Community Issues and Volunteering / Public News Service

New EPA rules on tailpipe pollution are expected to lead to $62 billion in reduced annual fuel costs, and maintenance and repair costs for drivers. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

EPA clean-car standards projected to bring $100B annual benefits

Clean-air advocates in Colorado are celebrating new EPA standards, which they believe can play a major role in reducing air pollution impacting …

Those selected for the new Forest Corps must be prepared to handle hiking long distances while carrying a heavy backpack, traverse uneven terrain and be able to complete labor-intensive outdoor projects. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Forest Corps battles wildfire crisis, gets Utah's young people involved

The federal government is looking to combat the climate crisis and protect public lands in Utah and around the country by empowering young adults…

The AARP Community Challenge grant program funds projects through three different grant opportunities: flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants and demonstration grants. (pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

AARP awards grants to help four MS communities boost 'livability'

Civic organizations with ideas for improving their communities have a new opportunity to turn their ideas into reality, thanks to recently awarded …

Easterseals' mission is to provide programs and therapies that help remove barriers and foster independent living for people with disabilities. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Nonprofit agency says corporate donations keep programs going

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Century 21 had raised more than $30 million. The correct amount is more than $3…

A mural mock-up by artist Lacy Hale is seen in Jenkins, Ky. (Adobe Stock)

Eastern KY town plans mural to commemorate 2022 flood

A $20,000 grant from AARP Kentucky will help rebuild sidewalks in Jenkins damaged by the deadly 2022 flood that took the lives of 45 residents…

Student Fellows, Lorena and Camila, participating at a community event in Tyler, TX. (photo courtesy of Este Poder)

East TX nonprofit works to register young voters of color

The nonprofit Este Poder has a goal of helping more young people of color in rural east Texas exercise their right to vote. The organization holds …

The Black Swamp Conservancy has grown to protect more than 175 properties since 1997, covering more than 21,000 acres. (Linda/Adobe Stock)

Grants boost environmental education and restoration in Ohio

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $271,000 in grants for environmental education projects across the state. The programs will …

Nearly 60% of people who borrowed medical equipment from Owen's Outfitters in June were enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare, according to data from the organization. Roughly 9% of clients were uninsured. (Eleanor Turner, The Legacy Foundation)

SD medical supply library prepares to go mobile

A lending library for medical and mobility supplies opened in Sioux Falls just last fall and now its parent nonprofit is making moves to go mobile…

Key improvements made as a part of the Selma 14 Project for riverbank stabilization include re-grading the riverbank, installing articulated concrete matting and adding protective stone elements to prevent erosion and stabilize the slope. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

Selma announces infrastructure milestone, river walk plans progress

Alabama officials have announced critical infrastructure improvements in Selma this week, paving the way for a new river walk. The "Selma 14 …

According to state data, the most common crisis that South Dakota's helpline responds to is suicide (23.5%), followed by anxiety (17.5%), family issues (16%), depression (14%) and substance use (10.4%). (Fergus Coyle, Adobe Stock)

SD health officials: 988 can handle a variety of crises

Since its rollout two years ago, South Dakota's Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has seen a slow but steady uptick in use, but the state says there are …

Four projects across Washington were chosen to receive AARP Community Challenge grants this year. (AARP Washington)

WA projects receive $68,000 for community project upgrades

Four projects in Washington state were selected to receive grants from the AARP Community Challenge program. Combined, the organizations will …

Using the data and maps, Bastrop County Cares has been convening different stakeholders to identify areas of need to help develop solutions to address the broadband shortage in rural Texas areas. (tippapatt/Adobe Stock)

Retired TX geoscientist uses talent to connect rural community to the web

By Kristi Eaton for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collabora…

In North Dakota and elsewhere, various nonprofits are trying to take block parties and similar events to another level with activities that emphasize physical movement and other forms of engagement, so that all community members have access to a healthier lifestyle. (Adobe Stock)

Not your average block party: ND project aims to inspire 'active' city planning

Community developers are tasked with balancing infrastructure needs - like roads, with amenities for the public to enjoy. Organizers behind an …

Since 2018, AARP Connecticut's Livable Communities grant program has funded 38 projects across the state. (Adobe Stock)

AARP seeks ideas to make CT communities more 'livable'

AARP Connecticut is accepting applications for grants for community improvement projects across the state. The "Livable Communities" program awards …

The mural on Main Street in Vermillion, South Dakota, is a collaboration between Mural OTW and the high school's Gender and Sexuality Alliance group. (Wes Eisenhauer/Mural OTW)

SD artist duo makes murals by, for and with communities

By Rebecca Froehlich for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News…

Immokalee is an unincorporated area in Collier County, Florida, one of the major centers of tomato production in the United States. (Immokalee Foundation)

Free summer camps boost career goals for underserved youth

A series of free summer camps focused on STEM and other career paths seeks to boost the career goals of youth in the agricultural community of Immokal…

Congress allocated $1 billion for states to develop the 988 hotline amid growing concerns over worsening mental health. (Adobe stock)

Report: IN’s 988 success sets example but all states must improve crisis support

A new report gives Indiana high marks for its rollout of 988, a mental health crisis hotline, but also highlighted all states need to do more to …

Monmouth and another Oregon city received AARP Livable Cities designations last year. (Publichall/Wikimedia Commons)

Seven OR projects receive AARP livable community grants

Seven projects have been chosen in Oregon to receive grants from AARP. The projects were selected for the Community Challenge grant program…

More than 90,000 people in New Hampshire live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals, according to NAMI New Hampshire. (Adobe Stock)

NH backs 988 mental health hotline with local resources

Two years since activation of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a new report found New Hampshire could improve resources for the mental health …

In 2017, mental-health and substance-use disorder emergency department visits in the United States cost more than $5.6 billion, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Most of KY’s 988 crisis hotline calls answered locally

More households, workplaces and schools are struggling with mental-health crises, and a new report by the mental-health advocacy group Inseparable …

There are no income or registration requirements for kids to participate in the state's Summer Meals program, which serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner to all youths up to age 18. (Adobe Stock)

Summer meals for kids available to-go and by delivery in remote rural areas

With school cafeterias closed for the summer, community groups and nonprofits are working to ensure that Colorado's one in five children who go …

The 1,117 tornadoes reported for the January-through-May period this year is second only to 2011's 1,238 tornadoes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Adobe Stock)

Changing climate contributes to record Iowa tornado season

Weather researchers at Iowa State University say a shifting climate and warmer ocean temperatures are partially responsible for a record number of tor…

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management says the state has a 50% recycling goal for municipal waste, and requires mandatory reporting of solid waste and recycling data to track progress. (Adobe Stock)

IN book offers recycling resources for event organizers

Summer in Indiana produces a variety of festivals, outdoor concerts, and athletic competitions. These attractions produce large crowds and hundreds …

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among children between the ages of 15 and 19, and the leading cause of death for 14- to 15-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

MA boosts funding for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services

Community groups in Massachusetts will see continued funding to support the state's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Public health officials have …

Nearly 50% of Mainers age 12�17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year, according to NAMI Maine. Mental health care advocates say listing the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student I.D�s could help. (Adobe Stock) <br />

ME groups boost awareness of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services

A monthly telecom surcharge could generate significant funding for Maine's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, according to a new report. The mental …

Florida offers a 211 phone line for people to call for information and referrals regarding health and social services resources, including Mobile Response Teams. (Liza Summer/Pexels)

Florida aims to build a comprehensive crisis response system

Florida is getting attention for its efforts to create a comprehensive crisis response system for mental health needs. A new report by the mental …

The Gettysburg-Whitlock Bay Development Corporation, a grant recipient, will help gardeners make use of an empty lot. (Adobe Stock)

Five SD communities receive Community Challenge grants

AARP has announced its 2024 Community Challenge grant recipients this week, including several in South Dakota. Nearly $4 million is going to about 35…

Neighbors contributed ideas for the Alleys in Action program at a pop-up event in May. (Adams Avenue Business Association/Taylor Kaczmarek/Sue Peerson)

AARP grants aim to revitalize CA alleys into vibrant public spaces

Some select alleyways across San Diego are set to get vibrant makeovers thanks to a transformative community initiative. Sue Peerson, lecturer in …

Of the 17 states that have enacted music therapy legislation, 11 have placed the law in its own statute chapter, and others have grouped it with other forms of therapy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Group aims to get music therapy licensure in Wyoming

Advocates in Wyoming trying to get music therapy licensure recognized in the state are hitting roadblocks. Members of the Wyoming Music Therapy …

Around 67% of LGBTQ+ people reported needing a mental health service over the past two years, compared with 39% of non-LGBTQ+ people, according to KFF. (Chris Allan/Adobe Stock)

WY theater company talks health care on stage

As Pride Month winds down, health advocates want members of the LGBTQ+ community to know about health care options, despite any challenges to …

Proposal 2 overwhelmingly passed in 2022, amending the Michigan Constitution to allow for certain voter rights, including early voting in federal and state elections. (Hunman/Adobe Stock)

MI voting group fights disinformation

As the 2024 presidential elections approach, the nonpartisan Michigan League of Women Voters is intensifying its efforts to combat disinformation …

Participating in the arts may improve older adults' health, well-being and independence, according to the National Institute on Aging. (Adobe Stock)

WY grant supports creative aging through arts

Teaching artists can now apply for grant funding centered on programs for older Wyomingites. The Creative Aging Project Grant, from the Wyoming Arts …

Utah Community Action provides services to more than 60,887 income-eligible individuals through six core programs. (Adobe Stock)

Community action agencies celebrate 60 years, renew calls to battle poverty

Community action agencies in Utah and across the nation are celebrating 60 years of battling poverty and empowering communities, which started with …

Research has shown the most effective tutoring is in person, 'high dosage' and tied directly to the school. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado drops two spots to 17th nationally for child wellness

Colorado lost ground - dropping from 15th to 17th overall - in this year's Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which ranks states …

A new Colorado law provides local and tribal governments with science-based resources for siting and permitting new renewable-energy projects, including maps identifying sensitive wildlife habitat. (Adobe Stock)

New resources available to site CO clean-energy projects, protect wildlife

To reach 100% clean energy by 2040 - a move seen as critical for averting the worst impacts of climate change - Colorado must generate five times more…

Those behind a new electric ambulance say standard gas-powered EMS vehicles usually only last about seven years. But they say their electric model can stay on the road for a full decade. (Adobe Stock)

You've heard of electric buses, but what about zero-emission ambulances?

From passenger cars to school buses, the transportation sector is steadily ramping up its push for all-electric vehicles. In the future, ambulances …

The Food Bank of Wyoming distributed nearly 10 million pounds of food to patrons last year. (Adobe Stock)

Grant helps WY pantries source food locally

As summer begins, people who rely on Food Bank of Wyoming will start seeing more local options, thanks to a new grant. The U.S. Department of …

In early 2021, around four in ten adults in the U.S. reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. In Colorado, all behavioral health challenges have remained steady or increased since then.(Pcess609/Adobe Stock)

CO community mental health centers struggle with Medicaid drop

It's been about a year since the official end of the COVID public health emergency - which has led to a significant drop in Medicaid enrollments and a…

About one-in-ten 911 calls result in a nearly 30-minute wait time for emergency medical services. (Adobe Stock)

New SD program trains communities to be cardiac-ready

It's National CardioPulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Week, and a new South Dakota program has helped several …

In the last decade, floods wreaked havoc across multiple states, resulting in billions of dollars spent by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and hundreds of lives lost. (Adobe Stock)

New recommendations could enhance flood resilience in Appalachia

Flooding disasters in the Appalachian region have raised the urgency for better flood risk management. The nonprofit ReImagine Appalachia and …

On the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 2022 Rural Poll, nearly 40% of rural Nebraskans reported they had volunteered at least a few times a month over the previous year. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

AARP Nebraska seeks nominees for highest state volunteer award

AARP Nebraska is looking for nominations for the 2024 Andrus Award for Community Service. The award honors an individual or couple over age 50 …

Ohio's Area Agency on Aging District 5 helps older adults by providing clients with transportation, helping them get caregivers and encouraging them to get out of the house more often. (Nattakorn/Adobe Stock)

Experts say Ohio’s older adults need mental health support

By Mara O'Malley for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. …

Reports show closing Mount Sinai Beth Israel means sending people to Bellevue or NYU Langone's Tisch Hospital, which have high-volume emergency departments, with up to three-hour wait times. (Wikimedia Commons)

Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital slated to close July 12

New York City's Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital is slated to close on July 12. Mount Sinai Health Systems cites financial reasons since the hospital …

Food insecurity rates are much higher for children than the rest of the population in Tillamook County. (SHELL/Adobe Stock)

Rural OR county battles increased summer hunger

While Tillamook County, Oregon might be famous for its cheese, many of its residents struggle with food insecurity. The issue is especially acute in …

A new report finds 36% of nonprofit leaders say their funders have either no commitment to racial equity or have reduced or eliminated it in the last year. (Syda Productions/Adobestock)

Report: Burnout a major concern in nonprofit sector

A new survey of nonprofit leaders finds staff burnout is a major concern. The 2024 "State of Nonprofits" report from the Center for Effective …

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the Arkansas State Guard could be called in to help with cleanup if necessary. (jetcityimage/Adobe stock)

Arkansans continue to clean up after deadly tornadoes

The National Weather Service continues to survey damage across northern Arkansas after tornadoes ripped through the state over the weekend. Crews …

Severe storms and tornadoes left a trail of destruction across the central U.S. over the Memorial Day weekend. (Dan Ross/Adobe Stock)

After the storms, Texans help Texans

Residents of north Texas continue to clean up after the latest in a string of deadly tornadoes. According to the National Weather Service, an EF-2 …

The Mississippi Access to Care Network assists seniors, people with disabilities and their loved ones in finding the care and support they need to live independently for as long as possible. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

Working to create connections, age-friendly communities in MS

May is Older Americans Month, a time to recognize Mississippians over 50 and their contributions, and reaffirm commitments to serving older adults in …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 26, 2024

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