Explore

Wisconsin Secures $9.2 Million in AmeriCorps Funding to Support State Programs

Wisconsin Secures $9.2 Million in AmeriCorps Funding to Support State Programs

Serve Wisconsin has announced that the state has received $9.2 million in grant funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency dedicated to national service and community volunteerism. This significant funding will be allocated to support 17 AmeriCorps programs across Wisconsin. Additionally, a portion of the funds, specifically $354,374, will go towards the AmeriCorps Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) to bolster volunteer initiatives throughout the state. These VGF funds will focus on three key areas: facilitating demographic-based volunteerism, providing mini-grants for general volunteer engagement activities, and promoting the Volunteer Wisconsin clearinghouse website. The grant is expected to deploy 716 AmeriCorps Volunteers to approximately 200 service sites, addressing various community needs such as educational support, healthcare access, substance abuse recovery, housing construction, conservation projects, and assistance for individuals with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness. Governor To...

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Launches Fourth Class of Maryland Corps Program

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Launches Fourth Class of Maryland Corps Program

Governor Wes Moore has officially launched the fourth class of the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option program at Bowie State University. This marks the largest incoming class since the program's inception in April 2023. The launch event coincided with the National Day of Service and Remembrance, emphasizing a statewide commitment to service. The Maryland Corps program, facilitated by the Department of Service and Civic Innovation, offers young Marylanders paid, full-time service opportunities. Since its start, the program has seen over 1200 members graduate, hosted by more than 300 employment partners across all 24 jurisdictions of Maryland. An impact evaluation report from the University of Maryland's Do Good Institute analyzed data from the first two classes (2023–24 and 2024–25), showing positive early outcomes for participants. These outcomes include increased employment rates and higher hourly wages post-service compared to enrollment, as well as reported increases in voter registration and projected ...

Cleveland County Approves $20 Million Settlement in Shannon Hanchett Jail Death

Cleveland County Approves $20 Million Settlement in Shannon Hanchett Jail Death

Cleveland County Commissioners have approved a $20 million settlement for the family of Shannon Hanchett, a Norman resident who died in the county jail in 2022 while experiencing a mental health crisis. The settlement was finalized on Tuesday, following Hanchett's death which occurred during her incarceration. This action by the Cleveland County Commissioners addresses the legal claims brought forth by Hanchett's estate regarding the circumstances of her death. The case has drawn attention to the treatment of individuals with mental health crises within the correctional system. The details surrounding the mental health crisis and the specific events leading to her death in custody were central to the legal proceedings that resulted in this significant settlement.

Congressman Glenn Thompson and Jimmy Panetta Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Designate 'Celebrate Community Week'

Congressman Glenn Thompson and Jimmy Panetta Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Designate 'Celebrate Community Week'

Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson has joined forces with Congressman Jimmy Panetta to introduce a bipartisan resolution aimed at recognizing the vital contributions of volunteers to communities. The resolution proposes designating the week of September 6th as 'Celebrate Community Week.' This initiative seeks to acknowledge and honor various volunteer organizations, including well-known groups such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, and Optimist clubs, as well as individual volunteers who dedicate their time and effort to support others within their local communities. The resolution highlights the significant role these volunteers play in strengthening the social fabric and providing essential services and support that benefit countless individuals and families. The effort underscores a commitment to appreciating the selfless work that often goes unrecognized but is fundamental to community well-being.

City of Las Cruces Seeks Applicants for Oversight Committee to Enhance Transparency and Accountability

City of Las Cruces Seeks Applicants for Oversight Committee to Enhance Transparency and Accountability

The City of Las Cruces is actively seeking applicants to fill two vacant positions on its Oversight Committee. This volunteer group was established in November 2018 by the Las Cruces City Council with the primary objective of bolstering transparency and accountability within city operations. As of Thursday, applications are open for individuals interested in contributing to this management advisory committee. Committee members play a crucial role in reviewing internal audit and inspector general activities. Their responsibilities include promoting economy and efficiency, improving operational procedures, and actively working to deter and identify waste, fraud, and abuse of government resources. The committee also has the authority to recommend priorities and potential areas for investigations conducted by the inspector general and internal audits performed by the city auditor. Additionally, they provide technical advice to the city auditor or inspector general on emerging issues. The Oversight Committee co...

Henrico Officials Initiate Upgrades at Tuckahoe Park with Groundbreaking Ceremony

Henrico Officials Initiate Upgrades at Tuckahoe Park with Groundbreaking Ceremony

Henrico County officials, including Tuckahoe District Supervisor Jody Rogish, held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 9 to commence upgrades at Tuckahoe Park. The park, acquired by Henrico in 2007 and home to Tuckahoe Little League, is set to receive substantial investments in community amenities. The planned improvements, based on resident feedback, include a new playground, additional restrooms, and enhanced connectivity. Funding for these upgrades is sourced from the county's voter-approved 2016 bond referendum. Specific renovations encompass paving two parking lots, redoing existing restrooms, constructing new restrooms and an additional parking lot, and installing new storm drainage systems. Recreation & Parks Director John Zannino emphasized that prioritizing resident feedback, with a focus on comfort and accessibility, was central to the planning process. The construction has begun ahead of the fall ball season, and the park and athletic fields will remain open throughout the renovation period.

Pawtucket City Council Postpones Kennel License Renewal Amid Resident Complaints

Pawtucket City Council Postpones Kennel License Renewal Amid Resident Complaints

The Pawtucket City Council has postponed a decision on renewing a kennel license for Harmony Dog Training LLC on Patterson Avenue until its first meeting in October. This decision followed a lengthy hearing that lasted over two hours, during which neighbors testified about issues such as barking and odor emanating from the facility. City solicitor Frank Milos presented four alleged violations against the kennel license, including nuisance barking, noise ordinance breaches, general compliance issues, and a zoning standard violation regarding proximity to residential areas. The city's director of zoning and code enforcement, Carl Johnson, testified that he issued a certificate of zoning compliance in March 2024, stating that the majority of the lot is in a manufacturing/industrial zone where pet care is permitted. However, neighbors described significant disturbances, with one reporting barking at 3:30 a.m. and another noting that odor and noise made it difficult to raise a young child. The kennel owner test...

Fans pessimistic Michigan will cover spread vs Oklahoma

Fans pessimistic Michigan will cover spread vs Oklahoma

The majority of Michigan fans don’t even think the Wolverines will cover the spread versus Oklahoma.

Calumet City Clerk Nyota Figgs Sues Mayor Thaddeus Jones for Malicious Prosecution and Abuse of Process

Calumet City Clerk Nyota Figgs Sues Mayor Thaddeus Jones for Malicious Prosecution and Abuse of Process

Calumet City Clerk Nyota Figgs has filed a new lawsuit against Mayor Thaddeus Jones and attorneys representing Calumet City, alleging civil conspiracy, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process. This lawsuit follows the dismissal of a previous lawsuit from October 2021, which accused Figgs of illegally destroying city documents. Figgs is seeking damages, claiming she suffered trauma over four years due to the prolonged legal battle. Her attorney, Edward Moor, stated that the mayor's actions were an attempt to 'cut her out of office' and retaliate against her. The lawsuit also alleges that Jones stripped Figgs of her duties and hired someone else to perform her work. According to the lawsuit, the conflict stems from Figgs ending a romantic relationship with Jones in 2013 and rejecting his attempts to resume it in 2021.

International Human Rights Law Addresses Gender-Based Violence as a State Obligation

International Human Rights Law Addresses Gender-Based Violence as a State Obligation

International human rights law provides a comprehensive framework for regulating gender-based violence (GBV), recognizing it as a violation of fundamental human rights. GBV undermines rights such as equality, non-discrimination, life, health, security, privacy, and freedom from torture. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) views GBV not as a private matter but as a result of deep-rooted discrimination that states are obligated to address. Under international human rights law, states bear the responsibility to tackle these violations, with human rights standards guiding their efforts and setting benchmarks for compliance. International and regional human rights bodies consistently emphasize the need for coordinated, sustained, and long-term national approaches to combat GBV. National Action Plans on Violence Against Women are considered a best practice for implementing human rights standards in this context.

Kane County Board Advances Plan to Plant Elm Tree at Judicial Center

Kane County Board Advances Plan to Plant Elm Tree at Judicial Center

The Kane County Board is moving forward with plans to plant an American elm tree and install a historical plaque at the county’s Judicial Center in St. Charles. This initiative, originally intended for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, faced delays and changes in location. The tree, grown from seed, and the plaque from the Elias Kent Kane Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, honor several Revolutionary War veterans buried in Kane County. Initial plans to plant the tree at the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva were voted down in May. The new proposed site at the Judicial Center is being considered for a celebration around Veterans Day. The measure to designate the Judicial Center as the planting site was approved by the board, with only one dissenting vote and two abstentions, indicating a consensus to proceed with the project.

Cambridge Halves Participatory Budgeting Funding to $500,000 Amid Economic Conditions

Cambridge Halves Participatory Budgeting Funding to $500,000 Amid Economic Conditions

Cambridge, Massachusetts, has reduced its allocation for the annual Participatory Budgeting program to $500,000 for the current cycle, a 50% decrease from the $1 million allocated in each of the past two years. City spokesperson Jeremy H. Warnick stated that this reduction is primarily due to broader macroeconomic conditions and the city's focus on lowering budget growth. The 13th annual Participatory Budgeting cycle, which opened recently, allows community members to propose projects and residents aged 12 and older to vote on how a portion of the city budget is spent. Residents can submit public improvement proposals until October 11, and voting on the final projects will take place in March 2027. Despite the current reduction, city officials anticipate that funding levels for the program will increase incrementally in future years through the city's five-year capital plan.