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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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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.

AR: Budget Policy & Priorities

Hot Springs received more than $6.5 million from the $2.6 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds given to Arkansas to combat COVID-19 impacts, cover budget gaps and assist hardest-hit communities.<br />(Brandon/AdobeStock)
AR city director speaks with national leaders about housing for rural areas

An Arkansas city director is back home after joining other leaders from across the country for the National League of Cities Congressional City Confer…

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Since the most recent avian influenza outbreak began, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates almost 82 million birds have been affected in 47 states. (Anton Dios/Adobe Stock)
Avian flu outbreak highlights need for improved wildlife disease tracking

In the wake of the latest, highly contagious bird flu outbreak in Arkansas and across the country, Congress is considering a bill to improve the …

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Arkansas ranked low in such measures as the percentage of rural, school-aged children who lack health insurance, which was nearly 6.5%. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)<br />
Rural Arkansas schools see challenges in education compared with nation

The National Rural Education Association's latest report, "Why Rural Matters 2023," finds Arkansas is a critical state - due mostly to funding for …

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Black children in immigrant families are more than twice as likely to live in two-parent families <br />than Black children in U.S.-born families (69% vs. 33%, respectively). (Adobe Stock)
Report: Black births more likely to be premature in AR

Arkansas ranks near the bottom among states in the latest Annie E. Casey Foundation report on children's well-being. "Race for Results" focuses on …

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A shared community activity building would provide educational services for Bentonville residents, students and members of the school district. (Allison/Adobe Stock)
Bentonville Schools tackle affordable housing for teachers, staff

The Bentonville School Board has taken a significant step to address Northwest Arkansas' pressing issue of affordable housing for teachers and staff m…

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Arkansas' income tax rate drops from 4.7% to 4.4% on Jan. 1, 2024, and there are efforts to eliminate it completely. (Eyegelb/Adobe Stock)
Report outlines options to eliminate Arkansas' state income tax

Arkansas is set to reduce income tax rates for individuals and corporations starting next year. Opportunity Arkansas is advocating for the …

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Food insecurity was higher than the national average in Arkansas and six other states and lower than the national average in 17 states, according to the latest USDA report. (Syda Productions/AdobeStock)
Report: Arkansas leads nation in food insecurity; urgent action urged

The number of families in Arkansas and across the nation that are struggling to put food on the table rose dramatically last year, according to the …

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In the Natural State, 33% of children from birth to age 6 are eligible for a Child Care & Development Block Grant subsidy under federal rules, on average, each month. (Bernardbodo/Adobe Stock)<br />
AR Adds 260 Child Care Providers, But Funding Crisis Looms

Across the country and in Arkansas, some day care providers face the threat of closure when federal government aid initiated during the pandemic …

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One of every five households in Arkansas is considered food insecure, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. (Adobe Stock)
Nutrition Program Would Expand Access to Healthy Foods in Rural Arkansas

September is Hunger Action Month, and an advocacy group is working to get legislation expanded to provide more healthy foods to people in rural …

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A person who is blind or has a qualifying disability who applies for SSI may get special services to help them work. These services may include counseling, job training, and help in finding work.<br />(Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)
SSA Expands Outreach for SSI Benefits to Rural Communities

The Social Security Administration has taken a proactive step to bridge the gap between critical financial assistance and the people who may be eligib…

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In March of this year, Arkansas had enrolled 1,047,062 individuals in Medicaid and CHIP. That was a net increase of 88.03% since the start of the Marketplace and related Medicaid program changes in October 2013. (Momius/Adobe Stock)
AR Sees Medicaid Coverage Loss in Redetermination Process

In Arkansas, thousands of people have lost Medicaid coverage since April, as states recheck everyone's eligibility, a process known as "unwinding." …

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The Kids Count Data Book reports in 2020-21, 15% of children from birth to age 5 in Arkansas lived in families in which someone quit, changed, or refused a job because of problems finding or affording child care. (ShunTerra/Adobe Stock)
Report: Arkansas Ranks 43rd in Child Well-Being

A new report found Arkansas consistently ranks toward the lowest 10 states for child well-being. The annual Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

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