This week Matter of Fact travels to Michigan where there’s a growing debate over the need for oversight for homeschooling. Plus, the president of the National Association of Secretaries of State talks about how state officials are working to ensure trust in elections. And, the fear of losing disability benefits puts one couple’s wedding plans on hold.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” Over two centuries ago, the First Amendment solidified the separation of church and state. But in recent years, Christian nationalism has made major legal gains. Correspondent Dina Demetrius travels to Philadelphia to speak with Marci Hamilton, an expert on the Establishment Clause and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, about the increasing influence of Christian nationalism.
Over 90% of U.S. population has some form of health insurance. Despite the widespread coverage, Americans collectively owe over $220 billion in medical debt – with most individuals owing between $2,001-5,000. This is all according to an analysis by the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. Cynthia Cox, one of the researchers behind the study, sits down with Soledad O’Brien in studio to discuss the pervasiveness of medical debt.
This week Matter of Fact explores a new study on how Americans are grappling with billions of dollars in medical debt. Plus, we look at the increasing influence of Christian nationalism. And, a 14-year-old scientist receives a top honor for creating a soap to treat skin cancer.
This week Matter of Fact focuses on the campaign season. We travel to Pennsylvania to see how the state is preparing new election workers ahead of November, after experiencing high turnover. Plus, advocates in Ohio say unfairly drawn district maps are weakening some people’s votes. And, a cartoonist tries to bridge the political divide through his drawings.
The Supreme Court is reentering the abortion debate with a case centered around mifepristone. The Food and Drug Administration approved the abortion pill in 2000 and made changes that expanded access to the drug in following years. Now, a group of anti-abortion doctors is challenging the FDA’s changes. Amy Howe covers the Supreme Court. She joins Soledad O’Brien in-studio to discuss how the case could affect access to abortion medication and the FDA’s approval process.
Georgia senators Clint Dixon and Kim Jackson were both surprised to find police at their doors over Christmas. They were victims of swatting, which is when someone reports a false crime to send law enforcement and SWAT teams to another address. Swatting calls are happening more frequently – often targeting lawmakers. Correspondent Dan Lieberman travels to Atlanta to learn how a bipartisan bill could increase penalties for fake police calls.
This week Matter of Fact travels to Atlanta where lawmakers and law enforcement officials are changing tactics to stop swatting. Plus, a Supreme Court reporter breaks down an upcoming case about the most-commonly used abortion pill. And, former Major League Baseball player Cleon Jones is on a mission to save his Alabama hometown.
A series of lawsuits across the country are taking aim at programs that help minorities. One of the latest cases out of Texas ruled that the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), an over 50-year-old federal agency, violated the constitution by providing services based on race. Alphonso David is a civil rights attorney who is representing the Fearless Fund, an organization being sued for helping businesses run by Black women. He sits down with Soledad O’Brien in studio to explain how these lawsuits could impact opportunities for marginalized communities.
With nearly 400,000 children in foster care and a shortage of licensed homes for them to move into, the foster care system is strained. At 18, many foster kids are pushed out of the system and left on their own – facing an increased risk of homelessness and incarceration. Correspondent Laura Chavez travels to Colorado to meet with organizations that are helping former foster kids land on their feet.