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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Could Zuckerberg’s Paternity Leave Affect NY's Paid Leave Efforts?

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Monday, November 30, 2015   

NEW YORK - News of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's upcoming two-month paternity leave sheds a new national spotlight on the issue of paid family leave.

It also comes at a time when advocacy groups in New York and several other states are pushing legislation for paid family and medical leave. Eric Williams, state campaign director of the New York Paid Leave Coalition, says Zuckerberg's announcement could help change the stigma that is sometimes associated with paid leave, and encourage more equitable work environments.

"It's important for men and women in the workplace being valued the same," says Williams. "If both men and women are taking paid family leave, it's good for pay equity between men and women, because there's no longer a class of people - in this case men - who are not taking paid family leave, getting an advantage for staying in the workplace."

Marcy Safyer, director of the Adelphi Institute for Parenting, says Zuckerberg's announcement sends the message to other working parents and policymakers that this is something every parent should have the opportunity to do.

"I think it's sort of an acknowledgement that this is something that, in the best of all worlds, we would want fathers or second parents in the household to be able to do, because it's a time when it's important to build a solid foundation for babies," says Safyer.

New York is one of five states with a disability insurance program, but it covers only some paid maternity leave for women in the state. Proposals for paid family leave include time off for births or adoptions, as well as caring for family members with a serious illness or disability.


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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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