Public News Service

Children need regular well-child and dental visits to track their development and find health problems early, when they're usually easier to treat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

KY keeps most kids enrolled in Medicaid coverage, post-pandemic

Nationwide, children are losing their Medicaid and CHIP coverage but Kentucky has kept the majority of its youngest residents enrolled, according to …

Kentucky parents are worried about their kids' educational and social development as well as the safety of their children if they are forced into using lower-cost, lower-quality care, according to a March 2024 survey from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

As KY child care crisis worsens, advocates highlight career pathways

The shrinking supply of child-care workers continues to impact Kentucky, and advocates say helping more people receive a Child Development Associate …

A Kentucky bill to ban Broad Based Categorical Eligibility for the federal SNAP program would result in at least 21,400 children losing SNAP statewide and would threaten funding for meals at schools and child care centers, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY School districts say SNAP Cuts legislation could worsen student hunger

Kentucky school districts say a proposed bill to tighten restrictions on SNAP participation will lead to an uptick in student hunger. House Bill 367 …

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in Nov. 2023, nationwide utility companies saw a 2% average revenue increase per kilowatt-hour compared to the previous year. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Kentucky Power rate hike: What eastern KY residents, businesses should know

Many eastern Kenuckians will see their monthly energy bills increase by around $8 per month, after a ruling last month by the state's utility …

Around $330 million in annual federal funding for child care in Kentucky is slated to expire in September, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky child-care providers face uncertain future when federal funding expires

Child-care providers in Kentucky are bracing for severe funding cuts when $330 million in annual federal funding expires in September. A recent …

The National Rural Education Foundation flagged Kentucky's educational outcomes as

Appalachian teachers say 'intense' challenges ahead for education in region

Educators in Appalachian Kentucky said significant school disruption and remote learning during the COVID pandemic combined with the devastating flood…

Appalachia is home to 26.3 million people and covers 206,000 square miles, encompassing 423 counties in 13 states, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. (Adobe Stock)

In Eastern KY, a vision for sustainable manufacturing

Manufacturers in Kentucky employ around 13% of the state's workforce, and advocates said the state's Appalachian region could bolster its economy by …

A survey by Jobs for the Future found most high school graduates not attending college said they would have considered programs such as apprenticeships if they had more information. (Adobe Stock)

KY Apprenticeships offer a debt-free career path

The number of registered active apprentices more than doubled in Kentucky between 2013 and 2021, including carpenters, cement masons, construction …

Panelists discuss the 33rd edition of Kentucky Youth Advocates County Data Book, which looks at how Kentucky kids are faring in terms of economic security, education, health, family and community. (Adobe Stock)

Report: KY faces workforce crisis in sectors that support children

New county-level data show Kentucky is facing a severe shortage of workers in sectors supporting children, including teachers, counselors, child care …

Over the past few years, the number of retirees 55 and older nationwide have grown by 3.5 million, according to data from the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Kentucky Public Retirees advocate for payments to reflect cost of living

Many retired Kentuckians are facing great personal stress over their finances, according to Kentucky Public Retirees. Larry Totten, president of the …

According to a 2022 report by the Kentucky Hospital Association, hospitals statewide are struggling with more than 13,000 vacancies. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky continues to face health care workforce shortages

More than 20% of nursing positions in the Commonwealth remain vacant, according to the Kentucky Hospital Association - and combined with workforce …

Seg�n un informe de 2022 de la Asociaci�n de Hospitales de Kentucky, los hospitales de todo el estado est�n luchando con m�s de 13,000 vacantes. (Adobe)

Kentucky sigue enfrentando escasez de mano de obra de salud

Más del 20% de los puestos de enfermería en el Commonwealth siguen vacantes, según la Kentucky Hospital Association (Asociación …

Nine thousand homes in 13 counties were destroyed or significantly damaged in the July 2022 eastern Kentucky floods, in which 40 people died. (Wikimedia Commons)<br />

KY’s Rural Housing Trust Fund Plays Critical Role in Disaster Recovery

The Kentucky Housing Corporation has received applications for housing funding from the state's Rural Housing Trust Fund requesting more than $18 mill…

Medicaid coverage during early life stages- even before birth - is linked to improved health outcomes for the next generation, according to a study published in American Economic Review. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts: Kids Often Eligible for Medicaid, Even if Their Parents Aren’t

Kentucky begins its eligibility review of kids' Medicaid coverage this month - and experts say it's vital the process goes seamlessly, so kids aren't …

La cobertura de Medicaid durante las primeras etapas de la vida -incluso antes del nacimiento- est� vinculada a mejores resultados de salud para la siguiente generaci�n, seg�n un estudio publicado en American Economic Review. (Adobe Stock)

Expertos: Niños suelen ser elegibles para Medicaid, incluso si sus padres no lo son

Kentucky comienza su revisión de elegibilidad de la cobertura de Medicaid para niños este mes, y los expertos dicen que es vital que el …

As grocery prices and cost-of-living expenses continue to rise, experts say more Kentuckians will rely on food banks. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Kentuckians Kick-Off Hunger Action Month

As anti-hunger advocates gather today at the state Capitol to launch Feeding Kentucky's Hunger Action Month kickoff, experts say the next Farm Bill --…

According to a report by Invest Appalachia, the Appalachian region compares favorably to the Great Lakes region and parts of New England in terms of anticipated weather impacts and status as a climate haven. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Central Appalachia Could Be Safe Haven for Climate-Change Migrants

By Janie Ekere for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collabor…

Child care prices for a single child ranged from $4,810 for school-age home-based care in small counties, to $15,417 for infant center-based care in very large counties, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY Child Care Providers Face Uncertain Future as Federal Funding Runs Out

New federal data show child care expenses are out of reach for most families, and in Kentucky, providers are struggling to keep their doors open…

In 2021, some 53% of working adults ages 25 to 54 were parents, and more than a third of those parents had young children, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe stock)

New Data Shows Well-Being of Kentucky Kids Worsens

The latest Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book shows Kentucky, along with other Appalachian and Southeastern states, ranks in the bottom …

Kentucky children attend one of the robotics camps organized by Save the Children. (Alissa Taylor)

Summer Break Brings Uncertainty for Many Rural Kentucky Kids

In eastern Kentucky, advocacy groups are expanding summer learning opportunities for families. Isolation and learning loss plague many rural …

According to AARP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program likely played a role in keeping the percentage of food-insecure Americans ages 50 and older stagnant during the pandemic, at around 9.5 million people nationwide. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Some Kentuckians Risk Losing SNAP Benefits in Debt-Ceiling Talks

More than 17,000 Kentuckians could lose food assistance when pre-pandemic SNAP work requirements go back into effect this summer, for adults between …

According to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, as of February around 12% of Kentuckians rely on SNAP benefits for food assistance. (Adobe Stock)

KY Road Show Highlights Programs that Improve Community Well-Being

A traveling roadshow highlighting changes to Medicaid, Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance …

Seg�n el Centro de Pol�tica Econ�mica de Kentucky, en febrero alrededor del 12% de los habitantes de Kentucky depend�an de las prestaciones del SNAP para recibir ayuda alimentaria. (Adobe Stock)

KY Road Show destaca programas para el bienestar de la comunidad

Una gira itinerante que destaca los cambios en Medicaid, KCHIP, SNAP y otros programas de asistencia pública llega a Owensboro el próximo …

Working caregivers face financial risks such as lost income, reduced career opportunities and subsequently lower Social Security and retirement benefits, according to AARP. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Family Caregiving In Kentucky Cost Billions

Unpaid caregiving by Kentucky's more than 600,000 caregivers is valued at more than $8 billion, according to new state data by AARP. AARP Kentucky …

Around 2.5 million children in the United States live in a household with their grandparents, according to the website Statista. (Adobe Stock)

Updates to KY Benefits Program 'KTAP' Aim to Help Family Caregivers

New changes to Kentucky's temporary benefits program - known as KTAP - increase the amount of money families receive to keep pace with inflation…

Ninety-three percent of U.S. construction firms have reported experiencing material shortages and/or allocations, according to the 2022 Buy America Materials Survey. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Push for 'Buy American' Rules in Kentucky Continues

In Kentucky, unions and their advocates continue to push for changes to shift public contract money toward suppliers sourcing their materials from …

Nationally, pay increases for state and local government employees have not kept pace with those of private workers, according to data from the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Critics Say Proposed Kentucky State Worker Pay Bill Isn’t Enough

Critics of a proposed pay raise for state workers said it barely keeps up with inflation and is not enough to alleviate Kentucky's long-standing gover…

More than 84 million Americans were enrolled in Medicaid in 2021, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Adobe Stock)

KY Communities Brace for Medicaid Renewals

Around 250,000 Kentuckians will soon need to submit new documentation to stay on Medicaid, and health advocates say they're working to prevent …

M�s de 84 millones de estadounidenses se inscribieron en Medicaid en 2021, seg�n los Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid. (Adobe Stock)

Comunidades de KY se preparan para renovaciones de Medicaid

Alrededor de 250 000 habitantes de Kentucky pronto deberán presentar nueva documentación para permanecer en Medicaid, y los defensores de …

A 2019 Legislative Research Commission report cited the average annual teacher turnover in Kentucky as just over 17% between 2010 and 2019. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY House Education Committee Approves Bill to Address Teacher Shortage

Lawmakers in the Kentucky House Education Committee have greenlighted a bill aimed at addressing the state's widespread teacher shortage. It is …

Nearly four-in-ten Americans ages 25 and older have a bachelor's degree, a share that has grown over the last decade, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky Works to Close Equity Gaps in College Completion

Kentucky colleges and technical schools are taking steps to close the equity gap in degree and certificate completion rates. University of …

In 2022, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family health insurance is $22,463, while the average cost of self-only coverage is $7,911, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Fix Opens Options for Households with Costly Employer Health Coverage

Many Kentuckians who have affordable employer health coverage for themselves but not for their dependents and spouses now qualify for financial assist…

En 2022, el costo promedio anual para un seguro de salud familiar patrocinado por el empleador es de $22,463, mientras que el costo promedio de la cobertura individual es de $7,911, seg�n KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Corrigen problema de hogares con costosa cobertura de salud

Muchos residentes de Kentucky que tienen acceso a cobertura de salud por parte de su empleador, pero que no está al alcance de sus dependientes …

More than 1 in 7 households nationwide paid over half of their income on housing in 2020, according to a report by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. (Adobe Stock)

KY's Housing Shortage Worsened by Natural Disasters

Kentucky is facing a serious housing shortage, and the past few years of deadly floods and tornadoes have worsened the situation. Advocates want …

Nearly 60 percent of Americans say they are bothered

KY Lawmaker Says Graduated Income Tax Offers “Some Relief to Function as a State”

An Oxfam report released this week shows the richest 1% of individuals have gotten richer since the pandemic, capturing almost two-thirds of all new …

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear unveiled his 2023 legislative proposals in the State of the Commonwealth Address on Wednesday. (Office of Gov. Andy Beshear/YouTube)

KY Governor Touts Teacher Pay, Remains Silent on Tax Cuts in State-of-State

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced a 5% pay raise for teachers in his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night. His Education First Plan …

Kentucky's permanent income tax reduction went into effect Jan. 1, 2023. According to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, the tax cuts were made possible by large revenue surpluses from federal pandemic aid. (Adobe Stock).<br />

Kentuckians Worry About Impact of New Income-Tax Cuts

Permanent income tax reductions went into effect in Kentucky on Jan. 1. Some residents said they are concerned about the effects the cuts will have …

Nationwide, total household debt rose by $351 billion, or 2.2%, to reach more than $16 trillion in the third quarter of 2022, according to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Appalachians: More Debt, Worse Credit than Other Rural Regions

Kentucky's rural Appalachian households are grappling with financial stress which is disproportionate compared to households in other rural parts of t…

Research shows economic insecurity, unreliable transportation and other challenges outside the classroom pose major barriers for two-year college students. (Adobe Stock)

KY College Boards Focus on Role of Equity in Student Success

Colleges and universities in Kentucky are looking at new ways to address the equity gap among their students, through specialized training for their …

According to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap report, nine out of 10 counties with the highest food insecurity rates are rural. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Innovation Lab Aims to Spur Creative Solutions to End Child Hunger

A new initiative is providing funding to individuals and grassroots groups across the Commonwealth with creative solutions to reduce hunger among rura…

Forty percent of older Americans rely solely on Social Security for retirement income, according to the National Institute on Retirement Security. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation Squeezes Fixed-Income Kentuckians; Benefits Assistance Can Help

As inflation drives up the cost of living, Kentuckians on fixed incomes are especially vulnerable. More than 2,000 federal, state and local benefits …

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available through the Small Business Administration for Eastern Kentucky businesses that experienced flood damage. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofits Band Together to Help Small Business Flood Recovery

Small businesses that suffered damage or destruction from the recent historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky can get one-on-one assistance as they try t…

Americans owe nearly $1.75 trillion in student-loan debt, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. (Adobe Stock)

Kentuckians Under “Crippling” Financial Stress from Student Loan Debt

Kentuckians collectively owe more than $20 million in student loan debt, and a new informal survey sheds light on how hefty student-loan payments …

More than 14 million people could lose Medicaid coverage when the public health emergency ends in July, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Experts say text messages could help notify more people about upcoming changes. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Texts Could Help Shrink Post-COVID Health-Coverage Gap

The COVID-19 public health emergency mandating continuous coverage for Medicaid enrollees is expected to expire later this year, and experts say …

As of February 2022, all 50 states and the District of Columbia had jobless rate decreases from a year earlier. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY Lawmakers Move to Cut Unemployment Benefits

The number of weeks Kentuckians can receive unemployment benefits will soon be cut by more than half. Last week, state lawmakers overrode Gov…

According to data from the Food Research and Action Center, more than 14 million kids received breakfast during the 2020-2021 school year. (Adobe Stock)

Statewide Push to Update Laws, Remove “Barriers to Breakfast” for KY Kids

Senate lawmakers are considering updating existing legislation to allow kids to eat breakfast at school 15 minutes after the bell. During National …

If Kentucky were to cut its income-tax rate to 4%, it would need to boost the sales tax rate from 6% to 7.4% to make up lost revenue, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts: KY Should 'Clean Up' Tax Code, Not Slash Income Tax

Amid talk of slashing the state's income tax, experts say Kentucky's tax-code reforms should focus instead on eliminating tax breaks for the wealthy …

More than 300 Kentucky farmers participated in the Farms to Food Banks programs last year. (Adobe Stock)

KY Officials Urge Expanding 'Farms to Food Banks', Upgrading Pantries

More than 300 Kentucky farmers participated in the state's Farms to Food Banks program last year, and at a recent virtual rally, state officials said …

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KY: Livable Wages/Working Families