NEWS OF NOTE

ICE Agents Arrest Hundreds in Child-exploitation Probe

The Washington Times, Chuck Neubauer | Jan. 3

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, working with state and local law enforcement, arrested 245 people during "Operation Sunflower," which aimed to rescue victims of child exploitation and target those who own, trade and produce images of child pornography.

White House Pushes Forward on Immigration Ahead of Bigger Fight

The Washington Post, David Nakamura and Tara Bahrampour | Jan. 3

The Obama administration's decision to ease visa requirements for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants represents its latest move to reshape immigration through executive action. The president has called the inability to achieve comprehensive reform among the biggest regrets of his first term.

How My Autistic Son Got Lost in the Public School System

The Atlantic, Amy Mackin | Jan. 3

A mother struggles to find appropriate services for her autistic son.

Mass Shootings Do Little to Change State Gun Laws

ProPublica, Joaquin Sapien | Jan. 3

While legislators sometimes contemplated tightening rules after mass shootings, few measures gained passage. Several states have made it easier to buy more guns and take them to more places.

Looking for A Mother Who Won't Leave (Opinion)

Rise Magazine, Anonymous | Jan. 3

A young woman feels betrayed by both her birth mother and her adoptive mother.

For Many Kids, Winter Break Means Hungry Holidays

NPR, Dan Carsen | Jan. 3

For some children, free or reduced-price school meals have become a major source of nutrition. And when school is on break, many families struggle to fill the gap.

Third Grade Emerges As Key to Student Success

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Benjamin Wood | 

Jan. 1

By the third grade, students are expected to be reading to learn, not learning to read. In Utah and across the nation, lawmakers are zeroing-in on third-grade reading proficiency.

Graying City Means More Elder Abuse

City Limits, Suzanne Travers | Jan. 2

Groups across New York City unite to raise awareness about the growing problem of elder abuse, but funding cuts leave programs--and the elderly--vulnerable.

The Battle to Open Prisons to Journalists

The Crime Report, Jessica Pupovac | Jan. 2

Individual public officials have the final word on how much the media--and thus the public--know about what happens inside America's prisons.

Victims of Child Pornography Seek Restitution From Those Who Downloaded and Traded Horrific Images

The Boston Globe, Jenifer B. McKim | Dec. 27

As a small but growing number of child pornography victims are filing claims for damages against convicted child pornographers, courts across the country are grappling with questions about whether victims deserve restitution and, if so, how much.

Rough Justice in Indian Child Welfare

100 Reporters, Stephanie Woodard | Dec. 26

A look at what can happen to Native American children once they end up in South Dakota's foster   care system. Four Native children accuse their white adoptive parents of physical and sexual abuse. The state's response raise questions about the commitment to protect Native children taken from their families. 

A Minnesota Success: Adoption of Teens Rising

Star Tribune, Jeremy Olson | Dec. 23

Family preservation, diversion programs and an aggressive adoption process have helped cut the number of teens aging out of foster care in half.