Mom News 6/26: What You Need to Know

Samantha Hall
Jun 26
3 min read

News for moms who hate the news.I’m Sam, just a mom, certified matrescence educator, and motherhood advocate. I used to avoid the news because it felt overwhelming and heavy. But I’ve found power in being informed and I want to help you own that too.

Because if knowledge is power, then moms deserve all of it.

1. EPA Rolling Back 30+ Pollution Rules (and Reviewing Asbestos Ban)

What’s happening: The EPA, under Trump’s 2025 administration, announced rollbacks of over 30 major air and water pollution rules from the Biden era including a review of the chrysotile asbestos ban, the only type still legal in the U.S. abcnews.go.com +3apnews.com +3fox9.com +3
Why it matters: These protections have lowered soot, mercury, and lead levels preventing ~30,000 premature deaths annually and saving ~$275 billion a year. That’s a far cry from the ~$1 billion in compliance costs the EPA cites.
Expert warning: Christine Todd Whitman, former EPA admin, calls the move “endangering all of our lives- ours, our children, our grandchildren.”herecharleston.com
Serious concern: Health advocates say asbestos kills tens of thousands each year; reconsidering the ban over 30 months could weaken protections.apnews.com +6apnews.com +6fox9.com +6

2. Iowa’s Nitrate Crisis & Lawn-Watering Ban

The scoop: Nitrate levels in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers remain above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L, recently peaking at 14.39 mg/L and 14.04 mg/L, respectively.kcci.com +9kcci.com +9apnews.com +9
They got it...sort of: Treatment plants reduce nitrate to about 8.1 mg/L, keeping the water currently safe, thanks to a lawn-watering ban in place for 66 days.kcci.com +6kcci.com +6kcci.com +6
Why it’s risky: High nitrates can harm developing babies, potentially causing low birth weight, preterm birth, or “blue baby syndrome,” prompting the 10 mg/L cap back in 1992.kcci.com +3kcci.com +3kcci.com +3
What triggered this: Heavy spring/summer rainfall plus farm fertilizer runoff spike nitrate levels. Forecasts predict levels may spike further with more rain.apnews.com +1kcci.com +1
Why moms should care: Water’s not broken, yet, but it’s a warning. Infrastructure and current treatment are coping, but if ag pollution isn't addressed, this becomes a chronic hazard.

3. SC Rep. RJ May Arrested on Child P*rn Charges

What’s happened: On June 10, 2025, Republican SC Rep. RJ May was hit with 10 federal counts for distributing child pornography, after Kik alerted authorities in April 2024 about the account joebidennnn69.newsweek.com +5newsweek.com +5axios.com +5justice.gov +10ground.news +10nypost.com +10
Scope of the case: Investigators say at least 265 videos were involved; May deleted apps like Kik, Telegram, Mega before his arrest.ground.news +1nypost.com +1
Legal fallout: He pled not guilty, faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine. Speaker Smith placed him on unpaid suspension, and he's likely to lose his seat if convicted.ground.news

4. New Mexico Offers Free Childcare and Lifts 120,000 Families Out of Poverty

What’s new: As of April 11, 2025, New Mexico became the first U.S. state to offer free childcare to a majority of families earning up to 400% of the poverty level (~$124k for a family of four).
How they did it: A $300 million Early Childhood Trust Fund, funded by oil/gas revenue, plus subsidy rates that reflect real caregiving costs; base pay rose to $15/hr with plans to bump to $18/hr.theguardian.com
Outcome: Child poverty dropped from 17.1% to 10.9%—lifting 120,000 people above the supplemental poverty line—without raising wages.nmececd.org +2theguardian.com +2reddit.com +2
Momentum continues: In the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers added another $170 million in early education funding—a 21.6% increase.

What You Can Do

Issue	Mom Action
EPA Rollbacks	Speak up—call or write your reps asking for full protection of air/water safety laws.
Iowa Water	Push local leaders for agricultural runoff plans and long-term infrastructure solutions.
SC Rep. May Case	Stay alert about who represents your family’s values—and vote accordingly.
Childcare Reform	Use New Mexico’s success as evidence in your state or community that investing in moms works.

Thanks for reading, moms.

This isn’t fluff, it’s news that matters to your family, your health, and your power. Share it with a friend who’s ready to be informed (thank you), and stay tuned—next week's drop is already brewing.

And, of course, follow me over at TikTok @welcome-mama for more context, links, and daily mama empowerment.