skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, September 20, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Dozens of CA events this weekend honor Latino Conservation Week; Kamala Harris joins Oprah Winfrey in emotional campaign event; Report finds poor working conditions in Texas clean energy industry; AI puts on a lab coat, heads to technical schools.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

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

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

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.

Bill Would Give NH Park Rangers Anti-Racism, De-escalation Training

play audio
Play

Wednesday, February 17, 2021   

MILFORD, N.H. - New Hampshire lawmakers are proposing a new bill, the Inclusive Outdoors Act, to require conservation officers to be trained for civil-rights enforcement, anti-racism and de-escalation.

With many people restricted from gathering indoors, they're making use of the Granite State's parks and other outdoor spaces more than ever. State Rep. Maria Perez, D-Milford, said she's experienced racism in her community's outdoor areas and wants to make sure they are welcoming environments.

"People coming and visiting our parks and recreational areas is bringing a lot of revenue to our state," she said, "but I just want to make sure that when we welcome these people, that everyone feels like they're part of the community, they don't feel segregated."

Last year, leaders with New Hampshire Audubon found white-supremacist vandalism at their Concord Sanctuary. The bill would establish a database for tracking these types of instances, and its backers hope it also would make people more comfortable reporting them.

Supporters of the bill have acknowledged that it won't end racism in outdoor public spaces, but say it will send a message that the state is being intentional about trying to combat it. Perez said she hopes the trainings will help more public officials understand the harm caused to New Hampshire's residents of color.

"As an immigrant and as people of color myself, we go through discrimination," she said. "And a lot of times, police officers don't know how to handle the situation."

Close to 70% of visitors to national forests, wildlife refuges and parks are white. During this health crisis, Perez said it's all the more important to make sure people feel safe as they're taking advantage of the beautiful outdoor spaces New Hampshire has to offer.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Some 899 of 936 public comments on the plan for the proposed West Fork Dam, or 96%, opposed the West Fork Battle Creek Dam project, according to a tally by Wyofile. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

A federal agency is requiring Wyoming to update cost estimates for a large proposed dam in Carbon County, which has been under feasibility studies …


Social Issues

play sound

This Saturday marks the International Day of Peace and the advocacy group Nonviolent Peaceforce is kicking off a series of family-friendly events in M…

Environment

play sound

Latino Conservation Week is in full swing, with 330 events across the U.S. and 90 in California alone. The 11th annual event runs through Sunday…


Nebraska is one of 10 states to confirmed abortion-related constitutional amendment measures on the ballot in November. (Alcorn Imagery/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Some ballot initiatives this year have taken more than voter signatures to get onto the ballot in Nebraska. They've already withstood major court …

Environment

play sound

Maine officials are stepping up land conservation projects as climate change continues to alter the state's terrain. New funding from the Land for …

Social Issues

play sound

A new study showed as Texas has emerged as a national leader in wind turbine and solar energy installations, clean energy workers often face …

play sound

Students enrolled at Wisconsin's technical colleges this fall might take a course where artificial intelligence is the star of the classroom…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021