Major funders bet big on rural America and โeveryday democracyโ
The Trust for Civic Life โ a collaborative of 15 grantmakers, mostly high-profile national funders โ sees small, local groups as instruments of change โ modern versions of the organizations that scholars from Alexis de Tocqueville to Robert Putnam have singled out as a distinguishing feature of American democracy.
Ruling could dampen government efforts to rein in Big Tech
The Supreme Courtโs latest climate change ruling could dampen efforts by federal agencies to rein in the tech industry, which went largely unregulated for decades as the government tried to catch up to changes wrought by the internet.
Nonprofits likely under fire as Senate explores โdark moneyโ
A Senate hearing on Wednesday is likely to produce fireworks as Republicans and Democrats square off over the role that foundations and nonprofits are playing in elections.
How the Constitution teaches students to disagree civilly
A recent RAND Corporation survey found that nearly 75% of school district leaders around the country felt political polarization interfered with their ability to teach their students.
Conservative Koch network disavows critical race theory bans
A prominent backer of Republican causes and candidates is notably absent from the conservative political groups backing efforts to ban in schools what they call critical race theory.
Key voting rights decision expected from Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is wrapping up its first all-virtual term, with decisions expected in a key case on voting rights and another involving information that California requires charities to provide about donors.
New Mexico opens door to new era of civil rights lawsuits
Efforts among a handful of states to hold police accountable for brutality and misconduct are expanding as New Mexico opens the door to civil rights lawsuits in state courts against government agencies.
A key to bridging the political divide: Sit down and talk?
One Small Step, which Isay established in 2018, is among a growing number of nonprofit initiatives whose aim is to narrow America's increasingly toxic political divide. But he felt it was a start, and he named his initiative accordingly: One Small Step. One Small Step, which Isay established in 2018, is among a growing number of nonprofit initiatives whose aim is to narrow America's increasingly toxic political divide. Yet they'd never met and probably never would have, if not for their joint involvement in One Small Step. But as One Small Step has developed, expansion has followed, with roughly 800 people meeting in pairs in about 40 cities.
US states look to step up wolf kills, pushed by Republicans
Wolf hunting policies in some states are taking an aggressive turn, as Republican lawmakers and conservative hunting groups push to curb their numbers and propose tactics shunned by many wildlife managers. AdThe timing of the Wisconsin hunt was bumped up following a lawsuit that raised concerns President Joe Bidenโs administration would intervene to restore gray wolf protections. The states have been holding annual hunts since, and wildlife officials cite stable population levels as evidence of responsible wolf management. AdโToo many wolves,โ Republican state Sen. Bob Brown said of his mountainous district in northwest Montana. AdโIโm not surprised weโre seeing hunting groups wrap themselves in the mantle of patriotism,โ Winkler said.
Unusual alliance seeks policing reforms in New Mexico
The bill has grown out of recommendations from a bipartisan civil rights commission created after the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. The proposed Civil Rights Act from Democratic state legislators is confronting near-unified opposition from a long list of sheriffs and law enforcement associations. AdThe bill builds on the recommendations of a civil rights commission, chartered by the Legislature and Gov. โThe general consensus across law enforcement, across the state?โ said Mace, chairman of the New Mexico Sheriffs' Association. โIt's an all-out attack on law enforcement.โAdOn Monday, Americans for Prosperity announced a petition and advertising campaign in support of reforms to police immunity provisions.