Public News Service

During Hunger Action Month, key organizations are calling on Congress to protect funding for support programs as lawmakers debate budget proposals. (Adobe Stock)

'On the edge of catastrophe': A call to arms during Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month and a food shelf coordinator in Minnesota does not see increased demand going down anytime soon. According to …

Each Community Action Agency is different, but many offer help with resume building and interview readiness as low-income individuals try to find stable work. (Adobe Stock)

MN agencies reflect on war on poverty, 60 years in

For six decades, the U.S. has carried out a coordinated effort to keep poverty levels in check. Support offices in Minnesota say there's still need …

Como gobernador de Minnesota, Tim Walz ha ayudado a impulsar una serie de pol�ticas que sus opositores y observadores pol�ticos describen como progresistas. Pero algunos observadores se�alan que llam� la atenci�n de los votantes mientras representaba a un distrito del Congreso mayoritariamente conservador antes de ocupar el cargo de gobernador. (Adobe Stock)

Evaluando la selección de Walz en MN de acuerdo a tono y asuntos logísticos

La candidata presidencial demócrata Kamala Harris presentó al gobernador de Minnesota, Tim Walz, como su compañero de fórmula…

According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. households will spend around $140 on back-to-school staples such as notebooks and pencil sharpeners. However, other needs, such as shoes and electronics, push the cost much higher. (Adobe Stock)

School supply donations: Notebooks help but so do headphones, gym shoes

The average household is spending nearly $875 on back-to-school items this year, according to the National Retail Federation and Minnesota organizers …

Most of the buses in Minnesota's rural transportation system are ADA-compliant and equipped with wheelchair lifts for passengers with disabilities. (Arrowhead Transit)

Rural MN communities gain expanded public transportation options

Traveling around rural Minnesota can be difficult but in more than half the state, nonprofit transit systems are helping people get where they need …

According to the Minnesota Housing Partnership, more than 640,000 households across the state are cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than they can afford for their housing. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Many Minnesotans squeezed by housing costs

Newly released data in Minnesota underscores what housing assistance groups have been preaching - it's become increasingly difficult for many people t…

Cuando se aprob� el a�o pasado, se preve�a que la ley de Permisos de Conducir para Todos de Minnesota permitir�a a m�s de 80.000 personas indocumentadas iniciar el proceso para obtener un permiso. (Adobe Stock)

Defensores de los latinos evalúan permiso de conducir para todos en MN

Eventos están programados este mes para informar a más personas acerca de la nueva ley de Minnesota que elimina la necesidad de prueba de re…

United Health Foundation says for older adults, the early death rate has gone down by 8%. Officials say while that's an improvement, the rate is still higher than pre-pandemic levels. (Adobe Stock)

Mixed outlook revealed in new well-being report for older adults

Older adults in Minnesota and across the nation are navigating various challenges that affect their quality of life. An annual report shows progress…

During the pandemic, the federal government rolled out a temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit. Policy experts say it helped many families temporarily escape poverty. Supporters of Minnesota's new credit hope for similar results. (Adobe Stock)

New MN Child Tax Credit aligns with economic justice efforts

With tax season winding down, efforts continue to spread the word about Minnesota's new Child Tax Credit. Outreach leaders say it's another way to …

Leaders with a hunger-fighting group in Minnesota cite several reasons why more people are visiting food shelves. They acknowledge that skyrocketing rent is likely leaving less room for other necessities, including food. (Adobe Stock)

MN food shelves increasingly nimble in light of concerning data

Food shelves across Minnesota continue to adapt to record demand, that isn't showing any immediate signs of slowing down. This month, Hunger …

Rural connection gaps, through lack of infrastructure, are often cited as barriers to high-speed internet access. But experts reported being able to afford the monthly payments is another issue affecting many Americans. (Adobe Stock)

Helping low-income Minnesotans defray internet costs

Roughly 200,000 Minnesota households lack access to high-speed internet. Affordability is an issue for some, and two regions are ramping up outreach …

According to the organization Hunger Solutions, Minnesota saw a record 5.5 million visits to food shelves in 2022. There is concern visits this year will be even higher. (Adobe Stock)

MN food shelves navigate record high demand

The Thanksgiving holiday is here, as too many Minnesotans still struggle with food insecurity. New state support is on the way, but with record …

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says last year's spike in the nation's child poverty rate is the largest increase for children dating back to 1967. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Nationwide Surge in Child Poverty, MN Mitigation Plan Takes Flight

Policy experts are reacting to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, showing the nation's child poverty rate has more than doubled, to 12%. In …

Hunger relief experts say the pandemic made it much harder for marginalized populations to access healthy food, and federal relief grants helped some organizations address gaps. (Adobe Stock)

Relief Grants in MN Help Instill Hope in Addressing Food Insecurity

Minnesota saw a record 5.7 million people people visit food shelves last year. While there is still great concern about households not having enough …

Retail experts say the cost of electronics that students need has become a driving factor in the overall rise of school supply expenses. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Budget Pressure, Low-Income Minnesotans Get School-Supply Relief

The average U.S. household will spend nearly $900 on back-to-school supplies this year, and in Minnesota, poverty-fighting organizations are …

The National Low Income Housing Coalition said Minnesota has a shortage of nearly 104,000 affordable rental homes for its lowest-income households. Community action agencies say historic investments from the Legislature will help them meet the demand for housing aid. (Adobe Stock)

Facing High Demand, MN Digs Deep to Provide Housing Aid

The U.S. is in the midst of a housing crisis, with a shortage of affordable homes and concerns about people facing homelessness. Minnesota is using …

Findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation show Minnesota has an overall high ranking for child well-being. But advocates warn that lack of access to early child education could derail outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Shines in Child Well-Being Report, But Pandemic Shows its Impact

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like Minnesota fared better in the …

For years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been quickly targeted for cuts when Congress is at odds over spending priorities. (Adobe Stock)

MN Hunger Relief Leader: SNAP Threats Off Mark

Whether it's the recent debt ceiling negotiations or the Farm Bill debate, a key federal food assistance program is again at the mercy of budget …

Community Action Agencies provide services that go beyond energy assistance and home weatherization. Many offer job training programs that take into account the barriers low-income individuals face in advancing in the workplace. (Adobe Stock)

With New Partners, MN's Poverty-Fighting Offices Expand Financial Reach

May is Community Action Month, and Minnesota agencies that help address poverty say demand for services isn't going away. To help clients thrive…

Leaders with the Minnesota Freedom Fund say the criminal-justice system relies on a predatory cash bail system, suggesting prosecutors are ignoring constitutional protections which say a person cannot be given bail deemed 'excessive.' (Adobe Stock)

Group Works to Disrupt the Business of Cash Bail in MN

By Sonali Kolhatkar for Yes!Magazine.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

Since 2017, Lakes and Prairies Community Action Partnership in Minnesota has helped low-income clients train to become certified nursing assistants. (Adobe Stock)

Nursing Career Path Widens for Low-Income Minnesotans

Amid workforce issues within health care, the state of Minnesota is poised to soon roll out a nursing recruiting initiative. In the meantime…

The American Rescue Plan directed more than $8 billion to Minnesota as it tried to navigate the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Poverty-Fighting Groups: Pandemic Aid Helped, But Need Persists

Data continues to surface about the impact of federal pandemic relief distributed to states as the COVID crisis took shape. A Minnesota organization …

Hunger-fighting groups say one in six Minnesota school children lives in a household experiencing food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

MN Looks to Erase Hunger in Schools

Better health and educational outcomes are being touted as the potential benefits as Minnesota lawmakers discuss whether to provide free school meals …

Community health workers offer many services, including education on topics related to chronic disease prevention, physical activity and nutrition. (Adobe Stock)

Community Health Workers Make Inroads in MN

It's been three years since COVID-19 cases first surfaced. While doctors and nurses have treated those patients, community health workers continued …

In recent years, a range of studies and reports show Minnesota has some of the worst racial disparities in the nation, including in the areas of homeownership and education. (Adobe Stock)

MN Groups Brainstorm Ways to Address Poverty Disparities

On the heels of a regional conference, multiple groups are working on new solutions for reducing the poverty gap in Minnesota. Nonprofits, …

Analysts say had the federal government not temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit, child poverty would have fallen to 8.1% last year, rather than 5.2%. (Adobe Stock)

Policy Expert: Good News on Poverty Should Be the Norm

On the heels of a promising poverty report, there are renewed calls to make permanent certain pandemic policies that helped struggling families in …

Hunger-fighting groups say when children have trouble accessing food over the summer, they might not challenge themselves as much intellectually, which puts them behind in the next school year. (Adobe Stock)

New Summer Food Benefits Surface for MN Children

In the coming days, many Minnesota families with young children - dealing with food insecurity - should see some financial aid to help get them …

The group Hunger Solutions says in a recent survey, one in three respondents who is not receiving SNAP benefits to help with food purchases reports being food insecure. (Adobe Stock)

MN Becomes Latest State to Boost SNAP Eligibility

Minnesota is now the 20th state in the nation to allow the maximum eligibility for federal SNAP benefits. Hunger-fighting groups say it comes at a …

In many instances, say groups that provide free counseling for struggling homeowners, people behind on payments are unsure what to do because they get so many warning letters in the mail. They say it makes it harder to take action. (Adobe Stock)

Foreclosure Pressure Not Easing for Some Minnesotans

Higher consumer costs and expired pandemic protections are putting more Minnesotans on the brink of losing their homes. Some areas are seeing higher …

A revised federal spending plan for Community Action Agencies creates a new Broadband Navigator discretionary program to help connect low-income families to high-speed internet. (Adobe Stock)

Congress Considers Providing More Local Support to Fight Poverty

May is Community Action Month, and local agencies helping low-income families hope Congress signs off on a plan to bolster and modernize their …

University of Minnesota researchers say Minnesota is behind many other states in maximizing available resources to weatherize homes and reduce an occupant's energy burden. (Adobe Stock)

Energy-Efficient Updates Needed for MN's Aging Homes

A significant portion of Minnesota housing was built before 1980, and these homes just endured a long and cold winter. That's renewed calls for the …

In 2020, an average of 325 Minnesotans were served each month by the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, which follows SNAP eligibility criteria. Hunger-fighting groups fear too many other households make too much to qualify for benefits, but still can't put food on the table. (Adobe Stock)

'We're Scraping By': Hunger Concerns Spur Calls for Higher SNAP Eligibility

Food insecurity is getting more attention these days, and some working families still have trouble meeting basic needs under mounting living expenses …

A new report says to help more Minnesotans escape poverty, a cost-effective fix would be to increase the eligibility limit for SNAP to 200%, the maximum allowed by the federal government. (Adobe Stock)

MN Report: Aid Helps, But Many Have Trouble Escaping Poverty

For Minnesota to make big gains in reducing poverty, its safety net needs to be more robust, according to a new report highlighting disparities …

Early childhood educators in Minnesota say in order for the state's economy to thrive, a robust and accessible childcare system is needed. (Adobe Stock)

Childcare Access Gets Renewed Push at MN Legislature

Minnesota's new legislative session is underway. Even in an off-budget year, spending will be a main focus, thanks to a projected $7 billion surplus…

Some dental providers in Minnesota's underserved communities say they have long waiting lists because of low reimbursement rates tied to public health programs. (Adobe Stock)

Dental Reimbursements Could Improve Access for MN Kids

This month, Minnesota has raised state reimbursement rates for dentists who accept patients enrolled in the state's Medicaid program. Groups working …

Community action agencies say many of the families they serve may never get a chance for long-term stability without reducing the burden of needs such as housing and child-care costs. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Federal Plan Could Do Wonders for Housing, Child Care in MN

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. -- In Congress, initial votes are possible this week on the Biden administration's budget reconciliation bill. From child care to …

The Minnesota Homeownership Center says last year, it worked with 533 households to prevent foreclosure. (Adobe Stock)

Homeownership Groups Warn of Economic Fallout from Foreclosures

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Programs that allowed struggling homeowners to pause monthly payments during the pandemic have reached their limits for millions of …

With census data showing a more diverse population in Minnesota, advocates say it's important to adopt policies that meet the needs of growing racial groups, including older residents. (Adobe Stock)

Setting Fair Policies for Older BIPOC Minnesotans

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The challenges facing older Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Minnesotans will be the focal point of a virtual forum tomorrow…

Some Wealthy U.S. Residents Say the Rich Should Fund Biden Plan

MINNEAPOLIS -- Dozens of wealthy Americans, including some from Minnesota, are pressing Congress to boost taxes on higher-income earners, contending …

Focus on Universal Meals, Preventing 'Lunch Shaming' as MN Students Return

MINNEAPOLIS -- More Minnesota school districts are welcoming back students this week. Because of the pandemic, schools are receiving federal aid to …

According to a new national poll, 78% of families receiving monthly Child Tax Credit payments immediately spent the funds to help with housing, utilities and food costs. (Adobe Stock)

MN Parents: Expanded Tax Credit Helps, Should Be Extended

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Today is payday for many Americans. Families trying to make ends meet are also now getting a bump each month from the expanded …

Community action agencies connect missing pieces to help low-income individuals with assistance programs. In Minnesota, 24 of them, along with nearly 10 tribal governments, will share in new funding. (Adobe Stock)

MN's Community Agencies Can Stretch Dollars a Little Further

ONAMIA, Minn. -- Helping Minnesotans escape poverty requires behind-the-scenes work, often done by community action agencies on shoestring budgets…

Minnesota's divided government pushed budget talks to the brink of a government shutdown. A spending plan was adopted in the waning hours of a special session. (Adobe Stock)

From Status Quo to Policy Victories, MN Groups Review Special Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota has a new budget in place, after lawmakers finished a marathon special session as their deadline expired. From rural …

According to an AARP survey, an estimated 16% of Minnesotans 62 and older are receiving Social Security are still working. But the group says because of state law, not all will be eligible to receive unemployment if they are laid off. (Adobe Stock)

Repealing MN's Unemployment Provisions for Seniors, Teens Still in Play

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Minnesota lawmakers are still being pressured to update the state's unemployment laws some have argued discriminate against teens …

Social service experts say generational poverty keeps families in survival mode, and restricts them from planning and making long-term changes to escape economic struggle. (Adobe Stock)

MN Group: Biden Plan Addresses Generational Poverty

MINNEAPOLIS - Community groups are expressing hope about President Joe Biden's proposed long-term fixes for fighting poverty. One Minnesota agency …

Universal, no-cost school meals have been tried in certain U.S. cities. Now more state legislatures, including Minnesota, are seeing a push for this approach. (Adobe Stock)

MN Campaign Launches for Universal Free School Meals

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Transportation and learning supplies are among the things to which all K-through-12 students can have access. In Minnesota…

Senior advocates say prescription-drug costs and challenges in building a robust retirement package are forcing more seniors to work in their golden years. They say this age group needs full access to jobless benefits amid the current crisis. (Adobe Stock)

MN Seniors Want Changes to Unemployment Rules

MINNEAPOLIS -- Studies show more older Americans face economic insecurity, and in Minnesota, some seniors say rules limiting their ability to collect …

A new report says last year, Minnesotan seniors accounted for more than half a million food shelf visits. (Adobe Stock)

Older Minnesotans Increasingly Need Help from Food Shelves

MONTEVIDEO, Minn. -- Food shelves across Minnesota are seeing much more demand from older residents, according to newly released hunger data for the …

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MN: Poverty Issues