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Wave of transgender health care bans has roots in past debates
In the past two years, 19 states have banned or restricted gender-affirming care for minors, and another 12 states are considering it — a tidal wave of policy change that has emboldened many Republicans on the far right while terrifying transgender youth and their families. Gender-affirming care for transgender patients can cover pediatrics, psychiatry and […]
Lawmakers in Some States See a Need for Higher Speed Limits
Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine didn’t mince words last month when he weighed in on a legislative plan to increase speed limits on certain Ohio highways: He was a no. “Every expert that you talk to can tell you that the data clearly shows that if we increase the speed limit, even only by five […]
States With Legal Pot Consider How to Protect Cannabis Workers
Most cannabis dispensaries are cash-only businesses, constantly at risk of being robbed. Indoor growing facilities use harsh lighting, and plants get sprayed with pesticides. Those conditions can create daily hazards for cannabis workers, which is why labor organizers are trying to unionize them as legalization spreads and the marijuana workforce grows. “Cannabis consumers might assume […]
As Outdoor Preschools Gain Traction, States Work to Unlock Funding
Editor’s Note: This story’s photo caption and dateline have been updated to correct the location of the Chicago Botanic Garden. GLENCOE, Ill. — On a wet December afternoon, Emma Donnelly leads a class of 4- and 5-year-olds down a muddy path at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The kids jump into puddles, climb trees and roll in dirt […]
State Agencies Often Resist Pedestrian Safety Fixes on Urban Roads
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Audrey Wennink’s name and to clarify her comments on highway development. Irving Park Road is an IDOT arterial road, not an interstate highway. CHICAGO — Peter Paquette was a fixture in the 47th Ward, his North Side neighborhood in Chicago. The 75-year-old gathered […]