skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, February 8, 2025

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

January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

IN partners with truckers to raise human trafficking awareness

play audio
Play

Thursday, January 11, 2024   

Truckers and other commercial drivers see a lot while crisscrossing Indiana, which is why they are partnering with law enforcement this week to raise awareness about human trafficking.

The partnerships make sense, as more than a million trucks pass through the "Crossroads of America" every day. When the big rigs stop at interstate inspection stations, drivers receive educational handouts about human trafficking.

Kimberly Hill, commercial enforcement district coordinator for the Indiana State Police, said truckers are learning to spot traffickers and alert authorities.

Traffickers are quick to seduce people -- especially young adults -- often lured into the shadows under false pretenses with modeling gigs or other glamorous jobs. Too many times, they are lies which draw victims into sex or labor trafficking.

"I would be remiss if I didn't mention Truckers Against Trafficking," Hill noted. "We partner with them especially for this week. We do this initiative, distributing material to the commercial vehicle industry, because they are the eyes and ears of America."

Hill pointed out that human trafficking is not only a problem in North America but around the world. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is another tool getting results. Since its inception, it has identified more than 1,000 cases and more than 2,300 victims in Indiana.

While the initiative focuses this week on truckers, everyone can help. Hill stressed if you see something, say something. In other words, watch for things that simply don't appear to be right.

"A young person being controlled by a nonfamily member, or maybe they're not dressed appropriately for current weather conditions," Hill explained. "A lot of times they're not allowed to speak for themselves, or whoever is controlling them will do all the speaking for them."

The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be accessed online, by calling 888-373-7888 or by texting 233733.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …


Florida immigrant advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to help undocumented individuals navigate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. (David Peinado/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …

Social Issues

play sound

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

play sound

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

 

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