Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Day 345
1 documented win
$185 million freeze after Nick Shirley’s video
The win
After independent journalist Nick Shirley walked through Minneapolis childcare centers that were pulling millions and, on camera, looked empty, HHS froze Minnesota’s $185 million in federal childcare funds and demanded an audit. The money spigot, the assistant secretary said, is off until the state can show the kids are real.
For Americans
Low-income parents who actually use daycare deserve centers that exist. Taxpayers deserve invoices that match a room with children in it. A 23-year-old with a camera did what layers of state oversight had not.