Social Justice / Public News Service

While mortality rates for pregnant women have decreased globally, they continue to rise in the United States, with Black women three times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women. (Inez/Adobe Stock)<br />

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Report: Women’s Rights a Canary in Coal Mine for Democracy

By Jennifer Weiss-Wolf for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News …

Nearly 24% of households in Massachusetts reported speaking something other than English at home as their primary shared language, which is higher than the national average of nearly 22%. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 2, 2023

MA Legislation Aims to Improve Language Access for All

Lawmakers and immigrants-rights activists in the Commonwealth are hoping to pass the Language Access and Inclusion Act, which would dramatically …

Protestors at the University of California-Berkeley demonstrate in support of student groups that passed a bylaw pledging not to invite pro-Zionist speakers. (Palestine Legal)

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Palestinian Advocates Praise New Fact Sheet on Religious Discrimination

Groups fighting for Palestinian rights are praising a new fact sheet on religious discrimination from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for …

Projections indicate that by 2030, nearly 40% of all Americans living with Alzheimer's will be Black or Latino. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Black History Month: Shining a Light on Alzheimer's Disparities

With Black History Month underway, Wisconsin researchers and support groups are highlighting the disparities in cases of Alzheimer's disease…

A bill before the New Mexico Legislature would add gender to the list of protected classes in the state Human Rights Act enacted in 1969. (Dmitry/AdobeStock)

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

NM Legislation Would Boost Protections for LGBTQ Students, Others

Legislation to close a loophole that potentially allows discrimination against LGBTQ New Mexicans will be debated by the State Legislature this sessio…

Callers to the newly launched Abortion Legal Hotline at 833-309-6301 can leave specific call-back or messaging instructions and someone will call or message that person back within two to three business days to gather information about the caller's legal questions. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

MA Launches Free Legal Advice Hotline Regarding Abortion Care

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has announced the launch of a new hotline for abortion-care providers and people seeking confidential lega…

Nearly half of all Hispanic-Americans live in counties that frequently violate ground-level ozone standards. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Public Health Benefits of Limiting Oil, Gas Methane Pollution

The public has until February 13th to weigh in on new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce methane pollution at oil and gas…

CA 'Just Safe' Campaign Aims to Redefine Public Safety

Social justice advocates have just launched a new public education campaign. It's called "Just Safe," and it's aimed at changing the conversation …

Facial-recognition technology companies, which originally partnered with law enforcement, are now working with schools and universities to increase safety and prevent shootings by denying campus access to people who have been banned, or to monitor activity inside school buildings. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

MA Bill Would Tighten Restrictions on Facial Recognition Technology

Lawmakers in the Commonwealth are considering legislation to ensure police use of facial-recognition technology also protects people's privacy and civ…

A yearlong study of the use of seclusion and restraint in U.S. schools found that some states track both, some track only the use of restraint, and some track neither. (Adobe Stock)

MO Schools' Seclusion, Restraint Incidents Shared for First Time

Missourians can now see how often their schools use seclusion and restraint to address student behavior. A 2021 law requires that schools report …

According to a University of Minnesota study, transgender women, trans-feminine and visibly gender-nonconforming riders report higher incidences of discrimination and violence when using public transportation. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Partner for 'Safer, More Inclusive' Ride-Share Option

An Arizona LGBTQ+ group has established a partnership with Waymo, the autonomous-driving tech company, to provide what it said will be a safer …

Stigma continues to be one of the biggest barriers for addressing mental health, and telehealth provides a confidential option. (Adobe Stock)

Post-Pandemic Telehealth Visits Remain High for Mental Health

The use of telehealth has dropped since its peak during the height of the COVID-19 public health emergency, but more Coloradans continue to opt for …

Over 41% of people who earn minimum wage or less are in families that earn less than $50,000 per year, and 19% are in families that make less than $30,000 per year, according to the Analysis of Pennsylvania Minimum Wage report. (Fizkes/AdobeStock)

As Other States See Pay Hikes, PA Minimum Wage Stuck at $7.25

Low-wage workers in Pennsylvania are missing out on the pay hikes in 23 other states that took effect this month, when those states raised their …

The U.S. District Court of New Hampshire recently ruled in favor of allowing a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of New Hampshire and teachers' unions against the

NH Businesses, Public School Backers: Repeal 'Divisive Concepts' Law

Advocates for public education in New Hampshire are asking state lawmakers to repeal what's known as the "divisive concepts" law, which educators say …

In 2021, the total cost of the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was around $113 billion. The significant increase from the previous year's total of $79 billion was in large part the result of extra pandemic-related benefits. (Adobe Stock)

IA Lawmakers Propose Severe Restrictions for Food Assistance

A Republican-backed bill in the Iowa Legislature seeks to put strict new limits on which foods people could buy at the grocery store using public-assi…

Senate File 40 aims to hold federal and state political action committees to the same standards. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming Legislature Tackles Election Integrity

Election integrity has emerged as a top concern for Wyoming lawmakers gathered in Cheyenne, but it remains unclear what priorities will emerge from …

According to a VoteCast survey for the Associated Press, 44% of 94,000 voters said the future of democracy was their primary consideration in the last election. (Adobe Stock)

Enhancing Trust in Arizona Elections Post-2022 Midterms

Election watchdog groups are taking a closer look at the 2022 midterms and how they influenced voters' overall trust in the election process in Arizon…

Since 2020, the income of high-net-worth individuals has increased by $2.7 billion per day, while more than 1.7 billion working people have seen their wages decline, according to Oxfam. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Report: Top 1% Income Leaves Working Families Behind During Pandemic

The world's richest 1% took home almost twice as much wealth as the bottom 99 % combined during the pandemic, according to a new Oxfam International …

Last fall, the American Library Association said the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries was on track to exceed record counts from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

ND Enters Fray Surrounding Content Ban for Libraries

North Dakota is expected to see continued debate in the coming weeks over a plan to ban certain items from public libraries. While the plan has its …

Nearly one in five new mothers participating in Wyoming's Medicaid Pregnant Women Program lose their health insurance 60 days after giving birth. (Adobe Stock)

WY Lawmakers Consider Extended Health Coverage for New Moms

New mothers in Wyoming enrolled in the Medicaid Pregnant Women Program lose their health insurance 60 days after giving birth, but a new bill making …

March 8 is Disability Day within the Nevada State Legislature, a day to highlight the realities of Nevadans living with disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

NV Group Sounds Alarm on Integrated Work for Disabled Community

One Nevada group believes the state needs to prioritize integrated employment opportunities for people living with disabilities. The Nevada …

Billionaire wealth has increased by $2.7 billion per day, while more than 1.7 billion people live in countries where their wages, adjusted for inflation, have declined. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Rich Got Richer, Workers Left Behind During Pandemic

The world's richest 1% took home almost twice as much wealth as the bottom 99% combined during the pandemic, according to a new Oxfam International …

Under Colorado's clean air law, major polluters including coal mines are required to obtain and comply with air pollution operating permits. (WildEarth Guardians)

Deadline for State to Act on Coal Mine Air Pollution Permit Back in Court

Environmental groups are headed back to court this Friday in hopes of setting a clear deadline for Gov. Jared Polis' administration to start reining …

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation launched the

National Day of Racial Healing Means Weeklong Events for AR

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s holiday, and tomorrow is the seventh annual National Day of Racial Healing. It's a call to action for racial …

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation offers Racial Healing Conversation Guidelines that include five steps to help facilitate meaningful and impactful conversations. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

"Changing the Narrative" for National Day of Racial Healing

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s holiday, designated as a National Day of Service, and tomorrow, the same spirit carries over to the seventh …

Organizers of the National Day on Racial Healing promote racial equity, which affirms all people, regardless of racial or ethnic group identification, skin color or physical traits, deserve an equal opportunity to experience well-being in a just society. (Thomathzac23/Adobe Stock)

Events Across CA, U.S. to Celebrate National Day of Racial Healing

Tomorrow is the 7th Annual National Day of Racial Healing, which is commemorated every year, always on the day after the Martin Luther King Jr…

A Poor People's Campaign report examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic found the 300+ counties with the highest death rates have a poverty rate of 45%, which is 1.5 times higher than in counties with lower death rates. (PPC)

Advancing MLK’s Dream of Economic Justice in MA

Advocates for low-income workers in the Commonwealth said today is a reminder of the need to continue to advance Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream …

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction was recently awarded $17 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education to help address student mental health needs. (Adobe Stock)

Foundation Funds Grassroots Efforts to Curb NC Racial Disparities

Following the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - honored today for his civil rights work - one organization in North Carolina is finding ways …

Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs) educate more than 3.2 million students every year, according to the USDA. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

NMSU Minority Students Get Boost Toward Ag Careers

Students from underrepresented groups are being recruited by New Mexico State University and California State University-Chico for a new program aimed…

Black renters receive a disproportionate share of eviction filings and experience the highest rates of eviction filings and eviction judgments, according to the publication Sociological Science. (WayhomeStudio/Adobe Stock)

Study: TX Cities Spend More on Police, Less on Community Supports

The five largest cities in Texas are spending far more money on criminal justice than on community services, according to a new study. The Social …

Tallahassee U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has blocked the so-called

Higher Ed Braces for DeSantis Attacks on Unions, 'Trendy Ideology'

If it's "woke," "trendy," or has anything to do with race and diversity, it appears Gov. Ron DeSantis wants no part of it in Florida. From signing …

In the fall of 2020, among four-year universities and community colleges nationwide, male freshmen enrollment declined 1.3%, while female freshmen enrollment fell 3.2%. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming Bucks National Trend of Women Stopping Out of Higher Education

Wyoming has managed to buck a national trend which has seen female students opting out of college at more than twice the rate of males since 2020…

Approval of labor unions is at its highest point since 1965, according to a Gallup poll conducted in August 2022. (Nelos/AdobeStock)

Microsoft Video Game Studios in Texas, Maryland Vote to Unionize

For decades, many in the video game industry have objected to low pay, poor working conditions and discrimination. Now, some people at Microsoft - …

One billion people currently need assistive technology products, and more than two billion people around the world are expected to need at least one assistive technology product by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. (Adobe Stock)

Americans With Disabilities Act Website Gets User-Friendly Upgrades

The Americans with Disabilities Act website has gotten a makeover, with updated navigation tools and easy-to-find answers to common questions on …

One of Sen. Anthony Kern's bills also sets more specific zoning requirements where drag shows can take place. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Senators Aim to Restrict Drag Shows with New Bills

Two Republican Arizona state senators have kicked off the new legislative session wanting to limit and restrict drag shows. State Sen. Anthony Kern…

Minnesota has always been among the states with high voter turnout, but Democratic leaders say democracy concerns on a larger scale are prompting them to pursue legislation to increase access to the polls. (Adobe Stock)

MN Part of Push to Expand Access to Voting

State legislatures across the country have reconvened, with many expected to take up election policy, including Minnesota. At the state Capitol…

On Wednesday, tenants' rights groups urged the Los Angeles City Council to act before current protections expire on Jan. 31. (Agueda Dudley-Berrios/Community Power Collective)

Rise in Evictions Expected Feb. 1 as L.A. Protections Expire

By Jaisal Noor for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

Virginia law says all state agencies and institutions need to take

VA Bill Would Ban Withholding Student Transcripts for Debt Collection

As the Virginia General Assembly begins its new legislative session, one bill will be returning - with the goal of alleviating some student-debt …

One of the provisions in a proposed Minnesota bill to restore driving privileges to undocumented people is data protection, so that agencies wouldn't be able to share a person's immigration status. (Adobe Stock)

MN Debates Drivers' Licenses for Undocumented People

It's been two decades since Minnesota stopped allowing undocumented people to apply for a driver's license. But there's renewed momentum in the …

New Mexico has provided benefits to same-sex partners of state employees since 2003. (LeonardoBorges/AdobeStock)

Equality NM Celebrates 30 Years of Transformation for LGBTQ+ Community

Equality New Mexico will advocate for new LGBTQ protections during this year's legislative session as it celebrates 30 years as a leading advocacy org…

Shop For Care helps consumers make informed decisions on where to access services such as x-rays, MRIs, CT scans and other major services and procedures such as cataract surgeries, deliveries and knee replacements. (Adobe Stock)

Removing Healthcare Language Barriers for Spanish-Speaking Coloradans

Colorado's Spanish-speaking communities can now access comprehensive pricing information for health-care services through a new Spanish portal in the …

Raising the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour for all workers, including<br />tipped workers, would reduce the poverty level in New Hampshire to 2%, a 75% reduction in the state poverty level, according to One Fair Wage. (Adobe Stock)

NH Minimum Wage Called 'Out of Step' with Rest of New England, U.S.

Despite minimum-wage increases throughout New England in the new year, New Hampshire continues to match the federal rate of $7.25 an hour, forcing …

Midterm voter turnout declined in Ohio from around 55% in 2018 to around 51.1% in 2022, according to data from the Ohio Secretary of State's Office. (Adobe Stock)">

Ohio Governor Signs Citizenship-Status Voter ID Bill

In a few months, Ohio voters will no longer be allowed to vote with utility bills or other non-photo documents as proof of identification, when a new …

The Sales and Use tax in the Natural State has stayed the same, at 6.5%, since 2013, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. (Zimmytws/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Analysis: The Longer-Term Effects of AR's Lower Tax Rates

Arkansans will owe the state fewer tax dollars this year, due to tax cuts that have just gone into effect. The General Assembly met for some special …

Iowa Takes Aim at Human Trafficking

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Iowa is working to address the problem by educating businesses about the potential signs and dangers…

Members of MAPA's Raytheon Antiwar Campaign have participated in dozens of demonstrations at Raytheon facilities, as well as campus career fairs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Northeastern University, where Raytheon works to recruit a new generation of weapons analysts and engineers. (MAPA)

MA Activists Campaign to End Raytheon Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia

Anti-war activists say one of the world's greatest humanitarian disasters has connections to one of the Commonwealth's largest employers, Raytheon …

One of the priorities on this year's list is that the Arizona Legislature and Gov. Katie Hobbs ensure access to free and fair elections for all. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Release 2023 Environmental Priorities for AZ Legislature

Arizona conservation, climate, faith and community groups have released a list of top environmental priorities they want state lawmakers to take up …

The number of families with children experiencing homelessness declined by 6% between 2020 and 2022, marking a total decline of 36% since 2010, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (AdobeStock)

Report: 2022 a Mixed Bag on Homelessness as "All In" Program Launches

Volunteers will fan out across New Mexico cities this month for the annual "point-in-time" count of the unhoused, even as a new program launches …

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Social Justice

Report: Women’s Rights a Canary in Coal Mine for Democracy

MA Legislation Aims to Improve Language Access for All

Palestinian Advocates Praise New Fact Sheet on Religious Discrimination

Black History Month: Shining a Light on Alzheimer's Disparities

NM Legislation Would Boost Protections for LGBTQ Students, Others

MA Launches Free Legal Advice Hotline Regarding Abortion Care

Public Health Benefits of Limiting Oil, Gas Methane Pollution

CA 'Just Safe' Campaign Aims to Redefine Public Safety

MA Bill Would Tighten Restrictions on Facial Recognition Technology

MO Schools' Seclusion, Restraint Incidents Shared for First Time

Groups Partner for 'Safer, More Inclusive' Ride-Share Option

Post-Pandemic Telehealth Visits Remain High for Mental Health

As Other States See Pay Hikes, PA Minimum Wage Stuck at $7.25

NH Businesses, Public School Backers: Repeal 'Divisive Concepts' Law

IA Lawmakers Propose Severe Restrictions for Food Assistance

Wyoming Legislature Tackles Election Integrity

Enhancing Trust in Arizona Elections Post-2022 Midterms

Report: Top 1% Income Leaves Working Families Behind During Pandemic

ND Enters Fray Surrounding Content Ban for Libraries

WY Lawmakers Consider Extended Health Coverage for New Moms

NV Group Sounds Alarm on Integrated Work for Disabled Community

Report: Rich Got Richer, Workers Left Behind During Pandemic

Deadline for State to Act on Coal Mine Air Pollution Permit Back in Court

National Day of Racial Healing Means Weeklong Events for AR

"Changing the Narrative" for National Day of Racial Healing

Events Across CA, U.S. to Celebrate National Day of Racial Healing

Advancing MLK’s Dream of Economic Justice in MA

Foundation Funds Grassroots Efforts to Curb NC Racial Disparities

NMSU Minority Students Get Boost Toward Ag Careers

Study: TX Cities Spend More on Police, Less on Community Supports

Higher Ed Braces for DeSantis Attacks on Unions, 'Trendy Ideology'

Wyoming Bucks National Trend of Women Stopping Out of Higher Education

Microsoft Video Game Studios in Texas, Maryland Vote to Unionize

Americans With Disabilities Act Website Gets User-Friendly Upgrades

AZ Senators Aim to Restrict Drag Shows with New Bills

MN Part of Push to Expand Access to Voting

Rise in Evictions Expected Feb. 1 as L.A. Protections Expire

VA Bill Would Ban Withholding Student Transcripts for Debt Collection

MN Debates Drivers' Licenses for Undocumented People

Equality NM Celebrates 30 Years of Transformation for LGBTQ+ Community

Removing Healthcare Language Barriers for Spanish-Speaking Coloradans

NH Minimum Wage Called 'Out of Step' with Rest of New England, U.S.

Ohio Governor Signs Citizenship-Status Voter ID Bill

Analysis: The Longer-Term Effects of AR's Lower Tax Rates

Iowa Takes Aim at Human Trafficking

MA Activists Campaign to End Raytheon Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia

Groups Release 2023 Environmental Priorities for AZ Legislature

Report: 2022 a Mixed Bag on Homelessness as "All In" Program Launches