skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Hurricane Helene charges toward Florida's Gulf Coast, expected to strike late today as a dangerous storm; Millions of Illinois' convenient voting method gains popularity; House task force holds first hearing today to investigate near assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania; New report finds Muslim students in New York face high levels of discrimination in school.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Biden says all-out-war is threatening in the Middle East, as tensions rise. Congress averts a government shutdown, sending stopgap funding to the president's desk and an election expert calls Georgia's latest election rule a really bad idea.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The presidential election is imminent and young rural voters say they still feel ignored, it's leaf peeping season in New England but some fear climate change could mute fall colors, and Minnesota's mental health advocates want more options for troubled youth.

Katahdin Woods and Waters: "Renewed Hope for Maine"

play audio
Play

Friday, November 17, 2017   

AUGUSTA, Maine – From Maine to California, hundreds of small businesses are speaking up on behalf of some of the country's most treasured places. Nearly 600 businesses and chambers of commerce on Thursday sent a letter asking the head of the National Economic Council to encourage the Trump Administration to preserve safeguards for national monuments, including Maine's Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

John Hafford owns a design and marketing firm nearby and says the Katahdin monument has been a godsend to the area.

"It's given a lot of hope to a lot of businesses, kind of a renewed sense of optimism in the region," he says. "We've seen real growth with existing businesses, so it's been a huge thing - a driver that has done nothing but help everyone."

Katahdin is on a leaked report from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke of monuments that could be reduced in size or altered. About 360 outdoor recreation businesses also have sent a letter to President Trump highlighting the economic benefits of the monuments to the livelihoods of local communities.

During Zinke's national monument review, some three-million comments were submitted, with 99 percent in favor of keeping protections in place. Hafford says that support speaks volumes about the importance of preserving the legacy of these areas.

"These are the jewels of our country, these monuments," he adds. "And to take tiny pieces of land in the areas across our country that are the most beautiful, most pristine and preserve them and leave them alone, I think that's important not just to our generation, but to the generations in the future."

The President recently announced plans to shrink two monuments in Utah. Zinke is said to be proposing reducing the size of up to six national monuments and changing the management of another half-dozen.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
A new report from the Council on American Islamic Relations-New York showed 43% of students who were bullied for being Muslim said they never asked for help. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A new report found Muslim students in New York City public schools face high levels of discrimination in school. The report from the Council on …


Social Issues

play sound

With the election six weeks away, concern is building about attempts to intimidate voters at the polls - so, lawmakers are taking action at the state …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Health-care advocates say more than 1 million North Carolinians could lose access to health care if the promises made in Project 2025 are carried out…


A blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) costs between $10 and $250 depending on which health care facility you choose. A comprehensive metabolic panel ranges from $10 to $700. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Shopping for health-care procedures has historically been more challenging than getting the best deal on groceries or even car repairs. But Cari …

Health and Wellness

play sound

While overdose deaths in the Commonwealth have declined, deaths among Black Kentuckians have increased by 5%, according to data from the latest …

Environment

play sound

A North Dakota task force meets again next month as it considers updating the scope of local zoning laws dealing with factory farms. It is an issue …

Social Issues

play sound

Through this Saturday, Minnesota is recognizing Workplace Rights Week. From COVID precautions to emerging technology, labor voices said there is key …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021