More than half of the childcare providers in Missouri are scrambling after the federal government paused payments to the state without warning.

Rumors about new stimulus checks, IRS direct deposits, relief payments and tariff dividends swirled throughout 2025, and they’re continuing to circulate as we head into 2026. But is there any truth to them?

Some Minnesota families are in danger of losing child care after the US Department of Health and Human Services announced a freeze on child care payments to the state Tuesday amid a federal investigation into allegations of fraud,