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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.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Same Sex Marriage in NH: A Human Rights Issue?

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Monday, May 11, 2009   

Concord, NH - Many are closely watching this week as they await Governor John Lynch's decision on the same-sex marriage bill approved by the New Hampshire legislature last week. The bill will soon come to the Governor's desk, and his office has been deluged with e-mail messages, calls and letters from groups and individuals urging him either to sign the legislation or to veto it.

For some, same-sex marriage threatens the sanctity of "traditional" marriage. For others, such as Emily Rinde-Thorsen of Grantham, it is a matter of equal rights. She and her partner Amy have a young daughter.

"We just feel it's important for us to have the same rights and benefits as a heterosexual couple and, more importantly, for our child to feel that her parents are the same as all of the parents of her friends when she gets to day care and school and beyond."

Gretchen Grappone is a therapist in Manchester and a member of the New Hampshire Chapter of The National Association of Social Workers, a professional agency that stands behind marriage equality.

"We have, as a profession, a code of ethics that has mandates that we work to challenge social injustice, that we respect the dignity and worth of every person, and that we really recognize the importance of human relationships."

As the bill stands now, religious institutions would be allowed to decide whether they would conduct same-sex marriages or allow their facilities to be used for such weddings.

Once the bill reaches the governor's desk, he will have five days to either sign it, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.


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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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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 …


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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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