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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

FL Summer Meal Program Expands

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Wednesday, June 17, 2015   

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Eighty-six percent of children in Florida who qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch in summer don't participate, according to a report recently released by the Food Research and Action Center.

Debra Susie, president and chief executive of Florida Impact, who runs the state's summer lunch program, said her organization is reaching out to parents.

"Eligible households with children receive an oversize postcard that lets those families know 'this is where you go to find out if there is a summer food site close to you'," she said.

The number of children served each July actually is up - by about 13,000 children in 2014 compared with the year before. Florida Impact has joined the Department of Agriculture and Meals on Wheels to bring food to children who don't have the transportation to make it to a regular food site.

Congress is set to renew funding for summer lunch programs this fall. Susie said she hopes lawmakers will expand the effort.

"We have such confidence and support for the summer food and the after-school supper program that I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do with this congressional reauthorization to make them even better," she said.

Congress also will consider a proposal to streamline the process so schools can apply for both the summer and school-year programs at the same time.

More information is online at frac.org or summerfoodflorida.org.


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