Public News Service

A recent survey commissioned by EdWeek Research Center found on average, teachers said they thought they realistically deserved a 31% raise. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Report: Ohio teacher salaries haven’t kept pace with inflation

Lagging salaries have meant teachers in Ohio and across the nation are experiencing a 5% drop in purchasing power, according to a new report by the …

Skimming devices placed in grocery and convenience stores can be used to steal EBT card funds from low-income people. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

EBT 'skimming' on the rise, more Ohioans turn to food banks

The federal SNAP program allows nearly 1.3 million Ohio families to put food on the table -- but increasingly, when many recipients attempt to use …

The number of undergraduate degree earners fell for the second year in a row in the 2022-23 academic years, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Poll: College affordability, debt keeping adults out of college

More than 70% of adults with student loans report having delayed at least one significant life event because of their debt situation, yet a new …

The development of worker cooperatives by ReImagine Appalachia is intended to revive the economy across Ohio and nearby states. (Adobe Stock)

ReImagine Appalachia plans co-ops to kick-start new energy economy

Leaders in Ohio and the other Appalachian states have a plan to turn the regional economy around. Natural resources from the Appalachian region once …

According to a January Household Pulse Survey, 90% of respondents reported their basic monthly food purchases cost more now than a year ago. (Adobe Stock)<br />

OH food banks overwhelmed one year after emergency SNAP benefits end

One year after emergency SNAP benefits ended, Ohio food banks said they are struggling with increased grocery costs and record-high numbers of …

According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, so far in 2024, more than 11 million net tons of steel have been produced in the United States. That's down slightly, by 1.8%, from last year. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New documentary examines steel industry comeback in Cleveland

In Ohio, steel industry jobs are returning as high-tech professions attracting a diverse workforce. A new documentary takes a look at Ohio residents …

In 2023, the USDA Forest Service and AmeriCorps signed a five-year agreement to establish the Forest Corps, which aims to create Job opportunities that reduce wildfire risk, support reforestation and make national forests and grasslands healthier and more resilient. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Biden’s Climate Corps could bring jobs to Appalachian Ohio

A Biden administration program called the American Climate Corps aims to hire and train 20,000 people in conservation, climate and clean-energy jobs…

Grants offer Ohioans funding to improve food access, housing and more

A community of older residents in Alliance, Ohio, now has better access to fresh foods, thanks to funding to help local people convert a vacant space …

Among worker cooperatives surveyed, 20% lost more than half of their revenue in 2021 due to the pandemic, compared to 28% of all small businesses, according to the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives. (AI-generated image/Adobe Stock)

Cooperative ways to weather the 'silver tsunami'

By Jaisal Noor for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Yes! Magazine-Public News Service …

Ohio's minimum wage increased this year to $10.45 per hour, but a report by the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness in Ohio found full-time workers in the Columbus area need to earn $22.37 an hour to rent a two-bedroom apartment. (Adobe Stock)

Annual point-in-time count of homeless set for Columbus, Franklin County

More than 150 volunteers will fan out across Columbus and Franklin County this week for the annual point-in-time count of the homeless. Last year's …

A 2023 statewide survey of Ohio by the Ohio Association of Foodbanks found 68% of households had to choose between purchasing food and transportation or gas. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio foodbanks say Thriving Families Tax Credit could help reduce hunger

Ohio lawmakers are considering a proposal that would implement a statewide refundable child tax credit. Regional food banks say the bill would help …

Appalachia is home to 26.3 million people and covers 206,000 square miles, encompassing 423 counties in 13 states, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Federal funding could transform Ohio Valley into a manufacturing hub

Manufacturers in Ohio employ around 12% of the state's workforce, and advocates say the state's Appalachian region could bolster its economy by …

In 2022, approximately 49 million people, one out of every six people in the United States, turned to hunger relief programs for support, according to Feeding America. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation, Farm Bill uncertainty have OH food banks concerned about 2024

Looming federal budget deadlines are just a few weeks away, and food banks in Ohio say the risk of reduced funding for nutrition, health care and …

A survey by Jobs for the Future found that most high school graduates not attending college said they would have considered programs such as apprenticeships if they had more information. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Construction apprentice careers in demand in Ohio

State data shows there are more than 21,000 active apprentices in Ohio - including carpenters, cement masons, construction laborers, and electricians…

As many as 100,000 Americans have been forced to stay home from work each month because of child care issues, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Child-care crisis mounts in Appalachian Ohio

In Appalachian Ohio, quality child care is increasingly scarce or prohibitively expensive for working families. Even before COVID-19, 60% of rural …

Among military and veteran caregivers, 43% face financial setbacks such as increasing debt or loss of personal savings, according to research from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio military and veteran families struggle with caregiving costs

Ohioans who provide care for veterans spend on average more than $1,100 yearly of their personal income on out-of-pocket costs related to caregiving…

If there is a shortfall in WIC funding, program administrators said states would respond by putting some eligible people on waiting lists. (Jade Maas/Adobe Stock)

Advocates: WIC will have to ration benefits if budget not increased

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children is facing a funding shortfall in Ohio and nationwide, even without the …

Farmers and ranchers steward about 44% of the United States' landmass. (ZoranZeremski/Adobe Stock)

Stalled farm bill will likely affect Ohioans

The once-every-five-year Farm Bill will likely be extended to six years this time around, as Congress seems months away from finding a path forward…

Families in Early Head Start have stable home environments and less involvement with the child welfare system, according to the National Head Start Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Congress proposes slashing funding for Head Start programs

More than 3,000 Ohio children could lose access to Head Start programs under budget cut proposals now being considered by Congress. From birth …

About 66 million people, or about one in five U.S. residents, collected Social Security benefits last February, according to the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Social Security beneficiaries will soon see COLA increase

Social Security retirement benefits will increase for Ohioans by more than $50 per month starting in January. Theresa Busher, public affairs …

As of Oct. 11, Cleveland had 1,211 sworn officers, 954 of whom patrol the streets of the city, according to the Marshall Project-Cleveland. (Gus Chan for The Marshall Project)

Cleveland ups ante to draw more police recruits, ease understaffing

Cleveland officials have announced another set of pay raises for police officers. The exact amounts differ based on an officer's rank but some …

In 2022, more than 2,593,000 children lived in Ohio, according to the Annie. E Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New advisory board helps Ohio parents increase advocacy

Ohio parents say they're concerned about the childcare crisis, mental health and gun violence, among other issues that have prompted some to join a …

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment in public schools declined by 3% nationwide in the first year of pandemic-related school closures, in part due to parent dissatisfaction with remote learning. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio school voucher program faces growing lawsuit

Ohio teachers warned the state's universal voucher entitlement program will negatively affect public education, and in a lawsuit expected to move …

$Nizer Lukerson, a delivery driver, stands outside Cleveland Heights City Hall after appearing in municipal court for driving under suspension. Lukerson owes $1,000 in fines to remove a number of suspensions issued in local courts for minor infractions. (GUS CHAN FOR THE MARSHALL PROJECT)<br />$

No license to drive: Why so many Ohioans are barred from driving

By Mark Puente for The Marshall Project.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Marshall Project-Public News Se…

Eight in 10 Republican voters said the federal government should be able to prohibit U.S. corporations from investing in manufacturing in other countries if it poses a threat to national interests, according to a new Morning Consult/Alliance for American Manufacturing Poll. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Poll: 'American made' a priority for Republican Ohio voters

New polling data showed most Ohio Republican voters say small-town factory jobs are not coming back, and want their elected representatives to …

In 2023, nearly two-thirds of Medicare enrollees are in individual plans that are open for general enrollment, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Tips for Comparing Healthcare Plans This Enrollment Season

Ohio experts say understanding a health care plan's benefits and comparing plans are critical for ensuring people have the coverage they need and keep…

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau research from 2021 showed consumer credit records reflected $88 billion worth of medical debt. (Adobe Stock)

Akron is Latest OH City to Retire Medical Debt

Since the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, a number of cities and counties in Ohio and around the nation have used ARPA funding to …

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing standards to regulate HAP emissions from five unmeasured fugitive and intermittent particulate sources that currently are not regulated. (Clive Winward/Wirestock Creators/Adobe Stock)

EPA's Last Call on Comments About Rules for Blast Furnaces is Today

Emission standards for blast furnaces such as the iron and steel mills in Ohio have not been updated in years. The Environmental Protection Agency …

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve Bank lowered interest rates to nearly zero to stimulate the economy, according to Experian. (Adobe Stock)

Americans’ Credit Card Debt Reaches Record High

Amid inflation, more Ohioans are relying on credit cards to meet basic needs, and the nation is now saddled with nearly $988 billion in credit card …

Between 8 million and 24 million people nationwide are expected to lose Medicaid coverage during the unwinding of the continuous enrollment provision, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

OH Expects 280K Residents Will Likely Lose Medicaid Coverage This Year

Ohio's Medicaid rolls saw a nearly 800,000-person boost during the pandemic, swelling to a total of 3.6 million, but the number is expected to drop …

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, 65% of older people with long-term care needs rely exclusively on family and friends to provide assistance. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Residents Provide $21 Billion in Unpaid Care for Loved Ones

In Ohio, more than 1.5 million individuals are providing about $21 billion in unpaid care, according to the latest data from AARP, a more than $4 …

Pre-pandemic, nearly 100,000 schools served lunches to around 29 million students each day, including, more than 20 million free lunches, according to the School Nutrition Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio Governor Signs Budget Including No-Cost School Meals

More Ohio students who qualify for reduced-priced meals will now be able to eat breakfast and lunch at school, even if their families cannot pay for …

Eight of 10 distressed communities are rural, and 60% of the residents in those counties are people of color, according to the group Rural Organizing. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Rebuild Rural America Act Could Counter Economic Decline in Rural Ohio

Rural Ohio towns could see boosts in economic development projects, and investments in workforce development, emergency preparedness and water and …

In 2021, some 53% of working adults ages 25 to 54 were parents, and more than a third of those parents had young children, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe stock)<br />

Child Care Crisis a Barrier to Economic Mobility for Ohio Families

Ohio ranks 29th among states in overall child well-being, according to the latest Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. Child care …

Adults ages 65 and older make up approximately 16.8% of the U.S. population, or more than 55.8 million adults, and are estimated to comprise 21% of the population (73.1 million) by 2030, according to a new report from UnitedHealthcare. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More of Ohio’s Older Adults Living in Poverty

By 2030, more than one in five Americans - more than 73 million people age 65 and over - will be of retirement age, as the last of the Baby Boomer …

Nationwide, around 1.7 million current Medicaid enrollees would not meet work or reporting requirements and could lose coverage if work requirements were implemented, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Medicaid Work Requirements May End Up Costing Taxpayers

House Republicans continue to push Medicaid work requirements in negotiations over the federal debt ceiling. In Ohio, one group said work …

A number of states saw a clear jump in the share of teachers leaving teaching positions between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, according to data from Chalkbeat. (Adobe Stock)

OH Teachers' Union: Teachers, Students Need Support not Blame, Post-Pandemic

Teachers' unions are coming under fire from GOP lawmakers for decisions to close schools during the pandemic. In Congress on Wednesday, the House …

According to AARP, almost half of households nationwide receiving SNAP benefits include an older adult. (Adobe Stock)

Older-Adult Food Insecurity on Rise in Ohio

Older adults now make up nearly one in four of all food-pantry visitors across Ohio, and hunger-fighting groups say the number could spike with the …

Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 9% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Mounting Child Welfare Caseworker Shortages Put More Ohio Kids at Risk

All of Ohio's 88 counties are struggling to find and retain child-welfare caseworkers. Between 2016 and 2017, around 1 in 4 caseworkers in Ohio left …

In 2022, there were more than 37,000 dollar stores in the United States, up by 1,500 from the previous year, according to the website Statista. (Adobe Stock)

In Toledo, Dollar Stores Leave Trail of Neighborhood Disinvestment

New research found more communities are rejecting the expansion of so-called "dollar stores" into their areas, and even enacting local laws to limit …

Around 37 percent of childcare centers nationwide reported decreased net income in 2022, according to a Childcare Industry Snapshot Report by the company HiMama. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio’s Childcare Providers Struggling to Keep Doors Open

Ohio's child care providers said they are struggling to stay in business due to drops in attendance with no help in sight from the state or federal go…

Americans' total credit card balance is $986 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to consumer debt data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More Ohioans Rely on Credit Cards for Basic Needs

More than one in three Ohioans are relying on credit cards for spending needs, and nearly a quarter say they've increased their credit-card use in …

Housing availability has been squeezed by a near-record increase in the number of American homeowners in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center.(Adobe Stock)

Report: Ohio’s Affordable Housing Shortage is Worsening

Ohio's affordable housing shortage has worsened over the past year, according to new data from the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio and …

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the sector has lost nearly 229,000 caregivers, or more than 14% of its workforce, since February 2020, the worst job loss among all health-care sectors. (Adobe Stock)

New Task Force Seeks Ohio Residents’ Feedback on Nursing Homes

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently created a Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force, and its members want to hear directly from families and …

The 2018-2023 Farm Bill is projected to cost around $428 billion, according to the estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. (Adobe Stock)

Push to Rebuild Regional Food Systems as 2023 Farm Bill Takes Shape

Next week, Ohio farmers and their advocates head to Washington, D.C., to push for shifting federal programs toward growing nutritious food, as …

The Farm Labor Organizing Committee was founded in 1968 to defend the rights and basic human dignity of farm workers regardless of immigration status. (Adobe Stock)

In Ohio, Push to Expand Rights for Migrant Workers

A labor union representing agricultural workers in Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia says it isn't waiting around for federal immigration reform to …

Tenants' unions provide space to air grievances and discuss ways to advocate for better conditions for renters. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans Cope with Rising Rents

By Jala Forest/Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Rents have been rising fast …

Around 41,000 part-time Postal Service employees have converted into career roles in January. (Atomic Taco/Flickr)

Postal Workers in Ohio Brace for Seasonal Ramp-Up

Ahead of the peak mailing season, the U.S. Postal Service is going through a "ramp up" period of hiring. Because of the COVID pandemic, postal …

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PNS Daily Newscast - May 8, 2024

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OH: Livable Wages/Working Families