DC metro now offers train directly to Dulles Airport
Dulles Airport's main terminalWikimedia Commons. Starting this week, Washington D.C.'s Metro system is unveiling some new, highly desired routes. The Silver Live has been extended with an 11.5-mile, six-station segment that provides convenient access to Washington Dulles International Airport. The Silver Line route also now travels to Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn, in addition to its usual destinations.
Read full storyMissouri school district legalizes spanking in schools
Courthouse in Cassville, MissouriWikimedia Commons. Missouri's Cassville School District has opted to reinstate a practice that many perceive as barbaric and inhumane -- corporal punishment. The new policy specifically condones spanking and paddling in schools as a means of discipline.
Read full storyThe right to abortion and contraception is now enshrined in California's constitution
In California's midterm elections last week, voters weighed in on various direct ballot initiatives in conjunction with the state's congressional contests. Chief among these was a ballot measure called Proposition 1, which aimed to revise California's state constitution to grant Californians the unconditional right to both contraception and abortion.
Read full storyMaryland votes in favor of amendment legalizing recreational marijuana
Last Tuesday, Maryland was among five states where ballots contained measures related to marijuana legalization. As anticipated by many analysts, Marylanders opted to approve the initiative, which prevailed by a mammoth margin of 66.3% to 33.7%.
Read full storyArkansas voters reject marijuana legalization amendment
Commercial cannabis greenhouse facilityImage from Wikimedia Commons. On Tuesday, November 8th, voters around the country weighed in on a contentious issue at the polls: marijuana legalization. In five states, namely Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota, voters participated in direct ballot initiatives related to marijuana.
Read full storyTampa’s housing prices have increased at the highest rate in the country
The Tampa and Miami metropolitan areas topped the list of the highest annual housing price increases, according to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index released Tuesday.
Read full storyChicago police banned from chasing minor offenders on foot
A new policy prohibits Chicago Police Department officers from pursuing people suspected of committing minor crimes on foot. This policy would prevent officers from chasing anyone on foot for minor offenses such as parking violations, public intoxication, or driving on a suspended license.
Read full storyVirginia governor seeks to ban abortion after 15 weeks following SCOTUS ruling
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has plans to ban abortion after 15 weeks following the historic Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey and thus removing the constitutional right to abortion. However, he will face opposition from the Democratic-controlled Virginia Senate, where Democrats hold a 21-19 advantage (with one Democrat supportive of anti-abortion legislation).
Read full storyMultiple lawsuits challenge Florida 15-week abortion ban
Following the Supreme Court’s landmark decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Florida is set to follow other Republican-controlled states by placing further restrictions on abortion. Florida currently allows abortion up to viability (about 24 weeks), but in April, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks.
Read full storyTexas Democratic leaders urge law enforcement to refuse to enforce abortion bans
Texas Democratic Party leaders including Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa wrote an open letter to Democratic sheriffs, district attorneys, county judges, county commissioners, constables, and mayors, urging them to “refuse to enforce the provisions of Senate Bill 8, Senate Bill 4, and House Bill 1280: all new laws passed by our extremist, Republican-controlled legislature in 2021.”
Read full storySouth Carolina governor to reinstate Fetal Heartbeat Act after SCOTUS ruling
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) plans to file a petition to overturn an injunction of the state’s Fetal Heartbeat Act following Friday morning’s historic Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. The law would effectively ban all abortions after 6 weeks in the state, but would include exceptions for rape, incest, fetal anomalies, or if the mother’s life is in danger. However, if a doctor were to perform an abortion outside of those parameters, they could face felony charges, up to two years in jail, and a $10,000 fine.
Read full storySupreme Court rules New York gun restrictions unconstitutional
The Supreme Court of the United States on Thursday ruled that New York state’s concealed carry laws, which strictly limited carrying guns outside the home, are unconstitutional, citing the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. The case, the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. et al. v. Bruen, Superintendent of New York State Police, et al., was decided on a 6-3 majority, with the three liberal justices in dissent.
Read full storyNew York bans the sale of some types of body armor
On the heels of the recent shooting in Buffalo, New York and the subsequent massacre in Uvalde, Texas, many Americans have contested the status quo regarding access to guns across the country.
Read full storyTexas may hold referendum to secede from the U.S.
At the Texas Republican convention held in Houston this month, the Texas GOP announced their new party platform, spurring censure from those who argue that it's too radical. One measure that many Democrats have inveighed against is the Texas GOP's proposal to potentially "secede from the union."
Read full storyNew York Governor Hochul vows to strengthen gun control laws, including "red-flag" law
The recent massacre in Buffalo, New York has elicited a spate of promises from New York Governor Kathy Hochul. She has recently vowed that she will enact measures to remedy gun violence throughout the state.
Read full storyFlorida lawmakers may be fined $5,000 for creating gun laws
Throughout the coming months, the Florida Supreme Court will continue to consider to hear a case determining whether it is constitutional to punish local lawmakers who make ordinances restricting firearms. These ordinances would be limited in scale and target restricting guns from government facilities and banning the sale of high-capacity magazines, among other measures.
Read full storyNon-profit sues Florida Power and Light for increasing utility rates
The non-profit Floridians Against Increased Rates (FAIR) is appealing a decision by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve a rate hike of over $4.9 billion for FPL retail customers between 2022 and 2025. The non-profit contends that FPL is in violation of “fair and reasonable return” utility regulation statutes under Florida state law.
Read full storyBreak-in at Pennsylvania LGBT community center suggests potential anti-gay hate crime
As Pride Month nears its conclusion, the robbery and vandalism of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, PA has come to the surface. The center stated that a break-in occurred between late June 6th and early June 7th, according to a news release Tuesday.
Read full storyNew Mexico Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon wildfires now 72% contained
The Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon wildfires in New Mexico, which started April 6th and April 19th, are now 72% contained, according to the US Forest Service. The fires, which were caused by a mismanaged prescribed burn conducted by the US Forest Service, resulted in the destruction of 341,471 acres and hundreds of homes, making it the largest wildfire in New Mexico history. However, yesterday widespread showers kept fire behavior at a minimum.
Read full storyNew data shows that Arkansas has lowest-paid workforce in the country
A new Oxfam report from March of this year investigated a contentious question -- are most Americans paid adequately to maintain a decent standard of living?. To answer this question, Oxfam collected data regarding the average hourly wage that workers are paid in each state in the US.
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