Public News Service

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an estimated 86.5% of U.S. households were food secure throughout the entire year in 2023. (guvo59/Pixabay)

Low SNAP enrollment among Virginia seniors signals calls for reforms

A new report showed more than 100,000 eligible Virginians 65 and older are not enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. With …

A recent report found about 40% of Virginia's kindergarteners still need to build literacy, math and/or social skills. (Parilov/Adobe Stock)

New poll: Voters remain concerned about cost of child care

A new poll found voters remain concerned about the high cost of living and want the government to do more to lower their expenses. More than nine in …

Undocumented immigrants contribute in many ways to Virginia's economy, including through farm work. (PaolikPhotos/Adobe Stock)

Study: Undocumented immigrants contribute hundreds of millions to VA tax coffers

A new study sheds light on the tax contributions paid by undocumented immigrants. In Virginia, they contribute nearly $700 million to state and local …

Homicide rates have dropped in the past year in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Richmond, but advocates say gun violence remains too high. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Report: Violent crime rates continue to fall from pandemic heights

Violent crime rates in major U.S. cities are continuing to fall from the heights they reached during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report …

Health advocates deliver petitions to Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., in Virginia Beach. (Courtesy of Affordable Virginia)

VA health advocates push to protect the Affordable Care Act

Health advocates in Virginia are calling to protect the Affordable Care Act as it faces scrutiny from some national Republicans. More than 300 …

In a 2023 pilot program of IRS Direct File in 12 states, some 140,803 taxpayers saved $5.6 million on preparing their tax returns. (Adobe Stock)

VA Gov. Youngkin urged to implement IRS Direct File

Virginia advocates and lawmakers want Gov. Glenn Youngkin to allow a direct income tax filing option. The Internal Revenue Service's Direct File …

Hunger Free America's 2023 Annual Hunger Survey found almost 774,000 people in Virginia are food insecure. (Adobe Stock)

VA health center selected for food scarcity innovation program

A Virginia community health center is part of a program addressing food scarcity. The National Association of Community Health Centers' 2024 …

Before the pandemic, evictions in Virginia peaked at almost 16,000 statewide. (Adobe Stock)

VA housing advocates upset with vetoes of tenant protection bills

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed several bills intended to do more to address the rights of renters in the Commonwealth. Along with …

Between October 2022 and November 2023, there were 136,295 eviction filings in Virginia, about 466 eviction filings on an average day. (Adobe Stock)

Eviction Defense Center helps VA renters fight eviction

As Virginia evictions rise, one group is helping low-income renters fight back. Before the pandemic, evictions peaked at 16,000 in January 2020…

Up to 50% of eligible residents in Virginia's counties were enrolled in a dual-eligible special needs plan in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

VA seniors can benefit from dual-eligible special-needs plans

Virginia seniors can see daily health and well-being benefits from certain health-care plans. Dual-eligible special-needs plans offer Medicare and …

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 …

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…

Virginia ranked 48th in the 2023 State of Mental Health report undertaken by Mental Health America. This indicates higher rates of mental illness among the state's youth and little access to care. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA, US Children Need Better Health Supports

A new annual report found children in Virginia and across the U.S. need better health support. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book …

According to the Food Research and Action Center, with SNAP emergency allotments ending, some people will see their SNAP benefits drop from $281 a month to $23. (Adobe Stock)

Ending Emergency SNAP Benefits Impacts VA Families

Starting this week, emergency allotments for SNAP benefits will end as pandemic programs conclude. All SNAP households received an extra $95 a …

According to the Columbia University Center on Poverty and Social Policy, the expanded child tax credit helped reduce child poverty, reduce food insufficiency, and help families afford basic necessities. (Adobe Stock)

VA Group Calling for Child Tax Credit Revival

Family and child advocates are hoping to see a revival of the expanded Child Tax Credit approved by Congress by the end of this year. According to …

A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates permanently expanding the child tax credit would cost $97 billion per year. But, it would generate social benefits with net present value of $982 billion per year. (Adobe Stock)

VA Families Urge Revival of Child Tax Credit

It's been about a year since Virginia families last received funds from the U.S. Child Tax Credit, and they want it to be reinstated. According to …

According to the Richmond Eviction Lab, several parts of the city's Southside neighborhood saw 67 percent of eviction filings during the first quarter of 2022. (Jon Anders Wilken/Adobe Stock)

Evictions in VA Continue to Grow

Evictions are on the rise in Virginia after numerous protections provided by federal and state rental assistance programs ended. According to the …

A shortage of affordable housing is seen as one reason for a spike in eviction cases in Virginia. According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, the state needs 153,415 affordable rentals for people who are extremely low-income. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Evictions on the Rise After Rent Relief Ends

With Virginia's Rent Relief Program ending, a flood of eviction cases has emerged. Established during the pandemic, the program was designed to help …

According to research from Consumers for Quality Care, 60% of Americans say they've skipped or delayed care at some point in their lives out of concerns over out-of-pocket costs. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Lawmakers Mull Drug-Pricing Reforms as Costs Become Top Issue for Voters

Democrats say they have reached an agreement on the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes measures aimed at lowering prescription-drug prices…

According to the Center for American Progress, low-income women and women of color are more likely to rely on infant formula. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia's Rural Mothers Face Long-Standing Access Issues for Infant Formula

Over the past several months, parents across Virginia and the country have struggled to find baby formula, particularly in rural communities…

The Federation of Virginia Food Banks' seven regional food banks distributed approximately 165 million pounds of food in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Food Banks Seek Support Amid High Inflation, Supply-Chain Issues

Virginia's food banks are facing a perfect storm of issues. High inflation for everyday goods is driving up food costs for lower-income families…

In January, pharmaceutical companies increased the prices on more than 800 drugs by about 5%. (Adobe Stock)

Virginians Call on Congress to Regulate Prescription-Drug Costs

Virginia residents have signed nearly 104,000 petitions urging Congress to lower prescription drug prices. The petitions were delivered to Virginia …

Groups advocating for the Build Back Better plan say it would shore up support systems that are critical to American workers, such as improving the child care system and helping families save money on child care. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Supporters: Build Back Better Essential for Workers

As Democrats scramble to rescue the Build Back Better Act, a Virginia labor leader said some provisions in the bill are necessary to bolster support …

Richmond is among the top 10 on Eviction Lab's list of cities with the highest rates of people being evicted from their homes. (Adobe Stock)

VA Leads Nation in Federal Rental-Assistance Distribution

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia has distributed a larger share of the rental funds it received than any other state in the country, and housing advocates …

Some tenants' advocates would like Virginia's new budget proposal for American Rescue Plan funding to include money for low-income renters to hire lawyers for eviction cases. (Adobe stock)<br /><br />

Virginia Lawmakers Urged to Direct COVID Funds to Working Families

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia's General Assembly Special Session begins today to budget more than $4 billion in federal COVID relief funds, and advocates …

The expanded Child Tax Credit gives families $250 to $300 every month per child and can be used for anything the family needs, such as groceries, rent or utilities. (Adobe stock)

Child Tax Credit Expansion Seen as Major Boost for Virginia Families

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. -- Beginning last week, thousands of Virginia families with children saw more money in their bank accounts as the federal …

El Cr�dito Tributario por Hijos ampliado les da a las familias $ 250 o $ 300 cada mes por ni�o y puede usarse para cualquier cosa que la familia necesite, como comestibles, alquiler o servicios p�blicos. (Stock de Adobe)

Expansión de crédito tributario por hijos es un impulso mayor para familias de Virginia

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. -- A partir de la semana pasada, miles de familias con niños en Virginia percibieron más dinero en sus cuentas …

About 16% of Latino families with children in Virginia were uninsured in March 2021, compared with 8% of all households in the state, according to the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Virginia Must Improve Child Health Coverage for Latino Families

RICHMOND, Va. -- Children in Virginia are better off than in most states, but a new report said the Commonwealth needs to improve health outcomes…

Requiring employers to track employee hours to see if they're eligible for Virginia's new retirement savings plan places an unnecessary burden on employers, according to the state's AARP chapter. (Adobe stock)

Groups Urge Virginia Lawmakers to Widen Scale of IRA Savings Bill

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia's General Assembly has approved an amended bill that gives working residents a way to save for retirement, but advocates …

About 12% of Virginia's households with children have fallen behind on their rent during the pandemic, which could lead to an eviction crisis. (Adobe stock)

Biden Stimulus Bill Called Key to Preventing Virginia Eviction Crisis

RICHMOND, Va. -- With the economy stalling and millions of Americans still out of work because of the pandemic, Virginia housing advocates are urging …

About 11% of Virginia families with children don't have health insurance, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Widens Racial Gap in Meeting VA Families' Basic Needs

RICHMOND, Va. - As the number of coronavirus deaths surpasses 300,000 in the United States, new research shows families with children are suffering …

If Congress passes it, a new bipartisan stimulus bill would provide $13 billion for Americans needing emergency food assistance during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Stimulus Plan's Business Liability Shield Could Undermine VA Workers

RICHMOND, Va. -- One GOP senator called it a "Christmas miracle," as a bipartisan group of senators has agreed on a $908 billion, two-part stimulus …

Nearly 75% of Americans in the latest AARP survey are worried that Social Security will run out of money by the time they retire. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Social Security More Crucial Than Ever During Pandemic

RICHMOND, Va. -- As the Trump administration threatens to reduce the payroll tax that's a primary funding source for Social Security, a new report …

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has banned evictions in the state until June 30, a response to the high unemployment rate in the pandemic, but it may not be deterring some property owners. (Adobe Stock)

Despite VA Eviction Ban, Landlords Attempt Removals

RICHMOND, Va. -- Out-of-work renters across Virginia say they're receiving eviction notices, even though last week Gov. Ralph Northam banned …

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Urgen a VA a poner fin a contratos restrictivos de inscripción a Educación Superior

RICHMOND, Va. -- Conforme sube el desempleo en la pandemia y más gente considera volver a la escuela, un grupo defensor de la educación …

Gov. Ralph Northam has until April 11 to amend Virginia's minimum wage bill to include farmworkers. (Laura Elizabeth Poh/Bread for the World)

Groups Press VA to Include Farmworkers in Minimum-Wage Law

RICHMOND, Va. -- Farmworkers have been classified as "essential" during the COVID-19 pandemic, and groups in Virginia are now urging the governor to …

Hundreds of Virginians are evicted from their homes every day. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Suspends Evictions During Coronavirus Crisis

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia joins a growing number of states and cities across the nation halting evictions in response to potential lost wages during …

More than $45 billion is locked up in security deposits in the U.S. rather than circulating in the economy, according to Virginia Del. Mark Keam of Fairfax. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Aims to End ‘Cash Crunch’ of VA Rental Security Deposits

RICHMOND, Va. - With the skyrocketing cost of housing, a Virginia lawmaker has proposed an alternative to the traditional apartment security deposit…

Groups that support raising Virginia's minimum wage say the state's economic boom has not trickled down to workers. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Workers to Try Again for Higher Minimum Wage

RICHMOND, Va. -- On Jan. 1, more than 20 states raised their minimum wage amounts, and a coalition of Virginia groups supports a new bill for the …

Virginia Fresh Match is a network of farmers markets and other food stores focused on providing access to fresh produce for low-income areas. (Adobe Stock)

VA Lawmakers Asked to Back Fresh-Produce Program for SNAP Users

RICHMOND, Va. – Hunger-fighting and public-health groups are pushing state lawmakers to fund a program that helps recipients of the …

Nearly 1 in 3 Virginians has stopped taking their medications as prescribed because they�re too expensive, according to AARP Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Forum Tackles Exploding Prescription Prices

GLEN ALLEN, Va. – No one should have to choose between food and medicine, and that crucial choice will be addressed at a public forum in Glen …

The number of children without health insurance in the United States ballooned by more than 400,000 between 2016 and 2018, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More than 100,000 Virginia Children Don't Have Health Insurance

RICHMOND, Va. – More than 100,000 children in Virginia lack health insurance, according to a new report from the Georgetown University Center …

Many retirees in Virginia live on incomes of less than $20,000 a year, primarily from Social Security benefits. (Adobe Stock)

Will Virginia Voters Demand Answers on Retirement Security?

RICHMOND, Va. — With state and local elections in Virginia less than a month away, AARP Virginia says it's prime time for voters to get …

African-American children in Virginia are seven times as likely as white children to live in poverty. (Aksinia/Adobe stock)

Report: 91,000 Kids Remain in Poverty in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. – Despite a long period of economic expansion since the Great Recession, the state of Virginia saw no progress in reducing child …

Earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour full-time works out to $15,000 a year, which is below the federal poverty level for a family of two.

Virginia Launches Living Wage Program on Labor Day

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia business owners on Labor Day are being urged to offer a living wage to all of their employees. The Living …

Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond were among the top 10 cities in the United States for high eviction rates, according to a 2016 report. (Adobe Stock)

To Ease Eviction Crisis, Richmond Must Boost Support for Renters

RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond needs to do more to help stem what some see as an eviction crisis, according to a new report. The city should …

During the Virginia Sales Tax Holiday, folks can buy qualifying goods such as school supplies, clothing, and hurricane and emergency-preparedness items without paying sales tax. (Adobe stock)

VA’s Sales Tax Holiday Gives Temporary Boost to Low-Income Families

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia's sales tax holiday begins Friday and lasts until late Sunday night. The three-day event aims to help families save …

Virginia ranks high nationally in a new report on child well-being, but still has 262,000 kids living in poverty. (iStockphoto)

Report: Virginia Ranks in Top Ten for Child Well-Being

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia continues to rank near the top in the nation for child well-being, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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VA: Poverty Issues