SOPHIE AUSTIN/Report for America, Author at The Rapid City Post

California governor signs executive order to support boys and men and improve their mental health

July 30, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order aimed at supporting men and boys and improving their mental health outcomes. It directs state officials to recommend ways to lower suicide rates among young men and to connect them with education and career opportunities. The issue has come increasingly into focus after Democrats lost young men to President Donald Trump in last year’s election. Newsom released an episode of his podcast Wednesday where he discussed how to support the well-being of men and boys. Men make up half the population but account for 80% of suicides in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

FILE - A Planned Parenthood sign is displayed on the outside of the clinic, Aug. 1, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

More than 20 Democratic-led states sue Trump administration over Planned Parenthood funding cuts

July 29, 2025

A group of more than 20 states are suing the Trump administration over efforts to cut Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood. The lawsuit challenges part of President Donald Trump’s big tax law that cut reimbursements to major providers of family planning services. The states argue the provision’s language is unclear about which organizations it applies to. They also say it violates free speech by targeting Planned Parenthood for its advocacy for abortion access. But the Trump administration says states should not be forced to fund groups that it says prioritize political advocacy.

FILE - AB Hernandez, a transgender student at Jurupa Valley High School, competes in the high jump at the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, Calif., May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Trump administration sues California over transgender athlete policies

July 9, 2025

President Donald Trump’s administration has sued the California Department of Education for allowing transgender girls to compete on girls sports teams. The lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges that the policy violates federal law. The move escalates an ongoing battle between Trump’s Republican administration and Democratic-led California over trans athletes competing in girls and women’s sports. The lawsuit says California’s transgender athlete policies violate Title IX, the federal law that bans discrimination in education based on sex. Trump criticized the participation of a transgender high school student-athlete who won titles in the California track-and-field championships last month.

FILE - AB Hernandez, a transgender student at Jurupa Valley High School, stands on the podium during a medal ceremony for the triple jump at the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, Calif., May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file)

Trump administration says California must bar trans girls from girls sports

June 25, 2025

The Trump administration says California must change its policies allowing transgender girls to compete on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. The U.S. Education Department says the policies violate a federal law banning sex discrimination in education. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon says California could lose federal funding if it does not comply. But the state says all students should have the opportunity to play. The issue garnered renewed attention in California after a trans athlete recently participated in the state high school track and field championship. The sports governing body running the meet allowed more girls to participate and medal in events in which the trans athlete was competing.

AB Hernandez reacts after competing in the high jump at the California high school track-and-field championships in Clovis, Calif., Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

California track-and-field championships draw limited protest over trans student’s participation

May 30, 2025

The California high school track-and-field championship has kicked off to a relatively quiet atmosphere. That’s despite controversy leading up to the meet over a transgender athlete’s participation. The state’s governing body for high school sports changed the rules ahead of the meet to allow more girls to compete and medal in events featuring trans athlete AB Hernandez. President Donald Trump has criticized Hernandez’s participation. Hernandez led in the girls high jump, long jump and triple jump after the preliminaries Friday. The finals will be held on Saturday.

AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley smiles while completing in the girls long jump during the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet at Moorpark High School, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Moorpark, Calif. (Kirby Lee via AP)

California track-and-field final enters spotlight for rule change after trans athlete’s success

May 29, 2025

The California high school track-and-field championship is set to begin Friday amid a controversy over the participation of a transgender female athlete. The state’s governing body for high school sports changed the rules ahead of the meet to allow more girls to compete in events trans athlete AB Hernandez qualified for. President Donald Trump has criticized Hernandez’s participation. He has threated to pull federal funding in California if state officials do not bar trans girls from competing in girls sports. It is part of a nationwide debate over fairness in sports and the participation of trans athletes.

Student athletes hold signs during a hearing to consider bills to pass rules banning transgender student-athletes Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Yuri Avila, File)

California changed rules for a track-and-field meet after a trans athlete’s success. What to know

May 28, 2025

California is opening up its track-and-field championship to more girls after a transgender athlete drew controversy for qualifying for the meet. The state announced the change Tuesday after high school junior AB Hernandez qualified for the final. President Donald Trump referenced Hernandez in a social media post saying California must comply with an executive order he issued aimed at barring trans girls from competing in girls sports. Debates are ongoing nationwide over fairness in sports and the participation of transgender female athletes. Some experts say the rule may be discriminatory while others say it adds inclusivity because more athletes can compete.

President Donald Trump speaks during the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

California opens track-and-field finals to more girls after success of trans athlete

May 27, 2025

The governing body for California high school sports has changed its competition rules for this weekend’s state track-and-field championship. It will allow more girls to qualify for the meet. The move comes amid controversy over the participation of a trans student-athlete who qualified for the meet. President Donald Trump referenced the athlete in a social media post threatening to pull federal funding in California if the state did not bar trans girls from participating in girls sports. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office says the rule change ahead of the championship meet is reasonable.

FILE - Charging bays are seen at the new Electrify America indoor electric vehicle charging station in San Francisco, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

What to know about the US Senate’s effort to block vehicle-emission rules in California

May 21, 2025

The U.S. Senate is moving forward with an effort to block California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The move targets proposals banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, phasing out diesel-powered medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and curbing smog-forming pollution from trucks. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the chamber plans to take up proposals to halt the rules this week. It comes weeks after the House voted to block the rules. The proposals are the latest in a long battle over California’s authority to set emissions standards that are stricter than the federal government’s.

SOPHIE AUSTIN/Report for America.