Public News Service

The majority of women veterans are not enrolled in Veteran Health Administration care, yet these women have experienced a more than sixty-percent increase in suicide rates over the past two decades. (Adobe Stock)

ME women veterans request counselors for military sexual trauma

Advocates for women veterans, who've experienced sexual trauma while serving in the military, are asking state lawmakers for much-needed funding…

Around 30% of registered voters say they will only vote for a candidate who shares their views on abortion, according to a KFF poll. (Adobe Stock)

Maine lawmakers consider constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights

Lawmakers in Maine will hear hours of emotional public testimony today regarding a potential constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights…

Care provided by millions of unpaid family caregivers across the United States was valued at $600 billion in 2021, a $130 billion increase in unpaid contributions since 2019, according to AARP. <br />(Adobe Stock)

Mainers Celebrate Passage of Paid Family Medical Leave Program

After years of grassroots advocacy, Maine will become the 13th state in the nation to adopt a mandatory paid family and medical leave program…

In Maine, an estimated 92% of abortions occur by the 12th week of pregnancy, with nearly 70% occurring before nine weeks. Abortions at or after 21 weeks are rare, representing 1% of abortions in the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

ME Medical Community Reaffirms Support for Abortion Medication

Maine's medical community is applauding the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to preserve access to the abortion medication mifepristone. The justices …

Body Positivity Movement Helps Improve Body Image, Alleviate Shame

By Gabes Torres for Yes! Media. Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service, reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

AARP Maine provides an online caregiver resource guide, which includes health and community resource listings, and a toll-free AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line at 877-333-5885. (Adobe Photo)

Maine Advocates: Paid Family Medical Leave Possible in 2023

Not everybody gets a holiday break, especially caregivers, but advocates of paid family medical leave in Maine say momentum is building for a plan to …

Nearly 70% of voters who identify as Independents oppose overturning the decision in Roe v. Wade, according to a January 2022 poll by Marquette University Law School. (Judith Anne/Adobe Stock)

Mainers Rally In Support of Roe v. Wade After Leaked Draft Opinion

Mainers gathered Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Portland, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the right to have an abortion. Politico …

During the pandemic, 141 child-care centers closed in Maine, and many more closed temporarily. That's limited some women from getting back into the workforce. (Rafael Ben-Ari/Adobe Stock)

Report: Gaps in Data Limit Maine's Ability to Support Marginalized Women

A new report finds the pandemic disproportionately impacted women, but that gaps in data limit Maine's ability to help those in need. Women are …

In Maine, protests against the Texas abortion ban occurred in Portland, Waterville, Belgrade and more. (vivalapenler/Adobe Stock)

Protesters Support Roe v. Wade in Portland, Central Maine

PORTLAND, Maine -- Reproductive-rights advocates took to the streets across Maine and the U.S. over the weekend to protest the Texas ban on abortions …

The number of Mainers requesting help with domestic violence situations increased close to 150% from April through June compared to the same period in 2019. (PickPik/Creative Commons)

Maine Domestic-Violence Shelters Get Creative as Needs Surge

AUGUSTA, Maine - It's Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the groups that help survivors in Maine are expecting another record number of requests …

So far this year, 12 states have enacted some type of abortion ban. (Charles Edward Miller/Flickr)

Reproductive Rights Group Highlights Maine's Expanded Abortion Access

AUGUSTA, Maine – A mid-year report on abortion access in the United States puts the state-level divide on abortion policy front and center…

More than 4,000 parents and caretaker relatives have signed up for MaineCare Expansion this year. (BewitchingGrace/Creative Commons)

Maine Ranks Low in Increasing Insurance Rate for Mothers

AUGUSTA, Maine – According to a new report, Maine ranked among the five worst states in decreasing the uninsured rate for women of childbearing …

Only 8 percent of young parents in Maine have an associate degree or higher. (pixabay)

Maine’s Young Parents Need a Helping Hand

AUGUSTA, Maine — Young parents in Maine are facing major obstacles to providing for themselves and their children, according to a new report…

Fresh berries might be a luxury on a senior's fixed income. Maine has the 12th highest senior food insecurity rate in the nation. (Madison Inouye/Pexels)

Some Maine Seniors Go Hungry When They Could Get Help

BANGOR, Maine – Maine has more older residents than any other New England state, and the highest level of food insecurity in this part of the …

While rallies such as this one in support of the Affordable Care Act in 2017 helped save it, expect more rallies and protests as court battles over its protections heat up. (Ted Eytan/Flickr)

Long Battle Ahead over ACA Pre-Existing Conditions Provision

AUGUSTA, Maine – It promises to be a long, bumpy road ahead for the Department of Justice, which essentially is arguing against the Affordable …

Previous attempts to defund Planned Parenthood have sparked protests nationwide. (Fibonacci Blue (CC by 2.0)/Flickr)

Health Care Providers Gear Up (Again) As Trump's New Gag Rule Targets Planned Parenthood

WICASSET, Maine – If President Donald Trump's new effort succeeds to impose a so-called gag rule on family planning centers, access to women's …

After 1978, the number of women in prison nationwide increased at twice the rate of men. (ErikaWittlieb/Pixabay)

Women's Prison Population Reductions Lagging

AUGUSTA, Maine – Prison populations are dropping in most states, but a new study finds that the number of incarcerated women is not falling as …

A group of women is asking President Trump to promote science education, and to back policies that allow more women to pursue scientific careers. (Polycentric/CPP Edu)

New England Women in Science Join Thousands in Signing Pledge

STANDISH, Maine -- It's a movement that began over concerns about how women were being labeled and treated during the presidential campaign. Now it …

Maine Gov. Paul LePage is drawing fire for his comments calling for GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump to show the country

LePage Call for Trump "Authoritarian Power" Draws Rebukes

PORTLAND, Maine - Gov. Paul LePage is drawing plenty of fire this week for his latest comments, saying the nation "needs Donald Trump to show the …

Maine ranks 30th in the pay gap between genders. (Texas A&M University)

Report: Maine Women Earn 78% of Men's Wages

AUGUSTA, Maine – If the gender pay gap continues to close at its current rate, women will reach pay equity with men in 2059, and according to a …

Nothing to cry about: a new survey ranks Maine third in the nation for the affordability of having a baby. (Ernest F.)

Maine Ranks Third in Nation for Having Baby Affordably

AUGUSTA, Maine – It's no secret that August is a big month for children being born, across the nation, but Mainers may be surprised to learn …

It's the latest advice from a new CDC Study: To stay healthy, older Americans, especially men, and certain ethnic groups need to drink more water. (Mike Clifford)

Check Your Fluid Levels? CDC Advises Drinking More Water

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has followed up on a study done about a decade ago that looks at whether Americans …

About 20,000 children in Maine spend at least part of their childhood absent from a parent who's in prison. A new report outlines ways that states, courts and communities can help. (darnock/morguefile)

Maine: Highest Percentage in New England of Kids with Parents in Prison

AUGUSTA, Maine – About 20,000 children in Maine are growing up with a parent who is or has been incarcerated, and a new report from the Annie E…

A University of Maine professor says families don't have to spend money on videos to introduce babies and young children to reading. It's as simple as sitting down with them daily to enjoy a book. (Ldorfman)

Maine Expert: No Need for Videos to Help Babies Learn

AUGUSTA, Maine - New England children's advocates say a video learning series is back at it again, making "unfounded claims" about infants' ability …

GRAPHIC: Public and private efforts to lift Maine�s children out of poverty should take a two-generation approach, according to a new Annie E. Casey KIDS COUNT policy report. Graphic credit: Pixabay.

Report: Maine’s Struggling Young Families Need “Two-Generation” Help

PORTLAND, Maine - Public and private efforts to lift Maine's children out of poverty should take a "two-generation" approach, according to a new …

Maine gets a B-minus in a report analyzing how each state supports � or doesn�t support � new parents in terms of leave time and job protection. The study is timed for the White House Summit on Working Families. Photo credit: National Partnership for Women and Families.

Maine Gets a B- in Helping Parents in the Workplace.

PORTLAND, Maine – Maine gets a B-minus in a report analyzing how each state supports – or doesn't support – new parents in terms of …

PHOTO: FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, seen here (top left) at a meeting in January in Oakland, Calif., has signaled his support for rules that may threaten net neutrality by allowing broadband service to some companies at higher speed for higher prices. A pushback by opponents is forming quickly. Photo credit: Mark Scheerer.

Internet Fast Lanes Could Limit Maine Access to "World Commons"

AUGUSTA, Maine - Net neutrality defenders in New England and the nation are sending out distress signals about a Federal Communications Commission (…

PHOTO: A belief that birth control pill effectiveness can be reduced by antibiotics is largely a misunderstanding, according to Planned Parenthood. Photo credit: National Organization for Women.

The Pill vs. Allergy Antibiotics: Nothing to Sneeze At

PORTLAND, Maine - It's the season for allergies and sinus infections. However, some women are worried that fighting the sniffles with antibiotics can …

PHOTO: Gail Alexander-Wright had a heart attack at age 37. Now, she's educating women about how their signs and symptoms can be different than those experienced by men. Courtesy American Heart Assn.

Heart Dangers for Women Sometimes Not Obvious

AUGUSTA, Maine - A sharp pain or a tight feeling in the chest, along with shortness of breath. By now, most of us have been briefed on the warning …

PHOTO: 30 percent of teen girls reported having offline meetings with people they met on the Internet.

Study Confirms Risky Online Teenage Behavior

AUGUSTA, Maine - New research finds that the Internet can be a particularly dangerous place for teenaged girls. The lead author of the study…

GRAPHIC: Domestic violence prevention groups across the country are spreading the word about National Stalking Awareness Month.

“Know it. Name it. Stop it.” Stalking Awareness Month in Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine - January is Stalking Awareness Month in Maine, and a national campaign is underway to "Know it. Name it. Stop it." State law lists …

IMAGE: This graphic shows that antibiotics are prescribed in 58 percent of cases when they are not needed. Courtesy of CDC.

CDC Warns of Dangers of Antibiotic Overuse

AUGUSTA, Maine - Doctors in Maine and all over the country are trying to get the word out that people don't need antibiotics every time they get the …

PHOTO: Breast cancer survivor Debbie and family. PHOTO CREDIT: James Meierotto.

Put On Your Blue Jeans and Help Fight Breast Cancer

PORTLAND, Maine - Employees can get casual - blue-jeans casual - at the office next month as part of a national fundraiser for the fight against …

PHOTO: A packed house at the Democratic Women's Caucus in Charlotte, N.C. Photo credit: Stephanie Carroll Carson, Public News Service.

Women's Issues and Health Care are Front and Center at Democratic Convention

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Women's issues are in the forefront of the Democratic National Convention. On Tuesday, Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, D-Fla.…

Report: Women in Food Service "Tipped Over the Edge"

AUGUSTA, Maine - The restaurant industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. economy, employing more than 10 million workers nationwide…

Postpartum Depression: More than the “Baby Blues”

PORTLAND, Maine - Having a baby can be a joyous time, but some new moms get more from the stork than they bargained for: unexpected feelings of …

A Cancer That Can Slip Under the Radar

SCARBOROUGH, Maine - It's a cancer that strikes women and can be easily cured if caught early. However, cervical cancer is also one of those cancers …

Cyber-Stalking on the Rise

AUGUSTA, Maine - January is National Stalking Awareness Month and, according to the National Center to End Violent Crime, more than three million …

ID Cards for Illegal Immigrants: A Good Thing?

President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Wednesday criticized Arizona's law that makes failure to carry immigration documents a crime…

Study: Women's Stroke Risk is Almost Triple Men's

AUGUSTA, Maine - Women ages 35 to 64 had lower blood pressure and better overall blood chemistry than men of the same age, but a new study found the …

Leaders Call for Religious Respect in Health Care Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leaders of faith groups are calling for greater religious respect in the often vociferous health care reform debate. Heads of …

Prevent Holiday Weight Gain - Heart Association says Start Today

SCARBOROUGH, Maine - Halloween may be over, but the treats still linger. Will you reach into the trick-or-treat bag "just one more time"...or can you …

The Economy and Cancer: Early Detection is Key for Women

BIDDEFORD, Maine - Neither a tough economy nor a lack of health insurance should stand in the way of women in Maine getting their annual medical …

Health Care Reform is "Women's Business?"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After months of Congressional debate about health care reform, the Senate Finance Committee is expected to take up Sen. Max …

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - April 19, 2024

2024Talks - April 19, 2024

The Yonder Report - April 18, 2024

ME: Women's