skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 7, 2025

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

January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

During American Education Week, public asked to reset K-12 views

play audio
Play

Tuesday, November 19, 2024   

American Education Week is underway, and Nebraskans are asked to find trust again in public school systems, including rural areas.

There have been some improvements but national polling shows a majority of Americans are still dissatisfied with K-12 education. A Gallup survey last year showed a peak level of 63%. It is down to 55 percent this year, but advocates said it is clear they need more public support.

Jack Moles, executive director of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, feels teachers remain dedicated even though the classroom environment is different from when he was teaching.

"It was a tough job then, it's much tougher today," Moles observed. "People are still going into it."

Moles emphasized dedication is apparent as students increasingly demonstrate social and emotional needs following the pandemic. He acknowledged teacher staffing shortages are still an issue but noted communities are getting creative with solutions centering around housing and other recruitment tools. Moles encouraged more of these efforts as a way to show support.

Moles stressed it is not just about higher salaries and other amenities. He thinks the "politicization of education" has fueled negative feelings about teachers and he called on elected leaders at the state and federal levels to help change the narrative.

"We see more and more things where educators are demonized," Moles observed. "I hate seeing that. We didn't use to have that. "

As for community members showing appreciation, Moles added a powerful approach is a parent sharing success stories about their child with a former teacher. He suggested it can be a very effective way of illustrating how impactful an educator was in connecting with a student.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
In the latest analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data by state, Maryland took first place as the worst state for wage theft, owing on average more than $2,200 to workers. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…


Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …


Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Consumer advocates in Maine said the availability of enhanced subsidies have helped record numbers of people get the health care coverage they need…

play sound

The negative effects on air quality from industrialized animal facilities in North Carolina stick around for a long time, according to a new study…

 

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