Racial Justice / Public News Service

Data show firearms were the leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1-17 in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama leaders unite to address gun violence, reimagine community safety

Gun violence has long been a pressing issue in Alabama, and the recent tragic shooting at Tuskegee University has reignited urgent calls for action…

According to the Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center, one in 40 Native American and Alaska Native babies born in the Great Plains region in 2022 had a syphilis infection. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal leaders call syphilis outbreak 'public health emergency'

By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the KFF Health News…

New NYPD commissioner must tackle agency’s public trust issues

The New York Police Department's new commissioner must address the agency's dwindling public trust as her tenure begins. Jessica Tisch became the …

Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission received 184 applications from organizations seeking a combined total of more than $185 million, for its latest round of grants. (C Malambo/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

$42 million awarded to Oregon job development projects

The latest round of Workforce Ready Grants means $42 million is being divided among 62 projects aiming to foster Oregon's diverse workforce in the fie…

An Equable Institute report finds Connecticut school districts with smaller pension obligations are likely to have a high percentage of their workforce paid lower salaries at or below $60,000. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT teacher pension financing creates inequity

A new report shows Connecticut's teacher pension financing reinforces inequity. The Equable Institute's report finds Pupil Pension Subsidies are …

New Mexico immigrant advocacy groups said mass deportations promised by the next Trump administration would destabilize local economies. (LRafael/AdobeStock)

NM human rights groups promise to defend immigrants against deportation

New Mexico immigrant-based and immigrant-serving organizations are developing strategies to defend those workers and their families in the new year…

South Dakota was the first state to rename

Wounded Knee Medal of Honor review process expected to slow under Trump

The idea of revoking military medals awarded to soldiers at the Wounded Knee Massacre has gained traction recently, but some expect that to stop …

Changes could be coming to Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act as President-elect Donald Trump builds his administration. (I Viewfinder/Adobe Stock)

2nd Trump term to affect health coverage for Arkansans

Low-income Arkansas families could be in for some big cuts to health care under a second Trump administration, according to health experts. Policy …

Ohio's inadequate family leave policies and systemic gaps contribute to high rates of infant mortality (7.06 per 1,000 births) and maternal mortality (18.8 per 100,000 births) both above the U.S. average). (Best/Adobe Stock)

Report: Paid family leave and what it could mean for Ohio

Ohio is among the many states where a majority of workers lack access to paid family leave. A new report by Groundwork Ohio finds three in four …

Some Dual Special Needs plans can be used to pay for a variety of different things, including fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood. (Adobe Stock)

Dec 7 deadline for CO Medicare-Medicaid enrollees to get additional benefits

Over 150,000 Coloradans with both Medicare and Medicaid coverage who need additional help - whether due to disabilities, age, income or health …

After immigrating to the U.S. many immigrants and their families encounter challenges, including low-paying jobs, language barriers and navigating complex systems. (artiom.photo/Adobe Stock)

Immigrant families in northwest AR struggle to make ends meet

By Antoinette Grajeda for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop…

Research has found the stability of parents' home ownership contributes to their kids' higher standardized test scores in math and reading. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

New coalition aims to address Oregon home ownership 'crisis'

With housing prices nearly doubling in the last 10 years, the number of Oregonians who can afford to buy a home without assistance has dwindled and a …

The FBI is investigating a nationwide wave of harassing texts with messages referencing slavery. In Wisconsin, Black residents of all ages have reported receiving them. (Adobe Stock)

WI wave of racist texts sparks concerns over data privacy

CORRECTION: The legislation mentioned in this story was passed by the Wisconsin State Assembly. It has not yet been voted on by the state Senate…

President-elect Donald Trump said during his campaign the issue of abortion access should be left to states. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has said he hopes Trump sticks to his viewpoint. (Adobe Stock)

WI Supreme Court hears case on 1849 abortion law

It is now up to Wisconsin Supreme Court justices to decide the fate of an abortion law from the mid-1800s. A circuit court determined last year an 18…

Some organizations point to low pay, racial bias in school systems and retention challenges as the biggest obstacles to recruiting more Black men into teaching. (RDNE/Pexels)

Jacksonville program aims to boost Black male teachers

In a country where Black men make up less than 2% of the teaching workforce, a program in Jacksonville is working to shift the balance by recruiting 1…

Some 43% of of municipal officeholders are women in Oregon, compared to 32% nationwide. (Dog Paw Productions/Adobe Stock)

Report: More OR women are running for office and winning

Oregon has the third highest percent of women in city government, according to a new report from Rutgers University. It may be proof of the success …

Since 2002, there has been a single case of voter fraud in Wyoming, in which a convicted felon from Alaska managed to cast votes. He was sentenced to two to four years in prison. (Adobe Stock)

Lacking proof, WY official warns of noncitizens voting

Wyoming's secretary of state is asking county clerks to report non-citizens who try to vote, although cases of that - or any other - kind of election …

More than one of every 10 voters in today's general election is expected to be Latino, a 20.5% increase from 2016, according to the NALEO Educational Fund. (Adobe Stock)

All eyes on AZ for Election Day as experts warn of harmful misinformation

Election Day is finally here, and this year more than 17 million Latinos are expected to cast a ballot. The National Association of Latino Elected …

More than half of the 46 million immigrants living in the United States are naturalized citizens, according to the United States Census Bureau. (AdobeStock AI enhanced/ChaoticMind)

Legal immigrants in NM, elsewhere, ensnared in voting allegations

New Mexico has a sizable immigrant community - making up 11% of the state's labor force. But during contentious U.S. elections, they can suffer a …

The Ohio Organizing Collaborative registered nearly 160,000 new voters for the Nov. 5 election, which represents the largest grassroots voter registration program in the country. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's voting system affects BIPOC communities

Ohio voters are facing significant challenges at the ballot box, with some groups expressing concerns over voter roll purges and gerrymandering …

The University of Maryland-Baltimore's Genetics of Latin American Diversity Database (GLADdb) includes genome-wide information from almost 54,000 Latin Americans representing 46 geographical regions. (AI-generated/Adobe Stock)

MD scientists create Latino genetic database for medical research

Genetic studies overwhelmingly are based on data from people of European descent. But University of Maryland, Baltimore scientists are working to …

Comedians lobbing political jabs from a right perspective are gaining ground through popular podcasts such as the Joe Rogan Experience. (Adobe Stock)

Right-wing comedians gain ground in conventionally liberal spaces

Uproar over racist jokes at a Madison Square Garden rally for former President Donald Trump has put a spotlight on the increasing influence of right-l…

A screenshot from a Donald Trump for President advertisement includes a claim fact-checkers have found misleading. Therapists said such rhetoric has taken a toll on undocumented immigrants' mental health. (Photo courtesy of MinnPost)<br />

As identity politics flood the airwaves, MN therapists help affected clients cope

By Deanna Pistono for MinnPost.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Rural News Network-Public News Service C…

In 2023, North Dakota created a new Office of Legal Immigration as a way to help businesses around the state overcome labor shortages and recruit and retain foreign labor. (Adobe Stock)

Even in a red state, politics takes a back seat to welcoming new Americans

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump held a rally Sunday that his critics say reinforced a hateful tone felt by Puerto Ricans and foreign-born…

About three in 10 Hispanic Republicans identify as evangelical Protestants, a far higher share than the 10% of Hispanic Democrats who say the same, according to Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Pastor highlights complexity of Hispanic evangelical vote

Roughly 10 million Hispanics identify as evangelical or Protestant, and one pastor contends there has been what he calls "an awakening" regarding the …

According to Hispanic Access, an urban canopy provides enormous benefits, from reducing the urban heat island effect and lowering energy bills to absorbing carbon dioxide and pollutants. (Hispanic Access Foundation)

'Nuestros Bosques' to boost urban green spaces in disadvantaged communities

A national nonprofit dedicated to empowering Latino communities and improving access to public resources has launched a $10 million initiative to incr…

The Black Church PAC is a grassroots movement founded in 2017. Its efforts aim to not only increase voter turnout, but also foster longer-term civic engagement in local, state and national elections.<br />(Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Prominent church leaders work to ignite Black voter power

Prominent Black church leaders and faith influencers from coast to coast are taking their message beyond the pulpit and going door to door to mobilize…

The Royal Community is a historic rural district established in 1865 by formerly enslaved people who received land through the Homestead Act of 1862. (SaveRoyal)

Royal fights to preserve legacy as one of FL's oldest Black communities

Known as one of the oldest African American communities in the state, Royal, Fla. was founded in 1865 by freed slaves who received land through the "4…

The survey shows that because of Texas abortion laws many OB/GYN physicians and resident physicians are considering or have made changes to their practices that reduce the availability of OB/GYN care in the state. (Laura/Adobe Stock)

Abortion ban prompts concern among TX doctors

A recent survey of OB/GYNs in the state shows that doctors are concerned and confused by Texas' abortion ban. 76% of doctors surveyed say they feel …

Even as families are forced to pay high prices for childcare, those dollars are not reaching early childhood educators who do not earn a living wage in any U.S. state. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Colorado child care workers earn poverty wages

Workers responsible for nurturing and educating young children during their most critical years of development struggle with poverty-level wages…

Candice Griego, the new director of Tribal Relations for Roadrunner Food Bank, wants to help New Mexico's Indigenous communities develop food sovereignty. (Courtesy Roadrunner Food Bank)

NM food bank goes the distance to reach Indigenous communities

A New Mexico food bank has expanded outreach to the state's Indigenous communities by hiring a Director of Tribal Relations. Candice Griego will …

UA Little Rock students celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month in the Trojan Cafe during the Hispanic/Latin Initiative's Por La Cultura Kickoff event. (Photo Courtesy UA-Little Rock)

UA Little Rock sees growth in Hispanic/Latin Initiative

During this National Hispanic Heritage Month, the University of Arkansas in Little Rock is celebrating an increased enrollment of Hispanic and Latino …

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act, securing Native Americans' right to vote in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal leaders mark Indigenous Peoples Day urging Native vote

Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day, and tribal leaders are using the occasion to call on people in Indian Country to vote in the upcoming election…

This year, the North Carolina Maternal Mortality Review Committee reported bias and discrimination contribute to traumatic and near-death experiences. (Adobe Stock)

NC moms speak out on medical neglect in high-risk pregnancies

By Kylie Marsh for the Charlotte Post, with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North …

More than a half-million immigrants reside in Colorado, working as nursing assistants, cooks and software developers. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Immigrants boost Colorado and U.S. economy, create jobs

Immigration boosts the economy - in Colorado and across the U.S. But new policies are needed to maximize gains and make it harder for employers to …

Health care workers and community members work to share factual information about vaccines as we approach the cold and flu season. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

TX Hispanic leaders dispel immunization myths, encourage vaccinations

Medical professionals and advocates in the Latino community are using National Hispanic Heritage Month to encourage residents to prepare for the upcom…

At Ohio State, 36 were arrested for alleged criminal trespassing, including students, a staff member and supporters unrelated to the institution during protests this spring. (Erman Gunes/Adobe Stock)

Ohio's evolving landscape of student activism

By Eduardo Miranda Strobel / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Protests at …

A report from the Brennan Center for Justice urges policymakers to invest in alternatives to cash bail and provide support for pretrial services, such as supervision programs, as well as increased access to mental health and substance abuse treatment. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Report makes case for eliminating cash bail system

A new report outlines how eliminating cash bail could affect people in Mississippi and beyond. The ACLU of Mississippi said 14 of 25 people in jail …

Amherst College and Johns Hopkins University are two schools with the largest decline in Black and Latino student admission since the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action. (Adobe Stock)

NY schools see effects of SCOTUS affirmative action ban

New York colleges and universities are seeing the effects of the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action. New data from Education Reform Now …

The Mobile County Public Defenders Office launched in October 2020. Most counties in the state do not have such an office. (Adobe Stock)

From prison to advocacy: Fighting for justice in Mobile County

A man who once faced the harsh realities of Alabama's criminal justice system is now working to ensure others in Mobile County do not have to endure t…

More than 22% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are from causes related to mental health and substance use, including suicide and drug overdoses, according to the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration. (Adobe Stock)

KS aims to increase screening for maternal mental health

One in five people giving birth experience pregnancy-related mental health conditions and medical professionals are trying to help Kansas moms catch s…

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for Black workers in the United States was 6.1% in August, while Florida's rate was 3.3%. (Pixabay)

Florida’s Black employment rate still trails whites, despite gains

Despite recent improvements in Black unemployment rates, a new report showed Black Americans continue to face significant disparities in the labor …

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the last four months of jobs numbers indicate an uptick in the Black unemployment rate, from 5.2% in December to 6.4% in March. (Cottonbro studio/Pexels)

Job gaps persist for Black Americans, despite economic progress

Despite recent improvements in Black unemployment rates, a new report reveals Black Americans continue to face significant disparities in the labor …

A report from the Brennan Center for Justice emphasized that cash bail often allows release based on financial resources rather than public safety considerations. (Adobe Stock)

Report challenges Georgia’s expanded cash bail law

A new report challenges the belief that bail reform leads to increased crime, an idea that drove recent changes in Georgia's bail system. Senate …

Just one-third of Latinos live within walking distance of a park, compared to half of all white Americans who can easily access green spaces. (Adobe Stock)

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates, preserves Colorado's great outdoors

Communities in Colorado and across the U.S. are making time to connect with nature during Hispanic Heritage Month. Hilda Berganza, climate manager …

Connie Brushbreaker, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, said she had to wait four months for the Indian Health Service to pay for an MRI and surgery she needed. Begging for funding

Gaps persist in Indian Health Service 'Referred Care' program

By Arielle Zionts and Katheryn Houghton for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the KF…

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act provides lump-sum compensation for illnesses contracted by people working in the uranium industry or exposed to above-ground nuclear tests. (Courtesy Nuclear Threat Initiative)

New Mexico tribal representatives in D.C. to support radiation exposure compensation

A 2,000-mile bus trip has not deterred representatives from Southwest tribes from traveling to Washington, D.C., this week to support expansion of …

Connecticut data show men earn more than females regardless of whether they go to college, a gap widening over time. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. gender wage gap grows for the first time in a decade

New research shows the gender wage gap widened for the first time in two decades. The Census Bureau found full-time working women make 82.7 cents …

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