— How one newly Oscar-nominated actor found out about the nod, thanks to his mom. That's one way to wake up.
US News
"Why Detain a 5-Year-Old?"
What's going on: A 5-year-old in Minnesota spent Tuesday at preschool. By the time he got home, he was in federal custody after ICE agents detained him in his driveway. The Department of Homeland Security says the boy was not a target and that his father, an Ecuadorian immigrant with a pending asylum case, fled when agents approached and left the child behind. Local school officials strongly dispute that account, saying ICE used the boy as "bait" to try to apprehend others in his home. The latest incident has prompted widespread outrage, with one school administrator asking, "Why detain a 5-year-old?" During a visit to Minneapolis yesterday, VP JD Vance criticized the media's portrayal of the story and defended ICE's decision to not leave the boy, asking, "What are they supposed to do?" The child and his father are now in a detention center in San Antonio, Texas.
What it means: ICE has detained at least three other children from the same suburban school district this month, according to Minneapolis officials. The ripple effects extend way beyond Minnesota. Even if this hasn't happened in your community, kids can feel the impact of these immigration crackdowns at school and on the playground. One clinical psychologist says that at home, it's better to talk openly and honestly than pretend it isn't happening. Pick a calm moment — the car, a walk, playtime — then ask what they've already heard. Keep it simple with open-ended questions, and validate their feelings. For younger kids, familiar routines still matter most, because predictability helps them feel safe.
🗞️ Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) was spotted on a flight out of town as his home state braces for a severe winter storm. Déjà vu, anyone?
Sports
Motherhood Meets the Balance Beam
What's going on: Imagine your decision to return to work after giving birth causes such a stir that researchers have questions. That's the reality for Alice Kinsella, a ten-time European medalist who wants to pull off a comeback no British gymnast has managed before. The high-impact sport puts enormous strain on the pelvic floor and core, two areas pregnancy directly affects. Kinsella, who won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said she worked with doctors to adapt her workout plan and continued strength and conditioning training until a week or two before giving birth. She said she only took "three or four weeks" off after her son arrived this summer. And just four months after that? Kinsella completed her first full tumbling pass — a key indicator that her body could again handle the rigor of her sport. Meanwhile, our knees pop when we get out of bed.
What it means: Elite athletes do not automatically have to choose between motherhood and their careers — as Serena Williams, Alex Morgan, and Candace Parker have already shown. The issue snapped into focus for many when Allyson Felix went public with Nike's plan to slash her pay by up to 70% after she became a mother. Now, scientists hope tracking Kinsella's return to gymnastics can help other female athletes in the future. But like anything pregnancy-related, it's not a one-size-fits-all situation. Kinsella acknowledged her comeback plan might have looked different if she had a C-section, and that she does have reliable child care. Someone's postpartum journey often comes down to the resources they have at their disposal.
What's going on: As the very dated saying goes, behind every great man is a great woman. These days, WAGs aren't behind anyone — they're the headline. Victoria Beckham may be the OG, but today's WAGs are a force. Taylor Swift's net worth and success make Travis Kelce look like a pauper. Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson's relationship is bridging two fan bases. Ciara, who married QB Russell Wilson in 2016, has even helped others become WAGs. She introduced singer Normani to her fiancé, wide receiver DK Metcalf. It's not just world-famous artists in the box seats. Bam Adebayo sits courtside to cheer on A'ja Wilson when he can and says she helped improve his game.
What it means: This generation of women has redefined what it means to be a WAG. Tabloids once used the term to reduce women to arm candy or gold diggers, usually without even naming them. That image no longer fits. Today's WAGs step into the spotlight with their own careers, platforms, and followings, proving both partners can chase success at the highest level. In many cases, their star power delivers the kind of marketing exposure sports leagues could otherwise only dream of. In some cases, the woman is more recognizable than her partner. Take influencer Allison Kuch: Her husband played in the NFL for seven years, but most people recognize him as Mr. Kuch. It's time we start calling these men HABs — husbands and boyfriends.
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