4 Ways Christians Should Rethink How to Approach Foster Care and Adoption

Who Was Esther and Why Was She So Important?

A billion dollar iconic mall known as the Westfield Emporium or more recently the San Francisco Center Mall was sold at auction for a fraction of its worth to Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan Chase. Before the pandemic, the mall was a shopping hub with residents and Tourists flocking to it. But tourists turned away […] The post The End of an Era of Beauty & Wealth in San Francisco appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Congress gears up for a fight over the fate of Obamacare, Hollywood suffers a monstrous slump, and a federal contracting program aimed at minority-owned businesses fields fraud accusations. It’s Friday, November 14, 2025, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. Today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below, and the video version can be seen on The Daily Wire: Lawmakers Prepare For Battle Over Obamacare Topline: With the shutdown finally ended, the fight between Democrats and Republicans over healthcare subsidies and the fate of Obamacare is only ramping up. Obamacare subsidies were expanded in 2021 during the COVID pandemic. The subsidies, which are technically tax credits, were supposed to last only 2 years, but Democrats extended them through the end of this year. Currently, about 24 million Americans are on Obamacare plans, up from 11 million at the start of the pandemic. It’s a considerable increase, mainly due to subsidies. It’s estimated that about 42% of 2025 Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollees pay less than $10 a month, with a vast majority paying nothing at all. Notably, Democrats removed the income cap on subsidy eligibility, so people earning over 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for these subsidies, too. The cost: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says that extending the subsidies through 2035 would increase the federal deficit by about $358 billion. Democrats’ message: Democrats reportedly want to make the midterms about healthcare. Their message is that inaction from Republicans will drive up healthcare costs for millions of Americans. Morning Wire spoke to Ryan Long, a Senior Research Fellow at Paragon Health Institute, to explain all of this. He said that if these subsidies expire as scheduled, people on ACA plans will once again return to paying something, even if it’s just a small amount, instead of having access to $0 plans. Those $0 plans, he said, have actually led to widespread fraud and abuse. GOP’s message: Republicans generally want the subsidies to expire when the Democrats scheduled them to expire. They argue that Obamacare is a failure and needs serious reforms or a complete overhaul. Premiums, for example, rose 143% in the first six years after the ACA took effect. Next year, premiums are set to rise another 26%. As for the fate of Obamacare, President Donald Trump has ramped up calls to move on from the “Obamacare madness.” “I am calling today for insurance companies NOT to be paid. But for this massive amount of money be paid directly to the people so they can buy their own healthcare,” said Trump. Hollywood’s Serious Slump Topline: Hollywood is in a major slump, with October marking the worst box office revenues in nearly 30 years. Even Halloween weekend, usually a horror cash machine, failed to draw audiences. With the exception of the COVID-19 shutdown year of 2020, when theaters were closed, October was the worst box-office month since 1997. Halloween weekend had the worst earnings in 31 years. The biggest culprit appears to be the lack of must-see content. The numbers: Disney’s “Tron: Ares” opened to $38 million — the franchise’s worst debut. A24’s “The Smashing Machine” with Dwayne Johnson got $11 million. The Bruce Springsteen biopic earned $9 million. The total October take was $425 million. The first couple of releases of November aren’t faring any better. “Christie,” starring Sydney Sweeney, came out last week and was a major flop. Some are suggesting politics played a role, but given Sweeney’s popularity, that isn’t very likely. The most probable explanation is that Sweeney’s young male fan base wasn’t especially interested in seeing her look nothing like herself playing a boxer. Expert says: Veteran Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian told finance outlet, Cheddar News, that a couple of Japanese anime movies outperformed expectations, and without them, the story here would be even worse. “There was just nothing commercially exciting enough to mainstream audiences to drive them in huge numbers. And you know, last year, there was a Venom movie that opened at $50 million in October. We didn’t have that this year. And so I think that definitely hurt the box office,” said Dergarabedian. The deeper issues: The ongoing disruption of streaming and social media is always at play, but not necessarily in the way typically thought. Many veteran filmmakers are starting to talk about the problem of what gets greenlit — they say studios are playing it safe and aren’t willing to gamble on creative, out-of-the-box ideas, so audiences are getting tired of seeing the same old thing. Directors like Michael Bay and James Cameron are warning that something bigger may be broken. In an interview a few months ago, Bay voiced frustration over what he called “a system afraid of risk.” Now, he’s the king of big-studio blockbusters, but he said he’s moving into independent filmmaking so he can be more creative. And he said that Cameron told him that no individual executives are empowered to greenlight anything anymore. The result is too many sequels, too few original ideas, and a growing reliance on algorithms to decide what gets made. Crackdown On Minority Contracting Fraud Topline: The Trump administration is turning its eye on a long-running DEI program that may be one of Washington’s most corrupt. The federal government awards a percentage of contracts to companies whose owners are “socially disadvantaged.” But they might not even be the ones doing the work.  At issue is a process known as 8(a) contracting or “set-aside” contracting, where certain contracts, which could be for tens of millions of dollars, are either given to one company with no competition, or limited so that only “disadvantaged” companies are eligible to compete – essentially, racial minorities and women-owned companies. This way of contracting is likely behind much of the poor performance in government, such as websites seeming old-fashioned and broken. But this has been the way Washington works for decades. Typically, GOP-favored interest groups such as disabled veterans and Alaskan native corporations have gotten a share. And then big, non-minority-owned companies end up doing much of the actual work as subcontractors. ATI: One company, ATI Government Solutions, seemed to admit to the cozy dealmaking in an expose put out by undercover activist James O’Keefe last month. ATI is a company that gets contracts because it’s owned by Native Americans, though on ATI’s website, all the executives listed appear to be white. The website is almost entirely focused on selling the idea that it’s easier for government officials to skip holding a competition to find the best company for a job. Meanwhile, big companies can get a shortcut to a government contract by working with ATI, which essentially has an automatic in because it’s partly owned by an Indian tribe. Seems sus: Kelly Loeffler, the head of the Small Business Administration, said there’s a “full review of the 8(a) program” underway that has found “institutionalized abuse” to the tune of billions. Loeffler said ATI’s CEO, Firmadge Crutchfield, had a network of seven companies, all of which had been suspended from receiving new contracts, and that their names were provided to law enforcement.  Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, said the Biden administration tripled the goal for minority set-asides from 5% to 15%, and did little to make sure they were actually doing the work, instead of serving as pass-throughs.  “Small business contracting programs were never intended to function as welfare systems for favored classes or give no-bid contracts to do-nothing companies,” Ernst said, adding that over the decades, “penalties against rulebreakers have not been swiftly and resolutely imposed.”

One week after Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland’s shocking suicide, the revelation that his girlfriend is pregnant has sent ripples through the NFL, challenging how the league, fans, and families confront tragedy—and what happens when a life cut short leaves a new one on the way. Kneeland’s Final Days: A Timeline of Shock and Sorrow Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland’s life unraveled in a matter of hours. Recently, Kneeland became the subject of a police pursuit after failing to stop for a traffic violation. Officers lost sight of his vehicle, but the next day, tragedy struck: Kneeland was found near his abandoned car in Frisco, Texas, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 24-year-old’s death stunned his teammates, coaches, and fans, who only a year prior had celebrated his rise from Western Michigan standout to NFL starter. The grim news reverberated quickly, but within a week, another revelation surfaced—one that would reshape the narrative of loss. Just days after Kneeland’s death, a Cowboys coach disclosed that Kneeland’s girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, is pregnant. This revelation, shared quietly with the team before reaching the media, layered heartbreak with hope and complexity. A child would soon be born into the world with no father, but with the full weight of an NFL legacy, and a community grappling with grief and responsibility. Personal Tragedy, Public Reckoning: The NFL and Mental Health Kneeland’s suicide thrust the NFL’s ongoing struggle with player mental health back into national focus. His loss followed a devastating period for him—his mother’s sudden death in February 2024, repeated injuries, and mounting pressures on and off the field. Teammates described him as driven but increasingly withdrawn, a young man carrying burdens few could see. The Cowboys and the NFL responded with statements of condolence and promises of support for Mancera and Kneeland’s families, but many wondered whether the response was too late and whether the help now offered could have made a difference earlier. In the wake of the news, NFL analysts and mental health advocates called for systemic change. Some pointed to previous incidents—such as the 2012 death of Cowboys linebacker Jerry Brown—as evidence that lessons had not been fully learned. Sports psychologists highlighted the unique pressures facing players: the expectation to perform, the relentless scrutiny, the physical toll, and the isolation that can follow injury or personal loss. Critics argued that while the NFL’s public statements are well-crafted, real progress requires more than words. It demands regular mental health screenings, confidential counseling, and an end to the stigma that keeps athletes suffering in silence. The Unborn Legacy: Implications for Family, Team, and League Kneeland’s death and the revelation of Mancera’s pregnancy have immediate and lasting implications. For Mancera, the coming months will be marked by profound grief and daunting responsibility. The Cowboys and NFL have pledged support, but the specifics—financial, emotional, and practical—remain to be seen. Legal experts note that Kneeland’s estate, including NFL benefits, could become a flashpoint, as families and teams navigate the uncharted territory of supporting a child born after such a tragedy. The broader football community is also reckoning with the event. Fans mourn the loss of potential, while some question whether enough was done to prevent it. The story is already prompting renewed calls for memorial funds, enhanced mental health resources, and better crisis intervention protocols across professional sports. The Cowboys, no strangers to in-season loss, confront the challenge of honoring Kneeland’s memory while protecting the young life he leaves behind. The NFL, under the national microscope, will be judged not just by its words, but by its actions in the months to come. Sources: ESPN Wikipedia Dallas Cowboys official site

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The 1975 burst onto the music scene from their humble beginnings in Wilmslow, Cheshire, evolving from high school friends playing covers to one of the most influential British bands of the modern era. Formed in 2002, the band has released five critically acclaimed studio albums, all reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart, and has maintained its original lineup throughout its existence. Their musical journey spans multiple genres including indie rock, pop, electronic, and funk, garnering them international acclaim and a devoted fanbase. The band’s ascent from small local venues to headlining major festivals like Reading and Leeds and The post Complete List Of The 1975 Band Members appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

Socialism may be on the rise in New York with the election of Zohran Mamdani, but the story is different elsewhere. People may be familiar with the rise of Javier Milei in Argentina, but another election victory is flying under the radar. Last month, the people of Bolivia ended decades of socialist rule in the country with the election of Rodrigo Paz. President Donald Trump should capitalize on Paz’s election and pursue closer trade relations with Bolivia.  For years, Bolivia suffered under the socialist government of Evo Morales. One of the worst economic downturns in the country’s history led to two right-wing candidates facing off in October’s runoff election. Although the true right-wing candidate, former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, lost to Paz, the election marks a significant shift in Bolivia’s political landscape.  Paz’s victory presents a huge opportunity for the Trump administration. By pursuing closer trade ties with Bolivia, the United States can gain greater access to Bolivia’s rare earth reserves. This will help the U.S. break China’s stranglehold on these critical minerals. In addition, closer ties between the two countries can help diminish the influence of U.S. rivals such as China and Iran. Trump should move right away to secure a trade deal with the incoming Paz administration. An invitation to Washington, D.C., would be a good place to start with the new Bolivian leader.  Why is a trade deal with Bolivia so important? Rare earths are a series of 17 elements used to manufacture a wide variety of advanced technologies. Currently, the U.S. relies on China for 70% of its rare earth imports and 90% of the globe’s rare earth processing. Considering the possibility of war between China and the U.S, this dependence poses a huge threat to U.S security. As we saw in the trade war, China will not hesitate to cut off rare earth exports to the U.S. The U.S, therefore, needs to find alternative sources for these minerals. While Bolivia may not break China’s rare earths monopoly on its own, the U.S needs to find as many options as possible. The U.S has already secured deals to this effect with Japan, Ukraine, and several other nations. Strengthening ties with Bolivia will also help the U.S reestablish the Monroe Doctrine. Originally crafted to keep European powers out of the Western Hemisphere, the 21st-century threat to U.S security is from China. China is quickly becoming one of the top economic players in Latin America, affording it critical influence right in the United States’ backyard. The Trump administration is already pushing back against China’s influence in the Panama Canal; a trade deal with Bolivia would further reduce China’s influence in the region.  Javier Milei’s Argentina is an example of Trump embracing a potential ally. While Milei’s reforms are, per se, popular in Argentina, Trump’s loan to the Argentine government is a sign that Trump is securing alliances in South America. Milei has made it no secret that he wants to move his country away from Chinese influence. While Paz is not as conservative as Milei, closer ties with his government could help stem Chinese sway in the region. In addition, closer trade ties with the U.S could help improve Bolivia’s economic situation, further entrenching the center-right’s position in Bolivia against the socialists. While it does not directly affect U.S interests, securing liberty-minded leaders is a worthwhile goal for U.S foreign policy. Free countries tend to stick together, and having Bolivia in that camp means they’re not in the authoritarian camp.  Trump needs to approach his relationship with Paz carefully. Just look at Canada. At one point, Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party were cruising to a landslide victory. However, months of 51st state jokes and tariffs from Trump saved Mark Carney and the Liberal Party from certain defeat. If Trump were to handle Bolivia with the same aggression and flippancy that he approached Canada, he risks losing a potential source of critical rare earths. Worse, a failed Paz administration could lead to the socialists returning to power in Bolivia. Thus, it would secure China another access point in the Western Hemisphere.   In the U.S, socialism is on the rise with the election of Mamdani, but a quick look south of the border reveals a situation far less bleak. Paz and Milei are signs that socialism can be rolled back. Not only that, the election of Paz presents the United States with an opportunity to help itself and Bolivia in the process. Trump should capitalize on this opportunity. We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post Bolivia’s Turn From Socialist Rule appeared first on The Daily Signal.