skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Israel and Iran trade strikes as Trump weighs US involvement in conflict; Medicaid cuts risk health-care access for MS military families; NJ Advocate: Shore powered cargo ships help ocean, port community health; CT farmers impacted by USDA defunding climate programs.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Lawmakers on both sides urge President Trump not to enter the Israel-Iran war. Supreme Court deals the transgender community a major blow by upholding a Tennessee state law.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Hurricane Helene mobilized the North Carolina community of Marshall in unexpected ways, giant data centers powering AI want cheap rural land but can face community pushback, and ceramics made by Cherokee potters honor multiple generations.

Report: NM Ranks 49th in Nation for Children's Well-Being

play audio
Play

Tuesday, June 13, 2017   

ALBUQUERQUE, N. M. – New Mexico is second to last among states in rankings for children's well-being just out today.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation compiles 16 indicators of how kids and families are doing in terms of the economy, education, health and community conditions in its 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book.

While New Mexico gets low rankings for its lack of economic and educational progress, there are some bright spots in the report, according to New Mexico Voices for Children Executive Director James Jimenez. He notes the state's ranking rose from 44th to 37th for children's health.

"We have some terrific partners that we work with here in New Mexico, and the Legislature has done a decent job trying to increase funding for some of these programs," Jimenez says. "We're not nearly where we need to be, but we have made some progress."

A bipartisan 2016 Legislature included more funding for Medicaid programs, among others, but they were vetoed by Gov. Susana Martinez in her efforts to prevent tax increases. The state has yet to see the economic recovery that many others have enjoyed since the Recession.

The Casey Foundation report confirms the sluggish New Mexico economy, dropping its ranking from 20th to 27th for the number of families burdened by spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Child poverty showed almost no change, coming in at 49th, up only one position from last place, last year.

Jimenez points to one area that could affect all others: early childhood efforts.

"Probably the most important thing that we could do is really invest in our early childhood education and care programs, things like pre-kindergarten to home visiting," he says. "All the programs that really help families position children to be able to thrive once they get to our education system. "

Only Mississippi ranked lower than New Mexico in child well-being, according to the report. The number one position went to New Hampshire.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
A parklet is an elevated public space, usually converted from a parking space and used to enhance community experience and support local businesses. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Eight Wisconsin cities, including four rural communities, will receive improvements to help make their communities more livable. Eleven grantees …


Social Issues

play sound

A bill prohibiting credit reporting on Oregonians' medical debt has been signed into law by Gov. Tina Kotek. Hailed as a significant victory for …

Environment

play sound

June is World Oceans Month, and advocates are warning that industrial shipping pollution hurts both oceans and port communities. At least 31 …


Flowers and notes are placed outside the Brooklyn Park home of state Rep. Melissa Hortman after the Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were fatally shot in what police say was a politically motivated attack. (Mike Moen/PNS)

Social Issues

play sound

Minnesotans gathered at the state Capitol last night for a candlelight vigil for Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, after she was assassinated …

Social Issues

play sound

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 …

The City of Philadelphia hosts several events today (Thursday) in celebration of Juneteenth, a holiday observed nationwide with storytelling and community gatherings honoring Black history, culture and resilience. (reham/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A Pennsylvania literacy organization is commemorating the Juneteenth holiday by highlighting the history and contributions of Black people in the Unit…

Environment

play sound

Forest fires have broken out in parts of New Mexico that state forecasters had already warned would see an elevated wildfire risk this summer due to h…

Environment

play sound

A joint effort is helping Wisconsin farmers protect water quality in their communities by learning more about how to prevent manure and fertilizer spi…

 

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