How We Destroyed Community College Education for Generations of Students – and Why We Need a Reset

 The challenges facing community colleges, particularly regarding declining enrollment and the impact of removing junior college football programs. It highlights a conversation among three candidates for the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board, who share their insights on education, enrollment, and the needs of students in today's society.

1. The Importance of Community Colleges: The lunch conversation centers on the significance of community colleges in providing education and job opportunities, particularly to underserved communities and minority students. Despite the focus on bringing back junior college football, the discussion reveals deeper issues affecting student enrollment and success.

2. Diverse Student Needs: Students arrive at community colleges with different backgrounds, interests, and goals. Some seek traditional degrees, while others need specific skills or vocational training. Recognizing the varying motivations for attending college is essential for developing effective educational programs.

3. Candidates’ Perspectives:

John Crow: Focuses on business efficiency and the resources necessary for community colleges to succeed.

Ryan Caracciolo: Aims to attract a broader range of students and engage with them effectively to increase enrollment.

Susan Winder: Concentrates on the quality of education provided once students enroll, emphasizing the importance of meeting their educational needs.

4. Enrollment Decline: Enrollment at the Maricopa County Community College District dropped significantly from 2019 to 2022 (from 195,293 to 159,802 students), largely due to factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in job markets. Although enrollment has started to recover, it still remains below pre-pandemic levels.

5. Gender Discrepancies: Women now constitute a majority of community college students, accounting for roughly 61%. Meanwhile, a significant drop in male enrollment is observed, particularly among Black males. This disparity calls for further investigation into why men are increasingly absent from these institutions.

6. Shifting Educational Paths: Men may be opting for alternative educational routes like vocational training and certifications rather than traditional degree programs, indicating a change in how men view education and career paths.

7. Impact of Junior College Football: The removal of junior college football programs may have disproportionately affected male enrollment, particularly among those who lacked other access points into higher education. This raises questions about how such programs contribute to attracting students from diverse backgrounds.

8. The Bigger Picture: The discussion goes beyond football; it addresses what students truly seek from higher education and how community colleges can better serve them. This includes assessing the quality of education and aligning programs with labor market demands.

The conversations among the candidates reveal the need for community colleges to undergo a significant reset. Understanding diverse student needs, addressing enrollment declines, and investigating the role of junior college football are pivotal in shaping a more effective and inclusive educational environment. As the landscape of education continues to change, community colleges must adapt to support all students effectively and provide the opportunities they seek. 

https://joehoft.com/how-we-destroyed-community-college-education-generations-students/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-we-destroyed-community-college-education-generations-students

Waste of the Day: SBA Reviewed Loans 20 Years Late

 The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been criticized for potentially making $11.5 million in improper payments related to guaranteed loans, a situation highlighted in a recent inspector general report.

The SBA's 7(a) loan program helps small businesses get loans through private banks, which the government partially guarantees.

The SBA should deny guarantees if banks fail to meet requirements, such as ensuring borrowers can repay loans.

Auditors examined 32 failed loans where SBA staff initially recommended reducing or denying payments, but supervisors later overturned these recommendations.

For 16 loans, auditors found inadequate justification for the decisions, leading to $11.5 million in questionable payments, including nearly $4.9 million for loans to borrowers with no repayment evidence.

The report mentions that one business defaulted shortly after receiving funds, yet the bank’s unsupported claims prompted payment from the SBA.

Additionally, the SBA took too long to review 13 loans, allowing the statute of limitations for legal action to expire, costing $5.4 million.

The SBA has no mechanisms in place to reclaim funds from banks after this period.

Overall, the situation raises concerns about how taxpayer money is protected and the efficiency of the SBA in managing loan guarantees for high-risk businesses. 

https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2026/09/18/waste_of_the_day_sba_reviewed_loans_20_years_late_1205821.html

No More Mandatory ESG Fees for Dairy Farmers, USDA Rules

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the termination of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives within the National Dairy Promotion and Research Program, which is funded by dairy farmers.

1. Program Overview: The Dairy Checkoff Program collects 15 cents per hundredweight of milk from dairy farmers for research and promotion of American dairy products.

2. ESG Initiatives: The USDA’s decision results from concerns that funds were being used for ESG projects, including targets for greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability, which deviated from the program's original purpose.

3. USDA Secretary's Statement: USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that farmers' money should not support radical climate agendas but instead focus on market demand for dairy products.

4. Legal Action: The decision follows a lawsuit by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) against the USDA and the National Dairy Promotion Board, which argued against the use of checkoff funds for ESG projects.

5. Broader Impact: This change could affect over 20,000 dairy farms and could extend to other agricultural checkoff programs, ensuring funds are used solely to strengthen markets for producers.

The USDA's action reflects a return to focusing on market support for dairy rather than funding external ESG initiatives, aligning the program with its original goals as set out by contributing farmers. 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/no-more-mandatory-esg-fees-for-dairy-farmers-usda-rules-6090653?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=ZeroHedge

Health Agency Looking at Electromagnetic Fields, Wireless Radiation: RFK Jr.

 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is investigating the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and wireless radiation, particularly concerning children and long-term exposure. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this initiative aimed at gathering evidence to develop recommendations.

HHS is seeking input from researchers and the public on the health impacts of EMF exposure, particularly from radio frequencies.

Concerns have risen regarding health effects linked to EMF exposure in schools and among children.

Individuals can submit peer-reviewed studies, reports, personal experiences of health impacts, and details about the technology and exposure duration.

A 30-day comment period will begin on September 21.

Kennedy has legal experience related to wireless radiation and cited a past court ruling that criticized the FCC's standards as inadequate.

HHS will integrate public feedback into a report to be released this fall, which seeks to ensure thorough scientific evaluation and transparency in health-related issues.

The ongoing inquiry by HHS represents a proactive step towards understanding the implications of EMF exposure, with an emphasis on rigorous scientific review and public involvement. 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/health-agency-looking-at-electromagnetic-fields-wireless-radiation-rfk-jr-6090597?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=ZeroHedge

Just Because AI Does Things That ‘Look Human,’ That Does Not Give It Consciousness

 The misconception that artificial intelligence (AI) behaviors that appear human imply AI has consciousness. This is referred to as "Geppetto's Enigma." Instead, the author argues that such behaviors are simply results of programming, not evidence of a sentient being.

1. Misinterpretation of AI Behavior:

AI can act in ways that resemble human behavior, leading some people to mistakenly believe that it possesses consciousness or personality.

The fallacy called "Geppetto's Enigma" describes this leap from recognizing AI as a tool to perceiving it as having human qualities.

2. Language and Its Implications:

The terminology used in AI, such as "memory," "learning," and "agents," is borrowed from human experiences and can create misunderstandings.

These terms carry human-like associations that can mislead people into believing AI mimics human life when it does not.

3. Real Technical Explanations:

The article references an incident involving AI interacting unexpectedly, which was not a sign of consciousness but rather a failure in programming or oversight.

AI systems interact based on functions and their operational environment, not because they possess emotions or intentions.

4. Drive and Constraints:

Behaviors that seem altruistic or cunning in AI can be attributed to programmed responses rather than moral decisions.

The author emphasizes that identifying shared pathways or unowned connections is crucial for understanding AI behavior, as these do not indicate sentience.

5. Responsibility and Governance:

The concern about AI's potential misuse arises from technical faults rather than a need for consciousness. Oversight and accountability must be structured to prevent issues without anthropomorphizing AI.

Recommendations include proper management of pathways within AI systems to identify vulnerabilities.

The writing warns against the impulse to attribute human-like qualities to AI and underscores the importance of a clear understanding of AI's functions using precise vocabulary. Recognizing the distinction between resemblance and actual consciousness is vital to managing AI risks effectively and assigning appropriate responsibility for its operation and containment. 

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/09/just-because-ai-does-things-that-look-human-that-does-not-give-it-consciousness/

Biden-era inspection reports expose Kennedy Center disrepair, safety hazards that Trump seeks to fix

 Recent inspection reports from the Biden era have revealed severe disrepair and safety issues at the Kennedy Center, prompting intervention from former President Donald Trump to address these problems. The reports outline significant threats ranging from health hazards to security vulnerabilities.

1. Inspection Findings:

Structural evaluations in 2021 and 2022 highlighted outdated fire safety systems and insufficient protections against terrorism.

Health hazards included lead-painted steel beams, poor bathroom ventilation, and failing sealants containing cancer-linked chemicals.

Reports indicated urgent maintenance needs, such as deteriorating roof membranes and leaking fire sprinkler pipes.

2. Maintenance Neglect:

The Kennedy Center has a history of maintenance neglect, compounded by staffing shortages in the Project Management Office (PMO).

The Biden administration focused funds (approximately $250 million) on building new structures instead of addressing the main building's issues.

3. Security Concerns:

Security assessments pointed to weaknesses in the building's defenses against vehicular and ballistic threats, alongside inadequate monitoring of egress doors.

An obsolete fire alarm system and damaged electrical infrastructure were significant concerns, with notes of water leaks posing electrical hazards.

4. Trump's Intervention:

In response to the reports and safety risks, Trump announced a two-year closure of the Kennedy Center to conduct extensive repairs, including a budget of $250 million for renovations.

Legal challenges have arisen to slow these repair efforts.

The inspection reports have exposed alarming issues regarding the safety and structural integrity of the Kennedy Center, prompting necessary repairs under Trump’s administration. Ongoing legal disputes may impact how swiftly these renovations can be completed, emphasizing the urgent need for addressing the facility's varying vulnerabilities, especially since it has hosted many dignitaries over the decades. 

https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/all-things-trump/biden-era-inspections-exposed-kennedy-center-disrepair-safety

The Muslim Brotherhood: Follow the Money

 Ahmed Charai discusses the financial networks connecting the Muslim Brotherhood and affiliated organizations, including Hamas. It emphasizes the importance of tracing money flows to disrupt their operations and minimize the potential for terrorism.

Financial Networks: There are extensive transnational financial ties between Muslim Brotherhood affiliates and groups like Hamas. Researching these networks is crucial to understanding their operations and funding sources.

Recent Actions by U.S. Authorities: On September 1, the Justice Department announced the seizure of over $560,000 in cryptocurrency meant for Hamas while taking down fundraising infrastructure. Similar actions earlier in the year charged individuals with raising significant funds under the guise of humanitarian aid for terrorism.

Call to Action: The article urges U.S. President Trump to empower his counterterrorism team to follow the financial trails, map the networks, and coordinate efforts across government agencies and with international partners. The expectation is to pinpoint who raises, receives, and manages the transferred funds.

Identifying Connections: There must be an investigation into whether seemingly unrelated organizations share finance intermediaries or connections that could indicate a larger, hidden network. This involves going beyond surface-level assessments to a thorough examination of organizational connections and financial flows.

Involvement of Various U.S. Agencies: Agencies such as the Treasury, State Department, and FBI have the capabilities to tackle these issues. The National Security Council (NSC) can enhance coordination among them to create a unified strategy.

Global Cooperation: Since the networks span multiple countries, it's suggested that the U.S. enhance collaboration with trusted governments and financial authorities globally to address these issues effectively.

Legal and Charitable Investigations: The article points out the importance of scrutinizing the U.S. charitable and nonprofit sectors for any potential exploitation by terrorist organizations to disguise their funding sources.

The article emphasizes that combating organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood requires more than just knowing they exist; it necessitates an active effort to investigate financial networks, reveal hidden connections, and cut off funding sources. The U.S. has the tools and relationships necessary to tackle this issue effectively, but proactive measures are essential to prevent future attacks. The principle is straightforward: follow the money, map the networks, establish evidence, and eliminate financial support for terrorism.

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22868/muslim-brotherhood-money