Public News Service

Teacher pay has largely stagnated across the country since the 1990s. (WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe Stock0

Monday, September 16, 2024

Report: Teacher pay lags behind others with college degrees

Average teacher pay increased in 2023, but a new study shows it still lags far behind that of other college graduates. Average weekly wages for …

Paraprofessionals from 15 districts make up the current cohort of Idaho State University's Paraprofessional to Certified Teacher Program. (Aubi Moon/Idaho State University)

ID program aims to grow teacher numbers across the state

A program is Idaho is aiming to close the teacher shortage gap by training people where they live. Idaho State University's Paraprofessional to …

The average Social Security payout is a little more than $1,500 per month for retired Idahoans. (Lane Erickson/Adobe Stock)

Future of Social Security in spotlight at AARP ID town hall

The future of Social Security is a priority issue for many voters across the country. The interest on Social Security Trust Funds will run out of …

Medicaid coverage includes checkups, sick visits, immunizations as well as dental and vision care. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Report: ID covering fewer kids with public insurance vs. 2019

As pandemic era protections were lifted, a new report showed the number of children on Medicaid has varied widely between states, with Idaho seeing a …

More than 41% of Idaho adults had earned an associate degree or higher in 2020. (ake1150/Adobe Stock)

Report: More college degrees mean more earnings for workers

Attainment of college degrees has gone up across the nation - and that's good news for workers, according to a new report. An analysis from the …

More than one in five Idahoans receive Social Security benefits. (chuck/Adobe Stock)

Advocates urge Congress to fix Social Security before cuts necessary

Social Security is a critical benefit for older Americans, which is why advocates want Congress to start working now to ensure the program is …

Idaho ranks fifth in the nation among states in the Family and Community category of a new report on child well-being. (Douglas Hughmanick/Adobe Stock)

ID Ranks High in Child Well-Being, But Child Care Costs Concerning

Idaho ranks fairly high compared to other states in a new report on children's well-being, but the high cost of child care lurks as a burden for …

In a new report, Georgetown defined a good paying job as one with a median income of $57,000 at age 30. (Fabio/Adobe Stock)

Report: Variety of Ways for Young People to Get Good Paying Jobs

A new report explored the pathways young people can take to land good-paying jobs, and a popular program in Idaho is helping young people with the …

The Silicon Valley Bank is effectively under the control of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation after the bank's failure. (JHVEPhoto/Adobe Stock)

After Banks' Failures, Credit Unions Tout Independent Structure

The collapse of two banks has put the U.S. financial sector into focus this week. Some are considering the alternative structures of institutions …

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program has nine sites in the Treasure Valley alone, and others across Idaho. (Paolese/Adobe Stock)

Free Tax-Aide Program 'Goes Live' Across ID

Tax time is here again. Between now and mid-April, Idahoans in need of assistance can find free help across the state through the AARP Foundation's …

Gov. Brad Little made his first State of the State address since being re-elected in November. (Idaho Public Television)

Little's State of the State Address Emphasizes Education Spending in ID

Governor Brad Little kicked off the 2023 legislative session with his State of the State address and an Idaho teachers' organization is applauding his…

The Idaho State Tax Commission expects to send about 800,000 tax rebate checks out by March 2023. (STOATPHOTO/Adobe Stock)

Tax Rebate Proposal Aims to Fend Off Inflation Impacts on ID Families

A tax rebate program approved during the Idaho special session this year has sparked an idea: why not send more rebates to families? In September…

Clinical preceptors help give apprentices hands-on education, even away from North Idaho College. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Medical Apprenticeship Program Fills Health Worker Gaps in ID

It's tough to find workers for Idaho's health clinics right now, but an apprenticeship program is hoping to address these woes. Nearly three years …

A program that helps older folks find work connects people with a host agency for about 20 hours a week of paid job training. (hedgehog94/Adobe Stock)

Job Training for Older Folks Gets Boost from High Employment

A program that helps low-income older people find work may be getting a boost from an economy that's favoring employees. Easterseals-Goodwill's …

The Nature Conservancy in Idaho manages a 30-acre teaching farm in Twin Falls, Ida. (Brad Johnson/The Nature Conservancy)

'Soil Health Curious' ID Farmers Explore Regenerative Agriculture

A kinder approach to the soil could be what Idaho farmers need to get more out of their land. The Nature Conservancy in Idaho has a demonstration …

From fall 2019 to spring 2021, Idaho colleges and universities lost more than 5,000 students. (knowlesgallery/Adobe Stock)

Costs Present Hurdle, But ID Provides Ways to Afford Higher Education

Higher education costs are a barrier for students across the country. A recent survey found Idaho is on the cheaper side of places to be a college …

More than 260,000 people in Ada County voted in the 2020 presidential election. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

With ID Primary Approaching, Poll Workers 'Backbone' of Elections

Poll workers will be out in force across Idaho next month, helping with the state's primary election. They'll play an integral role in ensuring …

M�s de 260 000 personas en el condado de Ada votaron en las elecciones presidenciales de 2020. (Setenta y cuatro/Adobe Stock)

Elecciones Primarias próximas, trabajadores electorales son “columna vertebral”

Los trabajadores electorales estarán presentes en todo Idaho el próximo mes, ayudando con las elecciones primarias del estado. Desempeñ…

Cerca de 200,000 ni�os y ni�as de Idaho estaban cubiertos por Medicaid o el Programa de seguro m�dico para ni�os en junio de 2021. (nyul/Adobe Stock)

En riesgo decenas de miles de coberturas de salud para niños

Un cambio en la inscripción de Medicaid en los próximos meses podría poner en riesgo la cobertura de salud de millones de niñas y …

Idaho is expected to experience more extreme weather such as droughts as global temperatures rise. (TS Schofield/Adobe Stock)

Assessment Details Changing Climate's Effects on ID Economy

A new report analyzes the economic effects of a changing climate on Idaho. It's the first to look at state-specific circumstances. Katherine Himes …

Idaho student-loan borrowers have an average of about $32,000 in public and private education debt. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Ready or Not, Student-Loan Payments Set to Resume Next Year

BOISE, Idaho - Student loan borrowers take note: a pause on federal student-loan payments is set to end in February. The moratorium on payments has …

Credit unions were able to provide services to help folks make ends meet before Congress passed pandemic aid last year. (W PRODUCTION/Adobe Stock)

International Credit Union Day Marks Growing Movement

BOISE, Idaho - Millions of members around the world, including some Idahoans, are observing International Credit Union Day today. This year marks 73…

Programs such as Double Up Food Bucks help families buy more fresh food at farmers markets. (Jeremy Segrott/Flickr)

Anti-Hunger Advocate to Tout Safety Net's Benefit in ID

BOISE, Idaho -- The head of Hunger Free America is coming to Idaho this weekend as part of his tour across the country. Joel Berg, CEO of the …

The Pandemic EBT program offers about $375 in food benefits per eligible child over the summer months to replace school meals. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Report: Permanent Summer Food Program Would Benefit ID Kids

BOISE, Idaho -- Summer usually coincides with a troubling spike in childhood hunger while kids are out of school, but a program set up during the …

In 2019, 109,000 Idaho children lived in households where families spent more than 30% of their income on housing. (sorapop/Adobe Stock)

Pandemic, High Housing Costs Could Stall Progress for ID Kids

BOISE, Idaho -- A new report finds child wellbeing in Idaho had been improving since the Great Recession until COVID-19 hit. The Annie E. Casey …

About one in three Idaho children don't see a doctor for an annual checkup. (lordn/Adobe Stock)

ID Groups Launch Campaign for Health Coverage for All Kids

BOISE, Idaho - A new campaign aims to ensure every kid in Idaho has health-care coverage. Health groups have launched Idaho Kids Covered to close the …

Idaho ranks 39th in broadband internet access, according to BroadbandNow.(cienpies/Adobe Stock)

You May Have Help with High-Speed Internet Thanks to Pandemic

BOISE, Idaho - The internet has become a key facet to life during the pandemic, but access still lags in many parts of the country. To help people …

Idahoans will no longer receive enhanced unemployment benefits as of June 19, although many continue to struggle as costs for housing, food and other necessities rise. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

"Unintended Consequences" of Ending Pandemic Unemployment in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho - Gov. Brad Little announced this week he will pull Idaho out of the federal unemployment programs that have provided enhanced benefits …

More than half of renters with extremely low income in Idaho are older or have a disability. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)

Housing Crisis Hits Idahoans on Fixed Income Harder

BOISE, Idaho -- The shortage of affordable housing in Idaho is hitting people on fixed incomes especially hard. The state is short more than 22,000 …

About 200 child-care centers have closed in Idaho since September. (Oksana Kuzmina/Adobe Stock)

ID Child-Care Centers Raise Alarms, Await Federal-Funding OK

BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho child-care providers closed their doors and came to the doors of the Capitol this week to call on lawmakers to approve federal …

The total student loan debt in Idaho is $7.4 billion for about 200,000 borrowers. (Burlingham/Adobe Stock)

Forgiveness Plan Would Remove One-Third of ID Students' Loan Debt

BOISE, Idaho - About one in three Idahoans who have federal student-loan debt would see it erased entirely if the Biden administration goes forward …

The average Idaho household has only about $2,500 in retirement savings. (Brian Jackson/Adobe Stock)

Financial Literacy Month: Time to Talk about Retirement Savings

BOISE, Idaho - April is Financial Literacy Month and one of the keys to good money habits is learning how to save. Unfortunately, many people aren't …

Idahoans received $1.5 billion in total from stimulus checks during the first round of relief. (ungvar/Adobe Stock)

Stimulus Checks, Tax Refunds Could Help Build Rainy-Day Funds

BOISE, Idaho -- With stimulus checks hitting bank accounts and tax refunds on the horizon for some, financial experts are advising people to make a …

Close to half of small businesses in the United States have had to let employees go over the past year. (daniilvolkov/Adobe Stock)

ID Small Businesses Hold On as Pandemic Continues

BOISE, Idaho - Idaho's smallest businesses are struggling to weather the pandemic. Johnatan Amissa is the director of operations and owner of …

Idaho, Like Biden Administration, Could Bump Up Minimum Wage

BOISE, Idaho - As the Biden administration pushes to raise the minimum wage as part of novel coronavirus relief legislation, a bill in the Idaho …

Maryam Nasar, alongside her mentor above, was born in Iraq and arrived in Idaho as a refugee in 2010. (Madeline Rose Scott)

ID Project Prepares Young Refugee Women for Workforce

BOISE, Idaho -- A Treasure Valley program is helping young women from refugee communities into the workforce, and hopefully to narrow the state's …

An undisclosed donor is helping the organization Economic Opportunity offer 50 people in Idaho emergency personal loans. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

To Some Idahoans, Emergency Loans are "COVID Relief"

BOISE, Idaho - While there may be a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, many Idahoans still face big financial challenges. One organization …

About 1 in 9 Idaho families doesn't have health insurance during the pandemic. (Alliance/Adobe Stock)

Report: Idaho Families 'Left on Their Own' During Pandemic

BOISE, Idaho -- As in the rest of the country, families in Idaho are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new report from the Annie E. Casey …

About a quarter of Idaho households making less than $35,000 expect more income loss through the end of the year. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Analysis: Reopening No Cure for ID Families' Financial Struggles

BOISE, Idaho -- Despite a largely reopened state, Idaho families are struggling and expect the financial pain will continue. Census survey data from …

Gov. Brad Little has approved $2.7 million in hunger relief since the pandemic began. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

Hunger Awareness Month: ID Orgs Go 'Above and Beyond'

RIGBY, Idaho -- Idaho Gov. Brad Little has issued a proclamation declaring October Hunger Awareness Month. The Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force and …

About one million Idahoans are members of a credit union. (LendingMemo.com/Flickr)

Today Marks Global Celebration of Credit Unions

BOISE, Idaho -- Today is the 72nd annual International Credit Union Day, a celebration of these member-owned financial institutions around the globe…

About 130,000 Idaho students should be eligible for the Pandemic EBT program. (Olesya/Adobe Stock)

COVID-19 Program Funds Meals for ID Kids

BOISE, Idaho -- After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools, many Idaho students were left without their regular school meals. Now, a program …

Postal workers want members of Congress to help the U.S. Postal Service, as they have many other businesses impacted by the financial crisis from COVID-19. (MelissaMN/Adobe Stock)

Idaho Workers Call on Leaders to Save Postal Service

BOISE, Idaho -- Postal workers are rallying across the country today for "Save the Post Office Day." The U.S. Postal Service has struggled during …

Idaho is allocating $300 million to small businesses affected by coronavirus. (Maridav/Adobe Stock)

Unable to Access Fed Aid, ID Small Businesses Have Chance at State Relief

BOISE, Idaho -- Many small businesses in Idaho were shut out of the federal government's popular coronavirus aid programs, so the Gem State is …

Loans totaling $1.8 billion were approved for Idaho small businesses in the first round of the Paycheck Protection Program. (Kevin McGovern/Adobe Stock)

ID Credit Unions Work Long Hours to Secure Relief for Small Businesses

BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho credit unions are facilitating relief for small businesses feeling the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Before …

Post offices already provide money order and wire transfer services, and a movement is growing to allow them to offer more financial services. (julie/Flickr)

Financial Services at Post Offices? An Option for the 'Underbanked'

BOISE, Idaho -- Social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted many services of everyday life, including restricting hours at some …

Idaho Voices for Children recommends the state immediately distribute protective supplies such as masks to the most vulnerable populations. (David Fuentes/Adobe Stock)

COVID-19: Group Sends ID Gov Recommendations for Protecting Vulnerable

BOISE, Idaho -- As the impacts of the new coronavirus come into view, one Idaho group is asking Gov. Brad Little to act quickly to protect residents …

Thirty-five states ban employers from asking job-seekers about their criminal records on applications. (thanksforbuying/Adobe Stock)

ID Bill Would Give Formerly Incarcerated 'Fair Chance' at Work

BOISE, Idaho -- People with criminal records often struggle to find work after they're released from prison. But now Idaho lawmakers are …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

2024Talks - September 18, 2024

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ID: Livable Wages/Working Families