Citizenship/Representative Democracy / Public News Service

In some conservative states, voters wanting law changes deemed more progressive have made bigger splashes through initiated measures at the ballot box. That's prompted some states to tinker with rules to make these questions harder to pass. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, January 23, 2025

ND back on familiar ground in debating ballot-question threshold

The North Dakota Legislature isn't done trying to reshape approval requirements for future ballot questions that cover constitutional amendments…

Advocates in Washington state are pushing to further streamline the voter registration process. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, January 23, 2025

WA bill would expand automatic voter registration

A bill in Olympia would further expand Washington state's automatic voter registration process. Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, introduced Senate …

In Montana's Constitution, Section 9 of the Declaration of Rights reads:

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Montana court upholds citizens’ ‘right to know’ about legislative bills, for now

A Montana District Court this week issued a preliminary injunction maintaining the public's right to know about legislative bills but the case will ne…

In Indiana, a parental rights bill has sparked the most discussion around schools and the Department of Child Services. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Controversial IN parental rights bill progresses

Indiana lawmakers are advancing a measure focused on parental rights. Senate Bill 143 has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with a 9-2 vote…

The PoliChic Engagement Fund helps Texas women get involved through civic engagement to impact public policy. (Jesse B/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

TX women encouraged to honor MLK Jr. by exercising their rights

As the second week of the Texas legislative session gets underway, advocates want women and young girls to pay attention to bills that could impact …

A group of students from the Univerity of Pennsylvania's Political Empathy Lab visited the state capitol in Harrisburg on a

Monday, January 20, 2025

UPenn Political Empathy Lab students study bridging idelogical divide

A group of University of Pennsylvania students got up close and personal with Keystone State voters recently as they studied solutions to bridging the…

During the first half of 2024, more than 3,200 college students were arrested nationwide in protest of U.S. support for Israel's war in Gaza. including more than a dozen students at the University of New Hampshire. (Ahsan)<br />

Monday, January 20, 2025

UNH students confirm Gaza may have cost Harris the race

A new poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris' support for Israel's war in Gaza may have cost her the 2024 presidential election. Nearly 30% of the …

Protesters with the Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice of San Diego drew attention to the effects of climate change at an event in November. (GreenFaith)<br />

Monday, January 20, 2025

CA environmental advocates hold series of vigils around inauguration

Faith-based climate activists with the nonprofit GreenFaith are organizing a series of vigils tied to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump…

Ohio State University will host events honoring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. all week, concluding with the Legacy Awards Reception on Jan. 28. (forestgraphic/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

Celebrating Dr. King and new beginnings in Ohio

Today, Ohioans come together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with events across the state celebrating his contributions to …

According to America's Health Ranking, nearly 28% of Hoosiers age 16 and older volunteered in the last 12 months. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

IN DNR seeks volunteers for MLK Jr. Day of Service

Today the nation honors the "drum major for peace" - the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights leader committed his life to equal …

Threats to U.S. poll workers, ballot counters, county clerks and secretaries of state increased significantly after President Donald Trump said the 2020 election was stolen. (MariaVitkovska/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

NM voters urged to make a stand for free, fair, safe elections

The post-election period leading up to today's inauguration has been decidedly calmer than the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. But …

According to the Pew Research Center, 42% of Ohio residents support Republicans, while 40% lean Democratic and 18% show no specific favor for either party. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Ohio Dems encourage community-focused people to run for office

The Ohio Democratic Party is ramping up to get more people thinking about running for statewide offices. The goal is to boost representation in …

The Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1923, three years after the 19th Amendment was ratified, as a step toward achieving full equality for women. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Groups urge Biden to add Equal Rights Amendment to Constitution

With just a few days before President Joe Biden leaves office, more than 140 nonprofits are urging him to act on the Equal Rights Amendment. Passed …

Women of color are often the sole providers of care for their families and communities and are far too often the last to receive nurturing care, rest and recreation for themselves. (Women's Wilderness)

Mountain retreat to 'pamper' Colorado’s caregivers of color age 50+

If you are a woman age 50 and older, and you provide care for a parent, a child, a loved one or neighbor, you are invited to sign up for a weekend …

People of Native American descent make up about 7% of North Dakota's population. Through redistricting efforts and court cases, their advocates are trying to preserve political gains to ensure they are fairly represented in local and state government. (Adobe Stock)

With SCOTUS order, ND Tribal advocates feel good about legislative districts

As North Dakota's new legislative session takes shape, Indigenous voters in certain political districts will maintain their representation, after a …

Nationally, just one-third of state lawmakers are women. In the 2025 session, 52% of Colorado lawmakers are women. (Adobe Stock)

Veteran CO lawmaker sets sights on climate, child care in 2025

In 2019, Colorado lawmakers set goals for cutting climate pollution by at least half by the year 2030, and by 90% by 2050 - compared with 2005 levels…

Wisconsin is one of nine states where voters are required to present photo identification to vote. The current state law has been in place since 2011. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsin voter ID law one step closer to state constitution

A proposal to make Wisconsin's strict Voter ID law a constitutional amendment passed Wisconsin's Republican-controlled Assembly on Tuesday. Voters …

More than 2,000 bills have already been filed by Texas lawmakers for the 2025 session. Coming up with a balanced budget is the only task required by the Texas Constitution. (Brandon Seidel/Adobe Stock)

Vouchers, new speaker on TX lawmakers' to-do list

Members of the Texas Legislature are back in Austin for its 89th legislative session. After newly elected lawmakers are sworn in, members will vote …

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)

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…

When they convene for the 2025 session, New Mexico and neighboring Colorado will become majority-woman legislatures for the first time. (spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

NM 2025 Legislature makes history with number of women lawmakers

New Mexico's 2025 Legislature will make history next week, convening with the largest percentage of women in the U.S., based on its total number of …

'Run for Something' is an organization that provides resources, webinars, trainings and a network of people who help candidates around the clock, either for free or at cost. (Adobe Stock)

AZ sees jump in those interested in running for office post-Election Day

More than 12,000 people around the county have said they're interested in running for office since last year's election. And the share coming from …

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)

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 …

The Arkansas legislators serving in this session took office following the 2024 elections. Republicans won a 29-6 majority in the Senate and an 81-19 majority in the House. (Adobe Stock)

AR's 95th legislative session begins today

Arkansas lawmakers are at the Capitol today for the start of the 95th Legislative session. Over the next 88 days, legislators will discuss more than 2…

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)

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)

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…

According to the Arkansas Department of Finance, the short-term outlook for the Arkansas economy indicates stable and moderate growth for total personal income from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2025. (diy13/Adobe Stock)

Economists cautiously optimistic about 2025 AR economy

Economists are optimistic about the Arkansas economy in 2025. According to the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, the state has outperformed …

Rep. Mai Xiong, D-Warren, says her pending legislation is designed to provide financial relief to public employees and their families. (Xiong social media)

New MI legislator rings in new year with pending new law

Just nine months into her tenure, Michigan state Rep. Mai Xiong, D-Warren, is ringing in the new year with new legislation. Now on Gov. Gretchen …

Democratic presidential candidates have won Massachusetts and its 11 electoral votes in each election for more than 60 years, excluding Ronald Reagon's victories in 1980 and 1984. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Rightward shifts in solid blue MA ignite Democrats’ ‘listening tour’

Massachusetts Democrats hope a virtual "listening tour" will help clarify voters' rightward shift in last year's election. While Vice President …

Since launching in January of 2017, Run for Something has recruited nearly 100,000 people across all 50 states to run for state or local office. (Adobe Stock)

Surge of people interested in running for office in battlegrounds postelection

More than 12,000 people nationwide have shown interest in wanting to learn more about running for office since last year's election and the share comi…

Virginia Democrats may want to reintroduce legislation to raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour. (Skip Plitt / Wikimedia Commons)

What to expect in this year’s VA legislative session

Virginia lawmakers begin their legislative session today but with elections ahead in November, passing bills may be more difficult this year…

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…

President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been controversial because of Kennedy's positions on vaccinations and questions over medical research and development. (Adobe Stock)

IA progressive advocates warn of 'dangerous' Trump appointments

Progressive advocates are expressing concerns over President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the U.S…

In 2015, New York passed a bill implementing reforms to the Port Authority. But because it is a dual state agency, and the bill did not pass in New Jersey, it never went into effect. (Adobe Stock)

NY/NJ bill reforming Port Authority may come back before lawmakers

A bill reforming the New York-New Jersey Port Authority is coming back before New York's Legislature. The reforms it would implement date back to …

Along with Virginia, New Jersey, Louisiana and Kentucky are the only states to hold off-year elections. (Adobe Stock)

VA special elections: The first 'enthusiasm test' for Dems?

Virginia will hold three special elections across the state today, the first elections since President-elect Donald Trump's victory in November…

Among the bills to be introduced in Montana's 2025 legislative session is one which would officially recognize Indigenous People's Day across the state. (Hanna Tor/Adobe Stock)

Native health care, voting rights top issues to watch during MT's 2025 legislative session

Montana's 69th legislative session begins today and advocates for the state's Native population will be at the Capitol, tracking bills ranging from …

Wyoming's territorial government was the first to recognize women's right to vote. The state has ranked in the bottom 10 in the U.S. for the proportion of women in the state legislature every year since 2009, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Women’s suffrage adds luster to WY Capitol’s historic status

Wyoming's State Capitol building has been a National Historic Landmark since 1987 and last month, the Department of the Interior updated the …

The Indiana Supreme Court Law Library found in its basement a framed, printed page from the 1788 McLean two-volume set of the Federalist Papers. (Connor Burress/TheStatehouseFile.com)

Indiana treasure connects to founding fathers

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…

Conservation advocates picked up a dozen seats in the Montana Legislature in the November election, according to Montana Conservation Voters. They remain concerned, however, over losing support at the federal level. (Adobe Stock)

Taking stock of Montana's outlook on conservation progress

With the Montana Legislature scheduled to gavel in next week, conservation leaders are looking ahead at ways to protect the state's public lands…

Alabama's maternal mortality rate is 36.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is more than double the national average of 17.4. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama Arise prepares to tackle poverty, health issues in 2025

With the 2025 legislative session around the corner, the nonprofit advocacy group Alabama Arise said it plans to take aim at poverty and systemic …

Former President Jimmy Carter spoke at an event for Habitat for Humanity in 2007 in Los Angeles. (County of Los Angeles)

California nonprofit leaders recall President Jimmy Carter’s legacy

Former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at 100 years of age, had a huge effect on the Golden State far beyond his presidency…

Jimmy Carter, seen here with Mashun D. Simon and Carter's wife Rosalynn, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his many years of international humanitarian service. (Photo courtesy of Simon)

Jimmy Carter’s passing spurs reflection on legacy of service

As the world reflects on the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, the Reverend Mashaun D. Simon sees a man whose ministry and …

Extreme political polarization in the U.S. has led to a significant increase in threats of violence against election officials and members of Congress, according to the Brennan Center.

NM political expert says 'polarization' is the logical 'word of the year'

Between endless doomscrolling and nonstop negative headlines, a New Mexico political science professor said it's no surprise the Merriam-Webster …

Maryland has 12 news outlets dedicated to Black and Latino communities in the state. (Adobe Stock)

MD newsrooms experience slight dip in 2024

A new report finds Maryland has seen a small decline in the number of newspapers in the state this year. The report is from the Northwestern …

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 …

Supporters of Measure J said opposition mailers such as this one were used to spread false claims ahead of the election. (Direct Action Everywhere)

Opponents of factory farms regroup after mixed election results

Animal rights organizers are regrouping after mixed results at the ballot box in November. A measure targeting factory farms passed in Berkeley but …

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 …

More than three-quarters of Western voters say more emphasis should be placed on conserving wildlife migration routes than on economic uses of lands in these areas, according to the State of the Rockies Project. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ one of eight Western states that could improve conservation policies

Arizona could be doing more to improve conservation policy, according to a new report by the Center for Western Priorities. The Center's Policy …

Ag policy experts wonder if a second Trump administration will create a more regulatory-friendly environment for larger livestock operations and commodity farmers. They say growing a lot of corn, for example, might appear good, but it fuels feed for concentrated animal feeding operations. (Adobe Stock)

A giant policy question mark lies before smaller, independent farms

From declining commodity prices to unpredictable weather, American farmers are at a crossroads - especially smaller operations. And they're …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - January 23, 2025

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Civic Engagement & Voting

ND back on familiar ground in debating ballot-question threshold

WA bill would expand automatic voter registration

Montana court upholds citizens’ ‘right to know’ about legislative bills, for now

Controversial IN parental rights bill progresses

TX women encouraged to honor MLK Jr. by exercising their rights

UPenn Political Empathy Lab students study bridging idelogical divide

UNH students confirm Gaza may have cost Harris the race

CA environmental advocates hold series of vigils around inauguration

Celebrating Dr. King and new beginnings in Ohio

IN DNR seeks volunteers for MLK Jr. Day of Service

NM voters urged to make a stand for free, fair, safe elections

Ohio Dems encourage community-focused people to run for office

Groups urge Biden to add Equal Rights Amendment to Constitution

Mountain retreat to 'pamper' Colorado’s caregivers of color age 50+

With SCOTUS order, ND Tribal advocates feel good about legislative districts

Veteran CO lawmaker sets sights on climate, child care in 2025

Wisconsin voter ID law one step closer to state constitution

Vouchers, new speaker on TX lawmakers' to-do list

Alabama redistricting trial challenges fair representation

NM 2025 Legislature makes history with number of women lawmakers

AZ sees jump in those interested in running for office post-Election Day

MN legislative stalemate has potential to worsen voter trust

AR's 95th legislative session begins today

FL League of Women Voters helps returning citizens restore voting rights

Several 2025 WY bills could erode voting rights

Economists cautiously optimistic about 2025 AR economy

New MI legislator rings in new year with pending new law

Rightward shifts in solid blue MA ignite Democrats’ ‘listening tour’

Surge of people interested in running for office in battlegrounds postelection

What to expect in this year’s VA legislative session

Ohio funding gaps leave Adams County kids in crisis

IA progressive advocates warn of 'dangerous' Trump appointments

NY/NJ bill reforming Port Authority may come back before lawmakers

VA special elections: The first 'enthusiasm test' for Dems?

Native health care, voting rights top issues to watch during MT's 2025 legislative session

Women’s suffrage adds luster to WY Capitol’s historic status

Indiana treasure connects to founding fathers

Taking stock of Montana's outlook on conservation progress

Alabama Arise prepares to tackle poverty, health issues in 2025

California nonprofit leaders recall President Jimmy Carter’s legacy

Jimmy Carter’s passing spurs reflection on legacy of service

NM political expert says 'polarization' is the logical 'word of the year'

MD newsrooms experience slight dip in 2024

Has Ohio lost its battleground state status?

Opponents of factory farms regroup after mixed election results

Addressing Montana's expanding 'news deserts'

Report: AZ one of eight Western states that could improve conservation policies

A giant policy question mark lies before smaller, independent farms