Youth in Hawaii took on the state government over climate change. A historic settlement has emerged

HONOLULU (AP) — Thirteen children and teens in Hawaii took the state government to court over the threat posed by climate change. Now they're celebrating a settlement that emphasizes a plan to decarbonize Hawaii's transportation system in the next 20 years. It's the latest example...

Today in History: June 21, U.S. Constitution goes into effect

Today in History Today is Friday, June 21, the 173rd day of 2024. There are 193 days left in the year. Summer begins today. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 21, 1788, the United States Constitution went into effect as New Hampshire became the...

California voters lose a shot at checking state and local tax hikes at the polls

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Supreme Court on Thursday took the rare step of removing a measure from the November ballot that would have made it harder to raise taxes, siding with Gov. Gavin Newsom by ruling the change would have upended the way government works. More...

Citizens-only voting, photo ID and income tax changes could become NC amendments on 2024 ballots

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Senate is considering a slew of elections-related measures including three proposed constitutional amendments designed to give voters a say in the law-making process. GOP senators are trying to advance the legislation quickly as an indefinite...

Editorial Roundup: Tennessee

Kingsport Times-News. June 13, 2024. Editorial: State laws cannot contradict the Constitution Tennesseans expect members of their state government to always act within the framework set forth in the Constitution of the United States to which they swear their oath of...

New York's 'equal rights' constitutional amendment restored to ballot by appeals court

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A proposed amendment to New York’s constitution barring discrimination based on “gender identity” and “pregnancy outcomes” was restored to the November election ballot Tuesday by a state appeals court. The court decision clears the way for a statewide...

New York court puts state constitutional amendment barring discrimination based on 'pregnancy outcomes' back on ballot

California’s Black legislators make case for reparations bills while launching statewide tour

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Several members of California’s Legislative Black Caucus launched a statewide tour in San Diego Saturday to promote a slate of 14 reparations bills, including a measure that could change the state constitution to end forced prison labor. That measure and several...

Mexico’s incoming president says surveys show support for controversial judicial reforms

MEXICO CITY (AP) — In a move reminiscent of her political mentor, incoming Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday displayed a series of surveys commissioned by her political party that she said show a wide majority approve of controversial judicial changes. Sheinbaum said...

Which states could have abortion on the ballot in 2024?

Deadlines are coming up between now and July 5 in five states where advocates are trying to gather enough voters' signatures to put abortion-related questions on ballots in November's elections. Measures that would enshrine the right to abortion in state constitutions are already on...