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U.S. gender wage gap grows for 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.

Maine's College Marks Good, but Degree Gap Persists

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Monday, April 2, 2012   

PORTLAND, Maine - Maine is near the national average in terms of citizens with college degrees, according to a new report which parallels another recent study that also showed some improving trends in the state's higher-education attainment.

The new report by the Lumina Foundation says 38.7 percent of Maine's adults have at least two-year college degrees, compared with a national average of 38.3. The Lumina study and one by the Maine-based Mitchell Institute point to the importance of reducing drop-outs from college and sending adult workers back to school to complete degree work.

Lisa Plimpton of the Mitchell Institute says students have to stick with their studies.

"Persistence in college, getting through and earning a degree, is just as much of an issue as access to college and enrolling in the first place."

Non-profit groups addressing the situation are zeroing in on the issues of affordability and academic preparation, and also working with business groups to encourage the creation of incentives to elevate the academic attainment of the state's work force.

The president and CEO of the Maine Community Foundation, Meredith Jones, says the Lumina Foundation's goal of raising the proportion of degree-holding Mainers to sixty percent is reasonable.

"We're a fairly homogeneous population. Too, we're not a huge state in terms of numbers. I mean, shame on us if we can't achieve these ambitious goals."

Jones's group helps fund a project by the Maine Development Foundation called the Maine Employers' Initiative, which tells busineses ...

"Take one more step that will encourage or provide whatever incentives necessary to get your incumbent work force, that might have some college, get them back into college."

Jones says Maine's economy will not go forward unless it produces individuals capable of taking the jobs of the future, and creating the jobs of the future.





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