Livable Wages/Working Families / Public News Service

State officials say in 2023, Minnesota's workplace injury and illness rate fell to an all-time low. (Freepik)

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

MN workplace injuries plummet, with some caveats

There is promising news at the national level and in Minnesota in trying to lower workplace injuries and illnesses. A key labor organization is happy …

Research on the effects of a school voucher program in Louisiana show academic performance decreased among kids who use vouchers to attend private schools. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Gov. sets aside 2026 SD funds for new education savings accounts

In this week's 2026 budget address, Gov. Kristi Noem proposed establishing education savings accounts for K-12 students in South Dakota. Opponents …

The Texas Business Leader Alliance will elevate business perspectives on a wide range of policy areas, from workforce development and high health care costs to civic participation. (gguy/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

TX business leaders form new alliance

A new Texas organization hopes to increase civic engagement among business leaders. The Texas Business Leader Alliance officially launches today…

Florida's registered apprenticeship programs has more than 22,444 participants across 397 programs. While thriving in traditional industries such as construction and manufacturing, nontraditional sectors such as information technology, law enforcement, education, health care, hospitality and logistics are also expanding. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 2, 2024

Florida apprenticeship programs transform lives, build futures

For some, apprenticeships provide more than just a job, they offer a career path. Industry leaders are working around the clock, not only on their …

When South Dakota voters passed Medicaid expansion in 2022, the constitutional amendment included this language:

Monday, December 2, 2024

A long road for Medicaid work requirements in South Dakota

South Dakotans passed Amendment F on Election Day, opening the door to impose work requirements on people who qualify for expanded Medicaid benefits…

Massachusetts workers lose roughly $2.7 billion in earnings each year because of inadequate child care, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 2, 2024

Federal investments help bolster MA workforce training programs

Federal investments are helping the city of Boston develop greater workforce training programs. The city received $23 million in 2022 to develop …

A Cornell University report finds 74% of New Yorkers support implementing universal public child care. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 2, 2024

Group plans to implement universal public child care in NY

A New York organization believes universal public childcare can be implemented in five years. New Yorkers United for Child Care is using its newly …

If New York established an unemployment bridge program, 750,000 workers would be eligible for its benefits. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 2, 2024

Immigrant NYers urge lawmakers to create unemployment bridge program

Immigrant New Yorkers want lawmakers to create an unemployment bridge program. It would support unemployed workers who are ineligible for state …

Balancing college expenses, and going through the student aid application process, is often viewed as a daunting task for most households. Backers of Minnesota's new free tuition program hope it removes a lot of stress for eligible households. (Freepik)

Monday, December 2, 2024

MN's free college tuition program gets early assessment

The first semester for Minnesota college students is winding down. Supporters of the state's new free tuition program - which assists low-income …

More than 67% of children younger than age 6 have parents in the workforce and more than two million parents report making job changes because of issues with child care, according to the Center for American Progress. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 2, 2024

WV braces for more child care center closures

West Virginia child care advocates said they are bracing for more center closures in the new year. There are more than 60,000 children in the state …

Iowa has an estimated 507,254 children ages 0-12 but has only 177,053 operational child-care slots registered or licensed with the state, according to a report by the Common Sense Iowa Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 2, 2024

Iowa adds hundreds of higher-wage child care providers

A new report says Iowa has created more than 200 new child-care providers in the state, which is among the nation's leaders in working parents who …

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development helps low-income apartment tenants afford reduced rents in Montana. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, December 2, 2024

Montanans threaten 'rent strike' over black mold, safety issues

More than two dozen members of a tenant's union in Bozeman are threatening a rent strike if their landlord doesn't address maintenance and other safet…

President-elect Donald Trump's promise to slash the federal workforce is prompting concerns in Maryland, home to one of the highest concentrations of federal employees in the country. (Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

Monday, December 2, 2024

Maryland's federal workers prepare to defend their jobs

It's no secret President-elect Donald Trump wants to fire thousands of federal workers. But in a state like Maryland - home to the fourth-highest …

During the 2023 legislative session, North Dakota lawmakers approved a large aid package to boost child-care access. Other incentives have been phased in since then, but support groups still see the need for long-term fixes. (Freepik)

Monday, December 2, 2024

ND's child care system gains some ground but calls remain for more action

Whether it's not enough slots or rising monthly costs, many North Dakota parents have felt that child-care is out of reach for them. More than a …

One Arkansas teacher said he does not think about the future because of the constraints of the cost of living. (NanSan/Adobe Stock)

Northwest AR development leads to housing crisis for educators

By Jordan P. Hickey for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop …

Pennsylvania's uninsured rate rose from 4.3% to 5.3% for Black children, from 4.9% to 6% for Hispanic/Latino children, and from 6% to 9.4% for those identifying as some other race, according to a new report from Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: Number of PA uninsured children stable, but no progress

Tens of thousands of children in Pennsylvania are still missing out on essential health care coverage, according to a new report. The "State of …

Many adults said family or professional commitments can make it difficult to return to college and complete their degree program. (Adobe Stock)

Project Kitty Hawk helps former NC students complete college degree

Hundreds of former North Carolina college students are back on track to getting their degrees, thanks to an innovative program called Project Kitty …

U.S. counties with state minimum wages between $7.26 and $9 saw a reduction in obesity by 0.6 percentage points, while counties with minimum wages of more than $9 experienced an obesity reduction of 2.8 percentage points, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins University. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado obesity rate linked to economic inequality, low minimum wages

More than one in five Coloradans are considered obese, a chronic medical condition leading to serious health risks and a new study links obesity to …

About 350,000 households in Washington state are eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit. (tomertu/Adobe Stock)

Report: Direct cash programs could benefit more WA families in need

Support for programs providing direct cash would benefit families in need in Washington state, a new report showed. About one in four Washingtonians …

An Equable Institute report finds Connecticut school districts with smaller pension obligations are likely to have a high percentage of their workforce paid lower salaries at or below $60,000. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT teacher pension financing creates inequity

A new report shows Connecticut's teacher pension financing reinforces inequity. The Equable Institute's report finds Pupil Pension Subsidies are …

Valdosta State University is one of the 26 higher education institutions that make up the University System of Georgia. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia Match program hailed as college enrollment rises in GA

Georgia higher education officials are crediting a program assisting high school students with a wave of new enrollment in the state's colleges and un…

Wyoming caregivers provide an estimated $910 million in economic value to the state, according to AARP Wyoming. (Adobe Stock)

AARP expands 'Care for Caregivers' course to more WY communities

November is National Family Caregivers Month and AARP Wyoming is working to meet rising demand for caregiver resources. About 58,000 Wyomingites …

Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission received 184 applications from organizations seeking a combined total of more than $185 million, for its latest round of grants. (C Malambo/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

$42 million awarded to Oregon job development projects

The latest round of Workforce Ready Grants means $42 million is being divided among 62 projects aiming to foster Oregon's diverse workforce in the fie…

The ACLU of Arkansas says immigrant workers are an integral part of the Arkansas economy. (F Armstrong Photo/Adobe Stock)

ACLU: Mass deportations would be setback for AR economy

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas predicts if President-elect Donald Trump follows through with his campaign promise of mass deportations…

Colorado's Hospital Discounted Care law requires all hospitals to take steps to make hospital bills more affordable for low- to moderate-income residents. (Adobe Stock)

CO hospitals fail on informing consumers about rights and discounts

Colorado hospitals got failing grades for compliance with the Colorado Hospital Discounted Care law, according to a new report. The law passed in 20…

New research says enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities is down 10% over the past 10 years. (Adobe Stock)

Report: It’s getting easier to get into college

By Jon Marcus for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Zamone Perez for Maryland News Connection reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News S…

In Massachusetts, teachers of color make up nearly 10% of the state's 80,000 K-12 teachers - up from 7% in 2012, according to MassINC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MA boosts educator diversity to improve student outcomes

Massachusetts lawmakers are hoping a new teacher certification process will draw more diverse candidates to the classroom. The state recently passed …

The holidays can be hard for Texans dealing with loss or depression

The holiday season is not merry and bright for everyone. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, lost your job or if you're going through a …

Virginia's Department of Labor promotes an earn-while-you-learn model to encourage participants in apprenticeship programs. (Pixabay)

VA apprenticeships bridge skills gaps, offer career stability

It is the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week and Virginia is highlighting some programs helping bridge the skills gap for workers and em…

Use caulk, spray foam and weather stripping to keep more heat inside the home. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Supports available in OR to help with winter heating bills

La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder. This is the third year of …

The Employment Navigation and Partnership Program first launched in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

How troops struggle, excel in civilian employment

By Victoria Lim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Zamone Perez for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Ser…

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has released the final phase of its tax study, focusing on advocacy. (Adobe stock)

Hoosier leaders tackle child care, workforce issues

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce outlined six key priorities for lawmakers ahead of the legislative session in January. Rather than releasing …

Changes could be coming to Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act as President-elect Donald Trump builds his administration. (I Viewfinder/Adobe Stock)

2nd Trump term to affect health coverage for Arkansans

Low-income Arkansas families could be in for some big cuts to health care under a second Trump administration, according to health experts. Policy …

More than 3,000 Maine apprentices were actively working on industry-recognized skill certification in 2022, according to the Maine Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock) <br />

ME businesses boost apprenticeships to counter workforce shortage

State officials in Maine said they are working to expand the number of registered apprenticeship programs to help counter a persistent worker shortage…

The middle 20% of Americans, families making between $55,000 and $94,000, would face an average tax increase of $1,530 in 2026 under Trump tax proposals. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado working families would pay more under Trump tax proposals

President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have promised to pass a new tax bill, and a new report breaks down the expected winners and …

Ohio's inadequate family leave policies and systemic gaps contribute to high rates of infant mortality (7.06 per 1,000 births) and maternal mortality (18.8 per 100,000 births) both above the U.S. average). (Best/Adobe Stock)

Report: Paid family leave and what it could mean for Ohio

Ohio is among the many states where a majority of workers lack access to paid family leave. A new report by Groundwork Ohio finds three in four …

The Pew Research Center says the rate of multigenerational households in the United States has quadrupled since 1971. Some in the academic community say that overlaps with the need for individuals to be more socially conscious about how they share their money. (Adobe Stock)

Researcher: 'Tis the season for 'financial interdependency'

The holiday season is here and households in North Dakota and elsewhere might encounter sensitive conversations about lending money to a loved one in …

According to the National Education Association, American Education Week is meant to honor the team of people who work in U.S. public schools, including classroom teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria crews and administrative staff. (Adobe Stock)

During American Education Week, public asked to reset K-12 views

American Education Week is underway, and Nebraskans are asked to find trust again in public school systems, including rural areas. There have been …

Companies tolerating abusive bosses are vulnerable to costly lawsuits. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Financially stressed managers abusing workers

Researchers at Colorado State University have been able to link the economic stress experienced by 78% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck…

Health experts said it is unclear whether the next Trump administration will continue drug price negotiations in Medicare or seek to repeal or weaken them. (Eric Hood)

Health experts brace for Trump Administration 2.0

California could be in for some big cuts to health care for low-income families under a second Trump administration, according to health experts…

Research has found the stability of parents' home ownership contributes to their kids' higher standardized test scores in math and reading. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

New coalition aims to address Oregon home ownership 'crisis'

With housing prices nearly doubling in the last 10 years, the number of Oregonians who can afford to buy a home without assistance has dwindled and a …

After immigrating to the U.S. many immigrants and their families encounter challenges, including low-paying jobs, language barriers and navigating complex systems. (artiom.photo/Adobe Stock)

Immigrant families in northwest AR struggle to make ends meet

By Antoinette Grajeda for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop…

Consumer advocates say higher grocery prices are no longer the result of supply-chain issues, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Group blames corporate greed for MT food price gouging

Farm advocates say price gouging on meat and poultry are taking a toll on Montanans. A farm group cites U.S. Department of Agriculture data as …

Episcopal Health Foundation's survey found that households with diabetes are more likely to say they should eat better and exercise more. More than three quarters (76%) of Texans in households with diabetes say their daily diet could be healthier and 74% say they should be getting more physical exercise. (ratmaner/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Diabetes in TX is a major problem

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and a recent survey by Episcopal Health Foundation shows that nearly half of adults in Texas say they …

In 17% of Colorado households with children, the children are not eating enough because the family did not earn enough to purchase enough food, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Adobe Stock)

Hunger Free Colorado celebrates 15th birthday

Colorado's leading advocate for people experiencing hunger turns 15 this year and a new report outlined key advances and persistent challenges facing …

Americans can expect to pay $31.16 for a 15-pound turkey this Thanksgiving - an average of $2.08 per pound, according to Nasdaq. (Brent Hofacker/Adobe Stock)

Turkey prices down as NH Thanksgiving meal prep begins

Many Granite Staters are starting to plan for holiday meals - and when it comes to food prices, the news is mixed. According to consumer experts…

According to a report from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, workers with paid leave are less likely to need public assistance. (Satjawat/Adobe Stock)

Report: Paid leave in MI would benefit workers, economy

Advocates for paid family leave in Michigan are urging lawmakers to pass the Michigan Family Leave Optimal Coverage before the 2024 legislative sessio…

According to Environment Illinois, residential rooftop solar grew nearly 2,300% between 2017 and 2022. (Adobe Stock)

IL solar energy demand remains strong, boosts job growth

By Kari Lydersen for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pu…

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