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Tuesday, May 13, 2025

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Trump and China call off the divorce; Court ruling allows transgender troop removal to proceed; NC University provides guaranteed opportunity to students in struggling region; Program elimination, job loss as DOGE cuts funds for NM's AmeriCorps.

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Advocates say Republicans' scaled back Medicaid cuts still put too much in jeopardy. President Trump defends getting a luxury jet from Qatar, and frustration grows among museum executives who say White House is trying to erase history.

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Volunteers with AmeriCorps are reeling from near elimination of the 30-year-old program, Head Start has dodged demise but funding cuts are likely, moms are the most vulnerable when extreme weather hits, and in California, bullfrogs await their 15-minutes of fame.

Food-insecure AR families could suffer because of federal cuts

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Monday, April 7, 2025   

Arkansas families who are food insecure could be hurt by federal cuts to programs and services.

Those fighting the war on hunger across the Natural State are looking for new ways to help those in need after the federal government ended the Local Food Purchase Agreement Program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture grant program allowed food banks to purchase goods from local farmers and growers.

Christie Jordan, CEO of the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, said the cuts will impact producers as well as those seeking assistance.

"The decrease in purchasing," said Jordan, "means that there's not as strong a market for the foods that our farm families are producing to distribute to the food supply chain in our nation."

The food bank received between $500,000 and $600,000 a year from the LFPA Program.

According to the latest statistics from the nonprofit Feeding America, Arkansas has the second highest food insecurity rate in the nation.

The high food insecurity rate is attributed to the rising cost of groceries and the loss of additional COVID-19 assistance.

Advocates working to combat hunger say when budgets are tight, food is usually the first thing people cut back on.

Food pantries and other nonprofits have reported an increase in people seeking assistance. Jordan said cuts will have a significant impact on the local economy.

"That means less money available for families to purchase food at the grocery stores," said Jordan. "And the trickle-down effect is pretty substantial. We think about, if there's a decrease in food purchasing, potentially lost jobs."

Jordan said there are three ways residents can help.

"Time, food or money," said Jordan, "that you can help your local food bank, or food pantry. And also speaking up about pieces of legislation, being engaged with your elected officials on a state and federal level."




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