skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, December 8, 2023

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

Some South Dakota farmers are unhappy with industrial ag getting conservation funds; Texas judge allows abortion in Cox case; Native tribes express concern over Nevada's clean energy projects.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Colorado Supreme Court weighs barring Trump from office, Georgia Republicans may be defying a federal judge with a Congressional map splitting a Black majority district and fake electors in Wisconsin finally agree Biden won there in 2020.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Texas welcomes more visitors near Big Bend but locals worry the water won't last, those dependent on Colorado's Dolores River fear the same but have found common ground solutions, and a new film highlights historical healthcare challenges in rural Appalachia.

Planning for 2040: Engaging Kids in Political Process

play audio
Play

Monday, October 31, 2016   

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolinians of all political persuasions can be heard lamenting a lack of choices on the ballot in this election. So, how can we ensure that future elections will include a bevy of qualified candidates? Look at the youngest generation, says one North Carolina author.

Mary Swann Parry recently released her first children's book, "Sadie McGrady Runs for President," a fictional story of a young girl's pursuit of the White House. Parry said she wrote the book after she found a lack of resources for her young daughter.

"They start learning about the government as early as third grade and how it works," Parry said. "And I think it that would be terrific to have more of these conversations when they're little and when they're having these goals."

The author said she hopes her female character will inspire girls specifically, since women make up more than half of the populace but only 19 percent of Congress, 25 percent of state legislators and 12 percent of governors, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.

Parry said that in her experience, teaching young children they can run for office someday is enough to plant the seed for later in life.

"You're teaching them what foods to eat and to get enough exercise, and you're listening to them - what they might want to be when they grow up,” Parry said. "But we're not really, in all households, talking about civic engagement and how you not just make sure you're a voter and a regular voter when you grow up, but here are the different ways you can get engaged in the process."

Experts say parents should talk to their children about what's happening in this campaign season, and focus on how to discuss issues with their classmates and disagree respectfully. Having these conversations might also ease any fears they may have about the election outcome.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
More than 2,000 patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities have received dental care in group home day center settings across North Carolina, according to Access Dental. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Most people probably never give a second thought to their visits to the dentist, but not everyone can navigate this process with ease. People with …


Social Issues

play sound

Christmas is a little more than two weeks away, and toy drives around the country are in full swing. A North Dakota organizer shares some things to …

Social Issues

play sound

A federal judge in Nevada has dealt three tribal nations a legal setback in their efforts to stop what could be the construction of the country's larg…


A study on earth.org reveals a 6 1/2-foot artificial Christmas tree would have to be used for at least 12 years for it to be more ecofriendly than a real Christmas tree. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Hoosiers could get their holiday trees from any of about 200 tree farms in the state, according to the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association…

Social Issues

play sound

Reports from the Insurance Commissioner's office and the state Attorney General reveal an analysis of what they call "the true costs of health care" i…

Environment

play sound

Connecticut lawmakers are reluctant to approve new emission standards that would require 90% cleaner emissions from internal-combustion engines and re…

Social Issues

play sound

Another controversial move in Florida's education system is a proposal to drop sociology, the study of social life and the causes and consequences of …

 

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