Newscast for Monday, April 20, 2009

Supreme Court considers education resources for ESL students
The Supreme Court will hear four civil rights cases in the next two weeks. The outcome of the court’s decisions on these cases could alter the interpretation of the nation’s civil rights laws when it comes to employment, education, voting rights and lending practices. Today, the high court heard a case that considers whether the state of Arizona has provided adequate resources to English as second language students in public schools.  FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports from Washington.

Low income renters get boost in  Congress
Low-income housing advocates are trying to shift the focus from home ownership to renting. They say tenants shouldn’t be kicked out of their homes when their landlords can’t keep up with mortgage payments. Their champions in Congress are trying to do something about it. Tanya Snyder reports.

National Marijuana Forum opens today in Boulder
Thousands of people made their way to Boulder, Colorado today, for the National Marijuana Forum, which seeks to bring experts together to talk about reforming the country’s broken drug laws. The event takes place at The University of Colorado, and speakers are addressing issues ranging from the benefits of using hemp for making fabrics, to using marijuana as medicine. Recreational users at the event and around the nation are also “celebrating” at 4:20 today. Aura Bogado speaks with Brian Vicente, Executive Director of Sensible Colorado.

Workers in Baltimore organize
Low wage workers in Baltimore launched a new phase of an economic human rights campaign, targeting the restaurant industry in the inner harbor. Led by the United Workers, the campaign seeks to win rights to education, living wage jobs, and health care, as well as dignity and respect. Andalusia Knoll reports from Baltimore.

Obama administration decides not to attend conference to eliminate racism
The Durban Review Conference is taking place in Geneva this week to provide an international platform for addressing the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances. The conference is a follow-up to the 2001 World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, and this year’s gathering will focus on reviewing progress on a plan of action. The Obama Administration confirmed this weekend that it would not attend the conference. In the first of a 3-part series on the conference, FSRN’s Sacajawea Hall reports on the Obama Administration’s decision, and how racial justice activists are responding.

A new plan for offshore drilling
Offshore drilling opponents received some good news last week, when a 3-judge panel ruled that the Bush Administration failed to address the environmental impact of drilling off the coast of Alaska. The judges also cancelled a program there to find new reserves. Meanwhile, the Obama Administration just finished a series of hearings on its proposal for offshore drilling. FSRN’s Christina Aanestad has more.