Women's Issues / Public News Service

The Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund lenders are Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), serving small businesses that often can't get credit from traditional banks. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Fund Focuses on Post-Pandemic Support for FL Small Businesses

MIAMI, Fla. -- As Florida and other southern states recover from the financial impact of the pandemic, one program aims to ensure small businesses …

Families of three making less than $45,000 a year are eligible for Missouri's Medicaid and CHIP programs. (H_Ko)

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Groups: Build Back Better Could Improve Health Outcomes for MO Children

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act after it passed the House last month. The bill …

Traveling nurses found improved quarters in Houston thanks to a pandemic-loan program designed to help small minority-owned businesses rebuild. (voltamax/Pixabay)

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

SOAR Fund Lifts Up Small Businesses Hit by Pandemic

HOUSTON, Texas -- Minority-owned businesses across the South are benefitting from a program designed to help them get back on their feet post-…

The <a href= — The 2021 Nevada Children's Health Report from the Children's Advocacy Alliance found that only 56 percent of uninsured kids receive regular medical attention. (Rawpixel/Adobestock)

Advocates Tout Child-, Maternal-Health Aspects of Build Back Better Act

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to approve the Build Back Better Act, because it would improve Medicaid and CHIP - …

The United States is one of six countries in the world with no federal family paid-leave program. The Build Back Better Plan could change that. (Adobe Stock)

Paid Family Leave on Forefront as Build Back Better is Finalized

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Congress is finalizing the Build Back Better plan, and proponents of paid family leave are pushing for the provision to remain in the …

Nationally, only 22% of children are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. (Adobe Stock)

School Counselor: Indiana Needs More Mental-Health Professionals

INDIANAPOLIS - More women and young people have faced behavioral-health challenges since before the pandemic, according to a new report. Nationwide…

In Ohio, 33 Republican legislators are cosponsoring a bill that would allow private citizens to sue abortion providers. (Fibonnaci Blue/Flickr)

Newly Introduced Ohio Bill Mirrors Texas' Abortion Ban

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio again is jumping into the national debate over abortion access, with a new bill introduced that mirrors Texas' strict abortion …

Only 20% of kids nationwide are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, according to a new United Health Foundation report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Mental-Health Needs Climb Among Women, Young Michiganders

LANSING, Mich. -- Women and young people have faced increased behavioral health challenges since before the pandemic, according to a new report…

Pregnancy tests were the most common services crisis pregnancy centers provided, according to a new report. (puhhha/Adobe Stock)

Report: Crisis-Pregnancy Centers "Mislead" Folks

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A new report investigates facilities that dissuade women from getting abortions. Known as crisis-pregnancy centers, the facilities …

There are 20 crisis pregnancy centers in Montana, compared with six abortion-care clinics. (Lorie Shaull/Flickr)

Centers "Deceive" on Reproductive Health, Study Finds

HELENA, Mont. -- A new report investigates facilities that dissuade women from getting abortions. Known as crisis-pregnancy centers, the facilities …

A report suggests Idaho lawmakers should commit to ensuring public schools provide age-appropriate sexual-health education. (STOATPHOTO/Adobe Stock)

Crisis-Pregnancy Centers Greatly Outnumber Abortion Clinics in ID

BOISE, Idaho -- A new report investigates facilities that dissuade women from getting abortions. Known as crisis-pregnancy centers, the facilities …

None of Washington state's 55 crisis-pregnancy centers provide contraception, according to a new report. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Report: Crisis-Pregnancy Centers Giving Off "False Impression"

SEATTLE -- A new report investigates facilities that dissuade women from getting abortions. Known as crisis-pregnancy centers, the facilities have …

About 7% of Texas children ages 3 to 17 reported anxiety problems even before the pandemic, according to a new study by the United Health Foundation. (marcisim/Pixabay)

Study: Concerning Stats for Women and Children's Health

AUSTIN, Texas -- Access to mental-health resources is not always available under insurance plans, but those with such services should take advantage …

A new report found child poverty decreased 26% between 2013 and 2019. (Endho/Pixabay)

Report: NV Struggling on Mental Health, Infant Mortality

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Infant mortality went up 18% in Nevada in the years immediately preceding the pandemic, one of the topline findings of a new …

Only 20% of kids nationwide are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, according to a new United Health Foundation report. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Women, Children Report More Anxiety, Mental Distress

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Women and young people have been facing increased behavioral-health challenges since before the pandemic, according to a new report …

Close to one million New York City residents smoke tobacco, according to Public Health Solutions. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY a National Leader in Increasing Smoke-Free Households

NEW YORK -- Although New York and the country as a whole saw some progress surrounding the health of children and women, a new report showed there is …

Esther Shekinah is a research agronomist at the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, leading a project in Wisconsin to bring more women landowners into the world of conservation. (MFAI)

WI Women in Conservation Take Movement to Next Level

MADISON, Wis. - Efforts continue to close the conservation gap for women landowners in Wisconsin. This week, organizers say the movement is taking a …

Congress passed Savanna's Act in 2020 to improve data collection on cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women. (Sonyachny/Adobe Stock)

NV Summit Highlights Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Today, a virtual summit hosted by the Las Vegas Mayor's Faith Initiative looks at the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous …

In 2017, 99% of Kentucky counties lacked a clinic that would perform an abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on KY Abortion Law

FRANKFORT, Ky. - U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case involving a 2018 Kentucky abortion law that bans a medical …

North Carolina small business owner Jainaba Jeng says a community credit union helped her grow her specialty food business. (Jainaba Jeng)<br /> — North Carolina small business owner Jainaba Jeng says a community credit union helped her grow her specialty food business. (Jainaba Jeng)

‘Kitchens of Africa’ Founder: More Women Small-Business Owners Need Access to Loans

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Women small-business owners in North Carolina say access to financing is a key component of helping women reach economic success…

A beaded medallion from Shoshone Bannock artist Brodie Sanchez raises awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women. (Brodie Sanchez)

Indigenous Peoples Day Marks Challenges, Celebration of Culture

BOISE, Idaho -- Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day, a celebration of the people native to North America. Tai Simpson, organizer for the Indigenous …

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Dec. 1 in a Mississippi case that could overturn the decades-old abortion protections established under Roe v. Wade. (guttmacher.org)<br /> — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Dec. 1 in a Mississippi case that could overturn the decades-old abortion protections established under Roe v. Wade. (guttmacher.org)

Texas Health-Care Providers Face Abortion-Law Whiplash

HOUSTON - Two court rulings in one week over the controversial Texas abortion law have providers questioning how to proceed. Last Tuesday, a federal …

Abortion providers in Ohio could face criminal charges for not reporting a child who lives after a failed abortion attempt. (AdobeStock)

Botched-Abortion Bill Gets Third Hearing in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With the national debate over reproductive rights approaching a boiling point, an abortion-related bill had its third hearing in …

The statute of limitations in cases of rape in Ohio is currently 25 years. (Adobe Stock)

OH Advocates Urge Eliminating Statute of Limitations; Spousal Exemption

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Ohio advocates are hoping to see legislation passed that removes barriers to …

The third full week in October ushers in National Business Women's Week each year. (Pixabay)

National Business Women’s Week Highlights Need for Credit Equity

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After discovering the healing powers of eating natural, healthy foods, one Jacksonville woman sought to show her community what …

One of roughly 600 rallies for abortion access took place last weekend in St. Louis. (Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region)

Report: Millions to Lose Abortion Access If Roe v. Wade Overturned

ST. LOUIS -- As the new U.S. Supreme Court session gears up, a new report found more than 36 million women in 26 states, including Missouri, could …

The Women's Building in San Francisco, which runs a food pantry, also offers financial literacy classes in conjunction with Self Help Federal Credit Union. (SHFCU)

Community Credit Unions Help “Underbanked” Women

SAN FRANCISCO -- Worldwide, only 65% of women have a bank account, compared with 72% for men, so as we celebrate National Businesswoman's Week later …

In Maine, protests against the Texas abortion ban occurred in Portland, Waterville, Belgrade and more. (vivalapenler/Adobe Stock)

Protesters Support Roe v. Wade in Portland, Central Maine

PORTLAND, Maine -- Reproductive-rights advocates took to the streets across Maine and the U.S. over the weekend to protest the Texas ban on abortions …

Illinois codified the right to abortion in June 2019. (gistavofrazao/Adobe Stock)

IL Reproductive-Rights Groups Protest Abortion Bans Before SCOTUS Session

CHICAGO -- Reproductive-rights advocates took to the streets across Illinois and the U.S. over the weekend to protest the new Texas law banning …

Putting forward laws that limit reproductive health access puts business environments at unnecessary risk and limits women's economic potential, a new report finds. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Putting forward laws that limit reproductive health access puts business environments at unnecessary risk and limits women's economic potential, a new report finds. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Limiting Abortion Access Costs Nation Billions

RICHMOND, Va. -- Curbing access to reproductive health-care services, including abortion, can have disastrous effects on economic well-being…

According to The Pew Research Center, liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans are more likely to have heard about "cancel culture" than their more moderate peers. (Adobe Stock)

MA College Course Explores Holding People Accountable with Respect

By Sonali Kolhatkar for Yes! Media. Broadcast version by Lily Bohlke for Commonwealth News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

A new report spotlights the economic impacts of limiting a woman's right to safe and legal abortion. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Restricting Abortion Access Brings Big Financial Trouble

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Limiting women's access to abortion and other reproductive health care can have a devastating impact on state economies. According …

Financial assistance is available for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington's new at-home medication abortion services. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Financial assistance is available for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington's new at-home medication abortion services. (Adobe Stock)

Eyeing Trend, MD Provider Offers Abortion Drugs by Mail

SILVER SPRING, Md. -- As the Biden administration challenges a Texas law restricting abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, Planned Parenthood for …

Texas has enacted 26 abortion restrictions in the past decade, including the recent six-week abortion ban and a ban on all abortions that would go into effect if Roe v. Wade was overturned. (MarkThomas/Pixabay)<br /><br /> — Texas has enacted 26 abortion restrictions in the past decade, including the recent six-week abortion ban and a ban on all abortions that would go into effect if Roe v. Wade was overturned. (MarkThomas/Pixabay)

Supreme Court Bows Out, White House Wades into TX Abortion Battle

AUSTIN, Texas -- President Joe Biden stepped into the abortion battle in Texas Thursday, tasking federal agencies to see what steps can be taken to…

An analysis from McKinsey suggests the learning gap from COVID may result in students earning $49,000 to $61,000 less income over their lifetime. (Andy Dean/Adobe Stock)

Without Mask, Vaccine Mandates, Moms Choose Between Jobs, Kids’ Health

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. Magazine. Broadcast version by Lily Bohlke for California News Service. Reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News Service …

The number of moms with health coverage participating in the Magnolia Mother's Trust, a guaranteed-income program, went up by a quarter during the program. (Sarah Stripp/Springboard to Opportunities)

A Push for Permanent Policies to Support Lower-Income Families

MS. MAGAZINE COLLABORATION By Katie Fleischer for Ms. Magazine Broadcast version by Lily Böhlke for North Carolina News Service/Public News …

Turnover for direct-care professional positions, many of which pay minimum wage with no benefits, has been as high as 60%. (Adobe Stock)

Disabled Community Urges Congress to Boost Home-Care Infrastructure

DENVER -- As infrastructure legislation makes its way through Congress, advocates for people with disabilities are urging lawmakers to boost …

According to CWEALF, Connecticut's family and medical leave program is the strongest and most comprehensive in the country, from broadening the definition of "family" to a progressive wage replacement rate. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Privatization of Paid-Leave Claim Services Raises Red Flag

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Connecticut Campaign for Paid Family Leave has been raising concerns about outsourcing of the state paid leave program's …

Advertising curtains, such as this one inside Kearney Community Hall, are common in community halls as stage backdrops, and were used to raise funds through local businesses paying to have ads. (Andrea Graham/Alliance for Historic Wyoming)

Historic Community Halls Open Doors for Tour, Potlucks, Pie Auctions

BUFFALO, Wyo. -- The doors of five historic community halls across Johnson and Sheridan counties were opened this past weekend for 15 people curious …

Some 40% of mothers new to the 2020 Magnolia Mother's Trust program said they had money saved for emergencies. After receiving $1,000 a month for 12 months, that increased to more than 85%. (Wikimedia Commons)

Groups Urge Long-Term Solutions After States Cut Federal Unemployment

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. MagazineBroadcast version by Lily Böhlke for Tennessee News Service/Public News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After …

Based on census data, the 2021 wage gap for Black women compared to non-Hispanic, white men is $0.63 per hour. (Adobe Stock)

Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Spotlights Need for Wage Transparency

DENVER -- Today marks the day Black women in the U.S. will finally earn as much as a white, non-Hispanic man was paid in 2020. Ashley Panelli…

Black women carry roughly 20% more student debt than do their white counterparts. (Adobe Stock)

Campaign: Canceling Student Debt Major Boost for Black Women

MINNEAPOLIS -- Black women carry more student loan debt than any other group, and a national petition has been launched to cancel $50,000 in student …

Black women carry roughly 20% more student debt than their white counterparts. (Adobe Stock)

Campaign Aims to Liberate Black Women from Student-Debt Burden

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Black women carry more student loan debt than any other group, and a national petition has been launched to cancel $50,000 in …

According to the U.S. Census, on average, Black women were paid 63% of what non-Hispanic white men were paid in 2019. (Pexels)

A Call to Build Black Women's Futures by Canceling $50K in Student Debt

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- With Black women carrying more student loan debt than any other group, a national petition has been launched to cancel $50,000 …

Raising women's hourly wages to match those of Wyoming men would add $153 million in labor income in a single year, a report says. (Adobe Stock)

Report Cites Economic Power of Wyoming Women

LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Women left the workforce during the pandemic at higher rates than men, and a new report suggests full economic recovery won't be …

Women of color are much less likely to enter contests for statewide executive offices than white women, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (8385/Pixabay)

Women Face Money Crunch on Road to Political Office

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Women have voted at higher rates than men in every presidential election since 1984, but a new study shows when they run for a …

The Institute for Women's Policy Research ranked New York 8th among states in 2019 for the number of women entering managerial and professional occupations. (Adobe Stock)

Pre-COVID Snapshot Puts NY in Top 5 for Women’s Economic Standing

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Before the pandemic, more women were in the workforce than ever before, and new research ranks New York state fifth in the country …

The Ohio Domestic Violence Network's Fresh Start program is supported by funds from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan. (Anete Lusina/Pexels)

OH Domestic Violence Prevention Focus on Housing Options for Survivors

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- New programs available to domestic violence-prevention groups in Ohio aim to help survivors transition into safe, stable housing…

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

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2021 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2021 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 21 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

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

PNS Daily Newscast - December 3, 2021

2021Talks - December 3, 2021

The Yonder Report - December 2, 2021

Women's