Portage County Legal News

Portage County Legal News.

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National monuments have grown and shrunk under US presidents for over a century thanks to one law: The Antiquities Act

(THE CONVERSATION) America's public lands, from its majestic national parks to its vast national forests, are at the heart of the country's identity.
They cover more than a quarter of the nation and large parts of the West. Some are crisscrossed by hiking trails and used by hunters and fishermen. Ranchers graze cattle on others. ... (full story)

Sudan's civil war: What military advances mean, and where the country could be heading next

(THE CONVERSATION) A series of advances by the Sudanese military has led some observers to posit that the African nation's yearslong civil war could be at a crucial turning point.
Even if it were to end tomorrow, the bloody conflict would have left the Sudanese people scarred by violence that has killed tens of thousands and dis ... (full story)

Mississippi's education miracle: A model for global literacy reform

(THE CONVERSATION) In a surprising turnaround, Mississippi, once ranked near the bottom of U.S. education standings, has dramatically improved its student literacy rates.
As of 2023, the state ranks among the top 20 for fourth grade reading, a significant leap from its 49th-place ranking in 2013. This transformation was driven b ... (full story)

US swing toward autocracy doesn't have to be permanent – but swinging back to democracy requires vigilance, stamina and elections

(THE CONVERSATION) The United States is no longer a democracy.
At least, that's the verdict of one nonprofit, the Center for Systemic Peace, which measures regime qualities of countries worldwide based on the competitiveness and integrity of their elections, limits to executive authority and other factors.
"The USA is n ... (full story)

From Greenland to Fort Bragg, America is caught in a name game where place names become political tools

(THE CONVERSATION) Place names are more than just labels on a map. They influence how people learn about the world around them and perceive their place in it.
Names can send messages and suggest what is and isn't valued in society. And the way that they are changed over time can signal cultural shifts.
The United States is i ... (full story)