Latest news with #Arent
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Change in Utah's newborn safe haven law can help more babies
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways A change made to the Utah newborn safe haven law went into effect Wednesday, allowing more parents a way to safely give up custody of their baby, no questions asked. The original law, passed in 2001 by former Sen. Patrice Arent, limited the age of newborns that can be surrendered under the law to 30 days or younger. This year, the state Legislature passed SB57, that changes the age of newborns that can be surrendered under the law to 90 days (three months) and younger. 'The law exists to protect infants, help birth parents, and to find loving homes for the newborns. By expanding the age to 90 days old or younger, more babies in Utah will have the chance to live safe and happy lives,' said Arent who now serves as the chair of the Newborn Safe Haven advisory board. Under the law, parents or a parent's designee can give up custody of their newborn at any hospital in the state. 'The baby will receive the care they need in a forever home. No names, blame, or shame — only love and support," according to a release from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Since the safe haven law passed in 2001, an average of at least two babies have been surrendered every year in the Beehive State. 'The intent of that bill was to help protect newborns from injury or death by providing a safe place (hospitals) for them and allow the identity of the person who gives up the baby to remain anonymous,' the release said. The expansion of the age to 3 months and younger will allow more babies to safely be surrendered and will help increase awareness of the law and that option for parents. After the newborn is surrendered to a hospital, they are examined by medical professionals and then placed for adoption through the Division of Child and Family Services. For more information about the safe haven law, visit
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Discover the magic of spring migration at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
OAK HARBOR — Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a series of May events to celebrate the spring bird migration, coinciding with the Biggest Week in American Birding festival. According to an announcement, the refuge will offer guided bird hikes, tram tours and special programs featuring authors and wildlife experts. Aimee Arent, executive director of Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, said the refuge is an important stopover habitat for migratory birds. "We are working hard to welcome visitors during spring migration, and we are excited to share the magic of the refuge with everyone who comes to experience it," Arent said. "Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing place to witness the incredible journey of migratory birds as they rest and refuel in the refuge's critical stopover habitat. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our refuge staff, volunteers and Friends group, we are ensuring the refuge remains safe, accessible and welcoming for all as we enter our busiest season of the year.' The refuge, one of the last remaining pieces of the Great Black Swamp, provides habitat for hundreds of species and offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature. Here's a look at the events happening at the refuge this month: West Sister Island sunset cruise: May 10, 6:30-9 p.m. in Port Clinton, Ohio. Tickets are $100 and $75 for Friends members. The cruise offers a chance to see the largest wading bird rookery in the U.S. Great Lakes. Refuge tram tours: Daily at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a 90-minute open-air tram ride with stops for birding and wildlife viewing. Crane Creek Estuary shuttle tours: May 9-18 at 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. A 90-minute electric shuttle tour of refuge trails. Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge & Darby Marsh van tours: Guided van tours are available with waitlist registration. Pollinator plant sale: May 9-18, 12-4 p.m. The sale offers over 25 species of native plants for pollinator gardens. Wildlife stop and shop: May 10-11 and May 17-18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Local vendors will offer nature-themed gifts and handmade items. Special programs: Hear from authors, naturalists and wildlife experts in the Visitor Center multipurpose room. Guided bird hikes: Daily at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. from May 8-19. A guide will lead a birding walk through the South Woods. Food vendors on site: Available May 8-19 and May 23-25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. A rotating selection of local food trucks will be present. Visitor center and rookery nature store hours: Open seven days a week in May from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Memorial Day). For more information, visit or follow Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge on Facebook. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge announces May events
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tacoma activist working to get $20 minimum wage on city ballot
Activists in Tacoma are trying to get a minimum wage increase on the November ballot. The proposal calls for raising Tacoma's minimum wage to $20 per hour, up from the current minimum wage of $16.66. Large employers, that employ more than 500 employees, would be affected first. Medium employers, which employ between 15-500 employees, and small employers, 15 or fewer employees, would be phased in over several years. Organizers have submitted two similar initiatives to the city. The initiatives are categorized as a 'Workers Bill of Rights,' and would also require more advanced notice of scheduled shifts. They would also require employers to offer more hours to current employees before hiring more part-time help. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union 367 chapter is leading the effort, though the Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is helping collect signatures. 'It's getting more expensive to just keep your head above water,' said Sean Arent, with Tacoma's DSA chapter. Arent said it's also focused on improving employee stability throughout the city. 'Imagine that you're having to pay for the enormous costs of childcare when you can't even predict your schedule two weeks in advance,' he said. 'What does that do to people? It creates gaps in our in our system.' On the flip side, leaders with the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber, have warned it could hurt small businesses and cause prices to go up. 'The Chamber looks forward to partnering with our labor community to find the creative solutions to the complex challenges that create barriers for income inequality,' wrote president and CEO Andrea Reay in a statement. 'We need new ideas to move the needle and create prosperity for all. Those new ideas are going to come from us working together in collaboration and partnership.' KIRO 7 spoke to the owner of Tacoma small business Abella Pizzeria. He said he thought higher wages could bring in more customers. 'Whatever they bring at us, we're willing to go with,' said James Irvine. 'I'll compensate it, raising the prices a little bit, but also get more clientele in here as well.' To get the proposals on the ballot, organizers will need to collect enough signatures of registered voters. That requirement is a number equal to at least 10% of the votes cast in the last mayoral election. You can read both initiatives here and here.
