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FCC to modernize low-income broadband Internet access program

By Marcos Restrepo | 01.10.12 | 10:36 am | The Florida Independent

On Monday, Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski announced changes that would modernize the agency’s Lifeline program to give greater broadband Internet access to low-income Americans.

Local Michigan county wants to force meds on HIV criminal suspect

By | 01.10.12 | 9:38 am |

Sangeeta Ghosh, assistant corporate counsel for Kent County, Mich., says should the 51-year-old man charged in two cases of failing to disclose his HIV-positive status to sexual partners make bail, the county is prepared to ask a court to force him to take antiretroviral medications.

Michigan Rep. Hoogendyk preparing to challenge Upton in 6th Congressional District?

By | 01.10.12 | 9:29 am |

Former Michigan state Rep. Jack Hoogendyk is likely to announce next week that he will challenge Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) in the GOP primary in August.

Right-wing think tank leaks salaries of Florida public employees via new website

By Ashley Lopez | 01.09.12 | 5:33 pm | The Florida Independent

The Foundation for Government Accountability debuted a new website Monday — an online database of the salaries of Florida’s public employees: FloridaOpenGov.org.

Ski industry exploited ‘lax regulatory environment’ under Bush, says former Forest Service official

By Troy Hooper | 01.09.12 | 3:05 pm | The Colorado Independent

Going to court may be “the best way” to resolve a dispute over water rights between the U.S. Forest Service and the National Ski Areas Association, according to a former Forest Service ski area permit coordinator.

Arkansas AG stops anti-abortion group from introducing ‘personhood’ bill

By Virginia Chamlee | 01.09.12 | 2:56 pm | The Florida Independent
Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has blocked the state’s Personhood affiliate from introducing a bill that would define life from the moment of conception, on the grounds that it is “too vague” as written. Though “fetal personhood” measures across the country have been criticized for that very reason, Personhood Arkansas

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New Florida bill would outlaw gender- and race-based abortions

By Ashley Lopez | 01.09.12 | 8:00 am | The Florida Independent

With the beginning of session only days away, Florida legislators have been busy filing a slew of anti-abortion bills. Add yet another to the list: a measure outlawing race- and gender-based abortions. The bill was filed by state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood.

News anchor, anti-abortion activist to be the ‘face’ of Minnesota anti-gay marriage amendment

By | 01.09.12 | 7:00 am |

Kalley King Yanta, a former anchor for a Minneapolis-based television station and an anti-abortion-rights activist, has joined the Minnesota for Marriage group to anchor videos intended to convince Minnesotans to vote for the anti-gay-marriage amendment on the ballot in 2012. The videos — and Yanta — have come under More…

Media analysis: Grand Rapids HIV criminal case spurs ‘sensationalist’ reporting

By | 01.09.12 | 6:00 am |

An alleged admission by a 51-year-old Comstock Park, Mich., man that he attempted to infect hundreds of people with HIV through unprotected sexual activity and needle-sharing has sparked a media feeding frenzy, which HIV activists and legal experts have roundly censured as “sensationalist.”

Focus on the Family uses arguments from ‘torture memos’ author to blast Obama recess appointments

By John Tomasic | 01.06.12 | 7:01 pm | The Colorado Independent

CitizenLink, the Focus on the Family Christian news site based in Colorado Springs, Colo., weighed in Thursday on the latest political controversy winging out of Washington, D.C. The site reported that, in using “recess appointments” to fill three seats on the National Labor Relations Board and to place Richard Cordray More…

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News anchor, anti-abortion activist to be the ‘face’ of Minnesota anti-gay marriage amendment

By | 01.09.12

Kalley King Yanta, a former anchor for a Minneapolis-based television station and an anti-abortion-rights activist, has joined the Minnesota for Marriage group to anchor videos intended to convince Minnesotans to vote for the anti-gay-marriage amendment on the ballot in 2012. The videos — and Yanta — have come under More…

Media analysis: Grand Rapids HIV criminal case spurs ‘sensationalist’ reporting

By | 01.09.12

An alleged admission by a 51-year-old Comstock Park, Mich., man that he attempted to infect hundreds of people with HIV through unprotected sexual activity and needle-sharing has sparked a media feeding frenzy, which HIV activists and legal experts have roundly censured as “sensationalist.”

(VIDEO) American Family Association’s Bryan Fischer comes out as AIDS denialist

By | 01.06.12

Adding to an ongoing list of controversial statements, American Family Association President Bryan Fischer is now claiming that HIV is not the cause of AIDS or the AIDS epidemic.

Anti-enviro group vows to fight for ‘God-given rights’ in wake of Montana ruling

By David O. Williams | 01.06.12

The combative head of an anti-environmentalist Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit with Colorado roots vowed on Thursday to appeal last week’s Montana Supreme Court ruling upholding the state’s nearly 100-year-old ban on corporate campaign spending.