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New data show ICE arrests in Kentucky are on the rise
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE Nearly 2,000 people in Kentucky were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement between January and October of last year, and the number is expected to increase, according to new data. The majority of arrests are happening in jails or prisons, but around 25% are occurring at workplaces, residences…
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More Kentucky kids struggle with obesity, poor nutrition
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE In Kentucky, nearly one in five youths from ages 6-17 are obese, according to new county-level data on measures of child well-being in the Commonwealth. The increase mirrors a nationwide trend. There has been a more than 270% increase in the number of obese children compared to the 1970s.…
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Living near green spaces, trees leads to better health
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE Spending a few hours a week in green spaces, or living near them, can reduce stress, improve heart health and even fight loneliness, according to emerging research from Kentucky scientists. Rachel Keith, associate professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, said researchers planted more than 6,000 mature…
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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…
