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Thursday, March 20, 2025

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'Woefully insufficient': Federal judge accuses Justice Department of evading 'obligations' to comply with deportation flights request; WA caregivers rally against Medicaid cuts; NM's state methane regulations expected to thwart federal rollbacks; Governor, critics call out 'boilerplate' bills from WY 2025 session.

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Trump faces legal battles over education cuts, immigration actions, and moves by DOGE. Farmers struggle with USDA freezing funds. A Georgetown scholar fights deportation, and Virginia debates voter roll purges ahead of elections.

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Cuts to Medicaid and frozen funding for broadband are both likely to have a negative impact on rural healthcare, which is already struggling. Plus, lawsuits over the mass firing of federal workers have huge implications for public lands.

LGBTQIA+ Issues

Ohio Senate Bill 1 would require all students to complete a three-credit-hour American history course. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Ohio's SB-1 parallels national administration's anti-DEI sentiment

Debates over academic freedom and diversity initiatives have intensified nationally and in Ohio. Senate Bill 1, known as the Advance Ohio Higher …

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The Department of Education has reduced its workforce by nearly 50%, laying off approximately 1,300 employees, with an additional 600 either accepting separation packages or being dismissed during their probationary period. (Photo courtesy of OEA)

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Ohio educators alarmed over proposed elimination of DOE

The potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education has sparked concern in Ohio. Threatened moves by the Trump administration's so-called …

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More than one in 10 LGBTQ adults in the U.S. workforce are employed in the public sector, and nearly half are LGBTQ people of color, according to UCLA's Williams Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 17, 2025

Utah lawmakers could do away with pride flags in schools, government buildings

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox could sign a bill that would ban LGBTQ+ pride flags from Utah's public schools and government buildings. The bill's …

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Data show the percentage of people who say they adhere to or support Christian Nationalist ideals has remained stable since 2022. (vectorfusionart/Adobe Stock)
WA groups work to counter Christian Nationalism

Nationwide, it is estimated about one-third of Americans either adhere to Christian Nationalist ideals or sympathize with them. Groups working for …

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A governor's office spokesperson said the Indiana Department of Health will push back on birth certificate changes after this week's executive order. (Adobe Stock)
Indiana limits gender identity recognition, college sports participation

Executive orders have been issued by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun that restrict state funds from promoting gender identity and ban transgender women from …

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Protesters rallied at the Iowa State Capitol on Feb. 28 before Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a measure removing gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code. (Anne Discher/Common Good Iowa)
Iowans react to nation's first law removing gender identity protections

Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a measure that removes gender identity protections for LGBTQ+ people from Iowa's civil rights code. Opponents call it …

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In 2023, about $4.2 million in settlement funds were disbursed to U.S. communities affected by discrimination, according to the National Fair Housing Alliance. (Adobe Stock)
HUD pulls federal Fair Housing grants in Montana, across U.S.

Since the Fair Housing Act was established in 1968 to make discrimination in housing illegal, nonprofits around the country have helped investigate …

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The Feb. 28
Latinos in NM, nation urged to boycott national retailers over DEI curbs

In a nationwide movement, Latinos are being urged to boycott retail stores tomorrow that have curtailed programs promoting fair hiring practices…

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Sex education programs including information on both abstinence and birth control have a better track record, according to Planned Parenthood. (AI generated: anaumenko/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />
NM could buck trend of states scaling back sex ed in schools

A coalition of New Mexico groups is supporting a bill this session to require "Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education" for public school students…

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In December, the Montana Supreme Court ruled a 2023 law restricting life-saving gender-affirming care for transgender youth was unconstitutional. Lawmakers have introduced a slate of related bills in the 2025 session. (Adobe Stock)
‘A dangerous proposition’: MT lawmakers could decide on three gender bills

Montana lawmakers are considering three bills on gender. They are all versions of previous bills, which either failed or were struck down in court…

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High school students with depression are more than twice as likely to drop out than their peers. (Adobe Stock)
School services could help IL further address youth mental health

About half of youths experiencing depression in Illinois are not receiving treatment. While the state ranks fairly well nationwide when it comes to …

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More than two dozen states have passed laws that either ban or heavily restrict gender-affirming care for trans youth. (Adobe Stock)
Trial kicks off in challenge to ND's ban on gender-affirming care

Opening arguments begin today in a lawsuit challenging North Dakota's ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth. The case stems from a law …

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