North Carolina - What to watch in 2026
As of October, North Carolina is a state where recent shifts in political control have directly shaped women's rights policy. Because many protections are established through state law …
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WRDI Watch
I couldn't send this week's newsletter without acknowledging Dolly Parton, who died this week at 80. There are many ways to describe what made her remarkable: …
Contraception and the messy reality of private insurance
If you've assumed birth control is simply “free” because of the Affordable Care Act, you're only partly right. Since 2012, the federal law has required most …
WRDI Watch
What should happen when illness, childbirth, caregiving, or another major life event makes it impossible to work as usual? I've been thinking about that question as Sen. Mitch …
"Golden Girls" Laws: A push to let unrelated roommates share a home
With a wink to the 1980s sitcom featuring four unrelated women sharing a Miami house, a handful of states have passed "Golden Girls" laws. These state laws, in …
Candidate Comparison Guide
Wisconsin voters will choose their parties' nominees for governor in the August 11 primary. While comprehensive voter guides cover the full range of issues facing the state, this WRDI …
Election 2026: Women governors and what November holds
This November, 36 states are holding gubernatorial races, making 2026 a big turnover year in state houses. This year also puts a major spotlight on women governors. Right now, a …
Do women in office actually favor women’s issues?
Women hold office at all levels of government across the country. Right now, in fact, the U.S. has the highest number of women governors ever: 14 out of 50 …
WRDI Watch
Every month I read dozens of articles, court decisions, agency announcements, and state legislative updates. Most don't become headlines. Some do. But the ones that stay with me …
When the ER isn't a safe harbor: EMTALA, abortion bans, and maternal health
For decades, a federal law called EMTALA has guaranteed one basic promise: if you show up at a U.S. emergency room in crisis, the hospital is required to screen …
Do pay transparency laws help women get paid fairly?
A growing patchwork of state laws now requires employers to post salary ranges, disclose pay on request, and/or stop asking job candidates about their salary history. Many states have …
WRDI Watch
Over the past few weeks, election news has picked up quickly. Congress is still looking for a path to pass the SAVE America Act. States continue changing voting laws. Another …
Election season is underway. Here's what we're watching—and why it matters for women.
From documentation requirements to redistricting, several developments could shape women's voting and representation before the 2026 midterms. Several important election developments are unfolding that could have unique implications …