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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.

MA: Consumer

Atlantic herring serve as valuable bait for fishermen and lobstermen in Massachusetts, making them  vital to the health of the state's blue economy, which grew 38% between 2009 and 2019. (Adobe Stock)
New England anglers seek greater protections for Atlantic herring stock

Recreational fishermen in New England say commercial trawlers are threatening the survival of smaller businesses relying on a healthy stock of Atlanti…

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More than 75% of Massachusetts mothers with infants also work. For those who rely on child care facilities, the majority require parents to supply a week's worth of diapers at a time or find alternative care. (Adobe Stock) <br />
MA diaper distribution program helps families make ends meet

Supporters of a federal pilot program to distribute diapers to low-income families in Massachusetts hope to build upon its success. More than 1 …

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Over the last decade, the average grant aid per full-time undergraduate student has doubled, from $5,190 in 2001 to $10,590 in 2021. (Adobe Stock)
MA families in limbo as college financial-aid awards delayed

Families in Massachusetts will have to wait even longer for financial aid offers from colleges and universities this year because of an error in the F…

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The Greater Boston Food Bank reports one in three households in Massachusetts experienced child-level food insecurity in 2022. That means a child was hungry, skipped a meal or did not eat for<br />a whole day because there wasn't enough money for food. (Adobe Stock)
Stalled Farm Bill puts pressure on MA food banks

Massachusetts food banks are struggling to keep up with demand as the Farm Bill remains stalled in Congress. The bill is renegotiated every five …

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Studies show the development and dissemination of vaccines have saved millions of lives and played a critical role in historic increases in average life expectancy - from  47 years in 1900 in the U.S. to 76 years in 2023. (Adobe Stock)
Vaccination rates decline as health misinformation spreads online

Public health experts say the rapid spread of health misinformation online is contributing to a dangerous decline in vaccination rates. Surveys …

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Some 51% of Americans say hidden fees for telecommunications services have caused them to exceed their budget for cable, internet or phone service. Two out of three Americans say they're paying more in hidden fees now than they did five years ago, according to Consumer Reports. (Adobe Stock)<br />
FTC, states propose new rules to target 'junk fees'

Federal and state regulators are cracking down on so-called "junk fees," which companies often use to hike prices on consumer products above what is a…

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There were 45 book challenges in Massachusetts in 2022 affecting 57 titles, however no books have been banned in the state, according to the American Library Association. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />
Legislation aims to classify book bans as federal civil rights violations

New federal legislation would classify discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil rights law. The Books Save Lives Act would ensure …

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Massachusetts had almost 5,000 fewer early educators, on average, in 2021 than before the COVID-19 pandemic, with roughly one in three child-care centers unable to serve their full capacity statewide, according to a report from The Boston Foundation. (Adobe Stock)
MA family child care providers ease shortage, seek greater state backing

Advocates in Massachusetts say increasing the pay of smaller, family child care providers could help ease the shortage and provide economic benefits …

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The cost to attend public colleges in Massachusetts is increasing faster than it is in any other state, while the average graduate in Massachusetts carries more than $33,000 in debt. (Adobe Stock)
Student loan payment restart riddled with errors for MA borrowers

A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found the repayment process for federal student loans has been filled with errors…

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This past spring, the Federal Trade Commission accused Amazon of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act Rule through its Alexa service by keeping the voice recordings of children indefinitely and failing to delete children's transcripts, even when requested by parents. (Adobe Stock)
Consumer watchdog: ‘Smart toys” put kids' privacy at risk

With the holiday shopping season underway, a consumer watchdog report is warning parents about the privacy risks associated with so-called 'smart …

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Massachusetts residents in non-subsidized housing with heat included in their rent may be eligible for a 30% reimbursement of their monthly rent paid back to them, according to MASSCAP. (Adobe Stock)
Home heating aid program in MA keeps families safe, warm

Winter is coming, and the annual statewide campaign to inform Massachusetts residents about available heating assistance is underway. Advocates for …

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Wages for low- and middle-income workers in Massachusetts have not risen substantially since the late 1970s, while wages for upper-income workers have increased fourfold, making it difficult for<br />people with low incomes to cover basic needs, according to to a study by MassBudget. (Adobe Stock)<br />
MA 'baby bonds,' expanded tax credits aim to end racial wealth divide

Legislation introduced in Massachusetts aims to reduce the racial wealth gap by creating a statewide "Baby Bonds" program. It is a publicly-funded…

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