A 4-year-old Gaza boy lost his arm – and his family. Half a world away, he’s getting a second chance

A 4-year-old Gaza boy lost his arm – and his family. Half a world away, he’s getting a second chance

NEW YORK — Omar Abu Kuwaik is far from his home in Gaza. The 4-year-old’s parents and sister were killed by an Israeli airstrike, when he lost part of his arm. He’s one of the lucky ones. Through the efforts of family and strangers, Omar was brought out of Gaza and to the United States, … Read more

The CDC has relaxed COVID guidelines. Will schools and day cares follow suit?

The CDC has relaxed COVID guidelines. Will schools and day cares follow suit?

BOSTON — Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools and upended child care, the CDC says parents can start treating the virus like other respiratory illnesses. Gone are mandated isolation periods and masking. But will schools and child care centers agree? In case you’ve lost track: Before Friday, all Americans, including school children, were … Read more

Missouri is suing Planned Parenthood based on a conservative group’s sting video

Missouri is suing Planned Parenthood based on a conservative group’s sting video

ST. LOUIS — Missouri’s attorney general filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing Planned Parenthood of illegally taking minors into Kansas to obtain abortions without parental consent, basing the allegation on a video from a conservative group that has promoted false claims on other issues. Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s lawsuit accuses Kansas City, Missouri-based Planned Parenthood … Read more

Patients urge Alabama lawmakers to restore IVF services in the state

Patients urge Alabama lawmakers to restore IVF services in the state

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — LeeLee Ray went through eight miscarriages, one ectopic pregnancy and multiple surgeries before turning to surrogacy in her hopes of having a child. She and her husband found a surrogate through a matching program, and they hoped to soon transfer frozen embryos. But now that plan is in doubt as Alabama fertility … Read more

States promise to help disabled kids. Why do some families wait a decade or more?

States promise to help disabled kids. Why do some families wait a decade or more?

TOPEKA, Kan. — When Lilly Miller was in elementary school, teachers told her parents they needed to immediately sign up their youngest daughter, who has Down syndrome, for a wait list so the state would pay for a day program when she grew up. The teachers predicted a six-year wait. The Millers have been waiting … Read more

investment options: Move over FDs! Parents tutored by children looking at other investment options

investment options: Move over FDs! Parents tutored by children looking at other investment options

Around this time in 2022, Delhi-based Shalini Narang found herself with some extra cash and didn’t quite know what to do with it. So the 53-year-old homemaker rang up her trusted advisor, Palak Narang, who suggested she invest in some mutual funds (MFs). Hesitant at first, Shalini quickly came around when she saw Palak’s dizzying … Read more

Florida refuses to bar unvaccinated students from school suffering a measles outbreak

Florida refuses to bar unvaccinated students from school suffering a measles outbreak

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida’s controversial surgeon general is drawing criticism for his handling of an elementary school’s measles outbreak, telling parents of unvaccinated children it is their choice whether their students attend class — a contravention of federal guidelines calling for their mandatory exclusion. Dr. Joseph Ladapo, nationally known for his outspoken skepticism toward … Read more

Facing backlash over IVF ruling, Alabama lawmakers look for a fix

Facing backlash over IVF ruling, Alabama lawmakers look for a fix

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Lawmakers began scrambling for ways to protect Alabama in vitro fertilization services after multiple providers paused treatment in the wake of a state Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos could be considered children under a state law. Facing a wave of shock and anger from the decision, legislators prepared separate proposals in … Read more

Taking a trip with one child at a time: parent child bonding vacation

Taking a trip with one child at a time: parent child bonding vacation

Sonja Prokopec took her son on their first “solo” trip together when he was six years old. They went to Rome, and it was so memorable that Prokopec said she’s now planning their second trip this summer. “I really enjoy one-on-one time which we have when travelling alone,” she said. “There are no distractions, no … Read more

Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are ‘children’ under state law

Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are ‘children’ under state law

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, a ruling critics said could have sweeping implications for fertility treatments. The decision was issued in a pair of wrongful death cases brought by three couples who had frozen embryos destroyed in an accident at a … Read more