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Federal inquiry traces payments from Gaetz to women; a new Florida-Puerto Rico partnership poised to transform higher-ed landscape; MT joins Tribes to target Canadian mining pollution; Heart health plummets in rural SD and nationwide; CO working families would pay more under Trump tax proposals.

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Transgender rights in Congress, a historic win for Utah's youngest elected official, scrutiny of Democratic Party leadership, and the economic impact of Trump's tax proposals highlight America's shifting political and social landscape.

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The CDC has a new plan to improve the health of rural Americans, updated data could better prepare folks for flash floods like those that devastated Appalachia, and Native American Tribes could play a key role in the nation's energy future.

AZ Schools Update Sex-Ed Programs; Planned Parenthood Leads Push for Medically-Accurate Info

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Tuesday, June 21, 2016   

PHOENIX – Just last week, one Arizona school board voted to update its sex-education curriculum, with input from parents.

Since sex-ed isn't required in Arizona schools, there is inconsistency across the state in how the topic is handled. In the absence of a statewide program, for some years Planned Parenthood Arizona has taken a leadership role, encouraging both consistency and accuracy in sex-education programs, one school district at a time.

According to Jodi Liggett, Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Arizona, students need access to accurate, unbiased information to keep them safe.

"The reality is, kids are human beings and it's natural for them to grow and develop in that way, and they're going to make their own decisions," said Liggett. "I mean, we may think we're in charge – but at a certain point, they're in the driver's seat and you are a coach."

The Tucson Unified School District board voted to change its sex-ed curriculum after being approached by students asking for more information in the course.

Liggett said school districts determine their own curriculum for this topic. Phoenix Union is also updating theirs, with input from experts, community leaders, parents and even former students.

Liggett said while teaching abstinence is important, students also need clear, comprehensive information in order to make good life decisions. She said Planned Parenthood's sex-education approach is to keep the information neutral and fact-based.

"Number one, that we're consistent across the state; and then number two, that we're actually protecting kids with medically-accurate information that doesn't come from any particular perspective," she explained.

Liggett added that Planned Parenthood's goal is not to promote its own sex-education program, but ultimately to convince Arizona leaders to adopt a statewide program that ensures consistency.



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