Author: Noemi Roach

When polls close on November 7, Ohio will either become the latest state to enshrine abortion rights into its constitution or enter a period of uncertainty as the state Supreme Court considers allowing a six-week abortion ban to be enforced. For Joel Spring, a 33-year-old from West Chester, neither option seems ideal. Spring said he’s “pro-life” but also thinks “we have to have some legal abortion,” with a cutoff somewhere in the first or second trimester. The state’s six-week ban went too far, he said, but so does Issue 1, a ballot initiative that would prevent the state from restricting abortion access before fetal viability, which…

Virginia running back Perris Jones underwent spinal surgery at the University of Louisville Medical Center on Friday, one day after he was hurt in the Cavaliers’ 31-24 loss to Louisville. In a statement posted to X, the school said the surgery was successful and that Jones was able to briefly walk Saturday morning. Virginia said Jones remains under observation and will be transferred to the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute in Louisville for further care when his medical team deems appropriate. A Virginia official had previously announced that Jones had movement in all his extremities. Source : ESPN

West Virginia’s location in the attractive Appalachian Mountains certainly hasn’t hurt the Mountain State’s reputation as one of the best places to visit in the USA. In addition to its stunning scenery, West Virginia also has countless interesting small towns to explore, many of them boasting well-preserved historic districts. Not only are these destinations pleasant to look at, but they also offer those interested in history a fascinating look at the people, places, and events that shaped not just the state’s history, but also that of the country. The best of these towns are home to well-preserved historic districts that contain references to everything from…

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration is considering cutting back on how much the state will spend on the migrant crisis going forward, arguing the “unsustainable” situation could negatively impact other areas of the state budget. New York City’s struggle to house, feed and offer other services like legal assistance ranks at the top of the state’s “most pressing” burdens, according to an Oct. 28 memo penned by Hochul’s Division of the Budget Director Blake Washington. “[W]e must consider limiting our assistance to targeted interventions such as legal services, case management and efforts to connect migrants and asylum seekers to jobs, as…

Despite high numbers, Connecticut hopes to lower the rate of impaired driving fatalities. Connecticut joined Virginia and Maryland in a federal program to test a new anti-drunk driving technology,which places a device inside a steering wheel to passively detect and measure the driver’s blood alcohol levels before starting the vehicle. Six state vehicles will have the new technology installed, according to the state Department of Transportation. The vehicles will be deployed for community outreach and demonstrations at the University of Connecticut and Hartford’s Yard Goat games to connect with students about the importance of sober driving. Here’s a bite-sized look…

Berlin (06/11 – 58) UN Special Rapporteur of Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, has once again called on the authorities of Tajikistan to release imprisoned Tajik journalists and bloggers. Mary Lawlor posted on her social media account, formerly Twitter, that during a meeting with Tajikistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jonibek Hikmat, in New York on October 24, she reiterated her call for the Tajik authorities to release the convicted human rights defenders and journalists, including Daler Imomali, Abdullo Gurbati, and Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva. Last year, in Tajikistan, eight journalists and bloggers were sentenced to various prison terms, ranging from 7…

New Hampshire’s attorney general is suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook, in state superior court, alleging the company is violating the state’s consumer protection law by making products addictive for children. In a complaint filed in Merrimack Superior Court Tuesday, Attorney General John Formella said Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta products have led to a deterioration of mental health for children in the state and that the company has not been truthful to the public about the harmfulness of the platforms. Formella is asking the superior court to prevent Meta from engaging in deceptive practices around its products; pay…

Cybersecurity is one of the hot, hot, hot areas of study and for employment. Delaware high school and college students can now apply for a national cybersecurity program, with scholarship money and advanced training up for grabs. CyberStart America and Cyber FastTrack provide participants with the opportunity to explore their potential cybersecurity talent and assist in gaining problem-solving skills for a career. The programs are split between high school students from freshman to senior level, and college students. Any participant has the chance to win scholarship prizes as well as statewide recognition and further training. Source : Milford

The mental health crisis is costing the Northern Virginia region $8 billion a year in unrealized economic output, according to a new report from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. The report from the foundation’s research arm, Insight Region, found that the economic loss caused by mental health has quadrupled since 2019, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020. In 2019, worker mental health issues cost the region about 1% in productivity – the equivalent of $2.1 billion – in potential gross regional product (GRP). About 11% of working adults were experiencing mild anxiety or depression in…

Plus, a Brooklyn cafe bans influencers from taking photos — and more intel One of Chicago’s best restaurants is coming to Manhattan. Lula Cafe, a New American restaurant in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, will pop up at Altro Paradiso (234 Spring Street, at Sixth Avenue) from 12 to 4 p.m. on October 20 to celebrate the release of its cookbook. Lula Cafe owner Jason Hammel will be there making a handful of the restaurant’s popular dishes: littleneck clams with sorrel almond pesto, pappardelle with a walnut Bolognese, and more. In Chicago, the restaurant is known for its affordable prices and farm-to-table approach to…