Social Issues

Boy Scouts proposing to lift gay ban for youth
Under pressure over its longstanding ban on gays, the Boys Scouts of America is proposing to lift the ban for youth members but continue to exclude gays as adult leaders.
Same-sex marriage supporters rally at Capitol
Hundreds of same-sex marriage supporters are swarming the Capitol in hopes of winning over lawmakers whose support they need if the bill comes up for a vote later this spring.
Wisconsin's domestic violence laws would be strengthened under measures pushed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers after a mass shooting by the estranged husband of an abuse victim.
States line up in favor of federal adoption law
The U.S. Supreme Court this week will hear an emotional family challenge to longstanding federal law on the adoption of Native American children, with several states, tribes and children's welfare groups lining up to support the current rules.
Asset-building program for poor tries to win back state support
The state may give new life to a program that helps low income people build savings to fund an education, a business, or the purchase of a home. When program participants save $40 a month in an account the program adds $120. FAIM says it has helped nearly 1,800 people save $2.5 million over the last 12 years. But the program lost its state funding two years ago and wasn't included in the governor's first proposed budget this year.