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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.

Trump Transgender Ban Sparks Protest

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Thursday, July 27, 2017   

NEW YORK – New Yorkers took to the streets Wednesday to protest President Trump's announcement that transgender people will not be allowed to serve in the U.S. military.

Civil liberties organizations were quick to condemn the policy shift outlined in three early-morning posts to the president's Twitter account.

Equality New York, an LGBT rights group, quickly organized a protest rally outside the Times Square military recruiting station where Gabriel Blau, co-chair of the group, said they would deliver a clear message to the president.

"These are our loved ones, our neighbors, our friends, ourselves," Blau says. "And those who choose to serve our country and put their lives at risk in the military deserve to be respected and deserve to be seen."

The president claimed in his tweets that the military "cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption" that transgender service members would entail.

But Blau points out that transgender people already are serving without disruption in the military, and the medical costs are not a burden.

"RAND Corporation did a study on this and showed the costs of providing trans-specific health care in the military is negligible," Blau notes. "So both of Trump's reasons are proven to be false."

While many conservatives have praised Trump's announcement, Republican Sen. John McCain has condemned it, saying anyone who is fit to serve should be allowed to do so.

Trump's decision reportedly caught the Pentagon by surprise. While a tweet may express an opinion, it is not an executive order, so how this policy reversal will be carried out is still in question. But Blau is certain it will meet with resistance.

"We all found out about this today," adds Blau. "I can't speak to any cases that may or may not be planned but I'm sure that our community will be challenging this in court."

The American Civil Liberties Union's LGBT and HIV Project says it is examining all its options for fighting the ban.


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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)

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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 …

Social Issues

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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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