Economic Policy/Justice / Public News Service

Four of the five richest men in the world attended the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Wikimedia Commons)

Friday, January 24, 2025

Ohio's political landscape, 15 years after Citizens United

This week marks 15 years since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The ruling reshaped campaign …

The hottest year on record was 2024, as average global temperatures continue to rise due to the use of fossil fuels. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Worker's coalition aims to address climate emergency, economic inequality

As President Donald Trump abandons a promise the U.S. made in Paris nearly a decade ago, organized workers across Colorado are joining forces to …

Ohio has the eighth-highest number of children that are covered by Medicaid in small towns and rural communities nationally. (IB Photography/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Ohio faces health care challenges as Medicaid funding wavers

As Congress debates potential cuts to Medicaid, a new report from Georgetown University sheds light on how these changes could disproportionately …

In 2021, Ohio spent approximately $1.3 billion on child welfare services, ranking it among the top states for reliance on local funding, with counties shouldering nearly half of the cost. (Mediaphotos/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Addressing Ohio’s youth care crisis

Finding appropriate placements for youths entering Ohio's child welfare system has become increasingly difficult. Rachel Reedy, outreach and member …

Virginians' view of the economy is still 23 points less favorable than pre-pandemic levels. (Adobe Stock)<br />

What is VA’s economic forecast for 2025?

A new State of the Commonwealth report by Old Dominion University finds Virginia had a strong year in 2024. But researchers say challenges remain…

stated food stamps alone kept more than 1.3 million children out of poverty last year. (paulaphoto/Adobe Stock)">

Report: Child poverty derails dream of MLK Jr.

In his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. condemned the poverty hindering Black Americans' rights and decades later, a new …

Among adults younger than 65, about 18% of those in small towns and rural America get their coverage through Medicaid, compared with about 16% in metro areas. (AndriiKoval/Adobe Stock)

Possible cuts to Medicaid would hurt many AR families

A study by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families shows most people who live in small towns and rural areas use Medicaid for healt…

Appalachia could see wind and solar economic benefits over the next decade, according to the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute. (Adobe Stock)

What’s next for Appalachia's green energy economy?

The future looks promising for green energy and manufacturing in Appalachia, and states like West Virginia are slated to receive around $1 billion in …

Michigan House Rep. Carrie Rheingans, D-Ann Arbor, represents Michigan's 47th District, covering parts of Jackson and Washtenaw counties. She was elected in Nov. 2022 and began her term in Jan. 2023. (Rep. Carrie Rheingans)

Lawmaker fights for better health, housing for Michiganders

More Michigan residents need access to affordable housing and health insurance, according to a lawmaker pushing for change. Rep. Carrie Rheingans…

More than 2,000 bills have already been filed by Texas lawmakers for the 2025 session. Coming up with a balanced budget is the only task required by the Texas Constitution. (Brandon Seidel/Adobe Stock)

Vouchers, new speaker on TX lawmakers' to-do list

Members of the Texas Legislature are back in Austin for its 89th legislative session. After newly elected lawmakers are sworn in, members will vote …

When corporate-sized farms gain a presence in rural communities, skeptics said the added economic activity can have side effects, such as larger trucks leading to deteriorated roads. (Adobe Stock)

ND to debate how close large livestock sites can sit near communities

In North Dakota, 2025 could be another year when the state puts out the welcome mat for the livestock industry. Following task force recommendations…

Nebraska produced more than 7.6 billion pounds of beef in 2023, remaining among the nation's leaders in beef production. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska farmers 'cautiously optimistic' about farm policy

Some farm advocates in rural America, including Nebraska, are calling on the Trump administration to continue investing in small communities…

Struggling to meet the pressures imposed by a dwindling population, Iowa is looking at ways to allow minors to work more hours and fill companies' employment needs. (Adobe Stock)

Concerns voiced as IA lawmakers could slash child labor law fines

Iowa lawmakers are considering reducing fines companies pay for breaking child labor laws. The state has said it's trying to find safe and creative …

A new course highlights that profitability can be part of sustainable business models. (patpitchaya/Adobe Stock)

Sustainability practices help NC businesses stick around

North Carolina businesses are getting tips on how to harness a sustainable approach to their work. The North Carolina Sustainable Business Council …

About 20 million people, nearly one in 12 adults, owe medical debt, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. (Adobe Stock)

Medical debt to be removed from credit reports

Nevada has about 170,000 adults who report medical debt, which can pose a significant financial hardship. But a new federal rule could ease some …

The Arkansas legislators serving in this session took office following the 2024 elections. Republicans won a 29-6 majority in the Senate and an 81-19 majority in the House. (Adobe Stock)

AR's 95th legislative session begins today

Arkansas lawmakers are at the Capitol today for the start of the 95th Legislative session. Over the next 88 days, legislators will discuss more than 2…

According to the Arkansas Department of Finance, the short-term outlook for the Arkansas economy indicates stable and moderate growth for total personal income from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2025. (diy13/Adobe Stock)

Economists cautiously optimistic about 2025 AR economy

Economists are optimistic about the Arkansas economy in 2025. According to the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, the state has outperformed …

Rep. Mai Xiong, D-Warren, says her pending legislation is designed to provide financial relief to public employees and their families. (Xiong social media)

New MI legislator rings in new year with pending new law

Just nine months into her tenure, Michigan state Rep. Mai Xiong, D-Warren, is ringing in the new year with new legislation. Now on Gov. Gretchen …

President-elect Donald Trump announced a policy to expedite reviews for investors committing $1 billion or more in the tech field. (Pascal Huot/Adobe Stock)

Trump's $20 billion investment announcement sparks hope in Ohio

Ohio is poised to play a key role in a $20 billion investment announced by President-elect Donald Trump, with plans to establish data centers across …

Data from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau show people pay about $9 billion a year in overdraft and NSF fees, costing an average of $150 a year for families that pay these fees. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

New laws take effect this year to protect CA consumers

Two new laws designed to protect California consumers take effect this year - cracking down on hard-to-cancel subscriptions and certain types of bank …

In 2023, Tennessee saw an increase of almost 58,000 jobs. However, projections indicate a decrease, with only 22,500 more jobs in 2024 and 36,400 jobs in 2025. (Austin/Adobe Stock)

Economists predict 2025 economic trends amid presidential transition

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, economists are weighing in on how his promised policies might shape what's ahead in 2025…

With foreign conflicts, labor strikes and state-level minimum-wage hikes making headlines, economists predict the U.S. economy will remain a focal point in the new year. (janews094/Adobe Stock)

Professor forecasts 2025 economic trends amid presidential transition

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, economists are focusing on how his promised policies could shape 2025. In 2024, Missouri …

The construction industry in Nevada holds one of the largest shares of immigrant workers, according to the American Immigration Council. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts speculate on economic effects of a Trump administration

Economists in Nevada and around the country said tariffs, cracking down on immigration, tax cuts and reduced energy credits will likely have a direct …

Preliminary data show state jobs were up 65,000 over the year in October, which translated into 2% growth, ahead of the nation at 1.3%, according to the University of Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

2025 is here. What economic trends could affect Arizonans?

Economists in Arizona and around the country said tariffs, cracking down on immigration, tax cuts and reduced energy credits will likely have a …

MI professor predicts 2025 economic trends for presidential transition

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, economists are weighing in on how his promised policies might shape what is ahead in 2025…

BIPOC workers earn 30% higher incomes - and have a 79% greater median household net worth - as worker owners of cooperatives, according to the Coalition for Worker Ownership and Power. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

MA unions, worker co-ops tackle historic wealth gap

Massachusetts unions and worker-owned cooperatives are joining forces to help tackle the state's historic wealth gap. Census data show just a …

Homeowners in a record number of school districts aren't getting the full benefit of Ohio state law meant to keep property-tax

'Safety valve' meant to limit OH property tax hikes doesn’t help some

By Andrew Tobias for Signal Cleveland.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Signal Ohio-Public News Service Col…

Congress's latest one-year Farm Bill extension provides $20 billion in funding for federal farm programs and $10 billion in direct economic relief to farmers. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Trump administration could tackle corporate food system, help farmers

As inflation and falling crop prices continue to affect farmers, their advocates say the incoming Trump administration could take steps to reform the …

In 2022, of the more than 1.2 million households in Arkansas, 47% of them were below the ALICE threshold, according to United for ALICE. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansans who are just above the federal poverty line struggle to get by

Many households across Arkansas are just above the federal poverty line, but earn less than they need to cover their basic needs. These people…

Wisconsin municipal courts issued more than 27,000 arrest warrants and writs of commitment for people who failed to pay fines between Jan. 2023 and Aug. 2024, according to the ACLU of Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Some WI courts jailing people for unpaid tickets

If you have any unpaid traffic or parking tickets, the latest report on Wisconsin's municipal courts said in some areas, you could go to jail if you …

Economists say minimum wage hikes can be a complex issue to sort out. But some say when you look past the numbers, higher wages can help boost morale and reduce the need to keep hiring new staff. (Adobe Stock)

Will ND keep standing pat on minimum wage?

When the calendar flips to January, a number of states will increase their minimum wage levels - but just like recent years, North Dakota won't be …

Battery storage is considered a key form of clean energy innovation, and those behind a public-private-partnership in Minnesota want to make the region a hub to perfect these solutions and similar technologies. (Adobe Stock)

MN's 'Energy Alley' looks to lengthen its on-ramp for start-ups

Minnesota's clean energy goals are among the more ambitious in the U.S. But industry experts say it can't slow down on the innovation side to see …

New Hampshire's roughly 4,000 farms support more than 20,000 jobs and provide an economic value of $1.2 billion dollars through direct product sales, labor and agritourism, according to the University of New Hampshire. (Adobe Stock)

NH farmers brace for Trump tariffs as farm income declines

New Hampshire's farming community is bracing for potential fallout from President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs. Agricultural goods were a …

More cities are looking into establishing a renter's right to cooling equipment, as climate change drives record-breaking temperatures across the world. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Following the TX model: Cities craft plans to protect tenants from extreme heat

By Ysabelle Kempe for Smart Cities Dive.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public N…

Ag policy experts wonder if a second Trump administration will create a more regulatory-friendly environment for larger livestock operations and commodity farmers. They say growing a lot of corn, for example, might appear good, but it fuels feed for concentrated animal feeding operations. (Adobe Stock)

A giant policy question mark lies before smaller, independent farms

From declining commodity prices to unpredictable weather, American farmers are at a crossroads - especially smaller operations. And they're …

Colorado is joining California, Maine, Minnesota and Oregon to implement extended producer responsibility programs. (Adobe Stock)

Increasing recycling access in rural Colorado communities

By Ilana Newman for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collabora…

Colorado's Community Food Grants are expected to create economic benefits for local economies, much like SNAP benefits that add $1.50 for every dollar invested. (Adobe Stock)

Nearly 90 food banks, pantries across Colorado get $2,611,500

Colorado is distributing over $2.6 million to food banks and pantries to ensure that the state's one in seven children facing hunger can access nutrit…

Despite strong federal regulations governing child labor, some states, such as Iowa, have weakened protections in order to compensate for what industries say is a labor shortage. (Creative Commons)

Worker shortage pushes Iowa employers to hire children for dangerous jobs

A conflict between federal child labor regulations and those passed by the Iowa Legislature has increased the number of businesses fined for hiring ch…

Julie Su, acting Secretary of Labor and Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior, joined labor advocates to celebrate President Joe Biden's establishment of the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, Maine. (Maine AFL-CIO)

National monument in Maine honors labor advocate Perkins

A new national monument in the town of Newcastle in Maine will honor FDR-era Labor Secretary Frances Perkins. The first woman to serve in a …

The U.S. is home to more than 408,000 undocumented students enrolled in higher education. Less than 1,000 undocumented students graduate from New Hampshire high schools each year, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. (Adobe Stock)

Mass deportations could spur economic losses on par with Great Recession

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte says she will support President-elect Donald Trump's plan to deport the nation's 11 million undocumented immigrant…

Each year, immigrants add $54 billion to Colorado's economy. (Adobe Stock)

Economic damage of mass deportation on par with Great Recession

As President-elect Donald Trump doubles down on promises to round up and deport the nation's 11 million undocumented immigrants, the city of Castle …

Worker-owned businesses are 25% more likely to stay in business while helping to improve economic and racial equity, according to the Massachusetts Center for Employee Ownership. (Adobe Stock)

MA worker co-op movement backs REI union contract efforts

Union workers fighting for a fair contract at Recreational Equipment, Inc. Boston are drawing support from the state's growing worker co-op community…

A poll from the Alliance for American Manufacturing poll found more than 80% of Americans would buy more American-made products if larger retailers sold them. (Adobe Stock)

The challenges and joys of printing holiday cards in MD

Americans purchase around 6.5 billion greeting cards each year, with around 20% of them bought for the holiday season. Sarah Hitchcock Burzio…

In 2021, Black people owned less than 2% of companies within the $18 billion cannabis industry, according to a report by Leafly. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Worker-owned cannabis co-ops in RI aim for economic justice

Worker-owned cannabis cooperatives in Rhode Island are striving to help those affected by the war on drugs. State law mandates at least six retail …

If the STORK Act is passed, Ohio would join states such as Georgia, which already allow tax deductions for unborn children, a policy enacted in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio’s STORK Act: Tax relief for parents or a push against abortion rights?

By Vanessa Davidson / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio Rep. Gary …

Nationwide, more than 9,700 abortions per month were provided via telehealth under shield law protections in the second quarter of 2024, a 5% increase since the first quarter of 2024, according to WeCount. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsinites seeking abortion telemedicine via shield laws face risks

Wisconsin law bans telemedicine abortion care, yet new data show an increasing number of Wisconsinites have been getting abortion pills through …

A Farm Connection report predicts dwindling services provided by local governments in small towns that are losing population will discourage new residents from settling in rural communities. (Adobe Stock)

Montana tallies economic impact of climate change

A report released by a Montana farm group says climate change is costing the state jobs and revenue, in addition to having a devastating long-term …

Michigan is a leader in clean energy employment in the Midwest, with nearly 124,000 clean energy jobs as of 2023. (structuresxx/Adobe Stock)

MI communities fight state control over clean energy law

Over 70 Michigan townships and counties are taking a stand in court, saying the state is overstepping its authority on renewable energy permits…

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