According to new data released from the US Census Bureau on Dec 21st, California led the nation in the most population loss in 2021, after years of increase. The other top two states for population loss last year were Illinois and New York. In contrast, Florida and Texas topped the Census list of states with population gains between 2020 and 2021. States' varied responses to the coronavirus have likely influenced this population shift.

People are moving from states like California, Illinois, and New York which had, and continue to have, some the most restrictive coronavirus policies, and are heading to freer and more open states.

Bretigne Shaffer is one of the many people who has left California for more freedom and opportunity elsewhere. She talks about her family's decision, and what she thinks of her new home, in this episode.

Follow Bretigne at Bretigne.com

Learn more about the Freogan Fellowship at Freoganfellowship.org

Listen to Bretigne's podcast, What Then Must We Do?

Read the FEE article, "I Was Fired From My Teaching Job for Refusing to Get Vaccinated. Here's How I Prepared," by Joshua Mawhorter

Read the FEE article, "New York, California, and Illinois Saw Historic Population Drops in 2021," by Peter Jacobsen.