Livable Wages/Working Families / Public News Service

The Indiana Youth Institute said a strong commitment to evidence-based action can transform early literacy in Indiana with the foundational reading skills essential to the future of our children, workforce and communities. (Adobe stock)

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Indiana sets goal to boost 3rd grade reading proficiency

Indiana's third grade reading scores show progress but gaps remain. The latest IREAD3 results show about 82% of students passed in 2024, up slightly …

More than 25% of doctors in the United States were born outside the country, according to the Migration Policy Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Doctor shortages in VA lead to changes to licensing rules

By Arielle Zionts for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Zamone Perez for Virginia News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Ser…

Aaron Chapin, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, was among the speakers at Tuesday's Harrisburg rally. He told the crowd it is

">

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

PA school support staffers push for $20 'living wage'

Amid a severe teacher and staff shortage, school support workers and their union allies rallied Tuesday in Harrisburg for a better living wage…

Red flag warnings and fire weather watches are the two main types of fire alerts the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association issues. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

NOAA staff cuts could affect Colorado wildfire, avalanche, flash flood warnings

Meteorologists are warning cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will threaten Americans' safety, especially in states like …

Common barriers to hiring and retaining federal wildland firefighters include low pay, mental health challenges and limited workforce diversity, according to a 2022 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. (BLM Oregon and Washington/Wikimedia Commons)

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Women’s wildland firefighting boot camps axed by new DEI policies

Wildland firefighting is a tough job and the industry has long struggled with worker retention. Training boot camps have helped bring new …

A C5 Galaxy cargo jet taxis to the runway at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Green County, Ohio, which employs more than 20,000 federal workers. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Federal job cuts could affect thousands of Ohio workers

A report indicated layoffs in federal agencies by the ad hoc Department of Government Efficiency could affect a significant number of Ohioans and subs…

Experts said resident physicians, going through their training, have faced heavy workloads. A union representing the professionals said they should not have to sacrifice their well-being to advance their careers. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

MN's doctors-in-training get behind collective-bargaining wave

Minnesota's up-and-coming doctors say in order to better care for patients down the road, they need collective bargaining power. A large group of …

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority was established in 1965 to unify regional transit, evolving into today's RideKC system of buses, streetcars and more. (Matthew/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Riders, IRIS and union bus drivers fight Kansas City transit cuts

Kansas City transit riders and workers are fighting proposed cuts, warning of a looming public transit crisis. Hundreds of advocates of the Kansas …

Reducing new clean energy projects would increase air pollution in Texas by over 17 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2030 and 83 million metric tons in 2035, equivalent to the annual air pollution from four and 21 coal-fired power plants, respectively. (Andrii/Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 24, 2025

Report: Cuts to Inflation Reduction Act would impact TX economy

Texas would be one of five states to suffer the most if the Trump administration repeals the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a report from the …

One in five Americans, or more than 70 million people, rely on Medicaid for health coverage, according to the American Hospital Association. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 24, 2025

KY Medicaid work requirement changes could further depress communities

Some Kentucky lawmakers want to make it mandatory for some Medicaid participants in Kentucky to work, but experts say that would disproportionately …

There are close to 19,000 federal workers in Iowa, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many have been laid off as part of an aggressive effort by the Trump administration to downsize the government. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 24, 2025

Iowa town halls find 'empty chairs'

Overflow crowds are showing up at town hall meetings in Iowa, which had been planned to allow people to ask questions of their congressional …

Lumina Foundation research predicts that by 2031, 72% of U.S. jobs will require some form of higher education or skills training beyond high school. (Marius Venter/Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 24, 2025

TN works to encourage more people to earn degrees, credentials

Tennessee is working to get more people into college and career training programs, which the state says will be needed for good jobs in the future…

Homelessness among families with children in Colorado grew by 134% in 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 24, 2025

Low-income Coloradans face severe affordable housing shortage

There are only 26 affordable housing units in Colorado for every 100 low-income households, according to a new report listing Colorado as the sixth …

Sean Brown, recovering from methamphetamine addiction, lost his housing in the Eaton Fire in January.

Monday, March 24, 2025

L.A. County has cut homelessness, but wildfires impede progress

By Angela Hart for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Servi…

From 1980 to 2024, Virginia experienced more than 100 severe weather events, each with losses exceeding $1 billion. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Monday, March 24, 2025

NOAA cuts forecast trouble for VA weather warnings

One of many federal agencies facing cuts by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adm…

Between 2010 and 2018, Ohio's nonmetropolitan areas experienced a 7.6% job growth-nearly 10 times the national average for rural regions.(Adobe Stock)

Ohio's rural Gen Z faces job dilemma: Will talent stay or go?

New research indicated less than half of rural Gen Zers believe they can find a good job in their communities. Despite Ohio's predominantly rural …

When looking for job training, 74% of urban Gen Zers strongly agree or agree that they could access the training they would need, compared with 62% of rural Gen Zers, according to Gallup. (Adobe Stock)

Limited opportunity pushes young, rural Marylanders out of town

New research suggests fewer than half of rural Gen Zers believe they can find a good job to keep them in their communities. According to U.S…

As part of the Trump administration's budget-cutting moves, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has eliminated $1 billion in programs connecting local producers with food banks and school lunch programs. (Adobe Stock)

USDA cuts could halt progress of SD local food scene

South Dakota farmers leading the "locally grown" movement have visions of a dynamic regional food production system but some of it is in doubt with lo…

The U.S. Department of Education currently manages student loans for more than 40 million borrowers. (Adobe Stock)

With Department of Education gutted, what happens to student loans?

Student loans are among the areas overseen by the U.S. Department of Education and since President Donald Trump has followed through on his threat to …

Beginning in 2024, the Allegheny County Public Defender's office uses 175% of the Federal Poverty guidelines as income requirements for its clients. (Gorodenkoff/AdobeStock

Audit: Allegheny County public defenders overwhelmed with caseloads

An audit by Allegheny County reveals most public defenders face excessive caseloads and a lack of resources, putting clients at a disadvantage…

Privatization of the USPS requires a Congressional Act that is signed into law by the President. (Matt Gush / Adobe Stock)

Arizona rallies protest possible U.S. Postal Service reforms

Rallies in Tucson and Phoenix are taking place today opposing the Trump administration's potential decision to privatize the U.S. Postal Service…

TN postal workers protesting for National Day of Action

Tennessee Postal workers are protesting and mobilizing against the threat of postal privatization, which they said could lead to higher costs…

Housing industry voices say actions by the Trump administration, from cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to prolonged tariff hikes, could hinder efforts to build more affordable units. (Adobe Stock)

Tariff talk adds uncertainty to already stressed affordable-housing movement

Industry groups say Minnesota is short more than 100,000 affordable-housing units to meet demand, and project leaders have said the Trump …

Polling from the Pew Research Center found 72% of Americans have a favorable view of the postal service. (tomalu/Adobe Stock)

ABQ's USPS workers join today's nationwide rally against proposed DOGE cuts

A National Day of Action is being held at post offices around the country today, including Albuquerque, amid looming cuts proposed by Postmaster …

The U.S. Postal Service provides critical services to many communities, such as delivering election ballots, medicine, taxes, government distributions and notices. (Colleen Michaels/Adobe Stock)

Rallies in NV set to protest possible U.S. Postal Service changes

Rallies in Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City are taking place today opposing the Trump administration's potential decision to privatize the U.S…

Lawmakers remain divided on how to address the U.S. Postal Service's financial crisis, with some advocating for government aid and others pushing for structural reforms. (Red Lemon/Adobe Stock)

MI postal workers join national 'Day of Action' to fight USPS privatization

Today, Michigan postal workers join colleagues nationwide, rallying to protect union jobs, and oppose postal privatization. With the theme "U.S. Mail…

Rural residents depend on the U.S. Postal Service for deliveries of medications, bills and other critical items. Service reductions could hinder access to necessities. (MargJohnsonVA/Adobe Stock)

MO postal workers unite in national fight against USPS privatization

Under the theme. "U.S. Mail, Not for Sale," Missouri postal workers are joining thousands nationwide, rallying to protect union jobs and oppose …

PoliChic Engagement Fund says it's critical Texans make sure lawmakers are voting in their public interest. (JHVEPhoto/Adobe Stock)

Texans encouraged to use their voices during current legislative session

Many Texans feel strongly, one way or another, about the proposed school voucher bill before state lawmakers. Gov. Greg Abbott has proposed a plan to …

Research shows there is a direct correlation between unstable housing and food insecurity. (FamilyWorks Food Bank)

Advocates say WA rent stabilization bill important for ending hunger

While affordable housing advocates across the state have been cheering on Washington's rent stabilization bill in Olympia, so have organizations …

Rick Martagon, executive director of Building Strong Communities, testifies in support of a bill to expand state support for the initiative, which focuses on providing apprenticeship opportunities to underserved populations. (Photo courtesy of Vince Muzik/Fair Contracting Foundation of Minnesota)

Amid a buzz for apprenticeships, MN explores accessibility

Apprenticeship programs are getting more attention these days to help fill skilled labor shortages but accessibility is seen is a barrier and Minnesot…

High school students are getting a head start on careers in the

Program trains underserved high school students for 'data economy'

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Virginia News Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News…

Changes to Arkansas' abortion ban clarifies doctors acting in good faith would not be prosecuted for saving the life of a pregnant person. (Sikov/Adobe Stock)

New findings: Arkansas abortion ban could impact potential workforce

As members of the Arkansas Legislature debate changing the wording in the state's abortion ban, a new study showed states with strict abortion laws …

Postal workers to protest across CA, nation on Thursday

Postal workers are expected to protest in more than a dozen locations up and down California tomorrow, from Redding to Chula Vista. The motto for …

The U.S. Postal Service is a self-funded independent agency, delivering mail to nearly every address in the nation. (Adobe Stock) The U.S. Postal Service is a self-funded independent agency that delivers mail to nearly every address in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

MS postal workers set to rally against privatization on national day of action

Postal workers and supporters across Mississippi are preparing to join a National Day of Action on Thursday to oppose what they see as the growing thr…

As of November 2024, the U.S. Postal Service employed more than 7,000 people in Kentucky. (Adobe Stock)

Postal workers push back against DOGE, proposed USPS cuts

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is joining forces with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to cut costs at the Postal Service, this week …

North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers amenities such as camping and has been one of the many sites around the United States seeing surges in visitors. But park advocates said Park Service staffing cuts under the Trump administration could undermine operations. (Adobe Stock)

'He didn't cut red tape': ND mayor echoes worry about national park layoffs

As legal fights play out, national park enthusiasts in North Dakota worry about a situation where staff reductions, carried out by the Trump …

The Department of Education has reduced its workforce by nearly 50%, laying off approximately 1,300 employees, with an additional 600 either accepting separation packages or being dismissed during their probationary period. (Photo courtesy of OEA)

Ohio educators alarmed over proposed elimination of DOE

The potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education has sparked concern in Ohio. Threatened moves by the Trump administration's so-called …

The National Park Service makes up less than 1/15 of 1% of the federal budget but delivers a $15 boost to the nation's economy for every dollar invested. (luis sandoval/Adobe Stock)

National park layoffs affect AR economy

The seven national parks in Arkansas have not been spared from job cuts by the federal government. Nationwide, 1,700 park employees have been let go …

Court challenges warn the Trump administration's cuts to staff, funding and contracts will directly impact visitor safety, wildlife protection and wildfire prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Court challenges of recent mass firings of federal workers making headway

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

Around 55% of parents of young rural Gen Zers believe their child can accomplish their long-term goals in their current area, compared with 81% of urban parents who have a young Gen Z child, according to Gallup. (Adobe Stock)

Many NV rural Gen Zers forced to seek educational, professional paths elsewhere

New research finds that less than half of rural Gen Zers believe they can find a good job in their communities. Most Nevadans live in the state's …

When President Donald Trump took office, the Department of Education had 4,133 workers. Following last week's cuts, that number has dropped to around 2,183. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

MI educator says federal education cuts hit hard in Hamtramck schools

Cuts to the U.S. education system are expected to create a profound ripple effect on students and staff in Hamtramck's already struggling school …

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

CA local leaders protest massive rollback of federal environmental protections

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

An August 2024 KFF analysis found Medicaid covers 3 in 8 Pennsylvania children, 5 in 8 nursing home residents, 2 in 5 people with disabilities, and 1 in 6 adults aged 19-64. (Selene Studio/AdobeStock)

SNAP, Medicaid cuts would strain PA emergency food system

By Anna Gustafson for the Pennsylvania Independent.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Pennsylvan…

When looking for job training, 74% of urban Gen Zers strongly agree or agree that they could access the needed training, compared with 62% of rural Gen Zers, according to Gallup. (Adobe Stock)

Data: Lack of opportunity pushes rural Gen Zers in AZ out of their communities

New research finds that less than half of rural Gen Zers believe they can find a good job in their communities. According to U.S. Census data…

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 325-thousand Marylanders are members of a union. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Unions surge as Trump admin takes aim at labor watchdog

Since 2021, union elections in Maryland and across the country have more than doubled - and union election wins are at a 15-year high. But …

Oregon's older population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse, with more than 45% of older adults projected to be people of color by 2050. (moodboard/Adobe Stock)

Bill would offer a blueprint for an aging Oregon

Oregon's population, along with the rest of the country, is getting older. Within 10 years there will be more Oregonians age 65 and older than …

Support for neutrality agreements comes as more public employees in the Commonwealth unionize following a 2021 bill giving them the right to form a union. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Voters support company neutrality when workers unionize

A recent poll finds that voters in Virginia and around the country view unionization efforts as widely beneficial to workers - and are more supportive…

Expanded oil and gas subsidies, included in current versions of upcoming federal tax legislation, would support a massive expansion of LNG projects to more than double national export capacity by 2030. (Jeeraphun/Adobe Stock)

Religious leaders gather in TX to fight oil and gas subsidies

Forty religious leaders from different denominations gathered in Texas this week to call for an end to fossil-fuel subsidies and expansion of related …

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2025 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2025 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 25 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - March 27, 2025

2025Talks - March 27, 2025

The Yonder Report - March 27, 2025