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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.

Senate Bill Would Aid 11,500 MA Kids Awaiting Adoption

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008   

Boston, MA - A bill awaiting Senate action could have big benefits for more than 11,000 Massachusetts children living in foster care. The Senate Finance Committee is considering a bill meant to help them get adopted. Currently, many never find adoptive families, eventually "aging out" of the foster care system.

The bill includes incentives that would encourage states to find more adoptive homes, explains Elizabeth Davis-Pratt with the Children's Defense Fund.
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"There is adoption expense assistance that would go directly to parents through the states, but the adoption incentive program is a program to 'incentivize' them to really try to get these children placed."

Davis-Pratt says the state incentives are needed because as kids get older, their chances of adoption decline.

"Special need for federal adoption assistance comes at about eight years old. Definitely it's harder to find adoptive families the older a child gets."

Davis-Pratt says the Finance Committee needs to act soon so the Senate can consider the full bill before the current incentives expire. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is a member of the committee.


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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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