In our ongoing series 19 Minutes with The 19th, we aim to give you, our audience, the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our reporters cover the many issues impacting communities across the country. 

During our last Instagram Live, I talked to General Assignment Reporter Ko Bragg about her humanizing coverage of the execution of Lisa Montgomery, the first woman to be executed by the federal government since 1953. A new live episode will premiere Friday, February 12, at 5 p.m. CT. We’ll talk to statehouses reporter Barbara Rodriguez, who is closely following the battles over abortion rights, freedom of speech, health care, LGBTQ+ rights and voting access that are taking place in statehouses across the country. 

Many state legislatures are now in session and will be during the first half of the year. As Democrats try to figure out what their slim majorities in the House and Senate mean in Washington, debates over legislative policies that impact people, particularly women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, are at the forefront of state legislatures. 

Rodriguez, who recently reported on some of the bills that have already been introduced, will join us on Instagram Live on Friday to discuss what it’s like covering statehouses nationwide, her collaborations with other 19th reporters, and what to expect from state legislatures in the coming months.

Have a question for Rodriguez? Email me at shenderson@19thnews.org or tweet me using the hashtag #19MinutesWithThe19th. 

Follow The 19th on Instagram to get notified when this episode goes live.

What specific bills or issues do you plan to keep track of during your state’s legislative session? How do you plan to stay engaged with what’s happening in your statehouse? Help inform our coverage by completing the form below.