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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

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US sues NY state officials over immigration enforcement; NM's national monuments face new development threats from Trump; NC community colleges get 'boost' to bring more students to high-demand jobs; Trump's resignation plan for federal workers can move forward; Advocates push for program to decrease wildlife collisions in VA.

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Deregulation raises environmental and public health concerns, national monuments face potential risks, political neutrality in education sparks protests, and Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation fuels controversy.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Hate crimes double in CA from 2019-2023; reporting low in rural areas

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Thursday, January 23, 2025   

State data show that hate-crime reports almost doubled between 2019 and 2023 - so the Civil Rights Division is promoting its new CA vs Hate hotline. Since its launch in May 2023 - the hotline has received more than 1,000 reports of hate incidents - but almost none from rural counties such as Del Norte, Sutter and Mariposa.

Kevin Kish, director of the California Civil Rights Department, said the state is partnering with community groups to increase trust.

"We know that when people are afraid, when they feel isolated, it is unlikely for them to turn to government, at least not without a trusted intermediary who helps them do that," he explained.

Kish added that people who fail to report hate incidents may worry they won't be taken seriously, they may have a language barrier, or fear contacting the authorities. The hotline number is 8-3-3-8-no hate. It is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. or you can report on the website, CA vs hate.org.

Gaonou Vang, communications and narrative manager with the grassroots organization Hmong Innovating Politics, said the Trump administration's focus on mass deportation worries many in the Hmong community.

"This continues to really deeply affect our communities, further perpetrating stigmatization, stereotypes and extreme xenophobia that we have faced since the beginning of the pandemic and beyond," Vang said.

The hotline connects people to legal services, counseling and mental health resources, financial assistance and community-based organizations. It will only refer people to law enforcement upon request, and callers are not asked for immigration status.


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