Youth Issues / Public News Service

Authors of the law may add enforcement language, such as fines for parents or involvement from the prosecutor's office, during the committee process. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Indiana mentors: ‘Curfew alone won’t cut it’

By Garrett Bergquist for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Serv…

In 2024, women earned an average of 85% of what men earned, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of median hourly earnings of both full- and part-time workers. (Nina Lawrenson/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Gender pay gap still a problem for TX women

Women who recently graduated from college are earning significantly less than their male counterparts. A new study reveals that women from Texas and …

The recommended ratio of students to counselors is 250 to 1, Washington is over that at 363 to 1. (Christoph Burgstedt/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Survey: Gen Z teens don’t know their options after high school

Most Gen Z high school students and their parents are unaware of the range of options available to kids after graduation, according to a new survey…

Nationwide the recommended ratio of students to counselors is 250 to 1, Oregon is over that number at 330 to 1. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Survey finds gaps in how high school students learn about post-grad options

Most Gen Z high school students and their parents are unaware of the range of options available to kids after graduation, according to a new survey…

Workers in the nonprofit sector predict veterans, children and older adults will be most adversely impacted by the new federal funding package. (Yingyaipumi/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

AR nonprofits prepare to fill gaps from federal funding cuts

Among the hundreds of pages making up the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" just signed into law is a requirement some people must work to receive Medicaid…

The Trump administration considers programs focusing on any facet of diversity, equity or inclusion to be a violation of federal anti-discrimination law. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

IL school districts serving immigrants work to stay low-key

The Trump administration has made it clear it will cut funding from schools continuing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and with record …

The Indianapolis Public School district is the state's largest, with a student enrollment of about 31,000, according to its website. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

IN parents seek better transportation, more funding for student success

School funding is ranked as the top education priority in a spring survey of 850 Marion County voters by the education organization RISE Indy…

Residents along the Guadalupe River say it will take years for the area to recovery from the deadly flooding event on July 4. (Photo courtesy Casey Claiborne)

Texans grieve victims of deadly Hill Country flooding

Tributes and memorials are pouring in for victims of the deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. The storm stalled over the Texas …

Nebraska Children's Justice and Legal Advocacy Center, which represents children in low-income families, is a model for other states working to place qualified attorneys in rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska program adds juvenile justice attorneys in underserved rural areas

The University of Nebraska is addressing a shortage of lawyers who represent the state's most vulnerable children, especially in rural areas…

The U.S. Department of Education has not said if or when it will release $6.8 billion in federal grants to school districts. (Syda Productions/Adobe Stock)

NV schools face budget emergency as Congress impounds federal funds

Panic is setting in at school districts across the Silver State as the Trump administration continues to withhold federal funds. State data show the …

The federal government has not released a timeline for disbursing $6.8 billion in grants to school districts nationwide. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)<br />

CA school budgets in disarray after Trump freezes federal funding

Panic has set in at school districts across the Golden State as the Trump administration continues to withhold federal funds. Tony Thurmond…

State governments await guidance on whether or when $6.8 billion dollars in federal grants to school districts will be released. (Insta_photos/Adobe Stock)<br />

Freeze on federal grants squeezes WA school budgets

Panic has set in at school districts across Washington state as the Trump administration continues to withhold federal funds. Chris Reykdal…

A U.S. citizen is legally defined as a person born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, yet experts say human psychology and identity politics result in ingrained biases over who truly belongs. (Adobe Stock)

'American' most often associated with white English speakers

With Donald Trump in the White House, Illinois and the nation face new challenges about who "belongs" in the United States. Nationality has become a …

Pennsylvania gets $4.3 billion yearly for SNAP, helping 1.9 million people but the reconciliation bill could cut benefits for 401,000 Pennsylvanians, according to the Center for American Progress. (Kleberpicui/Adobe Stock)

PA educators warn federal cuts threaten health care, food benefits

As the Senate passes President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill and sends it back to the House, Pennsylvania educators warned in its current form…

The budget bill being debated in Congress would shift some Medicaid administrative costs to states, which could force some hospitals in rural Iowa to reduce services or close. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid reductions would end coverage for tens of thousands of Iowans

Members of Congress are still debating the massive tax and spending bill which could include deep cuts to social service programs critical to Iowa…

North Dakota classrooms sit empty right now but when they fill up in late August, K-12 students and parents might notice more districts trying to juggle staff to help with lingering teacher shortages. (Adobe Stock)

ND school districts get no 'summer break' from budget maneuvering

It is only early summer but North Dakota school districts are preparing for the fall. As in recent years, some administrators are performing what …

Constance Meadors, director of the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium, said an $800,000 NASA grant will help develop the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators in Arkansas. (PhotoSpirit/Adobe Stock)

AR Space Grant Consortium receives $800,000 NASA grant

The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will use an $800,000 NASA grant to train students in STEM education a…

Homelessness among children in Ohio has increased by 10% since January 2020 and family homelessness has risen 11%, highlighting deepening housing instability. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio mayor says rising rents drive 'hidden homelessness'

As housing costs continue to squeeze Ohio families, Youngstown's mayor warned out-of-state landlords are pushing many out of their homes, undermining …

The California Parent and Youth Helpline offers free professional counseling seven days a week, with translation services in 240 languages. (Carballo/Adobe Stock)<br />

CA Parent and Youth Helpline cut from state budget

The California Parent and Youth Helpline is in serious jeopardy after Gov. Gavin Newsom cut it from the new state budget, saying the money was needed …

Meals are free to kids in Texas during the Summer Food Service Program. They are paid for by grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

TX summer meal programs keep kids fed while out of school

Statistics show one in five children in Texas struggles with hunger. Approximately 10,000 students a day are getting a nutritious meal through the …

Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence is boosting summer reading with incentives to help kids stay sharp and build stronger literacy skills over the break. (Adobe Stock)

Giving circles provide funding for PA youth mentorship, empowerment

Two youth-focused nonprofits in Pennsylvania are expanding enrichment and mentoring programs, thanks to $500,000 in grants benefiting hundreds of …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said one in six young children in the United States ages 2-8 have a diagnosed mental, behavioral or developmental disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Do not overlook mental health issues in young children

Minnesota teens are using their summer break to set aside added stress and anxiety they deal with during school and as the age group gets more attenti…

The national organization RAINN says DNA evidence is a critical factor in achieving justice for survivors of sexual violence, but there are still challenges in the way evidence is collected, stored, tracked and used to hold perpetrators accountable. (Adobe Stock)

SD eyes possible reforms involving sexual assault kits

When South Dakota's new budget kicks in this week, there will be money to address potential funding shortfalls for rape kits. At the same time…

The student enrollment figure at Indiana's four-year colleges and universities in 2024 was nearly 172,000, according to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. (Adobe Stock)

IN students weigh politics, mental health factors for college choices

University officials in Indiana are rewriting guidelines for on-campus protests to address a tense political backdrop. More students are watching …

Planned Parenthood of Illinois is seeing an increase in out-of-state patients seeking gender-affirming care as neighboring states enact restrictions and bans. (Adobe Stock)

IL abortion services continue to skyrocket, straining provider resources

Illinois serves as a crucial access point for abortion services and sees the most out-of-state patients in the country. Since Roe v. Wade was …

Some 67% of college students say a characteristic of

Report: To Gen Z, ‘campus safety’ includes ideology, mental health

Nearly 30% of "Gen-Z" college students decided where they would attend school based at least partly on political reasons, according to a new report…

Report: Gen Z considers politics, mental health in choosing a college

Nearly 30% of "Gen-Z" college students decided where they would attend school based at least partly on political reasons, according to a new report…

Treehouse, an organization helping foster children graduate high school, lost a third of its funding due to state budget cuts. Graduation rates for foster kids have gone up in recent years but cuts could reverse the trend. (Diego Cervo/Adobe Stock)

WA budget cuts hit orgs serving at-risk youth

Washington nonprofits supporting vulnerable youth have faced large state funding cuts this year and are calling on communities to help keep the progra…

The American Diabetes Association reports treating diabetes in Indiana alone costs an estimated $7 billion each year. (Adobe Stock)

IN diabetes diagnoses trend toward younger adults

Diabetes diagnoses are climbing, with about 37,000 adults diagnosed in Indiana every year, and doctors caution they are seeing more cases in younger …

Ho-Chunk, Inc. is a major economic driver in Nebraska, North Dakota and Iowa, generating annual revenue of $417 million, according to its annual report. (Adobe Stock)

Ho-Chunk launches summer internship program, offering path to career success

Ho-Chunk has kicked off its summer internship program in Nebraska after sifting through 600 applicants. It is opening pathways to higher education …

The president of the Indianapolis-based NCAA says fewer than 10 transgender athletes compete in college sports nationwide, with none in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

IN college sports ban on trans athletes starts July 1

A new Indiana law takes effect July 1 banning transgender women and girls from playing on women's college sports teams, expanding the state's earlier …

Cities across New Mexico are celebrating Pride Month, with a parade scheduled at Santa Fe's historic downtown plaza on Sat., June 28. (Alberto/Adobe Stock)

NM Pride celebrations urge 'resilience' after U.S. v. Skrmetti ruling

Amid concerns about the breakdown in protections for LGBTQ folks, a New Mexico advocacy group says resilience is needed to ensure their safety and …

Companies taking part in a Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption survey said they offer an average of just over $15,700 in financial reimbursement for adoption costs. (Riccardo Niels Mayer/Adobe Stock)

UT father considers workplace adoption benefits 'transformational'

Based in Provo, Utah, the software company Qualtrics ranks among the top employers providing adoption and foster-care benefits to its workers…

As the nation's political tensions rise, Ohio poll workers have faced fentanyl-laced letters, bomb scares at the Secretary of State's office, and online harassment, leading officials to implement bullet-proof glass, panic buttons and address protections. (Wikimedia Commons)

As political violence rises, Ohio grapples with growing threats to democracy

Ohioans can't help but feel the emotional weight of political violence after last weekend's assassination of a top Democratic state lawmaker in Minnes…

Dr. Tierney Brosius' friend, professor and fellow artist, Wendy DesChene, and her husband helped to photograph insects for an eight-foot-tall display. (Wendy DesChene)

'Dr. Beetle': Local biology teacher uses art to pique curiosity about bugs

By Jonathan Feakins for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News S…

More than 500 Ohio children were reported sleeping in county government offices over a one-year period due to a lack of foster care placements. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio urged to restore $61M for foster care in final budget talks

Ohio child welfare advocates are urging lawmakers to restore more than $60 million in funding to address the state's ongoing foster care placement cri…

Opponents of upholding bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth say it opens the door to heavily restricting birth control and in vitro fertilization, or IVF. (Adobe Stock)

Challenge to ND gender-affirming care ban in play, despite SCOTUS ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday released an opinion that allows Tennessee to keep in place a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. While seen …

During the 2025 session Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 46, which expands the state's medical marijuana program. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said people who need THC for medical reasons will still have access to it. (S.Price/Adobe Stock)

Future of THC ban in TX unknown

Gov. Greg Abbott has until June 22 to sign or veto Senate Bill 3, which would ban consumable THC products in Texas. Banning items like vapes and …

Military families are more likely than civilian families to have children with special or mental health needs that require additional care and coverage. (Pexels/George Pak)

Medicaid cuts risk health-care access for MS military families

As Republican lawmakers weigh billions of dollars in potential Medicaid cuts, a new report warned the move could affect health coverage for …

More than 40% of the 3.4 million Illinoisians enrolled in Medicaid are children. (Adobe Stock)

Potential Medicaid, SNAP cuts could derail IL education system

As Congress considers federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food assistance, groups advocating for Illinois schools are speaking out on how it would …

The Cleveland Clinic says kids ages 6 to 12 need 9 to 12 hours of sleep, and teens ages 13 to 18 need 8 to 10 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

AR parents can help kids maintain healthy sleep patterns during summer

With school out for summer vacation, maintaining healthy sleep habits can be a challenge for parents, caregivers and children. Longer daylight hours …

Student workers help distribute food as part of the 'Oh SNAP!' program at Cal Poly Humboldt. (Kellie Brown)

CA colleges and universities take food pantries to the next level

Hunger among college students in California has jumped dramatically since the pandemic, yet Cal-Fresh -- a statewide low-income food assistance …

If children have trouble falling asleep and are just laying awake for 40 minutes or more, sleep experts recommend getting out of bed and doing a quiet activity in a dimly lit area, ideally outside the bedroom. (Adobe Stock)

Tips for maintaining kids’ healthy sleep habits in summer

With school out for summer vacation, maintaining healthy sleep habits can be a challenge for parents and children. Longer daylight hours and …

Research shows students of color are more likely to be suspended and also less likely to receive support with schoolwork while they are out of class. (jovannig/Adobe Stock)

Child rights advocates: New WA school discipline rules roll back protections

Washington's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has revised its public school discipline policies, and advocates for children said …

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, thousands of Arkansans could lose Medicaid coverage because of work requirements. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

AR residents could lose Medicaid under budget reconciliation bill

As Congress considers cuts to safety-net programs for what Republicans are calling the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," new analysis from the nonpartisan…

The May 4 Visitor Center at Kent State University educates the public about the 1970 campus shootings and their lasting impact on civil liberties and protest rights. Canfora calls her brother (holding a black flag) away from a school parking lot while National Guard troops are on the scene in May 1970. (John Filo)

OH's Kent State lessons loom over military response to L.A. protests

A Kent State University shooting survivor is warning Ohioans and others to take note of the U.S. military's involvement in immigration-related …

The temporary permitting process at Hobbs State Park includes specific collection zones, boundaries and safety requirements. Only dead trees impacted by the 2024 storm may be removed. (Kit Leong/Adobe Stock)

Firewood permits available for Arkansas' Hobbs Park

As the cleanup effort continues at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area in Rogers, officials with Arkansas State Parks have authorized a temporary …

More than 328,700 students are enrolled in 244 K-12 Nebraska school districts, according to Ballotpedia. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Two-thirds of Nebraska 4th graders not reading proficiently

Nearly two-thirds of Nebraska fourth graders are not reading at grade level and math scores are also lagging. The findings come from the 2025 Kids …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 11, 2025

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Youth

Indiana mentors: ‘Curfew alone won’t cut it’

Gender pay gap still a problem for TX women

Survey: Gen Z teens don’t know their options after high school

Survey finds gaps in how high school students learn about post-grad options

AR nonprofits prepare to fill gaps from federal funding cuts

IL school districts serving immigrants work to stay low-key

IN parents seek better transportation, more funding for student success

Texans grieve victims of deadly Hill Country flooding

Nebraska program adds juvenile justice attorneys in underserved rural areas

NV schools face budget emergency as Congress impounds federal funds

CA school budgets in disarray after Trump freezes federal funding

Freeze on federal grants squeezes WA school budgets

'American' most often associated with white English speakers

PA educators warn federal cuts threaten health care, food benefits

Medicaid reductions would end coverage for tens of thousands of Iowans

ND school districts get no 'summer break' from budget maneuvering

AR Space Grant Consortium receives $800,000 NASA grant

Ohio mayor says rising rents drive 'hidden homelessness'

CA Parent and Youth Helpline cut from state budget

TX summer meal programs keep kids fed while out of school

Giving circles provide funding for PA youth mentorship, empowerment

Expert: Do not overlook mental health issues in young children

SD eyes possible reforms involving sexual assault kits

IN students weigh politics, mental health factors for college choices

IL abortion services continue to skyrocket, straining provider resources

Report: To Gen Z, ‘campus safety’ includes ideology, mental health

Report: Gen Z considers politics, mental health in choosing a college

WA budget cuts hit orgs serving at-risk youth

IN diabetes diagnoses trend toward younger adults

Ho-Chunk launches summer internship program, offering path to career success

IN college sports ban on trans athletes starts July 1

NM Pride celebrations urge 'resilience' after U.S. v. Skrmetti ruling

UT father considers workplace adoption benefits 'transformational'

As political violence rises, Ohio grapples with growing threats to democracy

'Dr. Beetle': Local biology teacher uses art to pique curiosity about bugs

Ohio urged to restore $61M for foster care in final budget talks

Challenge to ND gender-affirming care ban in play, despite SCOTUS ruling

Future of THC ban in TX unknown

Medicaid cuts risk health-care access for MS military families

Potential Medicaid, SNAP cuts could derail IL education system

AR parents can help kids maintain healthy sleep patterns during summer

CA colleges and universities take food pantries to the next level

Tips for maintaining kids’ healthy sleep habits in summer

Child rights advocates: New WA school discipline rules roll back protections

AR residents could lose Medicaid under budget reconciliation bill

OH's Kent State lessons loom over military response to L.A. protests

Firewood permits available for Arkansas' Hobbs Park

Report: Two-thirds of Nebraska 4th graders not reading proficiently