Rural / Public News Service

More than 400,000 people are enrolled in MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program, according to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. At least 40,000 recipients continue in an

">

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Rural ME braces for Medicaid cuts as lawmakers eye corporate tax breaks

Children and families in rural Maine would face the greatest harm should proposed funding cuts to the federal Medicaid program be implemented…

Nearly 41% of children in small towns and rural areas rely on Medicaid for their coverage, compared with about 38% in metro areas. (Karen Roach/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

TX Medicaid recipients could be facing cuts

A study by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families showed most people who live in small towns and rural areas use Medicaid for heal…

Many rural residents in Alaska must travel long distances to see a doctor. Proposed cuts to the Medicaid program could slash funding for those trips, making access to care more difficult and expensive. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Health care advocate says future of Medicaid critical for rural Alaskans

A new report finds that significant cuts proposed for Medicaid funding would disproportionately affect rural and small-town residents in Alaska and ma…

One in five people in the United States lives in an area classified as non-urban. (BJP7images/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Report: Potential Medicaid cuts would hit rural MO hardest

The Medicaid and CHIP programs are vital to rural Missouri, according to a report that says reliance on this safety-net health coverage is much …

A new report from Georgetown University showed the effects a proposed cut to Medicaid would have on rural New Mexico, where residents already have worse health outcomes than those in cities. (Rob/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

New Mexico's rural families fear proposed federal cuts to Medicaid

With President Donald Trump back in office, Congressional Republicans are eager to extend his 2017 tax cuts, which likely means slashing the Medicaid …

Around 22% of people in Kentucky are covered by Medicaid, according to the health advocacy group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

Proposed Medicaid changes would hit KY and other rural states hard

Nearly one-third of Medicaid funding could be on the chopping block as lawmakers look for ways to reduce the national deficit. A new report found …

The Federal Trade Commission and farmers' advocates said when producers have to wait in line for a repair at a John Deere dealership, they are losing money by not being in the field. It underscored a new lawsuit seeking to establish more repair options. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

'Right to repair' case seen as tip of iceberg for ND farmer fairness

Farmers in North Dakota and the rest of the country are monitoring an evolving legal case against a giant equipment manufacturer and they said repair …

The Yellowstone cutthroat trout and the Westslope cutthroat trout are both threatened species. Projects along Wyoming's Hoback River could help. (Neal Herbert/NPS)

Monday, January 20, 2025

Federal funding to help restore WY's Hoback River native fish habitat

Wyoming agencies will receive about $1.25 million in federal funding to help reconnect native fish migration routes on the Hoback River. The money …

More than a half million Mountain State residents rely on Medicaid for health coverage, according to the health advocacy group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

Experts: Medicaid essential for WV nursing home care

Nearly one-third of Medicaid funding could be on the chopping block as lawmakers look for ways to reduce the national deficit. A new report found …

Sustainable aviation fuel is a liquid fuel used in commercial aviation. It reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80%, according to the International Air Transport Association. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

Future of sustainable aviation fuel in MT, U.S. depends on policy

Montana is a U.S. leader in the growing industry of sustainable aviation fuel. Experts in the field, and in the agricultural sector, hope to see new …

Among adults younger than 65, about 18% of those in small towns and rural America get their coverage through Medicaid, compared with about 16% in metro areas. (AndriiKoval/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

Possible cuts to Medicaid would hurt many AR families

A study by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families shows most people who live in small towns and rural areas use Medicaid for healt…

Appalachia could see wind and solar economic benefits over the next decade, according to the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute. (Adobe Stock)

What’s next for Appalachia's green energy economy?

The future looks promising for green energy and manufacturing in Appalachia, and states like West Virginia are slated to receive around $1 billion in …

President-elect Trump's pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is a fan of raw milk, which can contain dangerous pathogens and spread zoonotic diseases, like avian flu. (Adobe Stock)

Cabinet nominees push deregulation of America's food systems

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration…

Federal funds will help restore Flint Creek and Jefferson River in Western Montana, benefiting wildlife, including trout, bears and migratory birds. (Melnik/Adobe Stock)

River restoration funding a 'win-win' for MT wildlife, farmers

During President Joe Biden's final weeks in office, the Interior Department has announced $41 million in support of water resources and ecosystem …

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is the nation's second-longest serving U.S. Agriculture Secretary. The first was James

'Revolving door' politics could threaten Iowa's small farmers

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration The…

The state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act aims to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030, and 100% transition from fossil fuels by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

How IL's grid plans will focus on underserved communities

Illinois plans to spend $1.5 billion through 2027 in significant grid investments to help meet the state's ambitious clean-energy goals, with nearly …

Climate change threatens many New Mexico crops, including chiles, onions, garlic and pecans. (TatianaEvdokimova/Adobe Stock)

Stakes high for New Mexico ag growers awaiting new farm bill

Experts agree climate-smart agriculture will be critical in the fight against climate change. But with a divided Congress and no update to the Farm …

Ohio is the nation's fifth-largest producer of soybeans and corn, making agricultural policies like the Farm Bill critical for its economy. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)

Ohio farmers navigate uncertainty amid Farm Bill delays

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboratio…

Feral hogs breed year-round and can have up to 12 piglets per litter, making population control difficult. (byrdyak/Adobe Stock)

Wild hog eradication cut from Farm Bill but funding needed, MO expert says

The last Farm Bill allocated $75 million to reduce feral hog populations around the country but this year, funding has expired, which could be a …

In recent years, the meat industry took out full-page ads in newspapers, and placed a $5 million Super Bowl commercial, claiming that meat is

How 'big meat' worked to rebrand in 2024 using disinformation

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service C…

Wisconsin is one of nine states where voters are required to present photo identification to vote. The current state law has been in place since 2011. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsin voter ID law one step closer to state constitution

A proposal to make Wisconsin's strict Voter ID law a constitutional amendment passed Wisconsin's Republican-controlled Assembly on Tuesday. Voters …

The top cancers diagnosed in Iowa in 2023 were breast, lung, colon and rectal, and skin melanoma, according to research by the University of Iowa's Cancer Registry Report. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates call on Iowa lawmakers to defeat 'Cancer Gag Act'

Advocates for small communities in Iowa are calling on state lawmakers not to pass the so-called "Cancer Gag Act," which they said would give pesticid…

When corporate-sized farms gain a presence in rural communities, skeptics said the added economic activity can have side effects, such as larger trucks leading to deteriorated roads. (Adobe Stock)

ND to debate how close large livestock sites can sit near communities

In North Dakota, 2025 could be another year when the state puts out the welcome mat for the livestock industry. Following task force recommendations…

The Equality State Policy Center said it is watching bills on fair elections in Wyoming, including House Bill 102, which would change the method of attorney general selection from appointment to statewide election. (Adobe Stock)

Several 2025 WY bills could erode voting rights

The Wyoming Legislature's General Session starts Tuesday and voting-rights advocates in the state are watching several proposals they worry could hind…

Maine has one of the oldest populations in the U.S., with more than 20% of residents over age 65. State officials said many could benefit from digital skills training made available through the state's Digital Equity Plan. (Adobe Stock)<br />

ME tackles rural ‘digital divide’ with tech grants, training

A new program aims to ensure rural Mainers can take full advantage of expanding high-speed internet service. Grant applications open this week for …

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of registered nurses in the U.S. are union members. (Adobe Stock)

ND nurses hope union vote paves way for stronger rural health care

Labor analysts say doctors have jumped to the front of the line of healthcare workers forming unions while others in the medical field continue to sho…

Petitioners for the Delevan Lake Watershed Agricultural Enterprise Area hope to promote water quality to protect local surface water and build relationships between agricultural producers and watershed stakeholders. (Adobe Stock)

Wisconsin adds more protected ag lands to its count

Wisconsin has just added more than 30,000 acres across two counties to its protected agricultural lands, advancing its commitment to preserve the …

Along South Dakota's Rosebud Reservation, Sicangu Co. members Mayce Low Dog and Karen Moore harvest local plants. (Photo courtesy of Grace Hussain)

For SD tribe, food sovereignty means eating climate-friendly

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

If confirmed, Brooke Rollins will direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its 100,000 employees, running on an annual budget of $437 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Texan tapped as ag secretary in upcoming Trump administration

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration Pres…

Millions of Americans, especially in rural areas or on tribal lands, lack reliable high-speed internet because service there is not profitable for internet companies. (NatalieBoard/Adobe Stock)

NM's rural school kids set to benefit from high-speed internet expansion

By the end of June, students in seven very remote rural New Mexico school districts will get access to high-speed home internet through a state grant …

Rural communities have been significantly impacted by opioid misuse, with higher rates of opioid-related overdose deaths compared with urban areas. (monticellllo/Adobe Stock)

Drug users in rural MO more likely to face homelessness

As urban homelessness and drug use grab the spotlight, rural areas such as Branson are left in the shadows, with critical needs going unmet. But …

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, more than 3,400 people are unhoused in Alabama on a given night. (Adobe Stock)

North Alabama warming centers prepare for winter storm

A winter storm is headed for north Alabama and southern middle Tennessee, and warming stations are working to provide a safe space for the unhoused…

A crew helped Jim Hoffman build beaver dam analogs on his cranberry farm in central Wisconsin. (Jim Hoffman)

WI farmer uses 'mock beaver dams' to restore wetlands

By Bennet Goldstein for Wisconsin Watch.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for Wisconsin Watch-Public New…

In 2023, more than 525,000 career employees worked for USPS, according to the agency. (Wikimedia Commons)

Privatizing USPS could have devastating effect on rural KY

The Trump administration and some House Republicans, including Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., have floated the idea of privatizing the United States Postal …

Some 4.1% of Wyoming workers are employed in arts and culture industries, a rate higher than all neighboring states, according to a University of Wyoming report. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming arts scene could get AmeriCorps support

A Wyoming arts hub is surveying organizations across the state to see if a potential new AmeriCorps program could help fill gaps in arts and humanitie…

Team Rubicon has grown to over 180,000 registered volunteers, with over 50% being military veterans. (Courtesy of Team Rubicon)

Veterans bring Hurricane Helene relief to GA’s overlooked communities

Months after Hurricane Helene tore through Georgia, rural communities are still grappling with its devastating impact. With limited access to …

An undercover investigator looking into abuse at animal auctions says mistreatment becomes normalized, as workers are pressured by management to move animals in and out, quickly. (Photo courtesy of Ron Chiang/We Animals)

Livestock undercover: How good people do bad things to animals

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Nebraska News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

Cybersecurity attacks poised to increase without tighter safeguards

A former White House cybersecurity expert is warning of potential cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. And in Illinois, security analysts are …

According to a report from Trace One, droughts, hurricanes, excessive flooding and cold waves are the top reasons for agriculture loss from natural disasters every year. (Adobe Stock)

Meat, dairy prices edge upwards for IL shoppers due to climate change

Consumers are unhappy with increasing food prices and blame inflation. In reality, natural disasters have a direct link to grocery costs, with no end …

Scientists said the E. coli bacteria can grow in the intestines of cattle and other ruminating animals without causing the animal any symptoms. When they defecate, the fecal matter is contaminated with the toxic organism. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Poor farming practices cause most toxic E. coli outbreaks

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration An…

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported New Hampshire is home to more than 3,000 U.S. Postal Service workers, who earn an average hourly wage of $27.08. (Adobe Stock)

NH rural towns face proposed postal delays in 2025

The Postmaster General has proposed reduced delivery days and other changes starting next year which could particularly affect rural New Hampshire…

According to the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the average age of Indian Health Service facilities is over 37 years and the maintenance backlog was about $515 million in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

SD’s Native population sees 'double whammy' of health barriers

Funding for the Indian Health Service has increased over the past decade but the agency remains underfunded, which affects both the health and …

The total acreage of farm and ranch land in Arizona for 2022 was 25,525,087, down 2.3% from five years ago. (Adobe Stock)

AZ farmers could benefit from feds taking on 'corporate' agriculture

As Arizona farmers have grappled with inflation, falling crop prices and the effects of a changing climate, the incoming Trump administration could …

Congress's recent one-year extension of the Farm Bill allocates $20 billion for federal farm programs and $10 billion in direct economic aid to farmers. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New administration could help farmers by addressing meat industry monopolies

As inflation and falling crop prices continue to affect Virginia farmers, their advocates said the incoming Trump administration could take steps to …

Regional drought and fluctuating snowfall at the head of the Rio Grande basin in southern Colorado in recent years have left El Paso Water officials increasingly unsure how much water will flow through the river into the city each year. (Marcos/Adobe Stock)

Drought brought on by climate change affects West TX water supply

By Diego Mendoza-Moyers for El Paso Matters.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publ…

Iowa is the nation's number one hog producer, which is a huge economic driver for the state, but the industry also produces more than 100 billion pounds of manure every year. (Adobe Stock)

Cancer rates in Iowa mirror rising rate of manure pollution

By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration A …

Organic farmers often earn more for their products and pay less to grow them. (Tinashe Njaku/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

‘Historic’ support available for OR farmers going organic

New funding is making it easier than ever for Oregon farmers to become certified organic. To achieve certification, farmers must go three years …

In the small but popular New Mexico community of Taos, entry level homes are in short supply for purchase by first-time homebuyers. (KristinaBlokhin/Adobe Stock)

NM nonprofit aims to broker affordable housing solutions in Taos

By Anya Petrone Slepyan for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for New Mexico News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Co…

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: Afternoon Update - January 21, 2025

2025Talks - January 21, 2025

The Yonder Report - January 16, 2025

Rural

Rural ME braces for Medicaid cuts as lawmakers eye corporate tax breaks

TX Medicaid recipients could be facing cuts

Health care advocate says future of Medicaid critical for rural Alaskans

Report: Potential Medicaid cuts would hit rural MO hardest

New Mexico's rural families fear proposed federal cuts to Medicaid

Proposed Medicaid changes would hit KY and other rural states hard

'Right to repair' case seen as tip of iceberg for ND farmer fairness

Federal funding to help restore WY's Hoback River native fish habitat

Experts: Medicaid essential for WV nursing home care

Future of sustainable aviation fuel in MT, U.S. depends on policy

Possible cuts to Medicaid would hurt many AR families

What’s next for Appalachia's green energy economy?

Cabinet nominees push deregulation of America's food systems

River restoration funding a 'win-win' for MT wildlife, farmers

'Revolving door' politics could threaten Iowa's small farmers

How IL's grid plans will focus on underserved communities

Stakes high for New Mexico ag growers awaiting new farm bill

Ohio farmers navigate uncertainty amid Farm Bill delays

Wild hog eradication cut from Farm Bill but funding needed, MO expert says

How 'big meat' worked to rebrand in 2024 using disinformation

Wisconsin voter ID law one step closer to state constitution

Advocates call on Iowa lawmakers to defeat 'Cancer Gag Act'

ND to debate how close large livestock sites can sit near communities

Several 2025 WY bills could erode voting rights

ME tackles rural ‘digital divide’ with tech grants, training

ND nurses hope union vote paves way for stronger rural health care

Wisconsin adds more protected ag lands to its count

For SD tribe, food sovereignty means eating climate-friendly

Texan tapped as ag secretary in upcoming Trump administration

NM's rural school kids set to benefit from high-speed internet expansion

Drug users in rural MO more likely to face homelessness

North Alabama warming centers prepare for winter storm

WI farmer uses 'mock beaver dams' to restore wetlands

Privatizing USPS could have devastating effect on rural KY

Wyoming arts scene could get AmeriCorps support

Veterans bring Hurricane Helene relief to GA’s overlooked communities

Livestock undercover: How good people do bad things to animals

Cybersecurity attacks poised to increase without tighter safeguards

Meat, dairy prices edge upwards for IL shoppers due to climate change

Experts: Poor farming practices cause most toxic E. coli outbreaks

NH rural towns face proposed postal delays in 2025

SD’s Native population sees 'double whammy' of health barriers

AZ farmers could benefit from feds taking on 'corporate' agriculture

New administration could help farmers by addressing meat industry monopolies

Drought brought on by climate change affects West TX water supply

Cancer rates in Iowa mirror rising rate of manure pollution

‘Historic’ support available for OR farmers going organic

NM nonprofit aims to broker affordable housing solutions in Taos