A video alleging fraud in Somali-run child care centers in Minneapolis has drawn attention throughout the United States. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine held a news conference to debunk fraud claims about a Columbus center. In San Diego, a provider was alarmed by suspicious activity outside her day care. In Washington, police were called on right-leaning journalists investigating Somali centers. Providers say these incidents disrupt safe learning environments. The controversy began after a right-wing influencer posted a video accusing Minneapolis Somali centers of fraud. Although inspectors disproved the claims, the video intensified scrutiny and harassment of these centers.

A federal judge says the Trump administration must keep the money flowing for now for programs aimed at helping low-income families with children in five states. The ruling extends by two weeks an earlier one in which a judge ordered the money to continue to flow to California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. Judge Vernon Broderick says he'll decide later whether to order the money be kept moving as the challenge to the action is decided. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said on Jan. 6 that it was withholding money because it had “reason to believe” there was fraud in those states.

China's population continues to shrink. Government statistics released on Monday revealed the population fell for the fourth straight year to 1.4 billion. Births dropped in 2025 by 17% to 7.92 million. Despite lifting the one-child policy to allow three children, the fertility rate remains low. Most families cite the costs and pressure of raising a child in a highly competitive society. The Chinese government published a fertility rate of 1.3 in 2020, but experts have estimated it is now around 1. Officials have offered cash subsidies and started taxing condoms to encourage births. The government also has removed taxes on kindergartens, daycares and matchmaking services.

Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is questioning whether a proposal from his own lieutenant governor to ban federal immigration enforcement actions around courthouses, schools and other locations can, or should, be done. Democratic Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez is running for governor after Evers decided against seeking a third term. Rodriguez proposed Monday that civil immigration enforcement actions in Wisconsin should be banned around courthouses, hospitals and health clinics, licensed child care centers and day cares, schools and institutions of higher learning, domestic violence shelters and places of worship. Rodriguez said exceptions would be made for a judicial warrant or an immediate threat to public safety.

A judge has ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration cannot block child care and other federal social service money from flowing to five states for now. The administration said Tuesday it would not release money for three programs aimed at helping needy children and their families in the Democratic-led states of California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said there was reason to believe there was fraud in those places, though it did not cite any evidence. Under the ruling on Friday, the new requirements are on hold until further court action.

The Trump administration has tried to freeze funds for programs including child care subsidies and cash assistance and job training for poor families with children. The administration says it's rooting out fraud, but some state leaders say the motivation is political, with five Democratic-led states a special focus of attention. Money had been on hold for California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. Those states sued to challenge the demands and a federal judge on Friday halted it for at least two weeks while arguments are presented in court. The administration asked the state to produce personal data on program recipients.

Judge stops the Trump administration’s freeze on child care and other social service funding for 5 states for now.

As the Trump administration continues to investigate a series of alleged fraud schemes at Minnesota day care centers run by Somali residents, social media users are falsely citing a Craigslist ad as evidence of such deceit. But the ad was bait for a prank show. It is not proof of fraud in Minnesota. Posts sharing the ad gained tens of thousands of likes, shares and views on multiple platforms.