Politics and views in the United States

A new study examines Colorado's past racism, amid federal efforts to deemphasize its role in American history. Tribal advocates worry about the SAVE Act's impact on Native Americans and the Trump Administration finally turns over funding for the Gateway Tunnel project.

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

There is more that unites us as Americans and divides us.

We all have a reason to be proud of our country.

We all have a reason to also hold our country accountable because we know that we can do better.

Chloe Duplessis is with the Colorado Black Equity Study.

For the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, she's part of a team looking at the history of systemic racism in the state.

After in-person hearings, their findings will be turned over to a state commission and may end up in recommendations for repairing injustices past and present.

Nationally, the administration continues to dismantle diversity efforts and de-emphasize historical documentation of racism.

The White House denies a video posted by President Donald Trump of former President Barack and Michelle Obama as "apes" is racist.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt points to Trump giving historically black colleges extra funding as an example of aiding black Americans.

Native American voters say Republican legislation is threatening their civil rights.

The SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship like a passport or birth certificate to vote or register to vote.

O.J. Simmons with South Dakota's Four Directions Native Vote says it adds barriers for tribal populations.

Legislation like this is only going to make it more difficult for people that want to participate to participate.

And I don't think that's what the founding fathers wanted when they were talking about more of the people by the people.

Senate Democrats say they'll filibuster the SAVE Act, making it unlikely to pass.

But another voting restriction bill has momentum in the House.

The MEGA Act calls for all states to have a centralized voter surveillance system, a ban on mail-in voting, and banning ballots arriving after election day from being counted.

After a several month delay, the Department of Transportation is releasing funds for New York and New Jersey to continue work on the long-awaited Gateway Tunnel Project.

The Trump administration withheld hundreds of millions of allocated dollars despite legal challenges.

While speaking to Trump, New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the delay vindictive and destructive.

How can you throw them out of their jobs?

How can you tell them to go home?

How do they go back to their families and tell their kids, "I'm sorry, I might not be able to bring in a paycheck because the president who promised to create more jobs in this country just laid me off"?

Minnesota lawmakers are debating fraud prevention after scammers posing as service providers plagued the state's safety net programs.

The state's taken steps through legislation executive orders, but Mark Haveman with the nonpartisan Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence says there are renewed bipartisan calls for more.

I understand the fact that there are providers there who have been operating as they should and doing good work for the state of Minnesota that are feeling the effects of the actions that have had to be taken.

With questionable evidence, a conservative blogger blamed the fraud on the state's full Somali population.

The White House cited those accusations when announcing the controversial immigration raids in Minneapolis.

I'm Edwin J. Viera for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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