Public News Service
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Public News Service
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Seven Western states face a Feb. 14 deadline to agree on Colorado River water use—or risk a federal plan.

“We’ve got to get away from fixed-volume allocations,” says Brian Richter (Sustainable Waters). “Base it on what the river delivers each year.”

#ColoradoRiver #WaterRights #ClimateAction
Colorado River negotiators face new deadline to divvy up water
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 10, 2025 at 12:37 AM
West Virginia communities are embracing restorative justice, using talking circles to address issues from substance recovery to homelessness.

“You can bring in the person harmed, the person who caused harm, and the community,” says Nicole Bailey of West Virginia Restorative Justice Project.
More WV communities turn to restorative justice
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Missouri’s drinking water has an unlikely guardian: the endangered grotto sculpin, found only in Perryville’s cave system.

“The grotto sculpin is a bioindicator of water quality,” says Clint Miller or @conservationfnd.bsky.social.
A tiny Missouri fish could shape the future of local water quality
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 9, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Kentucky needs 206K housing units now, projected to hit 280K in five years. Lawmakers recommend easing regulations and funding incentives to boost construction.

If action stagnates, warns Tony Curtis of Metropolitan Housing Coalition, homelessness will rise.

#HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing
KY task force offers new guidance to ease housing strain
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 9, 2025 at 5:53 PM
#2025Talks for Dec. 9: The Supreme Court looks likely to expand presidential power over independent agencies, the Justice Department sues states to get voter registration data and legal aid groups struggle to keep staff amid increased ICE enforcement.

#politics #immigration #SCOTUS
2025Talks: 2025Talks - December 9, 2025
The Supreme Court looks likely to expand presidential power over independent agencies, the Justice Department sues states to get voter registration data and legal aid groups struggle to keep staff…
2020talks.libsyn.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
MN’s legal‑aid community is stepping up as demand rises.

“The reality is… there will always be more need than the ability to provide services,” — Julia Decker, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.

Stat to watch: 44% of people in immigration court have no attorney (Vera Institute).

#ImmigrationLaw
ICE activity in MN sheds light on strain felt by legal aid groups
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Rural Iowans face rising energy costs as winter sets in. Natural gas makes up 30% of Iowa’s energy use, and prices could climb as utilities shift away from coal.

“We worry demand could outstrip supply,” says Andrew Johnson (Clean Energy Districts of Iowa).

#EnergyCosts #NaturalGas #Renewables
Diversifying away from coal and natural gas in rural Iowa
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Oregon is renewing its water-quality permit for large animal operations, but advocates say gaps remain.

“These facilities are spreading liquid waste on fields… If you’re not out there to monitor, you might not know if violations are taking place,” says Tarah Heinzen (Food & Water Watch).
OR to renew factory farm permit, advocates say protections fall short
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 9, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Rural Colorado youth access dental care at half the rate of the general population, per a new Dental Dashboard.

“Oral health is a vital part of overall health and well-being,” says Lauren Harvey (Colorado Dental Association).

BarBarriers: insurance gaps, provider shortages, long travel distances
New data tool shows Coloradans missing out on dental care
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 9, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Montana faces a major housing challenge: HUD will cap permanent housing funds at 30%, prioritizing transitional programs.

“There are people currently in these projects that may not be eligible… they may end up back out on the streets,” warns David O’Leary, Montana Continuum of Care Coalition.
MT homeless advocates scrambling after federal funding shift
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 8, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Missouri farmers are feeling the pinch after USDA pulled $14M from Heartland Regional Food Business Center funding. Advocates say that the cuts are already being felt across the state's food economy.

“A lot of these small farmers, they're not loan ready,” says Katie Nixon of New Growth.
Support for small Missouri farms strained after Heartland program cut
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 8, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Libraries nationwide are getting $160M restored after a federal judge overturned cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services. California will see $15M.

“We’re excited, but also skeptical,” says Anthony Chow (California Library Association).

#Libraries #CommunityImpact #California
Trump administration to restore library funding in CA, across US
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM
On today's #2025Talks for Dec. 8: Indiana and Florida advance redrawn congressional maps, as part of the redistricting race. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discusses boat strikes and New Orleans' Mayor-elect speaks out on ICE raids.

#politics #ICE #Immigration #gerrymandering
2025Talks: 2025Talks - December 8, 2025
Indiana and Florida advance redrawn congressional maps, as part of the redistricting race. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discusses boat strikes and New Orleans' Mayor-elect speaks out on ICE raids.
2020talks.libsyn.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Tennessee has until Jan. 1 to approve Summer EBT—a program giving $40/month per child for food when school’s out. Last year, 700K kids benefited, bringing $80M into the state.

“Everybody was really supportive… 90% said this is a great program,” notes Signe Anderson (Tennessee Justice Center).
TN still has time to opt into Summer EBT before January deadline
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
It's Monday, so start your week off with #PNSDailyNews!
New photos of Rosa Parks expand the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement; new rankings highlight nation's best places to live; states grapple with holiday-season pressures including addiction risks, rising energy costs, gaps in rural health care
Public News Service: PNS Daily Newscast: December 8, 2025
New photos of Rosa Parks expand the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, while new rankings highlight the nation s best places to live as states grapple with holiday-season pressures including…
publicnewsservice.libsyn.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Holidays can trigger relapse for those battling addiction—but help is out there.
Experts say: reach out, be honest, ask for support.

Oregon ranks high for substance-use disorders and faces treatment gaps, especially in rural areas.

#Recovery #AddictionSupport #MentalHealth #Oregon
Addressing substance use risks, triggers during holiday season
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Indiana’s Abandoned Mine Land Program tackles hazards from pre-1977 mining and could help reclaim rare-earth elements from coal waste.
Gob piles = environmental risk + untapped resource.
Goal: clean waterways & boost U.S. mineral security.

#EnergyTransition #RareEarth #Indiana #Reclamation
IN 'gob piles' are sitting waste dumps that hurt the environment
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Medicare open enrollment ends tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 7!
✅ Confirm your doctors accept your 2026 plan
✅ Review changes: some Part D plans are disappearing
Compare options at medicare.gov to avoid surprises in January.

#Medicare #OpenEnrollment #HealthCare
Last minute tips as Medicare open enrollment ends Sunday
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Cuyahoga Valley NP and Dartmoor NP became sister parks, the first-ever NPS partnership with a UK park.
Focus: restoring nature, hands-on learning, and elevating human + environmental stories.
PNS collaborates with Kent State NewsLab to bring you this story.
#NationalParks #Conservation
Across the Atlantic, two national parks collaborate
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 6, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Florida seniors say tech barriers are shutting them out of essential services, from medical forms to telehealth. Advocates call for an eight-letter solution: simplify.

Digital literacy helps, but systemic design changes are key to closing the gap.

#DigitalDivide #Aging #Accessibility #Florida
Florida seniors say "simplify" as digitization creates isolation
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Montgomery marks 70 years since Rosa Parks’ arrest sparked the bus boycott.
Events this weekend honor her legacy & call for renewed civic action, starting with a 381-day Youth Call to Action.
“We need coalitions like we had then.”

#CivilRights #RosaParks #Montgomery #CivicEngagement
Rosa Parks' legacy fuels 381 days of civic action in AL, U.S.
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 5, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Cultivated meat is here, & Dawn the Yorkshire pig didn’t have to die for it.
Mission Barns grows real pork fat in bioreactors, blending it with plants for meatballs, bacon & salami that taste almost like the real thing.
Goal: cut cruelty & emissions from industrial livestock.
Collab with @grist.org
Pig cell biopsy cultivated into meat alternative
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
A first for Massachusetts: Boston College is launching a college-credit program for women at Framingham prison.
Education behind bars cuts recidivism by more than half and opens doors for growth.
#PrisonEducation #SecondChances #HigherEd #Massachusetts @bostoncollege.bsky.social
Boston College Prison Education Program expands to women's facility
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
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December 5, 2025 at 5:44 PM
On today's #2025Talks:
- Trump escalates rhetoric toward Somali Americans as his administration tightens immigration vetting
- Ohio blocks expanded child labor hours
- Seniors face a Sunday deadline to review Medicare coverage
#politics #childlabor #Medicare #immigration
2025Talks: 2025Talks - December 5, 2025
Trump escalates rhetoric toward Somali Americans as his administration tightens immigration vetting, while Ohio blocks expanded child labor hours and seniors face a Sunday deadline to review Medicare…
2020talks.libsyn.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
End your week with today's #PNSDailyNews!
SCOTUS clears the way for Republican-friendly TX voting maps; In Twin Cities, riverfront development rules get on the same page; Boston College Prison Education Program expands to women's facility; NYS bill requires timely state reimbursement to nonprofits
Public News Service: PNS Daily Newscast: December 5, 2025
Supreme Court clears the way for Republican-friendly Texas voting maps; In Twin Cities, riverfront development rules get on the same page; Boston College Prison Education Program expands to women's…
publicnewsservice.libsyn.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM