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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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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.

Poverty Issues

The Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, formed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and led by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, took a comprehensive look at the state's system and released its report in July 2022 with 32 recommendations for improving Michigan's juvenile justice system. (Oleg Kozlovskiy/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees

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

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According to Thrivent, FAFSA delays are expected to affect more than 17 million students trying to make plans for the 2024-2025 academic year. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, March 28, 2024

NC's college-bound students face FAFSA delays

The revamp of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - or FAFSA - was supposed to streamline the process for college hopefuls this fall…

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More than 71 million Americans saw a 3.2% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income payments this year with the average retirement benefit increasing by more than $50 per month. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, March 28, 2024

GOP proposal threatens cuts to MA Social Security benefits

Congressional Republicans' proposed changes to Social Security have advocates for Massachusetts beneficiaries concerned about the future of the key sa…

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As of Oct. 2023, the average teacher salary was $68,000 a year, which is 8% less than the average for U.S. workers overall. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

University of Texas El Paso targets teacher shortage

It's estimated that nearly half of all schools in the country don't have enough teachers. To help change that, the University of Texas in El Paso …

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Decades of underinvestment in affordable housing, recently cited by outgoing HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, have dramatically impacted families with children. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Renaissance marks quarter century serving homeless, low-income kids

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Renaissance Children's Center, which serves low-income families and those experiencing homelessness with …

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Washington state has greater protections against predatory loans than other states. (Serge Aubert/Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 25, 2024

WA lawmakers approve greater predatory loan protections

Lawmakers in Olympia this session moved to add more protections for consumers against predatory loans. Washington state lawmakers passed Senate Bill …

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Should Connecticut's Child Tax Credit be enacted, 550,000 children, or 74% of children would be eligible. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 25, 2024

New maps show CT child tax credit’s statewide impacts

New data show the impacts of Connecticut's proposed child tax credit. Broken down by town, and state House and Senate districts, 268,000 eligible …

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During the pandemic, the federal government rolled out a temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit. Policy experts say it helped many families temporarily escape poverty. Supporters of Minnesota's new credit hope for similar results. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 25, 2024

New MN Child Tax Credit aligns with economic justice efforts

With tax season winding down, efforts continue to spread the word about Minnesota's new Child Tax Credit. Outreach leaders say it's another way to …

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More than 876,000 Virginians use SNAP/EBT benefits, costing the state almost $150 million per month. (Adobe Stock)
VA group helps SNAP/EBT users afford fresh foods

During National Nutrition Month, groups like Virginia Fresh Match are providing people with healthy fresh food options. Since 2009, the coalition of …

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National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (Adobe stock)
IN students fed tasty lessons for healthy eating habits

Schools play a critical role in nurturing Hoosier children's health and well-being which lay the foundation for lifelong eating habits. Throughout …

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The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 43% of public school students attend schools where a majority of them are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. (Adobe Stock)
Texas food bank, schools team up to help needy families

To reach more hungry families, one Texas nonprofit is setting up mini food markets in schools. The Tarrant Area Food Bank in North Texas provides 60…

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South Dakota ranks 49th in the country for its contribution to indigent legal defense costs, according to a 2023 report from the Indigent Legal Services Task Force. (Adobe Stock)
SD public defense duties shift from counties to state

South Dakota is creating an Office of Indigent Legal Services after House Bill 1057 passed the Legislature with nearly unanimous support this month…

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