Cultural Resources / Public News Service

Even in a digital age, advocates for public libraries say branches continue to prove their worth, including online databases for research, as well as free Wi-Fi in areas with broadband gaps. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, January 24, 2025

SD library services on state budget chopping block

South Dakota lawmakers will soon resume debate on a budget-cutting plan targeting library services within the state. Legislative committees are …

Ohio State University will host events honoring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. all week, concluding with the Legacy Awards Reception on Jan. 28. (forestgraphic/Adobe Stock)

Celebrating Dr. King and new beginnings in Ohio

Today, Ohioans come together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with events across the state celebrating his contributions to …

According to the Arkansas Department of Finance, the short-term outlook for the Arkansas economy indicates stable and moderate growth for total personal income from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2025. (diy13/Adobe Stock)

Economists cautiously optimistic about 2025 AR economy

Economists are optimistic about the Arkansas economy in 2025. According to the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, the state has outperformed …

Designers of The Gun Violence Memorial Project hope for a permanent home in Washington, D.C. Between January and May 2024, an estimated 18,600 people died from gun-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (National Building Museum/Elman Studio LLC)

Boston gun violence memorial reveals people behind statistics

CORRECTION: The next stop for the exhibit is the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, not the Detroit Institute of Arts. (1:30 p.m. MDT, Jan. 6…

Wyoming's territorial government was the first to recognize women's right to vote. The state has ranked in the bottom 10 in the U.S. for the proportion of women in the state legislature every year since 2009, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Women’s suffrage adds luster to WY Capitol’s historic status

Wyoming's State Capitol building has been a National Historic Landmark since 1987 and last month, the Department of the Interior updated the …

The Indiana Supreme Court Law Library found in its basement a framed, printed page from the 1788 McLean two-volume set of the Federalist Papers. (Connor Burress/TheStatehouseFile.com)

Indiana treasure connects to founding fathers

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…

Brady Werger lived at the Glenwood Iowa Resource Center from 2011 to 2018. He has since moved to a group home for people with disabilities in the southwest Iowa town of Glenwood. (Brady Werger)

Historic Iowa gravesites at risk of being forgotten

By Tony Leys for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service Collabora…

Rocky Casillas Aguirre adds a pop of color to 'Twitch the Flame,' a main character in his comic series which focuses on mental health for kids. (Photo courtesy of Casillas Aguirre)

Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here

By Amy Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collabo…

Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline is currently routed as close as 11 feet to a riverbank caused by flooding and erosion. (Bad River: A Story of Defiance)

Documentary brings WI tribe's pipeline resistance to national stage

By Amy Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Servic…

Julie Su, acting Secretary of Labor and Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior, joined labor advocates to celebrate President Joe Biden's establishment of the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, Maine. (Maine AFL-CIO)

National monument in Maine honors labor advocate Perkins

A new national monument in the town of Newcastle in Maine will honor FDR-era Labor Secretary Frances Perkins. The first woman to serve in a …

According to the American Library Association, the rate of book titles targeted for censorship in public libraries spiked 92% between 2022 and 2023. In school libraries, there was an 11% increase. (Adobe Stock)

SD libraries face future of stricter policies, slashed budgets

South Dakota librarians are implementing new policies for young readers in the new year and they are expecting future challenges, with the governor's …

From 2010 to 2020, the American Indian and Alaska Native in combination population increased by 160%, according to the US Census. (Adobe Stock)

The term 'Indigenous' grows in popularity among AZ Native youth

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

Snow-dependent Summit County, which boasts four world-class ski resorts, is working to remain economically viable in a warming climate. (Adobe Stock)

Summit County aims to remain economically viable in warming climate

A county high in the Colorado Rockies is working to include its underserved residents in plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the primary driver …

There are 574 federally-recognized Indian tribes, bands, nations, rancherias, communities and Native villages in the United States, according to the University of Nevada-Reno. (Adobe Stock)

Research finds 'Indigenous' grows in popularity among Native youth

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

For many Native youths, their culture is at the core of their identity, according to the Center for Native American Youth. (Adobe Stock)

Florida's Native youth: Overlooked voices call for change, inclusion

Native youths in Florida are calling for change as a new report from the Center for Native American Youth highlighted persistent challenges they face…

New Mexico's Don Bustos has passed on his organic farming knowledge to more than 225 farmers around the state. (Photo courtesy FarmersMarketInstitute.org)

400-year-old New Mexico farm thrives after switch to organic, solar

A 4.5 acre farm surrounded by New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains is where owner Don Bustos fuses centuries of tradition with modern advances to f…

According to the Center for Native American Youth, in each Native community, culture transfer is a multifaceted process influenced by tribal histories, traumas, resilience, cultural preservation and revitalization efforts. (Adobe Stock)

VA's Native youths call for representation, support amid systemic challenges

In Virginia, Native youths often encounter systemic barriers, including a lack of representation in school curricula. A recent report by the Center …

Some 65% of Native youth report access to college readiness programs, yet many say they lack adequate funding to support their transition to higher education, according to the Center for Native American Youth. (Adobe Stock)

Native youth survey reveals shift toward 'Indigenous' over 'American Indian'

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, mule deer were uncommon in the early 1900s. Their populations surged in the 1950s and 1960s, peaked in 1991, but are now seeing historic lows. (M. Leonard Photo/Adobe Stock)

State agency hosts talks across Wyoming on declining mule deer

After a devastating recent winter, the already-struggling mule deer population in Wyoming took a big hit and the state's wildlife agency is …

Studies show being alone may leave older adults more vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, which can affect their health and well-being. (Adobe Stock)

Fostering connection: Combating social isolation during the holidays

For many, the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration - but it can often bring loneliness and isolation for older adults. Steve Morrison…

Some 72% of those benefiting from the programs of United Methodist Churches are not members of those congregations. In effect, says a new report, rural Methodist churches are de facto community centers, much like urban congregations. (Adobe Stock)

NC church becomes hub for disaster relief, community resilience

Churches are often seen as cornerstones of their communities in North Carolina and elsewhere, but Swansboro United Methodist Church in Onslow County …

South Dakota was the first state to rename

Wounded Knee Medal of Honor review process expected to slow under Trump

The idea of revoking military medals awarded to soldiers at the Wounded Knee Massacre has gained traction recently, but some expect that to stop …

A bill making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives would create a truth and healing commission to address ongoing harms to Native American families linked to the federal children's boarding-school program. (Adobe Stock)

Biden boarding school apology a first step toward healing

President Joe Biden's recent apology on behalf of the federal government for harms done to generations of Native American children and their families …

An Emmy award-winning television spot features regenerative ranching practices in grasslands on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. (Ron Nichols)

SD PSA on grasslands wins regional Emmy award

Native grasslands are the most threatened ecosystem in North America. A South Dakota advocacy group hopes its educational campaign will reach a …

In 2022, total arts and culture compensation in Wyoming topped $1.3 billion, just behind the health care and social assistance industry and the real estate and rental industry, according to a new report. (Carol Highsmith, Library of Congress Collection)

Report: Arts a significant contributor to WY economy

A new report quantifies the contribution of Wyoming's arts and culture sector to the state's economy and shows it is significant. Wyoming in 2022 …

About three in 10 Hispanic Republicans identify as evangelical Protestants, a far higher share than the 10% of Hispanic Democrats who say the same, according to Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Pastor highlights complexity of Hispanic evangelical vote

Roughly 10 million Hispanics identify as evangelical or Protestant, and one pastor contends there has been what he calls "an awakening" regarding the …

Around 60% of collective giving group leaders reported intentionally embedding racial and ethnic equity in their collective-giving strategies, according to the study Philanthropy Together took part in. (Adobe Stock)

Collective giving 'a movement' in the Grand Canyon State

An event in Phoenix today will celebrate and highlight the power of collective giving in the Grand Canyon State. Ilyasah N. Shabazz, senior …

The Royal Community is a historic rural district established in 1865 by formerly enslaved people who received land through the Homestead Act of 1862. (SaveRoyal)

Royal fights to preserve legacy as one of FL's oldest Black communities

Known as one of the oldest African American communities in the state, Royal, Fla. was founded in 1865 by freed slaves who received land through the "4…

The kiosk is operational 24 hours a day. Books, DVDs, and Audiobooks can be returned at the kiosk. <br />(Photo courtesy Little Elm Library)

Library kiosks in TX expand book access in the state

With book bans in public schools increasing, public libraries have a larger purpose. The Town of Little Elm in northeast Texas has found a unique way …

Throughout the Wyoming Frontier Prison's 80 years serving as the state's penitentiary, it contained a factory producing, at different times, brooms, shirts, wool blankets and license plates. (Kit Leong/Adobe Stock)

WY historic sites capitalize on Halloween

Halloween is a busy time of year for some of Wyoming's historical sites, where staff throw thematic events to help fund programming for the rest of …

Winnebago adults and children husking corn during the 2024 Indian Corn Harvest. (Photo courtesy Ho-Chunk, Inc.)

Ho-Chunk Farms revitalize, preserve tribal culture with Indian Corn Project

Ho-Chunk Farms' annual Indian Corn Harvest is reviving and preserving this tradition for the northeast Nebraska tribe. Corn from a Winnebago family's …

Around 42% of female survivors experienced their first rape prior to age 18; 28% of male survivors were first raped prior to age 11. One in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually victimized before age 18. (motortion/Adobe Stock)

Improving Ohio's sexual violence response teams

Sexual violence remains a significant concern in Ohio, and specialized teams, such as Sexual Assault Response Teams and Coordinated Community …

Federal officials said by embracing energy-efficient upgrades, such as a smart thermostat, a single eligible household can enjoy savings of up to $14,000. (Adobe Stock)

With the help of navigators, MN Latinos take the clean energy plunge

Summerlike temperatures are still around but winter is lurking and Minnesotans will soon have to crank up their thermostats. Now, there is outreach …

Lowell, Massachusetts, teacher Jessica Lander's book,

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MA educators: Down with anti-immigrant rhetoric, up with students

Many Massachusetts educators are denouncing the growing chorus of anti-immigrant rhetoric this election season. They cited an uptick in reports of …

To date, the Bureau of Land Management has permitted clean-energy projects on public lands adding 29 gigawatts of electricity, or enough to power more than 12 million homes, according to the agency. (Adobe Stock)

BLM’s proposed Western Solar Plan leaves room for wildlife

A new federal proposal details which public lands across the West would be open to solar development. Wildlife advocates are glad to see that some - …

ASU alumna Sonia Reyes Corella (far right) and her children (from left) David Callahan and Danielle Corella can trace their family history to Mexican pioneer Manuela S�nchez Sotelo, who contributed to ASU's founding. (Sonia Reyes Corella)

ASU alum traces lineage to Mexican pioneer who helped establish the university

It took one Arizona State University alumna years to find out she is a descendant of a Mexican pioneer, who was foundational in the creation of ASU…

Toledo's Dorr Street once boasted more than 130 businesses between Collingwood Blvd. and Detroit Ave., including retail shops, restaurants, lodging, medical offices, entertainment venues, and services like auto repair, laundry and beauty salons. (Wikimedia Commons)

Local leaders revive Toledo’s historic 'Black Wall Street'

Toledo's historic Dorr Street Corridor was once the beating heart of Black culture, wealth and business in the city. Now, community leaders and local …

In breaking down Minnesota's Latino population by age, nearly 223,000 are working-age adults between 18 and 64 years old. (Adobe stock)

In MN, leadership, culture variation part of Hispanic Heritage Month

Over the weekend, Hispanic Heritage Month got underway. In Minnesota, people are recognizing the diversity within these populations, as well as …

One of the requirements to be a vendor at Hudson's annual Latinx Festival is having someone on staff who is bilingual in English and Spanish. (Tony Ramirez/Columbia County Sanctuary Movement)

Hudson, NY, holds its 4th Annual Latinx Festival

Hudson, New York will hold its fourth annual Latinx Festival on Sunday. The festival celebrates a wide range of cultures through food, dancing and …

The last operational one-room schoolhouse in Sheridan County, Wyoming, the Slack School, was built in the 1880s, burned down in the 1920s and rebuilt in the 1930s. (Ashlee Gorham, Slack School)

School year begins in WY’s few remaining one-room schoolhouses

It is back-to-school season and for 11 students in Sheridan County, Wyoming, it means returning to a one-room schoolhouse. The Slack School was …

Many Latinos consider the Mississippi River a vital part of their cultural identity. More than half of Latinos live within 10 miles of the river and a significant portion frequently visit nearby parks and trails for recreational activities. (EWY Media/Adobe Stock)

MS Latinos call for cleaner environment along Mississippi River

The latest survey of Latino voters in Mississippi and nine other states reveals overwhelming support for environmental initiatives, with 87% favoring …

According to Every Library Institute, Project 2025 aims to reduce federal oversight protections and spending as well as reallocating responsibilities to states and localities. (Tyler Olson/Adobe Stock)

Report warns of Project 2025 effect on AR libraries

Changes could be coming for libraries and the people who work there if Project 2025 goes into effect. The 900 page document outlines how agencies …

Despite segregation, Howard Street, once Akron's thriving music hub known as

Akron to honor role in jazz from past to present

By Rose Vance-Grom for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Col…

The BLM's Rock Springs planning area in southwest Wyoming is one of the largest in the lower 48 states and is part of the world's longest recorded mule deer migration. (Adobe Stock)

BLM's Rock Springs management plan has some wins for conservation

The Bureau of Land Management proposed a new plan for public lands in southwest Wyoming, that makes some headway for conservation. The BLM's new …

Iowa policymakers recently considered legislation to allow municipalities to opt out of mandatory library taxes for residents. (Adobe Stock)

Libraries push back on Project 2025

The latest report from the EveryLibrary Institute showed the Republican Party's agenda, as outlined in the document known as Project 2025, takes aim …

The Sage Creek Community Club could soon be on the National Register of Historic Places. (Alliance for Historic Wyoming)

Bighorn Basin community halls tour to promote preservation efforts

The Sage Creek Community Club is 100 years old this year and is one stop on a tour this weekend of similar buildings in the region. The small…

A sit-in is shown at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Tallahassee, Fla., in 1960. (Florida Memory Project RC03283)

FL Freedom Schools to empower students with African American history courses

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is bringing its "Freedom Schools" initiative to Florida as part of a national effor…

The Biden administration's recent $15 million commitment to its Investing in America agenda is expected to grow Indian Youth Services Corps partnerships by 30%, according to the Department of the Interior. (Adobe Stock)

Indigenous-led public service program in SD secures more funding

The Department of the Interior is disbursing $7 million to offices throughout the country for Indigenous-led conservation projects. The Indian …

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