Citizenship/Representative Democracy / Public News Service

In Pennsylvania, there are more than 71,500 Black-owned businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Monday, August 15, 2022

PA Group Works to Encourage, Fund Black Entrepreneurs

August is National Black Business Month, and this year, for Black-owned companies in Pennsylvania that have managed to survive through the pandemic…

In Pennsylvania's Nov. 8 General Election, voters will decide races for governor, U.S. House and Senate, and several state offices. (Zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Monday, August 15, 2022

Public Hearing Set to Allow Independents to Vote in PA Primaries

Opening up Pennsylvania's primary elections to voters who aren't registered either as Democrats or Republicans is the topic of a State House of Repres…

The states of Texas, Florida and Missouri stand to lose the most money following implementation of extreme abortion laws, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research. (erikawittlieb/Pixabay)

Monday, August 15, 2022

Will Anti-abortion Red States Face Professional 'Brain Drain?'

By Linda Burstyn for Ms. Magazine Broadcast version by Roz Brown for New Mexico News Connection/Public News Service Bad Business: Anti-abortion …

Since the 2020 election, at least 19 states have passed 34 laws restrict�ing access to voting, according to the Brennan Center For Justice. (Orlowiski Designs/Adobe Stock)

Friday, August 12, 2022

Voting-Rights Groups Sue AZ to Block 'Election Security' Bills

Voting-rights advocates are suing the state of Arizona over new regulations they say make it harder for some people to register and would block thousa…

Abortions are still legal in Pennsylvania through the 23rd week of pregnancy. (TRAC1/Adobe Stock)

PA Groups' Call to Action for Reproductive Rights

In about a month, the Pennsylvania General Assembly revisits a controversial proposal with five separate amendments to the state Constitution…

Certification of primary results came down to the deadline in several conservative New Mexico counties after both elected officials and voters floated unspecified concerns with voting systems. (fairvote.org)

Will Tuesday Primary Losers Encourage New Mexico-Like Chaos?

States holding primaries could be facing a repeat of New Mexico's election chaos if challenges take hold, and one watchdog argued it will further …

Pro-democracy groups say momentum from the "Big Lie" that was born out of the 2020 presidential vote has carried over into statewide races this year. (Adobe Stock)

MN Primary: Democracy Concerns Swirl Around Election Deniers

Minnesota's primary vote is less than a week away, and a pro-democracy group reported it is one of several states with a number of "election deniers" …

Polls will be open Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline to return a completed mail-in ballot is 8 p.m. on Election Day. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

PA 'No-Excuse' Mail Voting Underway, Ahead of Midterms

CLARIFICATION: Information has been added to clarify the significance of the '170,000 voters' figure in a quotation. (9:40 a.m. MDT, Aug, 4, 2022) …

About two-thirds of women age 50 and older say they will not make their decisions until weeks or just days before election day. (Adobe Stock)

Older Women Voters Projected to Decide Balance of Power

Women voters age 50 and older have not decided which candidates to support in November's midterm elections, and the direction they choose could …

As of 2020, more than 4.3 million Missourians were registered to vote. (Adobe Stock)

Missouri Primary Voter ID Rules and Beyond

Despite all the news of recent changes to Missouri voting laws, some things remain the same for the Aug. 2 primary. Voters going to the polls this …

From a 2020 study in Public Health Reviews: "Differences in voter participation due to social, economic, and health inequities have been shown to have large effects on electoral outcomes." (Adobe Stock)

Ahead of Aug. 4 TN Primary, Studies Link Good Health to Voting

More than 30,000 people have chosen to vote early for the Tennessee primary election this Thursday, and research finds what happens at the ballot box …

Indiana voting advocates are attempting to ensure first-time voters have access to the ballot box. (Adobe Stock)

Complaint Alleges Voter-Signup Obstacles in Tippecanoe County

Young people often see registering to vote as a rite of passage, but voting advocates discovered one Indiana county has created new obstacles for …

A public meeting on redistricting is scheduled for Aug. 25 at Salish Kootenai College. (Salish Kootenai College/U.S. Department of Education)

MT Redistricting Has Impacts for Native Communities

With new voting maps for Montana's Legislature to be revealed soon, Native American communities are being encouraged to watch the process closely…

Millions of dollars in outside spending have entered Michigan's primary race. (Adobe Stock)

Progressive Jewish Voters Sound Alarms About Outside Spending in MI Primary

CORRECTION: The organization's name is Jewish Voice for Peace Action. (8:05 a.m. MST, Aug. 1, 2022) Tomorrow is the primary election in Michigan…

One project in Michigan receiving an AARP Community Challenge grant plans to foster an environment of healthy eating and physical activity through community gardening. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Grants Awarded to MI Groups to Make Communities More Age-Friendly

Five projects in Michigan have been awarded grants from AARP to make communities more livable, especially for older residents. Types of projects …

Michigan does not allow split-ticket voting in the primary election. (Adobe Stock)

MI Voting Rights Group: Make a Plan to Vote Next Week

Next Tuesday is the primary election in Michigan, and groups such as the Voting Access for All Coalition are encouraging people to make a plan to …

A pending case before the U.S. Supreme Court deals with state oversight of federal elections. The case would not affect the upcoming midterms, but voting-rights advocates worry about the potential impact on the 2024 presidential election. (Adobe Stock)

IA Expert: SCOTUS Election Case Should Be on Public's Radar

Legal analysts and voting-rights advocates are looking ahead to this fall, when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on a case about state …

The Granite State's Committee on Voter Confidence includes Democrats, Republicans and independents. (Adobe Stock)

NH Committee on Voter Confidence Meets Today

The Special Committee on Voter Confidence holds a meeting today to hear from voters and educate people on how the state's elections work. Nearly 60%…

Those involved with AARP's Community Challenge grant program say smaller efforts, such as installing park benches in an undeserved area, can go a long way in helping to make a place livable for everyone. (Adobe Stock)

ND Reaches New Heights in Community Livability Projects

Towns and cities across America are rolling out recruiting efforts to keep their populations stable. A grant program for community-led projects puts …

Wisconsin's new public information campaign about how elections work will launch in September, and run through October, concluding around the November election. (Adobe Stock)

WI Public Information Campaign to Teach Folks about Elections

In the next few months, the Wisconsin Elections Commission will roll out a new public information campaign aimed at teaching voters more about how …

Maine is among 22 states plus Washington D.C. with automatic voter registration when eligible voters get or update their driver's license. (evgenii/Adobe Stock)

Mainers Can Now Register to Vote at the BMV

Maine now has what is known as automatic voter registration at Bureaus of Motor Vehicles. When someone goes to get a driver's license or update one…

Community Peace Builders and their mentor are beginning to carry out de-escalation and relationship building efforts in North Minneapolis. (Photo courtesy of EMERGE)

Community Peace Builders Instill Hope in Minneapolis

The summer season and violent crime can fuel narratives by the public and the media about safety in urban settings. But in Minnesota's largest city…

Tennesseans must bring valid photo identification to the polls. That means a driver's license or government-issued photo ID. College student IDs are not acceptable. (Vesperstock/Adobe Stock)

TN Early Voting Underway; Voters Face Lengthy Ballots

The Volunteer State ranks poorly in the U.S. for its overall lack of voter participation. Over the last decade, critics say the poor turnout is …

The Washington State Redistricting Commission approved a new legislative map in 2021. (redistricting.wa.gov)

WA Voting Map Lawsuit in Yakima Valley Won't Affect 2022 Elections

A lawsuit challenging Washington state's new legislative map is underway, but it will not affect this year's primary or midterm elections. The suit …

Even after court cases and claims of voter irregularities produced zero evidence, roughly 70% of Republicans still believe fraud played a major role in the 2020 election. (Adobe Stock)

November Election to Determine State, Local Races in Redrawn Nebraska Districts

With November's elections just over the horizon, voter-rights groups are working to get Nebraskans up to speed on recent changes in voting districts …

In Idaho's 2022 Republican primary, eight incumbent senators lost and 13 current senators didn't run. (Eldon/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Anti-Democracy Candidates Could Gain Seats in ID Legislature

Far-right candidates made inroads in Idaho's Republican primary and likely will have seats in the state Legislature after November's election - but so…

At least four U.S. Supreme Court justices have signaled support for the independent state legislature theory, which the Brennan Center for Justice says could have "dramatic consequences" for elections. (Zach Frank/Adobe Stock)

ME Election Officials Sound Alarm on 'Independent State Legislature Theory'

The U.S. Supreme Court plans to consider a case which could have major implications on the power of state legislatures to control elections. In …

Montana's current legislative map is in place until state-level elections in 2024. (leg.mt.gov)

Montanans Can Follow, Comment on State-Level Redistricting

With congressional districts settled, Montana is now drawing state-level voting maps for its legislative seats. The deadline for members of the …

Conservationists propose 12 initial wolf-reintroduction areas, based on large suitable habitat blocks, connectivity, and the presence of elk, deer and other prey. Proposed locations include Rocky Mountain National Park and the Maroon Bells-Snowmass and Hermosa Creek wilderness areas. (Adobe Stock)

CO Conservationists Offer Alternative Plan for Wolf Reintroduction

A coalition of 14 conservation groups has unveiled an alternative proposal to help guide wolf reintroduction and recovery ahead of a Colorado Parks an…

This month, the Charter Review Committee in Multnomah County recommended a measure for November's ballot that would allow non-U.S. citizens to vote. (MyPhotoBuddy/Adobe Stock)

OR County to Decide on Voting for Undocumented; Some Aim Higher

In Multnomah County, voters will decide in November whether the right to vote should extend to people who are not citizens. Some say all of Oregon …

One in five election officials who withstood the 2020 pres�sure campaign said they plan to leave before the 2024 elec�tion, according to a recent Bren�nan Center survey. (PeteLinforth/Pixabay)

Will MAGA Election Deniers Upend Midterms?

The midterm election on Nov. 8 will be a referendum on President Joe Biden and Democrats, but also a preview of what could happen at polling places …

In a 4-3 ruling on July 8, the Wisconsin Supreme Court outlawed absentee-ballot drop boxes. (Adobe Stock)

WI Election Officials Reject New Absentee-Voting Rules

Wisconsin's election officials are trying to determine how a recent ruling from the Wisconsin Supreme Court outlawing absentee-ballot drop boxes will …

The Michigan Legislature has been controlled by Republicans since redistricting in 2010, despite Democrats doing well in many statewide races. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Supreme Court to Consider 'Independent State Legislature' Theory

During its next session, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider the legal validity of the "Independent State Legislature" theory. The case could cause …

While new voting laws give Connecticut residents a buffet of options to cast their ballots, a proposed amendment to the state constitution could allow for early voting. (Adobe Stock)

New CT Primary Rules Expected to Make Voting Easier for Many

As Connecticut's primary election nears, voters will have to navigate new absentee-voting laws, which could benefit seniors. People ages 45 to 64 …

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, at least three Supreme Court justices already have endorsed the Independent State Legislature theory. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Supreme Court Case Could Impact Wisconsin Elections Commission

In its next session, the U.S. Supreme Court will weigh a congressional gerrymandering case from North Carolina, and the court's ruling could have a …

Promote the Vote 2022 announced Monday it has collected nearly 670,000 signatures to get its amendment on the ballot. (Promote the Vote)

MI Voting, Reproductive Freedom Ballot Campaigns Submit Signatures

Two constitutional amendment campaigns submitted signatures Monday to qualify to appear on the November ballot, one called "Promote the Vote 2022" …

Voter turnout in 2020 broke records in Massachusetts. (Wayne/Adobe Stock)

MA Supreme Judicial Court Rules In Favor of Early Voting, Vote-By-Mail

Despite an attempt by some members of the Massachusetts GOP to block a new voting bill, good-government groups are raising awareness about the new …

The case at hand, Moore v. Harper, concerns alleged partisan gerrymandering in North Carolina's congressional maps. The case could shift an unprecedented amount of election administration authority to state legislatures. (Adobe Stock)

Supreme Court Case Could Dramatically Expand Power of State Legislatures

During its next session, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider the legal validity of the "Independent State Legislature" theory. The case could cause …

Ohioans can no longer register for the Aug. 2 special primary, but the deadline to register for the November general election is Oct. 11.

Voters Encouraged to Partake in Ohio's Rare Second Primary

A rare August election is just a couple of weeks away, and Ohio voters are encouraged to cast their ballot early. They'll select candidates for the …

North Dakota was one of nearly a dozen states that had so-called trigger bans on abortions ready to take place in the event of federal protections being overturned. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Filed Against North Dakota's Abortion Ban

North Dakota's pending trigger law on abortions is being called unconstitutional in a new lawsuit. Separately, a handful of cities will see rallies …

South Dakota was one of nearly a dozen states that had so-called trigger bans on abortions ready to take place in the event of federal protections being overturned. (Adobe Stock)

With Ban in Place, Abortion-Rights Rallies Planned for SD

Opponents of South Dakota's abortion ban are mobilizing efforts to get the attention of policymakers. Rallies will be held this weekend as organizers …

Mosier is a small Oregon town in the Columbia River Gorge with a population of about 700, according to the 2020 Census. (Ian Poellet)

Small OR Town Among Recipients of AARP Project Grant

AARP has selected six projects in Oregon to receive funds for its Community Challenge grant program. The largest grant, $20,000, is going to a …

In the August primary, Missourians still can use student IDs and current utility bills, bank statements, paychecks or other government checks as identification for voting. (sos.mo.gov)

Last Chance to Register to Vote in MO August Primary

Today is the deadline for Missouri residents to make sure they are registered to vote if they want to cast a ballot in the August primary. Eligible …

Twice as many voters with disabilities reported experienced difficulty voting in 2020 as voters without a disability. (John Davis/Adobe Stock)

MI Disability Group: Tips for More Inclusive Political Campaigns, Elections

With the 2022 elections nearing, groups in Michigan are working to educate political campaigns on how to become more accessible to voters with …

When voters head to the polls this fall, broader legal arguments will be taking shape over the authority of states in managing federal elections in the future. (Adobe Stock)

Upcoming SCOTUS Arguments Center on Election Authority

Coming off a string of controversial opinions, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in a case tied to oversight of federal elections…

About half of Americans believe the United States will cease to be a democracy one day, according to a recent survey. (rarrarorro/Adobe Stock)

Many See Democracy in Peril as US Celebrates Independence Day

It's July 4th, a celebration of the United States' independence. It's also an opportunity to take a look at the state of the country's democracy…

The United States celebrates Independence Day while Congress investigates the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. (Bob/Adobe Stock)

Groups Follow Anti-Democratic Movements as US Celebrates July 4th

This July 4th marks nearly 250 years since the United States declared its independence, setting the country on a path to establishing its democracy…

This year, the United States marks 246 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed. (Jeff/Adobe Stock)

July 4th: An Opportunity to Examine State of U.S. Democracy

July 4th celebrates the founding of the United States' democracy - and some say it's time to recommit to defending that democracy. In the wake of …

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2022 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2022 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 22 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

PNS Daily Newscast - August 15, 2022

2022Talks - August 15, 2022

The Yonder Report - August 11, 2022

Civic Engagement

PA Group Works to Encourage, Fund Black Entrepreneurs

Public Hearing Set to Allow Independents to Vote in PA Primaries

Will Anti-abortion Red States Face Professional 'Brain Drain?'

Voting-Rights Groups Sue AZ to Block 'Election Security' Bills

PA Groups' Call to Action for Reproductive Rights

Will Tuesday Primary Losers Encourage New Mexico-Like Chaos?

MN Primary: Democracy Concerns Swirl Around Election Deniers

PA 'No-Excuse' Mail Voting Underway, Ahead of Midterms

Older Women Voters Projected to Decide Balance of Power

Missouri Primary Voter ID Rules and Beyond

Ahead of Aug. 4 TN Primary, Studies Link Good Health to Voting

Complaint Alleges Voter-Signup Obstacles in Tippecanoe County

MT Redistricting Has Impacts for Native Communities

Progressive Jewish Voters Sound Alarms About Outside Spending in MI Primary

Grants Awarded to MI Groups to Make Communities More Age-Friendly

MI Voting Rights Group: Make a Plan to Vote Next Week

IA Expert: SCOTUS Election Case Should Be on Public's Radar

NH Committee on Voter Confidence Meets Today

ND Reaches New Heights in Community Livability Projects

WI Public Information Campaign to Teach Folks about Elections

Mainers Can Now Register to Vote at the BMV

Community Peace Builders Instill Hope in Minneapolis

TN Early Voting Underway; Voters Face Lengthy Ballots

WA Voting Map Lawsuit in Yakima Valley Won't Affect 2022 Elections

November Election to Determine State, Local Races in Redrawn Nebraska Districts

Groups Say Anti-Democracy Candidates Could Gain Seats in ID Legislature

ME Election Officials Sound Alarm on 'Independent State Legislature Theory'

Montanans Can Follow, Comment on State-Level Redistricting

CO Conservationists Offer Alternative Plan for Wolf Reintroduction

OR County to Decide on Voting for Undocumented; Some Aim Higher

Will MAGA Election Deniers Upend Midterms?

WI Election Officials Reject New Absentee-Voting Rules

U.S. Supreme Court to Consider 'Independent State Legislature' Theory

New CT Primary Rules Expected to Make Voting Easier for Many

Expert: Supreme Court Case Could Impact Wisconsin Elections Commission

MI Voting, Reproductive Freedom Ballot Campaigns Submit Signatures

MA Supreme Judicial Court Rules In Favor of Early Voting, Vote-By-Mail

Supreme Court Case Could Dramatically Expand Power of State Legislatures

Voters Encouraged to Partake in Ohio's Rare Second Primary

Lawsuit Filed Against North Dakota's Abortion Ban

With Ban in Place, Abortion-Rights Rallies Planned for SD

Small OR Town Among Recipients of AARP Project Grant

Last Chance to Register to Vote in MO August Primary

MI Disability Group: Tips for More Inclusive Political Campaigns, Elections

Upcoming SCOTUS Arguments Center on Election Authority

Many See Democracy in Peril as US Celebrates Independence Day

Groups Follow Anti-Democratic Movements as US Celebrates July 4th

July 4th: An Opportunity to Examine State of U.S. Democracy