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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

On World Water Day, advocates call on Congress to reinstate protections

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Friday, March 22, 2024   

Today is World Water Day, established 21 years ago by the United Nations to promote clean, fresh water.

This year, advocates in the U.S. are pressing Congress to reinstate Obama-era Clean Water Act protections for smaller seasonal streams, safeguards struck down last May by the conservative majority on the Supreme Court.

Jim Murphy, senior director of legal advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation, explained the urgency of restoring the previous rules.

"With those protections now significantly scaled back, if we don't take action, we're going to see that type of pollution again," Murphy asserted. "Especially with water under strain from climate change, and other threats. Americans can't afford that."

The Clean Water Act of 2023 would restore the Waters of the United States rule. It has more than 120 co-sponsors but remains stalled in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Murphy pointed out it is now up to the states to enforce their own environmental protections.

"I think one of the biggest challenges for California is ensuring that the state has the resources needed to deal with the actual workload that this rollback has caused," Murphy noted.

Over the past few years, California has alternated between extreme drought and flooding rains linked to climate change. State, federal, and local agencies are spending hundreds of millions to build flood plains to capture excess water in the wet years and let it soak in to replenish the aquifers.


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Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

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A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


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Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

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Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

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Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

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The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

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New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

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Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

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Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

 

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