Locally sourced, collaborative reporting from and for rural America.
Featured Story
Stephanie McFeeters for The Maine Monitor
What the public lands fight means for Maine
Public lands, waters and wildlife are part of our birthright as American citizens, a public domain that we all collectively own, regardless of our proximity.
LATEST NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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Thurston County to launch first prosecutor data dashboard in Washington
It integrates a real-time view of prosecutorial actions and allows users to understand how cases move through the criminal justice system and how those decisions change over time.
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Smith College dining workers ratify “landmark” union contract
Over 500 food workers at the private school have become the latest western Mass union members to secure their first contract.
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Morrisey targeted DEI at colleges. West Virginia’s historically black universities said they won’t change.
Founded when officials kept education segregated, West Virginia’s Black universities told the governor that they remain committed to diversity and inclusion.
RNN Highlights
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Bart Pfankuch for South Dakota News Watch
Powering Rural Futures
Clean energy is creating new jobs in rural America, generating opportunities for people who install solar panels, build wind turbines, weatherize homes, and more. This series led by Canary Media explores how industry, state governments, and education systems are training this growing 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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Alex Ip for The Xylom
“All Hell Breaks Loose”: How Big Oil Ruined a Small Texas Town
Three export terminals that captured half of the U.S. crude oil export industry have formed around Ingleside on the Bay, turning the Texas Coastal Bend town into an unlikely fenceline community. A playing field tilted towards regional officials, Texas Republicans, and foreign energy companies did residents in.
MORE NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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Mackinac Island fears ‘economic strangulation’ by ferry. Will Lansing step in?
June 12, 2025
Fears are growing that increased costs will hurt tourism, the region’s top industry.
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Does Merced County need an independent commission to draw Board of Supervisors districts?
June 12, 2025
Merced could join other central California counties who will have independent redistricting commissions after the 2030 census. But not everyone is on board with the idea.
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Truckee Pride Week in Photos
June 12, 2025
The second annual Truckee Pride Week combined traditional elements of Pride celebrations with Truckee’s famous outdoor recreation.
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Federal cuts to NC public health funding trickling down to local programs
June 12, 2025
Federal cuts have hit NC DHHS funding for local programs, including for HIV, tobacco cessation and well-water testing that face layoffs.
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What concealed carry on campus means for South Dakota schools
June 12, 2025
The boards that oversee South Dakota’s 10 public colleges are drafting policies in accordance with a new state law that will allow students to carry concealed weapons on campus.
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West Virginia’s broadband future hangs on aging utility poles. Nobody wants to pay to fix them.
June 12, 2025
As West Virginia prepares for its historic $1.2 billion broadband investment, internet service providers and utility companies still can’t agree on who will foot the bill, forcing state regulators to step in.
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Senate Republicans want to sell 3 million acres of public land
June 11, 2025
The sales could have a significant impact on tribal nations, who could lose access and rights to cultural sites and ancestral lands.
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For Rural Students, Going to College is Not Easy
June 11, 2025
A professor of education examines the barriers to higher ed that rural students face.
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Trump to axe power plant emission rules, a potential boon for Wyoming coal
June 11, 2025
Wyoming is the nation’s largest coal producer, and more than 90% of the commodity is shipped to coal-burning electric generating plants in the U.S.