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Jury hears Trump and Cohen Discussing Hush-Money Deal on secret recording; Nature-based solutions help solve Mississippi River Delta problems; Public lands groups cheer the expansion of two CA national monuments; 'Art Against the Odds' shines a light on artists in the WI justice system.

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President Biden defends dissent but says "order must prevail" on campus, former President Trump won't commit to accepting the 2024 election results and Nebraska lawmakers circumvent a ballot measure repealing private school vouchers.

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Bidding begins soon for Wyoming's elk antlers, Southeastern states gained population in the past year, small rural energy projects are losing out to bigger proposals, and a rural arts cooperative is filling the gap for schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Kentucky's Poorest Finding Longest Road Out of Recession

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Friday, September 14, 2012   

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The gap between the 'haves and the 'have-nots' is growing in Kentucky, according to new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. The numbers show income inequality rose between 2010 and last year.

The figures are not surprising to Rob Jones, as executive director of Community Action Kentucky, which provides social services to low- and moderate-income residents. The nation may officially be out of a recession, but Jones says demand for services – ranging from Meals on Wheels, to energy assistance, to employment training – remains high.

"They are not the ones that are currently participating in the recovery, or at least gaining the benefits we see other income levels getting from the current recovery."

Jones says because the road to recovery is so slow for lower-income folks, the need for social services is especially high.

"A) in getting out of poverty, but B) to the extent that they must deal with the situations of poverty as they currently exist, (so) that they can get by."

Jones says current conditions create a perfect storm, of sorts, for Kentucky's most vulnerable.

"The fact that we are facing budgetary constraints at the same time that we are facing greater need for the services we're providing. It's a classic 'do more with less,' and it's really stretched to the breaking point."

The report also says poverty levels didn't improve last year. That has some in Washington, D.C., arguing that government programs for the poor don't work. Jones counters that without these safety net programs in place, the poverty rate in Kentucky, and nationwide, would be even higher.

See the Census Bureau data at census.gov.



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