Public News Service

In the past decade, the U.S. Energy Department said 2,555 North Dakota homes, occupied by people with limited incomes, have been weatherized. The free upgrades include furnace repairs, insulation and sealing drafty windows. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

An under-the-radar profession could use a helping hand

September is Workforce Development Month and North Dakota offices managing energy assistance programs hope people in need of a fresh career start will…

Food waste is the biggest source of methane emissions at landfills. (Adobe Stock)

ND hunger-relief orgs play role in reducing carbon emissions

A new report said food banks across the globe are helping to significantly decrease carbon emissions and localized efforts are taking shape in North D…

Each Community Action Agency is different, but many offer help with resume building and interview readiness as low-income individuals try to find stable work. (Adobe Stock)

60 years into war on poverty: ND agencies prioritize adaptability

For six decades, the U.S. has been carrying out a coordinated effort to keep poverty levels in check. Support offices in North Dakota say while …

Researchers said children who live in poverty lose an additional two months of reading skills over the summer, with a lack of proper nutrition serving as a key factor. (Adobe Stock)

ND encourages more signups for kids' summer meal program

Some North Dakota leaders believe healthy food is part of what is needed to help all kids achieve better outcomes and they hope low-income families si…

According to a 2022 Kids Count report, 20 North Dakota counties meet less than 60% of the child care demand in their counties. (Adobe Stock)

ND launches latest component of child care crisis response

North Dakota officials will highlight a new project today to boost childcare access for parents with nontraditional work hours. A local provider …

North Dakota's Pembina Gorge Recreation Area will soon become the state's 14th state park, with a 55-site campground and six all-season full-service cabins. (Photo courtesy of North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department)

New ND state park adds weight to Great Outdoors Month messaging

As temperatures warm up, people are enjoying nature - and North Dakota officials hope to see many more do so in the future as a new state park comes …

The AFL-CIO said in 2022, the Black workers' job fatality rate in the U.S. was the highest it has been in nearly 15 years. (Adobe Stock)

Report: ND again ranks high for workplace danger

North Dakota has not managed to substantially reverse its rate of workplace fatalities. An annual report puts the state in the top five in the …

A new Urban Institute report showed in 2023, adults with very low food security were more likely to experience debt repayment challenges if they turned to things like credit cards to pay for groceries. (Adobe Stock)

For some families, paying with plastic is a lifeline at the grocery store

North Dakota is in the top half of states for average weekly grocery bills and a new national report detailed how consumer debt is bridging the gap fo…

Gallup polls show Americans are increasingly losing trust in key professions, although high school teachers still rank fairly high overall in ethics ratings. (Adobe Stock)

Teacher Appreciation Week: ND talks center around perks, perception

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and in North Dakota, the tone is a little different this year - with deeper conversations about the need to keep …

U.S. researchers said there is a belief that boosting lawmaker pay might lead to more working-class legislators, but their information gathering does not back that up. North Dakota lawmakers are part-time, only meeting in Bismarck every other year. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Working class woefully underrepresented in state legislatures

In North Dakota and all other states, the backgrounds of people serving in state legislatures largely leave out a key demographic, the working class…

When North Dakota lawmakers reconvene in 2025, they're expected to consider ideas from a task force about getting more teachers into classrooms. The panel is just beginning to hold discussions. (Adobe Stock)

ND task force zeroes in on teacher recruitment

This coming Thursday, a new task force will meet to advance discussions about boosting teacher recruitment and retention in North Dakota. The panel …

Leading up to a 2023 vote to overhaul its pension system, North Dakota had an underfunded liability approaching $2 billion. (Adobe Stock)

National report issues cautionary tale after ND pension overhaul

CLARIFICATION: North Dakota will be closing its main public pension plan next year. An earlier version of this story did not indicate that several …

Policy experts say as it now stands, roughly 19 million children in the U.S. don't benefit from the federal Child Tax Credit because their families' incomes are too low. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Child Tax Credit could see another expansion with new deal in play

Congress is poised to consider renewing the expanded Child Tax Credit and policy analysts said the latest effort could help tens of thousands of North…

North Dakota is one of 20 states still at the federal minimum wage level of $7.25 an hour. The other 30 have base levels ranging from $8.75 to $16. (Adobe Stock)

Minimum wage policy still varies across U.S.

Bills are pending in Congress to boost the federal minimum wage, which remains at $7.25 an hour. Separately, many states increased their wage …

North Dakota's Government Services legislative committee said lower-income households are<br />expected to increase by 2025 across the state, putting more pressure on stakeholders to remove affordable housing barriers. (Adobe Stock)

ND panel gets detailed view of homelessness around the state

North Dakota's affordable housing gaps came into focus at a public hearing yesterday. A legislative committee, tasked with studying the issue…

Cognia, a nongovernmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools, says declining birth rates might make it harder for colleges and universities to maintain solid enrollment in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

To boost enrollment, public university systems go big on tuition discounts

States like North and South Dakota are in a fierce battle to keep college affordable as public schools navigate the ebbs and flows of enrollment trend…

In a new educator union poll, North Dakota teachers say they don't feel district administrators, school boards and elected officials respect their opinions and experience. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Teacher retention issue in ND not improving

Eighty-eight percent of North Dakota teachers feel that school districts will have a harder time keeping enough staff next school year, according to …

The North Dakota Child Care Action Alliance said the state needs about 10,000 more childcare slots to meet the demand for young children with working parents. (Adobe Stock)

ND childcare crisis: What's the next step during session gap?

North Dakota's special legislative session on budget technicalities did not bring many surprises. Groups wanting to see more action on child care …

In a new survey, respondents from all eight regions served by Community Action Agencies in North Dakota cited housing as the most pressing community need. (Adobe Stock)

With emerging data, ND housing needs come into focus

More than 65% of North Dakotans say housing is the state's biggest overall need. That's according to new community-level survey data. The findings …

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says last year's spike in the nation's child poverty rate is the largest increase for children dating back to 1967. (Adobe Stock)

New Poverty Data Spurs Urgent Calls to Reverse Trends

The U.S. Census Bureau is out with new findings showing that the nation's child poverty rate has more than doubled, to 12%. Policy experts say a key …

Organizers with the Backpacks for Kids Program in the Bismarck area help ensure kids have access to food when they're away from school during the academic year, so they do not return to class distracted by hunger. (Photo courtesy of Community Action Program)

Starting the School Year Right: Relief Options for Kids in Low Income Settings

The start of a new school year can bring added stress to families, especially those experiencing poverty. In North Dakota, community-level …

Findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation give North Dakota high marks in some areas when it comes to child well-being, including kids' overall health. (Adobe Stock)

Policy Experts 'Look Under the Hood' for Child Well-Being in ND

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened. States like North Dakota fared better in the overall …

Smaller and mid-sized farms say due to market concentration and supply-chain issues within agriculture have made it much harder to get their foods to various markets, including schools and restaurants within their own regions. (Adobe Stock)

ND Farm Communities See Brighter Path with Food Business Centers

Rural development leaders say getting healthy, locally grown food to underserved areas is a challenge in states like North Dakota. They hope a new …

This session, North Dakota lawmakers have faced calls to adopt additional prescription drug cost reform. Some efforts have come up short, but an insulin cap bill for public workers was sent to the governor. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmakers Advance Insulin Price-Cap Bill

In the national quest to help people with diabetes deal with the skyrocketing costs of insulin, North Dakota lawmakers are weighing in, as a bill to …

Supporters of providing no-cost school meals to all students argue that it helps them learn better, reduces stigma, and provides financial relief to working families. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmaker: Still Hope for Expanding School Meals

This week, the North Dakota Senate rejected a plan to expand eligibility for free school meals, but the idea has support from many agencies and …

Child care capacity in North Dakota has decreased by nearly 10,000 slots over the past few years. (Adobe Stock)

ND Rolls Out Child Care Cost-Sharing Program

As policymakers consider solutions to North Dakota's child care crisis, a state agency is moving forward with incentives they hope will compel more …

In addition to juggling higher credit card balances, U.S. consumers also are combating an upward trend in auto loan debt. (Adobe Stock)

Credit Card Debt Storm Hangs Over U.S. Consumers

Credit card debt in the U.S. is now at record levels. While those struggling to keep up might feel paralyzed, counselors say it's important to seek …

In 2021, North Dakota's community health centers recorded more than 127,000 visits. Leaders say these facilities save the state money by providing certain care that keeps patients out of emergency rooms. (Adobe Stock)

Workforce Issues Prompt Plea from ND's Community Health Centers

Nearly 30 states provide direct funding to community health centers, and there's a push to add North Dakota to the list. Supporters say the extra …

North Dakota's pension system for state workers has more than 50,000 members. (Adobe Stock)

Pension Overhaul for ND Under Microscope

North Dakota is eyeing changes to the retirement plan offered to state employees. Future hires would be moved to a "defined contribution" plan…

In an era of skyrocketing housing costs, a manageable budget might seem out of reach for low-income households. But certain community action agencies can help with financial planning if housing expenses are overwhelming. (Adobe Stock)

Making Houshold Budgets Work for Low-Income North Dakotans

The transition to a new year often has people thinking about new goals. For those struggling to get by, their hopes for 2023 are more about survival…

The NLRB is responsible for administering and enforcing the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

ND Union Voices: More Funding Needed for NLRB

With a wave of unionization sweeping across America, the agency that oversees labor relations is struggling to keep up. Union leaders in North Dakota …

A national advocacy group says three-quarters of women in the United States who are entering the workforce will be pregnant and employed at some point of their lives. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Clock Ticking on Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Protections are in place in North Dakota and at the federal level to prevent discrimination against pregnant workers. But advocates say these women …

The North Dakota Child Care Action Alliance recommends the state commit $150 million in annual funding to supplement the wages of current workers and the anticipated need for additional child-care staff. (Adobe Stock)

Better Wages Highlight Latest ND Child-Care Plan

When North Dakota lawmakers reconvene next month, they'll have a host of recommendations for improving child care to consider, including a new policy …

Supporters of boosting wages for childcare workers in North Dakota say low pay is fueling the lack of available care. They say some families report traveling 80 miles roundtrip to bring their children to a provider. (Adobe Stock)

Guarded Optimism Surrounds ND Child Care Plan

Advocates for expanding child care in North Dakota are responding to the governor's proposal to improve access across the state. They said it is a …

With more certainty surrounding federal tax credits, supporters of renewable energy say developers will give the green light to more projects in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

Measuring the Inflation Reduction Act's Economic Potential for ND

The Inflation Reduction Act has made headlines for clean energy provisions and prescription drug cost reform for Medicare recipients. A labor leader …

North Dakota has nearly 20 counties that are considered child-care deserts. (Adobe Stock)

ND Rolls Out Incentives for Child-Care Workers

North Dakota is looking at ways to stabilize its child-care workforce as parents struggle to find openings. Part of that involves a new initiative …

In a new Minneapolis Fed survey, 24% of workers in North Dakota and Minnesota said the need for skills is a major factor in considering a job change. (Adobe Stock)

Regional Survey: Barriers Restrict Labor Mobility

The so-called "great resignation" isn't playing out for all workers. A new survey covering North Dakota and Minnesota shows people on the lower end …

For North Dakota's public colleges, average tuition fees are around $8,260 per year. (Adobe Stock)

ND Higher Education Still Affordable, But Accessibility Work Continues

North Dakota is among the top five states for college affordability. That ranking is in a new national report, and higher-education officials say …

In North Dakota, student-loan borrowers owe an average of $29,246 in federal, private debt. (Adobe Stock)

ND Teacher: Student-Loan Forgiveness Recognizes Public Servants

The White House is fielding pitches from top Democratic lawmakers about their desire to dramatically expand student loan forgiveness. While a …

A new national report says a toxic culture is ten times more likely to contribute to job attrition than compensation. (Adobe Stock)

Moving Away from the Toxic Work Culture

North Dakota has seen recent examples of staffing shake-ups among certain employers where a toxic environment was cited. It coincides with rhetoric …

Construction workers are three times more likely to not have health insurance compared with other workers, according to the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center. (Adobe Stock)

Tax Evasion Hurts ND Construction Workers

Some construction companies in North Dakota are paying workers under the table and skipping out on worker benefits to avoid paying taxes, according …

Nearly 40 farmers markets are spread across North Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

Growing Power: ND Communities Urged to Embrace Farmers Markets

In the coming months, North Dakotans will be filling baskets at local farmers markets. As vendors prepare this year's produce, communities around the …

A new reform package approved by Congress is expected to save the U.S. Postal Service more than $100 billion over the next decade. (Adobe Stock)

ND Postal Workers See Brighter Future with Reform Law

After years of attempts, a bill designed to reverse troubled finances at the U.S. Postal Service has cleared Congress. It is viewed as a major …

Over the course of the pandemic, North Dakota has received more than $350 million in federal aid to help struggling renters, but says it has sent back roughly 40% of that money unspent. (Adobe Stock)

ND Opts to Return Much of Federal Rent-Relief Funding

North Dakota has returned a significant portion of the rental assistance provided by the federal government in the pandemic, and groups working …

Farm safety experts say such factors as a wet harvest season can lead to more accidents in places like grain bins, as the product can clog up equipment, putting workers in dangerous positions. (Adobe Stock)

ND Brings Farmer Safety Back to the Forefront

2022 will see a renewed focus on farmer safety in North Dakota. A key position has been filled to focus on education designed to reduce accidents and …

Montana, South Dakota and Minnesota have minimum wages that hover around the $10 level, but North Dakota remains at $7.25, which is also the federal wage. (Adobe Stock)

Labor Groups: ND Keeps Losing Ground on Minimum Wage

The start of the new year saw a number of states boost their minimum wage, but not North Dakota. Labor leaders say it's remained at $7.25 an hour for …

In addition to roads and bridges, labor leaders say the new infrastructure bill approved by Congress allows for work on other needs, such as adding more capacity to electric grids. (Adobe Stock)

ND Unions Applaud Infrastructure Bill Passage

FARGO, N.D. -- Labor leaders said North Dakota is poised to benefit from a boost in federal infrastructure spending, after the public works package …

Child-care advocates say if North Dakota doesn't boost funding for the system, more families might pull out of the workforce because of access issues. (Adobe Stock)

ND Leaders Urged to Think Big on Child-Care Spending

BISMARCK, N.D. - A portion of American Rescue Plan funding sent to North Dakota has yet to be divvied up. Groups that want to improve the child-care …

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 - September 19, 2024

2024Talks - September 19, 2024

The Yonder Report - September 19, 2024

ND: Livable Wages/Working Families