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U.S. gender wage gap grows for the first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Kids Count: Challenges MI to Address 40% Rise in Child Poverty

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Thursday, January 15, 2009   

Lansing, MI - Kids Count in Michigan reports the state's continuing economic downward slide is pushing hundreds of thousands of children into poverty. Child poverty in Michigan has climbed by 40 percent, and the report concludes that nearly one of every four children under age five is living in poverty.

Kids Count project director Jane Zehnder-Merrell says society suffers when the children suffer.

"We're not doing such a great job of putting money at the front end to support families so their children don't end up in the child welfare system or kids don't turn end up in trouble with the law and eventually in prison."

Zehnder-Merrell says there are child care subsidies and cash assistance programs, but for a family of four to receive benefits they must make less than $21,000 a year.

Zehnder-Merrell says the effect on children of living in poverty will be long-lasting.

"More and more children are coming to the attention of the child welfare system, which is already burdened by having many children in its care. It's very traumatizing and has a long-term detrimental effect on children."

There is some good news in the study. Teen birth and death rates are down, and more fourth- and seventh-graders are passing state reading tests.



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