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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

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As Elon Musk looks on, Trump says he's giving DOGE even more power; Officials monitor latest AR bird flu outbreak; NV lawmaker proposes new date for Indigenous Peoples Day; NM lawmaker says journalists of all stripes need protection; Closure of EPA branch would harm VA environment.

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A court weighs the right of New York City noncitizens to vote in local elections, Vice President Vance suggests courts can't overrule a president, and states increasingly challenge the validity of student IDs at the ballot box.

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Medical debt, which tops $90 billion has an outsized impact on rural communities, a new photography book shares the story of 5,000 schools built for Black students between 1912 and 1937, and anti-hunger advocates champion SNAP.

Livable Wages/Working Families

As of January 2025, the average hourly pay for a home-based child care provider in Iowa is $12.48, according to the job site ZipRecruiter. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Iowa invests $14 million to expand child care services

Iowa is making $14 million available to take on the critical lack of child care in the state. Many families said both parents want to work and would…

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The 'piece rate' system can determine a slaughterhouse worker's pay based on their production output, or how many pieces of meat they are able to process during their shift. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

New study quantifies extreme dangers of slaughterhouse work

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service …

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Around 72% of Montanans believe workers' unions help Montana's economy, according to a January poll from the bipartisan firm RABA Research. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Poll: 80% of Montanans oppose reduced workers’ rights

A January survey of Montanans showed a large majority support workers' rights, even as several bills that could affect them move through the state …

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People who earn professionally recognized certificates or college degrees beyond high school are more likely to see significant long-term financial, social and health benefits. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Colorado tops in nation for residents with education beyond high school

Colorado is number one nationally, tied with Massachusetts, for its percentage of residents who have a credential or degree beyond high school…

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California's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 17.4 percentage points since 2009.(Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)<br />

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Report: CA educational attainment exceeds national average

California has inched past the national average in the percentage of adults with a college degree or other postsecondary credential, according to the …

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About 38 percent of Oregon Native students went on to college in 2024, which is higher than the national average, but still the lowest of all racial/ethnic groups. (Tasneem H/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 10, 2025

Report: OR needs to do more to get Native Americans into higher ed

Institutions need to do more to close the higher education graduation gap for Native Americans, according to a new report. The report notes at just …

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The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program is able to help a person with their past three years' returns. (RomanR/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 10, 2025

Tax assistance available at sites across ID

Tax season is in full swing and locations are available across Idaho to assist people with preparing their returns. The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide …

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A new federal report finds U.S. service members, when buying cars, are less likely to make a downpayment, more likely to make a smaller downpayment, and more likely to make a negative equity trade-in than civilian buyers. (Freedomz/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 10, 2025

Report: Military service members pay more for car loans

Military borrowers pay higher costs and face greater financial risks than civilian borrowers when taking out credit to buy a car - according to a new …

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In 2022, 6% of all cars, light trucks and SUVs produced in the United States were manufactured in Tennessee. (Tobias Arhelger/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 10, 2025

UAW contract negotiations at VW focus on higher wages, health care, retirement

The United Auto Workers union is negotiating its first union contract with Volkswagen at its Chattanooga plant, covering more than 4,000 members…

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During the pandemic, Congress temporarily expanded the federal Child Tax Credit, with experts noting it helped cut child poverty rates nearly in half. However, a permanent expansion failed to gain traction and states like Minnesota have moved forward with their own credit. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 10, 2025

MN's Child Tax Credit has a new twist in year two

Poverty-fighting groups in Minnesota are joining the wave of officials reminding low-income households to take advantage of the state's Child Tax Cred…

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Gov. Josh Shapiro's Pennsylvania state budget proposal would strengthen efforts to reintroduce vocational education into Pennsylvania classrooms, with a $5.5 million boost for Career and Technical Education. (Adobe Stock)
PA budget proposal boosts public education, student-teacher stipends

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

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In the latest analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data by state, Maryland took first place as the worst state for wage theft, owing on average more than $2,200 to workers. (Adobe Stock)
Study: Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

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