Friday, May 27, 2022

PNS Daily Newscast - May 27, 2022
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High gas prices are not slowing down Memorial Day travel, early voting starts tomorrow in Nevada, and Oregon activists seek accountability for dioxin contamination in low-income Eugene.

2022Talks - May 27, 2022
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Education Secretary Cardona calls for action after the Texas massacre, Republicans block a domestic terrorism vote, and Secretary of State Blinken calls China the greatest challenger to U.S. and its allies.

The Yonder Report - May 26, 2022
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High-speed internet is being used to entice remote workers to rural communities, Georgia is offering Black women participation in a guaranteed income initiative, and under-resourced students in Montana get a boost toward graduation.

Campaign Finance Reform/Money in Pol

The Supreme Court, following in the footsteps of the Citizen's United decision, has weakened campaign finance laws in the name of free speech. (Lost in the Midwest/Adobestock)
The Supreme Court, following in the footsteps of the Citizen's United decision, has weakened campaign finance laws in the name of free speech. (Lost in the Midwest/Adobestock)
Clean Elections Groups Slam Supreme Court Ruling on Campaign Finance

Good-government groups are criticizing the Supreme Court's decision Monday eliminating rules on how much a candidate can spend to pay back loans he or…

While some national party leaders might no longer view Iowa as a battleground state, political experts say it still has
While some national party leaders might no longer view Iowa as a battleground state, political experts say it still has "swing state" potential in a presidential election. (Adobe Stock)
Caucus Shakeup Prompts Concern about Candidate Vetting

When the 2024 presidential primary season kicks off, there's a good chance Iowa's caucuses won't be in the spotlight as much. Last week, the …

California has set a goal to make the state's electricity system carbon-free by 2045. (ULP/Adobestock)
California has set a goal to make the state's electricity system carbon-free by 2045. (ULP/Adobestock)
CA Gets a “D” on the 2022 Environmental Scorecard

California only got a "D" grade on this year's Environmental Scorecard, a report card put out each year since 1973 by the nonprofit California …

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., has previously opposed other measures to alter the U.S. Tax Code, including the expanded Child Tax Credit, which he referred to as
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., has previously opposed other measures to alter the U.S. Tax Code, including the expanded Child Tax Credit, which he referred to as "economic or social engineering" in a tweet last year. (Jonah Chester)
Groups Push for Greater Accountability for WI Senator

Members of social-justice organizations gathered outside the Wisconsin State Capitol on Tuesday in an effort to draw attention to allegations of uneth…

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering found that revenues from drug companies' top 20 medications pay for all their annual research and development, and still result in a profit of some $40 billion. (Adobe Stock)
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering found that revenues from drug companies' top 20 medications pay for all their annual research and development, and still result in a profit of some $40 billion. (Adobe Stock)
Older Coloradans Press Congress to Lower Drug Prices

It's been two months since the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act, which includes reforms that aim to bring down …

Denver's annual Martin Luther King Jr.
Denver's annual Martin Luther King Jr. "Marade" is one of the largest demonstrations in the nation. (Galatas)
MLK "Marade" Spotlights Drive to Protect Voting Rights

As Democrats in Congress struggle to get enough votes to pass new federal voter protections, Denver's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day "Marade" - a …

Construction companies, law firms and health-care companies are among the top contributors to sheriffs' political races, according to a new report from Common Cause. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)
Construction companies, law firms and health-care companies are among the top contributors to sheriffs' political races, according to a new report from Common Cause. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)
Report: Keep Special Interests Out of Sheriffs' Elections

A new report recommends changes to the way political campaigns are paid for, analyzing contributions to local sheriffs' races in 11 states, including …

Groups looking to rein in money in politics hope to pass campaign-finance limits before the 2024 election. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)
Groups looking to rein in money in politics hope to pass campaign-finance limits before the 2024 election. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)
Campaign Donation Limits Could Be Coming to OR in 2022

Oregon is among a handful of states without limits on how much people or entities can contribute to election campaigns, but it could change this year…

A national ranking gives South Dakota a failing grade for things like public access to information and accountability, both at the legislative and executive level. (Adobe Stock)
A national ranking gives South Dakota a failing grade for things like public access to information and accountability, both at the legislative and executive level. (Adobe Stock)
Impeachment Meetings in SD Underscore Transparency Concerns

A legislative panel has been discussing the possibility of impeachment proceedings against South Dakota's attorney general. A statewide government …

Wyoming's new voter districts are expected to impact how the state addresses falling fossil-fuel revenues, Medicaid expansion, and how local school boards shape public education. (Adobe Stock)
Wyoming's new voter districts are expected to impact how the state addresses falling fossil-fuel revenues, Medicaid expansion, and how local school boards shape public education. (Adobe Stock)
Wyoming Voters Urged to Give Feedback on New Voter District Maps

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- As Wyoming lawmakers sort through new 2020 census numbers to update voting districts, watchdog groups are encouraging all residents …

Lobbying firms have enjoyed few limits after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, where the high court confirmed that money was a form of protected speech. (Adobe Stock)
Lobbying firms have enjoyed few limits after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, where the high court confirmed that money was a form of protected speech. (Adobe Stock)
Report: Lobbyist Spending in Nebraska Thrived During Pandemic

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A new Common Cause Nebraska report showed last year, more than $18 million was invested in lobbying efforts in Nebraska. By …

The 2020 election cycle saw more than $1 billion in
The 2020 election cycle saw more than $1 billion in "dark money" spending at the federal level, according to opensecrets.org. (Adobe Stock)
West Virginians Want "Dark Money" Out of Politics

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In the last two months, two polls have found West Virginia voters have concerns about so-called "dark money" in politics…

 

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