Public News Service

A Becker's Hospital report indicates about 85% of healthcare facilities around the country are short of allied health professionals. (Chanelle Malambo/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

VUMC partners with local schools to tackle healthcare staffing shortage

By Laura Aka for Working Nation.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Tennessee News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Col…

Bryce Shanklin, a Williamson County career rural mail carrier, unloads the U.S. Postal Service vehicle he uses for delivering mail. (Jeremy Woodard)

Calls for increased rural Postal Service staffing grow louder

Across the country, and especially in rural parts of Tennessee, U.S. Postal Service staffing shortages are being blamed by some for delays in mail …

According to Apprenticeship Tennessee, companies investing in apprenticeships see a significant return on their investment, with estimates of a $1.46 return for every $1 invested. (romul014/Adobe Stock)

Apprentices in demand for Tennessee construction careers

The apprenticeship "learn-while-you-earn" model has emerged as a game-changer for Tennessee employers who want to cultivate a skilled and dedicated wo…

Determining SNAP eligibility involves considering such factors as residency, age, relationship, citizenship, Social Security number assignment, employment, resources, income and relevant deductions. (Mikhailov Studio/Adobe Stock)

TN families hit 'income cliff' when trying to get SNAP benefits

With the next Farm Bill stalled in Congress and rising food insecurity in Tennessee, advocacy groups say there's a pressing need to address a hurdle …

The Social Security Administration calculates its annual cost-of-living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, which is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/AdobeStock)

TN Social Security beneficiaries can expect a 3.2% increase in 2024

Social Security is a critical benefit for older Americans, and recipients in Tennessee and across the country will see an increase in their benefits …

Ford's BlueOval City complex could create up to 30,000 jobs in the region, including site operations and support positions, with more than $1 billion in annual earnings. (Mike Mareen/Adobe Stock)

Ford BlueOval City to boost jobs, economy in rural west TN

Most of the news about the automotive industry this month is focused on the United Auto Workers' strike against the Big Three automakers, but the …

The last open enrollment period saw a record high number of Tennessee residents signing up for health insurance. More than 340,000 people enrolled in private health plans. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Open enrollment for health insurance begins Nov. 1

The open enrollment period to purchase health insurance through the federal marketplace begins Nov. 1, and experts urge consumers to do some research …

When you get SSI, you may also get Medicaid, which helps pay doctor and hospital bills. Your local social services or medical assistance office can give you information about Medicaid. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/AdobeStock)

Feds to Expand Awareness of SSI Benefits to Tennesseans

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

Over 1.2 million people have received training and support services from Goodwill across the U.S. to help grow their careers. (Azeemud-Deen Jacobs/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Goodwill, Google Collaborate for Job Training in TN

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public…

The 2023 Kids Count Data Book reports the median pay for child care workers, who typically must hold a range of credentials, was $28,520 per year or $13.71 an hour in 2022. (Cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

'Kids Count' Data Show Some Improvement for TN Children

The annual Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E Casey Foundation ranked Tennessee 36th among the states for children's well-being. The report found …

In 2022, Save the Children reached nearly 900,000 children in the United States and distributed more than 5 million meals. (AdobeStock)

Summer Break is Broken for Many Rural Tennessee Kids

An advocacy group is expanding summer learning opportunities for families in the Volunteer State. In Tennessee and across the country, isolation and …

The Cumberland Fossil Plant is the largest generating asset in the TVA coal fleet and is located in Stewart County, Tennessee. It powers approximately 1.1 million homes. (David/AdobeStock)

TN Groups Call To Action for TVA Pivot To Clean Energy

Environmental groups in Tennessee have an urgent call to action for the Tennessee Valley Authority to cut fossil-fuel emissions and replace their coal…

During open enrollment for 2022 coverage, Tennessee saw a record number of individuals getting health insurance. Over 270,000 people signed up, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

TN Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Begins Nov. 1

Thousands of Tennesseeans will be shopping for new health insurance plans for next year when open enrollment begins November 1. The experts say it's …

In Tennessee, more than 800,000 people are facing hunger, and more than 230,000 of them are children. (Africa Studio/AdobeStock)

Advocates Calling on Congress for Better Investment in Kids

Advocates for children's well-being are in Washington, D.C. today, calling on lawmakers to invest in kids. The Save the Children advocacy summit is …

Federal data released earlier this year finds more than 14% of households with children nationwide were food insecure during the height of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)">

End of Federal Waivers May Put More Rural TN Kids at Hunger Risk

Federal waivers put in place at the height of the pandemic allowed federal child nutrition programs more flexibility in delivering meals to households…

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with a bachelor's degree had median weekly earnings of $1,305 in 2020, compared with $781 for workers with a high school diploma (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

TN Community Colleges See Lowest Enrollment in Two Decades

Tennessee is seeing the lowest level of community-college enrollment since 2001. Remote learning, child care challenges and income loss amid the …

In 2020, prescription-drug spending topped $570 billion, a 77% increase from $322 billion a decade prior, according to a report from the financial resource company ValuePenguin. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Inflation, Senate Lawmakers Debate Drug Pricing

A recent report found Tennessee households pay more than $6,000 a year on prescriptions, far more than the national average of around $4,000 dollars…

A recent report by the Hope Center calls on states to increase funding for HBCUs to help close the gap in addressing students' basic needs. (Adobe Stock)

Hunger Persists at HBCUs, Despite Record Federal Funding

Tennessee's six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) collectively received more than $131 million in the past year through the America…

Nationwide community college enrollment declined 11% in Spring 2021 compared to the year prior, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Report: College Degrees Boost Income; TN Program Helps Adult Learners

A new study adds to evidence that higher-education credentials can increase a person's earning power over a lifetime. The research from economists …

While the number of public school teachers of color has grown substantially, the increase has not kept pace with changes in the nation's student population, <a href=

according to the National Council on Teacher Quality. (Adobe Stock)">

Race, Gender Factors in TN Teacher Classroom-Observation Scores

New research suggests Tennessee's system for rating a teacher's effectiveness by observing them in the classroom may not be equitable - at a time when…

Healthcare provisions in The Build Back Better Act would increase Medicaid and CHIP coverage for people after a pregnancy, from 60 days to one year postpartum. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Potential in Congress to Close TN Health-Coverage Gap

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Many low-income Tennesseans without health insurance would quality for 'zero-dollar' out-of-pocket health coverage under a new …

The Thrifty Food Program, which is used to determine SNAP benefits, has been overhauled for the first time since 1975. (Kristina Blohkin/Adobe Stock)

SNAP Food Benefits to Increase Starting Tomorrow

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Almost 848,000 people in Tennessee will see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits go up by about 21…

Students participating in a high-impact practice in their first semester are more likely to be enrolled full time, and are much more likely to be enrolled in a learning-support course, according to a Lumina Foundation study. (Adobe Stock)

High-Impact Practices Make a Difference for TN’s Community-College Students

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - As the pandemic continues to pose challenges for college students across the state, research by the Lumina Foundation shows that a …

Some 40% of mothers new to the 2020 Magnolia Mother's Trust program said they had money saved for emergencies. After receiving $1,000 a month for 12 months, that increased to more than 85%. (Wikimedia Commons)

Groups Urge Long-Term Solutions After States Cut Federal Unemployment

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. MagazineBroadcast version by Lily Böhlke for Tennessee News Service/Public News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After …

The newest edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book explores how America's child population fared during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Tennessee Ranks in the Bottom Half of States for Child Well-Being

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - New survey data taken during the pandemic offers a clear picture of how Tennessee kids and families are faring. Tennessee ranks 3…

People who have medical debt or trouble paying medical bills are more likely to have continued health issues, from high blood pressure and mental health concerns to a shorter life expectancy.(Adobe Stock)

TN Court Offers Online Negotiation for People with Medical Debt

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - A court in Hamilton County has set up a new pilot program, giving people with unpaid medical bills an option to negotiate online …

M�s de un tercio de los hogares de EE.UU. con planes de educaci�n postsecundaria, informaron que al menos un miembro del hogar ha cancelado sus planes como resultado de la pandemia. (Adobe Stock)

Informe: La mayoría de los hogares de TN han cambiado sus planes universitarios

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Alrededor del 77% de los hogares de Tennessee con planes universitarios dicen que sus propósitos han cambiado debido a la …

More than half of Tennessee children receive healthcare through the state's Medicaid program, TennCare. (Adobe Stock)

Gov. Lee Signs Medicaid Waiver, Despite Stern Opposition

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Gov. Bill Lee has signed a resolution authorizing major changes to the state's Medicaid program, TennCare. Critics warned the …

Most of the wood harvested in the United States is exported to Southeast Asia for furniture manufacturing. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Timber Industry Crippled by Double Whammy: Trade War, COVID-19

By Andrew Muhammad for The Conversation. Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan/Tennessee News Service reporting for the Conversation-Public News …

Many parents are juggling teaching their kids from home and working at the same time. (Adobe Stock)

TN Families See Unprecedented Levels of Housing Insecurity

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nearly one quarter of Tennessee households with children say they have slight or no confidence they'd be able to make their next …

Upward mobility is shrinking among Tennessee's young people, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Kids in TN Less Likely to Out-Earn Parents

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A new report finds children in Tennessee are less likely than kids from similar families nationwide to out-earn their parents in …

The poverty rate for high school dropouts is twice as high as for graduates, and they are eight times more likely to be incarcerated. (Adobe Stock)

Memphis School Helps Adults Earn Long-Awaited High School Diplomas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A Memphis center run by Goodwill Industries aims to fill the resource gap for adults seeking to earn their high school diplomas…

So far, the IRS says it's issued about 160 million direct stimulus payments to Americans. (Adobe Stock)

IRS Extends Stimulus-Check Deadline to Nov. 21

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- More than 110,000 Tennessee residents have yet to receive their stimulus payments, according to data from the Center for Budget …

In a new book, Lumina Foundation president and chief executive Jamie Merisotis says it's time to rethink higher education and workforce training to sustain the future U.S. workforce in an age of robotics, artificial intelligence and other technologies. (Lumina Foundation)

Workers' "Human Skills" Will Still be Critical, Post-Pandemic

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Uniquely human traits and capabilities will be more important in the post-coronavirus work landscape, according to Jamie …

States like Tennessee with narrower Medicaid eligibility are expected to see larger increases in the number of uninsured residents in the coronavirus recession. (Adobe Stock)

Feds Quietly Loosen Restrictions on ACA Enrollment

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The federal government has quietly changed a policy that could make it easier for some residents to sign up for health insurance…

Restaurants across Tennessee continue to go out of business because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Report: One in Five TN Businesses Vulnerable to Coronavirus Recession

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- One-in-five Tennessee businesses operates in an industry most likely to be affected by the coronavirus recession, according to a …

More than 20 large U.S. companies have announced layoffs since the pandemic began. Some are offering furloughed workers a phone app to connect them with job training and coaching services. (Adobe Stock)

Employers Find Ways to Help Workers Gain New Skills Amid Pandemic

By Jeff Ryder for WorkingNation.com Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Public News Service Reporting for WorkingNation.com-Tennessee News Service…

According to federal data, in 2019, more than 252,000 individuals nationwide entered apprenticeship programs. (Adobe Stock)

Youth Apprenticeship Program Launched in Blount County

MARYVILLE, Tenn. -- This summer, high school students in Blount County will have the chance to apprentice in information technology, culinary arts…

More than 50% of U.S. adults ages 25 to 64 have earned a degree or other education credential beyond a high school diploma, according to data from the Lumina Foundation.(Adobe Stock) <br />

More Job-Seeking Tennesseans Eye Career Certifications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Millions of jobs across the U.S. have vanished in the months since the coronavirus pandemic began, and many Tennesseans may …

Research shows unemployment insurance can help stabilize family finances and economic activity when people lose jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Report: TN’s Unemployment Benefits Among Lowest in Nation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennesseans are filing for unemployment in record numbers, yet a new report from the Sycamore Institute says the state's …

As the country slides deeper into a recession because of the coronavirus pandemic, more individuals may avoid hospitals or other emergency care due to lack of health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 43 Million Could Lose Employer Health Insurance Amid Pandemic

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A new report finds 43 million Americans could lose their employer-sponsored health coverage under worst-case-scenario …

Tight working conditions on production lines in meat and poultry processing facilities make it impossible for workers to adhere to 6-foot distancing. (Adobe Stock)

Undocumented Poultry Workers Fear Speaking Out on Unsafe Conditions

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. -- A Tyson chicken plant in Goodlettsville is reporting nearly 300 confirmed cases of the coronavirus among employees, and …

Nearly 1 million students attend Tennessee public schools, and they can expect a new, state-funded push to improve their reading skills. (Adobe Stock)

TN Set to Funnel $650 Million Toward Public Schools

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Gov. Bill Lee recently announced Tennessee's public schools will receive $650 million to improve student literacy, support school …

Tennessee ranks 41st in the country for female labor-force participation rates, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Proposed Bill, TN Lags in Accommodation for Pregnant Workers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A bill in Congress that would ensure pregnant women aren't fired from their jobs for requesting reasonable accommodations in the …

No state's minimum wage covers the current cost of living, according to researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (Adobe Stock)

Groups, Legislators Propose Federal Job Guarantee for All

NASHVILLE, Tenn. â€“ Some organizations are pushing for what they call a federal job guarantee, legislation that would ensure that …

Of the more than 700,000 DACA recipients in the United States, about 8,000 live in Tennessee. (Adobe Stock)

Tennessee DACA Recipients Rally at US Supreme Court

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A group of Tennessee DACA recipients has just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where they rallied outside the U.S…

When the Tennessee General Assembly begins on Tuesday, lawmakers can expect to see demonstrators with placards, photos and prayers asking them to expand TennCare. (Tennessee Justice Center)

As Legislature Begins, Backers Rally for TennCare Expansion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee is one of 18 states that has not expanded its Medicaid program, known as TennCare, but backers of the idea are …

The closure of rural hospitals in nine Tennessee communities is expected to make it difficult for businesses to attract new, well-paying employers. (stopnlook/flickr)

No Medicaid Expansion: Rural Communities Affected Most, Report Says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Accessing health care and jobs that provide insurance benefits are difficult for people in rural communities across the …

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TN: Livable Wages/Working Families