'Ghost students' take University of Montana for more than $650K

By DARRELL EHRLICK | Editor-in-Chief

“We calculated we saved about $400 million from falling into the hands of fraudsters in just those four months since the new technology went into effect,” – James Bergeron, deputy undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Education, on new safeguards put in place after a nationwide fraud scheme which included targeting the University of Montana.

Fraudsters hit Missoula College in national financial aid ‘ghost student’ scheme

by Keila Szpaller

A fraudulent enrollment scheme drained $673,745 in federal money from the University of Montana’s Missoula College in 2025, according to a new report from the Legislative Audit Division. The report says UM returned all the money to the federal government in the 2026 fiscal year, and the university’s net cash loss was $377,937. UM Vice […]

FDA acknowledges estrogen patch shortage, says it’s working to increase supply

by Kelcie Moseley-Morris

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it’s helping manufacturers increase the supply of estrogen-based hormonal patches and acknowledged a current nationwide shortage as more women seek hormonal therapies for symptoms related to menopause. In a release earlier this month, the FDA said it is expediting actions to increase supply, and said all six manufacturers […]

White House yanks nominee to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement

by Ariana Figueroa

WASHINGTON — The White House Thursday withdrew the nomination of Richard “Lance” Schroyer to lead the agency the president tasked with carrying out his mass deportation campaign, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, had yet to have his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. […]

COMMENTARY

How the American revolt against Flock cameras mirrors the Boston Tea Party of 1773 | The Conversation

Labor unions are growing, but where depends on state politics

With McConnell back, Senate ag committee advances farm bill on party lines

States, cities sue Trump administration over new green card restrictions

Trump admin aims to shift homelessness grants toward addiction treatment, enforcement

GOOD READS

Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall

Tennessee Democrat to propose a bill to ban corporations from political spending | Tennessee Lookout

Trump administration moves to gut a core Endangered Species Act protection | The New York Times

For decades, scientist thought an ‘American Cheetah’ once roamed North America. Turns out the extinct cat wasn’t a cheetah. | Smithsonian Magazine.

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