Protections

Virginia’s New Utility Shutoff Law Adds Critical Protections for Residents Facing Economic Hardships

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RICHMONA, Va. — Virginia has enacted a new utility shutoff law offering residents extended protection from having essential services like electricity, gas, and water discontinued. The Emergency Utilities Protection Act, recently passed by the General Assembly, aims to prioritize the health and safety of individuals struggling with their utility bills, particularly under harsh economic conditions or extreme weather scenarios. This legislation arrives as a compassionate measure in response to the financial difficulties many faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated the vulnerability of countless Virginians. The bipartisan support for the bill underscores a widespread recognition … Read more

New Michigan Law Targets Noxious Weeds, Grants Protections for Vital Milkweed

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LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan has recently enacted a law designed to combat the spread of noxious weeds while also offering protection for milkweed, a crucial plant for monarch butterflies. The legislation aims to eradicate specific noxious weeds and grants local government bodies the authority to appoint commissioners and allocate funding for the control of these plants. Under the new law, certain plants including Canada thistle, dodders, wild carrot, poison ivy, and poison sumac are classified as noxious weeds. Additionally, any plants deemed a “common nuisance” can also be included in this category. However, the … Read more

Alabama Politicians Target U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Transgender Staff, Facing Backlash As Legal Protections Are Examined

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Concerns about the safety of children at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp have been raised by several Alabama politicians. The issue arose after a parent expressed unease about a transgender employee working at the camp. The parent took to Facebook to share that they had discovered a transgender counselor held the position of ‘Team Lead’ at Space Camp and raised concerns about the potential for that counselor to be in the dorm halls with female students. Lawyer Will League from Timberlake, League, & Brooks weighed in on the situation, … Read more

Florida Faces Controversy Over Children’s Healthcare Coverage amid the End of Pandemic-Era Protections

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MIAMI, FL – As pandemic-era protections for Medicaid participants come to an end, millions of low-income Americans are losing their coverage. This unsettling trend has raised concerns about the fate of children who rely on the program. The Department of Health and Human Services recently sent letters to nine states, including Florida, urging them to do more to keep children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Florida has been at the center of this issue, having already removed 420,000 children from both Medicaid and CHIP. Chip insures children from families with … Read more