‘A horror movie’: Florida program that removes elders from their homes needs overhaul, lawmakers say

MIAMI — Florida lawmakers, expressing outrage at the “atrocious” and “unconscionable” treatment of elderly people, vowed to reform the state’s adult protection program in the wake of a Miami Herald investigation that showed how frail seniors were moved without their consent into substandard care homes.

“I want to know what happened. I want to know how we failed these people,” said State Sen. Ileana Garcia of Miami, whose district includes more elders per capita than any other in Florida. “This could be you and me tomorrow. This could be our parents tomorrow. Why would you be OK with that?”

In a series of stories called “The Gray Market,” the Herald reported that Florida data show nearly 95% of elders and disabled adults taken into state custody for their own welfare never appear before a judge or consult a lawyer. Some elderly people are deposited into homes with long records of violations without the knowledge or approval of family members or others with power of attorney.

The Herald found instances where a daughter caring for her father and a daughter caring for her mother had no idea that their parent was transferred from a hospital to an assisted living facility they had never heard of. They had to embark on what they described as search-and-rescue missions to be reunited with their loved ones.

—Miami Herald

He was blocked from teaching Plato at Texas A&M. Now he's leaving to teach at SMU

DALLAS — Martin Peterson, a philosophy professor at Texas A&M University who made headlines earlier this year after administrators directed him to cut some lessons on Plato, will leave to teach at Southern Methodist University this fall.

Peterson, who has taught at A&M since 2014, said the Texas A&M System's new policies limiting what faculty can teach about race and gender fueled his resignation. Such restrictions, which ban the advocacy of "race and gender ideology," spurred the scrutiny of the Plato excerpts in Peterson's "Contemporary Moral Issues" course in January.

Peterson said he didn't believe he would be granted the freedom to decide what students should learn in his classes at Texas A&M anytime soon. "It's not realistic to hope that things will get any better," Peterson said of his decision to leave for SMU. He will begin as a philosophy professor at the private university in August.

Peterson garnered national attention in recent months, emerging as a symbol of how sweeping the political remaking of Texas' public universities has been. But now, he said, he is ready to shed that title, noting that none of his efforts have pushed Texas A&M leadership to roll back any of its restrictions on what can be taught in the classroom.

—The Dallas Morning News

Boston Mayor Wu under fire for funding queer migrant wellness grants amid $100 million budget gap

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is facing criticism for funding wellness grants for queer and transgender migrants amid a $100 million budget shortfall, spending that her office confirmed was inappropriate.

Wu has been the subject of online backlash after an advertisement from a nonprofit indicated the city was spending taxpayer money on “wellness allowance” grants for LGBTQ migrants that can be used for gym memberships, yoga, meditation, reflection activities, transportation, and childcare support, among other uses.

The grants range from $250 to $500, and are distributed by a nonprofit called Outnewcomers that says the program is funded by the City of Boston. Priority is given to “low-income, trans and isolated LGBTQ+ migrants residing in the City of Boston,” and all wellness funds must be used within Boston, the group said.

“LGBTQ+ migrants often face trauma, economic hardship, and social isolation,” Outnewcomers said on its website. “Belonging matters supports healing through community, movement, creativity, and culturally grounded practices that help participants feel more supported, connected, and resourced.”

—Boston Herald

Xi welcomes slew of world leaders as Trump fights allies

Chinese President Xi Jinping is wrapping up what’s been an unusually busy week of diplomacy in Beijing, showcasing the fervent interest of world leaders to develop ties with China while the U.S. is embroiled in a conflict with Iran.

Xi has held at least five high-profile tête-à-têtes, despite the lack of any formal gathering in China’s capital this week. Excluding weeks the country hosted major summits, it’s the quickest tempo since July 2024.

The roster has ranged from a U.S. NATO ally — Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez — to a Middle East representative — Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed. The meetings were followed by a visit from the leader of neighboring Vietnam — To Lam, the nation’s president and Communist Party chief, who recently secured a fresh five-year term.

Xi has been positioning his nation as a source of stability and bulwark of respect for international rules, against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages.” Left unclear: Whether China’s leaders, who have long promised benefits from deeper ties to the world’s No. 2 economy, will offer concrete help for countries facing the current energy crisis.

—Bloomberg News