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After Russell County school employees were educated about adverse childhood experiences, suspensions dropped by half
Suspensions of elementary-school students in Russell County have dropped by half since 2019, when teachers, staff, counselors, and bus drivers began getting intensive training on the effects of childhood trauma on students’ mental and physical health, reports Nadia Ramlagan of Public News Service. “More kids report feeling safe, cared for, and feel they ‘belong’ at…
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RSV, Flu, COVID: Kentucky faces ‘triple threat’ this winter
BY NADIA RAMLAGANKENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION The flu, COVID and RSV are rapidly spreading in Kentucky, and health experts say that’s a problem for hospitals, schools and the state’s vulnerable residents. So far, more than 20 school districts have temporarily halted classes due to RSV. At Norton Children’s Hospital, pediatrician Dr. Robert Blair said respiratory viruses…
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Call for Kentucky’s rural electric co-ops: increase energy efficiency
BY NADIA RAMLAGANKENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION Kentucky’s two dozen rural electric co-ops could do more to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy, according to a recent ranking of southeastern rural electric co-ops. Co-op utilities provide power to 1.5 million people in nearly all Kentucky counties. Chris Woolery, residential energy coordinator with the nonprofit Mountain Association,…
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Rural Kentucky schools tackle childhood trauma
BY NADIA RAMLAGANKENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION Russell County teachers, staff, counselors, and bus drivers have received intensive training on the effects of childhood trauma on kids’ mental and physical health since 2019. Today, elementary school suspensions have decreased by 50%, and more kids report feeling safe, cared for, and feel they “belong” at school. Amalia Mendoza,…
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Trust your gut, know the signs to spot, prevent child abuse
BY NADIA RAMLAGANKENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION Child abuse cases in the state dropped between 2019 and 2020, but Kentucky still ranks fifth among states for incidents of child maltreatment, according to the latest federal data. Dr. Kelsey Gregory, a pediatrician specializing in child-abuse cases in the Division of Forensic Medicine at the University of Kentucky, said…
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Possible link between flood risk, Abandoned Mine Land brings urgency to reclamation efforts
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION The impact of abandoned mine land on flood risk is receiving new scrutiny after devastating floods in the eastern part of the state left 40 people dead. Mary Cromer, deputy director of the Appalachian Citizens Law Center in Whitesburg, said while research is ongoing and no definitive link has…
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COVID boosters, seasonal flu shots can prevent illness this winter
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION State health experts are warning the flu and COVID season could be severe, and are urging Kentuckians to stay on guard. With COVID restrictions loosened or no longer in effect in many places, researchers said they are seeing evidence the flu will make a strong comeback. Eric Friedlander, secretary…
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Innovation Lab aims to spur creative solutions to end child hunger
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION A new initiative is providing funding to individuals and grassroots groups across the Commonwealth with creative solutions to reduce hunger among rural children. The Rural Child Hunger Research and Innovation Lab launched Sept. 19 by Save the Children said it aims to help communities design and test out their…
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Kentucky college boards focus on role of equity in student success
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION Colleges and universities in Kentucky are looking at new ways to address the equity gap among their students, through specialized training for their governing boards. President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Aaron Thompson explained that college governing boards are in a position to help increase student success,…
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Voter registration deadline is Oct. 11
Abortion Amendment on ballot BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION With only four weeks left before the state’s voter-registration deadline, advocacy groups say they are sounding the alarm on a ballot initiative which would ensure abortion is not considered a constitutional right. Michael Muller, campaign manager for Protect Kentucky Access, said Amendment 2 would create…
Tag: Nadia Ramlagan
