The 2020 census had big undercounts of Black people, Latinos and Native Americans:
A Census Bureau worker waits to gather information from people during a 2020 census promotional event in New York City. Brendan McDermid/Reuters
The US Census Bureau issued a report on Thursday showing that the 2020 Census continued the trend of underrepresenting Latinos, Native Americans, and Black people. This is at least partially due to the COVID-19 epidemic causing delays. Census Bureau Director Robert Santos believes that this underrepresentation is due to former President Trump interfering with the polls. Despite these problems, the bureau has said that it believes the results are fit to use. This is significant because Census results are used for allocating congressional seats, redrawing voting districts, and distributing federal money for public services.
Liberal US cities change course, now clearing homeless camps:
City of Seattle workers remove tents, trash, and personal belongings from a stretch of sidewalk across from City Hall that had been used by people experiencing homelessness, on March 9, 2022, in Seattle. (The Seattle Times via AP)
Many cities across the US halted sweeps of homeless camps during the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with guidelines from federal health experts. The lack of remediation led the situation to worsen, forcing frustrated residents to call for action. Now leaders in liberal cities are removing encampments and pushing for other strict measures in addressing homelessness. Newly elected Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrel, who ran on a platform calling for action on encampment, ended a two and a half week standoff with activists on Wednesday when he cleared out two blocks worth of tents from the city. Portland’s Mayor, Ted Wheeler, has used emergency powers to ban camping along certain roadways and his top advisor, former Portland Mayor Sam Adams, has outlined a plan which would force 3,000 homeless people into shelters staffed by Oregon National Guard members. Some question the legality of this tougher approach on homelessness, citing a 2018 federal court decision which states that cities cannot ban people from sleeping or resting outside without providing sufficient indoor alternatives.
Texas judge blocks probes of transgender kids' parents statewide:
Judge Amy Clark Meachum addresses the court as a court hearing is held on Texas Governor Greg Abbott's order that parents of transgender children be investigated for child abuse, in Austin, Texas, U.S. March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Sergio Flores
On Friday, a Texas judge temporarily blocked the state from investigating parents who provide gender-transitioning medical treatments to their children which Governor Greg Abbott has referred to as "child abuse.” Governor Abbot issued a directive in February calling on doctors, nurses, and teachers to report such treatment or face criminal penalties. District Court Judge Amy Clark Meachum challenged the order on behalf of the family of a 16 year old transgender girl being targeted by the investigation. She was able to impose a temporary junction under the grounds that the probes endangered children and their families and will stay in place until it is settled either by a judgment or other means. The ruling marked a victory for LGBTQ groups opposing moves by conservative politicians in dozens of states to criminalize the provision of gender-transitioning treatments for trans youth.
Sources:
The 2020 census undercounted Black people, Latinos and Native Americans : NPR
Liberal US cities change course, now clearing homeless camps - AP News
Texas judge blocks probes of transgender kids' parents statewide | Reuters