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Sunday, February 16, 2025

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Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come; NYC music school teachers strike after union negotiations break down; Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month; Health experts recommend sunshine, socializing to cure 'winter blues.'

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Kentucky

According to the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, rural children under 5 years old make up 24% of children eligible for child care services in the country, yet 55% of the children live in a child care desert. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Friday, February 14, 2025

In rural east KY, communities find ways to boost kids early learning

Kentucky's Appalachian counties are expanding efforts to help ensure kids are off to the right start educationally. Research shows attending a high-…

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In a given year, around 10 million Americans experience seasonal depression, according to Mental Health America. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 13, 2025

KY mental health experts on how to beat the winter blues

Shorter days and less sunlight have many Kentuckians feeling the winter blues. One recent study found 40% of Americans report their mood declines …

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Nearly all states are implementing plans to distribute at least $50 billion awarded to states and localities from opioid-related lawsuits, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

KY counties make decisions on how to spend opioid settlement payments

As opioid settlement money continues to flow into Kentucky, counties are having to make major decisions on how to spend it. Half of it goes to the …

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A map shows a community land purchase in Letcher County, Kentucky. (qPublic.net/Institute to End Mass Incarceration)
63-acre land purchase puts damper on proposed east KY prison project

A 63-acre purchase by a local land restoration group in eastern Kentucky could potentially delay the building of a proposed $500 million federal priso…

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There are around 1.5 million children, or 1 in 49, living with a parent in prison, according to the advocacy group Prison Fellowship. (Adobe Stock)<br />
KY lawmakers propose alternatives to incarceration for primary caregivers

A bill introduced by Kentucky lawmakers would increase alternatives to prison or jail for parents convicted of nonviolent offenses. Most of the …

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The number of of working-age adults with degrees or credentials continues to grow, according to new data from Lumina Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />
More than half of Kentuckians have a college degree or credential

Kentucky is inching closer to its goal of having 60% of residents equipped with a college degree or credential by 2030. The latest data from Lumina …

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A quarter of low-income households in the United States spend more than 15% of their income on energy bills, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. (Adobe Stock)<br />
KY Power proposes new energy efficiency programs

Eastern Kentucky's largest utility, Kentucky Power, is proposing to expand its energy efficiency programs for residential and commercial customers…

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2023 research shows U.S. maternal mortality rates are on the rise. (Adobe Stock)
Will Kentucky lift restrictions on freestanding birth centers?

Next week, Kentucky lawmakers are expected to consider a bill that would lift legal red tape that backers say makes it difficult to open up …

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According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.2% as of January 2025, slightly higher than the national rate. (Adobe Stock)<br />
Report: Most Kentuckians unsatisfied with their jobs, wages

Kentucky's unemployment rate is higher than the national average and workers who are employed said they are unsatisfied with their pay, according to …

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In 2000, immigrants were 2% of Kentucky's population, 2% of its workforce and 2% of its business owners. In 2022, those numbers were all up, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. (Wasiul Bahar/Wikimedia Commons)
Immigrant workers, business owners help grow Kentucky's economy

Kentucky's immigrant workers and business owners generate $14 billion of economic input, according to new data from the Kentucky Center for Economic …

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Factory farms are responsible for between 11% and 20% of global greenhouse emissions, according to the group World Animal Protection. (By Larry Rana-USDA, Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons)<br />
UN Green Climate Fund invests in KY factory farming, report finds

By Sophie Kevany for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

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The United States makes up roughly 4% of the world's population but holds an estimated 40% of the world's life-sentenced population, according to The Sentencing Project. (Adobe Stock)
Kentucky sees increase in life without parole sentences

Kentucky has seen one of the largest percent increases in its incarcerated population serving life without parole sentences. According to a new …

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