Civil Rights
Amid federal uncertainty, advocates and officials highlight state-level antitrust fights
It’s unclear whether Donald Trump will continue the Biden administration’s focus on antitrust enforcement when he again becomes president on Monday. But advocates and state officials say that regardless of what Trump does, the fight will continue on the state and local levels. Trump and members of his incoming administration have sent mixed messages when […]
In farewell speech to nation, Biden warns of threat of ‘extreme wealth, power and influence’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued a series of warnings Wednesday night during his farewell address to the nation, while emphasizing the work still left to be done as the octogenarian soon caps off 50 years in public service. Biden, in remarks from the Oval Office, highlighted what’s at stake regarding the threat of climate […]
The second Trump White House could drastically reshape infectious disease research
This story was originally published in ProPublica, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Lifesaving HIV treatments. Cures for hepatitis C. New tuberculosis regimens and a vaccine for RSV. These and other major medical breakthroughs exist in large part thanks to […]
Regulator accuses drug middlemen of wild price hikes, possibly steering business to themselves
The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday released an interim report saying that powerful drug middlemen marked up drugs for cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other serious maladies far over the going rate — as much as a thousand percent over the going rate in 22% of instances. The upcharges provided $7.3 billion in additional revenue […]
U.S. House passes bill banning trans athletes from competing in women’s school sports
WASHINGTON — A measure that would bar transgender students from participating on women’s school sports teams consistent with their gender identity passed the U.S. House on Tuesday. The legislation — which advanced 218-206 — came as an increasing number of states have passed laws banning trans athletes from participating in sports in K-12 schools and colleges that […]
Ohio Democrats urge Biden to finalize Equal Rights Amendment implementation
Next week, the country will have a new president, and a group of Ohio lawmakers have one big ask before Joe Biden leaves The White House. In a letter, the Ohio House Democratic Caucus is urging the president to formally publish the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th amendment of the U.S. Constitution. They argue […]
Prison abuse, deaths and escapes prompt calls for more oversight
Rampant sexual abuse by guards at women’s prisons in California. An inmate suicide that went unnoticed for 18 hours in Washington state. Multiple jail breaks in Pennsylvania. Prisons and jails across the United States are overcrowded and understaffed, jeopardizing the safety of incarcerated people, correctional officers and surrounding communities. As state legislatures convene in the coming weeks, many lawmakers are […]
School software provider is the latest target of major hack of personal data
The sensitive data of millions of American adults and children have been compromised after hackers targeted California-based education software company PowerSchool, the company confirmed this week. The breach happened at the end of December, and new information confirmed by TechCrunch Thursday morning says that hackers were able to access student addresses, Social Security numbers, grades and medical […]
Federal judge vacates Biden Title IX rule, scrapping protections for LGBTQ+ students nationwide
A federal district court judge in Kentucky has struck down President Joe Biden’s effort to protect transgender students and make other changes to Title IX, ruling the U.S. Department of Education violated teachers’ rights by requiring them to use transgender students’ names and pronouns. The ruling issued Thursday, which applies nationwide, came as a major […]
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs dozens of bills, including LGBTQ+ ‘forced outing’ bill
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed nearly 30 bills Wednesday, including legislation that would require schools to notify parents if the child identifies as LGBTQ+ as well as allow parents to opt out of so-called “sexuality” content. The GOP denies it is homophobic, saying it’s just a way for parents to stay informed. State Reps. D.J. […]
Librarians gain protections in some states as book bans soar
Karen Grant and fellow school librarians throughout New Jersey have heard an increasingly loud chorus of parents and conservative activists demanding that certain books — often about race, gender and sexuality — be removed from the shelves. In the past year, Grant and her colleagues in the Ewing Public Schools just north of Trenton updated […]
How Ohio police justify charging hundreds of dollars for bodycam video
Police officers in Ohio are defending their soon-to-be new ability to charge hundreds of dollars for body camera footage requested by the public and media, saying it protects officers from harassment. Advocates, attorneys and professors fear for government transparency and accountability. Police body and dash camera footage helps Ohioans know what’s going on in their […]