Consumer Issues / Public News Service

According to CalRecycle, 2.6 million tons of plastic packaging and foodware end up in California landfills every year. (Erik/Adobe Stock)<br />

Thursday, July 17, 2025

During Plastic-Free July, CA a pioneer in anti-pollution efforts

California receives high marks in a report on the fight against plastic pollution. This is Plastic-free July and the United States of Plastics report…

Just 30% of U.S. solar and 57% of wind projects are expected to survive under the new GOP tax and spending law signed by President Donald Trump. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Report: Cuts to clean energy will cost Colorado $7.3 billion in GDP

More than $7 billion in Colorado's GDP and 9,600 jobs are projected to be lost under President Donald Trump's signature tax and spending bill which cu…

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles generated about $25 million in revenue from selling driver data two years ago. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Indiana BMV cashes in on driver data

Indiana lawmakers will not study the Bureau of Motor Vehicles' practice of selling driver data this summer but some legislators said the issue deserve…

The shift to cage-free eggs has accelerated after 11 states, including Colorado, set regulations on so-called conventional eggs, and the recent bird flu crisis, which led to the loss of more than 125 million U.S. hens. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

'Compassion Calculator' helps CO meat eaters offset animal welfare effects

A new "Compassion Calculator" launched by the charity portal FarmKind aims to help Coloradans who eat meat improve their animal welfare footprints by …

The CEO of Arkansas-based Jenkins Enterprises said he is concerned many of his retail customers will cancel orders because of high tariffs. (AkuAku/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

AR business owner says tariffs could affect your Christmas

Jenkins Enterprises in North Little Rock is one of many small businesses across Arkansas facing extra costs from tariffs issued by President Donald Tr…

The Washington State Health Care Authority estimated rebalancing spending for state workers and school employees through Senate Bill 5083 could save the state over $400 million by 2029. (stokkete/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

New law will lower health care costs for WA state employees

As federal Medicaid cuts loom, consumer advocates are celebrating Washington's new bill limiting hospital prices for state and public school …

The Feeding Texas network said despite federal cuts, the organization stands united in its commitment to fight hunger but food banks cannot fill the gap left by the cuts. (Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 14, 2025

Food banks across Texas prepare to help the needy despite federal cuts

Almost 3.5 million Texans utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase food. The budget reconciliation bill recently signed …

Nearly 30% of Americans said they have not taken their medication as prescribed due to high drug prices, according to a 2024 report by the American Hospital Association. (Adobe Stock/Nuttapongpunna)

Monday, July 14, 2025

New online portal allows New Mexicans to compare prescription costs

Nearly 1,000 New Mexicans have already accessed a new online portal which provides transparency about how much the cost of prescriptions and medical p…

As of 2022, the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in Taos, New Mexico, has reached 100% daytime solar energy, something operators say would not have been possible under their contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 14, 2025

Rural Colorado electric co-op goes independent

By Ilana Newman for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collabora…

Consumer Reports says muzzling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would leave Americans more vulnerable to fraud and abuse. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 14, 2025

New budget could put Arkansas consumer protections in danger

The budget reconciliation bill signed by President Donald Trump not only affects Medicaid and SNAP, and Arkansans could pay the price. Consumer …

Close to half of all American whiskey, bourbon and rye is sold internationally, primarily to Canada, Mexico and the European Union. (Adobe Stock)

Hoosier businesses face fallout from tariff shake-up

Hoosier businesses across the state are feeling the ripple effects of rising tariffs and shifting trade policies, especially in farming, …

In 2024, women earned an average of 85% of what men earned, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of median hourly earnings of both full- and part-time workers. (Nina Lawrenson/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Gender pay gap still a problem for TX women

Women who recently graduated from college are earning significantly less than their male counterparts. A new study reveals that women from Texas and …

Workers in the nonprofit sector predict veterans, children and older adults will be most adversely impacted by the new federal funding package. (Yingyaipumi/Adobe Stock)

AR nonprofits prepare to fill gaps from federal funding cuts

Among the hundreds of pages making up the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" just signed into law is a requirement some people must work to receive Medicaid…

New Mexico homeowners planning to install solar will have to act quickly to take advantage of tax credits soon to be phased out under the

NM renewable energy advocates decry 'herky-jerky' policies

Renewable energy got short shrift in the budget bill passed by Congress last week and a New Mexico trade association said companies and their employee…

The new tax cut and spending law contains the largest federal cuts to SNAP benefits in the nation's history. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

AR hunger rating could worsen under new federal budget

Now that President Donald Trump's big budget bill has been signed into law, Arkansas nonprofits that rely on federal funding to help people in need …

Iowa generates 59% of its electricity from wind, the highest share of any state. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa solar industry threatened by tax incentive cuts

Iowa is among the nation's leaders in wind energy production, and the state is looking to follow suit with solar power. But Congress has eliminated …

Indiana has 814,438 renter households in Indiana according to research site Eviction Lab. (Adobe Stock)

IN tenants bound by evictions can pursue confidential records

A new law on the books will help Hoosier renters saddled with an eviction on their record get some relief. Senate Bill 142, which took effect July 1…

Arizona is among the top five states in the nation for solar energy production. (Adobe Stock)

Tax incentive cuts could dim Arizona solar investment

As part of the Trump administration's new budget, Arizona's burgeoning solar industry faces the elimination of tax incentives that have encouraged …

The Public Interest Research Group said around one-third of Americans live in a state with a Right to Repair law. The policies are designed to make it easier for independent repair shops and customers to access parts and other materials from manufacturers. (Adobe Stock)

Assessing compliance with MN's Right to Repair law one year in

New Minnesota laws take effect this week but consumer and environmental watchdogs are looking back on one from last year designed to bolster product r…

The Citizens Utility Board says more than 91,000 Minnesota households had their utility service shut off for nonpayment last year. The board cited new research warning there would be more pressure on ratepayers if clean energy incentives are eliminated at the federal level. (Adobe Stock)

Under federal budget bill, how would your electricity bill fare?

If the federal government finalizes the budget reconciliation bill in play, pro-consumer voices in Minnesota warn the changes will not be friendly to …

The growing demand for artificial intelligence specialists has prompted more universities to offer specialized AI degrees. (MissIrine/Adobe Stock)

NM university to offer state's first artificial intelligence degree

Artificial intelligence is expected to significantly change people's lives and New Mexico State University is meeting the challenge by offering the st…

Homelessness among children in Ohio has increased by 10% since January 2020 and family homelessness has risen 11%, highlighting deepening housing instability. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio mayor says rising rents drive 'hidden homelessness'

As housing costs continue to squeeze Ohio families, Youngstown's mayor warned out-of-state landlords are pushing many out of their homes, undermining …

The Montana Nurses Association said the decision from Providence Health Services to close St. Patrick Hospital's maternity center lacked

Negotiations begin next week on Montana maternity center closure

The multistate Providence Health System announced it will close the maternity center at one of its Montana hospitals in October. Opponents are …

Meals are free to kids in Texas during the Summer Food Service Program. They are paid for by grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

TX summer meal programs keep kids fed while out of school

Statistics show one in five children in Texas struggles with hunger. Approximately 10,000 students a day are getting a nutritious meal through the …

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WI solar project invests in rural youth, community

A 100-megawatt solar project in rural Polk County set to begin operating this year has a unique focus on investments in youth. Developers said the …

Ohio ranks among the top 10 states for electric vehicle-related manufacturing jobs, with more than $3 billion invested in recent EV and battery projects, according to EV Jobs Hub. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio manufacturer warns federal rollbacks could stall EV progress

Ohio's fast-growing electric vehicle sector could face serious setbacks if proposed changes to federal clean energy tax credits move forward…

The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. (Adobe Stock)

Relentless AZ summer is here with higher energy bills

Temperatures are on the rise across Arizona and so are energy bills. The anti-poverty nonprofit Wildfire and the Arizona Public Interest Research …

In Pennsylvania, EV advocates rallied support for cleaner transportation. They're urging U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick to protect federal funding for EV infrastructure and tax credits. (Courtesy of Rachael)

PA leaders urge Congress to safeguard EV tax credits, citing savings, clean air

Federal tax credits for electric vehicles are helping drive clean transportation in the Lehigh Valley, but advocates warn they're at risk of being …

The study found 51% of Medicaid recipients connected to small businesses are children of owners or employees. (Adobe Stock)

Report: WV small business labor force at risk from Medicaid cuts

A new report says cuts to Medicaid will weaken the small business workforce nationwide, potentially shrinking local economies in rural states like …

Agriculture advocacy group Farm Action says the federal government's support of corporate farms over smaller, family producers means less healthy food is available to American consumers. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Government action needed to help WV farmers produce healthier foods

A group of farmers says government policies need to change to support farms in West Virginia and elsewhere in cultivating foods that will improve Amer…

The National Centers for Environmental Information reports 27 U.S. climate disasters in the past year caused at least $1 billion in damages, making it the fourth-costliest year on record. (USGS.gov)

New Mexico joins state consensus that FEMA assistance is essential

The Trump administration has floated the idea of downsizing or even eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but a new poll shows the …

In 2023, rural hospitals in Pennsylvania created $17 billion in economic impact and supported more than 80,000 jobs statewide. (Alexander Raths/Adobe Stock)

PA rural hospitals, seniors at risk if Congress cuts Medicaid

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has hit a roadblock. The Senate parliamentarian has ruled that a key Medicaid provider tax change violates chamber …

In May, protesters in Hanford rallied against Medicaid cuts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that almost 8 million people would lose Medicaid under the Republican

During Pride Month, CA LGBTQ+ advocates fight proposed cuts to Medi-Cal

June is Pride Month, and people who fight for LGBTQ+ health care are speaking out against huge proposed cuts to Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in the …

The cost of care for dementia patients varies widely by state. At $55,000 per year, care for patients in California is slightly more expensive than the national average.(Ocskay Bence/Adobe Stock)

Study: CA families shoulder sky-high costs of dementia care

In California, families shoulder most of the burden of dementia care, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Washington found …

During Pride Month, LGBTQ+ organizations say it's important to draw a distinction between businesses that openly express support for the community and those releasing statements of solidarity but failing to be an ally throughout the year. (Adobe Stock)

LGBTQ+ organizations in SD team up to land more business allies

As Pride Month winds down, LGBTQ+ support groups in South Dakota said they are strengthening a resource tool detailing which businesses are willing …

American Indian and Alaska Native Coloradans paid higher monthly and out of pocket health care costs, even with insurance, compared to their white peers, research shows. (Adobe Stock)

Health gaps persist for American Indian, Alaska Native Coloradans

American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Colorado continue to face significant gaps in health care access, quality and outcomes, according to …

A new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center suggested a number of ways to strengthen primary care outcomes in Medicare, including enabling federal tracking and target-setting to report on primary care spending across federal health care programs. (Maha Heang 245789/Adobe Stock)

Alternative payment models better for WA patients and providers

Adopting alternative payment models for people receiving primary care through Medicare is better for providers and patients, according to a new …

It is estimated one young child goes to the emergency room every nine minutes because of medication ingestion. (Adobe Stock/AI)

KY child overdose cases highlighted during National Safety Month

June is National Safety Month and experts are highlighting medication safety for Kentucky kids. Kentucky has seen a steady increase in pediatric …

LIHEAP is holding a virtual public hearing today and again on July 1, where Pennsylvanians can weigh in on the proposed 2024-2025 state plan. (Adobe Stock)

LIHEAP cuts could leave thousands of Pennsylvanians without heat this winter

As Congress considers defunding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program known as LIHEAP in the budget reconciliation bill, Pennsylvania …

More than 45,000 cryptocurrency ATMs operate nationwide but consumer watchdogs said regulations surrounding virtual currency transactions are slow to catch up. (Adobe Stock)

ND, nearly a dozen other states finalize Bitcoin ATM rules

State governments are fighting back against scammers who make use of cryptocurrency kiosks to steal money from people unaware they are being targeted…

In Colorado and across the United States, seniors wait almost three hours in the emergency room per visit, about 43% live alone, and a quarter of older homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on housing, according to a new Seniorly report. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado ranks 15th nationally for safely aging in place

A new report ranks Colorado as the 15th safest state in the nation for aging in place, tied with Michigan. A record 4.2 million Americans are …

In a proclamation, Gov. Greg Abbott said Senate Bill 3 would never go into effect because of valid constitutional challenges. (WutStock01/Adobe Stock AI)

TX Lt. Gov. lashes out at governor over veto of THC ban

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are at odds after the governor vetoed Senate Bill 3, legislation which would have banned the sale of …

A 2024 Indiana Realtors Association report says migration and growing birth rate are strong factors behind the jump in housing demand. (Adobe Stock)

IN homebuying hopefuls face supply, demand, price shock

June is National Homeownership Month. However, both buyers and sellers in Indiana are wary of the housing market, amid unwavering interest rates and …

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Arkansas farmers sell almost $14 billion in goods annually. (Pawel/Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit: Budget reconciliation bill could affect AR farming

More than 37,000 farmers in Arkansas could be affected by the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" before Congress, according to a sustainable farming …

Nearly 122 million adults, about 47% of the population, have hypertension. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

Check out books, blood pressure cuffs at Missouri libraries

More St. Louis County libraries are teaming up with the American Heart Association to offer blood pressure cuffs for checkout, to help people take …

Medicaid is the largest source of medical care or health care in Kentucky, covering about one and a half million Kentuckians, according to state data (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky’s new Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board convenes

Kentucky's newly established Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board convenes for its first meeting this week - on Wednesday June 25th. Lawmakers …

The Knight Center for the Future of News was made possible because of a $10.5 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and an additional $4 million investment from Arizona State University. (Deanna Dent/Arizona State University)

ASU launches initiative to build 'stronger news ecosystem'

Journalism and the way people consume news is changing, and Arizona State University will soon launch an initiative it claims will "build a stronger…

Polls consistently show that most Americans, no matter their political affiliation, oppose the federal government selling off public lands. (Adam/Adobe Stock)

Public lands supporters to rally during Santa Fe governors' meeting

Supporters of public lands will gather in Santa Fe next week to oppose pending legislation that would sell off millions of acres in 11 Western states…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 17, 2025

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Consumer

During Plastic-Free July, CA a pioneer in anti-pollution efforts

Report: Cuts to clean energy will cost Colorado $7.3 billion in GDP

Indiana BMV cashes in on driver data

'Compassion Calculator' helps CO meat eaters offset animal welfare effects

AR business owner says tariffs could affect your Christmas

New law will lower health care costs for WA state employees

Food banks across Texas prepare to help the needy despite federal cuts

New online portal allows New Mexicans to compare prescription costs

Rural Colorado electric co-op goes independent

New budget could put Arkansas consumer protections in danger

Hoosier businesses face fallout from tariff shake-up

Gender pay gap still a problem for TX women

AR nonprofits prepare to fill gaps from federal funding cuts

NM renewable energy advocates decry 'herky-jerky' policies

AR hunger rating could worsen under new federal budget

Iowa solar industry threatened by tax incentive cuts

IN tenants bound by evictions can pursue confidential records

Tax incentive cuts could dim Arizona solar investment

Assessing compliance with MN's Right to Repair law one year in

Under federal budget bill, how would your electricity bill fare?

NM university to offer state's first artificial intelligence degree

Ohio mayor says rising rents drive 'hidden homelessness'

Negotiations begin next week on Montana maternity center closure

TX summer meal programs keep kids fed while out of school

WI solar project invests in rural youth, community

Ohio manufacturer warns federal rollbacks could stall EV progress

Relentless AZ summer is here with higher energy bills

PA leaders urge Congress to safeguard EV tax credits, citing savings, clean air

Report: WV small business labor force at risk from Medicaid cuts

Report: Government action needed to help WV farmers produce healthier foods

New Mexico joins state consensus that FEMA assistance is essential

PA rural hospitals, seniors at risk if Congress cuts Medicaid

During Pride Month, CA LGBTQ+ advocates fight proposed cuts to Medi-Cal

Study: CA families shoulder sky-high costs of dementia care

LGBTQ+ organizations in SD team up to land more business allies

Health gaps persist for American Indian, Alaska Native Coloradans

Alternative payment models better for WA patients and providers

KY child overdose cases highlighted during National Safety Month

LIHEAP cuts could leave thousands of Pennsylvanians without heat this winter

ND, nearly a dozen other states finalize Bitcoin ATM rules

Colorado ranks 15th nationally for safely aging in place

TX Lt. Gov. lashes out at governor over veto of THC ban

IN homebuying hopefuls face supply, demand, price shock

Nonprofit: Budget reconciliation bill could affect AR farming

Check out books, blood pressure cuffs at Missouri libraries

Kentucky’s new Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board convenes

ASU launches initiative to build 'stronger news ecosystem'

Public lands supporters to rally during Santa Fe governors' meeting