Public News Service

So far in 2024, community health centers in North Dakota have screened 11,580 patients for food insecurity. Through those screenings, more than three thousand box meals have been distributed. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Nutrition takes a seat at the doctor's office in underserved areas

September is Hunger Action Month. In North Dakota, it isn't just food banks trying to help underserved populations get nutritious items. Health …

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 …

Many Fargo residents want to stay in their communities but are struggling to maintain their properties as they age. (FiledIMAGE/Adobe Stock)

ND seeks better housing for older population

A new design competition is looking to find better housing for Fargo's aging population. Like many other states, North Dakota has a growing number …

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 the Native American Rights Fund, more than 1 million eligible Native American voters in the United States are not registered to vote. (Adobe Stock)

Native organizations commemorate 100th anniversary of Citizenship Act

Sunday marks 100 years since the United States granted citizenship to all Native Americans. North Dakota voices are observing the milestone, and …

According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 23 million lower-income households have benefited from the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program. (Adobe Stock)

Federal funds drying up to keep internet service on for low-income households

Low-income households across the United States now face a deadline to sign up for federal funds that give them a break on their monthly internet bills…

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…

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 …

Associations for Community Health Centers say if Congress do not extend federal funding, nearly seven million patients around the United States could lose access to primary care. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Record Demand, Community Health Centers Confront Key Obstacles

This week is National Health Center Week. The facilities help to close care gaps in underserved communities, and regional and national leaders hope …

The lack of broadband infrastructure has been seen as a huge barrier for rural Americans to access high-speed internet. But advocates say in areas where internet is available, monthly costs can be another burden. (Adobe Stock)

Giving Low-Income North Dakotans a Hand with Internet Costs

North Dakota will soon boost its infrastructure for high-speed internet, thanks to the latest federal subsidy. In the meantime, low-income households …

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 …

According to the Trevor Project, 16% of LGBTQ youth report they had slept away from parents or caregivers because they ran away from home, with more than half citing mistreatment or fear of mistreatment due to their LGBTQ identity. (Adobe Stock)

Feds Launch Housing Access Effort for LGBTQ Youth

Pride Month serves as a celebration of the LGTBQ community, but it also can raise awareness of challenges these individuals face. That includes youth …

Some North Dakota lawmakers say the state has done a good job in analyzing such matters as behavioral health in recent years. They hope it can do the same for affordable housing, as demand for support programs appears evident. (Adobe Stock)

ND Prepares for Deeper Dive Into Housing, Other Needs

May is Community Action Month, and in North Dakota, groups trying to help households escape poverty are gathering feedback on which obstacles are the …

Native American advocates in Bismarck say new housing development is often built in communities separated from their populations, and a lot of infrastructure funding goes to improve those areas, leaving older neighborhoods to deteriorate. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed HUD Rule Underscores Housing Access Woes in ND

Public comment is winding down for a proposed federal rule on inclusive affordable housing. Native American voices in North Dakota's capital city …

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 …

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 …

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…

Over the past decade, there's been a nearly 50% reduction in homelessness among military veterans nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

New ND Infinitive Helps Veterans Address Legal Barriers in Housing

The U.S. has made strides in reducing homelessness among military veterans, but barriers still exist in some situations. A new partnership aims to …

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 …

More than 133,000 North Dakotans are currently enrolled in Medicare. (Adobe Stock)

Kicking the Tires on Your Medicare Plan

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Older North Dakotans are being bombarded with reminders about Medicare enrollment. While it is tempting to block out some messaging…

More than 64,000 North Dakotans are children younger than age 6. More than 70% have parents in the workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Report: ND Should Think of Child Care as Infrastructure

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- A new report showed affordable and accessible child care remains an issue for North Dakota families. It is prompting calls for …

Community Action Partnership of North Dakota says those eligible for emergency federal rental aid can get help with their application with a trained counselor in person or over the phone. (Adobe Stock)

Application Counselors to the Rescue - Rental Aid at Stake

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota is reaching out to those who have fallen behind on their rent due to the pandemic and may not know there's help. …

In late June, the Biden administration launched a plan to spur states to more quickly distribute emergency rental aid that has been slow to reach some areas. (Adobe Stock)

Rental Assistance Stunted by Connection Gap in ND

BISMARCK, N.D. -- A federal eviction moratorium ends July 31, but states like North Dakota are still flush with emergency rental assistance tied to …

An annual well-being report said roughly 15,000 North Dakota children lacked health-care coverage leading up to the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

ND Children's Report Looks Good on Surface, But Concerns Lurk Beneath

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota ranks first in the U.S. when it comes to economic stability for children, according to an annual report measuring child …

Groups such as Community Action Partnership focus on helping low-income North Dakotans break the cycle of poverty and obtain security in areas such as housing. (Adobe Stock)

ND Celebrates Community Action Work After Challenging Year

FARGO, N.D. -- This month, agencies that help low-income residents escape poverty are being honored for their work, including efforts in North Dakota…

The issue of affordable medications saw plenty of debate this year in the North Dakota Legislature. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmakers Make Key Decisions on Drug-Cost Bills

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Those calling for sweeping action to reduce prescription-drug prices in North Dakota saw mixed results this legislative session…

Advocates for providing free lunches to all students say it's time to remove any stigma associated with meal-assistance programs. (Adobe Stock)

ND Lawmakers Hear Plan for No-Cost Lunch for All Students

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota families facing hardships could see some relief from state lawmakers, with a bill that calls on the state to cover …

According to a new national report, one-third of Americans face the likelihood of having to leave their current home as a result of economic fallout from the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

ND Households with Kids Share Their Struggles in New Report

FARGO, N.D. - A new report confirms that vulnerable families in North Dakota are experiencing more struggles as the pandemic drags on. Households …

A new report says 43% of low-income residents in North Dakota cite

ND Report: Rental Assistance Biggest Need for Low-Income Residents

FARGO, N.D. -- People losing their house or becoming evicted remains a big concern during the pandemic. But even before the crisis, the cost of …

Demands are growing to extend more eviction protections for households affected by the economic crisis, as temporary eviction moratoriums have expired at the federal level and in a number of states. (Adobe Stock)

Back-Rent Judgments Could Cloud COVID Crisis

BISMARCK, N.D. - Concerns are growing about a potential wave of evictions in the pandemic and economic crisis. Legal Services of North Dakota said …

More North Dakotans face homelessness, with this summer's unemployment rate almost triple what it was at the same time last year. (Adobe Stock)

ND Groups Push Congress to Move Faster on Pandemic Relief Bill

BISMARCK, N.D. - As COVID-19 cases continue to spike in North Dakota, social service support groups are asking the U.S. Senate to act quickly before …

Research shows seniors who receive SNAP food-assistance benefits are 23% less likely to enter a nursing home than non-participants. (Adobe Stock)

They Might Not Know It, But Poverty Aid Available for ND Seniors

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Low-income, older adults struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic may be unaware of federal benefit programs that could …

In addition to expiring jobless benefits, economists say eviction rates are likely to soar because of the pandemic's ongoing effects. And in North Dakota, state law makes it easier for eviction cases to proceed. (Adobe Stock)

Aid Group: Effects of Hidden Poverty Surface in ND

FARGO, N.D. -- An anti-poverty group in North Dakota says extra federal unemployment benefits have shielded many laid-off workers from seeking …

To avoid an undercount of young children in the 2020 Census, North Dakota created a Complete Count Task Force, formed through an executive order by Gov. Doug Burgum. The task force includes a tribal subcommittee. (Adobe Stock)

ND Officials Aim to Ensure American Indian Kids Counted in Census

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Making sure all children are counted is a common theme for the 2020 Census. The number of young children missed in previous …

As the country slides deeper into a recession because of the coronavirus pandemic, more individuals may avoid hospitals or other emergency care due to lack of health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

New Report: Pandemic to Add Millions to Uninsured Rolls

BISMARCK, N.D. -- A new report finds 43 million Americans could lose their employer-sponsored health coverage under worst-case-scenario unemployment …

Some states, including Minnesota, already have enacted temporary suspensions of evictions and foreclosures during the pandemic. Groups now are asking North Dakota's governor to follow suit. (Adobe Stock)

Coalition Urges ND Governor to Suspend Evictions During Pandemic

FARGO, N.D. -- Rent and mortgage payments are due for many North Dakotans this week, and for those who've lost jobs as a result of the pandemic…

In addition to competition and cost issues, rural grocers in North Dakota say lack of access to financial resources are making it harder for them to stay open. (Adobe Stock)

Fight is On in ND to Keep Rural Grocery Stores Open

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Several groups are trying to shine a light on what they call a big problem in North Dakota -- the disappearance of independent …

Miners in Beulah, N.D., have seen layoffs as the coal industry declines across the country. (Andrew Filer/Flickr)

ND Forum: How Coal Communities Can Build for the Future

BEULAH, N.D. – Towns in coal country are considering what happens next as companies and the fuel hit hard times. Next week, the North Dakota …

About 9% of North Dakota households experienced food insecurity between 2015 and 2017. (kuarmungadd/Adobe Stock)

Groups Fear More Hunger in ND from Proposed SNAP Change

BISMARCK, N.D. – Anti-hunger groups in North Dakota fear that a proposed change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will lead to …

One attorney compares filling out self-representation forms to learning a new language. (tanasin/Adobe Stock)

More Legal Resources Needed for North Dakotans' Disputes

BISMARCK, N.D. – One section of the North Dakota court system website that gets a lot of visitors is the Legal Self Help Center, but North …

Legal Services of North Dakota is a major source of legal aid for older people, veterans and Native Americans in the state. (AJEL/Pixabay)

ND Bill Would Increase Funding for Civil Legal Assistance

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota lawmakers are considering a bill that would help low-income folks who need legal assistance. House Bill 1516 …

About 20 percent of Americans live in rural areas, but only 2 percent of attorneys practice in these places. (rafabordes/Pixabay)

ND Attorney Shortage Means Limited Access to Justice

BISMARCK, N.D. – A shortage of lawyers in North Dakota could be hindering people's access to justice. Attorney job listings have increased 300 …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 19, 2024

2024Talks - September 20, 2024

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ND: Poverty Issues