Locally sourced, collaborative reporting from and for rural America.
Featured Story
Bob Smietana for Religion News Service
In Appalachia, a developer hopes to offer refuge to conservative Christians fleeing blue states
The venture, which has involved several prominent conservative voices, has drawn the concern of locals who don’t want to see Christian nationalism take over their community.
LATEST NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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New Mexico becomes 20th state to guarantee students’ right to wear regalia
New Mexico officials are hoping that Native high school students celebrate their identity in upcoming graduation ceremonies under a new law securing their right to wear culturally significant clothing, accessories and objects during school events.
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Amid Threat of Massive Funding Cuts, Rural School Administrators Work Overtime to Balance Uncertain Budgets
As school administrators strive to improve their schools for students, teachers, and communities, the growing threat of budget cuts adds even more pressure to an already enormous task.
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Why Indigenous nations are walking away from pipeline talks in Michigan
Experts say tribes are protesting federal agencies as Trump fast tracks oil and gas projects.
RNN Highlights
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Eric J. Shelton for Mississippi Today
Rural Realities
People are growing more skeptical about the value of higher education. This five-part series explores how institutions and students are meeting their educational needs and the demands of today’s rural workforce.
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Winik Sartwell for Carolina Public Press
Deserting Women
Rural North Carolina counties are seeing growing deserts of health services for women at local hospitals, with serious health implications. Multiple pressures are driving this trend. But solutions may be available.
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Jerry L Mennenga for the Flatwater Free Press
Nebraska Evolving
The perception is that Nebraska’s smaller communities are dying. The reality is that many rural Nebraska counties are now growing for one reason. Immigration.
MORE NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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3 dead, more than 200 rescued in South Texas after severe storms cause flooding
March 28, 2025
Homes were inundated with water and cars were abandoned across the Rio Grande Valley region.
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‘I’m devastated.’ Trump administration guts millions from health programs in Fresno County
March 28, 2025
Across Fresno County, a nascent network of about 120 community health workers for rural communities, farmworkers, and some of Fresno’s poorest neighborhoods took direct hits.
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Rural Letter Carriers Gather in Washington, D.C. to Oppose Privatization of the U.S. Postal Service
March 28, 2025
According to rural letter carriers rallying in Washington, D.C., privatizing USPS would mean degradation of postal services and an increase in costs for those living in rural and remote areas.
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Gianforte signs bathroom, trans athlete restrictions into law
March 27, 2025
The bills, which sparked legal action Thursday, are part of national wave of legislation advancing strict ideas of gender identity.
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MDI Hospital announced plans to close its birthing unit, making it the tenth Maine hospital to do so in the past decade
March 27, 2025
The hospital president said the choice to close the unit follows a steep decline in births, calling it a “devastating decision.” The Maine State Nurses Association called it an “abject failure.”
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Trump halts historic orphaned well-plugging program
March 27, 2025
Western states were using funds from the Infrastructure Act to clean up pollution left behind by industry.
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Oviedo changes protocols after long fluoride system shutdowns
March 26, 2025
Protocol changes follow after OCN investigation revealed pattern of repeated, unpublished Oviedo fluoride system shutdowns.
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Educators, state officials adopt a ‘wait and see’ toward DOE dismantling
March 26, 2025
Connecticut’s public schools, which serve more than half a million students, could lose $321 million.
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Federal judge rules prison heat conditions are unconstitutional, but doesn’t require air conditioning
March 26, 2025
About two-thirds of Texas prisons are not fully air conditioned, and dozens of inmates have died in the sweltering heat.