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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.

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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.

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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.

WA organization connects people across political divides

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Monday, December 11, 2023   

Americans are deeply divided on political issues. One organization is attempting to bridge this gap.

The group Braver Angels brings together people of different political leanings to engage in civil conversations.

It's Washington state chapter holds events throughout the year, including a welcome social on Tuesday for new members. State coordinator Sue Lani Madsen talked about the organization's mission.

"It's okay to be really passionate and firm in your belief and be able to express that," said Madsen. "You also have to be able to hear that from somebody else and to acknowledge that. Then we're all still going to go on living together in this country. And that's really the key point."

Braver Angels was created in 2016. Since then, it's held more than 3,200 events for more than 33,000 participants.

Madsen said Braver Angels hosts workshops that focus on communication skills.

"There's depolarizing within, which is a very basic workshop for just recognizing your own biases that you bring to a conversation," said Madsen. "That makes it a little easier to hear. You can understand why you're hearing something some way, makes it easier to understand why another person may hear it a different way."

Madsen said the organization also hosts workshops in schools, reaching an important demographic.

"They need to practice those skills now as high schoolers, as middle schoolers," said Madsen, "before they get into the adult stage where they really need to be able to have conversations about tough subjects."




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