skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

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

Trump's effort to quell MAGA revolt over Epstein files seems to add fuel to the fire; As public sentiment shifts, MN watchdog criticizes ICE tactics; IN food pantries hit by SUN Bucks blackout; EPA employees on paid leave after signing "declaration of dissent."

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump threatens Russia with secondary sanctions, some of the president's allies want him to fire Federal Reserve chair, and farmers and doctors worry about impact of budget cuts on rural communities.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural Americans brace for disproportionate impact of federal funding cuts to mental health, substance use programs, and new federal policies have farmers from Ohio to Minnesota struggling to grow healthier foods and create sustainable food production programs.

Effective Now: Progress for Preschoolers and Providers

play audio
Play

Monday, October 23, 2017   

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota's low-income families get more help paying for child care starting Monday.

New provisions in the Child Care Assistance program say families can enroll for a year instead of six months at a time and that parents can go to school and still qualify for child care assistance.

Anne Krisnik, executive director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC), says the new law will be good for providers, employers and, most of all, families.

"The JRLC representing Minnesota's faith community across the state sees families that are really struggling and sees the importance of child care as a way to create stability," she states.

JRLC is part of the Kids Can't Wait Coalition, along with other groups that include the Children's Defense Fund- Minnesota and Minnesota's YMCAs.

The Coalition advocates a two-generation approach to getting families out of poverty. It says affordable, high-quality child care helps children get ready for school and helps their parents move up in the workforce.

Karen DeVos runs a child care center in Ada, in the northwestern part of the state. She says the new law will be especially beneficial in greater Minnesota where many parents work seasonal or part-time jobs.

"It's really important,” she stresses. “Those children are going to be able to be here every single day, getting the same education as all of our other families, just like our private pay families, and just being able to have that consistency on a daily basis."

About 30,000 Minnesota children will be affected by the changes. But 2,000 families are on a waiting list to get into the child care assistance program.

DeVos says providers have to worry about a steady income just like families do.

"We want our providers to have stability in their income as well,” she states. “If we have an opening, we're much likely to go with the family who we know is going to be consistent, 8-to-5 Monday through Friday, rather than a fluctuating schedule. It just makes business sense."

DeVos and advocates such as the Kids Can't Wait Coalition say there's more to do. They hope the Legislature will raise outdated reimbursement rates and expand the program to better serve families experiencing homelessness.





get more stories like this via email

more stories
Some experts predict virtually all 'red' states will opt in to participate in the Educational Choice for Children program, while participation for 'blue' and 'purple' states remains to be seen. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Mixed responses continue to swirl about the new federal law offering tax incentives to people who donate to organizations providing scholarships to pr…


Health and Wellness

play sound

Hundreds of millions of American young people are exposed to vaping and smoking in popular movies, TV shows and music videos each year, according to …

Social Issues

play sound

Nevada groups concerned about affordability, clean air and health care are speaking out against the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" recently signed by …


The shift to cage-free eggs has accelerated after 11 states, including Colorado, set regulations on so-called conventional eggs, and the recent bird flu crisis, which led to the loss of more than 125 million U.S. hens. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

A new "Compassion Calculator" launched by the charity portal FarmKind aims to help Coloradans who eat meat improve their animal welfare footprints by …

Health and Wellness

play sound

As federal Medicaid cuts loom, consumer advocates are celebrating Washington's new bill limiting hospital prices for state and public school …

The CEO of Arkansas-based Jenkins Enterprises said he is concerned many of his retail customers will cancel orders because of high tariffs. (AkuAku/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Jenkins Enterprises in North Little Rock is one of many small businesses across Arkansas facing extra costs from tariffs issued by President Donald Tr…

Social Issues

play sound

Indiana families are navigating the summer without SUN Bucks, a federal grocery benefit which delivered $120 per child last summer. Gov. Mike …

Social Issues

play sound

Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott. The 18 items on the agenda include …

 

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