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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.

COVID Surge, Schools Reopening Generate New Paid-Leave Push

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Friday, July 24, 2020   

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The ongoing pandemic has millions of families worried about their jobs and incomes, but also anxious about returning to work and school because they don't have paid sick or family leave.

The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that doesn't require employers to give their workers paid time off when they're sick - an urgent concern during the health crisis.

In a news conference yesterday, Nevada mother of four Tameka Henry was among those calling on the Senate to support a paid sick leave mandate. Henry, a member of the Paid Leave for All Workers Advisory Group, says it would have made a significant difference for her family.

"I calculated that I've lost over $200,000 over the years," says Henry. "It would have given me the space to take care of my husband when he was seriously ill without losing my means of livelihood."

In March, Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law the first emergency paid leave law, but loopholes exempted up to 106 million workers - including millions of front-line health-care and essential workers.

National Education Association president Lily Eskelsen García is a former 6th-grade teacher. She says paid leave is a critical piece of reopening schools.

"I know what it's like to have moms and dads bring their little guys into a classroom apologizing they probably should be home, but they're worried about not getting paid if they stay home and take care of a sick child," says García.

Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth is a sponsor of the PAID Leave Act and says when doors reopen, school personnel need to be as protected as possible.

"We've got to insist that paid leave covers not just teachers, but the other people who look after them," says Duckworth. "People like school counselors and bus drivers and cafeteria workers and janitors - many of whom aren't even eligible for unpaid leave right now."

A study released earlier this year found that in states that mandated sick leave, fewer employees worked when sick, taking on average two additional sick days a year.


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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 …

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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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