The USPS finalized new rules on postmarking, which could delay mail-in ballots, especially in rural areas, potentially impacting election results. The changes stem from cost-cutting measures that eliminate evening pickups in rural regions, risking ballots arriving too late for counting, with some states already reducing grace periods for late ballots. This reform affects a majority of U.S. zip codes and raises concerns about voting access and election integrity.
PBS is reducing its budget by 21% following congressional funding cuts, which could lead to significant impacts on local stations, especially in rural areas, as the broadcaster faces a loss of approximately $1 billion in federal funding, prompting staff downsizing and operational changes.
The US Senate approved a bill to cancel all federal funding for PBS and NPR, a move praised by Trump and criticized for potentially devastating rural and small community stations that rely heavily on government support, leading to layoffs and operational challenges for public media.
The Social Security Administration's method for calculating cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) is particularly disadvantageous for the 20% of retirees living in rural areas, where inflation has been higher. This metric also inadequately reflects the costs incurred by seniors, especially in healthcare. Retirees are encouraged to monitor their spending and advocate for a more accurate inflation measure like the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E).
A federal judge in Mississippi has sentenced a former deputy to 40 years in prison for involvement in the self-proclaimed Goon Squad, a group of deputies in the Rankin County Sheriff's Department who engaged in brutal misconduct for nearly two decades, targeting individuals suspected of drug-related crimes. The officers conducted home invasions, tortured occupants, and committed acts of sexual assault and violence. The case highlights the abuse of power in rural areas and the influence of sheriffs, shedding light on the severity and longevity of the behavior.
The FCC has raised the standard for broadband internet to 100 Mbps downloads and 20 Mbps uploads, a significant increase from the previous 25 Mbps / 3 Mbps requirement set in 2015. The agency's report highlighted the lack of broadband deployment in rural and Tribal areas, with around 24 million Americans still lacking fixed terrestrial broadband service and nine percent lacking adequate 5G cellular speeds. The FCC also set a long-term goal of 1 Gbps down / 500 Mbps up. While the FCC cannot force ISPs to increase speeds, it can prevent them from marketing subpar services as "broadband."
Satellite imagery and firsthand accounts reveal that the Chinese government's efforts to protect Beijing and the Xiong'an New Area from flooding during Typhoon Doksuri resulted in the devastation of rural villages in Hebei province. Authorities diverted water away from urban areas, causing a dramatic increase in water levels in rural regions, destroying homes and livelihoods. The decision to sacrifice rural areas for the sake of protecting cities reflects a long-standing approach in China's flood management system. The government's failure to enforce regulations and control population growth in flood zones has exacerbated the damage. The economic cost of the flooding in Hebei province amounted to $13 billion, with at least 29 people dead and 1.75 million people displaced.
Concern is growing in smaller, rural areas of South Florida, such as Okeechobee and Belle Glade, following Aldi's acquisition of 400 Winn-Dixie grocery stores. These areas often have limited grocery store options, and the takeover could result in fewer choices for residents. Additionally, the transition to Aldi could potentially lead to job losses, as Aldi typically employs fewer people per store compared to Winn-Dixie. While some residents welcome the arrival of Aldi for its low prices and fresh produce, others express concern about losing a familiar and trusted grocery store. Aldi has stated that it will evaluate which locations will convert to the Aldi format, while also committing to operating Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores with the same level of care and focus on quality and service.
Verizon announces that its up to 200MHz C-band 5G spectrum has been cleared for use ahead of schedule, allowing for a major upgrade to its network. The company plans to bring more bandwidth and faster throughput to its customers, particularly those in rural areas. Verizon will use the new spectrum to expand its 5G-based home and business internet services and improve its wireless phone service. The company has already made the spectrum available in 359 markets, with plans to reach almost 40 million people in mostly rural areas. Phones will need to support Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband service to benefit from the upgrade.
A government report in India has revealed that nearly 135 million people, approximately 10% of the country's population, escaped poverty between 2016 and 2021. The study, which utilized the United Nations' Multidimensional Poverty Index, found that rural areas experienced the most significant decline in poverty. Factors such as improved nutrition, education, sanitation, and access to cooking fuel were cited as key contributors to this progress. The percentage of the population living in poverty decreased from 25% in 2015/16 to 15% in 2019-21. Additionally, a recent report by the United Nations Development Programme indicated that the number of people living in multidimensional poverty in India fell from 55% in 2005 to 16.4% in 2021.
Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet constellation, is delivering impressive download speeds of over 600 Mbps in rural areas, according to reports from European users. While upload speeds are slower at around 200 Mbps, Starlink's average download speeds range from 25 to 220 Mbps, with most users experiencing speeds over 100 Mbps. Although areas with higher populations may experience congestion and slower speeds, Starlink consistently outperforms traditional broadband. With ongoing satellite launches, SpaceX aims to expand coverage and provide faster speeds globally, with plans to deploy around 12,000 satellites in the coming years.
Amazon is seeking small businesses to help with deliveries in both rural and urban areas. The company is offering training, technology, and discounts on vehicles and insurance to those who qualify. This move is part of Amazon's effort to expand its delivery network and improve its last-mile delivery capabilities.
Excess deaths decreased in large metropolitan counties and increased in rural counties in the United States during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. The study presents the first-ever monthly estimates of excess mortality rates for every US county during the first two years of the pandemic. The researchers created an online database and interactive tool to serve as a resource for people to further examine the social, structural, and policy drivers of excess mortality during the pandemic. The study identifies a total of 1,179,024 excess deaths from March 2020 through February 2022, including an estimated 634,830 excess deaths from March 2020 to February 2021, and 544,194 estimated excess deaths from March 2021 to February 2022.
The Regional Rural Water District has raised the emergency level for rural parts of five western Iowa counties due to drought, prohibiting nonessential water use. Five counties in southwest Iowa were placed under a boil advisory. Water used for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth should be boiled first for at least one minute. The earliest the order will be lifted is next Friday, and residents are advised to conserve water. This advisory is for mainly rural areas of the affected counties, and customers within most city limits are not affected.
The Biden administration has announced nearly $11 billion in grants and loans to help rural energy and utility providers bring affordable clean energy to their communities across the US. The funding will provide rural areas with a more dependable power grid and help lower future energy costs. Rural electric cooperatives, renewable energy firms, and electric utilities can apply for funding through two programs under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. The new money represents the single largest federal investment in rural electrification since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act into law in 1936.
