Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/good-news-friday-300k-non-citizens-removed-from-ss-rfk-jr-fights-over-prescription-reform-uk-surges/
US Politics
President Trump announced the removal of nearly 300,000 non-citizens from Social Security rolls and over 100,000 from Medicare eligibility, per a presidential memorandum directing the Social Security Administration to update records. The steps aim to bar non-citizens from federal benefits and align with a reported SNAP enrollment decline from 42.8 million in January 2025 to 38.5 million in January 2026. Some reports have noted a lack of immediate confirmation from the Social Security Administration.
In legislative news, the House passed a Farm Bill that includes Thomas Massie’s PRIME Act, which permits small farmers and ranchers to process animals on-site and sell directly to local restaurants, households, and markets without federal inspection, potentially lowering costs versus large facilities.
Meanwhile, interest in eliminating property taxes continues to gain traction nationwide. Ohio homeowners collected signatures for a petition to vote on eliminating property taxes in November, needing 413,000 valid signatures by July 1. Petition supporters cited financial pressures, such as elderly couples at risk of home seizure and retirees working part-time to pay taxes on rentals, affecting empty nesters, farmers, and young graduates. Opponents, including former state budget directors, warn the measure would create a $21 billion revenue shortfall, harming schools and public safety.
Moving to Second Amendment rights, the Department of Justice sued Denver over its ordinance banning certain semi-automatic rifles, such as AR-15 styles. The complaint asserts the ban violates Second Amendment rights for arms in common use for lawful purposes, referencing Supreme Court cases like District of Columbia v. Heller. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said the city will defend its restrictions on firearms with magazines over 15 rounds.
Speaking of guns, Tennessee became the first state to require gun safety courses in all K-12 public schools. The curriculum covers four rules: treat every gun as loaded, never point at unintended targets, keep finger off the trigger until ready to fire, and know your target and beyond. Some critics contend the mandate diverts resources from core subjects like reading and math.
Lastly, bipartisan lawmakers again advanced measures to limit President Trump’s military authority over Iran after the 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline passed on May 1. A ceasefire has held since early April, despite a U.S. naval blockade and Iran’s Strait of Hormuz restrictions. Republicans, including Senators Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Lisa Murkowski, joined Democrats in backing resolutions for congressional approval. Polls indicate a majority of public opposition to the conflict. Administration supporters maintain that ongoing actions are limited to defensive measures.
Health
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a campaign targeting overuse of psychiatric medications, especially SSRIs for children and Medicare patients. A “Dear Colleague” letter from HHS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services encourages providers to emphasize shared decision-making, informed consent, and non-drug options. Discussions should address benefits, risks, discontinuation effects, and alternatives. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration plans a May report on prescribing trends, summer webinars on side effects and deprescribing, and a July Technical Expert Panel for guidance. Kennedy highlighted support for patient autonomy and safe tapering. Critics, including psychiatrists, argue the effort risks stigmatizing effective treatments amid shortages of therapy alternatives.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation restoring the Presidential Fitness Test Awards, first launched by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956 for students ages 10 to 17. The program features timed runs for endurance, sit-and-reach for flexibility, push-ups or pull-ups for upper body strength, and shuttle runs for agility, with age- and sex-adjusted benchmarks. High achievers receive school, state, and national recognition, including certificates signed by Trump. The effort supports youth physical activity ahead of America’s 250th birthday and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following an executive order re-establishing the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. States, including Mississippi and Tennessee, have adopted similar programs. Tennessee extended daily recess to 40 minutes to address childhood obesity rates above 21 percent nationally. Some researchers have criticized the program’s competitive format as potentially demoralizing for underperformers.
Canadian Politics
A court sealed Alberta independence petitions with over 301,620 signatures, forwarding them to Elections Alberta for verification amid a judicial stay review. Approval could enable an October 19 referendum on Alberta leaving Canada. Should the court system block the referendum, Premier Danielle Smith is allowed to call a referendum at any time. Commentators suggest she would be likely to do this given the support her base has shown for the referendum. However, opponents note the signatures represent under 10 percent of Albertans and cite investigations into alleged voter data misuse.
British Politics
Early counts from 39 of 136 councils in England’s local elections show Reform UK securing over 300 seats, or about 48 percent of contested seats. Labour reportedly lost 220 seats and control of at least five councils, including Tameside after 47 years. Conservatives lost 107 seats. Projections suggest Reform UK may claim up to 47 seats in Birmingham, potentially gaining council control amid reported local issues like bin strikes and finances. Counting continues in major metropolitan areas following Labour’s 2024 national victory. Some observers downplay Reform UK’s gains, noting they involve only about 400 of more than 5,000 seats contested so far. Others describe this as a watershed moment that shows deep dissatisfaction within the UK.
Artificial Intelligence
A federal judge froze enforcement of Colorado’s SB 24-205, the first U.S. state AI law mandating high-risk system developers to prevent algorithmic discrimination and disclose risks. The order followed a joint request by xAI and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, pausing deadlines as lawmakers draft a replacement. xAI’s suit argued that the law compels speech by requiring state views in AI models and is unconstitutionally vague. The Justice Department supported the challenge, opposing AI output restrictions as censorship.
In other news, Mayo Clinic’s Radiomics-based Early Detection Model reviewed nearly 2,000 routine abdominal CT scans, detecting 73 percent of prediagnostic pancreatic cancers a median of 16 months early. Detection rates rose at longer intervals, finding nearly three times more cases over two years prior than specialists alone. The AI assesses tissue texture changes pre-tumor, validated across sites. AI-PACED trials are integrating it for high-risk patients in Mayo’s Precure initiative. Experts caution that its low positive predictive value in low-risk screening could prompt unnecessary interventions.
Privacy & Surveillance
UK children have evaded the newly enacted Online Safety Act’s social media age verification using fake birthdays, shared logins, and makeup to alter facial recognition, per an Internet Matters report. Some commentators hail this as a victory over privacy crackdowns, while others suggest it will be used as an excuse to enact stricter, more draconian controls.
Sources
Reform UK Storms Local Elections: Historic Gains as Labour Collapses
Reform UK is on track for historic gains in the 2026 UK local elections – seizing hundreds of seats in the early counts while Labour and the Conservatives suffer heavy defeats across England.
Trump Revives Eisenhower-Era Presidential Fitness Tests for Schoolkids
In the coming academic year, old-fashioned calisthenics, timed runs, and the spirit of competition could return to many public schools.
Trump Announces 300,000 Illegals Purged from Social Security, 100,000 from Medicare
Together with the Republicans in Congress, we’ve removed nearly 300,000 illegal aliens from the social security roll.
America’s Property Tax Revolt: Homeowners Push to Abolish the Burden
A Property Tax Rebellion Is Emerging In America
Judge Freezes Colorado’s First-in-Nation AI Law After xAI Free Speech Challenge
A federal judge has frozen enforcement of Colorado’s first-in-the-nation AI law
Tennessee Pioneers Gun Safety Education: First State to Mandate Courses in All K-12 Public Schools
Tennessee just became the first state in America to require gun safety courses in all public schools — K through 12.
RFK Jr. Launches HHS Campaign to Deprescribe SSRIs, Empower Patients Against Overprescribing
Today, we take clear and decisive action to confront our nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the overuse of psychiatric medications—especially among children.
Lawmakers Escalate Bid to Rein in Trump’s Iran War Powers After Deadline
U.S. Lawmakers Intensify Push to Curb Trump’s War Powers Over Iran Conflict
DOJ Sues Denver Over Assault Weapons Ban as Democratic Mayor Vows to Fight
The Constitution is not a suggestion and the Second Amendment is not a second-class right.
Mayo Clinic AI Detects Pancreatic Cancer Up to 3 Years Early on Routine CT Scans
The AI can identify subtle signs of disease before tumors are visible, when curative treatment may still be possible.
Alberta Independence Petitions Sealed by Court: Referendum Path Ahead
One way or another, Alberta is heading toward a referendum.
UK Kids Outwit Age Verification with Fake Mustaches
Kids bypass government tech with fake mustaches.
House Passes Farm Bill with Massie’s PRIME Act: Food Freedom for Small Farmers
The PRIME Act allows small farmers and ranchers to slaughter their own animals on site and sell directly to local restaurants, households, and community members without federal oversight.