For those chasing the American dream, a new study has some insightful information about what it takes to attain it – along with data that might determine the best states to set down roots.

Declining marriages and broken families are crippling predominantly blue states, while red states thrive with better economic mobility, education and lower crime, according to a 2026 Family Structure Index released Tuesday by the Ohio-based Center for Christian Virtue.

In partnership with the Institute for Family Studies, the report examined three core factors: marriage rates, family stability and fertility rates. It also tracked cost of living, religious participation, family instability, and education levels, finding wide gaps across states that affect the “health and attainability of the American Dream.”

“This report should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and community leaders across the country,” CCV President Aaron Baer told Fox News Digital.

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A 2026 report by the Center for Christian Virtue and Institute for Family Studies compares red and blue states on family stability. (iStock)

Baer added that government programs alone “can’t replace strong families.”

“No amount of paid family leave, childcare subsidies, or social experimentation will rebuild the foundation that families provide,” he said. “If those policies were enough, states like California and New York would be leading the way. The data show otherwise. If we’re serious about reducing poverty and expanding opportunity, we need to strengthen the institutions that have always made America strong: faith, family, and economic freedom.”

The report finds that only 1 in 3 Americans believe in the American Dream.

The index clearly shows geographic divides. Red states like Utah rank first in family stability, while blue states like New Mexico trail behind.

Rocky Mountain and Great Plains states generally have higher marriage and fertility rates, according to the report.

Behind Utah, the rest of the top 5 states for family stability were Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota. 

The bottom five states: Vermont, Nevada, Louisiana, Rhode Island, and New Mexico.

These differences are now impacting where people choose to live, according to the report.

South Carolina, for example, has seen marriage rates rise and its ranking on this list improve; while Hawaii has fallen as marriage rates decline and housing costs remain high.

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As these pressures grow, more Americans are leaving high-cost blue states for more affordable red states.

“Strong families are the foundation of a healthy society,” Baer said in a press release. “This report shows that when family structure weakens, the effects ripple outward to our schools, our communities and our economy. But it also makes clear that this is not inevitable. There is a solution and a path forward.”

Notably, the report highlights a clear link between family structure and economic outcomes. 

States with more married parents saw lower child poverty rates, better educational outcomes, less crime and stronger economies, while those with higher shares of single-parent households face long-term challenges.

Other contributing factors also emerged. 

States with higher religious participation saw higher birth rates, while expensive housing markets are tied to lower fertility rates, according to the report. Education also plays a role as more college-educated adults are more likely to form stable families due to economic security.

Since 2000, the national index score has dropped from 100 to 87.3, signaling a decline in family structure, the report added. While marriage rates have stabilized in recent years, fertility rates continue to fall and pose lasting constraints for future generations.

However, these trends do vary across both red and blue states, according to a CCV spokesperson, who said the report “also underscores that these trends are not confined to any one region or political ideology.”

The findings have prompted calls for policy changes focusing on strengthening families and economic conditions.

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A 2026 Family Structure Index report finds red states outperform blue states in family stability, economic mobility, and education. (iStock)

“The lesson going forward is clear,” Baer said. “Red and blue states alike should advance policies that make housing more affordable, ensure good-paying jobs are within reach, keep taxes low, and expand access to quality education.”

Baer added this comes down to the impact of stable households. 

Stable two-parent homes are linked to higher college graduation rates and a better shot at reaching the middle class, the report said. Married adults are also about 80% less likely to live in poverty than single adults.

“Family structure is one of the strongest predictors we have for whether children and communities are thriving,” University of Virginia sociology professor and lead researcher Brad Wilcox said in a press release. “States that are doing well in this area have markedly lower levels of child poverty, as well as higher rates of economic mobility and homeownership.”

For many, economic realities have continued to fuel skepticism about the American Dream. Since 1980, fewer adults ages 25 to 54 have been able to buy homes, and only about 50% of those born in the 1980s earn more than their parents—down from 90% among those born in the 1940s.

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Marriage rates fell sharply from 2000 to 2010, followed by a 17% drop over the next decade, as “upward mobility has been cut nearly in half over two generations,” the report said.

“This isn’t just about statistics,” Baer said. “It’s about real children and real futures. If we want to see our nation thrive, we have to be serious about strengthening marriage and supporting families in every community.”

The Court of International Trade on Friday appeared skeptical of President Donald Trump‘s use of a little-known emergency trade law to justify his sweeping, 10% global tariffs — teeing up a familiar, if technically new, legal fight focused on when and how a sitting president can act to unilaterally impose steep import fees on most U.S. trading partners.

During nearly two hours of arguments, a three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of International Trade grappled with Trump’s use of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 — an emergency provision designed to address “large and serious” balance-of-payments problems — and its applicability in today’s economy.

Under Section 122, a president has the authority to unilaterally impose import fees of up to 15% on U.S. trading partners for a period of 150 days, to respond to large and serious “balance of payments deficits,” or instances that risk immediately depreciating the power of the dollar.  

Arguments before the court hinged on interpretation of the “balance of payments deficits” phrase, and whether the persistent U.S. trade deficits cited by Trump in invoking Section 122 aligned with the kind of crisis that Congress had envisioned when it passed the trade law in the mid-1970s. 

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A protester holds a sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Members of the three-judge panel appeared skeptical of the Trump administration’s arguments, and questioned whether Congress intended the statute to apply to specific instances of international currency pressures, rather than long-running trade imbalances.

“Are you really saying that a large trade deficit alone is sufficient?” the judge asked Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate, adding, “I don’t think it is, and I think Congress didn’t think it is.”

Congress, Shumate argued, had provided presidents with broad discretion to assess economic conditions, and to identify what “balance of power” deficits warrant emergency intervention. 

Shumate also ticked through a list of other economic indicators Trump cited in his proclamation — including the current account deficit, and the “net international investment” position, among other things.

“The important point,” Shumate said, “is that Congress provided the president [with] discretion.”

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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The arguments come weeks after a group of 24 attorneys general sued the administration over Trump’s use of Section 122, arguing that the move was an illegal attempt to “sidestep” the Supreme Court’s ruling in February that blocked Trump’s use of an emergency economic powers law to unilaterally impose his so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs. 

Shumate said Friday that both authorities — IEEPA and Section 122 — were available to Trump, and told the court that Trump could have invoked Section 122 earlier.

Lawyers for the challenges told the court Friday that upholding the administration’s broader view of the law would effectively turn Section 122 into an all-purpose trade weapon. 

TRUMP TARIFF PLAN FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE AS COURT BATTLES INTENSIFY

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on March 28, 2025, in New York City.  (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Jeffrey Schwab, a lawyer representing one set of challengers in Friday’s case, said the government’s theory was “very, very, very broad,” adding that it could allow the president to act “at any point, at any moment that he wants, forever.”

Trump is the first president to attempt to use both IEEPA and Section 122 to unilaterally impose tariffs. 

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The case is seen broadly as one that could help define the outer bounds of presidential tariff authority.

If nothing else, the novelty of both cases, and the skepticism on display by the trade court Friday suggests the new Section 122 tariffs might follow a legal fight that is similar to his first.

Calgary police have charged two men with dozens of offences following an investigation into a series of break and enters targeting local businesses.

Investigators say that seven break-ins took place between Jan. 3 and Jan. 21, targeting gaming, electronics and liquidation stores throughout Calgary.

During the incidents, the offenders smashed the front doors of the stores, causing significant damage and stole a variety of items, including gaming cards, electronics and knives.

The total loss, including the property damage and value of the stolen items, was estimated to be about $30,000.

On Feb. 11, officers executed a search warrant on a residence located in the 1400 block of 42 Street N.E. and seized a large quantity of items, including:

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•  Three firearms, including a prohibited handgun, a sawed-off shotgun and a rifle
•  An extended magazine
•  A taser
•  $35,000 worth of drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and psilocybin
•  Three stolen vehicles
•  Three stolen bicycles
•  A stolen licence plate
• A large quantity of gaming cards
•  31 stolen government-issued identification documents
•  Multiple vehicle keys and devices used to duplicate key fobs
• Devices used to create fraudulent documents

Two Calgary men were arrested.

A 38-year-old man faces a total of 49 charges, including hazardous storage of a firearm, possession of a restricted weapon, possession of a restricted weapon with readily available ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property, break-and-enter, disguise with intent, possession of identity documents and failing to comply with conditions of a release order.

He is scheduled to appear in court on April. 17, 2026.

The second suspect, a 37-year-old man, is charged with 18 offences, including break and enter, disguise with intent and failing to comply with conditions of an undertaking.

His next court date is scheduled for April 13, 2026.

Calgary police said, in addition to holding the accused accountable for a series of break and enters that caused substantial loss and disruption to the businesses, investigators were able to remove some dangerous weapons off the street.

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Up to 200K stolen as Calgary jewelry store hit by targeted smash-and-grab

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It was an historic night for the Calgary Stampede.

The Stampede canvas auction raised a record amount for the drivers in this year’s Rangeland Derby.

Sponsors paid a combined total of $6,075,000 to win the opportunity to showcase their brand on a driver’s chuckwagon canvas throughout this year’s Calgary Stampede, smashing the previous record of $4,015.000, which was set in 2012.

Chuckwagon driver Rae Croteau Jr., one of 27 drivers whose canvas was up for auction, also garnered a new record bid for a single canvas at $550,000 from Bar L5 Ranch, in Aldersyde — nearly doubling the previous record high bid of $300,000 for a single canvas.

“It’s a shocker,” said Croteau Jr. “It means it’s time to win. I’m a competitive person. I didn’t think we were gonna go for that much. So I’m still vibrating from it. We love it. That’s why we’re here.”

“This kind of support sets you up for the year. It’s not just the races, it’s the off-season too — buying horses, building depth, sourcing feed — it even helps get the kids to hockey in the winter,” Croteau Jr. added.

“Maybe companies are making choices not to put people on planes and take them to an event in the U.S. to go watch a hockey game, and they’re saying we wanna do it here. We wanna show people what we have and why we’re so proud of it,” said Heidi Lindgren, who, along with her husband Darren, made the winning bid.

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“The energy in that room was palpable,” said Stuart O’Connor, chair of the Calgary Stampede. “Everybody got behind the bidding — and I hope (it) is a precursor for what’s coming down this summer. We are absolutely thrilled.”

“There were eight new bidders and you know that again is a reflection of the support for chuckwagon racing and to be able to bring in those eight new bidders and actually win is phenomenal,” O’Connor added.

7:46
The Calgary Stampede’s cultural significance

For many Calgarians, the canvas auction is also considered a bellwether of the health of the local economy.

“There’s economic uncertainty, but we also know that oil prices have spiked here recently as a result of world events,” said Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede.

“Last year we had $3.8 million total, so yesterday, I would have said if we can just get close to that, that would be fantastic. So to surpass $6 million is just absolutely incredible.”

This year’s Calgary Stampede takes place from July 3 to 12.

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2025 Calgary Stampede narrowly misses attendance record

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Canada added 14,000 jobs in March, but the country’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.7 per cent, Statistics Canada said Friday.

While the employment was “little changed” last month, it comes on the back of a loss of 84,000 jobs in February, which raised the unemployment rate from 6.5 per cent to 6.7 per cent.

Job growth was led by a category the agency calls “other services,” which includes repair and maintenance work in the economy, as well as the professional, scientific and technical services and natural resources industries.

Canada’s natural resources sector saw a three per cent increase, adding 10,000 new jobs. Nearly half of those jobs came from Alberta alone.

The tariff-sensitive manufacturing industry eked out a few thousand job gains in March, while the finance, insurance, real estate and leasing sector led last month’s losses.

While employment in health care was little changed compared with last month, the sector added 94,000 new jobs compared with the same time last year. Over the same period, Canada shed 44,000 manufacturing jobs.

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Canadians earned higher hourly wages in March compared with the same time last year, with average hourly wages rising 4.7 per cent — a jump from 3.9 per cent in February and the fastest pace in 18 months.

2:44
Canada lost 84,000 jobs in February as unemployment rate ticked up, Statistics Canada reports

The unemployment rate was steady across age groups.

For people in the “core working age” group – ages 25 to 54 – the unemployment rate was largely unchanged at 5.8 per cent.

While youth unemployment rose 1.3 percentage points in February, to 13.8 per cent, it was unchanged for youth between the ages of 15 and 24. The figure was below the recent high of 14.6 per cent recorded in September 2025.

For Canadians over 55, the unemployment rate was 4.9 per cent in March.

Canada’s economy “still faces headwinds” in the future, RBC economist Nathan Janzen said in a note Friday.

“Trade uncertainty remains ahead of negotiations to extend CUSMA this summer, and higher energy prices are cutting into household purchasing power,” Janzen said.

— with files from The Canadian Press

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One of the largest annual gatherings of Canada’s forestry sector is underway in B.C. and perhaps, not surprisingly, Aboriginal title and the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, or DRIPA, are top of mind for many.

More than 600 industry, government and First Nations representatives are discussing the issues facing B.C.’s struggling forest industry.

Terry Teegee, the Regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, gave the keynote speech at the conference. He once again offered reassurances that, while First Nations leaders reject any changes to DRIPA, this does not threaten private property.

“Private property is private property,” Teegee said.

“No First Nations want anything to do with private property. Rather, negotiations need to be had with this provincial government in regard to title. At the core of this commitment is free, prior, and informed consent.

“These are not barriers to development. They are the conditions that allow development to proceed in a way that holds value for generations to come. When the approach is consistent, it supports stability across the sector.”

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Teegee told the conference that DRIPA should be fully implemented to allow for predictability and sustainability of forestry, mining and other resource industries.

2:05
BC proposes suspending parts of DRIPA

On Thursday, the First Nations Leadership Council said B.C. Premier David Eby has “broken the trust” built between his late predecessor, John Horgan, and First Nations.

The scathing response comes after Eby sent a letter to Indigenous leaders on Wednesday, saying he regrets not having more time in the legislative calendar to talk about the government’s plans to suspend sections of DRIPA, which has created political and legal friction.

In its statement, the leadership council says the suspension has been “falsely framed” by Eby as “a compromise and an accommodation,” saying its effect is the same as amending the legislation, which First Nations have previously opposed.

Also on Thursday, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada said the federal government needs to take a stand to protect private property rights.

Pierre Poilievre laid out a four-point plan that Conservatives want to see implemented.

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Affordability continues to be on the minds of many Canadians. High gas prices for drivers also remains a factor, which is why some looking for a new ride are giving electric vehicles another look.

“Safety features are number one,” said Roxanne Forsyth. She and her husband attended the Edmonton Auto Experience show on Thursday in search of a new vehicle. “Comfort, of course and better gas mileage.

“Maybe a hybrid or some sort of electric.”

Enthusiasm for EVs appears to be growing. According to statistics from Alberta Transportation, 19, 863 electric vehicles were registered in the province in 2025 — compared to just 3,527 in 2021.

Hybrid models were also up – 84,564 registered in 2025.

These numbers, however, pale in comparison to vehicles with a traditional internal combustion engine: Alberta saw over three million of those registered last year.

Questions surrounding range and reliability made up the bulk of those asked of the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta.

President Andrew Bastiuk and his team worked to dispel any of those concerns.

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“One of the challenges was there was very few manufacturers, and those manufacturers made a couple of body styles,” Bastiuk said.

“Now almost every manufacturer has multiple body styles so most people’s needs can be met.”

1:54
GM EV announcement a ‘symbolic’ start to shift in auto sector

Bastiuk said technology has come a long way from when EVs first hit the market. Batteries have longer range and can better withstand cold Alberta winters. But, there are still improvements needed in terms of infrastructure in the province.

“Going north can be a little challenging,” Bastiuk said. “Grande Prairie is now covered, Fort McMurray is not yet covered.

“It’s coming but for those that need to do that commute, that’s not currently a great option for an electric vehicle.”

Curious drivers also had the opportunity to test drive an EV outside the Edmonton Expo Center.

Aakash Jhaveri, national engagement manager for Plug N’ Drive, said more than 50 per cent of Canadians have never been behind the wheel of an electric vehicle.

“If you want to work on EV adoption, we need to get people into these cars, need to get them to experience them and the product will do the talking themselves, but people don’t always have that opportunity.” said Jhaveri.

Jhaveri believes renewed federal EV and hybrid vehicle incentives will also help to drive sales. Eligible EVs can receive up to $5,000.

“There’s a lot more interest.”

2:03
Experts hope federal EV policies will spur Alberta adoption

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With the deadline to file taxes a week away, a record number of voters say their taxes are too high, according to the latest Fox News Poll. They are also bothered by the rich not paying their fair share and how the government uses their money. In addition, three-quarters feel government spending is wasteful — up almost 20 points since last year.

Last year, 57% said a great deal (44%) or almost all (13%) of government spending was inefficient; now that’s up 18 points, with 75% feeling that way (53% a great deal, 22% almost all).

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The increase in those thinking spending is wasteful is seen among most demographics, with the biggest bumps among Democrats and independents. Three-quarters of Republicans think government spending is wasteful, down from more than 8 in 10 in March 2025.

Voters are also down on how the Trump administration has handled identifying and cutting wasteful government spending, with nearly two-thirds, 64%, calling their efforts only fair (20%) or poor (44%), up from 56% last March (13% only fair, 43% poor).

While there is broad bipartisan agreement that a significant share of government spending is wasteful and inefficient — with roughly three-quarters of Democrats, Republicans, and independents saying so — a sharp partisan divide emerges on the Trump administration’s handling of identifying and cutting that waste: nearly all Democrats (90%) and a large majority of independents (80%) say it is not doing a good job, while 7-in-10 Republicans (69%) give it a positive rating.

A record 70% of voters think the taxes they pay are too high — up 11 points from last March and surpassing the previous high of 64% in March 2024. It also marks the largest year-over-year increase since the question was first asked in 2004, when 51% felt taxes were too high. A majority of voters have consistently said their tax burden is too much.

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Compared to last year, groups showing the highest increase in concern over how much they are paying include voters with graduate degrees (+24 points since 2025), very liberal voters (+20), Democratic men (+19), moderates (+19), rural voters (+17), White voters without a college degree (+16), and women ages 45+ (+16).

What bothers people most about federal income taxes is the wealthy are not paying enough (38%), although that figure has dipped slightly from last year’s record high of 45%. Close behind is concern about how the government spends their tax dollars, up 3 points from a year ago to 29%.

Other irritations are the amount of taxes paid (14%), feeling too many people don’t pay enough (10%), and the complexity of the system (9%).

Democrats (57%) and independents (40%) are the most concerned about the rich not paying enough, while Republicans’ biggest issue is the amount the government uses (39%).

“The data show why Democrats persistently frame budget, spending, and tax policy questions as a matter of the rich paying their fair share,” says Republican Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News survey with Democrat Chris Anderson. “It’s one of the only ways the party is competitive on these issues given public skepticism about government performance.”

Disapproval of how President Trump is handling taxes has reached a record high of 64%, up 11 points from a year ago.

Dissatisfaction is up across the board, including among Democrats (+9 points disapproving since April 2025), independents (+14) and Republicans (+9).

One more thing…

AI use is on the rise, but not for tax prep.

Nearly 9 in 10 voters (87%) say they are not using AI to help with their taxes this year, while roughly 1 in 10 (13%) say they will or already have. Those most likely to say they will use AI are Republicans under age 45 (29%), voters under 30 (23%), Hispanic voters (21%), Black voters (20%), and employed voters (19%).

Conducted March 20-23, 2026, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,001 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (104) and cellphones (641) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (256). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education and area variables to ensure the demographics are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data.