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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Improving Tennessee’s Shocking Infant Death Rate

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Thursday, December 18, 2008   

Nashville, TN – For every 1,000 babies born in Tennessee, nine die in their first year, and the rate is far higher for African Americans--it's a rate that rivals the infant mortality in some third-countries. In Memphis, the numbers are the highest in the state, with a child dying every 43 hours.

Health officials say the leading cause is babies born too soon, but there are ways to substantially reduce those premature births. Barbara Nicholson, with Attachment Parenting International, says one example is "Centering Pregnancy." This program offers group care where moms-to-be are taught to take their own blood pressure and chart their weight.

"This is group care of pregnant moms in the care of a midwife and this results in a 41 percent reduction in infant mortality in the African-American community."

Gov. Phil Bredesen has pledged $6 million toward such programs. According to Nicholson, it will be money well spent.

"If we put money into prevention, it's going to save us millions. When we have better outcomes, prevention is always the cheapest and safest alternative."

The state now funds five "Centering Pregnancy" programs: four in Memphis and one in Madisonville, with other sites planned for Nashville and Chattanooga.



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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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