Posts tagged National
Biden Administration Reverses Trump-Era Changes to the Endangered Species Act

While the new guidelines are certainly an improvement from the Trump administration’s cuts, many activists still feel that they aren’t enough. By leaving some Trump-era rules in place, including one requiring agencies to prove “reasonable certainty” that a species would suffer unless listed, critics argue that today’s protections still fall short of what existed under the Obama administration.

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SCOTUS Addresses the Role of Social Media and its Governance in 2024

Resolution of this issue will not be as straightforward as placing social media platforms into one of these two bins despite the appeal of such a settled doctrine. These cases are just one step in a continuing process of determining the bounds and limitations of the relationship between social media and the government. Their disposition will be of great importance in defining the nature of an integral part of our lives that informs our decisions, facilitates communication and expression, and catalyzes meaningful change.

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How Might Federal Net Neutrality Regulations Affect Economic Inequality?

Net neutrality is the idea that internet service providers (ISPs) should treat access to all sites equally, regardless of content. While restoring net neutrality is well-intentioned, doing so could make internet access more expensive for consumers and cause investments into broadband to drop. These factors could make it harder to obtain Internet access, increasing economic inequality and unfairness.

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The Supreme Court Code of Conduct: A New Rulebook for Those Who Decide the Rules

As announced by the Supreme Court, the code, known as the Code of Conduct for Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, contains nine pages of written legal code and five additional pages of commentary. Within the code, five canons of conduct outline rules for ethical issues such as when justices should recuse themselves from cases.

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The Great American Political Circus: How Some Counties are Changing Abortion Regulation in a Post-Roe America

It has been 50 years since abortion was established as a constitutional right in Roe v. Wade. After the decision was overturned, questions and fears regarding new abortion regulations grip the country. For women in Lubbock County, this fear has become a reality. Several counties in Texas have issued ordinances banning people from assisting women traveling to receive abortions.

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A Tale as Old as Time: Post-Wildfire Policies Open Deep Wounds for Native Hawaiians

In early August, the country watched fearfully as the deadliest series of U.S. wildfires in over a century broke out across Maui. Now, nearly two months later, Hawaiian citizens not only continue to mourn their losses but are speaking out against the state government’s recovery efforts, which many say have prioritized big development companies in the wake of the disaster and could threaten local environmental and cultural rights to Maui’s resources.

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Senators Push for Stricter Social Media Guidelines for Kids: Will This Cause More Harm Than Good?

“The main question that the Kids Online Safety Act provokes is who gets to dictate what is and isn’t allowed on social media. Concerns of censorship come amid claims that Elon Musk, Twitter’s new CEO, has suspended accounts for criticizing him as well as a flood of Library book bans targeting stories centering characters that are LGBTQ+ and people of color. Opponents of the Act such as Evan Greer voice valid concerns about Censorship and authoritarianism.“

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Banning AP African American Studies: The Perilous Political Agenda of Governor Ron DeSantis

“Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is facing backlash as he continues to stand by his decision to ban an AP course on African American studies for schools in Florida. It began when DeSantis made his initial announcement of the ban in mid-January with a letter from the state education department to the College Board. This is just the most recent effort by DeSantis to limit the teaching of race in the Florida school system, despite the objection of numerous groups.”

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The Post-Roe Landscape: States’ Rights Reign Supreme

“Roughly six months later, the post-Roe landscape has shifted. Since this decision, 24 states have banned or are likely to ban abortion. While these bans are newer, the reality of a lack of access is not a new concept for marginalized and minority groups. People of color are overrepresented in those seeking abortion services, creating the opportunity for this group to be disproportionately affected by these bans.”

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Kyrsten Sinema Leaves the Democratic Party, Shaking Up the 2024 Senate Map

“After proving to be a thorn in the side of the Democratic caucus by refusing to eliminate the filibuster, holding up key Democratic priorities, and insisting on trimming down Democratic spending bills, Senator Sinema announced that she will switch her party affiliation from Democratic to Independent… In a closely-divided state like Arizona, an Independent like Sinema running could siphon votes away from the Democratic candidate, allowing Republicans to capture a Senate seat, possibly give them a Senate majority.”

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Trump for Presidential Run in 2024: Will His Age Be an Issue?

“Biden, who was elected to his post at 78 years old, is subjected to constant attacks about his advanced age and its impacts on his profession. A problem arises when people pose different reactions when discussing Trump’s age, who, if elected in 2024, will also be 78. The question now is: how will Republicans play around with this fact?“

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