Citizenship/Representative Democracy / Public News Service

Youth Truth sponsors workshops to empower students to find their voice and get involved in their communities. (Ruby Wallau/YouthTruth)

Monday, September 16, 2024

Survey: Only 53% of high school students think voting is important

About 53% of high school students think voting is important, according to a survey out today from the nonprofit Youth Truth. Researchers polled 115,0…

In breaking down Minnesota's Latino population by age, nearly 223,000 are working-age adults between 18 and 64 years old. (Adobe stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

In MN, leadership, culture variation part of Hispanic Heritage Month

Over the weekend, Hispanic Heritage Month got underway. In Minnesota, people are recognizing the diversity within these populations, as well as …

The Brookings Institution, a nonpartisan research group, gave South Dakota a

Monday, September 16, 2024

SD voting advocates hope to avoid ballot challenges seen in primary

Just a few months after some South Dakota absentee ballots were illegally challenged, officials are concerned slow mail delivery could affect …

Urban districts and districts with the greatest proportions of economically disadvantaged and Black students have more novice teachers. (Reese/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

MI educators sound alarm about the future of teaching

Educators in Michigan and nationwide are voicing concerns politics are demoralizing teachers and discouraging others from entering the profession at a…

If you want to register to vote on the same day as the election, you need to have a valid Nevada driver's license or ID card, according to Vote 411. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

NV advocates ready for National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday

National Voter Registration Day is tomorrow, and voting-rights advocates in Nevada want to ensure everyone is set to make their voice heard in …

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine compares the situation in Springfield to a natural disaster, suggesting the federal government provide assistance to help communities handle large surges in migrant populations. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 13, 2024

Ohio leaders clash over migrant influx, persistent rumors

Tensions are rising in Springfield, Ohio, as controversial claims from Sen. J.D. Vance about migrants in the area have garnered national attention…

The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals child poverty in America increased slightly in 2023. (Karen Roach/Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 13, 2024

Stalled Child Tax Credit leaves Ohio families in limbo

During this week's presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris proposed reviving the Child Tax Credit, which was part of the American Rescue …

Voting-rights advocates want Congress to allocate at least $75 million in the FY25 budget. Although it's still quite low, it's an increase over FY24 funding levels. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 13, 2024

NY groups expand support for federal voting rights bills

New York groups are building support with federal lawmakers for several voting-rights bills. In passing the Freedom to Vote Act, the John R…

According to a poll of 50-64-year-olds, top issues of concern are strengthening the economy (80%), defending against terrorism (76%), and making the Social Security system financially sound (73%). (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 13, 2024

Caregiving, financial security among top concerns of older SD voters

Voters over age 50 reliably show up to the polls in large numbers but sometimes candidates overlook them. In 2020, 138,000 South Dakotans ages 45-64 …

Friday, September 13, 2024

Trump holds Tucson campaign rally, his first since debate

Former President and 2024 Republican nominee Donald Trump held a Thursday campaign rally in Tucson, his first since this week's debate with Vice …

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 weakened by the Supreme Court's 2013 decision in Shelby v. Holder. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 13, 2024

VA, US groups build support for federal voting rights bills

Groups from Virginia and across the country are working with federal lawmakers to improve voting rights. They are building support for voting rights …

In March, 65% of Republicans and 63% of Democrats supported allowing a leader of Israel to speak on campus. By June, support among Republicans increased to 73%, while it remained unchanged at 63% for Democrats. (Nopommajun/Adobe Stock)

Study reveals shifting American views on free speech amid Israel-Hamas war

A recent study by Vanderbilt University found that Americans generally love free speech, but their views change occasionally. One instance of this …

AZ's top election official demands change

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes testified before Congress on Wednesday about the state of our elections system. Public confidence in the …

Voters, particularly Democrats, unaffiliated voters and those who describe themselves as less religious think politicians ignore them, according to the Utah Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Utahns feel ignored by politicians. One Democratic Representative agrees

Politicians not listening to voters is a top concern for Utahns, and one Utah Democratic representative agrees with that sentiment. Rep. Jennifer …

Income, location and trust issues can contribute to health disparities in the Latinx community. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock)

TX nonprofits address health disparities in Latino community

Nonprofits across Texas are coming together to address disparities in health care for the Latinx community. A report by the Commonwealth Fund shows …

Backers of the Freedom to Vote Act said it would strengthen democracy by securing voting rights, eliminating partisan gerrymandering, reforming campaign finance laws and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit leaders rally for federal voting rights reforms

Nonprofit leaders from around the country gathered on Capitol Hill this week, pushing for what they're calling "sweeping democracy reforms" in …

Nonprofit leaders push for voting-rights reforms on Capitol Hill

Nonprofit leaders from around the country gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday, pushing for what they are calling "sweeping democracy reforms," in …

Ohio spends about $12,000 per student annually on public education, which is slightly below the national average. (Pixels Hunter/Adobe Stock)

Critical choices: How Ohio’s elections will affect education

In Ohio, the upcoming elections could have a significant effect on public education. Educators are urging voters to consider how the candidates' …

Beyond additional support for K-12 schools, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill creating a free college tuition program for households earning annual incomes below $80,000. (Adobe Stock)

Former Walz colleagues bring education record into focus

The start of a new year of school in Minnesota has a new twist: intense focus from national media and voters across the U.S. With Gov. Tim Walz …

A measure on ranked choice voting is one of five statewide ballot measures Oregonians will decide this November. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

Could women, minorities win more under OR voting measure?

Oregon voters will decide on a potential change to the state's electoral system in November. If passed, Measure 117 would create a ranked choice …

Similar to the faceoff between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump earlier this summer, microphones during Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump's debate will also be muted while one candidate is speaking. (Gage Skidmore)

As Harris, Trump take debate stage, Project 2025 will be a focus

The highly anticipated debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is tonight, and as Election Day inches closer…

According to the Native American Rights Fund, there are 4.7 million Native Americans eligible to vote. (Adobe Stock)<br />

As summer fades, ND organizers feel good about tribal members voting

New findings looking at Native American participation in elections show a mixed bag of news but North Dakota outreach leaders said they are coming off…

A new study suggests that partisanship is less pronounced in local races when a particular local issue is deeply felt by voters. (The Stock Photo Girl/Adobe Stock)<br />

Study: 40% of voters willing to cross party lines on local issues

A common narrative suggests that deeply polarized American voters always support their party's candidates, but a new study suggests otherwise in …

Montana has been carried by the Republican presidential candidate in every election between 1996 and 2020. The last Democrat to carry the state was Bill Clinton in 1992. (Adobe Stock)

Key election issues for Montanans: Population growth, health care, education

Labor Day typically kicks the campaign season into high gear in an election year as candidates sprint to the finish line. Montana has traditionally …

Unlike proposed constitutional amendments sent to Hoosiers in the past, a new succession amendment has not garnered any attention, let alone controversy. (Adobe stock)

Hoosiers face ballot question on governor succession process

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…

Disability health-care costs in Pennsylvania are more than $41 billion per year, or up to 37% of the state's health-care spending, according to the CDC. (Maria Vitkovska/Adobe)

Access for all: Making voting easier for Pennsylvanians with disabilities

Disability Voting Rights Week is an annual call to action that occurs during the second week of September. It focuses on advocacy, celebrating …

League of Women Voters volunteers have seen an uptick in voter registrations in recent weeks. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)

AR volunteers prepare for National Voter Registration Day

Volunteers with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters are gearing up for National Voter Registration Day, September 17. To register to vote in …

In addition to Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Vice Presidential nominees Tim Walz and J.D. Vance have been holding plenty of campaign events in battleground states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. (Adobe Stock)

Battleground state bonanza: Guidance for WI voters on campaign interactions

For the 2024 presidential election, Wisconsin has retained its status as a battleground state. That means voters are hearing a lot from campaigns …

If approved in November, Proposition 1 would change the way voters elect officials in primaries. (Tracy King/Adobe Stock)

Path cleared to November ballot for open primaries initiative

A proposal to end closed party primaries and use a ranked choice system will appear on the November ballot. With less than two months to the …

The median home price in New Hampshire reached $525,000 in 2024, a nearly 13% increase from a year earlier. Rents in the state are up an average 45% since the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Record high home and rental prices top NH voters concerns

Record-high home prices are a top concern for New Hampshire voters and could impact the outcome of this year's gubernatorial race. All the …

Texas educators said they want democratic representation and a voice in decision-making as-well-as professional training and development. (shootsroom/Adobe Stock)

TX educators prepare for upcoming legislative session

Texas educators spent the summer in meetings and workshops devising a playbook for the upcoming Texas legislative session. The Educator's Bill of …

Of the 10 states with abortion ballot initiatives this November, Nebraska's

NE Supreme Court to hear 3 abortion ballot initiative cases Monday

In an unusual set of circumstances, the Nebraska Supreme Court will hear arguments in three lawsuits about the two abortion-related ballot …

Colorado residents and out-of-state visitors spent an estimated $10.8 billion on outdoor recreation within Colorado's river basins in 2019. About a quarter of this came from participants in water sports such as rafting. (Adobe Stock)

Polis taps nation’s strongest water-quality protections for 15 CO rivers

Nearly a year after the U.S. Supreme Court left key watersheds unprotected by the Clean Water Act, the Polis administration has designated new …

More than three in five Utah voters think Utah is on the wrong track - the largest share observed since 2004, according to The Utah Foundation. (Erich Sacco/Adobe Stock)

Report: Despite partisan politics, Utahns agree on several priorities

Utahns aren't immune from partisan politics and the divisions it can lead to, but a new report shines a light on the issues voters in the Beehive …

Ohio House Bill 458 limits who can deliver absentee ballots to the voter, postal workers or specific close relatives, excluding caregivers and non-relatives. (PhotoSpirit/Adobe Stock)

Controversy erupts over Ohio's proposed drop-box ban

As Ohio gears up for the upcoming election, debates over new voting regulations are heating up. The recent proposal by Secretary of State Frank …

In 2023, eight counties in Tennessee had fewer than 75% of their estimated eligible voters registered to vote. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)<br /> <br />

Ways cited to increase voter engagement, turnout in TN ahead of Nov. 5

As the general election nears, a study from the think tank ThinkTennessee found the Volunteer State trails most neighboring states on voter …

The 2024 Braver Angels convention in Kenosha, Wisconsin drew about 700 delegates to Carthage College. (braver angels.org)

NM's Braver Angels offers political junkies an alternative to divisiveness

There's evidence that respectful conversations about politics - while not changing hearts or minds - can lead to greater understanding on both sides…

In the fallout from the 2020 presidential election, voting laws and access to the ballot box have received heavy focus across the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

From college students to the unhoused, understanding ND voting rules

North Dakota's election laws are coming back into focus ahead of the 2024 vote and state officials have guidance for certain populations who might str…

Right now, about seven percent of the federal workforce is under 30. (RomanR/Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers look to improve pay and benefits for federal workers

Federal lawmakers will debate a number of bills this fall designed to improve hiring, retention and benefits for government workers. Their …

1 in 5 U.S. voters is a caregiver, providing $600 billion in unpaid labor annually, according to AARP.(Adobe Stock)

Online resource guide helps Mainers prepare for upcoming elections

A new online resource guide is available to help Mainers prepare for the upcoming presidential election. It includes key dates for voter …

AZ judge blocks polling place rules, election official predicts chaos

As worries of election interference and intimidation grow in Arizona, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes says election officials have been preparing to …

According to the Center for Women and Politics, registered women voters have traditionally outnumbered men by 10 million. In 2022, the number decreased to 7.4 million. (Adobe Stock)

IN women voters expected to outpace men in 2024 election

A Democratic woman of color vies against an embattled former Republican president in this year's historic Nov. 5 election and a new survey of 801 …

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the greatest number of Illinois female voters are between the ages of 55 and 64. (Adobe Stock)

IL women voters continue to outpace male counterparts

A Democratic woman of color is vying against an embattled former Republican president in this year's historic Nov. 5 election and political analysts …

Tina Kotek, the former speaker of the state house, is the third woman to serve as governor of Oregon. (Oregon National Guard)

Women hold 4 of 5 statewide elected offices in OR – for now

Oregon is in the upper echelon when it comes to the number of women in higher office. Four of the five statewide elected positions in the state are …

There are just over 1.7 million active voters in Utah as of August 26, 2024 according to state data. (Adobe Stock)

Could Utah be the next swing state? Polling shows it's unlikely

More than 200 staffers and aides from four previous Republican presidential nominees, including Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, have endorsed Vice …

Texas does not have online voter registration, but you can update your information or request a voter registration card at www.votetexas.gov. (Rob Goebel/Adobe Stock)

TX voters encouraged to check status

The political climate is heating up in Texas as we get closer to the general election in November. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says more than one …

Despite pledges from semiconductor companies in the 1990s to phase out dangerous chemicals, miscarriage and cancer rates remain high among the global workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CHIPS Act opportunity to set standard for good Colorado jobs

As the Biden-Harris Administration prepares to invest up to $175 billion in tax money into semiconductor manufacturing under the CHIPS Act, a new …

Arizona was one of the most closely contested states in the 2020 presidential election. President Joe Biden won it by less than half a percentage point, according to The State United Democracy Center. (Adobe Stock)

AZ gears up for possible wave of election deniers in Nov.

Election Day will be here before we know it and Arizona is gearing up for possible setbacks from embedded election deniers. Alex Gulotta, Arizona …

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PNS Daily Newscast - September 16, 2024

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Civic Engagement & Voting

Survey: Only 53% of high school students think voting is important

In MN, leadership, culture variation part of Hispanic Heritage Month

SD voting advocates hope to avoid ballot challenges seen in primary

MI educators sound alarm about the future of teaching

NV advocates ready for National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday

Ohio leaders clash over migrant influx, persistent rumors

Stalled Child Tax Credit leaves Ohio families in limbo

NY groups expand support for federal voting rights bills

Caregiving, financial security among top concerns of older SD voters

Trump holds Tucson campaign rally, his first since debate

VA, US groups build support for federal voting rights bills

Study reveals shifting American views on free speech amid Israel-Hamas war

AZ's top election official demands change

Utahns feel ignored by politicians. One Democratic Representative agrees

TX nonprofits address health disparities in Latino community

Nonprofit leaders rally for federal voting rights reforms

Nonprofit leaders push for voting-rights reforms on Capitol Hill

Critical choices: How Ohio’s elections will affect education

Former Walz colleagues bring education record into focus

Could women, minorities win more under OR voting measure?

As Harris, Trump take debate stage, Project 2025 will be a focus

As summer fades, ND organizers feel good about tribal members voting

Study: 40% of voters willing to cross party lines on local issues

Key election issues for Montanans: Population growth, health care, education

Hoosiers face ballot question on governor succession process

Access for all: Making voting easier for Pennsylvanians with disabilities

AR volunteers prepare for National Voter Registration Day

Battleground state bonanza: Guidance for WI voters on campaign interactions

Path cleared to November ballot for open primaries initiative

Record high home and rental prices top NH voters concerns

TX educators prepare for upcoming legislative session

NE Supreme Court to hear 3 abortion ballot initiative cases Monday

Polis taps nation’s strongest water-quality protections for 15 CO rivers

Report: Despite partisan politics, Utahns agree on several priorities

Controversy erupts over Ohio's proposed drop-box ban

Ways cited to increase voter engagement, turnout in TN ahead of Nov. 5

NM's Braver Angels offers political junkies an alternative to divisiveness

From college students to the unhoused, understanding ND voting rules

Lawmakers look to improve pay and benefits for federal workers

Online resource guide helps Mainers prepare for upcoming elections

AZ judge blocks polling place rules, election official predicts chaos

IN women voters expected to outpace men in 2024 election

IL women voters continue to outpace male counterparts

Women hold 4 of 5 statewide elected offices in OR – for now

Could Utah be the next swing state? Polling shows it's unlikely

TX voters encouraged to check status

Report: CHIPS Act opportunity to set standard for good Colorado jobs

AZ gears up for possible wave of election deniers in Nov.