Poverty Issues / Public News Service

The new law could increase people's credit score by 20 points on average. (Delmaine Donson/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, June 19, 2025

New law strikes medical debt from Oregonians' credit scores

A bill prohibiting credit reporting on Oregonians' medical debt has been signed into law by Gov. Tina Kotek. Hailed as a significant victory for …

Colorado's workforce development efforts are in sync with the Lumina Foundation's new goal for 75% of America's labor force to have a college degree or professional credential. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Gov. Polis raises bar for Colorado agencies on education

Colorado, already considered a national leader in workforce development, is aiming to raise the bar even higher. Gov. Jared Polis recently issued an …

Military families are more likely than civilian families to have children with special or mental health needs that require additional care and coverage. (Pexels/George Pak)

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Medicaid cuts risk health-care access for MS military families

As Republican lawmakers weigh billions of dollars in potential Medicaid cuts, a new report warned the move could affect health coverage for …

More than 3 million undergraduate students in the United States are also parents. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

GOP spending cuts could fall on Maryland's student parents

More than 70,000 Marylanders are student parents, raising kids while attending college full or part-time and proposed cuts in this year's big budget …

More than 40% of the 3.4 million Illinoisians enrolled in Medicaid are children. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Potential Medicaid, SNAP cuts could derail IL education system

As Congress considers federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food assistance, groups advocating for Illinois schools are speaking out on how it would …

In Fiscal Year 2024, Ohio's state-funded food programs created or sustained 292 jobs, supported $11.3 million in income and generated $38.4 million in economic output. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Ohio foodbanks: Funding needed for fresh food with local roots

Ohio food banks are urging state lawmakers to approve what they said is a modest budget increase needed to get more fresh, local produce into the …

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the Mountain State has seen a total of $339 million invested into the local solar industry.(Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 16, 2025

AEP proposes rate hikes, changes to net metering for WV customers

Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power, subsidiaries of the national utility American Energy Power, are asking West Virginia energy regulators to …

Student workers help distribute food as part of the 'Oh SNAP!' program at Cal Poly Humboldt. (Kellie Brown)

Monday, June 16, 2025

CA colleges and universities take food pantries to the next level

Hunger among college students in California has jumped dramatically since the pandemic, yet Cal-Fresh -- a statewide low-income food assistance …

More than two-thirds of SNAP recipients are in households with at least one child. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, June 16, 2025

Federal SNAP cuts threaten higher taxes or slashed benefits in VA, advocates say

Last week, Senate Republicans unveiled reduced cuts to food assistance programs in their version of the budget bill. The proposal from Senate …

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, thousands of Arkansans could lose Medicaid coverage because of work requirements. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

AR residents could lose Medicaid under budget reconciliation bill

As Congress considers cuts to safety-net programs for what Republicans are calling the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," new analysis from the nonpartisan…

More than 328,700 students are enrolled in 244 K-12 Nebraska school districts, according to Ballotpedia. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Two-thirds of Nebraska 4th graders not reading proficiently

Nearly two-thirds of Nebraska fourth graders are not reading at grade level and math scores are also lagging. The findings come from the 2025 Kids …

The 2025 Kids Count Data Book found in Minnesota in 2023, 28% of Black children, 16% of Hispanic children, 10% of Asian children and 6% of white children under age 18 lived in families with incomes below the federal poverty level. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

New reports says MN children face troubling health and education disparities

The 2025 Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its findings for Minnesota. The report examines results for children in …

Each year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book aggregates national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains including economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors, and ranks states according to how children are faring overall. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IL shows mixed results in child well-being despite high ranking

A national report finds mixed results in child well-being in Illinois with improvements in health care coverage for children and poverty rates and dec…

A new annual report found more New Jersey teens are working or in school and fewer kids are living in homes with a higher cost burden. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NJ’s improved economy aids child well-being

A new annual report found New Jersey's economic well-being is helping improve the well-being of its children. The state ranked 7th in the nation in …

In 2022, New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment to dedicate funds to early childhood education and care. (Bonsales/AdobeStock)

Report: NM's child well-being shows mixed momentum

A traditional marker used to measure child well-being in the U.S. shows New Mexico notched both improvements and declines in several areas. The …

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2025 Kids Count Data Book shows education is lacking nationwide. Nearly three quarters of fourth graders are not proficient in reading, and 73% of eighth graders are not proficient in math.

Report: Michigan kids improve in finances and family, lag in education

Michigan kids are making progress when it comes to family life and finances but they are still struggling in school. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's …

According to the 2025 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book, 16% of children still live in poverty, and nearly one in three children live in households struggling with high housing costs. <br />(Adobe Stock)

Kids Count Data Book: Missouri thrives economically, lacking in education

Missouri ranks 27th in an annual national report on child well-being, with solid marks in kids' economic stability but setbacks in education…

Iowa's fourth grade students score at or slightly above average in national reading assessments but almost two-thirds are not reading proficiently, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Young Iowans' reading scores teeter, SNAP cuts prompt concern

Iowa kids are doing well overall in new national findings on children's well-being, although they are slipping in a few key areas. The numbers in …

About 387,000 Arizona children have parents who lack secure employment. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ has 2nd-highest rate of uninsured children

Arizona is one of the lowest-performing states for overall child well-being, according to a new national report. This year's Kids Count Data Book …

Pennsylvania would need to lift 198,000 children out of poverty to rank first in the nation for the lowest child poverty rate. (luckybusiness/Adobe Stock)

PA ranks 20th in children's well-being, despite health challenges

Pennsylvania ranks 20th in the nation for overall child well-being, in the new 2025 Kids Count Data Book. The Annie E. Casey Foundation report ranks …

The percentage of Virginia high school students who do not graduate on time dipped from 13% to 11% in the 2025 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Virginia ranks high for child well-being

New data show Virginia ranked 13th in the nation for overall child well-being and while the quality of Virginia children's families and communities im…

Kansas saw a slight dip in the percentage of kids not graduating from high school on time in the Annie E. Casey Foundation 2025 Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

Kansas ranks high in child economic well-being but lack in other areas

Kansas ranked in the top third of states for child well-being, according to a new report. While the state earned a high rank for economic well-being…

While Wisconsin ranked high overall in the areas of economic well-being and education, it ranked 17th and 25th in the categories of health, and family and community. (Adobe Stock)

WI leads nation in racial disparities, but ranks high in child well-being report

A national report found Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in racial disparities affecting children's well-being across the state. Wisconsin …

If the House budget reconciliation bill becomes law, annual cuts to Medicaid would average more than $70 billion in coming years, the same amount people earning $1 million or more per year would gain in tax cuts each year. (Adobe Stock)

'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' could close Colorado hospitals

As Congress considers cuts to safety net programs in what Republicans are calling the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a new analysis from the nonpartisa…

In 2023, 6% of Ohio teens ages 16 to 19 were neither in school nor working, a rate unchanged since 2019. (Craig Adderley/Pexels)

Ohio urged to prioritize kids as education, poverty trends worsen

New national data show worsening outcomes for Ohio kids, especially in the areas of education and family economic stability, and state and national …

A new annual report finds, despite high housing costs, Rhode Island has fewer children living in high-poverty areas and also fewer living in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Report: RI child well-being falls despite efforts to improve it

A new annual report found children's well-being has slipped in Rhode Island despite previous gains. The state ranks 19th in this year's Annie E…

Wyoming ranks eighth in the nation for children's well-being in the category of family and community, but is 37th in terms of kids' health. (Cavan/Adobe Stock)

Wyoming makes strides on children’s health but ranks low nationally

Wyoming slipped five spots this year in an annual report on children's well-being by state, ranking 23rd in the nation. The 2025 Kids Count Data …

Advocates for rent stabilization rallied on the state Capitol steps in March. (Caleb Ewings Photography)

WA’s new rent stabilization law brings immediate relief

Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed Washington's first rent stabilization law and renters and advocates who fought for the bill are breathing sighs of …

The percentage of Utah children whose parents lack secure employment dropped from 19% in 2019 to 18% in 2023. (Irina K. / Adobe Stock)

UT ranks high in kids' well-being. Advocates still encourage action

Utah still ranks as one of the best states for children's overall well-being, according to a new national report but advocates are stressing the need …

In 2023, 25% of Louisiana's kids lived in poverty, well above the national rate of 16%. (Adobe Stock)

Louisiana kids improve reading proficiency in new national rankings

Louisiana performed better than many states in connecting young children to early care and education, and on fourth grade reading proficiency…

According to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, nearly 1.4 million Texas children live below the poverty line. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Report: TX has room for improvement in children's well-being

Texas has fallen to 44th place nationally in this year's 2025 Kids Count Data Book released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report …

Summer food feeding sites can be found by texting

AR summer food programs prepare to feed students

With the start of summer, organizations across Arkansas are ramping up programs to ensure kids have access to healthy food. The No Kid Hungry …

The average cost for a gallon of regular gas is about $3 in Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Blacks, Latinos disproportionately burdened by gas costs

As federal electric vehicle incentives face potential rollbacks, a new study is highlighting the burden of gasoline costs on Black and Latino drivers …

As part of Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, consumers can receive rebates of up to $4,000 for electric vehicle purchases. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Black, Latino drivers burdened as ‘superusers’ of gasoline

As federal electric vehicle incentives face potential rollbacks, a new study is highlighting the burden of gasoline costs on Black and Latino drivers…

Screening represents Mississippi's most severe failing in national rankings, as the state missed all six benchmarks for identifying maternal mental health needs, mirroring national struggles. (Pixabay/TC Torres)

Report: MS gets failing grade for maternal mental-health support

Mississippi ranks among the worst states for maternal mental health care, receiving an 'F' on a new national report card, far below the national …

More than 40 million people in the United States had a substance use disorder in 2020, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Medicaid cuts would risk opioid treatment access for KY

As Congress continues to push for cuts and additional work requirements for Medicaid eligibility, experts warn more Kentuckians could lose access to …

The federal budget reconciliation bill passed last month by the U.S. House would add an estimated $3.3 trillion dollars to the national debt over the next decade, and cause about 13 million people to lose health coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office. (Cultura Creative/Adobe Stock)

Pennsylvanians with disabilities question GOP's proposed Medicaid cuts

By Anna Gustafson for the Pennsylvania Independent.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Pennsylvan…

Landfill regulations are managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In Harris County, 78% of the methane emissions come from three privately owned landfills over which the city has no jurisdiction. (rob245/Adobe Stock)

Houston officials look at options for growing trash problem

By Elena Bruess for Houston Landing.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Houston Landing/MIT Climate Change Engage…

Tennessee hospitals, particularly in rural areas, could be in jeopardy. A major drop in Medicaid coverage would increase the amount of unpaid care, forcing hospitals to absorb the costs or shut down.<br />(My Ocean studio/AdobeStock)

Trump administration budget proposal threatens rural TN cancer patients

More than 1.5 million people in Tennessee, or 20% of the state's population, rely on health insurance provided by Medicaid. Maddie Michael, …

More than 40% of senior citizens report feeling lonely on a regular basis. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Senior social isolation: A silent epidemic, as deadly as cigarettes

Senior advocates are sounding the alarm about the effects of social isolation on older people in Illinois, saying loneliness is comparable to smoking …

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said one in every 435 people living in the United States is currently homeless, an 18% increase from last year. (Crystal Madsen/Adobe Stock)

Among OR's rising homelessness, sweeps continue

With rates of homelessness on the rise, advocates are decrying plans to remove a long-standing camp from the Sandy River Delta, also known as …

Only about 25% of the 1 million women in the United States experiencing a mental health crises during pregnancy or postpartum receive treatment. (Adobe Stock)

Postpartum depression rates, treatment higher among Medicaid recipients

Perinatal experts said postpartum depression is more common than most people think and those covered by Medicaid are at higher risk. Two of every …

The Episcopal Health Foundation says the goal of the Collaborating for Healthy Communities Initiative is to improve and strengthen the effectiveness of existing health-focused coalitions and collaboratives. (ILIA/Adobe Stock)

Assistance available for TX coalitions fighting health disparities

Starting next week, the Episcopal Health Foundation will be accepting applications for its next "Collaborating for Healthy Communities Initiative" to …

The global tiny-homes market was valued at approximately $21.93 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $29.88 billion by 2033. (ckellyphoto/Adobe Stock)

Branson fights big housing crisis with tiny homes

Contractors have broken ground on a tiny-home village in Branson, where poverty is a growing concern. While tourists flock to Branson by the …

In 2021, Community Health Centers in Pennsylvania supported more than 13,000 jobs and contributed more than $2.36 billion to the state's economy. (Syda Productions/Adobe Stock)

Funding cuts risk care for 816,000 at PA community health centers

The more than 800,000 Pennsylvanians who rely on local Community Health Centers could face new barriers to care if proposed Medicaid cuts approved by …

In the Southwest, many rural, frontier and tribal communities feel overlooked or forgotten as Congress debates cuts to local services. (A/Adobe Stock)

NM's health care, hospitals face pressures in GOP's 'big beautiful bill'

One in three New Mexico residents lives in rural areas, and groups that represent them are calling on state and federal lawmakers to prioritize their …

Montana Fair Housing receives the most requests for assistance from people with disabilities, including veterans. (Lightfield Studios/Adobe Stock)

Proposed cuts in GOP budget bill spur National Fair Housing Week of Action

Housing groups across the country this week have declared a National Week of Action, as federal lawmakers consider a budget eliminating all funding …

Seniors in Cook County, Illinois, said programs like Meals on Wheels providing hot meals delivered to them every day helps them feel safer in their homes. (Adobe Stock)

IL advocates highlight critical services for seniors

Illinois residents and elected officials are participating in a statewide day of advocacy to bring awareness to the Older Americans Act. Services …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - June 19, 2025

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Poverty Issues

New law strikes medical debt from Oregonians' credit scores

Gov. Polis raises bar for Colorado agencies on education

Medicaid cuts risk health-care access for MS military families

GOP spending cuts could fall on Maryland's student parents

Potential Medicaid, SNAP cuts could derail IL education system

Ohio foodbanks: Funding needed for fresh food with local roots

AEP proposes rate hikes, changes to net metering for WV customers

CA colleges and universities take food pantries to the next level

Federal SNAP cuts threaten higher taxes or slashed benefits in VA, advocates say

AR residents could lose Medicaid under budget reconciliation bill

Report: Two-thirds of Nebraska 4th graders not reading proficiently

New reports says MN children face troubling health and education disparities

Report: IL shows mixed results in child well-being despite high ranking

Report: NJ’s improved economy aids child well-being

Report: NM's child well-being shows mixed momentum

Report: Michigan kids improve in finances and family, lag in education

Kids Count Data Book: Missouri thrives economically, lacking in education

Report: Young Iowans' reading scores teeter, SNAP cuts prompt concern

Report: AZ has 2nd-highest rate of uninsured children

PA ranks 20th in children's well-being, despite health challenges

Report: Virginia ranks high for child well-being

Kansas ranks high in child economic well-being but lack in other areas

WI leads nation in racial disparities, but ranks high in child well-being report

'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' could close Colorado hospitals

Ohio urged to prioritize kids as education, poverty trends worsen

Report: RI child well-being falls despite efforts to improve it

Wyoming makes strides on children’s health but ranks low nationally

WA’s new rent stabilization law brings immediate relief

UT ranks high in kids' well-being. Advocates still encourage action

Louisiana kids improve reading proficiency in new national rankings

Report: TX has room for improvement in children's well-being

AR summer food programs prepare to feed students

Study: Blacks, Latinos disproportionately burdened by gas costs

Study: Black, Latino drivers burdened as ‘superusers’ of gasoline

Report: MS gets failing grade for maternal mental-health support

Medicaid cuts would risk opioid treatment access for KY

Pennsylvanians with disabilities question GOP's proposed Medicaid cuts

Houston officials look at options for growing trash problem

Trump administration budget proposal threatens rural TN cancer patients

Senior social isolation: A silent epidemic, as deadly as cigarettes

Among OR's rising homelessness, sweeps continue

Postpartum depression rates, treatment higher among Medicaid recipients

Assistance available for TX coalitions fighting health disparities

Branson fights big housing crisis with tiny homes

Funding cuts risk care for 816,000 at PA community health centers

NM's health care, hospitals face pressures in GOP's 'big beautiful bill'

Proposed cuts in GOP budget bill spur National Fair Housing Week of Action

IL advocates highlight critical services for seniors