Latest Human welfare News
Slavery ban testimony heard by Vermont legislators
Vermont legislators are again taking up a proposed constitutional amendment to make it clear that slavery and indentured servitude are prohibited, as some other states have done. Vermont's constitution currently says no person 21 or older should serve as a slave unless bound by...
Conservative Nebraska Sen. Groene sponsors medical pot bill
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A conservative lawmaker from rural, western Nebraska took a leading role Thursday in the push to allow medical marijuana in the state, although some advocates say his bill is too restrictive. Sen. Mike Groene, of North Platte, introduced a legalization bill...
Lawsuit: Tennessee adoption agency turned away Jewish couple
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Knoxville couple is suing the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, saying a state-sponsored Christian adoption agency refused to help them because they are Jewish. Elizabeth and Gabriel Rutan-Ram say the Holston United Methodist Home for Children...
Jihadi video shows child fighters executing Nigeria soldiers
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — An Islamic State-linked extremist group accused of killing hundreds in northeast Nigeria has released a video purporting to show child soldiers executing two men identified as members of the Nigerian military. The video released by the Islamic State West...
US fugitive who faked death, skipped UK court date arrested
A Rhode Island man who authorities say fled the U.S. and faked his death to evade prosecution for rape and financial fraud has been arrested after skipping his court date in Scotland, police said Thursday. Police Scotland said officers arrested Nicholas Alahverdian in the Woodlands...
Rhode Island governor releases proposed $12.8B state budget
Rhode Island's governor submitted a $12.8 billion state budget plan to the General Assembly on Thursday that seeks to address the pandemic, build more affordable housing, invest in schools and help businesses. Democratic Gov. Dan McKee said in the budget documents that he's trying to...
Lawmakers advance spending plan for pandemic funds
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Legislative committees on Thursday advanced plans to spend more than half of the state's available $772 million in pandemic relief funds for broadband expansion and water and sewer projects. The two budget committees approved identical spending plans for...
Fund urged for sex abuse victims at youth detention center
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella told lawmakers Thursday that spending $100 million to settle sexual abuse claims at the state's youth detention center is the right thing to do. The House Finance Committee held a public hearing on a bipartisan bill...
North Dakota prison system feeling impact of omicron variant
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota corrections officials say the state's prisons have been hit hard by the coronavirus omicron variant. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says active COVID-19 cases total 151, more than double last Friday's total and infecting about...
Thai health ministry proposes easing rules on cannabis use
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand, which in 2020 became the first Southeast Asian nation to decriminalize the production and use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, moved Thursday to further loosen regulations on the drug. The Public Health Ministry’s Food and Drug Administration proposed...
