Consumer Issues / Public News Service

There are more than 58 million acres of farm and ranch land in Montana. (Annika Charter-Williams)

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

August Challenge for Montanans: Eat Local Every Day

BILLINGS, Mont. - Montanans are being challenged this month to eat locally grown foods, every day of August. The Northern Plains Resource Council is …

Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry's, could land on a list of more than 60 blacklisted companies prohibited from doing business with the State of Florida. (Stevepb/Pixabay)

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

FL Dems: DeSantis Should Focus on COVID, Not Ben & Jerry's

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis is promising to block any state money from going to the parent company of ice-cream maker Ben & Jerry's unless …

Statewide, about 40% of people eligible for a Medi-Cal waiver fail to request one; but that number rises to 70% in Merced, San Francisco and Ventura counties. (Pixabay)

Monday, August 2, 2021

State Waives Medi-Cal Premiums During Pandemic: Many Recipients Unaware

SACRAMENTO, Calif - Hundreds of thousands of Medi-Cal recipients who experienced financial hardship during the pandemic are paying monthly premiums …

Health Departments in North Carolina increasingly rely on nurse practitioners and other non-physician health professionals to provide health-care services. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, August 2, 2021

NC Health Depts. "Burdened" by Doctor Supervision Contracts

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Local health departments that rely heavily on Advanced Practice Registered Nurses say the costly contract requirement that they be …

New Mexico Voices for Children says, as in many states, families of color in New Mexico were hit hard by the pandemic, in terms of school closures and job losses. (nappy.co)

Monday, August 2, 2021

NM Families Start School Year with Extra Money for Child Care

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Pandemic fallout still has U.S. states clawing their way back to normalcy, and New Mexico believes its decision to provide more …

The Blackfeet Reservation is one of seven tribal reservations in Montana. (Kushnirov Avraham/Adobe Stock)

Monday, August 2, 2021

DIY Estate Planning Essential for MT Tribal Members

HELENA, Mont. - COVID-19 is underscoring the importance of ensuring that people's estates are in order, but estate planning can be be tricky for …

Of the Massachusetts users who consulted the website 'iFixit.com' last year, 23% of searches were for cellphone repair guides, and 17% were for laptops. (NorGal/Adobe Stock)

Monday, August 2, 2021

Report: People Face Barriers to Repairing Their Own Electronic Devices

ROSLINDALE, Mass. - A new report finds Massachusetts residents would rather repair electronic devices than send them to landfills, but manufacturers …

The White House says its plan to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices could yield over a half- trillion dollars in federal savings over 10 years. (Olivier Le Moal/Adobe Stock)

NH Groups Urge Healthcare Improvements on Medicare, Medicaid Anniversary

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire advocates for affordable healthcare access want Congress to lower prescription costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate …

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) decided not to act to change the state's net-metering rule at its Sept. 17, 2020, workshop on Customer-Owned Renewable Generation. (mrganso/Pixabay)

Report: Power Companies Block Rooftop Solar Growth in FL, US

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A new report shows an effort by investor-owned utilities in the Sunshine State to block the growth of rooftop solar. The …

Supporters say legalizing marijuana for recreational use would be an economic boon for Ohio, but opponents have concerns about health and safety. (Adobe Stock)

Recreational Marijuana on the Table Again in Ohio

By Troy Pierson / Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. As marijuana becomes more …

More than 3 million adults nationwide are at risk of eviction in the next two months, after a federal eviction moratorium expires tomorrow, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. (HeatherPaque/Pixabay)<br /> — More than 3 million adults nationwide are at risk of eviction in the next two months, after a federal eviction moratorium expires tomorrow, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. (HeatherPaque/Pixabay)

New Mexicans Dodge Imminent Evictions Faced by Many U.S. Renters

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Millions of Americans soon could find eviction notices on their front doors, but New Mexico renters will not be among them - as …

The 2017 4th National Climate Assessment project concluded that, for the 83% of Americans who live in cities, the experience of extreme heat can vary across neighborhoods by as much as 20 degrees. (avMachine713/Pixabay)

Houston Site of Study on Extreme Heat Risk in Coastal Communities

HOUSTON - Cities in the southern United States, especially large urban communities along the coasts, are facing extreme heat attributable to climate …

Health-insurance companies are expanding coverage in 2022 to more Colorado counties, leaving just one county with a single on-exchange insurance company available. In 2020, 22 counties had just one provider. (Adobe Stock)

Reinsurance Program Saving Coloradans Money on Health Coverage

DENVER -- The days of exponentially high increases in health-insurance costs may finally be in the rearview mirror. The Colorado Division of …

Federal food assistance programs, including SNAP and Nebraska's Farmers Market Nutrition Program for seniors and families with children, ensure that farmers get fair market prices for their goods. (Adobe Stock)

Double Up Food Bucks Program Boosts Farmer’s Markets

LINCOLN, Neb. -- After a new state law expanded eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the program formerly known as …

Social Security reduces your payment if you start collecting benefits before your full retirement age, currently 66 and 2 months, and is gradually rising to 67 for people born in 1960 or later. (Adobe Stock)

Money Milestones Series Aims to Beef Up Wyomingites’ Financial Skills

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- AARP Wyoming is gearing up for a series of Webinars and Telephone Town Halls to help residents of all ages get their financial …

Thirty-three percent of U.S. adults have experienced identity theft, more than twice the global average. (Adobe Stock)

As North Carolinians Resume Travel, Experts Urge Protecting Sensitive Info

RALEIGH, N.C. -- As more North Carolinians resume travel and take vacations this summer, most will be relying on their debit and credit cards…

With federal support, Colorado could increase its solar housing stock by more than 440,000, according to the 30 Million Solar Homes report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More Solar Investment Could Transform CO Economy

CRAIG, Colo. -- What would it look like if one in four households in the country was solar-powered? A new report from the "30 Million Solar Homes" …

Uber and Lyft are among the app-based companies that successfully campaigned for a ballot initiative to allow them to classify their workers as independent contractors. (Kaspars Grinvalds/Adobe Stock)

Organized Labor Urges Congress to Pass PRO Act

BOSTON - The AFL-CIO is holding a week of action to urge Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize - or PRO - Act, what some labor …

Industry observers say just four companies control nearly 80% of all the beef slaughtered in the United States. Advocates for livestock producers say it affects their bottom line. (Adobe Stock)

Through USDA Efforts, Ranchers Flex Some Selling Muscle

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- The beef or chicken you buy from the grocery store is often processed by the same small number of companies. Advocates for …

A new report finds programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program could eventually transform energy-bill assistance into self-reliance through investments in local solar energy. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 30M Solar Homes Could Boost Jobs, Benefit Environment

HARRISBURG, Pa. - With federal investment, a proposal to connect 30 million homes in the United States to solar energy could have a big impact in …

In early July, the Biden administration canceled nearly $56 million in student-loan debt, mostly connected to institutions engaging in misconduct, including promising jobs or falsely claiming credits would transfer to universities.(Adobe Stock)

Scammers Targeting Nebraska Student-Loan Holders

LINCOLN, Neb. - Student-loan forgiveness has become an increasingly popular scam targeting young adults, and as an October deadline looms, consumer …

Nearly 6% of workers telecommuted in 2018, up from 2% in 1980, according to a New York Times report. Researchers project that 20% of work will be done from home post-COVID. (Adobe Stock)

Tips for Colorado Companies to Reduce Air Pollution Post-COVID

DENVER -- As offices and businesses begin to open their doors after COVID-19 shutdowns, a new guidebook offers ways for CEOs and other commuters to …

Homebound seniors who are not tech-savvy can be difficult to reach with information about the COVID-19 vaccine. (jcfrog/Pixabay)

"Your Shot Texas" Boosts Vaccinations with Nonprofit Grant Money

AUSTIN, Texas -- "Your Shot Texas" is set to give additional nonprofit, community-based organizations money for programs that increase access to …

Tillamook County on Oregon's coast is one of two counties in the state hosting an American Connection Corps fellow. (xiao/Adobe Stock)

Bridging the Digital Divide in OR

TILLAMOOK, Ore. -- Like other infrastructure needs, the widening gap in internet access is affecting people across the country. In the spirit of New …

California's state moratorium on evictions, intended to keep millions of families from becoming homeless, has been extended through October. This will give the state time to roll out its new Rent Relief Program. (Endho/Pixabay)

Expert: New CA Budget, Tax Credit are Windfalls for Families with Children

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Huge new aid programs are beating back poverty in the Golden State, especially among families with children. Gov. Gavin Newsom …

Republican-controlled states including Florida, Georgia and Iowa passed restrictive new voting laws based on disproven charges by former President Donald Trump there was fraud in the 2020 election, which he lost by more than 7 million votes. (kbhall17/Pixabay)

TX Democrats Aim to Stop Voter Restrictions by Leaving Town

AUSTIN, Texas -- A majority of Democrats in the Texas House exited the state Monday in an attempt to block Republicans from passing new laws to …

The parent company of Avangrid, which seeks to merge with the Public Service Company of New Mexico, already owns nearly 2 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity in New Mexico and Texas. (distelAPPArath/Pixabay)

Fears Raised Over Merger Between Avangrid, NM Utility Provider

SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico's Public Service Company (PNM) said it can provide the state with more renewable energy by merging with Avangrid…

Xcel customers in Colorado will likely pay higher prices after last winter's natural gas power shortage caused by non-winterized power plants in Texas. (Adobe Stock)

Coloradans Brace for Texas-Fueled Spikes in Energy Prices

DENVER -- When this winter's power outages in Texas' deregulated electric grid caused shockingly high utility bills for customers, Xcel Energy was …

LG&E and Kentucky Utilities serve more than 1.3 million customers across more than 90 counties. (Adobe Stock)

KY Regulators Rein In Utilities' Proposed Rate Hikes

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky Public Service Commission has rejected proposed rate hikes by Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky …

A Government Accountability Office report found in 2020, the U.S. Postal Service's package-delivery business generated $11 billion in revenues, but it wasn't enough to put the agency in the black. (Midwest/Adobe Stock)

AZ Groups Back Measure to Reform Postal Service

PHOENIX -- Supporters and customers of the U.S. Postal Service in Arizona and elsewhere are pressing for Congress to pass a bill to shore up the …

With more than 630,000 employees nationwide, the U.S. Postal Service is one of the largest civilian employers in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers May Ask USPS to Delay Rate Hike Until Next Year

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Some lawmakers say they want the Postal Service to delay until next year a mail price hike slated for the end of this summer…

Several agriculture commodities, including poultry, are controlled by four or five large corporations within each market. (Adobe Stock)

Down on the Farm: More Competition and Market Fairness

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Farmers all over the U.S. contribute to the nation's food supply. But the meat and chicken you buy at the market typically is …

The USPS delivers mail and packages to 161.4 million addresses in every city and state. (AdobeStock)<br /> — The USPS delivers mail and packages to 161.4 million addresses in every city and state. (AdobeStock)

Business Groups Want Action on Postal Service Reform Bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Supporters of the U.S. Postal Service are pressing for passage of a bill to shore up the troubled agency. Sen. Rob Portman - R-…

Weight gain was a common pandemic side effect, but experts say just adding a few more steps to your routine can help shed the pounds. (stevepb/Pixabay)

Experts Advise Kindness, Not Dieting, to Lose Pandemic Weight Gain

SANTA FE, N.M. - More than 60% of adults reported weight problems during the pandemic, according to the American Psychological Association. So…

A survey taken during the height of the pandemic found more than 90% of Americans had a favorable view of the U.S. Postal Service. (mokee81/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Postal Reform Bill Would Benefit Rural Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Supporters of the U.S. Postal Service are pressing for passage of a bill to shore up the troubled agency. Twin versions of …

Utah relies on the U.S. Postal Service for many reasons, including voting, as is one of the states that sent ballots to all registered voters pre-COVID. (Evgenia Parajnian/Adobe Stock)

Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Pass Bipartisan USPS Reform

SALT LAKE CITY -- Supporters of the U.S. Postal Service are pressing for passage of a bill to shore up the troubled agency. Twin versions of the …

Supporters of overhauling the consumer credit rating system say the current process leads to too many automated errors that make it harder for customers, especially people of color, to dispute. (Adobe Stock)

Should Feds Determine Your Creditworthiness?

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Wisconsin is among the top states for average credit scores, but it is a different story for people of color, which is why some …

A GAO report found in 2020, U.S. Postal Service package-delivery business generated $11 billion, but it wasn't enough to put the agency in the black. (Lost In the Midwest/Adobe Stock)

Business Groups Press for Postal Service Reform

RENO, Nev. -- Supporters of the U.S. Postal Service are pressing for passage of a bill to shore up the troubled agency. Twin versions of the …

Almost one-third of Colorado's electricity was generated from renewable sources in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Energy Chief's Visit Spotlights Colorado Clean-Energy Advances

DENVER -- U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm was in Denver Thursday to promote President Joe Biden's plans to transition the nation's energy …

The odds of underemployment for Black immigrants are 54% higher than their white counterparts, and 40% higher for Hispanic and Latino workers, according to the Migration Policy Institute. (Pexels/Pixabay)

$40 Billion in Wages Lost Every Year: Doctors, Lawyers, Trained-Immigrants “Brain Waste” in US

HOUSTON, Texas -- More than 20% of college-educated immigrants in the U.S., or two million people, are either unemployed or underemployed, according …

More than 950 evictions were filed in Indianapolis in June alone. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Groups Urge Indiana to Expunge Evictions Filed During Pandemic

INDIANAPOLIS - Groups advocating for affordable housing warn that once the federal moratorium on evictions ends, thousands of Hoosiers will be at …

Approximately 4 million students enrolled in higher education are struggling with internet access, according to the New American Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Pell Recipients Can Get Help Toward Internet Bills

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - College students receiving Pell Grants are eligible for a temporary federal program that provides $50 per month, or $75 in Tribal …

Around 16% of Greater Cincinnatians surveyed during the pandemic said they had serious problems paying their mortgage or rent. (AdobeStock)

1 in 4 Ohioans Hit by Financial Toll of Pandemic

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 disrupted the lives of Ohioans, and data continues to evolve that is uncovering the far-…

A new report warns consumers that payments using peer-to-peer apps such as Zelle or Venmo can cause you lose money if you don't set them up properly. (antonioguilliam/Adobe Stock)

Report: Digital Wallets Becoming Favorite Target for Online Scammers

PHOENIX, Ariz - During the pandemic, many Arizonans began using peer-to-peer payment apps - also called digital wallets - to pay for goods and …

South Dakota health officials have been gathering public feedback as they craft a medical marijuana program. (Adobe Stock)

Medical Marijuana Era Begins in SD

PIERRE, S.D. - Today, medical marijuana technically becomes legal in South Dakota. Supporters say there's still a long way to go for most patients to …

Studies show when tenants have access to legal counsel, higher numbers of eviction cases are dismissed. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

Groups Call for Legal Counsel for MI Households Facing Eviction

DETROIT -- Groups advocating for affordable housing in Michigan said systemic fixes are needed to keep people in their homes once the federal moratori…

Around 600,000 employees of North Carolina's small businesses have no health insurance, according to the North Carolina Justice Center. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Around 600,000 employees of North Carolina's small businesses have no health insurance, according to the North Carolina Justice Center. (Adobe Stock)

NC Small Business Owners Feel "Crushed" by Healthcare System

DURHAM, N.C. -- Small-business owners across the state say the pandemic has highlighted their struggles with the current healthcare system, and many …

An average of 1.7 million WIC participants receive Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits each year. (Adobe Stock)

WIC Families Can Now Get Vouchers for Farmers Market Purchases

DENVER -- Participants in WIC, the federal nutrition assistance program for women, infants, and children, can now get vouchers to buy food at farmers …

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

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2020Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2020Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play Two-Thousand-Twenty Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

PNS Daily Newscast - August 4, 2021

2021Talks - August 4, 2021

Consumer

August Challenge for Montanans: Eat Local Every Day

FL Dems: DeSantis Should Focus on COVID, Not Ben & Jerry's

State Waives Medi-Cal Premiums During Pandemic: Many Recipients Unaware

NC Health Depts. "Burdened" by Doctor Supervision Contracts

NM Families Start School Year with Extra Money for Child Care

DIY Estate Planning Essential for MT Tribal Members

Report: People Face Barriers to Repairing Their Own Electronic Devices

NH Groups Urge Healthcare Improvements on Medicare, Medicaid Anniversary

Report: Power Companies Block Rooftop Solar Growth in FL, US

Recreational Marijuana on the Table Again in Ohio

New Mexicans Dodge Imminent Evictions Faced by Many U.S. Renters

Houston Site of Study on Extreme Heat Risk in Coastal Communities

Reinsurance Program Saving Coloradans Money on Health Coverage

Double Up Food Bucks Program Boosts Farmer’s Markets

Money Milestones Series Aims to Beef Up Wyomingites’ Financial Skills

As North Carolinians Resume Travel, Experts Urge Protecting Sensitive Info

Report: More Solar Investment Could Transform CO Economy

Organized Labor Urges Congress to Pass PRO Act

Through USDA Efforts, Ranchers Flex Some Selling Muscle

Report: 30M Solar Homes Could Boost Jobs, Benefit Environment

Scammers Targeting Nebraska Student-Loan Holders

Tips for Colorado Companies to Reduce Air Pollution Post-COVID

"Your Shot Texas" Boosts Vaccinations with Nonprofit Grant Money

Bridging the Digital Divide in OR

Expert: New CA Budget, Tax Credit are Windfalls for Families with Children

TX Democrats Aim to Stop Voter Restrictions by Leaving Town

Fears Raised Over Merger Between Avangrid, NM Utility Provider

Coloradans Brace for Texas-Fueled Spikes in Energy Prices

KY Regulators Rein In Utilities' Proposed Rate Hikes

AZ Groups Back Measure to Reform Postal Service

Lawmakers May Ask USPS to Delay Rate Hike Until Next Year

Down on the Farm: More Competition and Market Fairness

Business Groups Want Action on Postal Service Reform Bill

Experts Advise Kindness, Not Dieting, to Lose Pandemic Weight Gain

Groups Say Postal Reform Bill Would Benefit Rural Missouri

Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Pass Bipartisan USPS Reform

Should Feds Determine Your Creditworthiness?

Business Groups Press for Postal Service Reform

Energy Chief's Visit Spotlights Colorado Clean-Energy Advances

$40 Billion in Wages Lost Every Year: Doctors, Lawyers, Trained-Immigrants “Brain Waste” in US

Groups Urge Indiana to Expunge Evictions Filed During Pandemic

Pell Recipients Can Get Help Toward Internet Bills

1 in 4 Ohioans Hit by Financial Toll of Pandemic

Report: Digital Wallets Becoming Favorite Target for Online Scammers

Medical Marijuana Era Begins in SD

Groups Call for Legal Counsel for MI Households Facing Eviction

NC Small Business Owners Feel "Crushed" by Healthcare System

WIC Families Can Now Get Vouchers for Farmers Market Purchases