In educational performance, New Mexico consistently ranks at or near the bottom among the 50 states, but it could change if an influx of dedicated money is approved by voters next month.

The state's economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas, which also means a roller coaster of boom-and-bust cycles. But the boom times have led the state to accumulate $26 billion in its Land Grant Permanent Fund, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world.

On Nov. 8, voters will decide if an additional 1.25% of the fund's growth should be spent to support early childhood care and education, as well as at-risk students.

Jacob Vigil, senior research and policy analyst for New Mexico Voices for Children, explained why voting for the proposal should be easy.

"Not only would it not impact the General Fund, it wouldn't be a tax on New Mexicans," Vigil pointed out. "It also would not impact the solvency of the fund in any real way. We've already been withdrawing 5% a year out for other beneficiaries, mostly public education."

Polls indicate a majority of voters support the measure, although critics argued the fund already provides three-quarters of a billion dollars for education, and tapping it further jeopardizes future interest income for the state.

The ballot question follows creation of the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, which would receive about 60% of the new funding.

The measure would dedicate money to be spent on universal preschool and child care, and bolster home-visiting programs for new parents. Another roughly $100 million would be directed to the state's K-12 programs.

Vigil thinks it makes sense for New Mexico, where more than one in four children under age five live in poverty, one of the highest rates in the nation.

"This fund is drawn from the wealth of our state," Vigil noted. "It should be something that benefits future generations, especially since we are ranked so low, so consistently, on measures of child well-being and education."

If the amendment passes, 40% of the additional distribution would address some of the concerns raised by a lawsuit known as Yazzie and Martinez v. New Mexico. In 2018, a state District Court judge ruled New Mexico was failing to prepare students equally for college and a career - specifically citing a lack of sufficient education for Native Americans.

Everybody loves to get something free and right now, kids aged 12-17 can get a fishing and hunting license at no cost from the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

The license is good for one year and normally sells for $15.

Bobby Jones, outdoor connection coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, said the free licenses are funded by donations to the Nevada Youth License Fund.

"This is actually the third year that the program's been active," Jones explained. "We keep it open as much as possible. We're just limited by the amount of donations that we have. Right now, we have almost 2,000 available and they go fast."

Youth can get a free license on the Nevada Department of Wildlife website or wherever the licenses are sold. Children under age 12 do not need a fishing license. The state said almost two-thirds of the kids who have taken advantage of the program in the past have never had a hunting or fishing license before.

Jones emphasized the program is designed to tempt kids to leave the digital world behind for a short time and enjoy some time outdoors. It could lead them to even consider a nature-based career like wildlife biology, forest management or outdoor education.

"Essentially what we're up against is a lot of kids are engaged in their phones and social media, TV," Jones pointed out. "They're constantly bombarded with things. We're trying to make it a little bit easier for them to enjoy the outdoors."

Some of the most popular fishing spots include Lahontan in the Fallon area, Wild Horse and South Fork in Eastern Nevada, and Lake Mead down south.


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The University of Nebraska is addressing a shortage of lawyers who represent the state's most vulnerable children, especially in rural areas.

The attorneys are being equipped to work with kids who have suffered through physical, emotional, or financial trauma - and are often living in poverty.

Of Nebraska's 5,500 licensed attorneys, only 7% of them practice in rural areas.

Michelle Paxton, director of the Nebraska Children's Justice and Legal Advocacy Center, said two thirds of child neglect and abuse cases originate outside the Lincoln and Omaha metro areas, in what she calls "rural legal deserts."

"We have twelve counties in Nebraska with zero attorneys living in those counties," said Paxton. "We have 22 with less than three."

Paxton said that there are too few qualified rural child justice attorneys, which means lawyers may drive hundreds of miles for juvenile cases, creating delays and court backlogs.

The University of Nebraska program will add lawyers trained to handle issues unique to children in low-income families.

Attorneys who work on juvenile court cases are getting the tailored knowledge they need, but Paxton added that the program is also creating an opportunity for those attorneys to network and get support from other lawyers in the field - who are often isolated.

"And so they don't often have another attorney doing this type of work that they can rely on for support and mentorship," said Paxton, "and our program provides that support and mentorship so that they are not only willing to continue working in juvenile court, increase their hours in juvenile court and increase their commitment. "

The advocacy center will also develop a case-tracking tool, enabling people to find an attorney online.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.



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Statistics show one in five children in Texas struggles with hunger.

Approximately 10,000 students a day are getting a nutritious meal through the Summer Food Service Program offered by the Houston Food Bank. The meals are distributed across the food bank's 18-county region.

Jourdan Stansberry, senior manager of education programs for Houston Food Bank, said they partner with summer camps, churches and other nonprofit organizations to serve the students. She added anyone who is not near a meal site can take advantage of their non-congregate option.

"Sites that are considered rural by the Texas Department of Agriculture," Stansberry explained. "It's a grab-and-go model where families can pick up the meals, It's like a five-day bundle of frozen meals, breakfast and snacks, so 10 meals all together. They're able to pick it up and take it home."

Locations of the meal sites in the Houston area and across Texas are available at the Department of Agriculture's Summer Meal Site Map. The meals are available to anyone 18 years old or younger or students with a disability, up to 21 years old.

The meals are distributed at more than 250 sites around the Houston area. Students do not have to register to take advantage of the meals. Stansbury emphasized it is a great way to ensure kids have access to fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer. She added the menus consist of more than just a sandwich and chips.

"One thing that I know has been pretty popular is our orange chicken with rice, and we also have broccoli, vegetable-medley side that goes along with that. We saw also chicken tikka masala," Stansbury outlined. "We try to expose them to different meals, not only healthwise but also culturally."

The Houston Food Bank expects to distribute around 800,000 meals this summer. The meal program runs through Aug. 8.


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