Media hits

With the launch of the Minnesota Clean Slate law, the state has taken a monumental step toward fairness, equity, and second chances. This groundbreaking legislation will impact approximately 500,000 Minnesotans, granting them the opportunity to move forward without being tethered to past mistakes. Read more in this article from Minnesota's Spokesman Recorder.

Denise Johnson writes that Minnesota's new clean-slate law is as economically sound as it is ethical. Minnesota employers will soon be able to tap into a larger talent pool, and those who have already been held accountable for low-level or nonviolent offenses will have access to more opportunities and higher wages. Read more in this Minnesota Star Tribune commentary.

Many Kentuckians with criminal records are eligible to clear their past arrest or conviction records, but haven't because of the many barriers on the path to record clearance. Local advocates and organizations want state lawmakers to make the process easier. Read more in this article from Louisville Public Media.

Twelve states now have fully automatic record clearance policies, with more set to follow. Artificial intelligence and other tech can help speed up what has previously been an onerous and expensive process. Read more in this article from Route Fifty.

April 11th is Clean Slate Day in Michigan, and for Elvina Smith, it’s a day of profound significance. Elvina's story highlights the power of Michigan's Clean Slate automated record sealing policies, which have provided a pathway for her to move forward with a true second chance. Read more in this article from Capital B News.

Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings" brings viewers the latest breaking news, smart conversation, and in-depth feature reporting — and on October 23, they invited our CEO, Sheena Meade, to join the broadcast.

This organization works to combat the barriers that formerly incarcerated people face by advocating for policies that automatically clear arrest and conviction records for eligible people.

In recognition of Second Chance Month, we ask: should everyone get a chance at a clean slate? Sheena Meade, CEO of the Clean Slate Initiative, an organization working to get all 50 states to offer automatic record clearance, joins The Excerpt to discuss the ramifications of living with a criminal record.

In these extremely politically polarized times, one of the rare issues that often garners bipartisan support is criminal justice reform.