Human Rights/Racial Justice / Public News Service

In addition to legislative seats, North Dakota will see Native American candidates running for county-level seats and school boards this year. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Building Access for ND's Tribal Voters Focuses on Communication, Data

Ahead of North Dakota's June 14 primary, a civic engagement group is crunching numbers and maintaining talks with county and state election leaders …

George Floyd's murder sparked global protests over systemic racism, but advocates say there's no silver lining to end decades of racial disparities in states such as Minnesota. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Mixture of Hope, Stark Realities on 2nd Anniversary of Floyd Murder

President Joe Biden is using today's second anniversary of George Floyd's murder to sign executive orders on police reform. From criminal justice to …

A recent survey finds 84% of Asian Oregonians did not report race-based incidents or crimes after they happened. (Xavier Lorenzo/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Survey: Hate Incidents Strain Asian Oregonian Communities

There has been an alarming rise in racist incidents against Asian residents in Oregon, and it is changing how community members behave. The Oregon …

Around 17% of bachelor's degrees awarded to Black students nationwide come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and <a href= — Around 17% of bachelor's degrees awarded to Black students nationwide come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and research shows HBCUs boost economic mobility and generational wealth.(Adobe Stock)

NC HBCU Boosts Resources for Nontraditional Learners

One of North Carolina's oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities is finding new ways to help students stay enrolled and graduate. Recent …

"Justice for Freddie", photograph by Arturo Holmes, May 1, 2015. (Maryland Center for
History and Culture, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Preserve the Baltimore Uprising)

Maryland Art Exhibit Connects Past, Present in Fight for Civil Rights

A new museum exhibition in Baltimore opening to the public today aims to tell the story of Maryland's fight for civil rights, both in the past and …

A new policy initiative to help Montana students graduate will provide support through 2024. (Jos/Adobe Stock)

Initiative to Help MT's Underserved Students Complete College

Montana's effort to increase college graduation numbers is getting a boost from a new grant. The nonprofit Complete College America has chosen the …

"We have to refuse to live in a country where Black people going about weekly grocery shopping can be gunned down by weapons of war deployed in a racist cause," President Joe Biden said during a speech in Buffalo Tuesday. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

In Buffalo After Mass Shooting, Biden Calls White Supremacy 'A Poison'

President Joe Biden traveled to Buffalo Tuesday to grieve with residents of the city, after 10 people were killed over the weekend in an anti-Black …

Buffalo residents gathered at Macedonia Baptist Church on Sunday for a vigil in honor of the victims of the mass shooting at Tops supermarket on Saturday. (Darren McGee/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul)

Buffalo Reeling After 10 Killed in Racist Attack at Supermarket

Buffalo residents are grieving after a shooter killed 10 community members on Saturday in an anti-Black attack, apparently fueled by racist white …

Philadelphia lawmakers present a check for $1 million to Tracy Wood, executive director of Black Doctors Consortium. (Screenshot via Facebook Live)

Philadelphia Lawmakers Secure $13.8M for Health Equity

The gaps in the U.S. health care system were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with racial health inequities laid bare. On Monday, Philadelphia …

About a quarter of Oregon's population is a race or ethnicity other than white, according to the Census Bureau. (niyazz/Adobe Stock)

Ties Between Systemic Racism, Hunger on Ballot as Oregonians Vote

Oregon's primary election is today, and one of the issues affecting voters is systemic racism. Black, Indigenous and people of color suffer from …

In an effort to help people rebuild assets post-pandemic, AARP California is having free webinars on financial topics, such as how to avoid scams that target homeowners. (ajr_images/Adobe Stock)

Free Financial Planning Tips to Help Latinos Recover Post-Pandemic

About half of Latinos either lost a job or had their wages cut during the pandemic,according to a recent survey from Pew. Now, AARP is offering a …

On Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump protestors tried to maintain control by attacking the rule of law, separation of powers and fair elections. (Wikimedia Commons)

Experts Sound Alarm on Rise of Authoritarianism in U.S., Globally

This story was produced with original reporting from Zoe Marks and Eric Chenoweth for Ms. MagazineBroadcast version by Lily Böhlke for …

Gov. Ron DeSantis filed a new congressional map ahead of Florida's special session seeking to redraw the state's district lines. (Florida Legislature)

FL GOP's Congressional Redistricting Plan Likely Blocked for Discrimination

The new congressional map - crafted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature last month, scatters more than …

Clinics in neighboring states saw an almost 800% increase in patients after Texas in 2021 banned almost all abortions after six weeks, according to Planned Parenthood. (FerencVarga/Pixabay)

Roe v. Wade: What Happens Next in Texas?

Texas took the lead among Republican states last September in making abortion illegal once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Now, some fear the …

The deadline to vote in Idaho's Primary election is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Bilingual Resource Helps Spanish-Speaking Idahoans Vote

Voting can be hard for non-English speakers in Idaho, but a newly launched resource is helping Spanish-speaking Idahoans answer essential questions …

According to Feeding America, Latino or Hispanic residents are 2.5 times more likely to live in food insecure households compared with White residents. (Adobe Stock)

Durham Food Bank Expands Offerings of Culturally Appropriate Fare

A food pantry serving immigrant families in the Triangle is bracing for an uptick in demand driven by the highest levels of inflation in decades…

Gov. Tom Wolf, lawmakers and reproductive-rights advocates gathered at Independence Mall in Philadelphia Wednesday in the wake of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. (Commonwealth Media Services)

PA Officials, Advocates Rally for Abortion Access After Leaked SCOTUS Draft

Advocates from Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania and state officials gathered in Philadelphia Wednesday to stand firm on protecting abortion access…

Thousands of buildings burned down during the Los Angeles uprising of 1992, prompting community groups to lead a multiracial effort to rebuild. (Mick Taylor/Wikimedia Commons)

30-Year-Anniversary of L.A. Uprising: What Has Changed?

By Sonali Kolkatkar for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

Research shows that having teachers from diverse racial backgrounds is associated with positive learning and social-emotional outcomes for all students. (Adobe Stock)

Fewer Teachers of Color in Pennsylvania

As Pennsylvania's student population grows more diverse, there's a growing gap between the proportions of students of color and teachers of color…

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 26 states are certain or likely to ban abortion if the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case Roe v. Wade is overturned. (Adobe Stock)

Reproductive Freedom Defense Act Heads to CT Governor's Desk

Connecticut lawmakers, state officials and pro-choice advocates gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday, one day after a leaked draft opinion …

The pandemic cut short the time census workers had to go door to door to educate the public on how to fill out the decennial survey. (Edbockstock/Adobestock)

Census Report Shows Large Undercount of Latino Population

A new report found the 2020 census significantly undercounted the Latino population nationwide, by almost 5%, more than three times the undercount …

California may grow much of the nation's fresh produce, but new research estimates a half-million undocumented California residents, ages 27 to 49, are affected by food insecurity. (Olga Lyubkin/Adobe Stock)

Groups Press to Include Undocumented in CA Food Assistance

New research on hunger shows 45% of undocumented immigrants in California are affected by food insecurity, and 60% of undocumented children live in …

Observers say in the past several years, the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association has had an increasingly heavy hand in crafting state policies related to policing and criminal justice. (Adobe Stock)

A Powerful Lobby Shaped NC’s Newest Body-Camera Law

By Mandy Locke and Danielle Battaglia Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for the Gaston Gazette -North Carolina News Service Members of…

Nearly two years after George Floyd's murder, the State of Minnesota says Minneapolis police officers have long carried out discriminatory practices, such as using higher rates of force against against Black people. (Adobe Stock)

Mpls. Police Report Adds Another Layer to MN Reform Efforts

As the Minnesota Legislature considers new police-reform proposals, the discussions coincide with results from a state investigation of the …

A half-century after the "Green Book" published its last edition, a modern-day version is flourishing in the online community of Black Twitter, according to research at the University of Colorado. (blogs.library.duke.edu)

What Does Musk Takeover Mean for 'Black Twitter?'

Users of "Black Twitter," a community keeping in touch via Twitter about issues of interest to Black Americans, are watching for changes after Elon …

According to the Governor's Office, Holocaust survivors typically receive little to no Social Security income. (Adobe Stock)

NY to Allocate $2.6 Million to Holocaust Survivors

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state will allocate about $2.6 million to increase financial and medical support for survivors of the Holocaust…

The group "Make the Road Nevada" will march on Sunday, calling on President Joe Biden to remove Title 42 restrictions on refugees. (Moab Republic/Adobestock)

Immigration, Labor Groups to March Sunday for May Day

This Sunday night, immigration and labor groups are marching for May Day on the Vegas strip, speaking out on the need for immigration reform and …

The American Federation of Teachers launched its "Reading Opens the World" literacy campaign to support students, educators and families. (AFT/Jen Chang/Flickr)

Book Bans, Censorship Met with 1M Free Books for Students, Families

As the state of Florida combs through textbooks to ban content with diverse views, a national campaign pledges to deliver a million free books with …

The art of Isabel Strauss, one of the Key Change contributors, superimposes existing images over architectural renderings to "redefine spatial relationships between bodies and objects, histories and futures." (Image by Isabel Strauss)

Art Exhibition Highlights Chicago's Housing Issues, Potential Solutions

An upcoming art exhibition in Chicago aims to provide a new framework to view the city's struggles with housing, past and present. Hosted by the …

A protest led by Democrats including Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville temporarily halted the Florida House's consideration of Gov. Ron DeSantis' congressional map. (Rep. Angie Nixon/Facebook)

DeSantis Wages War Against Anti-Racism, Corporate 'Wokeness'

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been confronting a lot of issues dealing with race and inclusion. The latest is his signing into law his version of Florida's …

A recipient of guaranteed income from Springboard to Opportunities' Magnolia Mother's Trust, which gives $1,000 per month for one year to families headed by Black women living in federally subsidized housing. (Instagram/Springboard to Opportunities)

Guaranteed Income Seen as Path Toward Gender, Racial Justice

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. Media. Broadcast version by Emily Scott for Nebraska News Connection, Reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News Service …

Unhoused residents who apply to live at Albuquerque's Hope Village must meet the federal definition of homelessness, have a documented mental, emotional or behavioral disorder and income at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. (courtesy Hope Village)

Albuquerque Opens Center of "Hope" for Homeless Population

In the midst of the pandemic, hope was in the air as construction proceeded on a one-of-a-kind housing project to serve a portion of Albuquerque's …

The number of Ukrainians arriving in Washington state has increased since conflict in the eastern part of the country began in 2014. (aviavlad/Adobe Stock)

Ukrainians New to WA Face Barriers to Work

The number of Ukrainians arriving in Washington state has increased since the Russian invasion in February. Already, the Evergreen State is home to …

Mercy Corps, an aid organization based in Oregon, is on the ground in Ukraine, Poland and Romania. (Michele Ursi/Adobe Stock)

OR Credit Unions Raise Relief Dollars for Ukraine

Ukrainians continue to suffer in their country from the Russian invasion - and in Oregon, credit unions have banded together to send aid to the …

Economic stability can play a role in staying healthy. In Arkansas, the median annual income for Black women who work full-time was $28,018, compared to white women, who made $33,943 in 2016. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Black Women's Health in AR in "Critical State"

Black women's health in Arkansas and beyond is in a dire situation, according to a new report, which showed more collaboration is needed to address …

Floridians can follow the state's redistricting process via floridaredistricting.gov. (State of Florida)

DeSantis Would Cut Florida's Black Representation in Half

Florida's redistricting saga continues Tuesday when lawmakers return to Tallahassee for a special session to essentially give Gov. Ron DeSantis what …

According to the most recent data from the USDA, there were only 1,865 farmers of color in Virginia as of 2017, about 4% of the state's total. (Adobe Stock)

Panel Highlights Ways for Farmers to Tap Into Federal Aid

The federal Farm Service Agency provides loans and financial support to farmers across Virginia and the nation, and experts are encouraging farmers …

Federal authorities say in 2020, North Dakota saw nearly two dozen hate crime incidents that were documented. (Adobe Stock)

In ND, Local Hate-Crime Laws Carry Policy Load for Now

Less than a year after Fargo adopted a hate-crime ordinance, another North Dakota city is moving forward with a similar law. It remains to be seen …

This is the fifth year organizations have marked Black Maternal Health Week. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

During Black Maternal Health Week, WA Doc Says 'Racism Manifests in Body'

This week is Black Maternal Health Week, highlighting the disparities in health outcomes for pregnant people. Black mothers are two to three times …

<a href= — A report issued this year by the University of California Berkeley Labor Center says 31% of construction workers lack health insurance coverage, compared to 10% of workers overall. (Adobe Stock)

Research: Construction Worker Exploitation Costly in Many Ways

With summer approaching, construction sounds will be heard across Minnesota. But a regional labor group says on some sites, there's likely to be more …

Students who are forced to delay their college plans are less likely to complete that degree, and the pandemic has had an outsized impact on college-going rates for Black and Latino students. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Report Cites COVID's Outsized Impact on Black, Latino College Plans

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an outsized impact on Black and Latino communities in Michigan, including when it comes to college plans. A new report …

Texas prisons still were at more than 95% capacity in December 2020, several months into the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

"Somebody Cares": TX Group Continues Bail-Reform Battle

This week, members of Faith in Texas will be at the Dallas County Jail, as they are most Fridays. As the state's incarceration rate grows, the group …

Children who are incarcerated are less likely to graduate from high school and find employment later in life. (Adobe Stock)

Incarceration Data Shows Juvenile Justice System Off Mission in Nebraska

Nearly a quarter-million children were incarcerated in the U.S. in 2019, about five times more than annual point-in-time counts, according to a new …

Pioneer Square is a neighborhood in downtown Seattle. (Toohool/Adobe Stock)

WA Program Model for Support in Homelessness Crisis

Washington state lawmakers made a historic investment of $850 million in housing this session. An effort in Seattle to get people housed could …

LB 933 would make it a felony to provide medicine or procedures that end pregnancies, even in cases of rape and incest. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Lawmakers Advance Abortion Ban Opposed by Majority of Voters

Nebraska is on track to ban all abortions in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark Roe v. Wade decision. On Friday, lawmakers …

The Connecticut Health Foundation report suggests local public health departments can play a bigger role in addressing disparities. In a 2021 survey, 86% of respondents said they had a great or fair amount of trust in local health officials and health-care workers. (Adobe Stock)

CT Report: After 2 Years of COVID, Lessons Learned on Racial-Health Equity

March marks two years since COVID-19 first devastated the lives of people across the country. A new report aims to look at lessons learned in …

Early, in-person voting is slated to start Apr. 5 for the May 3 Ohio primary election. (Tim Evanson/Flickr)

Ohio's 2022 Primary: Groups Urge New Date, Not Two Dates

With just five weeks before the May 3 primary election - and Ohio's legislative redistricting debacle still not settled - voting-rights groups say it'…

A new report finds the one-day count of incarcerated children in 2019 was about six times smaller than the annual count. (AungMyo/Adobe Stock)

Report: Hundreds of Thousands of Kids Detained Nationwide

Children were incarcerated in massive numbers in 2019, according to new data. The Sentencing Project's report, "Too Many Closed Doors," found more …

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