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...

Southern Baptists narrowly reject formal ban on churches with any women pastors

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Southern Baptists narrowly rejected a proposal Wednesday to enshrine a ban on churches with women pastors in their constitution after opponents argued it was unnecessary because the denomination already has a way of ousting such churches. The measure received...

North Dakota voters just approved an age limit for congressional candidates. What's next?

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — People in their late 70s or older can no longer run for Congress in North Dakota under a ballot measure overwhelmingly approved by voters Tuesday, and legal scholars said the law could remain on the books indefinitely because no elderly candidate might challenge the...

Mexican peso weakens as next president vows to forge ahead with 20 reforms - and adds a couple more

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican peso continued to weaken Tuesday as Mexico’s outgoing president — and his successor — vowed to forge ahead with some 20 c onstitutional changes that have rattled investors. Claudia Sheinbaum won this month’s presidential election. But she has...

Fight over constitutional provisions to guard against oil, gas pollution moves ahead in New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge cleared the way Monday for a landmark lawsuit to proceed that alleges the state has failed to meet its constitutional obligations for protecting against oil and gas pollution. Environmental groups and Native Americans who live near oil...

From women pastors to sexual abuse to Trump, Southern Baptists have a busy few days ahead of them

Thousands will gather in Indianapolis June 11-12 for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. The meeting comes at a fraught time in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. Messengers — as voting delegates are known — will vote on whether to establish a...