Volume 1 Issue 18 - September 11th, 2025
- Jess C's Mom
- Sep 11
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 15
"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." - Stephen Covey
What's the Buzz?
Grab the fam and gather 'round the kitchen table! It's time to go over what this week is going to look like. Here's what's happening across our communities this week:
On the Home Front: National News & Your Family's Well-being
Public Safety and School Environments
Since the tragic school shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, the conversation about safety has only continued. As reported by CBS News and The Associated Press, the shooting resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to more than a dozen others. The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In the wake of this, local leaders and politicians are calling for gun reform.
In Washington, D.C., a collective of over 1,000 students from universities like Georgetown, George Washington, and Howard, protested the presence of federal troops and National Guard on their streets. According to reports from Common Dreams and Countercurrents, students are demanding their school leaders and city officials resist the "federal takeover" and declare their campuses as sanctuaries.
In Chicago, fears of a potential National Guard deployment have caused school attendance to drop, as families, particularly in immigrant communities, are worried about detention and family separation. City leaders and the Chicago Public Schools have been working to reassure families, but the anxiety remains a real issue for many parents.
Weather and Health
Tropical Storm Kiko did indeed become a hurricane, reaching Category 3 strength, but it has since weakened and shifted its path. The Associated Press and Yahoo News reported that Kiko is now moving west past Hawaii, bringing with it a risk of life-threatening rip currents and high surf. It's a great reminder for all of us to have a plan for severe weather, no matter where we live.
As for the new COVID-19 vaccine, the latest information is that there have not been widespread public health warnings about beach contamination as of yet. The EPA is continuing to work with states to monitor water quality and alert the public when it's not safe to swim.
Things in the House and Senate
The U.S. Congress has been a busy place since Labor Day. While the House had a short week due to the holiday, they've been back to legislative business. The "Uyghur Policy Act of 2025" is officially a bill (H.R.2635). It aims to support Uyghurs and other minority groups in a specific region and get certain political prisoners released.
Over in the Senate, they've been considering nominations for federal judges and have also been working on the National Defense Authorization Act. The committees are where a lot of the work happens. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing titled, "There's a Bad Moon on the Rise: Why Congress and NASA Must Thwart China in the Space Race." The Senate Committee on Finance also held a hearing on the President's 2026 healthcare agenda, with the Secretary of Health and Human Services as the main witness.
National Protests
The Labor Day protests certainly happened. The "Workers Over Billionaires" actions, organized by the action network May Day Strong, saw demonstrations in many locations focused on issues like wages and social safety nets. The "Fight the Trump Takeover" protests also saw thousands march in D.C. against the deployment of federal troops. According to Al Jazeera, the "Remove the Regime" event also saw protests on Capitol Hill and at the White House. The protest at the White House specifically brought attention to the "Epstein Files," with survivors and advocates rallying for the full disclosure of documents. It's a reminder that even when we feel overwhelmed by big events, a lot of people are working to make a difference.
Around the World: Global Events with Potential Impact
In Gaza, daily malnutrition deaths are still being reported, and aid organizations are struggling to get food to families due to obstacles on the ground. The UN has called for a ceasefire to ensure a massive response to prevent famine from spreading. In Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, conflict continues to displace millions, with the DRC seeing new displacements and attacks on civilians. A catastrophic landslide in Sudan has added to the ongoing humanitarian crisis there, which is also facing mass killings and a cholera outbreak.
Jess C's Mom's Two Cents
It can feel heavy to read about all of this, and that's completely understandable. The world is a complicated place, and as parents, we want to protect our kids while also raising them to be aware, empathetic, and responsible citizens. My advice is to remember that these are ongoing issues, and while we can't solve them all at once, we can take small steps. Supporting a local community group, donating to a reputable international charity, or even just having a conversation with your family about the importance of helping others can make a difference. It all starts at home.
I hope this updated and combined information is helpful for you. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do. We're all in this together!
Upcoming Events
Sources
Al Jazeera. "US House committee releases over 33,000 pages of Epstein-related records." Al Jazeera, September 3, 2025.
Associated Press. "Hurricane Kiko's path shifts, sparing Hawaii from strong winds and heavy rain." AP News, September 6, 2025.
Associated Press. "Hundreds mourn 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, who was killed in a mass shooting at a Minneapolis church." AP News, September 7, 2025.
Borenstein, Seth. "U.N. agency hails 'historic first' with child labor convention." Associated Press, August 4, 2025.
CBS News. "The Minneapolis school shooter fired at children through church windows. Here's what we know." CBS News, August 30, 2025.
Common Dreams. "'We Won't Be Silent': 1,000+ Students Protest Trump's DC Takeover." Common Dreams, September 9, 2025.
Countercurrents. "DC University Students Walk Out in Protest of Federal Takeover." Countercurrents, September 11, 2025.
Holland & Knight. "Holland & Knight Health Dose: September 9, 2025 | Insights." Holland & Knight, September 9, 2025.
People's World. "Protesters against D.C. occupation jam city's downtown." People's World, September 8, 2025.
ReliefWeb. "DRC – Rapid Displacement Analysis, North Kivu and South Kivu (15-23 July 2025) - Democratic Republic of the Congo." ReliefWeb, September 11, 2025.
ReliefWeb. "Sudan Updates." ReliefWeb, September 3, 2025.
SEIU. "Labor Day: SEIU locals launch dozens of 'Workers over Billionaires' actions nationwide." SEIU.org, August 27, 2025.
Senate Commerce Committee. "There's a Bad Moon on the Rise: Why Congress and NASA Must Thwart China in the Space Race." Senate Commerce Committee, September 3, 2025.
UN News. "Daily malnutrition deaths continue as Israeli forces push further into Gaza City." UN News, September 2, 2025.
U.S. Congress. "H.R.2635 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Uyghur Policy Act of 2025." Congress.gov, September 3, 2025.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Beaches." EPA.gov. Accessed September 11, 2025.
Yahoo News Canada. "Will Kiko impact Hawaii? See where the tropical storm is headed." Yahoo News Canada, September 10, 2025.
Comments