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.

Washington

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
Bright light therapy, may improve symptoms of SAD in up to 60-percent of people. (deagreez/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 17, 2025

Strategies for overcoming WA winter blues

It's mid-winter blues season, and research shows 40% of Americans report their mood declines during the winter. Especially in Western Washington…

play audio

As of last October, 775,000 Washington state students have access to school meals. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)
Free school meals for all WA students on table this session

Legislation in Olympia would make school meals free for every student. Senate Bill 5352 would ensure every student has access to free breakfast and …

play audio
Seniors on fixed incomes are more at risk of homelessness compared to other age groups. (and.one/Adobe Stock)
WA rent stabilization bills have huge public support

New legislation in Olympia aims to ease the burden of skyrocketing rental rates by limiting yearly rent increases to 7%. Chris Walker lives in a …

play audio

A University of Washington study found knowledge of treatment options for menopause was lower in rural areas. (loran4a/Adobe Stock)
UW study: Rural women have it harder with menopause

Women in rural areas struggle more with menopause than their urban counterparts, according to a study from the University of Washington. Rural women …

play audio
The average cost of caring for a toddler at a Washington child-care center has increased 83% in the past decade. (ink drop/Adobe Stock)
Bill would refund WA businesses for covering child care costs

New legislation in Olympia aims to ease the burden of child-care costs for Washington families by allowing businesses to help their employees pay for …

play audio

Washington state currently ranks among the lowest in the nation in serving people with mental health challenges. (Talia Mdlungu/peopleimages.com)
Regulating insurance companies may help WA mental health care ‘crisis’

Washington state mental health care providers are rallying behind a new bill, aimed at addressing what they are calling the mental health care crisis…

play audio
Advocates in Washington state are pushing to further streamline the voter registration process. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)
WA bill would expand automatic voter registration

A bill in Olympia would further expand Washington state's automatic voter registration process. Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, introduced Senate …

play audio

A study found water loss from evaporation at four eastern Washington dam reservoirs will grow by 3.4% over the next three decades. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)
Study finds 'hidden cost' of WA lower Snake River dams

Dams on the lower Snake River in Washington state are losing water to evaporation at a rapid rate, according to a new study. The reservoirs created …

play audio
A 2022 report found Washington state had one school counselor for every 465 students, far higher than the recommendation of one for every 250 students. (Synthex/Adobe Stock)
WA falls behind in school-based mental health support

As young people struggle with mental health issues, schools often provide the best avenue for getting them help. However, Washington state has fallen …

play audio

Some Washington state lawmakers want to act as a bulwark against the incoming Trump administration's threats to undocumented immigrants. (CrackerClips/Adobe Stock)
As deportation threat looms, WA groups underscore importance of immigrants

As threats of deportation of illegal immigrants increase with the incoming Trump administration, groups in Washington say immigrants are an integral …

play audio
Some medical records can cost four figures to obtain. (terovesalainen/Adobe Stock)
WA lawmakers urged to lower cost to obtain medical records

Obtaining medical records can be a costly endeavor but there is hope Washington state lawmakers could find a fix this session. Medical providers …

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