Youth Issues / Public News Service

Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking before the national convention of the American Federation of Teachers in Houston, revved up the crowd by chanting

Friday, July 26, 2024

Harris addresses educators at national convention in Houston

Thousands of teachers, support staff, school nurses and bus drivers heard from Vice President Kamala Harris> on Thursday at their convention in …

The Leandro Plan calls for at least $5.6 billion in new, annual education spending for North Carolina by 2028. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, July 26, 2024

As court decision looms, a push for better NC school funding

As summer winds down and North Carolina students prepare to return to school, the focus shifts to the urgent need for better public education funding…

New York is facing a shortage of 180,000 teachers, which will only grow due to a steep retirement cliff the state faces in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

NY teachers union launches pro-public education campaign

New York's United Federation of Teachers union is launching a campaign to bolster public education. It comes as public schools' role as a social …

Created by a bipartisan act of Congress in 2022, what is now called the Sun Bucks program provides $120 in nutrition benefits nationally during summer months to households whose children who qualify for free and reduced-price school meals. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Iowa advocates rally for kids' summertime food

Iowa is one of 13 states not participating in a federal summer food program for children. The Iowa Hunger Coalition has launched a petition drive to …

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten called on members to defend democracy, voting rights and public education in the run-up to the presidential election this November. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

MN educators join national calls for democracy, better working conditions

Politics and education reform are among the major topics at a national convention of more than 3,500 teachers union members this week, including some …

Brian Burton with the Arkansas Food Bank said children experiencing malnourishment have a tougher time learning in the classroom. (fotokitas/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Hunger is another struggle for Arkansas 'ALICE' residents

By Mary Hennigan for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop Rock…

Those selected for the new Forest Corps must be prepared to handle hiking long distances while carrying a heavy backpack, traverse uneven terrain and be able to complete labor-intensive outdoor projects. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Forest Corps battles wildfire crisis, gets Utah's young people involved

The federal government is looking to combat the climate crisis and protect public lands in Utah and around the country by empowering young adults…

The Indiana Youth Institute said enhancing educational opportunities means more resources for underfunded schools, to help bridge learning gaps for all Indiana students. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

IN students face stricter attendance rules, new reading requirements

As students in Indiana head back to school, they will encounter some stricter classroom rules, including new reading requirements and a tighter …

More than 3,500 delegates from across the country are attending the American Federation of Teachers national convention. (kasto/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Teachers rally at national convention in Houston

School teachers and staff members, nurses and health care workers from around the nation are meeting in Houston this week for the American Federation …

The State of Georgia currently has more than 11,000 children in foster care. (Adobe Stock)

Carter's adoption support: Empowering families, strengthening workplaces

A Georgia company is showcasing the benefits of supporting workers who want to adopt children. The Atlanta-based kids' clothing brand Carter's is …

A $1.25 million Department of Education grant will allow Wayne State University to provide 37 scholarships to train adaptive physical educators over the next five years. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 22, 2024

Wayne State adapts physical education program for students with disabilities

Wayne State University has received a $1.25 million grant to prepare adapted physical education specialists to serve students with disabilities…

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten will deliver her 'State of the Union' keynote address on Monday, July 22. (dragonstock/Adobe Stock}

Thousands of teachers expected in TX for their annual convention

Thousands of educators from across the nation will be in Houston starting this weekend for the American Federation of Teachers annual convention…

The Stronger Tomorrows initiative helps students receive accommodations from their school, like excused absences and connects them to young parent support groups. (Adobe stock)

Indiana initiative aims to lower infant mortality

By Haley Miller for Chalkbeat Indiana.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Chalkbeat Indiana-Free Press Indiana-P…

Student Fellows, Lorena and Camila, participating at a community event in Tyler, TX. (photo courtesy of Este Poder)

East TX nonprofit works to register young voters of color

The nonprofit Este Poder has a goal of helping more young people of color in rural east Texas exercise their right to vote. The organization holds …

At its June 1 commencement, 83 students received diplomas as part of the second graduating class of the Erie County Community College class of 2024. Commencement speaker First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor underscored the importance of continued community support for the school. (Peopleimages/Adobe Stock)

Erie's local college foundation helps students with unexpected expenses

As some colleges in Pennsylvania and nationwide close their doors, one school in Erie has taken a big step toward making higher education more …

Only 47.8% of Alabama's graduating high school seniors have completed the FAFSA form, according to the National College Attainment Network. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama group receives grant to boost FAFSA submissions

The nonprofit group Alabama Possible has received a U.S. Department of Education grant to help increase FAFSA completion rates among students in the …

Researchers said children who live in poverty lose an additional two months of reading skills over the summer, with a lack of proper nutrition serving as a key factor. (Adobe Stock)

ND encourages more signups for kids' summer meal program

Some North Dakota leaders believe healthy food is part of what is needed to help all kids achieve better outcomes and they hope low-income families si…

Mental health professionals said therapy can play a crucial role in helping ALICE populations cope with mental health issues. (ibreakstock/Adobe Stock)

Financial strains create mental-health issues for AR ALICE population

By LaGanzie Kale for KLEK-FM.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for the KLEK-FM-Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation-Publi…

A new California law expands mental health access for youth insured through Medi-Cal, which should increase the number of therapists available to provide counseling. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

New law allows youth on Medi-Cal to consent to mental health treatment

A new law just took effect in California, giving children on Medi-Cal age 12 and older the right to consent to mental health care on their own…

Diminishing snowpack in northern New Mexico due to climate change will shorten the season for skiing and other forms of winter tourism and recreation, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (RaisaNastukova/AdobeStock)

Boosting ‘Hope’ about climate-change among NM's next generation

New Mexico teachers educating young people about climate change don't want them to feel hopeless - and they've developed an educational curriculum to …

Organizers say the Swingman Classic is the closest a modern-day fan can get to the historic Negro Leagues. (Danny Hooks/Adobe Stock)

HBCU students highlighted during MLB All-Star Week in TX

Major League Baseball's All-Star week kicks off tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington with the Swingman Classic featuring 50 student athletes from …

The Black Swamp Conservancy has grown to protect more than 175 properties since 1997, covering more than 21,000 acres. (Linda/Adobe Stock)

Grants boost environmental education and restoration in Ohio

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $271,000 in grants for environmental education projects across the state. The programs will …

Use of cover crops, such as winter wheat, can help water and nutrients penetrate the soil and smother weeds, leading to better corn crops. (Magnus/Adobe Stock)

NE youth hopeful for regenerative ag, sustainability after D.C. conference

Three members of Nebraska's student-run climate advocacy organization Students for Sustainability were among the youngest participants at the recent C…

Ohio House Bill 183 would also restrict students from using overnight accommodations with those of a different gender. (Andre/Adobe Stock)

Controversy continues over Ohio 'Bathroom Bill'

By Eduardo Miranda Strobel / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Concerns of …

The five signs of dehydration are less frequent urination, fatigue, headache, dry mouth and constipation. (buritora/Adobe Stock)

Essential tips for a safe and healthy Louisiana summer

The Climate Prediction Center predicts a 40% to 50% chance of above-normal temperatures in Louisiana this summer, which some people are already …

Mississippi allocates about $40 million annually to college student financial assistance. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Expert offers tips for smart student-loan repayment

Mississippians who have just graduated from college this summer may be celebrating now but they also just joined the millions of Americans facing stud…

The number of home-schooling families in the state is about 13,000 and continues to grow, according to the West Virginia Home Educators Association. (Adobe Stock)

WV lawmakers urge passage of Raylee’s Law during special session

After the tragic death of Kyneddi Miller, a 14-year-old West Virginia girl found dead in her home, some state lawmakers are calling on the governor …

Around 600 million people are released from state and federal prisons annually, with another 9 million people cycled through local jails. Many do not have access to health care, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky to provide health coverage for people leaving incarceration

Kentucky is one of a handful of states recently approved to provide health insurance coverage to soon-to-be released incarcerated individuals…

Using the data and maps, Bastrop County Cares has been convening different stakeholders to identify areas of need to help develop solutions to address the broadband shortage in rural Texas areas. (tippapatt/Adobe Stock)

Retired TX geoscientist uses talent to connect rural community to the web

By Kristi Eaton for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collabora…

The mural on Main Street in Vermillion, South Dakota, is a collaboration between Mural OTW and the high school's Gender and Sexuality Alliance group. (Wes Eisenhauer/Mural OTW)

SD artist duo makes murals by, for and with communities

By Rebecca Froehlich for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of emergency room visits related to heat-induced illnesses increased from an average of 151 per 100,000 visits in 2018-2022 to 180 per 100,000 in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Ways to stay safe as heat-related illness ticks up

As the calendar turns to summer, emergency rooms start seeing more patients due to seasonal injuries and illnesses and expanded virtual health care …

Alabama community colleges will receive an additional $35 million in state funding for 2025. (Adobe Stock)

AL universities, community colleges to receive increased funding in 2025

Alabama's universities and community colleges will receive increased funding for 2025. The state's universities are set to get a 7% boost equivalent …

Immokalee is an unincorporated area in Collier County, Florida, one of the major centers of tomato production in the United States. (Immokalee Foundation)

Free summer camps boost career goals for underserved youth

A series of free summer camps focused on STEM and other career paths seeks to boost the career goals of youth in the agricultural community of Immokal…

There are no income or registration requirements for kids to participate in the state's Summer Meals program, which serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner to all youths up to age 18. (Adobe Stock)

Summer meals for kids available to-go and by delivery in remote rural areas

With school cafeterias closed for the summer, community groups and nonprofits are working to ensure that Colorado's one in five children who go …

By age 8, 52% of children have had a cavity in their primary baby teeth. (Adobe Stock)

NC dentists stress importance of children's dental health during summer

As summer kicks into full gear, North Carolina dentists stressed the importance of maintaining children's dental health. Dr. Miranda Kalaskey…

Nearly 50% of Mainers age 12�17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year, according to NAMI Maine. Mental health care advocates say listing the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student I.D�s could help. (Adobe Stock) <br />

ME groups boost awareness of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services

A monthly telecom surcharge could generate significant funding for Maine's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, according to a new report. The mental …

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was rolled out nationwide in July 2022. (7N23/Adobe Stock)

Report on 988 crisis line rollout highlights OR youth suicide prevention

A new report examines the rollout of the 988 mental health crisis line in each state and found Oregon has more work to do. The national three-digit 9…

The mental health crisis line 988 was activated nationwide in July 2022. (7N23/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA 988 crisis line rollout successful but more work needed

A new report examines the rollout of the 988 mental health crisis line in each state and finds Washington state has fared well but still has more work…

Amazon sold a chemical used for suicide at high concentrations but said it cannot be held responsible for how customers use products. (michelangeloop/Adobe Stock)

Amazon responsible for selling chemical used for suicide, lawsuits allege

Lawsuits are seeking to hold Amazon accountable for selling a chemical used by people for suicide. The substance is known as sodium nitrite and is …

New Mexico's Save the Children organization has previously engaged kids on summer break from school to help create a 9-foot paint-by-numbers mural. (Photo courtesy of Save the Children)

Helping prevent the summer slide among NM's school-aged kids

Some New Mexico kids hope summer never ends, while others cannot wait to get back in the classroom and both groups are at risk of falling behind in …

Save the Children works in more than 300 of rural America's most impoverished communities, helping kids prepare for kindergarten and reach grade-level goals. (peopleimages.com./Adobe Stock)

Save the Children works to end 'summer slide' for Arkansas students

During the summer months, children can lose up to 40% of the information they learned in school, in a phenomenon called the "summer slide." The …

The latest EPA Clean School Bus funding of $940 million goes beyond health and environmental benefits. It supports school districts' transportation needs as well. (Adobe Stock)

$12 million in EPA rebates for clean school buses in Tennessee

Some Tennessee school districts are among 41 in the Southeast receiving funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus rebate pro…

Save the Children's mobile units deliver books and other educational resources to rural low-income communities in 11 states, including California. (Save the Children)

Mobile units aim to 'Make Summer Fair' for rural low-income kids

Mobile units are rolling out in rural California communities this summer to help keep kids engaged and combat learning loss. The nonprofit Save the …

The average college scholarship recipient in New Mexico is under 25 years old, female and Hispanic. (Julie/Adobe Stock)

New Mexico earns high marks, boosts enrollment with no-cost college

New Mexico consistently ranks low in childhood educational achievement, but its path to a college degree is being recognized at the highest levels…

Maryland schools served more than 34 million breakfasts during the 2022-2023 school year. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MD schools serving thousands fewer meals post-COVID

The latest Maryland School Breakfast Report finds tens of thousands fewer kids are being served post COVID. The end of pandemic era waivers two …

A tax-cut package, passed in an Arkansas special legislative session, also increased the homestead property tax credit in Arkansas from $425 to $500. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Opponents of latest state tax cuts say they benefit wealthy Arkansans

Leaders of some nonprofit organizations in Arkansas are not happy with a recent tax cut package passed by the Legislature. The law reduces the tax …

A group of pornography website operators is suing Indiana over a new law mandating stricter age verification for adult content sites. (Adobe stock)

New Indiana law: Protection for minors or privacy invasion?

A controversial new law is set to take effect next week, requiring Hoosiers to upload sensitive documents, including driver's licenses and Social …

Among 3- and 4-year-olds in Texas, 58% are not in school. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Texas remains near bottom in kids well-being

Texas is near the bottom in this year's annual Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book, which studies trends in child well-being. The report …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 26, 2024

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Youth

Harris addresses educators at national convention in Houston

As court decision looms, a push for better NC school funding

NY teachers union launches pro-public education campaign

Iowa advocates rally for kids' summertime food

MN educators join national calls for democracy, better working conditions

Hunger is another struggle for Arkansas 'ALICE' residents

Forest Corps battles wildfire crisis, gets Utah's young people involved

IN students face stricter attendance rules, new reading requirements

Teachers rally at national convention in Houston

Carter's adoption support: Empowering families, strengthening workplaces

Wayne State adapts physical education program for students with disabilities

Thousands of teachers expected in TX for their annual convention

Indiana initiative aims to lower infant mortality

East TX nonprofit works to register young voters of color

Erie's local college foundation helps students with unexpected expenses

Alabama group receives grant to boost FAFSA submissions

ND encourages more signups for kids' summer meal program

Financial strains create mental-health issues for AR ALICE population

New law allows youth on Medi-Cal to consent to mental health treatment

Boosting ‘Hope’ about climate-change among NM's next generation

HBCU students highlighted during MLB All-Star Week in TX

Grants boost environmental education and restoration in Ohio

NE youth hopeful for regenerative ag, sustainability after D.C. conference

Controversy continues over Ohio 'Bathroom Bill'

Essential tips for a safe and healthy Louisiana summer

Expert offers tips for smart student-loan repayment

WV lawmakers urge passage of Raylee’s Law during special session

Kentucky to provide health coverage for people leaving incarceration

Retired TX geoscientist uses talent to connect rural community to the web

SD artist duo makes murals by, for and with communities

Ways to stay safe as heat-related illness ticks up

AL universities, community colleges to receive increased funding in 2025

Free summer camps boost career goals for underserved youth

Summer meals for kids available to-go and by delivery in remote rural areas

NC dentists stress importance of children's dental health during summer

ME groups boost awareness of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services

Report on 988 crisis line rollout highlights OR youth suicide prevention

Report: WA 988 crisis line rollout successful but more work needed

Amazon responsible for selling chemical used for suicide, lawsuits allege

Helping prevent the summer slide among NM's school-aged kids

Save the Children works to end 'summer slide' for Arkansas students

$12 million in EPA rebates for clean school buses in Tennessee

Mobile units aim to 'Make Summer Fair' for rural low-income kids

New Mexico earns high marks, boosts enrollment with no-cost college

Report: MD schools serving thousands fewer meals post-COVID

Opponents of latest state tax cuts say they benefit wealthy Arkansans

New Indiana law: Protection for minors or privacy invasion?

Texas remains near bottom in kids well-being