skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, March 17, 2025

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

Trump administration deports hundreds of immigrants, even as a judge orders removals be stopped; Sierra Club sues DOGE over mass firings; Lack of opportunity pushes rural Gen Zers in AZ out of their communities; Fixing one problem, creating another? Ohio's lead pipe replacements.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Secretary of State Rubio pledges more arrests like that of student activist Mahmoud Khalil. Former EPA directors sound the alarm on Lee Zeldin's deregulation plans, and lack of opportunity is pushing rural Gen Zers out of their communities.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Farmers worry promised federal reimbursements aren't coming while fears mount that the Trump administration's efforts to raise cash means the sale of public lands, and rural America's shortage of doctors has many physicians skipping retirement.

MA boosts high degree attainment rate but students question affordability

play audio
Play

Tuesday, February 11, 2025   

Massachusetts remains a national leader in educational degree attainment, according to a new report.

The latest data from Lumina Foundation showed 63% of residents hold a college degree or other credential compared to the national average of nearly 55%.

Ginette Saimprevil, executive director of the nonprofit Bottom Line Massachusetts, which advises low income and first generation students, said the state benefits from the sheer number of postsecondary institutions but affordability puts many schools out of reach.

"Students are, more and more, questioning whether or not college is the right fit for them," Saimprevil observed. "We have to be able to show that credential programs won't be enough for them as they try to attain economic mobility."

Studies show college graduates will earn $1 million more over their lifetime compared to their counterparts. But Saimprevil pointed out many students fear federal financial aid will soon no longer be available.

Millions of students apply each year through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Data show numerous delays and technical glitches last year led to a 9% decline in first-time applicants. Saimprevil noted Bottom Line advisers work with students to make affordable college choices, which is helping close the state's historic wealth gap.

"They are our future so we need to be able to open more doors for more students and equip them with the career-ready skills that today's employers are looking for," Saimprevil explained.

Saimprevil stressed it takes a village of school districts, corporate leaders and nonprofits working together to ensure students from diverse backgrounds have access to higher education. She emphasized it is important for students to see examples of successful college graduates to help them better understand the value in securing a degree and having, she added, the courage to succeed.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Trash 2 Trends designers create runway looks from items headed to the landfill. Proceeds from the event fund recycling initiatives, litter prevention and community beautification in Orlando. (Trimmel Gomes)

Environment

play sound

What if your trash could be the key to a more sustainable wardrobe? The group Keep Orlando Beautiful is proving it is possible with its annual "Trash…


Social Issues

play sound

As the Trump administration continues to implement aggressive immigration policies, many Hispanic residents in Florida, a key voting bloc for Trump…

Environment

play sound

Indiana's Natural Resources Commission will decide this week whether to allow bobcat trapping, giving Hoosiers one last chance to weigh in. The …


The Trump administration is working to lower air-quality standards, which could allow easier permitting for the oil and gas industry. (Travelview/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Local leaders in California are slamming the Trump administration's moves to gut dozens of environmental policies on climate change and pollution in l…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Ohioans are seeing changes in their water infrastructure as cities work to replace lead service lines, a requirement under federal regulations…

Clean=energy advocates say wind and solar projects in Texas are reducing air pollution, saving water, supporting the grid and combating the global warming that threatens native ecosystems. (Peter Adams/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Clean-energy advocates in Texas are closely monitoring a bill before the Legislature that, if passed, could stop the development and operation of …

Environment

play sound

The Sierra Club is taking the Trump administration to court, joining a slew of legal challenges over the mass firings of federal workers. Sierra …

Health and Wellness

play sound

The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure recently proposed new changes to regulations around the prescribing and dispensing of buprenorphine, also …

 

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