Apr 26 Blue states look to expand insurance coverage of gender-affirming care By Claire Rush, Associated Press/Report for America The wide-ranging bill is part of a wave of legislation in Democratic-controlled states intended to carve out safe havens for transgender people amid a conservative movement seeking to ban or limit gender-affirming care. Continue reading
Apr 26 Transgender lawmaker banned from Montana House floor for rest of 2023 session By Amy Beth Hanson, Sam Metz, Matthew Brown, Associated Press Transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr was barred from participating on the House floor as Republican leaders voted Wednesday to silence her for the rest of 2023 session after she protested GOP leaders’ decision earlier in the week to silence her. Continue reading
Apr 26 Support for abortion rights has grown in spite of bans and restrictions, poll shows By Laura Santhanam A growing number of Americans -- 34 percent -- think abortion should be allowed at least up until the first six months of pregnancy, if not throughout the entire pregnancy, according to this latest PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll. That support has… Continue reading
Apr 25 Watch 8:47 Comprehensive review of how U.S. handled pandemic lays out lessons learned By William Brangham, Courtney Norris Why the United States fared so badly during the pandemic, especially when compared to other similar nations, was supposed to be one of the many questions examined by a national COVID-19 commission. But that commission was never launched. William Brangham… Continue watching
Apr 25 Montana House cancels session after supporters for trans lawmaker continue protests By Amy Beth Hanson, Sam Metz, Associated Press Montana legislators canceled a floor session in the Statehouse on Tuesday, a day after protesters were arrested while demanding that transgender lawmaker Rep. Zooey Zephyr be allowed to speak. Continue reading
Apr 25 UN warns of health lab risk, more displacement amid Sudan conflict By Jamey Keaten, Samy Magdy, Associated Press U.N. officials say one side in the Sudan conflict has seized control of a national health lab in the capital of Khartoum that holds biological material, calling it an "extremely dangerous" development. Continue reading
Apr 24 North Dakota governor signs law banning abortion at 6 weeks By Trisha Ahmed, Associated Press North Dakota's Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation Monday banning abortion at six weeks of pregnancy. The ban allows no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, making it one of the strictest in the country. Continue reading
Apr 24 Watch 6:22 Arkansas Lt. Gov. weighs in on debate over access to abortion medication By Amna Nawaz The Supreme Court's decision late Friday evening allows access to mifepristone, for now. But confusion and questions remain over future access to abortion medication, particularly in states with some of the toughest restrictions. Arkansas is one of seven states that… Continue watching
Apr 24 Supporters of trans Montana lawmaker demand that the state legislature lets her speak By Amy Beth Hanson, Sam Metz, Associated Press When lawmakers voted to continue subjecting Zephyr to a gag order, denying her the chance to speak, the gallery made up of her supporters erupted, forcing legislative leaders to pause proceedings and clear the room. Continue reading
Apr 24 Cities look to revive downtowns by converting offices to housing By Mae Anderson, Ashraf Khalil, Michael Casey, Associated Press A growing number of developers are considering converting empty office towers into housing as part of an effort to revive struggling downtown business districts that emptied out during the pandemic. Continue reading