Alabama State

Reuters

(Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday it has issued $2 billion of financial assistance to more than 43,000 farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced past discrimination in the agency's farm lending programs.

US farm agency to provide discrimination payments to 43,000 farmers

The Independent

 The Biden administration has doled out more than $2 billion in direct payments for Black and other minority farmers discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the president announced Wednesday.More than 23,000 farmers were approved for payments ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, according to the USDA. Another 20,000 who planned to start a farm but did not receive a USDA loan received between $3,500 and $6,000. Most payments went to farmers in Mississippi and Alabama. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters that the aid “is not compensation for anyone’s loss or the pain endured, but it is an...

Black and other minority farmers are getting $2 billion from USDA after years of discrimination

Iowa State

Tens of thousands of farmers or would-be farmers who say they suffered discrimination when they applied for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will get one-time payments that total about $2 billion from the federal government. “While this financial assistance is not compensation for anyone’s losses or pain endured,...

Federal government pays $2 billion for farmer discrimination

Denver, CO

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David Heitz

A dangerous drug that is being mixed into fentanyl is causing those who inject it to develop a rash of sores that resembles a case of flesh-eating bacteria. People experiencing homelessness around Denver can sometimes be seen with these bloody, weeping wounds. I recently mentioned this phenomenon to a fentanyl user who told me about the xylazine connection.

Denver homeless people suffer sores as xylazine enters fentanyl supply

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Kentucky’s Community Actions Partnerships have announced the starts date for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy, aimed at helping Kentucky households offset summer cooling costs.

LIHEAP Summer Subsidy program to help with summer cooling costs to begin enrollment July 16

This National Black Business Month, ESSENCE is highlighting the role Black cooperatives have played in advancing the economic power of Black Americans. August is National Black Business Month, and ESSENCE is celebrating Black economic excellence and taking a look at the important history of Black cooperatives. According to data from...

Black Economic Excellence: Exploring The Legacy And Power Of Black Cooperatives

North Carolina State

The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Redevelopment and revitalization of environmentally challenged properties would be helped by the Economic Opportunity for Distressed Communities Act, a federal proposal by a Republican and Democrat from North Carolina.
                U.S. Reps. Chuck Edwards and Wiley Nickel say their plan is different from the current Opportunity Zone program that focuses solely on low-income communities and fails to consider the need for similar investment in communities with additional hardships, such as brownfield and superfund sites. They worked together to craft House Resolution 9203,...

Aid to distressed communities in brownfield, superfund sites proposal

Colorado State

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

New Jersey State

Morristown Minute

A new initiative aims to provide housing for vulnerable Medicaid members, enhancing community wellness and support. MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. - In a significant move to tackle housing instability among Medicaid recipients, New Jersey's Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, along with Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez, today announced the availability of $95 million in funding for developers. This initiative, part of the Healthy Homes program, is designed to create affordable housing opportunities for NJ FamilyCare members who are either homeless, at risk of homelessness, or currently living in institutional settings.

$95 Million for Healthy Homes: Housing for Medicaid Members

Aurora, CO

Aurora’s pallet shelters for people experiencing homelessness, which only allow a maximum 30-day stay, have been cycling the same individuals in and out, city staff told council members Thursday. Many return to street encampments when their time in the pallet shelter runs out, Jessica Prosser, homeless services director for the city, said. Then, the city sweeps the encampment again, and they get to come back to the shelter for another 30 days, Prosser explained. This process can repeat multiple times.

Aurora pallet shelters a revolving door for homeless

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Town Talks

Death Disclosure Laws and Property Disclosures in North Carolina. In North Carolina, there is no legal obligation for homeowners or real estate agents to disclose if a death has occurred in a home, whether by natural causes, murder, or suicide. However, if a potential buyer directly inquires about any deaths on the property, the seller is required to provide that information.

If someone dies at your house do you have to tell a potential buyer? What North Carolina law says

A key component in the ongoing farm bill discussions is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Some democrats want a substantial funding increase in the program. U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), the longest-serving Member on the House Committee on Agriculture, believes the necessary funds are not available. It would diminish crop protections for production agriculture.

SNAP Funding a Key Sticking Point in Farm Bill Discussions

Massachusetts State

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

writer

Dianna Carney

Egg Roll is a one-year-old, 34lb American Bully who has recently been introduced by Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue located in Massachusetts. This charming, round little dog is looking for his forever home and comes with a delightful personality and some special quirks.

Meet Egg Roll: The Round Little Snuggle Buddy Looking For Love

Jersey City, NJ

Essex County, NJ

NEWARK, N.J. – Efrin Wade, a former correctional officer at Essex County Correctional Facility (ECCF), has admitted to accepting $14,000 in bribes to smuggle contraband, including tobacco and a cell phone, into the facility for inmates. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Correctional Officer Guilty of Smuggling Contraband: $14K in Bribes Accepted

Camden, NJ

Cornelius, NC

CAMDEN, N.J. – Lisa Smith, 61, of Cornelius, North Carolina, has admitted to her role in a fraudulent scheme involving over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today that Smith pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court on July 17, 2024, to a charge of bank fraud conspiracy.

Woman Pleads Guilty to $3.5M COVID Relief Scam

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has become nationally known for moving more than 1,600 homeless people indoors since he has become mayor. Now he wants to place 200 people struggling with mental illness and/or addiction into treatment, according to an upcoming City Council committee agenda.

Denver mayor to send 200 people experiencing homeless to treatment

Florida State

Uncovering Florida

Most people are guilty of doing it at least once in their lives, many people do it by accident, some do it because they find it fun, and others do it for reasons like honoring loved ones. Regardless of the situation, just about everyone has released a balloon. The difference is that intentionally releasing balloons is now illegal by House Bill 321’s standards.

Law Signed By DeSantis Makes It Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida

Boulder, CO

Check out our companion piece: How to Start a Backyard or Urban Farm—Whether You Own Land or Not. As a renter millennial, I wanted to start farming. But as Charlotte says in Pride and Prejudice, “I’ve no money and no prospects.” This is a common sentiment among many student-loan-saddled millennials and Gen Z-ers who want to work with the land but don’t have land that they own to start gardening or farming.

How the Next Generation of Farmers is Getting Creative with Land Access

Missouri State

Fulton, MO

CJ Coombs

Updated on July 17, 2024, concerning two of the missing children listed below. Bringing them home: for 40 years, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has been helping to locate missing children.

Seven teenagers have been missing in Missouri since June 2024

NewsBreak

USDA announced the transmittal of over $2 billion in funds to over 43,000 agriculture producers and forest land owners who had experienced discrimination by USDA prior to 2021

On Wednesday​,​ July 31​,​ ​the ​U​.​S​. ​D​epartment of ​A​griculture (USDA)​ announced the transmittal of over $2 billion in funds to over 43,000 agriculture producers and forest...

USDA announced the transmittal of over $2 billion in funds to over 43,000 agriculture producers and forest land owners who had experienced discrimination by USDA prior to 2021

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