skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, September 20, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Cage-Free Decision on November Ballot for Bay Staters

play audio
Play

Thursday, October 13, 2016   

BOSTON -- When Commonwealth voters cast their ballots in November, one box they may check will for Question 3: a measure to prohibit cruelty in the confinement of farm animals.

There are currently no rules for the confinement of farm animals in Massachusetts, said Paul Shapiro, vice president of farm animal protection at the Humane Society of the United States. As a result, thousands of farm animals in the state are cramped in cages where they can barely move an inch their entire lives.

"Question 3 would establish some modest, commonsense rules for the treatment of farm animals,” Shapiro said; “mainly that they be able to at least turn around and extend their limbs. It really is that modest."

The measure would apply to veal and pork producers and require that eggs being sold in the state, from both local and out-of-state producers, be "cage-free.”

Some in the egg industry oppose Question 3. They say it would raise prices for consumers at the grocery store and could drive some farmers out of business.

October 12 was National Farmer's Day, and Shapiro noted that the ballot measure has garnered significant support from farmers in the Commonwealth.

"More than 100 Massachusetts family farms endorsed the 'Yes on 3' bid, as does the United Farm Workers,” Shapiro said; "because they know that cruel and inhumane conditions for farm animals are often bad for farmers and for farm workers, too."

If approved by voters, the Bay State would become the 11th in the nation to pass similar farm animal protection laws.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
Some 899 of 936 public comments on the plan for the proposed West Fork Dam, or 96%, opposed the West Fork Battle Creek Dam project, according to a tally by Wyofile. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

A federal agency is requiring Wyoming to update cost estimates for a large proposed dam in Carbon County, which has been under feasibility studies …


Social Issues

play sound

This Saturday marks the International Day of Peace and the advocacy group Nonviolent Peaceforce is kicking off a series of family-friendly events in M…

Environment

play sound

Latino Conservation Week is in full swing, with 330 events across the U.S. and 90 in California alone. The 11th annual event runs through Sunday…


Social Issues

play sound

A new federal proposal to protect workers from extreme heat is being hailed as a potential lifesaver by labor advocates, even as Florida faces …

A clean energy industry advocacy report found nonunion workers are often paid less, incur more job-related injuries and receive fewer benefits than unionized employees. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A new study showed as Texas has emerged as a national leader in wind turbine and solar energy installations, clean energy workers often face …

play sound

Students enrolled at Wisconsin's technical colleges this fall might take a course where artificial intelligence is the star of the classroom…

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows the gender wage gap widened for the first time in two decades. The Census Bureau found full-time working women make 82.7 cents …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021