Maine has led the way in using federal grants to ensure the response by public safety will be effective and match the changing environmental conditions in the wake of climate change. Maine is no stranger to the challenges of extreme weather because of climate change, and we are a leader on climate change preparedness, but with superstorms like Sandy taking out the Northeast and droughts plaguing the Midwest, the American people deserve to know that our government is prepared for all possible scenarios.

Federal recognition has been denied or stripped from over 400 thousand native Americans in California alone. This is a systemic problem throughout the United States. The re-recognition or recognition process can take over 30 years and millions of dollars. Many times after years of litigation it results in denial for recognition. For many of us we have federal recognition through the '1972 California Judgment Fund Payment', we were Native enough to be paid but it does not signify federal recognition or membership in a "Federally Recognized Tribe". This is played out throughout the United States, Hawaii is the worst for recognition with California being second worst. Some of the so called "tribes" in California were Rancherias that was land set aside for homeless Indians, they were a consortium of many tribes. Because of their status of having a "land" base they were considered as a tribe. Any other Natives without a reservation, Rancheria or land in federal trust for Indians were taken from the recognition roles. That left an estimated 38 thousand Natives on the Federal recognition roles and stripped recognition of close to 500 thousand Native Californians. We are not allowed to participate in any discussion at the state or federal level concerning native needs or policies. It is time our voices are heard

The recent hunger strike by 750 of the 1,300 people being held in the Tacoma ICE Detention Center made it clear that the GEO Group is continuing their history of abuse and corruption here in Tacoma. These are headlines our city doesn't want. For-profit prisons create a demand for prisoners that the GEO Group helps create by lobbying for more strict laws that put more people in prison. This is wrong and needs to be stopped.

Rhinos are estimated to be totally extinct in the wild worldwide within less than 15 years unless we educate the world about the issue and get everyone to understand that Rhino horn has no medicinal value. Together we can save the species for future generations to enjoy.

As a victim of Wage Theft, I understand the struggle of trying to put food on the table after having your hard earned dollars stolen. Allowing local governments to establish effective wage theft ordinances in Florida will help victims like myself be made whole and retrieve our lost wages quickly and inexpensively. The Florida Retail Federation is trying to do the opposite with HB 957 and SB 926. These bills eliminate options for local governments, forcing all wage theft victims to rely on our underfunded, overburdened court system. Forcing all victims like me into the courts would make it extremely difficult for victims of wage theft to recover their wages.

"Chip Southworth is a lifelong resident of Jacksonville. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy Presidential Guard and has always been very active in our community. He has worked with the Chamber, the City Council and the Cultural Council regarding his art. Some of his art is currently hanging in the Cummer Museum and he was recently commissioned by the City of Jacksonville to paint a portrait. His arrest and Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's further 'social media campaign,' including trying the case in social media and posting his mugshot, is irresponsible, if not unjust. The family's focus is on clearing his name and helping his wife through her ongoing treatment for breast cancer. The locals love the artwork. He is showing off a great artist who became famous in New York for his graffitti. Jacksonville desperately needs more color, cultural and character since we were just voted " most Ordinary City" Please release Chip and commission him to repaint the ugly large 3'x4'silver boxes (eye sores) around town. It is an enhancement to the artsy community of San Marco. Thank you.

I was bullied in high school continuously because of my sexual preference. I was bullied not only my students, but teachers as well.

A jail library provides a low-budget, high-outcome resource for education and job preparation for those who are incarcerated. The DC Jail Library Coalition encourages Mayor Vincent C. Gray to provide for the introduction of a library to the jail - staffed by DC Public Libraries - because access to books provides incarcerated people resources for literacy, education, knowledge and job readiness that will ease their reentry into society, and reduce the likelihood of them re-offending and returning to the prison system. Literacy is a skill that directly correlates to many necessities and successes in life, and studies suggest that at least half of inmates are functionally illiterate. “If I were to summarize my experience at the prison library,” wrote a librarian from a Philadelphia prison, “I would say I met inmates who started as reluctant visitors to the library, and then went from being regular readers to voracious readers.” Many inmates and former inmates say that reading provides a way for people who are incarcerated to experience a positive escape from their surroundings and a release from the anxiety, depression and isolation associated with imprisonment. In such an environment, a library brings hope. “People always want something to read in the jail, that’s one thing I know,” said a former inmate of the DC Jail. “People do be wanting books over there.” Several nearby Maryland and Virginia counties - Anne Arundel, Fairfax, Montgomery, and Prince George’s - as well as many other jurisdictions around the country, have professionally staffed and funded libraries in their jail facilities. Washington, DC should join the positive examples set by these counties, and establish a library, staffed by at least one trained DC Public Libraries employee, in the DC Jail.

The new general manager of Sunset empire park recreation district Justin cutler has fired the most beloved and the most awesome preschool teacher Vicki Yarbrough who has been teaching preschool at Sunset Park Recreation District for 33 years. All of the parents and children who she has taught love her she has dedicated her life to these kids and the people in the community. Please sign the petition to support Vicki Yarbrough and demand that Sunset Park recreation District hire her back and tell Justin Cutler the general manager that SEPRD is not all about making money its about the whole community of those in seaside. We want Vicki back where she belongs teaching those kids. It takes a village to help raise and teach kids and Vicki is that village and has been a mentor to the kids and adults in the community she is like a surrogate grandma she has deeply touched all of the lives of the people she has met and the kids she has taught for 3 decades and 3 years. Ms Vicki is a priceless asset to the SEPRD preschool program and its a shame that Mr Cutler cant see that it was wrong and a injustice for him to fire her especially since she has done nothing wrong and is a excellent employee and always has been.

Read the story below. She awoke early; and the house was cold as ice. She was eighty-two years old. She lived alone. The temperature was below zero. She could hardly move. It was so cold. Her old body felt stiff and her joints ached. Her feet felt numb. She had been without heat for two weeks. The gas had been shut off two weeks earlier because of unpaid bills. She had tried to forestall the shut off but to no avail. She had pleaded with the gas man not to turn off her gas but was unsuccessful. “Ma’am I don’t want to do this, but this is my job.” The weather report on the radio indicated that the temperature would be subzero for the next couple of days. The cold was penetrating. “A cup of hot tea would be great,” she thought. She forgot for the moment, she didn’t have any gas to cook with. Her old body felt stiff and it was difficult to move. The cold was biting and had seeped through the layers of clothing she wore. She looked for a way to stay warm. She huddled beneath the rug on the floor vainly trying to escape the cold. “This should help,” she thought. It seemed to temporarily provide some warmth. Within a short time she began to feel the cold again. She could feel almost nothing in her feet and her hands were icy cold. She began to feel tired and sleep seemed to be overtaking her. A little voice inside her told her, “Stay awake. Don’t sleep.” She jarred herself awake. But again the pull of sleep tugged at her. She couldn’t resist. It felt warm, comforting. She drifted off again. Two days later news headline read, “Woman 82 Found Frozen to Death in Unheated Home.” This is a true story. Her name was Sophia Easer and it happened in 1976. Ms Easer death led to revision of PGW policies on gas shut offs in extremely cold weather. This is the scenario we picture if we allow PGW to be privatized. The governing agencies regulating PGW will end, as well as policy on shut offs. We will see exorbitant gas bills, termination of the LIHEAP Program (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), a loss of jobs and a loss of $18 million a year in revenue to the city from PGW. Sign our petition. Urge the city not sell off PGW. SIGN HERE and tell City Council not to sell PGW.

On East 59th Street since 1932, Jim's Shoe Repair is losing their lease and their space is being given to Walgreens' Duane Reade, so the corporate chain store can expand. Tell the landlord and the city we want Jim's to keep their space--and get a fair lease renewal. For more information: http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2014/02/jims-shoe-repair.html And watch on Fox 5 News: http://www.myfoxny.com/story/25010027/jims-shoe-repair-faces-the-boot-after-82-years-in-midtown

We must stop chemtrails in our skies. Our health is at risk and the consequences to the planet are unknown. More days than not, the sky where I live are sprayed. The spraying seems to be concentrated over particular areas such as an urban community struggling to achieve environmental and economic justice.