All articles tagged with #rural communities
CMS announced a $50 billion initiative to improve rural healthcare across all 50 states, focusing on expanding access, modernizing facilities, strengthening the workforce, and supporting innovative care models, with funding distributed over five years to implement comprehensive rural health transformation plans.
Greece faces a declining population, especially in rural and island communities, due to low birth rates, limited opportunities, and migration, leading to school closures and concerns about the country's future demographic stability.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare infrastructure, access, and quality in rural America, with applications due by November 5, 2025, and funding distributed over five years to support innovative, sustainable, and tech-enabled healthcare solutions.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting will shut down after losing federal funding due to a Republican-led budget cut, impacting over 1,500 local stations and rural communities that rely on its support for educational and cultural programming, with most staff to be terminated by September.
President Trump's successful effort to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has left 52 Colorado stations facing significant budget shortfalls, threatening local and Indigenous programming, especially in rural and tribal communities that rely heavily on public radio and TV for emergency alerts and local news.
The article discusses the impact of recent federal funding cuts on small public radio stations like Allegheny Mountain Radio, which serve rural communities and rely heavily on government support. These stations provide vital local news, community information, and NPR programming, and face potential closures or staff cuts due to the funding reduction, highlighting concerns about the broader implications for local information and community connectivity amid polarized politics.
US Senate's approval of a bill cutting $9bn in public broadcasting funding has been condemned by station leaders, citing severe impacts on local stations, especially in rural and Native communities, including potential closures and reduced services. The decision has sparked widespread concern over the loss of critical emergency, educational, and community programming.
Amazon plans to extend same-day and next-day delivery to over 4,000 small towns and rural communities by 2026, targeting 'everyday essentials' for Prime members, supported by a $4 billion investment in new facilities and advanced logistics, aiming to serve tens of millions of rural customers and enhance their shopping experience.
In rural Wisconsin, a dedicated woman is ensuring her neighbors' votes are counted by actively engaging in voter outreach and education. Her efforts highlight the importance of civic participation in rural communities, where access to voting information and resources can be limited.
Steamboat Springs, a remote Colorado community known for training Olympic athletes, is facing a housing crisis as high earners struggle to afford homes due to a pandemic-fueled real estate boom. The city is divided over a proposed housing development aimed at providing more affordable housing, with residents concerned about its impact on traffic and local infrastructure. The skyrocketing home prices have left even high-income professionals unable to find housing, leading to unfilled job positions and a struggle to retain staff in the small, rural community.
The Biden-Harris Administration has allocated over $366 million to fund 17 clean energy projects in 20 states and 30 Tribal Nations and communities, aiming to enhance energy security and lower costs in rural and remote areas. These projects, supported by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, include initiatives such as building microgrids for community health centers and constructing hydroelectric facilities on Tribal lands. The administration's focus on energy justice and environmental equity is evident in the selection of projects located in or near disadvantaged communities, addressing unique energy challenges faced by rural and remote areas. The projects cover a range of clean energy technologies and are part of the DOE’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program, reflecting the administration's commitment to a clean and equitable energy future for all Americans.
The drug and homelessness crises in Oregon have impacted rural areas, with Yamhill County being particularly affected. Fentanyl use has surged, leading to overdoses and a lack of addiction treatment services in rural communities. While Portland's economic success is seen as beneficial for the entire state, rural areas feel neglected and left out of the conversation. Lawmakers are considering re-criminalizing drug possession and addressing public drug use, with hopes that policies will benefit the entire state, not just urban areas.
Small towns, including Bemidji, Minnesota, have experienced disruptions in mail services due to an influx of Amazon packages. Postal workers claim they have been instructed to prioritize Amazon deliveries, causing delays in delivering essential mail such as checks, credit card statements, and health insurance documents. The situation is not limited to Bemidji, as rural communities across the country have also been affected. The Postal Service, which has a contract with Amazon, has faced financial challenges and sees increasing package volume as crucial to its future. Amazon states that it collaborates with the USPS to balance delivery needs and available capacity.
The Bemidji post office in rural Minnesota has been overwhelmed by a sudden influx of Amazon packages, causing chaos and delays in mail delivery. Local postal workers claim they have been ordered to prioritize Amazon packages, resulting in backed-up mail, extended delivery routes, and frustrated residents waiting for important documents. At least five carriers have quit, and the post office has banned scheduled sick days for the rest of the year. Similar disruptions have been reported in other rural communities across the country. The situation highlights the strain on the U.S. Postal Service, which has a contract with Amazon and relies on package volume for its financial future.
Families in Dodge County, affected by a high incidence of cancer, are raising concerns about the presence of nitrates in their water supply. Living along a stretch of gravel road, these rural communities suspect that the nitrates, likely from agricultural runoff, may be contributing to the high cancer rates. Residents are calling for further investigation and action to address the potential health risks associated with nitrate contamination.