On May 15, 19thnews will host a Washington, D.C., event about gender + democracy. From harassment online to inequity in Congress, we’ll talk about the challenges women and LGBTQ+ people face participating in our political system at all levels. RSVP today: 19thne.ws/dcst

In former President Donald Trump's criminal trial, there's an inescapable spotlight on the effect of potential threats to those involved in the case. The ways in which women could face the brunt of it were particularly on display. My latest for 19thnews: 19thnews.org/2024/04/trump-…

Vice President Kamala Harris returned to Iowa today to defend abortion — just as Republican presidential hopefuls descend on the state. My latest for 19thnews: 19thnews.org/2023/07/kamala…

I've been following Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for years. This week, the extent of her growing political power within the GOP was on full display as she signed into law a ban on most abortions in the state after six weeks of pregnancy. My latest for 19thnews: 19thnews.org/2023/07/iowa-g…

Every 5 days in America, someone kills their family. Most often, it's a man using a gun.

This statistic comes from my nearly 3 year investigation for IndyStar tracking family killings across the nation.

This is American Annihilation.

indystar.com/story/news/inv…

I went to a Casey DeSantis event in Iowa focused on mothers. My latest for 19thnews looks at how her husband, Ron DeSantis, and other GOP presidential candidates are trying to appeal to conservative women: 19thnews.org/2023/07/ron-de…

The Iowa Legislature has passed a bill that would ban nearly all abortions after roughly six weeks of pregnancy, with Gov. Kim Reynolds announcing she will sign the measure Friday.

The ban will go into effect immediately with her signature.

Details: bit.ly/3JYC251

Last night, the Iowa legislature passed a six-week abortion ban. As Shefali Luthra notes, the ban — which is before many people know they are pregnant — could effectively leave large swathes of the Midwest without abortion access. 19thnews.org/2023/07/iowa-l…
19thnews.org/2023/07/iowa-l…

A lot happened with the Supreme Court this term, including some rulings on elections that voting organizers cheered. But they still worry about an ongoing erosion of access to the ballot box. My latest for 19thnews: 19thnews.org/2023/07/suprem…

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said the state would continue to allow transgender people change gender markers on IDs; Barbara Rodriguez wrote this week about the confusion around the new law and efforts to help trans people before it took effect. 19thnews.org/2023/06/kansas…

This weekend marked the end of my two-year term on the IRE and NICAR board and I'm feeling so grateful for the experience. Congratulations to the newly elected members of the board and the contest committee. I am rooting for y'all and cheering you on!

1/ Over at 19thnews we have been tracking state laws on abortion for over a year now. But a lot of the time, laws don't match up with abortion accessibility on the ground.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talked to Barbara Rodriguez about abortion, elections and wanting to see a woman president (but wouldn't say if she thinks it should be her) 19thnews.org/2023/06/gretch…

Grateful for IRE and NICAR's commitment to being a safe and welcoming organization.

IRE and NICAR Thank you to Barbara Rodriguez, the other members of the IRE and NICAR Board’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and the dedicated staff who worked on this important statement! Appreciate you seeing it through for the future of our organization! #IRE23

Women’s representation in statehouses still lags, but it’s growing, across every major racial and ethnic group, Barbara Rodriguez writes off new CAWP data 19thnews.org/2023/06/women-…

“Parents miss court dates normally because they’re caring for children' and this program is addressing that.

Say it with me: Child. Care. Makes. The. World. Go. Round.
Great story by Barbara Rodriguez
19thnews.org/2023/06/warran…

Still processing Allen v. Milligan ruling, which upholds a key provision of Voting Rights Act. In the meantime, my latest for 19thnews looks at how warrant clinics can help people, including parents, regain power in many areas of life — including voting: 19thnews.org/2023/06/warran…

I'm happy to support Josh Hinkle, who has been so collaborative on the IRE and NICAR board — excited to see the work he'll do with another term!

This weekend, NPR published a months-long investigation into a simple question:

Why are Republicans abandoning one of the best tools the government has to find voter fraud?

We uncovered a complex far right pressure campaign, and an election denial blueprint for 2024...