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New data show millions more people exposed to ‘forever’ chemicals
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION The latest Environmental Protection Agency data show over 11 million more people than in earlier estimates have the chemicals known as PFAS in their drinking water. This brings the total number exposed to toxic so-called forever chemicals to more than 143 million nationwide. Julia Finch, director of the Sierra…
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Privatizing USPS could have devastating effect on rural Kentucky
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION The Trump administration and some House Republicans, including Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., have floated the idea of privatizing the United States Postal Service. Experts said operating the agency like a private business could leave Kentucky’s rural areas without mail options for essential functions such as receiving checks or paying…
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Kentucky public schools: Large employers who help meet community needs
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION On the heels of voters’ overwhelming rejection of Amendment 2 in November, Kentucky public school employees are urging lawmakers to double down on funding for public education. The constitutional amendment, which would have allowed taxpayer dollars to be used for private school vouchers, was vetoed by 65% of voters…
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Study: Obesity rates skyrocket among Kentucky youth
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION More than one in three children is now overweight or obese, according to new research published in the Lancet medical journal. The study found while Kentucky and other southern states are forecast to continue seeing rising levels of childhood obesity, some other states, such as Utah, will experience even…
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Many Kentuckians qualify for dual-needs health coverage
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION Nearly 13 million people nationwide, including the around 2 million people in Kentucky enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, may qualify for coverage under a Dual Special Needs Plan. Chloe Atwater, health justice attorney at the Kentucky Equal Justice Center, said nearly 40% of the state’s population is low-income. She…
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Many Kentucky kids lead fragmented and traumatic lives
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION Nearly one in four Kentucky kids has experienced at least two Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, including abuse, neglect or household dysfunction, according to the latest Kids Count County Data Book. Experts said the findings should prompt policymakers to better measure risk and pave the way for prevention. Terry…
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Kentucky’s older adults now losing millions to fraud
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION A new report from the Federal Trade Commission found older adults nationwide lost nearly $2 billion to fraud. The combined median loss reported by people ages 60 and older was $650, compared with $450s for ages 18-59. For people 80 and older, the average individual loss was more than…
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Study: Most high school students say they have had a traumatic experience
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show three of every four high school students nationwide said they have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, including witnessing domestic violence in the home, parental separation or physical and sexual abuse, among others. Research has shown the…
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Kentucky labor unions want next administration to support PRO Act
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN Kentucky News Connection Labor groups in Kentucky and across the nation are pushing for the next administration to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize, or PRO, Act. The legislation would reform existing labor laws to clamp down on union-busting tactics and strengthen workers’ rights during organizing and bargaining with their employers.…
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Youth detention on the decline in Kentucky
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION A new report showed a decade after being passed, Kentucky’s juvenile justice reform law is getting results. It found 60% of juvenile cases were diverted to alternative programs in 2020, compared to 41% in 2013. Instead of being sent to in detention centers, kids in diversion programs participate in…
Tag: Nadia Ramlagan
