Public News Service

National Teacher Appreciation Day was celebrated on March 7 until 1984, when it was moved to May. (Perry Correll/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

It's Teacher Appreciation Week 2024

The first week of May is designated as Teacher Appreciation Week in the United States. The push to honor teachers started in 1953 when First Lady …

Texas, Florida, Georgia y California registraron los mayores descensos en el n�mero de ni�os inscritos en Medicaid/CHIP. Los cuatro estados representan la mitad de la disminuci�n total nacional de ni�os asegurados en estos programas. (Andrii/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Más de 1 millón de niños de TX dados de baja de Medicaid/CHIP

Más de un millón de niños en Texas ya no tienen seguro médico a través de Medicaid, a pesar de ser elegibles para la …

Texas, Florida, Georgia and California have seen the largest declines in numbers of children enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP. Together, the four states account for half of the total national decrease in children insured in these programs. (Andrii/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

More than 1 million TX children disenrolled from Medicaid, CHIP

More than one million children in Texas no longer have health insurance through Medicaid, despite being eligible for coverage, according to a new …

Among his recommendations for the coming legislative session, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is asking lawmakers to make recommendations about school safety and

TX educators react to Lt. Gov. priorities for next legislative session

Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick has released 57 "interim charges," the topics he wants Senate committees to study in preparation for the 89th …

Migrants are put on buses from Texas to other states, often without knowing where they are going. (afishman64/Adobe Stock)

Concerns raised about migrant children's mental health

The future of Senate Bill 4 is still tangled in court challenges. It's the Texas law that would allow police to arrest people for illegally crossing …

New research from the Episcopal Health Foundation showed the Texas economy could save billions of dollars, simply by breaking the cycle of preventable health disparities. (Colored Lights/Adobe Stock)

New study shows health disparities cost TX billions of dollars

Health disparities in Texas are not only making some people sick, but affecting the state's economy. A new study shows Texas is losing $7 billion a …

By 2031, good jobs accessible to people with only a high school education will represent just 6% of all jobs. (bodnarphoto/Adobe Stock)

TX leaders work to improve job opportunities for rural students

Work is being done in rural areas across Texas to make sure students are prepared for the workforce even if they intend to stay put after graduation…

As of Oct. 2023, the average teacher salary was $68,000 a year, which is 8% less than the average for U.S. workers overall. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

University of Texas El Paso targets teacher shortage

It's estimated that nearly half of all schools in the country don't have enough teachers. To help change that, the University of Texas in El Paso …

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 43% of public school students attend schools where a majority of them are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. (Adobe Stock)

Texas food bank, schools team up to help needy families

To reach more hungry families, one Texas nonprofit is setting up mini food markets in schools. The Tarrant Area Food Bank in North Texas provides 60…

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will carve a narrow path of totality across 13 U.S. states, including Texas. (Rob Goebel/AdobeStock)

'Umbraphiles' plan Texas trip to view total solar eclipse

In less than a month from today, thousands of eclipse-chasers will travel to Texas for a dimming of the sun. And one city is making the most of the …

The Texas teacher turnover rate in the 2022-2023 school year was 21.4%, an 81% increase from 12-years earlier, according to the Texas Education Agency. (Adobe Stock)

TX teachers say they are burned out, majority want to exit public education

Two-thirds of those who make the public schools function in Texas say they want to leave, according to a new survey and the teachers union said …

School choice proponents in Texas argue their children's academic needs can't be met without options such as tuition vouchers. Straxer/AdobeStock)

Stagnant state funding leaves Texas public schools reeling

Texas public schools rank 41st in per-student funding, and that may not improve anytime soon. A large education funding package failed in the …

En Texas, defensores de las decisiones de las escuelas argumentan que las necesidades acad�micas de sus hijos no pueden satisfacerse sin opciones como los cheques escolares. Straxer/AdobeStock)

Estancamiento en financiación estatal deja a escuelas públicas en ‘la cuerda floja’

Las escuelas públicas de Texas ocupan el puesto 41 en financiación por estudiante, y es posible que eso no mejore en el corto plazo…

Dentists say daily flossing is key for avoiding the development and progression of periodontal disease. (NewAfrica/Adobestock)

Dentists: Good oral hygiene, heathy diet prevent most tooth decay

Like the saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," good dental habits developed by children early in life can keep cavities at bay and prevent …

The National PTA says setting boundaries and monitoring children's screen time is a responsibility, not an intrusion. (DimaBerlin/AdobeStock)

PTA urges parents, caregivers to participate in 'Safer Internet Day'

Most adults know it is dangerous to provide personal information online but children may not, and today's "Safer Internet Day" is meant to raise …

A new report shows most states have increased their performance expectations for public schools in the past 15 years, but also reduced funding. (Victor/Adobe Stock)

Persistent state budget cuts create inadequate funding for TX schools

A new report shows persistent state budget cuts in 80% of U.S. states -- including Texas -- deprive public schools of the funding they experienced …

Un nuevo informe muestra que la mayor�a de los estados han aumentado sus expectativas de rendimiento para las escuelas p�blicas en los �ltimos 15 a�os, pero tambi�n han reducido la financiaci�n. (Victor/AdobeStock)

Recortes presupuestarios persistentes crean financiación inadecuada en escuelas de TX

Un nuevo informe muestra que los persistentes recortes presupuestarios en el 80% de los estados de EE.UU., incluido Texas, privan a las escuelas p…

As of August 2021, there were more than 28,000 children in foster care in Texas and almost 6,000 children waiting for adoptive families. (Alexis Scholtz/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

How adopting children changed the lives of two Texas women

When a Texas woman began her six-year journey to adopt, she hoped to affect one child's life. Felicia Lewis, an adoptive parent, is now making a …

Lawmakers in several states, including Texas, continue attempts to subsidize private school tuition with taxpayer dollars through voucher programs. (Austockphoto/Adobe Stock)

Battle over school vouchers lingers in Lone Star State

A top legislative priority for Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott did not get across the finish line last Friday, despite a fourth special session called this …

Federal data suggest at least seven in 10 people have lost their Medicaid coverage for procedural reasons, such as missed deadlines, paperwork lost in the mail, or slow processing by state agencies. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Medicaid’s 'unwinding' takes heavy toll on Texas children

More American children had health insurance during the pandemic than ever before. But now, as states are required to re-enroll those eligible for …

Los datos federales sugieren que al menos siete de cada 10 personas han perdido su cobertura de Medicaid por motivos de procedimiento, como el incumplimiento de plazos, la p�rdida de documentaci�n en el correo o la lentitud en la tramitaci�n por parte de las agencias estatales. (zimmytws/Adobestock)

'Unwinding' de Medicaid cobra alto precio a niños de Texas

Durante la pandemia, aún más niños estadounidenses tuvieron seguro médico, pero ahora que los estados están obligados a …

Studies show math and reading scores are higher in schools staffed with full-time certified librarians. (CulturaAllies/Adobe Stock)

Librarians often 'unsung heroes' at Texas schools

Starting in the early years and continuing through 12th grade, it's often the school librarian students know best - seeking them out for help with …

Among all tobacco products, youths perceived e-cigarettes to be the least harmful, according to the Texas Youth Tobacco Survey. yta/AdobeStock)

CDC: mixed success on tobacco reduction among school kids

Cigarettes may not appeal to America's youth like they did in the 1960s, but a significant number still experiment with e-cigarettes. The Centers …

Texas is among 17 states with the lowest public school spending per student, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

Texas Senate makes school vouchers its priority in education funding

Public schoolteachers in Texas say the state desperately needs to boost its overall investment in students and education programs. Instead, lawmakers …

In 2023, 566 anti-trans bills have been introduced in 49 states including 65 in Texas, according to Trans Legislation Tracker. (inkdrop/AdobeStock)

TX High Court Not Persuaded to Protect Transgender Health Care

Texas has adopted some of the strictest gender-affirming transgender restrictions in the nation. And the leader of a trans advocacy group says it has …

The overall number of Americans without health insurance dropped to a record low in the first three months of 2023, a number expected to rise as Medicaid rolls are purged post-pandemic. (NewAfrica/AdobeStock)

Texans Navigate the Post-Pandemic Medicaid Purge

A nationwide purge of Medicaid rolls is underway after a three-year pause during the pandemic. And in Texas, most of those dropped are children…

El n�mero total de estadounidenses sin seguro m�dico cay� a un m�nimo hist�rico en los primeros tres meses de 2023, un n�mero que se espera que aumente a medida que las listas de Medicaid son purgadas despu�s de la pandemia. (NewAfrica/AdobeStock)

Tejanos navegan purga de Medicaid post-pandémica

Se está llevando a cabo una purga a nivel nacional de las listas de Medicaid después de una pausa de tres años durante la pandemia…

Almost 500,000 reports of suspected child maltreatment were called into the Texas state abuse hotline in 2022, with 166,000 cases investigated, resulting in 9,600 children being removed from their homes. (IdeaBug, Inc./AdobeStock)

New Texas Law Favors Parents in Child Abuse Investigations

Texas parents under investigation for child abuse by the state will be informed of their rights before their children are removed from the family's ho…

Families of at least 3.7 million Texas children would have been eligible for summer federal food assistance that the state declined to pursue. (highwaystarz/Adobe Stock)

Texas Families Lose Out on Summer Food Assistance

Many Texas families are still struggling financially post-COVID. Nonetheless, the state turned down millions of dollars in federal aid for summer …

Nearly 30,000 Texas minors would be affected by legislation banning transgender youth health care, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Filed Over TX Law Banning Health Care for Transgender Youth

Families and medical providers announced a lawsuit against the State of Texas on Thursday over new legislation that bans gender-affirming medical care…

The average cost of center-based child care for a toddler in 2021 was nearly $9,000 in Texas, which is 9% of the median income of a couple and 28% of a single parent's income, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Children's Advocates Lament 'Missed Opportunities' by TX Lawmakers

A child advocacy group in Texas is already looking ahead to the 2025 legislative session, after several policy changes it supported this year failed …

The lack of nearby and affordable child care in the U.S. affects job opportunities and costs the economy $122 billion annually, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

Report: Texas Ranks 44th in Nation for Child Well-Being

Child well-being in Texas is on the ropes, with a new study showing significant declines in third grade reading, eighth grade math proficiency and …

Ninety-percent of counties with the worst food insecurity are rural, according to Save the Children.(Viktoriia/AdobeStock)

Texas Kids Can Benefit from Nonprofit's “Make Summer Fair” Initiative

The last day of school for Texas kids is typically one of elation, but for children in rural areas with high poverty rates, it also can mean …

ACLU Plans Lawsuit If TX Anti-Trans Bills Become Law

The culture war over transgender identity is spreading in GOP-led states, and Texas is among those passing the harshest laws. The Human Rights …

Soot is the most widespread and deadliest air pollutant in the United States and can lead to heart ailments, lung disease, asthma attacks and shortened lives. (Liubomir/Adobe Stock)

New EPA Rules for "Soot" Pollution Could Improve Air for Texans

Most Texans take breathing for granted - unless the air is polluted. It's a health issue the Biden administration hopes to mitigate through new …

Texas is the largest state in the lower 48, but the National Education Association says teacher compensation has stagnated, ranking Texas 28th in the nation for teacher pay, $7,652 less than the national average. (JokePhatrapong/AdobeStock)

PTA Designates Week to Re-Engage With Your Child's School, Teachers

Parent participation at school is often tied to a child's success. And this week, Texas parents are encouraged to engage as the National Parent …

A survey of Texans found only public education ranked higher than a need for increased spending on health care, according to the Episcopal Health Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br /> <br /><br />

Survey: More Texans Support Increased Mental Health-Care Funding

For the past five years, Texans' priorities for improving health care have not changed, but in the latest survey, the need for more mental health …

Eye doctors warn that kids who spend excessive time on laptops, cell phones and tablets could end up with vision problems as adults. (Marco/Adobe Stock)

Protecting the 'Eyes of Texas' in the Age of Digital Overload

It is not a pandemic yet, but eye doctors worry the constant use of digital devices could eventually result in long-term health problems for many …

Nationally, the child uninsured rate in the U.S. was 5.4% in 2021, but twice that in Texas, at 11.8%. (NicholasB/Adobe Stock)

Number of Uninsured Kids Drops in TX During COVID; Still 50th Nationwide

It wasn't huge, but Texas saw a decline in the number of uninsured children, falling from 12.7% in 2019 to 11.8% last year, according to research by …

A nivel nacional, la tasa de ni�os sin seguro en EE. UU. era del 5.4% en 2021, pero en Texas era el doble, con un 11.8%. (NicholasB/Adobe Stock)

Número de niños sin seguro disminuye en TX durante COVID, pero sigue en el puesto 50 a nivel nacional

No fue enorme, pero Texas experimentó un descenso en el número de niños sin seguro: disminuyó del 12.7% en 2019 al 11.8% el añ…

Only 3% of Americans considering adoption say they would consider adopting a teenager, according to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. (shock/Adobe Stock)

Ample Options Await Adoptive Parents in Texas

Adopting a child is a big, important decision, but there also are misperceptions about the complexity of the process - which might mean thousands of …

Texas families can keep up with vaccine records at ImmTrac2, the Texas Immunization Registry. (OmarMedina/Pixabay)

Winter is Coming: Is Your Child's Health Protected?

COVID upended many routines, including Texas parents getting kids in for regularly scheduled childhood vaccines. Data from the Texas Department of …

From July 2021 to June 2022 across the nation, there were 2,532 instances of individual books being banned, affecting 1,648 unique book titles, according to Pen America. (prettysleepyart/Pixabay)

TX ACLU Promotes 'Students' Rights Hub' During Banned Books Week

Ahead of Banned Books Week, the ACLU of Texas published what it calls a Students' Rights Hub. Kate Huddleston, attorney for the ACLU of Texas…

Between 2003 and 2017, the suicide rate among Black girls increased an average of 6.6% each year, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, which reports nearly 40% were ages 12 to 14. (kassoum_kone/Pixabay)

Parents, Teachers Advised to Stay Alert for Mental-Health Issues

For some Texas kids, heading back to school creates a lot of anxiety, and experts urge early intervention to solve a youth mental-health crisis …

Texas kids are some of the least likely in the nation to receive adequate health care, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (everytexan.org)

2022 Report: Texas Ranks 45th for Child Well-Being

When it comes to child well-being, Texas is slipping further behind, according to the 2022 Kids Count Data Book, compiled by the Annie E. Casey …

In a survey of educators this summer, more than seven in 10 said they're dissatisfied with their current working conditions and would not recommend teaching as a profession. (GerdAltmann/PIxabay)

Texas Schools Warn of Teacher Shortage

A teacher shortage is expected in many parts of the country this fall, and Texas is no exception. The Texas chapter of the American Federation of …

Texas' House Bill 1280, soon to take effect, makes it a second-degree felony

Texas Abortion Poll: Lawmakers Out of Step With Constituents

Texas soon will enact one of the strictest abortion bans in the country - and a majority of voters don't like it. Three out of four - 77% of the …

The share of crimes in the United States committed by young people has fallen by more than half over the past two decades, according to The Sentencing Project. (ThomasR�desheim/Pixabay)

Reports of Youth Crime Wave Debunked by Latest Research

New research by The Sentencing Project shows a drop in youth crime over the past 20 years, which debunks a so-called "false narrative" of a youth …

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 - May 8, 2024

2024Talks - May 8 , 2024

The Yonder Report - May 2, 2024

TX: Children's