Poverty Issues / Public News Service

As of October, Florida's Medicaid enrollment stands at 4,307,965, according to the state's Agency for Health Care Administration. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Proposed federal cuts to health programs could impact millions of Floridians

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for office, federal health programs affecting 85 million low-income Americans, including millions in Florida…

A 2022 study of evictions in Lancaster County by the University of Nebraska College of Law found a high level of non-compliance in moving forward with such proceedings when tenants lacked counsel. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

NE public housing legal case touches on quality of life for vulnerable renters

The public housing agency serving Nebraska's largest city faces legal action amid claims of poor living conditions for a tenant with disabilities…

A USDA analysis showed every dollar spent on SNAP benefits generates $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity during downturns. (Tatiana/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

MO launches summer food aid for kids relying on school meals

Missouri has stepped up to fight childhood hunger by providing food aid over the summer for kids who rely on school meals for nutrition. The U.S…

The Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program helps 40 million people put food on the table every month. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

NY, U.S. could see big effects from Trump’s proposed budget cuts

New York could see major effects from President-elect Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's Department of Government …

If the STORK Act is passed, Ohio would join states such as Georgia, which already allow tax deductions for unborn children, a policy enacted in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Ohio’s STORK Act: Tax relief for parents or a push against abortion rights?

By Vanessa Davidson / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio Rep. Gary …

Calls to 911 for GLOW users tend to occur in geographic areas where poverty is more concentrated in Longview. (MclittleStock/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

East TX program connects residents to services, frees up 911

First responders in the east Texas city of Longview are getting help from a recently formed organization. The GLOW program helps connect residents …

Nationwide, more than 9,700 abortions per month were provided via telehealth under shield law protections in the second quarter of 2024, a 5% increase since the first quarter of 2024, according to WeCount. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Wisconsinites seeking abortion telemedicine via shield laws face risks

Wisconsin law bans telemedicine abortion care, yet new data show an increasing number of Wisconsinites have been getting abortion pills through …

The familiar red kettle started in San Francisco in 1891 as a crab pot for out-of-work seamen and longshoremen due to the Depression. By 1990, the buckets were used nationwide to collect donations. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 9, 2024

IN Salvation Army chapters see donation decrease

Donations to charities are down this year, including to the Salvation Army. The longstanding organization acknowledges people are not giving their …

ALICE families say while wages have increased, it hasn't been enough to keep up with inflation and is sometimes hard to put food on the table. (Konstantin Yuganov/Adobe Stock)

'ALICE at Work' on paycheck-to-paycheck struggle

By Wesley Brown for the Arkansas Delta Informer.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Delta Informer-Wi…

The unpaid care provided by more than 580,000 Wisconsin caregivers is valued at $9.2 billion, according to AARP. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

More support needed for over half-million WI family caregivers

More than 580,000 Wisconsinites are unpaid family caregivers and they serve as the backbone of the state's long-term care system, and one …

The Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act, Senate Bill 2840, passed by the Senate Health Committee last year, includes a $3 billion fund for health center construction, prioritizing dental and behavioral health facilities. (SaroStock/Adobe Stock)

Health advocates rallying in D.C. for critical funding

Pennsylvania health care advocates are in Washington, D.C. today and Wednesday to urge Congress to extend federal funding for Community Health …

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development helps low-income apartment tenants afford reduced rents in Montana. (Adobe Stock)

Montanans threaten 'rent strike' over black mold, safety issues

More than two dozen members of a tenant's union in Bozeman are threatening a rent strike if their landlord doesn't address maintenance and other safet…

If New York established an unemployment bridge program, 750,000 workers would be eligible for its benefits. (Adobe Stock)

Immigrant NYers urge lawmakers to create unemployment bridge program

Immigrant New Yorkers want lawmakers to create an unemployment bridge program. It would support unemployed workers who are ineligible for state …

Balancing college expenses, and going through the student aid application process, is often viewed as a daunting task for most households. Backers of Minnesota's new free tuition program hope it removes a lot of stress for eligible households. (Freepik)

MN's free college tuition program gets early assessment

The first semester for Minnesota college students is winding down. Supporters of the state's new free tuition program - which assists low-income …

One Arkansas teacher said he does not think about the future because of the constraints of the cost of living. (NanSan/Adobe Stock)

Northwest AR development leads to housing crisis for educators

By Jordan P. Hickey for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop …

Community Action Partnership of North Dakota says perishable items are often the least-donated types of food donated to food pantries but are typically high in need. The organization's Sportsmen Against Hunger aims to help fill that gap. (Freepik)

More than 20 years in, ND hunters still help with hunger relief

A North Dakota initiative that invites hunters to donate some of their deer meat to hunger relief sites has been in place for two decades now…

U.S. counties with state minimum wages between $7.26 and $9 saw a reduction in obesity by 0.6 percentage points, while counties with minimum wages of more than $9 experienced an obesity reduction of 2.8 percentage points, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins University. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado obesity rate linked to economic inequality, low minimum wages

More than one in five Coloradans are considered obese, a chronic medical condition leading to serious health risks and a new study links obesity to …

The Northern Illinois Food Bank reports that in 13 counties, 100,000 children are food insecure. (Adobe Stock)

IL food banks to receive USDA funding to address low food inventory

People will gather over the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends to count their blessings. While the holiday feast is plentiful for many…

Milk is the only food that makes up an entire food group. (magdal3na/Adobe Stock)

Activist: Dairy may not be best way to get your calcium

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration Wh…

About 350,000 households in Washington state are eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit. (tomertu/Adobe Stock)

Report: Direct cash programs could benefit more WA families in need

Support for programs providing direct cash would benefit families in need in Washington state, a new report showed. About one in four Washingtonians …

Food insecure research site Feeding America reports nearly 951,000 or 1 in 7 Hoosiers face hunger.(Adobe Stock)

USDA grant helps stock IN food pantries

People will gather over the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends to count their blessings. While the holiday feast is plentiful for many…

Colorado's Hospital Discounted Care law requires all hospitals to take steps to make hospital bills more affordable for low- to moderate-income residents. (Adobe Stock)

CO hospitals fail on informing consumers about rights and discounts

Colorado hospitals got failing grades for compliance with the Colorado Hospital Discounted Care law, according to a new report. The law passed in 20…

Use caulk, spray foam and weather stripping to keep more heat inside the home. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Supports available in OR to help with winter heating bills

La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder. This is the third year of …

Changes could be coming to Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act as President-elect Donald Trump builds his administration. (I Viewfinder/Adobe Stock)

2nd Trump term to affect health coverage for Arkansans

Low-income Arkansas families could be in for some big cuts to health care under a second Trump administration, according to health experts. Policy …

An Advocates for Children of New York report finds students living in shelters are three times more likely to drop out of high school than permanently housed students. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: NYC must help homeless student population

A new annual report shows New York City has more than 146,000 homeless students. The Advocates for Children of New York report finds this is an …

Under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, Dual Special Needs Plans must secure contracts with the state Medicaid agency to enhance the integration of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for

PA Medicaid, Medicare dual enrollees may qualify for expanded benefits

Many Pennsylvania residents could benefit from health coverage known as a Dual Special Needs Plan, but may be unaware of this option. According to …

A report released this year by the state's Department of Human Services found homelessness is up by 24-percent compared to 2021. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Evidence-based strategies to help WV address homelessness

Cities and states are struggling with mounting homelessness, and West Virginia is no exception. A recent report points to potential solutions and …

Mississippi Food Network distributes over 1.5 million pounds of food each month, reaching more than 150,000 people monthly, or about 1.8 million individuals annually. (ivlianna/Adobe Stock)

USDA funding boosts MS Food Network’s fresh produce distribution

Supported by federal funding, a nonprofit network is working to ensure Mississippi families have access to the food they will need this winter…

Ohio's inadequate family leave policies and systemic gaps contribute to high rates of infant mortality (7.06 per 1,000 births) and maternal mortality (18.8 per 100,000 births) both above the U.S. average). (Best/Adobe Stock)

Report: Paid family leave and what it could mean for Ohio

Ohio is among the many states where a majority of workers lack access to paid family leave. A new report by Groundwork Ohio finds three in four …

Some Dual Special Needs plans can be used to pay for a variety of different things, including fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood. (Adobe Stock)

Dec 7 deadline for CO Medicare-Medicaid enrollees to get additional benefits

Over 150,000 Coloradans with both Medicare and Medicaid coverage who need additional help - whether due to disabilities, age, income or health …

Feeding Texas is advancing policy solutions to both prevent hunger and tackle its causes and consequences. (Daniel Vincek/Adobe Stock)

Feeding Texas Network prepares for legislative session

The nonprofit Feeding Texas Network has announced its priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The food insecurity rate continues to rise in …

After immigrating to the U.S. many immigrants and their families encounter challenges, including low-paying jobs, language barriers and navigating complex systems. (artiom.photo/Adobe Stock)

Immigrant families in northwest AR struggle to make ends meet

By Antoinette Grajeda for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop…

Since the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program began in 2017, SNAP households have purchased more than $63 million from local farmers in healthy, local foods. (Adobe Stock)

MA farmers, families brace for cuts to fresh produce benefits

Massachusetts farmers said they are bracing for revenue losses due to cuts in fresh produce SNAP benefits. Starting Dec. 1, families who utilize the …

Health experts said it is unclear whether the next Trump administration will continue drug price negotiations in Medicare or seek to repeal or weaken them. (Eric Hood)

Health experts brace for Trump Administration 2.0

California could be in for some big cuts to health care for low-income families under a second Trump administration, according to health experts…

Episcopal Health Foundation's survey found that households with diabetes are more likely to say they should eat better and exercise more. More than three quarters (76%) of Texans in households with diabetes say their daily diet could be healthier and 74% say they should be getting more physical exercise. (ratmaner/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Diabetes in TX is a major problem

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and a recent survey by Episcopal Health Foundation shows that nearly half of adults in Texas say they …

In 17% of Colorado households with children, the children are not eating enough because the family did not earn enough to purchase enough food, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Adobe Stock)

Hunger Free Colorado celebrates 15th birthday

Colorado's leading advocate for people experiencing hunger turns 15 this year and a new report outlined key advances and persistent challenges facing …

Americans can expect to pay $31.16 for a 15-pound turkey this Thanksgiving - an average of $2.08 per pound, according to Nasdaq. (Brent Hofacker/Adobe Stock)

Turkey prices down as NH Thanksgiving meal prep begins

Many Granite Staters are starting to plan for holiday meals - and when it comes to food prices, the news is mixed. According to consumer experts…

Building generational wealth is the goal behind New Mexico's proposed

Child advocates want NM to eradicate poverty through 'baby bonds'

New Mexico child welfare groups are behind an initiative they plan to introduce in the next legislative session to create a so-called baby bonds progr…

Dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid enrollees are a diverse group - nearly half are people of color, and 40% are under age 65 - yet they share common traits, including limited financial means and more complex healthcare needs than typical Medicare enrollees. (Deemerwha studio/Adobe Stock)

From health care to groceries: Ohio dual benefits help vulnerable residents

With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period underway, many Ohioans find themselves weighing their health plan options for the new year. This period…

Depending on a person's income, disability, age or health condition they could be eligible for a Dual Special Needs Plan at no additional cost. (Eric Hood/Adobe Stock)

TX seniors could benefit from extra Medicare and Medicaid coverage

Medicare open enrollment is underway, and seniors have until Dec. 7 to update their plans, if needed. Lindsey Vanderbilt, director of communications …

New Mexicans who qualify can receive benefits beyond doctor visits and prescription drugs through a Dual Special Needs Plan. (Kzenon/Adobe Stock)

NM Medicaid, Medicare enrollees qualify for extra health insurance coverage

Nearly 13 million people nationwide, including 785,000 in New Mexico who receive Medicare and Medicaid, may also qualify for even more coverage under …

More than 2 million votes were cast for the Democratic ticket in Ohio, although more than 55% of Ohio voters supported the Republican ticket. (Wikimedia Commons)

Middletown looks to JD Vance to help improve local economy

Ohio Republicans will soon have stronger representation in Washington, D.C., as Buckeye State native and Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance is set to …

Someone becomes homeless in the United States every 40 minutes. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

North TX nonprofit uses technology to combat homelessness

The faith-based nonprofit Our Calling is working with unsheltered clients in north Texas to create a long-term exit plan to help them rebuild their li…

President-elect Donald Trump said during his campaign the issue of abortion access should be left to states. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has said he hopes Trump sticks to his viewpoint. (Adobe Stock)

WI Supreme Court hears case on 1849 abortion law

It is now up to Wisconsin Supreme Court justices to decide the fate of an abortion law from the mid-1800s. A circuit court determined last year an 18…

The new Los Angeles County Office of Food Equity will work with Social Services to encourage physicians to prescribe healthy food as medicine. (Alicja Neumiler/Adobe Stock)

Los Angeles tackles hunger with new Office of Food Equity

About one-third of the population in Los Angeles does not have reliable access to healthy food, so leading philanthropic organizations are teaming up …

MO residents believe family-focused economy is key to well being

The latest "Speak Up MO" report reveals the economic struggles facing Missourians, adding to earlier findings about community concerns and the …

Approximately 560,000 Arkansas households live below the ALICE threshold of financial survival. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

More AR families struggle with food insecurity

By Mary Hennigan for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop Rock…

40% of the more than 60,000 Mainers enrolled in marketplace plans last year paid premiums of $99 or less a month, according to DHHS Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Open enrollment for ME health insurance marketplace underway

It's open enrollment time for Maine's health insurance marketplace. People without access to health or dental insurance through their employer…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - December 12, 2024

2024Talks - December 12, 2024

The Yonder Report - December 12, 2024

Poverty Issues

Proposed federal cuts to health programs could impact millions of Floridians

NE public housing legal case touches on quality of life for vulnerable renters

MO launches summer food aid for kids relying on school meals

NY, U.S. could see big effects from Trump’s proposed budget cuts

Ohio’s STORK Act: Tax relief for parents or a push against abortion rights?

East TX program connects residents to services, frees up 911

Wisconsinites seeking abortion telemedicine via shield laws face risks

IN Salvation Army chapters see donation decrease

'ALICE at Work' on paycheck-to-paycheck struggle

More support needed for over half-million WI family caregivers

Health advocates rallying in D.C. for critical funding

Montanans threaten 'rent strike' over black mold, safety issues

Immigrant NYers urge lawmakers to create unemployment bridge program

MN's free college tuition program gets early assessment

Northwest AR development leads to housing crisis for educators

More than 20 years in, ND hunters still help with hunger relief

Colorado obesity rate linked to economic inequality, low minimum wages

IL food banks to receive USDA funding to address low food inventory

Activist: Dairy may not be best way to get your calcium

Report: Direct cash programs could benefit more WA families in need

USDA grant helps stock IN food pantries

CO hospitals fail on informing consumers about rights and discounts

Supports available in OR to help with winter heating bills

2nd Trump term to affect health coverage for Arkansans

Advocates: NYC must help homeless student population

PA Medicaid, Medicare dual enrollees may qualify for expanded benefits

Report: Evidence-based strategies to help WV address homelessness

USDA funding boosts MS Food Network’s fresh produce distribution

Report: Paid family leave and what it could mean for Ohio

Dec 7 deadline for CO Medicare-Medicaid enrollees to get additional benefits

Feeding Texas Network prepares for legislative session

Immigrant families in northwest AR struggle to make ends meet

MA farmers, families brace for cuts to fresh produce benefits

Health experts brace for Trump Administration 2.0

Survey: Diabetes in TX is a major problem

Hunger Free Colorado celebrates 15th birthday

Turkey prices down as NH Thanksgiving meal prep begins

Child advocates want NM to eradicate poverty through 'baby bonds'

From health care to groceries: Ohio dual benefits help vulnerable residents

TX seniors could benefit from extra Medicare and Medicaid coverage

NM Medicaid, Medicare enrollees qualify for extra health insurance coverage

Middletown looks to JD Vance to help improve local economy

North TX nonprofit uses technology to combat homelessness

WI Supreme Court hears case on 1849 abortion law

Los Angeles tackles hunger with new Office of Food Equity

MO residents believe family-focused economy is key to well being

More AR families struggle with food insecurity

Open enrollment for ME health insurance marketplace underway