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Sunday, December 14, 2025

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - December 12, 2025
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FL advocates worry about the EPA delaying an important decision on emissions; WV is a leading state in criminal justice reform thanks to national backing; CA groups are celebrating a judge rejecting a federal moratorium on offshore wind; U of MI child care workers are fighting for a livable wage; gray whales might not be bouncing back as fast as previously thought; and NY advocates are celebrating a federal ruling saying the Trump Administration's wind energy ban was illegal.

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2025Talks - December 12, 2025
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The Senate fails to extend ACA subsidies all but ensuring higher premiums in January, Indiana lawmakers vote not to change their congressional map, and West Virginia clergy call for a moratorium on immigration detentions during the holidays.

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The Yonder Report - December 11, 2025

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Farmers face skyrocketing healthcare costs if Congress fails to act this month, residents of communities without mental health resources are getting trained themselves and a flood-devasted Texas theater group vows, 'the show must go on.'

Mark Richardson

Producer

Mark has more than 35 years as a professional journalist, working for newspapers, magazines, radio/TV, and digital media. Currently based in northeast Michigan, he has also worked in Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Las Vegas, among other markets. Newsrooms include CBS News, The Associated Press, The Las Vegas Review-Journal, Austin American Statesman, Dun & Bradstreet, Time Warner, and Clear Channel Radio (iHeartMedia). Mark has a Bachelor of Journalism with a double major in print and broadcast news from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em Horns!).


Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Topic Expertise: Politics, Government, Environment, Healthcare, Social Trends

Local Expertise: Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan

Location: Michigan

CONTACT

Latest Work

Most local public broadcasters cover an average of about 20% of their annual budget through government funding but in smaller states and tribal nations, the figure can be as high as 50%. (Adobe Stock)

Public broadcasting funding cuts could hurt rural Utah communities

State officials are concerned congressional cuts to funding for public broadcasters could hurt dozens of rural communities across Utah. House …

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Then-President Barack Obama awards the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Congressman John Lewis in a White House ceremony on Feb. 15, 2011. (Official White House photo)

Advocates urge Utahns to cause 'good trouble' on National Day of Action

Civil rights activists are urging Utahns and thousands of other people across the country to cause "good trouble" today in the name of protecting Amer…

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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…

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Some Pennsylvania farmers benefit from carbon markets or improved efficiency, such as savings on bedding from manure separators or reduced fuel costs from no-till farming. But owners of some smaller farms question the practicality of

PA farmers calculate return on climate-friendly ag practices

By Carolyn Beans for Lancaster Farming.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Lancaster Farming-MIT…

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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. (Jacob Lund/AdobeStock)

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 …

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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 …

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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…

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Medicare provides health care for more than 65 million Americans. A report from the Bipartisan Policy Center concludes the current system for reimbursing primary care physicians requires reform. (Adobe Stock)

Health advocates propose alternative payment system for KS primary care

Policy experts said the current Medicare payment system for reimbursing primary care physicians in Kansas and elsewhere is flawed and needs to be revi…

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Advocates said prison gerrymandering gives voting districts with a correctional facility an unfair advantage in the West Virginia political system. They want state lawmakers to make changes before the 2030 Census. (Adobe Stock)

Report calls for WV redistricting reforms to stop 'prison gerrymandering'

Prison policy advocates are urging West Virginia lawmakers to put an end to "prison gerrymandering," which they said distorts political representation…

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The majority of Alaska's energy producers are small, municipally owned companies and did not qualify for most energy tax credits before the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Big budget bill would roll back tax credits for AK power co-ops

Energy experts said cuts proposed for renewable energy tax credits in President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" could be a significant blo…

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