kentucky

November 20, 2013 - Southern states have a high rate of unintended pregnancies, with most of the resulting births being paid for by public insurance programs. The evidence shows that investing in family planning services not only prevents unwanted pregnancies but also saves taxpayers money. So why are some Southern legislatures targeting those services for cuts?

October 30, 2013 - Forgotten amid the controversial health exchange rollout: The deep impact of last year's Supreme Court ruling letting states opt out of expanding Medicaid.

September 26, 2013 - A record number of Americans receive food stamps, with residents of Southern states especially dependent on the anti-hunger program. So why are Southern politicians who in turn depend on the political support of hungry constituents so eager to cut the program's funding?

September 16, 2013 - A new report documents an overall rise in homicides in states that have passed versions of the controversial self-defense law. The increase in "justifiable" homicides has been especially dramatic in some Southern states, and African Americans have borne the brunt of the increase in deadly violence.

September 5, 2013 - An official state study group is recommending that North Carolina be given the power to compel non-consenting landowners into fracking leases. The N.C. Mining and Energy Commission is set to review those recommendations this week before they're passed along to the legislature.

August 2, 2013 - In legislatures from North Carolina to Texas, lawmakers are targeting women's constitutional right to end unwanted pregnancies.

July 25, 2013 - A new report from environmental groups documents widespread disregard for the Clean Water Act by electric utilities -- and an effort by the White House Office of Management and Budget to dilute proposed EPA rules trying to curb the industry's water pollution problem.

June 24, 2013 - An annual report that measures the well-being of U.S. children finds improvements among some Southern states -- and slippage among others. Where does your state stand?

May 31, 2013 - Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell unveiled a plan this week to automatically restore voting rights to nonviolent felons in a state where one in five African-American adults is disenfranchised due to an unusually harsh law. Civil rights advocates praised the move, but some say the governor should go further.

May 10, 2013 - Activists hauled polluted water from Appalachia to Washington, D.C. this week to draw attention to the plight of communities affected by mountaintop removal coal mining. The action comes as legislation was reintroduced in Congress to protect coalfield waterways.