skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

White House says Elon Musk isn't in charge at DOGE, but 'advising' the president; CA schools brace for harmful cuts to Medi-Cal; Report says AR students still struggle with COVID-19 learning loss; and UT enacts controversial labor union law.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship to vote, is moving in the U.S. House. Environmental groups want the U.S. Senate to kill a bill they say falsely claims to slow climate change, and the agriculture industry is concerned about mass migrant deportations.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Disabilities

By 2050, the number of people in Washington state who are 75 and older will nearly double. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Affordable health insurance could ease WA caregiver shortage

Worker's rights advocates and nursing home providers say Washington has a long-term care workforce crisis, and that inadequate benefits in the …

play audio
AARP Community Challenge grants have helped launch community gardens, which help improve livability for residents in a number of ways. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Grants available to make Colorado communities more livable

AARP Colorado is accepting applications from nonprofits and local governments across the state for this year's Community Challenge grant program…

play audio

Applied behavior analysis therapy is behavior-based, helping individuals with autism improve communication, socialization and development. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Indiana families fight Medicaid cuts to autism therapy

By Tim Spears for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Col…

play audio
A new ordinance allows Accessory Dwelling Units, often called
La Crosse uses AARP grant to inspire housing solutions

The city of La Crosse is hoping a new online design library of Accessory Dwelling Units will help inspire residents to build one. The units have …

play audio

Family caregivers on average are spending 26% of their income on caregiving activities, according to a 2021 AARP survey. (Adobe Stock)
WY AARP hosts tele-townhall on expected caregivers tax credit

Advocates for family caregivers are expecting federal lawmakers to propose a tax credit for the group, after President Donald Trump said on the …

play audio
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2026 budget proposal calls for $53 million in new funding to provide minimum wage increases for state-licensed mental health care providers, disability service providers, and addiction services providers. (Adobe Stock)
Advocates: NY lawmakers must do more for disability-rights issues

New York disability rights advocates want state lawmakers to focus on issues such as housing and health care. In the budget, they want more funding …

play audio

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, nearly 48 million Americans provide care to an adult family member or friend, with 61% also holding jobs. (ChayTee/Adobe Stock)
Push for caregiver tax relief gains momentum in Ohio, nationally

During his campaign, President Donald Trump promised tax credits for family caregivers. With Trump now in office, advocates in Ohio and across the …

play audio
The ADA protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination, just as other civil rights laws safeguard against discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion.<br />(Adobe Stock)
Dismantling DEIA initiatives may harm PA disability rights

For Pennsylvanians with disabilities, there may be unexpected side effects to ending so-called Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility …

play audio

The COVID-19 pandemic increased backlogs in nursing home inspections and created further staffing shortages, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Adobe Stock)
Assisted living facility oversight major focus for MD senior advocates

A number of bills in the Maryland legislature are looking to increase the quality and accountability of the state's nursing homes and assisted living …

play audio
The Episcopal Health Foundation in Texas wants to change the conversation and reshape the debate around health care to focus on the nonmedical drivers of health. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)
TX lawmakers urged to make healthy living a priority during legislative session

The Episcopal Health Foundation wants Texas lawmakers to make health a priority during this legislative session. The nonprofit focuses on the …

play audio

A Virginia Healthcare Association survey found that burnout and stress are major reasons for staff members leaving their jobs. (Adobe Stock)
Nursing home staffing shortages key focus for VA senior advocates

What is the quality of Virginia's nursing homes? If you ask one advocate, he says "bad." Jared Calfee, state advocacy director for AARP Virginia…

play audio
Wisconsin is one of nine states where voters are required to present photo identification to vote. The current state law has been in place since 2011. (Adobe Stock)
Wisconsin voter ID law one step closer to state constitution

A proposal to make Wisconsin's strict Voter ID law a constitutional amendment passed Wisconsin's Republican-controlled Assembly on Tuesday. Voters …

play audio

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021