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Wednesday, April 23, 2025

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Marco Rubio unveils massive State Dept. overhaul with reductions of staff and bureaus; Visas revoked, status changed for international students in TX; Alaska lawmakers work to improve in-school mental health care; Montana DEQ denies Big Hole River decision, cites law opposed by EPA; Indiana moves to regulate legal THC sales and branding.

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White House defends Secretary Hegseth amid media scrutiny, federal judges block efforts to dismantle U.S. international broadcasters, and major restructuring hits the State Department and rural programs.

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Schools in timber country face an uncertain future without Congress' reauthorization of a rural program, DOGE cuts threaten plant species needed for U.S. food security, and farmers will soon see federal dollars for energy projects unlocked.

New Jersey

In some areas, Medicaid funding pays a portion of the school nurse's salary. (Adobe Stock)
Medicaid cuts could threaten schools supports in NJ

As federal government spending cuts loom, advocates for keeping Medicaid intact are calling attention to how the funding is used in public schools…

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Rutgers Law School offers students free legal consultations through the Rutgers Immigrant Community Assistance Project. (Adobe Stock)
NJ educators respond to ICE expanded reach on campus

With Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents now permitted to make arrests at colleges and universities, immigrants' advocates are raising …

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More than 1.3 million New Jerseyans have a diagnosed mental-health condition. (Adobe Stock)
NJ lawmakers improving mental health access

While New Jersey has recently been proactive in ensuring access to mental-health coverage, whether insurance companies are meeting those needs is a …

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A $3.3 million Rutgers University grant was part of a Biden era Department of Education initiative to expand access to school-based mental health services nationwide. (Adobe Stock)
NJ spending on student mental health is up, challenges remain

While New Jersey has made gains in K-through-12 mental health support, advocates said the state needs to do more. In recent years New Jersey has …

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The U.S. Energy Information Administration finds most of New Jersey's electricity is generated by natural gas and nuclear energy. Solar energy accounts for 8% of total electricity generation. (Adobe Stock)
NJ gov continues advancing progress on climate goals

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is maintaining the state's clean-energy progress. In his final State of the State Address, Murphy thanked lawmakers for …

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Since colonial times, settlers along the coast cut perennial marsh grasses into what they called salt hay. (Naya Na / Adobe Stock)
As saltwater encroaches on farms, solutions emerge from marshes

By Lisa Held for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for New Jersey News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News S…

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A report by the Pew Charitable Trusts calls for a reduction in the misuse of antibiotics and research into developing new, targeted drugs to fight infections. (Adobe Stock)
Experts say 'superbugs' are making antibiotic drugs less effective

Medical researchers said germs are getting smarter and more are becoming resistant to a class of drugs designed to treat infections. Doctors say the …

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Around 65% of New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries have a traditional Medicare plan, while the rest are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or other type of plan. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)
Patients shop around as Medicare open enrollment gets underway

One million, six hundred and fifty thousand New Jerseyites on Medicare - almost 18% of the state - have a big decision to make, because the Medicare …

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The latest America's Health Ranking Report finds 10.6% of New Jersey women experience postpartum depression in 2021, slightly below the national average of 12.7%. (Adobe Stock)
NJ taking action to improve maternal mental health

New Jersey ranks poorly for maternal mental health. The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health gave the state a C- due to several factors. A bill …

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In 2019, Formosa Plastics settled a $50 million lawsuit after a plant in Texas dumped billions of plastic pellets into Lavaca Bay. (Adobe Stock)
Plastics production highlighted during Pollution Prevention Week

This is Pollution Prevention Week and advocates are renewing their call on one plastics manufacturer to clean up its act. An August demonstration at …

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Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments soon, as doctor's offices may be busier than normal. (Adobe Stock)
NJ parents reminded to schedule back-to-school checkups

As summer comes to a close, New Jersey educators and health professionals are encouraging parents to get students an annual health checkup. In …

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Experts say addiction treatment outcomes are much better when a health care provider speaks the language and understands the culture of the patient. (Adobe Stock)
Bilingual, multicultural staff needed for NJ addiction treatment

More than 85,000 people are admitted each year in New Jersey to treatment programs for alcohol and drug addiction, and experts say language can be a …

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