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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

“Lake Invaders” Taking Over WI Waterways – Can Congress “Zap” Them?

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007   

Washington, DC – Invasive species are damaging Wisconsin rivers, lakes, and having a devastating impact on the entire Great Lakes watershed. Damage estimates range as high as $5 billion per year, and that has prompted a U.S. Senate committee to consider a plan this week to regulate ballast-water dumping from ships. Experts say ballasts of oceangoing ships are the hiding places from which invasive species most often "hitchhike" into American waterways. Corry Westbrook with the National Wildlife Federation says action is long overdue.

"Every day that we do not pass strong ballast water legislation, another invasive species could be moving in, so this legislation is important for the state of Wisconsin."

She notes there is a critical downside to the Senate's plan, however. It would effectively replace current state laws with a federal mandate -- but does not include a method for enforcing the federal law. Michigan has already passed a ballast-water dumping law; Wisconsin has proposed its own such law. Westbrook says some important changes must happen, and soon, in order to stop invasive species in their tracks by 2020.

"As it is right now, the bill on paper is nice. But without enforcement or the ability to ensure that everything the bill says it's going to do actually happens, it has no teeth."





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