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Tuesday, February 18, 2025

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N.Y.C. Council speaker calls on Mayor Eric Adams to resign; KY could do more to protect kids from accidental drug ingestion, shootings; OH food banks face fed funding uncertainty, DeWine budget cuts; Protesters say Trump administration actions 'cast aside democracy.'

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On a Middle East visit, Sen. Richard Blumenthal rejects a Gaza takeover. President's Day protests erupt around the country against White House moves, and another aviation accident draws attention to recent FAA cuts.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Nonprofits: Federal grant pause toys with emotions of vulnerable people

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025   

Confusion and worry quickly spread Tuesday among charitable groups and state and local governments as the Trump administration put a freeze on federal grants. Even with legal challenges, some say the fear in states such as North Dakota could be real.

The White House issued a memo ordering agencies to "temporarily pause all activities" related to distribution of federal financial assistance. Officials stressed it's meant for programs to show their priorities align with the new administration, and said direct aid for programs such as Social Security and SNAP won't be disrupted.

However, Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, noted the psychological effect in this part of the United States.

"The Dakotas, for example, are in the top 10 [states] of having per capita oldest populations in the United States," he said. "So, it would be much more important to have these programs on time and ready to go, rather than this chaos we're seeing."

With programs such as Meals on Wheels, he said, unexpected headlines about their funding status makes seniors feel uneasy about meeting day-to-day needs. A judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the pause from taking effect, but that court order only lasts until next Monday. Democrats and even some Republicans in Congress took issue with the administration's actions, with questions about legal authority.

Critics of the move said even a temporary pause in funding could be harmful to services such as Head Start, or suicide-prevention hotlines. Fiesta said he worries that some programs could look very different after agencies are "reviewed" by White House budget leaders. He warned that pursuing government efficiency in chaotic fashion doesn't really help taxpayers.

"We could see much more strain on the health-care system, in general, on hospitals," he said. "You could see a ripple effect because of inability to get care."

He pointed out that Medicaid plays a big role in funding rural health-care networks, including nursing home costs.

Policy experts have said drastic cuts, no matter how they're carried out, could put more pressure on state budgets.


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