Human Rights

Sheneen McClain speaks during a rally and march over the death of her son, Elijah McClain.

Elijah McClain's mom shares thoughts as trials for son's death begins

Three Colorado police officers and two paramedics pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and reckless homicide in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain.

 | Jamal Andress

A protestor holding up a sign

Protests surge nationwide over drag shows

Online campaigns and in-person protests have targeted drag events across the nation.

 | John Mone

A poster notes resources for victims of human trafficking.

Texas group spreads love, awareness amid Trafficking Prevention Month

The founder of Waco-based group Jesus Said Love said they've discovered the reality of human trafficking in Texas through spreading awareness.

 | Scripps News Staff

A homeless person's tent out in the rain.

Climate change making the homeless population even more vulnerable

Americans who experience homelessness often feel the impacts of extreme weather events first.

 | Chris Conte

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore discusses recent fatal police shootings during a news conference

LAPD under scrutiny after 3 men die during or after police encounters

Takar Smith, Keenan Anderson and Oscar Sanchez died after interactions with the LAPD. Smith and Sanchez were shot by officers.

 | James Packard

A sign promotes awareness of human trafficking

January is human trafficking awareness and prevention month

Homeland Security estimates that globally human trafficking is a $150 billion a year enterprise, exploiting 25 million people.

 | Cat Sandoval

Death row inmate Amber McLaughlin

Transgender Missouri Inmate Executed For Fatal Stabbing

Amber McLaughlin, 49, was convicted of stalking and killing a former girlfriend, then dumping the body near the Mississippi River in St. Louis.

 | AP

A sign says "Support Queer Youth"

Lawmakers Work To Protect Families Traveling For Gender-Affirming Care

Some states are moving to ban gender-affirming care for minors. But lawmakers are pushing to improve protection for minors, parents and providers.

 | Tomas Hoppough

Israel's Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Doctors Reject Netanyahu Allies' Anti-LGBTQ Remarks

Allies of Benjamin Netanyahu are calling for a law to allow discrimination against LGBTQ people in hospitals and businesses.

 | AP

Spilled pill bottle.

Final U.S. Tally: Nearly 107,000 Overdose Deaths Last Year

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 106,699 Americans died from overdoses in 2021, a 16% increase from the year prior.

 | AP

Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., speaks during a news conference on the omnibus budget bill.

Millions To Lose Medicaid Coverage Under Congress' Spending Bill

The legislation will sunset a requirement of the COVID-19 public health emergency that prohibited states from booting people off Medicaid.

 | AP

Anderson Lee Aldrich surrenders to police at a home.

Judge Warned In 2021 Of Gay Bar Attack Suspect's Shooting Plans

A judge regarded the suspect in the Club Q shooting as potentially dangerous but dismissed a kidnapping case against them.

 | AP

Former Texas police officer Aaron Dean sits in court

Texas Officer Convicted In Killing Of Atatiana Jefferson

Former Texas police officer Aaron Dean faces up to 20 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter in Atatiana Jefferson's 2019 death.

 | AP and Scripps News Staff

Michael Anderson, survivor of the Club Q shooting, testifies before a House Oversight Committee hearing

Club Q Survivors Testify Before Congress, Press Lawmakers To Do More

Club Q shooting survivors testified to Congress about constant threats and violence against members of the LGBTQ community.

 | Alexandra Miller

President Biden

Pres. Biden Signs Gay Marriage Law, Calls It 'A Blow Against Hate'

The new law is intended to safeguard gay marriages if the U.S. Supreme Court ever reverses Obergefell v. Hodges.

 | AP

President Joe Biden

President Biden To Sign Same-Sex, Interracial Marriage Bill

The White House promised musical performances to celebrate bipartisan legislation that reflects growing acceptance of same-sex unions.

 | AP

People smoking fentanyl in an alley.

Researchers Develop A Fentanyl Vaccine That May Block High

University of Houston researchers say they've created a vaccine that appears to block synthetic fentanyl from entering the brain.

 | Scripps News Staff and AP

J. Alexander Kueng appears in a photo from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

Ex-Cop Who Kneeled On George Floyd's Back Gets 3.5-Year Term

J. Alexander Kueng was sentenced Friday to 3 1/2 years in prison

 | AP

Holiday lights near the U.S. Capitol

Bill Protecting Same-Sex, Interracial Unions Passes House

The legislation passage to protect same-sex and interracial marriages is a monumental step in a decadeslong battle for nationwide recognition.

 | AP

Photographs of victims of a mass shooting at Club Q are shown.

Affidavit: Club Q Shooting Suspect Opened Fire Upon Entering The Venue

The new information on the attack comes amid fresh reports that law enforcement knew how risky the suspect might have been.

 | James Packard

A memorial set up outside Club Q.

Colorado Gay Club Shooting Suspect Charged With Hate Crimes

Of the 48 hate crime charges, 27 counts involve injuries and 21 involve people fearing injury or property damage.

 | AP and Scripps News Staff

A man looks at a map of Jewish communities and threats to them.

Jewish Security Network Is Monitoring Antisemitic Threats In Real Time

A group of analysts is identifying and addressing threats to Jewish communities across the U.S. each day.

 | Meg Hilling

People protesting for gay rights outside the Supreme Court.

Gay Rights And Religion Clash At The Supreme Court

A Colorado web designer is at the center of a controversial case for refusing to design websites for gay couples because of her Christian beliefs.

 | AP and Scripps News Staff

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving.

Nike Says Kyrie Irving Is No Longer One Of Its Athletes

The Brooklyn Nets guard has faced backlash for tweeting a link to an Amazon documentary containing antisemitic material.

 | AP and Scripps News Staff

Mourners gather outside Club Q to visit a memorial.

Colorado Gay Club Shooting Suspect Set To Return To Court

The suspect will learn what charges prosecutors will pursue in the attack, including possible hate crime counts.

 | AP

Supreme Court Hearing Cases On Same-Sex Couples, State Lawmaker Rights

Two significant cases will be heard at the Supreme Court this week that could have major implications nationally.

 | Joe St. George

A prison in Illinois

The State Of Wrongful Convictions In The U.S.

A flawed case landed Shamel Capers in prison for a murder he did not commit.

 | Axel Turcios

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

Landmark Same-Sex Marriage Bill Wins Senate Passage

The bill, which would ensure that same-sex and interracial marriages are enshrined in federal law, was approved 61-36 on Tuesday.

 | AP

This image shows a scene from the documentary "A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting."

Explaining The Reemergence Of Antisemitism

Findings show that antisemitic hate incidents have reached their highest levels in over 40 years.

 | Emily Grossberg

In an image from police body camera video, Richard "Randy" Cox, center, is pulled from the back of a police van.

5 Officers Charged After Black Man Paralyzed In Police Van

The five New Haven police officers were charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and cruelty, both misdemeanors.

 | AP