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U.S. Senate panel advances former Maryland governor’s nomination to lead Social Security
WASHINGTON — Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley moved one step closer Tuesday to becoming the next Social Security commissioner, a role that would become increasingly difficult as the program inches closer to insolvency during the next decade. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee voted 17-10 to send O’Malley’s nomination to the floor, though it’s not clear […]
Plagued by teacher shortages, some states turn to fast-track credentialing
Faced with alarming teacher shortages, Virginia last month agreed to partner with a for-profit online teacher credentialing company, hoping to get more teachers into classrooms faster and without the higher tuition costs of traditional colleges and universities. While some of the Virginia school board members had qualms about the process, they agreed to give it […]
Tribal leaders support federal legislation aimed at helping Indigenous families and children
A bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives geared toward helping Indigenous children and families by providing tribal nations with the tools and resources they need to treat, prevent, investigate, and prosecute instances of family violence, child abuse, and child neglect. These resources would be provided through the Native American Child Protection Act, […]
GOP leaders ask to intervene in Arizona abortion lawsuit
Top Republicans are asking to defend an abortion law from 2021, in light of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ unwillingness to do so.
Lawmakers grill heads of state boards after audits find investigations move too slowly
State legislators last week grilled the heads of the state boards tasked with overseeing complaints from citizens after reports by the state auditor general revealed some major deficiencies. “This is why you want to have a robust and well funded Auditor General’s Office,” Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, said at the end of a marathon joint […]
Immigration advocates call again for DACA renewal in Congress, as possible end looms
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats said Tuesday that they remained hopeful Congress could create a legal pathway to citizenship before the end of the year for the more than 600,000 undocumented people enrolled in a program that is at risk of being deemed illegal by a lower court. Immigration rights advocates held a press call […]
Women could claim the most governors’ seats in U.S. history in November
WASHINGTON — Women running in governors’ races throughout the country are potentially set to break records if elected this November. Arizona will undoubtedly contribute to those numbers with two women, Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and Republican former news anchor Kari Lake, running against one another. In total there are 25 women governor candidates […]
The battle for control of Congress: Abortion, inflation, crime and Biden
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress are fanning out to every district in the country, leaving the wonky floor debates on Capitol Hill behind for the campaign trail in advance of the crucial Nov. 8 midterm elections. Democrats are fighting to hold their razor-thin majorities in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, citing two years of […]
Community members, advocates ask for help with housing crisis
Sam stood up from her folding chair, and took the microphone. Roughly 50 pairs of eyes, from organizers and community members alike, turned toward her. “Finding my apartment was like a full-time job,” she said. Sam, who didn’t give her last name, shared how she sifted through rental websites for months, trying to find an […]
Court puts Arizona territorial-era abortion ban on hold
A recently reinstated near-total abortion ban from 1864 is on hold after the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, pausing the law while the organization continues to challenge it and restoring access to abortion across the Grand Canyon State. On Sept. 23, Pima County Superior Court Judge Kellie Johnson struck down […]
Phoenix looks to de-prioritize enforcement of abortion law
The Phoenix City Council is set to vote next week on a resolution that would condemn the rollback of Roe v. Wade and would make enforcing the state’s abortion ban the police department’s lowest priority. “I think its imperative that the city of Phoenix, which is the fifth-largest and fastest growing city in the country […]
DOJ updates guide on gender bias for police response to sexual assault, domestic violence
The Department of Justice is trying to help law enforcement better recognize, mitigate and prevent gender bias when responding to and investigating sexual assault, domestic violence, and other forms of gender-based violence cases.