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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.

ME: Hunger/Food/Nutrition

It is estimated that Mainers facing hunger would need a total of $97,584,000 more income per year to adequately meet their food needs, according to Feeding America. (Adobe Stock)
Maine food banks meet growing demand as Farm Bill lags

Food banks in Maine are struggling to keep up with demand as the Farm Bill remains stalled in Congress. The bill is renegotiated every five years …

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently allocated $300 million for projects that will increase land access for underserved farmers, including funding to restore lands into the hands of those who have been underserved. (Adobe Stock)
Cultivating Food and Community for Maine Immigrants

New immigrants in Maine are benefiting from an effort to improve access to traditional foods and farming practices. Presente! Maine, a Latino and …

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In 2021, workers in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry experienced one of the highest fatal injury rates at 20 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers, compared to a rate of 3.6 deaths per 100,000 workers for all U.S. industries. (Adobe Stock)
ME Farmworkers Strive for Minimum Wage, Right to Unionize

Lawmakers in Maine are considering legislation to improve the wages and working conditions of thousands of farmworkers. Current law requires …

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Maine ranks first in the nation for having the lowest percentage of children in families where the head of household lacks a high school diploma, at 4%, compared to the national rate of 11%, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock) <br />
ME Parents Struggle with Lack of Affordable, Accessible Child Care

CLARIFICATION: Percentages of students' reading and math scores were clarified. (12:46 p.m. MDT, June 14, 2023) Maine ranks 12th in the nation on …

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In the next decade, as much as 400,000 acres of Maine farmland will change hands, according to Maine Farmland Trust. The 2017 Census of Agriculture revealed that only 11% of Black farmers in Maine own the land that they cultivate. (Adobe Stock)<br /> <br /><br />(Adobe Stock)
Congress Aims to Remove Land Access Barriers for Young Farmers

New bipartisan legislation in Congress aims to fix the number one challenge facing the next generation of American farmers - access to land. The …

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Since 1939, Maine has celebrated June as Maine Dairy Month. The event currently honors the 176 dairy farmers caring for 700,000 acres of critical farmland across the state. (Adobe Stock)
Grants Help ME Farmers, Processors Keep Milk Local

Dairy processors and farmers throughout Maine are eligible for grants to help them improve their operations as part of a growing movement to keep loca…

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The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced $18.914 million from President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would go to address emerging contaminants such as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Maine. (Adobe Stock)
Maine Farmers Seek Help with 'Forever Chemicals' Contamination

Lawmakers in Maine are considering a bill to compensate farmers for the widespread use of state-sanctioned PFAS, or "forever chemicals" on their land…

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Data shows an increase in development has resulted in 19 acres per day, or 7,000 acres per year of New England agricultural land being lost or threatened between 2001 and 2016, according to a report from the American Farmland Trust. (Adobe Stock)
Maine’s Small Farmers See Benefits from USDA Census

Maine's small farmers are encouraged to complete the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture census to ensure they have a voice in federal decisions …

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Maine's Climate Action Plan cites supply disruptions during the pandemic as a wake-up call to improve the state's local food systems. (Adobe Stock)
Maine Seeks Proposals to Increase Access to Local Food

Maine is seeking proposals for a grant opportunity to support local food producers and production and assist low-income residents in accessing local f…

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If passed, Build Back Better would allocate additional funding for home and community-based care for seniors and people with disabilities. (Miguel Tamayo)
ME Labor Leader: Child Care, Pre-K, CTC Needed to Boost Working Families

With the future of the Build Back Better Act in doubt in Congress, labor leaders are urging Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to get on board to improve …

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Maine is among the first states to pass a bill for free school meals for all students, regardless of household income. (WaveBreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)
Parents Urged: Complete School Meal Forms Even Though Lunches are Free

AUGUSTA, Maine -- School meals in Maine will be free for all students again this year and into the future, but parents are being urged to fill out …

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Nearly 300,000 Maine kids will benefit from the expanded Advance Child Tax Credit. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)
ME Parents, Advocates: Make Expanded Child Tax Credit Permanent

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Parents are now receiving fully refundable monthly 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit payments, and advocates for children and families …

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