A new study shows health disparities cost Texas billions of dollars; Senate rejects impeachment articles against Mayorkas, ending trial against Cabinet secretary; Iowa cuts historical rural school groups.

Turnover in MA election officials as presidential election nears Heightened scrutiny and harassment are helping fuel an increasing turnover rate of election officials in Massachusetts and beyond, according to a new report. More than a third of all Massachusetts municipalities have had a change in their chief election official or town clerk since 20…

UT students could get a bachelor's degree in just 3 years A new degree program could grant students across the Utah System of Higher Education a bachelor's degree in just three years.Geoffrey Landward, commissioner of higher education with the Utah System of Higher Education, recently approved a new degree category called the Bachelor of Applied St…

Day of action focuses on CT undocumented's healthcare needs; 7 jurors seated in first Trump criminal trial; ND looks to ease 'upskill' obstacles for former college students; Black Maternal Health Week ends, health disparities persist.

CO families must sign up to get $120 per child for food through Summer EBT; No Jurors Picked on First Day of Trump's Manhattan Criminal Trial; virtual ballot goes live to inform Hoosiers; It's National Healthcare Decisions Day.

MA Haitian-led groups call for end to deportations as terror grips island Haitian-led groups in Massachusetts are calling for a temporary pause in deportations as political instability and violence engulf the island.They said anything less would be a death sentence. Armed gangs now control most of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, cutting distribut…

25 million Blacks, Latinos missing from voter databases; major news organizations urge Biden and Trump to commit to presidential debates; NM gun-control advocates praise federal rule closing 'gun show loophole; Arkansas group raising awareness during Black Maternal Health Week.

Uncovering America's methamphetamine history; PA Early Intervention programs vital for child development; measuring long-term impact of the O.J. Simpson trial on media literacy.

MA taxpayers benefit from IRS Direct File pilot program Massachusetts residents can take advantage of a new pilot program from the Internal Revenue Service, which allows people to file their taxes online for free. IRS Direct File is expected to save people both time and money while making tax preparation more equitable and inclusive. Adam Ruben, vi…

Alabama groups unite to combat gun violence; 3 wounded, 5 arrested after gunfight breaks out at West Philly Ramadan celebration; EPA finalizes national standard for PFAS in drinking water; Climate activists call on U.S. company to halt trade lawsuit over LNG.

VA Senator calls for updates to ACA health coverage; Parents of school shooter sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison; WI utilities make union jobs a priority for green projects; Idaho could boost local election turnout with timing change.

Utah mayor calls for more federal dollars for rural communities Federal and agency officials convened with stakeholders in Southeastern Utah to discuss how federal funds can help grow and strengthen local economies.Lenise Peterman, mayor of Helper in Carbon County, said money from major legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the Inf…

Offshore wind does more than aid NY, NJ clean energy futures; Vatican says surrogacy and gender theory are 'grave threats' to human dignity; Study: 14 million U.S. freight trucks vulnerable to hackers; Lawsuit over Endangered Species Act follows outrage at wolf torture photo.

ND lawmaker: Racist taunts in HS sports need to stop; Alabama advocacy groups sue to block restrictive new voting law; Maryland students to study eclipse's effect on atmosphere.

MA students urge lawmakers to fund campus anti-hunger efforts A coalition of college students and administrators is asking state lawmakers to help fight food insecurity on campus.The group is asking for $2 million for the Hunger Free Campus Initiative and to pass legislation to better fund programs already helping thousands of low-income students o…

SCOTUS to hear Oregon case on criminalizing homelessness; Judge Cannon rejects Trump dismissal effort in Classified Documents Case; VA groups angry over Youngkin's Environmental Justice Council picks; Patapsco River conditions slow progress on Key Bridge salvage.

More UT seniors could qualify for dual-eligible special-needs plans Utah seniors could qualify for dual-use special-needs plans, which offer standard Medicare benefits as well as additional unique coverage and services.Kolbi Young, public information officer for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, said the plans help individuals who a…

Reimagining West Virginia's coal country by building on the state's legacy as an energy provider; Trump presses Nebraska lawmakers to change electoral votes to a winner-take-all; Cutting red tape to access IDs and other vital documents; IN research; Federal workers defy 'deep state' stereotype.

Texas officials address human avian flu case; U.S; major storms cause damage across Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee; MN funding fight underscores larger school budget pain; banning cellphones at school brings positive changes for students.

Greater accountability sought for abandoned well cleanup in West According to the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, there are at least 49 orphan wells in the state -- wells that are abandoned and not plugged -- on private, state and federal lands.Congress is once again debating who should clean them up. Last year, the Biden administration propo…

Report reveals inequities in NC school voucher system; Biden visit to bridge collapse announced as channel opens to Baltimore port; Colorado lawmakers eye ways to reduce pollution in vulnerable communities; VA seniors can benefit from dual-eligible special-needs plans.

TSA workers contract provides better working conditions; Mass shooting outside Indianapolis mall leaves 7 injured; Iowa focuses on 'restorative justice' for young offenders; Mississippi kids will miss out on Summer EBT food program.

MA seniors encouraged to take advantage of dual-use special needs plans Health care advocates in Massachusetts said special health care plans are available for seniors and people with disabilities to help ensure they get the care they need.Dual-use special-needs plans combine services and coverage for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and they o…

UT poverty simulation aims to catalyze change, empathy More than 8% of Utah's population lives in poverty, according to the Census and an event this month wants to give participants a better idea of the challenges and barriers those in poverty face on a daily basis.Stefanie Jones, program specialist for the Community Action Partnership of Utah, sai…

TSA workers contract provides better working conditions; Mass shooting outside Indianapolis mall leaves 7 injured; Iowa focuses on 'restorative justice' for young offenders; Mississippi kids will miss out on Summer EBT food program.

UT governor signs slew of bills targeting homelessness, mental health Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared toward improving the state's homelessness prevention and mental-health systems....(Read More)…

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

GOP proposal threatens cuts to MA Social Security benefits Congressional Republicans' proposed changes to Social Security have advocates for Massachusetts beneficiaries concerned about the future of the key safety net program.A recent GOP budget proposal suggested raising the benefit eligible retirement age to 69, "to account for increases in life …

Missed opportunities in 2024 budget, peacekeeping groups say; Abortion is once again before the Supreme Court this time, in pill form; an effort continues to ensure state minimum wage for ME farmworkers; Montana land proposed for solar power.

Missed opportunities in 2024 budget, peacekeeping groups say; Abortion is once again before the Supreme Court this time, in pill form; an effort continues to ensure state minimum wage for ME farmworkers; Montana land proposed for solar power.

An essential Baltimore bridge collapses after ship collision; University of Texas-El Paso targets teacher shortage; Queer churches in MA and nationwide offer all identities safe, sacred spaces; NY bill holds fashion industry accountable for climate-change impacts.

Queer churches in MA and nationwide offer all identities safe, sacred spaces By Sara Youngblood Gregory for Yes! Magazine. Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Commonwealth News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service CollaborationIn December 2023, Pope Francis announced that Catholic priests may bless same-sex unions-as long as…

Utah officials investigate illegal killings of game animals A Utah wildlife expert considers wild animal poaching to be a significant problem in the Beehive State, following several incidents of game animals being killed and then left to waste.According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, four deer were killed in the Woodland Hills area of …