Public News Service

In 2021, an estimated 38.4 million people in the United States were living with diabetes, a disproportionate share of them Black or Asian, according to Policy Matters Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Insulin price gouging continues despite attempts to rein in the industry

Nearly one million Ohioans have been diagnosed with diabetes, but the cost of insulin continues to be a barrier for people needing the medication…

At least two-thirds of plastics plants examined in a new Environmental Integrity Project report, or 32 out of 50 built or expanded over the last decade, have received tax breaks or subsidies from state and local governments worth a total of nearly $9 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Fast-growing plastics industry major source of air pollution

The plastics industry is releasing illegal pollution but rarely faces discipline for environmental permit violations, according to a new report by …

According to the American Lung Association, children face special risks from air pollution because their airways are small and still developing, and because they breathe more rapidly and inhale more air relative to their size than do adults. (Adobe Stock)

Nurses voice support for new EPA light/medium vehicle air pollution rules

The Environmental Protection Agency has set new air pollution standards under the federal Clean Air Act for cars and light/medium vehicle models from …

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 …

The Federal Trade Commission says it received fraud reports from 2.6 million consumers last year, nearly the same amount as 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Consumer losses from fraud, scams reach record levels

This is National Consumer Protection Week, and nationwide, people's losses to fraud have topped more than $10 billion, a 14% increase from 2022…

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the indictment related to House Bill 6 is not only about the legislation:

FirstEnergy abandons interim clean energy goals to address climate change

Ohio-based FirstEnergy also comes in "first" to eliminate its short-term 2030 emissions reduction goal amid an ongoing bribery investigation related t…

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 …

Around 1.1 million Ohioans have received the updated COVID vaccine that became available in September, according to the Ohio Department of Health. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans lag on vaccines as COVID, flu, RSV cases rise

Nationwide and in Ohio, cases of COVID, influenza and RSV are on the rise, but health experts say Ohio lags when it comes to the number of residents …

According to the advocacy group Kids in Danger, there were 100 children's product recalls in 2022, the highest number since 2013. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)

Experts: Parents should do homework on smart toys for kids

The "smart toy" market is now a more than $16 billion industry, and is expected to double by 2027. This holiday season, experts are warning parents …

More than 30 states have expanded Medicaid coverage for new moms to one year after childbirth, according to the group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

WIC funding cuts could worsen Ohio maternal, infant health

Food banks in Ohio say proposed cuts to the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants, and Children would be devastating for …

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 …

The average cost in Ohio for college tuition and fees is around $10,049 per year, according to the Education Data Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio borrowers navigate student-loan payment restart riddled with errors

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

Giving Tuesday began in 2012 at New York City's 92nd Street YMCA and is now observed in every country in the world. (OntheRun Photo/Adobe Stock)

Groups hoping Ohioans are feeling philanthropic on Giving Tuesday

On Giving Tuesday tomorrow, donating money isn't the only way to support the groups and causes you care about. The global Giving Tuesday movement …

Clean-air advocacy groups and the electric truck sector are calling on state governments to consider tax credits that would make EV trucks more affordable. (Adobe Stock)

EV companies call for building heavy-duty vehicle infrastructure

Clean-energy advocates in Ohio and around the country say now is the time for the government to ensure the nation has the medium- and heavy-duty truck…

The Biden administration unveiled the U.S. Labor Department's proposed Retirement Security Rule, which aims to restrict

Proposed rule aims to protect Ohio's retirees

The Biden administration has proposed a rule to help people save more in retirement and avoid "junk" fees from unscrupulous financial advisers…

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 …

Total U.S. household debt rose by $16 billion, to reach $17.06 trillion in the second quarter of 2023. (Adobe Stock)

BBB Warns of Debt Relief, Credit Repair Company Scams

Ohioans seeking help from companies promising to reduce or eliminate debt or fix their credit scores are getting duped, and often are left …

Earlier this year, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office launched a Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program to help teens access driver's-education classes. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Programs Work to Expand Teen Access to Driver Education

By Chloe Robertson / Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Out of the 186,484 people …

The share of electric cars in total sales has more than tripled in three years, from around 4% in 2020 to 14% in 2022, according to IEA. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio Drivers Remain Interested in Electric Vehicles

Despite reports electric vehicle sales are slowing down, experts say consumer interest in Ohio remains high. Four in 10 Americans said they are …

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 …

According to the National Partnership for Dental Therapy, 70 million people across the United States live in areas without enough dental providers. (Adobe Stock)

Dental Therapists Could Help Close Oral Health Gap in Rural Ohio

Dental therapists are licensed to provide cavity fillings and other basic dental care, and health care providers in Ohio say authorizing their …

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 …

Just over 15% of Ohio residents have student loan debt, according to Educationdata.org, and more than half the borrowers are under age 35. (Adobe Stock)

Nixing Student Loan Forgiveness Could Prompt Scam Spike

More Ohio student loan borrowers could fall victim to loan-forgiveness scams once their repayment plans resume this fall, consumer groups say…

Devoted mother, daughter, sister and niece, Ohio resident Erica Easley died at age 39 in a car crash caused by distracted driving. (Courtesy of Stephanie Easley)<br />

Ohio Distracted Driving Deaths Up; Family Members Raise Awareness

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and in Ohio, fatal accidents caused by distracted drivers are on the rise. Deaths in 2021 …

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 …

58 years old, according to the USDA. The owners of Meadow Farm and Preserve in Fayette County, Ohio, pictured above, purchased their farm from a retiring couple. (Sharon Maish)
">

Land Transfers Offer Hope, Stewardship to Beginning Farmers

The cost of farmland has skyrocketed, putting the dream of working the land out of reach for many young farmers. In Ohio, land transfers between …

Humans use about 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute in total, and more than 90% of plastic is not recycled, according to Earth Day Network. (Adobe Stock)

Local Initiative Aims to Rev Up Cleveland's 'Circular' Economy

By Lee Chilcote for The Land.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News S…

Chris Powers stands in front of the Land Bank lot that he tried to bid on in Southern Ohio. (Eye on Ohio)<br />

How Rules Written for Distressed ‘Rust Belt’ Property May Benefit a Select Few

By Lucia Walinchus for Eye on Ohio.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection Collaboration reporting for the Ohio Center for Invest…

Roughly 23 million Americas owe medical debt. (Adobe Stock)

Medical Debt: Help Available for Struggling Ohioans

Medical costs are a concern for many people in Ohio, but efforts are under way to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with health care…

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 …

The Farm Bill is a five-year spending measure that addresses the agriculture industry, food systems, nutrition programs and more. (Mike/Flickr)

2023 Farm Bill: Creating Healthier Future for Farming, Food

Congress must pass a 2023 Farm Bill before the end of the year, a measure which not only impacts farming but also what's on our plates. The Ohio …

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 …

Ohio's labor market has recovered quickly after COVID-19, but the number of jobs in the state remains below the year 2000 level. (Adobe Stock)

New Ohio Labor Report Highlights Improvements and Challenges

A new report on working in Ohio offers a mixed picture of labor in the state. The annual State of Working Ohio report is out for 2022 and while …

22% of Ohio voters in 2020 were age 65 or older. 33% were between 45 and 64 years old. (Adobe Stock)">

Tour Aims to Amplify Voice of Ohio’s Largest Voting Bloc

With several months remaining before the 2022 Midterm Election, older Ohioans have an opportunity to have their voice be heard on the issues that …

AARP says Ohio's 864,923 military veterans and active-duty service members are at heightened risk of being targeted by scammers. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Veterans Have New Resource in Fight Against Fraud

Members of Ohio's military community have a new tool in their arsenal to help fight rising fraud. The AARP Veterans Fraud Center is a free, online …

Individual income tax dollars accounted for about 47% of 2021 federal revenue. (Adobe Stock)

Healthcare, COVID Response, Military Top 2021 Tax Bills

Tax Day is here, and whether you love or loathe it often depends on if you owe money to the government. Perspective can change with a better …

Researchers have documented a rise in infertility in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Calls For Stronger Look at Fertility-Radiation Link

Experts are calling on the FCC to consider recent studies linking fertility problems to radio-frequency radiation from cellphones and other wireless d…

IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers can help ensure Ohio taxpayers receive the full amount for which they may qualify. (Adobe Stock)

Tax Filing: Getting It Right Could Mean More Money in Your Pocket

Filing taxes certainly can be a headache, but getting it right could mean more money in your pocket. As part of the American Rescue Plan, the Earned …

Millones de ni�os en los EE. UU. han tenido estabilidad en la cobertura de Medicaid, gracias a una pol�tica de cobertura continua durante la pandemia. Pero esa pol�tica expirar� pronto. (Acci�n de Adobe)

Informe: Miles de niños de Ohio en riesgo de perder cobertura Medicaid/CHIP

Medicaid y el Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños han sido un salvavidas para las familias en apuros durante la pandemia, y un nuevo …

Millions of children in the U.S. have had stability in Medicaid coverage, thanks to a continuous coverage policy during the pandemic. But that policy is set to expire soon. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Thousands of Ohio Kids Risk Losing Medicaid/CHIP Coverage

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program have been a lifeline for struggling families during the pandemic - and a new report suggests more…

Esther Piskor's family says she suffered abuse and neglect in six different nursing homes over a 15-year period. Her struggle resulted in passage of a new law in Ohio. (Elderly Nursing Home Abuse Advocates)

Ohio Families Urged to Act on Nursing-Home Camera Law

A Cleveland man's crusade to help Ohio families better protect their loved ones in nursing-home care from abuse and neglect will soon come to fruition…

The 134th Ohio General Assembly will end in a lame-duck session at the end of the year. (mcsquishee/Flickr)

Ohio General Assembly Begins

The second year of the 134th Ohio General Assembly officially starts today, as both the state House and Senate convene. One of the most urgent tasks …

Medical debt is the number one source of personal bankruptcy filings in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Surprise Medical Bill? There’s an Ohio Law for That

Ohio patients have new protections to help prevent the sticker shock of surprise medical bills. In a recent poll, nearly one in three privately …

An estimated 6% of Ohioans don't have health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Midnight Deadline for ACA Coverage Starting January 1st

COLUMBUS, Ohio - While Ohioans still have plenty of time to shop for holiday gifts, the deadline to shop for health insurance on the federal …

Peak enrollment for federal marketplace plans in Ohio was in 2016, when more than 243,000 people signed up for insurance coverage. (Adobe Stock)

More Navigators On Hand for 'Healthcare.gov' Enrollment

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The federal health insurance marketplace is now open, and this fall, there's more help to guide Ohioans through the process of …

One vial of insulin to manage diabetes can cost as much as $300 without health insurance. (AdobeStock)

Budget Reconciliation Plan Could Lower Rx Prices for Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Congress has an opportunity to help lower prescription-drug costs for Ohioans, who, along with other Americans pay roughly three …

The Build Back Better plan would support both workforce training and the creation of clean-energy jobs, such as in the solar industry. (Adobe Stock)

Sustainable Businesses to Congress: "Pass Build Back Better"

CLEVELAND -- As Congress gears up to vote on the Build Back Better plan, President Joe Biden's climate and social policy agenda, a letter from …

Ohio health-insurance costs through the marketplace have increased by a modest amount since last year. (Adobe Stock)

Health Insurance Tips for Ohioans Ahead of 2022 Open-Enrollment Season

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Health insurance open enrollment will begin later this fall for many Ohioans and people across the country, and medical experts say …

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - April 18, 2024

2024Talks - April 18, 2024

The Yonder Report - April 18, 2024

OH: Consumer