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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.

Attacking Sexual Assault in Virginia Prisons

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008   

Richmond, VA - Hundreds of inmates in Virginia jails are subjected to sexual assault by guards every year. Patrick Owen Gee, a Fluvanna County corrections supervisor, was indicted last week on 30 counts of "carnal knowledge of an inmate," and women prisoners at the Pocahontas Correctional Unit in Chesterfield recently settled a lawsuit on similar charges.

Attorney Brenda V. Smith at American University says the problem goes on because the public overlooks it.

"Because they've broken some law, the notion about inmates is if you didn't want to put yourself at risk for this kind of abuse, then you should not have done what you did in order to get locked up."

She believes the problem won't stop until the state takes action to make it clear that prisoner abuse is not okay.

"There needs to be a prosecution, and there needs to be something that sends a message both to the inmate community and to the public that being abused in custody is really not a part of the sentence for committing a crime."

Smith is a member of the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission. The group is working to create a "culture of reporting" that lets people feel they'll be protected when they report sexual abuse. Prisoners or their families seeking help can call the Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-838-8238.




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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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