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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

NV Makes Gains But Remains Near Bottom on Kids’ Well-Being

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Thursday, August 11, 2022   

Nevada ranks 47th in the country for child well-being, according to the 2022 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, but the numbers actually are looking up.

Researchers, using data from 2016 to 2020, found Nevada improved on teen births and on the number of children living in poverty.

Tara Raines, Kids Count initiatives director for the Children's Advocacy Alliance, said many gains came in education.

"We've got more young children ages 3 and 4 who are in school," Raines outlined. "We've got more fourth graders who are proficient in reading, we've got more eighth graders who are proficient in math, and we've got more high school students graduating on time."

The report also showed fewer children without parents who have secure employment, fewer households struggling with the high cost of housing, and fewer teens leaving school to go to work.

The numbers are less rosy when it comes to mental health.

Leslie Boissiere, vice president of external affairs for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said the nation saw a 26% jump in children who reported anxiety or depression during the first year of the COVID-19 crisis.

"There's a direct correlation between trauma and stress and poverty," Boissiere explained. "We know that the financial hardships that families experience, lack of access to basic needs, like nutrition and health care, has a direct impact on the well-being of kids."

The report found troubling disparities in the rates of attempted suicide. Nationally, 10% of high school students reported a suicide attempt in the past year, and the number rises to 13% for people of two or more races and 26% for Native American high school kids.

Disclosure: The Annie E. Casey Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Education, Juvenile Justice, and Welfare Reform. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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