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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.

CA Law to Improve Conditions for Farm Animals Takes Effect

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Monday, December 30, 2019   

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A new California law to improve living conditions for certain farm animals goes into effect Wednesday - and it is expected to have ripple effects on the way animals are treated across the country.

Proposition 12 increases the space a pig must have to 24 square feet by 2022. Josh Balk, vice president for farm animal protection with the Humane Society, says the gestation crates in wide use now are barbaric.

"These are cages barely larger than their own body," says Balk. "They're basically forced to live in a coffin for roughly four years. You know, if this was done to a dog or a cat, we'd be arrested for felony cruelty charges. "

Starting Wednesday, veal calves must be given 43 square feet and hens must be given one square foot of space each. The law mandates a cage-free environment by the end of 2021 - and it affects other states because the measure bans the sale of animal products in California that don't meet these standards.

Amber Canavan, senior campaigner with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says the new law doesn't go far enough because female chicks can still have their beaks cut off, and male chickens can still be gassed to death.

She recommends that consumers vote with their pocketbooks by going vegan.

"We found that consumers can't trust any label that says 'humane,' 'cage-free,' 'free range,'" says Canavan. "And the safest thing for consumers to do is to avoid products that come from animals entirely."

The National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation have filed a legal challenge, saying the law will hurt small family farms that can't afford to convert their facilities. A judge recently dismissed a similar challenge by the North American Meat Institute.


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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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