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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.

VA: Livable Wages/Working Families

Drug prices in the United States are, on average, almost three times higher than in 33 other countries. The gap widens to more than four times higher for brand-name drugs. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 25, 2024

Advocates urge VA governor to sign prescription-drug affordability bill

With the approval of the Virginia General Assembly, a bill reducing prescription drug prices is sitting on Gov. Glenn Youngkin's desk. The bill …

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More than 876,000 Virginians use SNAP/EBT benefits, costing the state almost $150 million per month. (Adobe Stock)
VA group helps SNAP/EBT users afford fresh foods

During National Nutrition Month, groups like Virginia Fresh Match are providing people with healthy fresh food options. Since 2009, the coalition of …

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A Virginia worker who takes a month of unpaid leave loses more than $3,700 in income. (Adobe Stock)
VA lawmakers pass minimum wage increase, paid family leave

Virginia lawmakers have approved several bills in the final weeks of their session, including a minimum wage hike. The current minimum wage is $12 …

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Gas power plants are vulnerable to adverse weather. A report showed during Winter Storm Elliott in late December, gas-fired power plants were responsible for around 70% of unplanned outages. (Adobe Stock)
VA residents oppose proposed Dominion Energy power plant

A proposed power plant in Chesterfield County is meeting with the ire of local residents. Dominion Energy's Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center …

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A 2021 Christopher Newport University poll finds 68% of Virginians strongly support letting public employees unionize and bargain collectively. (Adobe Stock)
City of Richmond workers ratify first union contract

City of Richmond workers have ratified their first union contract. It includes a cumulative 10.5% raise over the life of the contract. There is also …

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Part of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's budget proposal calls for a $24 billion public school investment. This is coupled with an almost $1 billion increase to support teachers, students and parents, up from the previous budget. (Adobe Stock)
Advocates: Proposed VA budget doesn’t meet community needs

Virginia advocates feel Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed budget isn't meeting community needs. Youngkin's 2024-2026 budget is built around numerous …

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One industry where Virginia is seeing sharp workforce declines is health care in the Department of Veterans Affairs. A state Inspector General report found 3,118 roles with
VA organization takes ‘human side’ of workforce development

By Victoria Lim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News …

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Part of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Building Blocks for Virginia Families plan includes reducing child care educator shortages through a $1 million scholarship program, and another $10 million per year for child care educator incentives. (Adobe Stock)
Funding boost on the way for VA child care centers

In the new year, a new plan will put $448 million toward early childhood education in Virginia. Known as "Building Blocks for Virginia Families," …

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According to AARP, there are 6.5 million veteran and military caregivers across the U.S., providing the equivalent of $14 billion in unpaid care per year. (Adobe Stock)
AARP co-hosts webinar on caregiving for veterans

AARP is partnering with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for a webinar today on the financial impacts of caregiving for veterans. New data show family …

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A Commonwealth Institute report found Black and Hispanic city employees in Richmond are more likely to be paid low wages. More than 80% of the workers cannot afford supporting themselves or their families on their city salaries. More than half of the city's workers are Black. (Adobe Stock)
Richmond city workers hit snag with union negotiations

City employees in Richmond are frustrated by the city's unwillingness to negotiate a union contract. Earlier this year, the workers voted to …

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Energy prices across the United States increased 5% between 2021 and 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration. Coupled with 8% inflation, ratepayers saw a total 13% increase, the largest growth in electric bills since 1984. (Adobe Stock)
Energy-Efficiency Programs Aid Virginians with High Utility Costs

Growing energy prices have Virginians seeking relief to high utility bills. Earlier this year, Appalachian Power announced its customers will see a $2…

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North Carolina farm workers have been organizing in similar fashion to those in Virginia. An Oxfam study found one in four workers is paid less than the federal minimum wage, and more than half aren't paid enough to meet their basic needs. (Adobe Stock)
Labor Rights Group Helps VA Migrant Workers Unionize

Migrant farm workers in Virginia are organizing for better workplace treatment. The Farm Labor Organizing Committee has developed a union with two …

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