for age 54-65+ :

Based on current estimates, here’s what you can expect from Social Security benefits by 2025:

Old-Age Benefits:

Category	Current Amount	Estimated Amount with COLA 2025
Average	$1,871.09	$1,920
Maximum at Age 62	$2,710	$2,781
Maximum at Age 67	$3,822	$3,923
Maximum at Age 70	$4,873	$5,001

Disability Benefits:

Category	Current Amount	Estimated Amount with COLA 2025
Average	$1,401.30	$1,438
Maximum	$3,822	$3,923

Survivors’ Benefits:

Category	Current Amount	Estimated Amount with COLA 2025
Average	$1,509.50	$1,549

SSI (Supplemental Security Income):

Category	Current Amount	Estimated Amount with COLA 2025
Average	$695.84	$714
Individual	$943	$968
Couple	$1,415	$1,452
Essential Person	$472	$497

Why It Matters:

The COLA is designed to help Social Security beneficiaries keep up with inflation. Rising living costs, especially for essentials like food, healthcare, and housing, disproportionately affect those on fixed incomes. While this year’s increase provides some relief, many argue it may not fully offset actual expenses, particularly for medical care.

What You Should Do:

• Check Your Benefit Amount: You can expect to receive your updated benefit amount starting in January. Make sure your payment reflects the new COLA increase.
• Stay Informed: The SSA will send out notifications detailing your new benefit amount in December, so be on the lookout for official updates.

For more details on the Social Security COLA and how it impacts you, visit the official SSA website or check trusted resources like AARP and Medicare.gov.

Discover how Trump’s proposed Social Security tax changes could affect retirees in our article, “Top 10 States Where Retirees Benefit Most and Least.” We break down tax relief potential by state, highlighting savings in retirement-friendly locations and where benefits may fall short. Essential for planning a financially secure retirement.