Social Justice / Public News Service

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation estimated the United States is home to 2 million transgender people. (Sabrina/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

CA trans advocates focus on economic opportunity

A California nonprofit dedicated to helping transgender and gender-nonconforming people find good jobs is looking to expand its mission in 2025…

According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants make up more than 22% of Florida's population, with undocumented residents comprising nearly 4%, contributing significantly to the state's economy and workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

FL lawmakers, advocates push back on DeSantis’ immigration special session

Florida has been a key battleground in the national immigration debate, with past legislation banning sanctuary cities and requiring companies to use …

McClure v. Jefferson County Commission, a lawsuit filed in Alabama, highlights Jefferson County's changing demographics, with the Black population increasing from 33% in 1980 to 43% in 2020, according to U.S. Census data. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Alabama redistricting trial challenges fair representation

The battle over Jefferson County's 2021 redistricting maps heads to court this week with plaintiffs arguing the map violates the Voting Rights Act and…

In the 2023 legislative session, Democrats in Minnesota had control of all levels of government, allowing them to push through most of their policy vision. But Republicans have made gains in the House, forcing party leaders to rethink their strategies. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

MN legislative stalemate has potential to worsen voter trust

Minnesota's new legislative session begins tomorrow, but there are still unknowns over how much of it will actually get started. A political expert …

Florida's 2018 Amendment 4 restored voting rights to individuals with felony convictions once they complete their sentence, except for those convicted of murder or felony sex offenses. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

FL League of Women Voters helps returning citizens restore voting rights

The League of Women Voters of Florida is taking a personal approach to restoring voting rights for returning citizens. The group is sending …

The Equality State Policy Center said it is watching bills on fair elections in Wyoming, including House Bill 102, which would change the method of attorney general selection from appointment to statewide election. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 13, 2025

Several 2025 WY bills could erode voting rights

The Wyoming Legislature's General Session starts Tuesday and voting-rights advocates in the state are watching several proposals they worry could hind…

In Pennsylvania, abortions are legal up to the 23rd week of pregnancy and beyond if the woman's health is at risk. (Parilov/Adobe Stock)

Researcher warns about Christian nationalism's influence on reproductive rights

There are growing concerns about the prevalence of Christian Nationalism, an ideology that seeks to establish a theocracy rooted in Christian …

The next DAV Patriot Boot Camp will be held February 5-7 in the Cincinnati area. (JenkoAtaman/Adobe Stock)

Building success for Ohio vets beyond service

The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded GI Bill benefits, removing the 36-month cap for veterans with multiple periods of service. This …

Despite the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act's minimum benefits for disadvantaged communities, there is insufficient integration of this and other justice mandates of the law into energy transmission plans. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NYS grid transmission process must be more equitable

A new report found New York State needs a more equitable grid transmission process. The Energy Justice Law and Poverty Center report noted …

President-elect Donald Trump announced a policy to expedite reviews for investors committing $1 billion or more in the tech field. (Pascal Huot/Adobe Stock)

Trump's $20 billion investment announcement sparks hope in Ohio

Ohio is poised to play a key role in a $20 billion investment announced by President-elect Donald Trump, with plans to establish data centers across …

For the taxpayer, the current tax due on a $100,000 property is $17.47 for a full year. If the 0.7 mill replacement and 0.3 mill increase levy is passed by the voters, the same property tax would increase to $35 annually. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio funding gaps leave Adams County kids in crisis

The rising costs of children's placements and a failed tax levy in Adams County have heightened concerns about the future of children's services in Oh…

Colorado lawmakers are hoping better coordination between state agencies, local governments and nonprofits can prevent and reduce homelessness. (Adobe Stock)

Number of CO homeless families up by 134% in single year

The number of Colorado families experiencing homelessness rose by 134%, from 3,600 in 2023 to more than 8,500 families in 2024, according to new …

UCHealth, which reports medical outcomes above state averages in many areas, recorded nearly $840 million in 2023 profits. (Galatas)

Patients call for end of UCHealth lawsuits

Advocates for patients are calling on UCHealth to end its practice of filing lawsuits over unpaid bills, after a 9News report found that the state's …

In Virginia, garnishments are limited to 25% of a person's disposable income. (Adobe Stock)

VA lawmakers aim to strengthen debt protections

As the Virginia General Assembly convenes, new legislation protecting working families from harsh debt collection practices is on the table. With …

The University of Idaho is the state's second most populous university, behind Boise State. (knowlesgallery/Adobe Stock)

ID's latest anti-diversity push in higher ed meets pushback

Despite pushback, Idaho is again targeting diversity and inclusion efforts on college campuses. Over the holiday break, the Idaho State Board of …

National studies show when people leave prison, they face a range of obstacles in advancing through the world of postsecondary education. Right off the bat, a key deterrent is an application question about their past criminal history. (Adobe Stock)

With college application change, MN aims to reduce higher-ed barriers

In the new year, college applications in Minnesota will look a little different: They will no longer feature an initial question about a person's …

President Joe Biden made a campaign promise to deported veterans at an Iowa townhall in 2019 to

Deported veterans call for pardons from Biden

"Deported veterans" may sound like an oxymoron. But it is not, and those veterans are working to get pardons in the last days of President Joe …

Wisconsin municipal courts issued more than 27,000 arrest warrants and writs of commitment for people who failed to pay fines between Jan. 2023 and Aug. 2024, according to the ACLU of Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Some WI courts jailing people for unpaid tickets

If you have any unpaid traffic or parking tickets, the latest report on Wisconsin's municipal courts said in some areas, you could go to jail if you …

Congress's latest one-year Farm Bill extension provides $20 billion in funding for federal farm programs and $10 billion in direct economic relief to farmers. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Trump administration could tackle corporate food system, help farmers

As inflation and falling crop prices continue to affect farmers, their advocates say the incoming Trump administration could take steps to reform the …

More than 40% of undergraduate students in the U.S. are pursuing an associate degree. (Adobe Stock)

AL higher-ed conference to address workforce, boost student transfers

Alabama faces a critical workforce gap, with only 38 available workers for every 100 open jobs, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To …

Economists say minimum wage hikes can be a complex issue to sort out. But some say when you look past the numbers, higher wages can help boost morale and reduce the need to keep hiring new staff. (Adobe Stock)

Will ND keep standing pat on minimum wage?

When the calendar flips to January, a number of states will increase their minimum wage levels - but just like recent years, North Dakota won't be …

Colorado patients have been hit with surprise bills for ambulance services as high as $2,500. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Most ambulance rides in Colorado billed out-of-network

Colorado's surprise billing law does not currently limit out-of-network billing for ambulance services, and new analysis shows the true costs to …

BIPOC workers earn 30% higher incomes - and have a 79% greater median household net worth - as worker owners of cooperatives, according to the Coalition for Worker Ownership and Power. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

MA unions, worker co-ops tackle historic wealth gap

Massachusetts unions and worker-owned cooperatives are joining forces to help tackle the state's historic wealth gap. Census data show just a …

Earlier this month, President Biden granted clemency to around 1,500 Americans, the largest single-day action in U.S. history, including sentence commutations for those successfully reintegrated after home confinement during COVID-19. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe)

Biden urged to take more immediate bold action on clemency

This week, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 people with federal death row convictions to life sentences without parole. Groups …

According to FWD.US, there are more than 31,500 people in federal prison over age 50. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates urge broader clemency despite Biden’s death row commutes

In one of his final acts in the White House, President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 people with federal death row convictions to life …

Oregon's public defense system is made up of nonprofit public defender organizations, consortia contracting with the state and individual contract attorneys. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

More funding needed to stem OR’s public defense ‘crisis’

Oregon's constitution guarantees criminal defendants a state-funded lawyer for those who cannot afford one but a massive shortage of public defenders …

In 2022, around 63% of Republican voters in the U.S. did not have college degrees, compared to 49% of Democratic voters, highlighting the educational divide in political affiliation. (gguy/Adobe Stock)

Has Ohio lost its battleground state status?

By Vanessa Davidson / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. “As Ohio …

Space for the Farmers Market, which includes an incubator commercial kitchen, will be located in Logansport, Ind. (Cass County Community Foundation)

IN grant boosts diversity through Logansport food hub

Communities around the state will be watching the progress of a unique project coming up for the north-central Indiana town of Logansport. The Cass …

The Continuum of Care Rapid Re-Housing program offers temporary financial support for housing and case management to eligible unhoused Mississippians and families known as the Mississippi Balance of State.<br />(Tom Nast/Adobe Stock)

Mississippi group working in 71 counties to end homelessness in Mississippi

Cities and states, including Mississippi, are grappling with rising homelessness. In Mississippi, 982 people experience homelessness daily…

Nationwide, more than 3,000 newspapers have shuttered since 2004, according to Statista. (Adobe Stock)

Addressing Montana's expanding 'news deserts'

Online news organizations are trying to fill the lack of local coverage in Montana's news deserts. As the year ends, a dwindling number of the …

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of full-time undergraduate students and 74% of part-time undergraduates were employed while enrolled, with many working over 20 hours per week to cover living expenses. (jaz_online/Adobe Stock)

OH students fight for fair, livable on-campus wages

By Hevin Wilkey / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio students are …

Nearly 1,000 Alabamians from 41 counties shared their experiences with court debt in a survey, revealing 50% had been jailed for failing to pay. (Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock)

Panel explores cost of fines, fees on Alabama's most vulnerable residents

Alabama's reliance on fines and fees to fund state services can turn minor incidents such as a traffic violation into overwhelming debt for low-income…

Ohio ranked 26th in the nation for per-pupil K-12 education funding in 2024, slightly below the national average. With a higher proportion of charter schools than many states and mixed performance outcomes, state policies often focus on addressing disparities and improving results in both. (Adobe Stock)

Standardized test scores at center of Ohio education debate

Ohioans are paying close attention to the fast-tracking of Senate Bill 295 through the Statehouse during the lame-duck session. The proposed …

Worker-owned businesses are 25% more likely to stay in business while helping to improve economic and racial equity, according to the Massachusetts Center for Employee Ownership. (Adobe Stock)

MA worker co-op movement backs REI union contract efforts

Union workers fighting for a fair contract at Recreational Equipment, Inc. Boston are drawing support from the state's growing worker co-op community…

Only four Black women have been elected to the U.S. Senate, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Maryland Senator-elect Angela Alsobrooks, Connecticut Senator-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester and former Illinois Senator Carol Moseley Braun. (Maryland GovPics/ Wikimedia Commons)

Maryland in top 10 for number of women state legislators

More than 2,400 women will serve in state legislatures across the U.S. in 2025. That's a new record, according to the Center for American Women and …

In 2013, New Mexico became the 16th U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. (RobertPeak/Adobe Stock)

NM's LGBTQ+ advocates say 'now is not the time to panic'

Inauguration Day is still five weeks away and gay married couples are already watching for signs conservative lawmakers and the courts may attempt to …

A $275,000 grant awarded to the Montana Legal Services Association will help streamline legal aid to low income residents. The information will be integrated into the organization's LegalServer case management system. (Adobe Stock)

Grant bolsters legal services for low-income Montanans

Low-income Montana residents are getting help accessing legal aid online. In some cases, updates to automated legal forms could help residents …

In 2021, Black people owned less than 2% of companies within the $18 billion cannabis industry, according to a report by Leafly. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Worker-owned cannabis co-ops in RI aim for economic justice

Worker-owned cannabis cooperatives in Rhode Island are striving to help those affected by the war on drugs. State law mandates at least six retail …

Out-of-pocket costs increased by $1700 on average for older Coloradans with Medicare Advantage coverage, plans claiming to limit health costs for people living on fixed incomes. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado health care costs rose 139% between 2013-2022

Between 2013 and 2022, health care spending in Colorado surged by 139% to nearly $30 billion, according to a new analysis by the Center for Improving …

Only 29% of municipal government seats in Ohio cities with populations over 10,000 are held by women, highlighting continued underrepresentation at the local level. (Kenny/Adobe Stock)

Ohio’s milestone moment for women in government

Ohio is seeing big gains in women's representation at the Statehouse, with the General Assembly poised to welcome seven additional women lawmakers in …

If the STORK Act is passed, Ohio would join states such as Georgia, which already allow tax deductions for unborn children, a policy enacted in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio’s STORK Act: Tax relief for parents or a push against abortion rights?

By Vanessa Davidson / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio Rep. Gary …

Nationwide, more than 9,700 abortions per month were provided via telehealth under shield law protections in the second quarter of 2024, a 5% increase since the first quarter of 2024, according to WeCount. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsinites seeking abortion telemedicine via shield laws face risks

Wisconsin law bans telemedicine abortion care, yet new data show an increasing number of Wisconsinites have been getting abortion pills through …

Expungement opportunities in North Carolina focus on three main categories: first-time nonviolent offenses, certain offenses committed before age 22, and charges dismissed or resolved as

North Carolina toolkit simplifies expungement process for second chances

Navigating the process of expunging criminal records can be overwhelming but for many, it is a critical step toward building a better future…

More than 80% of jurisdictions impose conditions related to employment or vocational training, with 27 requiring it without exceptions. Many on probation face high unemployment rates and struggle to balance job expectations with mandatory meetings and programs. (rh2010/Adobe)

Standard probation conditions set Mississippians up for failure

A new report offers a detailed look at "standard" conditions for probation in Mississippi and nationwide, affecting nearly 3 million people. The …

Congresswoman-elect Yassamin Ansari was also elected as Democratic 'Freshman Class' President for the U.S. House of Representatives. (Yassamin Ansari )

Report: AZ ranks second for number of women as legislators

More than 2,400 women will serve in state legislatures in 2025. That's a new record, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at …

Retiring Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter sits in his office behind a desk built by the Indiana State Department of Correction. (WISH-TV)

Indiana's justice journey of reform, reflection

By Dakarai Turner for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service…

In 2023, nearly $30,000 of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence's $3 million revenue came from donations, with 90 cents of every dollar allocated to survivor services. (ckybe/Adobe Stock)

Sustaining services for rural Ohio's sexual-violence survivors

The giving season offers Ohioans an opportunity to reflect on the importance of supporting community services. For survivors of sexual violence in …

In 2023, 1.3 million people around the world newly acquired HIV, more than three times higher than the global target set for 2025 of no more than 370,000. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado commemorates World AIDS Day

Coloradans gathered at Park Hill United Methodist Church in Denver on Sunday to mark World AIDS Day - joining people around the globe to show support …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - January 14, 2025

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Social Justice

CA trans advocates focus on economic opportunity

FL lawmakers, advocates push back on DeSantis’ immigration special session

Alabama redistricting trial challenges fair representation

MN legislative stalemate has potential to worsen voter trust

FL League of Women Voters helps returning citizens restore voting rights

Several 2025 WY bills could erode voting rights

Researcher warns about Christian nationalism's influence on reproductive rights

Building success for Ohio vets beyond service

Report: NYS grid transmission process must be more equitable

Trump's $20 billion investment announcement sparks hope in Ohio

Ohio funding gaps leave Adams County kids in crisis

Number of CO homeless families up by 134% in single year

Patients call for end of UCHealth lawsuits

VA lawmakers aim to strengthen debt protections

ID's latest anti-diversity push in higher ed meets pushback

With college application change, MN aims to reduce higher-ed barriers

Deported veterans call for pardons from Biden

Report: Some WI courts jailing people for unpaid tickets

Trump administration could tackle corporate food system, help farmers

AL higher-ed conference to address workforce, boost student transfers

Will ND keep standing pat on minimum wage?

Report: Most ambulance rides in Colorado billed out-of-network

MA unions, worker co-ops tackle historic wealth gap

Biden urged to take more immediate bold action on clemency

Advocates urge broader clemency despite Biden’s death row commutes

More funding needed to stem OR’s public defense ‘crisis’

Has Ohio lost its battleground state status?

IN grant boosts diversity through Logansport food hub

Mississippi group working in 71 counties to end homelessness in Mississippi

Addressing Montana's expanding 'news deserts'

OH students fight for fair, livable on-campus wages

Panel explores cost of fines, fees on Alabama's most vulnerable residents

Standardized test scores at center of Ohio education debate

MA worker co-op movement backs REI union contract efforts

Maryland in top 10 for number of women state legislators

NM's LGBTQ+ advocates say 'now is not the time to panic'

Grant bolsters legal services for low-income Montanans

Worker-owned cannabis co-ops in RI aim for economic justice

Colorado health care costs rose 139% between 2013-2022

Ohio’s milestone moment for women in government

Ohio’s STORK Act: Tax relief for parents or a push against abortion rights?

Wisconsinites seeking abortion telemedicine via shield laws face risks

North Carolina toolkit simplifies expungement process for second chances

Standard probation conditions set Mississippians up for failure

Report: AZ ranks second for number of women as legislators

Indiana's justice journey of reform, reflection

Sustaining services for rural Ohio's sexual-violence survivors

Colorado commemorates World AIDS Day