The 2025 wildfires didn’t just destroy homes, they exposed deep systemic inequities and left vulnerable residents without jobs, homes, or access to critical services. As future social workers, we believe recovery is not just about rebuilding structures; it’s about restoring people’s lives, their connections, and their opportunities. AB 338 is crucial because it provides a targeted solution for those most affected by the disaster. The bill would not only help rebuild the physical infrastructure but also offer long-term benefits, such as job training and local employment opportunities, that contribute to economic stability. This will help survivors recover their livelihoods while giving them the tools to rebuild their communities. If AB 338 is not passed, the rebuilding process will face significant delays, and thousands of low- and middle-income residents will be at risk of homelessness, financial instability, and adverse mental health outcomes. Families and businesses need the support of both local and state governments to recover in a way that restores their dignity and independence. By supporting AB 338, we can ensure a faster, more equitable recovery and invest in a California where communities are stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future.

As constituents of Texas’ 31st District, we believe it is vital that our elected representative maintain open, two-way communication with the people he serves. A public town hall provides a forum for dialogue, transparency, and accountability — values that transcend party lines and strengthen our democracy. Many of us have serious concerns about issues that directly impact our lives, such as protecting due process for all Americans and preserving essential healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Whether we agree on every policy or not, we all deserve the opportunity to ask questions, share our views, and be heard. A town hall is not about division — it’s about connection, respect, and being active participants in the decisions that affect our communities.

Just days ago, three U.S. citizen children from two different families were deported with their mothers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One of them is a 4-year-old with Stage 4 cancer who was deported without medication or the ability to contact their doctors. Lawyers say the families were taken to an ICE facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, where they were prevented from communicating with their family members and legal representatives and then put on a flight to Honduras. The lack of humanity and due process is shocking and intentionally violent.  Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in an already broken immigration system that isn’t working for anyone. And it’s becoming increasingly worse and harder to navigate for people under the Trump administration in the past few months.  People are being arrested by ICE, their families ripped apart and their children—regardless of their citizenship— kidnapped and sent to countries they’ve never called home. This is happening right now in our country. And it must stop.  This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s a matter of fairness and basic rights. Trump’s administration and these expedited deportations are violating the rights of both citizens and noncitizens. It’s unacceptable. 

Democracy -By Langston Hughes Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right As the other fellow has To stand On my two feet And own the land. I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's bread. Freedom Is a strong seed Planted In a great need. I live here, too. I want freedom Just as you.

Why This Matters ● The continued use of this language in marketing erodes the progress made in protecting minors from exploitation. ● Research has shown that the normalization of such terms in media can perpetuate dangerous cultural attitudes toward youth and consent. ● Current laws regulate the content of pornography but fail to address the language used to advertise it, creating a loophole that allows harmful narratives to persist. ● Other industries, such as social media and advertising, have implemented stricter guidelines regarding content that sexualizes minors—the adult industry should be held to the same standard. Our Demand We call on Congress to introduce an amendment to the Child Obscenity and Pornography Prevention Act (2002) that: 1. Prohibits the use of terms that suggest underage individuals in pornography marketing and advertising. 2. Imposes penalties on adult content platforms and distributors that continue to use such exploitative language. 3. Requires stricter oversight on the marketing strategies employed by the adult entertainment industry. Protecting minors from exploitation extends beyond content regulation—it requires addressing the language and narratives that fuel dangerous cultural perceptions. By closing this legal  loophole, we take a critical step in safeguarding future generations from the normalization of predatory marketing tactics. Sign This Petition If you believe that no industry should profit from the fetishization of underage individuals, sign this petition to demand legislative action now. Together, we can hold the industry accountable and push for ethical advertising standards that no longer contribute to the normalization of child sexualization.

Diversity broadens the possibility of Diverse points of view having an impact in the County 

It is important that Montana's senators represent all Montanans. Missoula County is the second most populous county in Montana. Our newest senator has opened offices in Yellowstone, Flathead, Gallatin, Silver Bow, Cascade, and Lewis and Clark counties. Why has he not opened an office in Missoula? 

The arrest of a sitting judge is an alarming move that signals a dangerous abuse of federal power—one that threatens judicial independence and any remaining checks on Trump’s power.  It will also make our communities less safe. People must have trust in the courts to be willing to report a crime. When people in our communities are afraid to access the courts out of fear of being snatched up by ICE, it hurts our communities in so many ways. And it ties back to the broader anti-immigrant crackdown aligned with Trump’s Project 2025 framework. Together, we must protect the rule of law, judicial independence, and the rights of every person who appears in a courtroom—regardless of immigration status. We’ve already seen how ICE abuses its power to target student activists, U.S. citizens, legal residents and green card holders, and Trump’s political opponents—often without a warrant. When does it end? If we don’t speak up now—and demand our elected officials do the same—there’s no telling how far this administration will go. Sign the petition for Congress to investigate this judge’s arrest immediately.  All of these arrests, abductions, and deportations aren’t just about attacking immigrants and marginalized communities. Trump is using his administration to fearmonger so he can continue to seize and build his power without opposition. Without checks and balances.  Demand Congress act NOW to answer for Kash Patel’s—and ultimately Donald Trump’s—dangerous overreach.  Image credit: Wall Street Journal

President Trump took a lot of scary actions in the first week of his second administration.   One went under the radar, but could have devastating long-term consequences: rigging the U.S. Census to undermine our right to fair representation in our government.  By law, the Census has to count everyone who lives here – that's how we know where to build schools and fire stations and how to draw fair legislative maps. But for years, the far-right has been trying to count only citizens (instead of everyone who calls America home) effectively picking and choosing who counts to serve their political agenda.   It’s a blatant violation of our Constitution and centuries of precedent. And it’s a clear attempt to deny our communities the resources we need and the political representation we deserve. We can’t let it stand. With your help, Common Cause stopped this exact same plot during Trump’s first term – but now that he’s back in office, we need your help to stop him again.  This is bigger than the 2030 Census – we need to take action to defend the principle of multi-racial democracy itself. If you agree that EVERY one of us should count in our democracy, please join me in speaking out right now.

President Trump is once again exploiting a crisis: using the suffering of those affected by the Los Angeles fires as a tool to push his voter suppression agenda. That’s right – he's threatening to withhold aid to the thousands of Southern Californians who’ve lost their homes, livelihoods, and communities to wildfire unless the state government sides with him to deny thousands of voters’ rights by passing a voter ID law.   And unfortunately, his friends in Congress are falling in line, with House Speaker Mike Johnson refusing to commit to helping his fellow Americans in need if there isn’t something in it for his party. Join us to tell Speaker Mike Johnson: don’t follow Trump’s lead in politicizing disaster aid. Do your job and deliver help to people who need it immediately.

Right now, CBS News is preparing to settle Trump’s baseless $10 billion lawsuit against them. Legal experts called Trump’s lawsuit “frivolous” and “ridiculous junk” from the beginning, because there’s no evidence CBS did anything wrong. But now, CBS and its parent company Paramount are caving, preparing to cut Trump a check to win his administration’s approval on a multibillion-dollar media merger they’re trying to push through. This should set off alarm bells for every American who believes in a free press. If a major news network is willing to abandon free speech and pay off Trump to protect their bottom line, what else will they do to stay on his good side? If you agree that our media should be holding the powerful accountable – not bowing to them – join us in urging CBS/Paramount not to cave to Trump >>

The Pentagon is in chaos as distrust spreads under Defense Secretary Hegseth’s leadership. Now the Trump administration is scrambling — including emerging reports that the White House is considering showing Hegseth the door. For weeks now, and without authorization from Congress, the Trump administration has ordered multiple airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen. The rising death toll includes innocent people and has set an entire region on edge. Pete Hegseth hasn’t bothered to get Congress’s permission to conduct these counterproductive and deadly strikes, but he apparently has no problem sharing them with members of his family. That’s right, it turns out Hegseth has been bragging about failed military operations in yet another Signal group, this one including his wife and brother. We want answers, and we’re not alone: Democratic lawmakers, including multiple House Armed Service Committee members, are furiously calling for accountability. Just recently, the first Congressional Republican even expressed support for removing Hegseth. Secretary Hegseth’s tenure is unraveling in front of our eyes. With enough pressure from activists like you, we can pull the threads that will oust Hegseth for good and demand qualified leadership at the Pentagon. Your elected officials in Congress need to hear from you: Sign now to demand Hegseth’s resignation.