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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Report Gives Thumbs-Up to Pacific NW Legacy Roads Program

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010   

SEATTLE - A new federal report says the U.S. Forest Service's Legacy Roads Program is getting the job done in the Pacific Northwest when it comes to forest restoration and protecting water resources, and now there is a call to expand the program to create more employment.

Federal statistics show up to 24 jobs are created for every $1 million spent on these projects. That's a big reason Congressman Norm Dicks wants to see the program expanded, along the lines of the old Civilian Conservation Corps.

"This thing keeps people at work; in fact, I think we should really accelerate it because the people in the rural areas need jobs. These are the kind of things we need to do to help people, rather than just unemployment comp."

Federal funding for national forests in Oregon and Washington increased from $9.5 million in 2009 to $20 million in 2010.

The Forest Service report also credits the Legacy Roads and Trails program with expanding collaboration and partnerships.

Gov. Christine Gregoire's chief of staff, Jay Manning, says collaboration with a variety of interests, including Native American tribes, has been crucial to the program's success.

"The tribes, they live there, they know that these problems in the upper watershed have had a serious impact on the salmon runs; and part of this is about salmon restoration and that is part of the culture and part of the economy for these tribes."

According to Manning, close collaboration with groups whose interests don't always coincide will be even more critical in the next few years, given the nation's tight budget.

The Washington Watershed Restoration Initiative honored Rep. Dicks on Friday with a Clean Water Hero Award. Manning was also honored for his work as the former director of the Washington Department of Ecology.




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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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