Happy with your freedom in the US? Poll finds satisfaction at near-record low

The U.S. is often described as “the land of the free,” but a large number of Americans — and women in particular — aren’t happy with the freedom they have, according to new polling.

In the latest Gallup survey, 72% of respondents said they were satisfied “with their freedom to choose what they do with their lives.” This is just 1 point higher than the record low of 71%, which was registered in 2023.

Satisfaction was generally above 80% for most of the 2000s and 2010s — before it plummeted to 73% in 2022.

By comparison, the latest U.S. satisfaction rate is below that of most other countries. Across 142 countries and territories, the median satisfaction rate was 81% — 9 points higher than in the U.S. And across countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the median satisfaction rate was 86%.

—Miami Herald

Gov. Gavin Newsom calls for walking back free health care for eligible undocumented immigrants

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom's 2025-26 revised budget proposal reneges on his signature policy to provide free health care coverage to all low-income undocumented immigrants as costs exceed expectations and the state anticipates challenging economic times ahead.

Newsom's office said the governor's spending plan, which will be released late Wednesday morning, calls for requiring all undocumented adults to pay $100 monthly premiums to receive Medi-Cal coverage and for blocking all new adult applications to the program as of Jan. 1.

The cost share will reduce the financial burden on the state and could lower the total number of people enrolled in the health care program if some immigrants cannot afford the new premiums. Freezing enrollment may prevent the price tag of the program from continuing to balloon after more people signed up for coverage than the state anticipated.

The governor's office said the changes will save a combined $5.4 billion through 2028-29, but did not detail the cost savings in the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1.

—Los Angeles Times

Teens’ bill would expand protections against antisemitism in Nevada

Two Las Vegas teens are lobbying Nevada lawmakers to add a definition of antisemitism to state law — all before the pair is eligible to vote.

Ethan Cohen, 15, a sophomore at Meadows School, and Meyer DeLee, 14, a freshman at Las Vegas Academy, said in an interview they were inspired to bring up what became Senate Bill 179 after seeing local examples of the rise in antisemitism since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. State Sen. James Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, sponsored the bill.

Recent examples of antisemitism in Nevada include an incident where a disabled Jewish student had what appeared to be a swastika scratched into his back and “Death 2 Jews” graffiti found in northwest Las Vegas. A report from the Anti-Defamation League released in April found the number of antisemitic assaults, acts of vandalism and campus-related incidents in Nevada increased in 2024, while harassment fell.

Cohen said he’s advocating for the bill because it gives the Nevada Equal Rights Commission a framework when investigating discrimination claims in housing, employment and public accommodations, given that there is not an existing definition of antisemitism in state law. He also said he hopes the bill passes to take a stance against hate.

—Las Vegas Review-Journal

Pope Leo XIV offers conflict mediation in 'fervent appeal' for peace

ROME — Pope Leo XIV offered on Wednesday to mediate in international conflicts during an audience with representatives of Eastern Churches at the Vatican.

The Holy See is "always willing to help enemies sit down at a table, face each other and talk to each other," the newly elected pontiff said. The first U.S.-born pope, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, made a "fervent appeal" to political leaders to come together and negotiate.

"I, for one, will do everything in my power to make this peace last," he stated. "War is never unavoidable."

Leo, who was chosen to succeed pope Francis in a conclave last week, highlighted numerous ongoing conflicts, from Gaza and Ukraine to Lebanon, Syria, Tigray, and the Caucasus.

—dpa