Social Justice / Public News Service

Of 62 large districts surveyed, 98% identified challenges with supply-chain disruptions and labor shortages, and said providing school meals would be even greater if not for USDA child-nutrition waivers. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Report: School Meal Waivers a Game Changer During Pandemic

During the COVID health emergency, Congress removed a lot of red tape in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) school meals programs, and a new …

A January ruling from the Waukesha County Circuit Court held nearly all ballot drop boxes are illegal, with a narrow carve-out for boxes at clerks's offices and in other specific scenarios. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Advocates Call on WI Supreme Court to 'Unlock the Drop Boxes'

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will soon hand down a decision on whether absentee ballot drop boxes are permitted under state law. Ahead of that …

According to Pew Research, 53% of Americans support stricter gun laws. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, May 26, 2022

IA Gun-Reform Backers: Public Pressure Crucial After TX Shooting

This week's school shooting in Texas has evoked feelings of hopelessness in the public sphere about avoiding future tragedies in the U.S. But gun …

Seven states, including New Mexico, hold primary elections on June 7, 2022. (AngelaYurikoSmith/Pixabay)

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

LGBTQ+ Advocates Endorse NM Primary Candidates

While lawmakers in many states have introduced legislation to roll back LGBTQ+ rights within their borders, New Mexico is not one of them, and …

The original 1972 petition in Ms. Magazine had 53 signatures, but when it was run again later in the year, it garnered more than 1,400. (Ms. Magazine)

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Ms. Magazine Relaunches 1972 'We Have Had Abortions' Petition

This story was produced by Ms. MagazineBroadcast version by Lily Böhlke for Florida News Connection/Public News Service The leaked draft …

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 …

The Food4All Campaign is a coalition of more than 50 groups fighting to eliminate hunger in California. (Haylee Burgess/CIPC)

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Food4All Campaign Ramps Up as Gov, Lawmakers Finalize Budget

The Food4All campaign is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to expand access to food assistance to all undocumented Californians when he submits his final …

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 …

Georgetown researchers found that Black American women are the most likely to have to turn to student loans for college, and hold the most student loan debt, compared with their peers. (Adobe Stock)

Study: College Grads Twice as Likely to Have Good Jobs

By age 35, workers with a bachelor's degree or higher are about twice as likely as workers with just a high school diploma to have a good job - one …

The Census Bureau is reporting both population undercounts and overcounts, were likely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, natural disasters and decisions by the Trump administration that disrupted normal counting efforts. (GerdAltmann/Pixabay)

TX One of Six States that Undercounted Population in 2020 Census

A new report found Texas likely undercounted the number of people who actually live in the state when gathering information for the 2020 census…

"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 …

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 …

So far, a ballot signature campaign led by Christa Eggers to legalize medical cannabis has reached Nebraska's 5%-of-voters threshold in four of the required 38 counties. (Rebecca Gratz)

Ballot Initiative Requirements Challenged as Unconstitutional

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit challenging Nebraska's requirements for voter-led initiatives …

The Degrees When Due initiative has identified more than 39,000 Iowa students who earned college credits, but outside factors forced them to put their education on hold. (Adobe Stock)

'Degrees When Due' Helps IA College Students Get Back on Track

Iowa has seen a 5% increase in the number of college students who left school without a degree. But some campuses are making it a priority to help …

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 …

The Degrees When Due initiative has identified nearly 60,000 Minnesota students who earned college credits, but outside factors forced them to put their education on hold. (Adobe Stock)

Program Helps MN Colleges Break Up the 'Stop Out' Pattern

The pandemic and other factors forced some Minnesota college students to put their academic careers on hold. Several schools around the state…

Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed Pennsylvania Opportunity Program is meant to help families still recovering economically from the pandemic or the increasing costs of living. (Commonwealth Media Services)

Wolf, Community Leaders Seek $2,000 Payments for Pennsylvanians

Gov. Tom Wolf, lawmakers and community leaders are calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation that would send checks of up to $2,000 to …

It's estimated about 0.2% of Washingtonians would be subject to the recently passed capital-gains tax. (Dilok/Adobe Stock)

Initiative to Repeal WA Capital-Gains Tax Failing to Gain Support

An initiative that would repeal Washington's capital-gains tax on the state's richest residents is struggling to gain traction. Initiative No…

A permanent absentee voter would reduce the paperwork needed to vote by mail. (Adobe Stock)

Measure Aims to Streamline Absentee Voting in Ohio

There's a new effort at the statehouse to make it easier for Ohioans to vote by mail by creating a permanent absentee voter list. To vote absentee …

Kentucky's jails are again over capacity, with 21,831 people in jail at the end of April, and an additional 9,835 people incarcerated in state prisons, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

Post-Pandemic, KY Returns to World-High Incarceration Rate

After a drop due to the COVID pandemic, new research found Kentucky is once again crowding more people into jails and prisons. The Bluegrass State …

The pandemic and a strong job market have reduced college enrollment - but studies show college graduates will earn nearly $1 million more over the course of their careers. (viviandu/dailycal.org)

College Degree Increasingly Requires Part-Time Job

Many U.S. college degree programs can take years of full-time study, a serious time crunch for working adults. That's why more universities are …

Under new surprise billing protections, patients will be able to request an independent external review of a health-care coverage decision to deny care. (Adobe Stock)

Surprise Medical Billing Protections Clear Legislature

Coloradans will have more protections against so-called surprise medical bills after the General Assembly passed House Bill 1284. Adam Fox…

Oregon is one of eight states that conduct their elections completely by mail. (Scott Van Blarcom/Adobe Stock)

OR Called an Easy State to Vote In, But Could Do More

Oregonians have the easiest time casting their votes in the nation, according to studies and can vote in almost any situation. Open access to the …

According to the Pew Research Center, about 56% of Illinois residents believe abortion should be legal. (Adobe Stock)

Planned Parenthood of Illinois Braces for Potential Surge in Patients

As the future of abortion access is in limbo, Planned Parenthood of Illinois is preparing for a potential surge in patients from surrounding states…

Socially responsible investing has been around for decades, but in recent years has moved beyond its "fringe" status. (Adobe Stock)

MN Makes Waves in Socially Responsible Investing

Higher consumer prices are dominating financial headlines, but an investment trend is making noise. It encourages putting money into causes that …

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 …

The Journal of the American Medical Association says trans youths with access to gender-affirming care are 60% less likely to have moderate to severe depression and are 73% less suicidal. (MaryBettiniBlank/Pixabay)

States Form Coalition to Counter Anti-LGBTQ Bills

New Mexico and 18 other states have announced plans to introduce legislation they say will be needed to protect transgender kids from civil and crimin…

A governor's race and U.S. congressional seats are among the many contests Iowans will be deciding this year. (Adobe Stock)

IA County Auditors: Plan Big, Plan Now for Primary Vote

It's been a year since Iowa adopted sweeping election law changes. For those who haven't voted since then, local administrators say going in without …

Opponents of a ranked-choice voting initiative on the Nevada ballot claim it could increase the time it takes to tabulate results. (Sevennine_79/Adobe Stock)

NV Voting-Rights Groups Unite to Fight Ranked-Choice Voting

A coalition of community groups calling itself "Let Nevada Vote" is speaking out against a proposed ballot initiative that would require the state to …

Staff prepare to vaccinate North Carolina residents at a pop-up clinic run by the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO. (Christiana Wagner/FLOC)

Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Gears Up for Influx of NC Migrant Workers

An all-volunteer vaccine clinic run by a farmworkers' union says it's expecting an increase in demand from seasonal migrant workers who want to be vac…

Hunger Action Los Angeles volunteers pack food bags for seniors impacted by the pandemic. (Frank Tamborello)

For Hunger Action Week, Advocates Press for More Funding

It's Hunger Action Week, and activists are asking lawmakers to use California's wealth for the people's health - and harness the budget surplus to …

According to its website, The Bail Project has provided resources and support for more than 22,000 people nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Challenges IN Law Restricting Charitable Bail Funds

The state of Indiana is facing a lawsuit over a new law placing restrictions on charitable bail funds. Among other provisions, the law would limit …

The pandemic cut short the time U.S. Census Bureau workers were able to go door to door, to educate the public on how to fill out the decennial survey, just one factor contributing to the undercount of some groups. (Driftwood/Adobe Stock)

Latino Advocates Vow to Prevent a Repeat of 2020 Census Undercount

Latino civil rights groups are pressing for changes to make up for a significant undercount in the 2020 Census. The most recent findings show the 202…

Almost 5,000 oil and gas wells have been developed under the Polis administration, whose Greenhouse Pollution Reduction Roadmap includes plans to increase oil and gas production while mitigating methane leaks. (Adobe Stock)

Polis Pressed to Act Faster on Climate Change

A coalition of more than 60 environmental and community groups are calling on Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and other elected officials to act faster to …

Nebraska is one of just 12 states that taxes Social Security income, but the practice will be phased out by 2025. (Adobe Stock)

State Taxes on Social Security Benefits to Phase Out Faster

Older Nebraskans will be keeping more of their hard-earned Social Security benefits even sooner, after Gov. Pete Ricketts signed Legislative Bill 873 …

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 …

Once enrollment formally begins, Minnesota's eligible front-line workers will have 45 days to apply for pandemic bonus checks offered by the state. (Adobe Stock)

Hero Checks Coming to MN's Frontline Workers

Minnesota's frontline workers are getting a "thank you" from the state in the form of pandemic bonus checks. Within the next month, those eligible …

Activist groups are spending $10 million this year to increase the number of Latinos voting in the Arizona primary and the general election. (Shane Morris/Adobe Stock)

Study: Census Undercount Deprives AZ Latinos of Funding, Political Clout

A recent report found the 2020 census significantly undercounted Latinos and other racial and ethnic groups, costing Arizona millions of federal …

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 …

A proposed economic-recovery payment tax credit would be non-refundable, and leave out about a third of Missouri residents. (Natee Meepian/Adobe Stock)

MO Group: Economic-Recovery Payment Plan Excludes Too Many

As the Missouri Senate considers a proposal for economic-relief payments passed by the House, advocates for working families urge lawmakers to make …

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…

Shareholders at 22 companies made a total of $1.5 trillion from January 2020 to October 2021. (Andrii Yalanskyi/Adobe Stock)

WA Could 'Lead Nation' on Tax System That Tackles Inequality

While the pandemic has fueled soaring profits for the country's richest, it has also exposed growing income and wealth inequality in the United …

Forty percent of first-generation students in a survey said they filled out the FAFSA forms themselves, compared with 11% of higher-income students. (photo_gonzo/Adobe Stock)

Simplifying the FAFSA: MI Groups Have Some Tips

As the U.S. Department of Education works to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, groups in Michigan have some …

A Marquette University Law School poll finds that those who expressed the greatest doubt about the accuracy of the November 2020 election are also the most excited to cast a ballot this year. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Strong Majority of WI Voters Confident in Spring Election Accuracy

The debate over election integrity has been at the center of the battle for the ballot in Wisconsin since 2020. But new polling of Wisconsin voters …

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PNS Daily Newscast - May 27, 2022

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Social Justice

Report: School Meal Waivers a Game Changer During Pandemic

Advocates Call on WI Supreme Court to 'Unlock the Drop Boxes'

IA Gun-Reform Backers: Public Pressure Crucial After TX Shooting

LGBTQ+ Advocates Endorse NM Primary Candidates

Ms. Magazine Relaunches 1972 'We Have Had Abortions' Petition

Survey: Hate Incidents Strain Asian Oregonian Communities

Food4All Campaign Ramps Up as Gov, Lawmakers Finalize Budget

NC HBCU Boosts Resources for Nontraditional Learners

Study: College Grads Twice as Likely to Have Good Jobs

TX One of Six States that Undercounted Population in 2020 Census

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

Buffalo Reeling After 10 Killed in Racist Attack at Supermarket

Philadelphia Lawmakers Secure $13.8M for Health Equity

Ballot Initiative Requirements Challenged as Unconstitutional

'Degrees When Due' Helps IA College Students Get Back on Track

Free Financial Planning Tips to Help Latinos Recover Post-Pandemic

Program Helps MN Colleges Break Up the 'Stop Out' Pattern

Wolf, Community Leaders Seek $2,000 Payments for Pennsylvanians

Initiative to Repeal WA Capital-Gains Tax Failing to Gain Support

Measure Aims to Streamline Absentee Voting in Ohio

Post-Pandemic, KY Returns to World-High Incarceration Rate

College Degree Increasingly Requires Part-Time Job

Surprise Medical Billing Protections Clear Legislature

OR Called an Easy State to Vote In, But Could Do More

Planned Parenthood of Illinois Braces for Potential Surge in Patients

MN Makes Waves in Socially Responsible Investing

FL GOP's Congressional Redistricting Plan Likely Blocked for Discrimination

States Form Coalition to Counter Anti-LGBTQ Bills

IA County Auditors: Plan Big, Plan Now for Primary Vote

NV Voting-Rights Groups Unite to Fight Ranked-Choice Voting

Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Gears Up for Influx of NC Migrant Workers

For Hunger Action Week, Advocates Press for More Funding

Lawsuit Challenges IN Law Restricting Charitable Bail Funds

Latino Advocates Vow to Prevent a Repeat of 2020 Census Undercount

Polis Pressed to Act Faster on Climate Change

State Taxes on Social Security Benefits to Phase Out Faster

Reproductive Freedom Defense Act Heads to CT Governor's Desk

Hero Checks Coming to MN's Frontline Workers

Study: Census Undercount Deprives AZ Latinos of Funding, Political Clout

Census Report Shows Large Undercount of Latino Population

MO Group: Economic-Recovery Payment Plan Excludes Too Many

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

Mpls. Police Report Adds Another Layer to MN Reform Efforts

What Does Musk Takeover Mean for 'Black Twitter?'

NY to Allocate $2.6 Million to Holocaust Survivors

WA Could 'Lead Nation' on Tax System That Tackles Inequality

Simplifying the FAFSA: MI Groups Have Some Tips

Poll: Strong Majority of WI Voters Confident in Spring Election Accuracy