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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.

Parents, Kids Struggle to Fill After-school Hours

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Monday, August 27, 2007   

This week, most Washington kids head back to school and parents must prepare for those worrisome hours after classes are over for the day. Almost one-third of the children in Washington are home alone until adults get off work, which means 347,000 unsupervised kids.

Randy Komatsu of Seattle has two young children. He says he and his wife considered piecing together sports and other activities for them, but decided a steady after-school program would be a better fit.

"We really need a program for them. They need something that they can do, that we know that they’re safe, that they’re in a loving environment. Somewhere that they can get help and try different activities."

Katherine Ayers is a fifth-grade teacher at Concord Elementary in South Seattle. She gives high marks to after-school programs that help kids with homework and reinforce what they learn in the classroom.

"I can’t say enough about it. The students in my class that go to an after-school program are doing great. They love school, feel a real good connection with school, and their teachers, and their peers."

For the first time in five years, the US House of Representatives passed a funding increase this month for after-school programs, but the Senate wants a smaller increase and hasn’t voted yet. Federal money makes the difference in how many kids can participate, especially from poor families. Background about the federal after-school funding bills in Congress can be found online at www.afterschoolalliance.org.


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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 …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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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 …

Social Issues

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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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