skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 7, 2025

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

January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Tucson councilman urges nonpartisan support for national parks

play audio
Play

Monday, October 28, 2024   

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Kristen Brengel's title. (11:38 a.m. PST, Oct. 28, 2024) Clarification: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Trump's budget proposal. (12:22 a.m. PST, Oct. 28, 2024)


Public lands and national parks are set to be one of the many issues Americans are paying attention to this election cycle and a new scorecard looks at how Arizona lawmakers fared in supporting things such as national park funding, conservation, preservation and wildlife protection.

The National Parks Action Fund's 2024 Congressional Scorecard only evaluated members of the House of Representatives, as the Senate did not take any votes on parks this session.

Kevin Dahl, a member of the Tucson City Council, said he sees partisan politics playing a big role in the issues that matter to voters.

"National parks, of many issues, can be something that most everybody can support," Dahl contended. "I've worked with Republicans in supporting national parks. There is no reason why it can't be a bipartisan, nonpartisan effort."

Dahl added the scorecard is a tool all voters should look at before casting their ballot. All of Arizona's GOP House members, except Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., received failing grades. The Democratic members of Congress all received A's.

Dahl wants our national parks to be prioritized and wants to let voters know because a park has a certain designation, it does not mean it is being adequately cared for. He argued in order to support national parks, we must support elected officials who do so as well.

Kristen Brengel, executive director of National Parks Action, said polling consistently shows nearly all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, want national parks to receive the appropriate funding they need. She noted in 2017, the Trump administration aimed to cut national park funding by 13%. But Trump's budget proposal did not move through Congress. Brengel fears similar proposals could be brought up again.

"This is why it is so important to hold members of Congress accountable," Brengel stressed. "And to have their constituents see what grade they got and push them, in the next Congress, to do better and to be more 'pro-park.'"

Parks have seen a 14% increase in visitation over the last five years, while the park system has seen a 14% reduction in staffing, according to the association.

Brengel emphasized National Parks are an integral part of American values. She wants voters to consider how their values line up with members of Congress and make their voices heard.

Disclosure: The National Parks Action Fund contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Cultural Resources, Environment, and Public Lands/Wilderness. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

Social Issues

play sound

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

play sound

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

 

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