Jun 15 Michigan bans hairstyle discrimination in workplaces and schools By Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press The new law will amend the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, the third time Democrats have done so this year after further protecting the LGBTQ community and workers who receive abortions. Continue reading
Jun 15 Oregon Senate Republicans end 6-week walkout that blocked bills on abortion, trans health care By Andrew Selsky, Associated Press The boycott, which prevented the Senate from reaching a two-thirds quorum needed to pass bills, was prompted by a sweeping measure on abortion and gender-affirming care that Republicans said was too extreme. Continue reading
Jun 15 Analysis: How anti-trans laws jeopardize Indigenous peoples' rights, religious expression By Rosalyn R. LaPier, The Conversation Indigenous peoples have historically recognized multiple gender identities, which they believe are a result of divine intervention, an Indigenous scholar explains. Continue reading
Jun 15 Study shows jump in suicides and homicides among young Americans early in the pandemic By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Experts cited several possible reasons for the increases, including higher rates of depression, limited availability of mental health services and the number of guns in U.S. homes. Continue reading
Jun 15 MLB teams embrace Pride Nights despite pushback By Jay Cohen, Associated Press All but one big league team will celebrate Pride Night this season, yet the sport remains hampered by ongoing issues around LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Continue reading
Jun 14 How billions in COVID-19 pandemic relief aid was stolen or wasted By Richard Lardner, Jennifer McDermott, Aaron Kessler, Associated Press Fraudsters used Social Security numbers of dead people to get unemployment checks. Cheaters collected benefits in multiple states. And federal loan applicants weren't cross-checked against a Treasury Department database that would have raised red flags about sketchy borrowers. Continue reading
Jun 14 Watch 11:03 What Iowa Republicans are thinking after Trump's federal indictment By Judy Woodruff, Frank Carlson, Maea Lenei Buhre, Sarah Clune Hartman, Ian Couzens The news of former President Trump’s federal indictment comes as the GOP primary field is still taking shape. Judy Woodruff is in Des Moines, Iowa, to listen in on voter discussions led by conservative pollster Sarah Longwell. Trump's indictment is… Continue watching
Jun 14 Watch 10:11 Borrowers face tough decisions as resumption of student loan payments approaches By William Brangham, Karina Cuevas In just a matter of days, the Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether President Biden’s student debt forgiveness can go forward. It comes as the resumption of student loan payments approaches. Ahead of the decision, we hear from… Continue watching
Jun 14 Watch 8:09 Outgoing White House COVID response coordinator on being prepared for another pandemic By Amna Nawaz, Cybele Mayes-Osterman In the earliest days of the pandemic, Dr. Ashish Jha emerged as an authoritative and trusted voice on the issue. He's now the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, but with the public health emergency officially over, he's leaving the Biden… Continue watching
Jun 14 Texas court allows Attorney General Ken Paxton's securities fraud trial to move to Houston By Paul J. Weber, Associated Press The decision Wednesday deals the Republican another setback as he awaits a separate impeachment trial. It remains unclear when Paxton might finally have his day in court on felony charges of defrauding investors in a tech startup. Continue reading