ELFA

May 16 2026OPINION

Foster Care: How Communities Can Help Kids in Need

Every year, over 365, 000 kids in the U. S. find themselves in foster care, many after experiencing tough situations like abuse or neglect. This number isn't just a statistic—it represents real children who need stability more than ever. In Florida alone, the system handles so many cases that it ran

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May 11 2026EDUCATION

What Oregon’s education debate misses about the real classroom priorities

When local schools in Oregon grab headlines, the conversation often zooms in on union politics first. Two recent pages worth of reporting dug deep into disputes among teachers’ groups, quoting officials about budgets and contracts. But here’s the odd part—nowhere in those long discussions did anyone

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Apr 26 2026OPINION

Supporting families helps kids too

A struggling child often shows it through behavior before words. Shouting, withdrawal, or constant fidgeting can signal deeper struggles that a quick scolding won’t fix. Grown-ups need tools to interpret these signals and respond—not with punishment, but with understanding. In North Carolina, over 1

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Apr 17 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Wolf Rescued: Daejeon Zoo’s Quick Hunt Ends Safely

A 2‑year‑old wolf named Neukgu slipped out of his cage at the O‑World zoo in Daejeon on April 8. The escape set off a nine‑day chase that captured the attention of all South Koreans. People followed updates online, wondering if the wolf could survive in the wild or if hunters would capture him too.

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Apr 16 2026POLITICS

Funding cuts hit Miami migrant care program run by Catholics

A federal program that placed migrant children with Catholic Charities in Miami just lost $11 million in funding, ending a longstanding deal. For decades, the church group had run shelters and foster homes for kids arriving without parents. Now the money is gone, leaving workers scrambling to find n

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Apr 15 2026ENVIRONMENT

Why Climate Disasters Hit Children’s Mental Health the Hardest

Extreme weather isn’t just breaking records—it’s reshaping childhoods. When storms, floods, or fires force families to leave homes, kids face more than lost belongings. Their minds absorb the chaos differently. Growing up takes stability, and disasters snatch that away long before adulthood. Even b

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Apr 09 2026CRIME

Foster Care Scandal: Trust Broken by Church Leaders

A former foster child in South Carolina claims she faced abuse while living with a pastor and his wife. The couple had been in charge of her care since she turned 15. Police say the abuse included both physical and sexual attacks. The pastor, 50, now faces charges like criminal sexual conduct, while

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Mar 30 2026ENVIRONMENT

Zookeepers, Conservationists and the New Role of Zoos

Zoos have long been a point of debate. Some people see them as cruel, others view them as important for saving species. The picture is more complex than it first appears. Recent changes in many zoos have shifted their focus from simply displaying animals to actively protecting endangered species.

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Mar 24 2026EDUCATION

College Gambling Center: A New Focus on Student Risks

The University of Mississippi has announced plans to open a research hub dedicated to studying gambling among college students. The center, approved by the university’s board in February, will cost roughly $700, 000 each year and is set to hire staff soon. Researchers say the goal is to investigate

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Mar 21 2026EDUCATION

Simple Rules for Home Schooling in Connecticut

In a recent vote, Connecticut lawmakers approved a new bill that would set basic rules for families who choose to teach their children at home. The measure, which many parents opposed, passed with a mix of Democrats and Republicans in the Education Committee. The bill was created after concerns g

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