I'm sure you've heard of RoundUp, the weed-killer brought to you by Monsanto. People use it in their backyards, and it's spayed on public parks, school playgrounds, and sports fields. What you probably don’t know is that in March, the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization announced that glyphosate – the key ingredient in RoundUp – is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Armed with this research, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment recently proposed labeling glyphosate as a chemical “known to cause cancer.” Their public comment period ends Tuesday October 20th, and they need to hear from people like you! In the WHO report, scientists cited evidence from studies showing that glyphosate has been linked to tumors in mice and rats and has caused DNA damage to human cells. Another study found that exposure to this dangerous chemical can result in significant liver and kidney damage. In addition to being used on lawns and parks, glyphosate is the number one herbicide used in agriculture. Nearly all U.S. corn, soy, and cotton is treated with glyphosate. People have a right to know about the grave health risks of this weed-killer.

Gun shows are practically unregulated in Arizona. I have seen people buying ridiculous military weaponry with no background checks. We need to stop these shows completely.

Mary Jo White, the famously soft-on-Wall-Street chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, just got exposed in a massive conflict of interest. She was just revealed trying to use her power as SEC Chair to push out the tough leader of the country’s accounting watchdog board – and replace him with someone who will take it easy on the Wall Street firms her husband’s law firm represents. Mary Jo White’s husband is on the advisory group of that same accounting watchdog board – a fact his law firm has brazenly marketed to gain Wall Street clients looking for easy treatment. When reporters exposed their conflict of interest, her husband's law firm tried to quickly scrub its website of evidence it marketed his involvement at the accounting watchdog board – but it got caught red handed. Sign the petition to tell Mary Jo White to recuse herself immediately from the selection of the next accounting watchdog, because of her unacceptable conflict of interest.

Volkswagen should not be rewarded with a huge advertising spot on one of a major networks most-watched programs. Americans were duped and deceived by VW on its "clean" diesel engines and they must pay a price for their deceit.

Reform Student Loan Bankruptcy laws. Repeal 11 USC 523(a)(8) and stop predatory lending of student loans. Many of these loans will not restructure payment terms and our children are leaving schools with no job yet or low paying internships, an education and cannot afford to pay the loans. Now our children are unable to be a positive part of our economic society. They can't even rent a home or apartment because of bad credit. The pain that has caused students is also inflicted upon their families. Many of which have cosigned for the loans. Allow bankruptcy for student loans. America should have the same rights as all loan types in the event of needed protections of their finances.

Asher Holmes Elementary School is unique in that the hallway walls are covered with murals, painted by a teacher, Mr. David Bassoff Wells, starting in 1973. These murals depict stories ranging from Snow White to A Bug's LIfe. They are a source of pride for the School, and for the Students. They are more than wall coverings, they are works of art, given to the students by a caring art teacher, a gift, that has lasted more than 40 years! As stated on the Board of Education's own website, "Our walls are a source of wonder to young siblings who visit the building and a source of pride for the students who attend Asher Holmes." Yet, for some inexplicable reason, The School and Board wants to cover up this rich artistic history. THIS MUST BE STOPPED! Why is Asher Holmes willing to destroy this artwork?

Brain research proves the importance of quality early care and education programs. Childcare centers are a major part of the work-force infrastructure and the return on investment in early education is high. Minimum wage is increasing again and the states investment in the childcare subsidy program has not increased since 2009. WV childcare centers are struggling to pay the bills and numerous centers have closed. Working families and our children need your support.

California's big utilities are trying to protect their profits by adding unfair fees and making rooftop solar a bad deal for their customers. The California Public Utilities Commission is set to make a critical decision on the future of net metering and solar power in California by the end of the year. We can't let corporate greed keep our families, schools and businesses from going solar.

Stop the ban of blowers. Their is a small group trying to ban the use of blowers in Newton. This ban could potentially put several small businesses out of business, not to mention the right of homeowners to use them for their personal use. PLEASE take a minute to show your support in stopping this group that wants to dictate what everyone in OUR city can and can't use to do their job. These people WILL NOT STOP with their agenda until WE stop them. THANK YOU for your support Phil Jepsen

The Board of Aldermen’s proposal is for either a total ban of leaf blowers or a partial ban of the use of leaf blowers. Limiting the use of the proper tools to do your landscaping efficiently and quickly will impact your landscaper’s ability to service your property. This proposal, if passed will force the landscapers to increase the cost of services by a minimum of three times what you are currently paying if we have to revert to using a rake and broom instead of the leaf blower. The Leaf Blower Ban proposal goes beyond just the issue of banning leaf blowers, it infringes on your rights as a property owner in Newton.

From Senator Dodd: Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to a bill that would allow discrimination against transgender students in our public schools. I appreciate learning your views on this important issue. I agree with your concerns and I have authored an alternative bill that would support our transgender young people in our schools. On October 6, Representative Jesse Kremer circulated LRB 2643, a bill that would prevent students who were born biologically male from entering facilities designated for biological females and vice versa. This ignores the reality for transgender young people and directly discriminates against them. Transgender students are constantly under societal pressure to conform to their pre-assigned gender identity, and are often picked on in public and at school. We should be protecting these students and ensuring that schools create a safe learning environment, not foster even more hate by using the argument of 'comfort' to support discrimination. On October 13, I joined Representative Sondy Pope to circulate LRB 3539, a bill that defines gender identity as an individual’s deeply held sense or psychological knowledge of their own gender and transgender pupil as a pupil whose gender identity is different from that traditionally associated with the pupil’s assigned sex at birth. The bill requires the state Department of Public Instruction to develop a model policy that school districts would have the option to adopt. DPI would have 180 days from the bill's enactment to craft a model policy, and school boards would have 270 days to adopt their policies. It is important that all children feel safe and supported in their learning environment. It is discouraging to see some Republicans work to increase discrimination in our schools. Thank you again for reaching out to me to share your views on this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you on this, or any other matter relating to state government. Sincerely, Nikiya Q. Harris Dodd State Senator 6th Senate District

I found a picture on my feed, posted by my own brother, of Elmer Fudd hunting a cartoon President Obama in Arab head dress saying, "Shhh... Be vewy vewy twiet.., I'm hunting Muzwums!!!". Facebook says this doesn't qualify as hate speech on their policy, even though it advocates hunting the President, hunting African Americans and hunting an entire religion. We live in a time when there are mass shootings almost daily and pictures like this do not promote a 'safe and welcoming environment,' which is what Facebook's community standards and their response to my report stated is their intent. This isn't the first time Facebook has been lax on its hate speech and community standards rules, and this needs to stop. Politics isn't the issue here, hate is the issue.