Livable Wages/Working Families / Public News Service

Studies show participating in sports lowers rates of anxiety and depression for children. (Adobe Stock)

WA coaches struggle for fair wages

Coaches in the Renton School District, just south of Seattle, are organizing with the American Federation of Teachers to fight for what they say are …

Along with the increase in the number of family caregivers, their stints are getting longer. The study found 30% have been caregiving for more than five years, a significant increase since 2020. (Marco/Adobe Stock)

Report: OR programs work to help family caregivers

More people are providing care at home for aging family members or those with disabilities - and a new study says they face mounting financial and emo…

Employees need quick access to their files in order to know what documents they have signed, such as non-competition agreements. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New WA law provides workers easier access to files

A new Washington law ensures employees quick access to their personnel files, which are necessary for many things including filing for workers' …

A new study finds that about 30 percent of women work in the lower-paying nonprofit sector and ten percent work in state and local government. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Study: Female recent college grads earn 82% of what men make

Women in California and across the country earn an average of 82% of what men make in the first 10 years after graduating from college, according to …

A new study found about 30% of women work in the lower-paying nonprofit sector and 10% work in state and local government. (Drobot Dean/ Adobe Stock)

Study: Female recent college grads make 18% less than men

Women in Nevada and across the country earn an average of 82% of what men make in the first 10 years after graduating from college, according to a …

Colorado is now the 10th least affordable state in the country for housing, slightly better than eighth in last year's

Report: Colorado workers must earn $36.79 per hour to afford housing

Minimum wage workers in Colorado have to work two full-time jobs, or 82 hours per week, to afford a one-bedroom apartment, according to a new report …

Accurate climate and hydrologic data are essential to managing the Colorado River Basin and forecasting drought. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado officials urge congressional delegates to support public lands

On Tuesday, 20 Colorado officials sent a letter to the state's congressional delegation protesting six cuts to public lands management in the new tax …

168,000 Colorado residents, including older adults and children, are at risk of losing SNAP food assistance due to expanded work requirements under the GOP's new tax and spending law. (Adobe Stock)

298,000 Coloradans relying on food assistance could see benefit cuts

Nearly 300,000 Coloradans who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to meet their basic nutrition needs are expected to lose some or…

Beth and David Chase at their new Home in Sisters, OR last fall. (Habitat for Humanity, Sisters)<br />

OR funding for affordable homeownership dwindles

The latest round of state-funded LIFT Homeownership grants will fund 239 new affordable homes across Oregon. Previous LIFT grants totaling over $100…

In 2023, nearly two-thirds of adults nationwide covered by Medicaid were working, and nearly three in 10 were not working because of caregiving responsibilities, illness or disability, or due to school attendance. (Adobe Stock)

Eau Claire resident ‘terrified’ of Medicaid cuts, federal changes

An Eau Claire resident is speaking out about how federal cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could affect his life and …

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finds there were 220,000 unemployed people looking for work in Dec. 2024 with only 193,000 job openings in New Jersey. There were still 29,000 more job seekers than available jobs, but the state faces numerous workforce shortages. (Adobe Stock)

NJ chosen for program which bolsters short-term credentials

New Jersey is part of a national program to strengthen the workforce and increase education alignment. Lumina Foundation's FutureReady States program …

At least one in seven Nebraskans, or 287,240 people, are facing hunger, with one in five children considered food insecure. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska creates learning pathways for food insecure

Groups working to end hunger in Nebraska are reaching out to all parts of the state to train food insecure people to advocate for others facing simila…

The FutureReady States initiative is part of Lumina Foundation's national goal to have 75% of adults in the U.S. labor force with a college degree or other credential by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

IL hopes to build upon success in new FutureReady States workforce initiative

A new workforce initiative in Illinois is hoping to provide working adults with better access to short-term work credentials to help them get better p…

The FutureReady States initiative will collaborate with a dozen states to assess the return on investment and its effect on each state's economy, when they improve job training programs. (Adobe Stock)

FutureReady initiative aims to align LA education with workforce needs

A new initiative aims to help adults get high-quality job credentials which can lead to economic prosperity, in Louisiana and 11 other states…

Colorado joins FutureReady States workforce training initiative

Colorado now has backup for its efforts to get more working age adults into high demand, good-paying jobs. FutureReady States, a new Lumina …

Other states in the FutureReady States initiative include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. (CarlosBarquero/Adobe Stock)

National program to increase short-term workforce credentials in TX

Texas is one of 12 states in a new national program to increase the number of Americans who have a college degree or short-term workforce credential…

The Community Compass app, maintained by Indy Hunger Network serves between 4,000 and 8,000 users per month seeking food access resources. (Adobe Stock)

IN food pantries hit by SUN Bucks blackout

Indiana families are navigating the summer without SUN Bucks, a federal grocery benefit which delivered $120 per child last summer. Gov. Mike …

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)

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…

Almost 1 million Nevadans rely on Medicaid for their healthcare. (Espartaco Moreno/Adobe Stock)

NV progressive groups highlight impacts of GOP spending law

Nevada groups concerned about affordability, clean air and health care are speaking out against the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" recently signed by …

The Indiana Commission on Higher Education says almost 268,000 students enrolled in at least one funded Career and Technical Education course for the 2023-2024 school year. (Adobe Stock)

IN students want help with higher education choices

Uncertainty about the current job market is influencing high school graduates' choices for a career. Parents are generally the go-to for guidance…

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)

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…

Men in Arizona typically paid about 18% more than women who are doing the same jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Gender pay gap persists in Arizona

A new report shows while the gender pay gap is closing, there is still a wide margin between what men and women are paid in Arizona for doing the …

Women in Iowa make roughly 79 cents for every dollar a man makes. The gap widens for women of color, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Despite recent progress, gender pay gap persists in Iowa

A new report shows while the gender pay gap is closing in Iowa, there is still a wide margin between what men and women are paid for doing the same …

On average, Nebraska women earn $13,365 less annually than men. The disparity is larger for women of color and LGBTQ+ people, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Despite progress, gender pay gap in Nebraska remains

A new report shows while the gender pay gap is closing, there is still a wide margin between what men and women are paid in Nebraska for doing the …

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)

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 …

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, …

A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found among women graduating with a bachelor's degree, the average salary was $59,778; for men, the average was $72,190. (Adobe Stock)

Utah women often face career 'segregation,' significant pay gaps

Women who recently graduated from college are earning significantly less than their male counterparts. A new study revealed women from Utah and other …

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 …

Indiana ranks 11th in the nation for the share of residents with medical debt in collections, with more than $2.2 billion owed, more than any of its Midwestern neighbors. (Adobe Stock)

Hoosiers' medical bills under state review

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…

Report: Colorado women face significant pay gap

Women from Colorado and other states who earned bachelor's degrees within the past seven years get paid an average of 18% less than similarly-educated…

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…

Study: Career 'segregation' means PA women face significant pay gap

Women who recently graduated from college are earning significantly less than their male counterparts. A new study revealed women from Pennsylvania …

Protesters gathered in Baker City on July 2nd to protest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. (Partners for a Hunger-free Oregon)

Anti-hunger groups warn OR must backfill federal SNAP cuts

Oregon lawmakers would have to find an extra $850 million in the state budget starting in 2028 to cover cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance …

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 …

Laboratory technicians were among the 1,100 employees at Portland's Providence St. Vincent Hospital recently voting to join Service Employees International Union Local 49. (Adobe Stock)

Portland hospital workers vote to organize, join service employees union

More than 1,100 caregivers at Portland's Providence St. Vincent Medical Center have voted to unionize, joining the Service Employees International …

Pennsylvania gets $4.3 billion yearly for SNAP, helping 1.9 million people but the reconciliation bill could cut benefits for 401,000 Pennsylvanians, according to the Center for American Progress. (Kleberpicui/Adobe Stock)

PA educators warn federal cuts threaten health care, food benefits

As the Senate passes President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill and sends it back to the House, Pennsylvania educators warned in its current form…

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 …

Nevada Assembly Bill 121 protects tenants from hidden or

NV housing advocates express concern over Lombardo's vetoes

Housing advocates in Nevada are criticizing Gov. Joe Lombardo's decision to veto what they call essential housing measures. Anwar Green and other …

More than 1.3 million women now work in construction nationwide but men still outnumber them nearly 10 to one. (A. Frank/peopleimages/Adobe Stock)

Philadelphia Women in Construction tout DEI for industry strength

As more women enter the construction industry, a group in Philadelphia is working to support them and advance diversity amid political challenges to …

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 …

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…

Nebraska's food insecurity rate of 12.2% is a percentage point higher than the national average, according to an October 2023 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Social service cuts would hobble Nebraska food banks, families

Pending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit cuts could mean large reductions to services that provide meals to Nebraska's most vulnerabl…

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 …

Solar giant Mosaic, based in Oakland, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection a few weeks ago, citing uncertainty around solar tax credits. (Surangkanang/Adobe Stock)

Clean-energy advocates: Spending bill before Senate would cost jobs in CA

Groups representing workers in the renewable power sector are slamming the possible repeal of clean-energy tax credits in the "One Big Beautiful Bill …

In 2023, $70.6 million in SNAP benefits were spent at farmers markets, a 431% increase from $13.3 million in 2013, according to Investigate Midwest. (Photo courtesy Farmers Market Coalition)

ND to boost awareness of SNAP acceptance at farmer's markets

When North Dakotans head to farmers markets this summer, they might want to see which ones accept SNAP benefits, as the state is enhancing a search …

While South Dakota has removed a language barrier for obtaining a driver's license, it also raised the standard license fee by $10. Cost is one of many obstacles New Americans encounter as they to create stability in their new settings. (Adobe Stock)

SD removes driver's license barrier for New Americans

Starting Tuesday, South Dakota will allow interpreters to accompany driver's license applicants who have limited English proficiency during the road …

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 …

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