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The dozens of independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news organizations that make up the Rural News Network are developing the broadest news alliance reporting on rural America. These newsrooms are pursuing coverage that provides a more complete picture of what it means to live and work in these communities.
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LATEST NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
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How a bipartisan push — and backing from farmers — helped end Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban
July 18, 2025
Supporters of the repeal credit its success to years of advocacy, along with new backing among farmers seeking relief from crop damage.
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Cell, no! After Two Years of Debate, Schools Get Months to Ban Phones
July 07, 2025
The bill’s Senate author said the legislation transformed from a voluntary pilot program when she first introduced it to the statewide ban now in place.
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With only 8% built, Texas quietly defunds state border wall program
June 17, 2025
Most of the wall segments built have been on ranches in rural areas, where the experts said barriers would be most useful in urban areas.
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Vermont Legislature passes landmark education reform bill after a messy final day
June 16, 2025
Rep. Leanne Harple, D-Glover, a teacher, stood to express her “unapologetic” opposition to the bill she said would lead to the closure of small rural schools.
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A look at the wins rural Texas scored in this year’s legislative session
June 05, 2025
Lawmakers sought to close gaps in education and support funding for agriculture, disaster preparedness and health care this year.
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Healthy Opportunities Pilot told to prepare for program to shutter July 1
June 03, 2025
Spending plans proposed by North Carolina’s House of Representatives and Senate effectively eliminate funding for the program.
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A proposed Oregon law would increase Spanish-language pesticide training
May 19, 2025
Some Oregon farmers are asking state lawmakers to fund better pesticide-handling education in Spanish for their employees.
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SD 8 election: Bryan Logan wins eastern Oklahoma seat
May 13, 2025
Logan will become the 40th member of a Senate Republican Caucus that is nearly split between a more hardline conservative faction and a more moderate faction.
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Montana to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day
May 09, 2025
Marsha Small, Northern Cheyenne, has testified in support of establishing a state-recognized holiday for the last six legislative sessions. Now, she can’t wait to celebrate.
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In fiery testimony, Friesen says ODMHSAS has ‘likely’ been plagued by ‘corruption’
May 05, 2025
Testifying for the second time in front of a House investigative committee examining the agency she leads, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Allie Friesen went on the attack.
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State leaders defend climate change initiatives despite Trump administration’s threats
April 22, 2025
Elected officials and members of environmental interest groups gathered at the Statehouse to reaffirm their commitment to upholding the state’s climate protection laws.
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As education reform takes shape in Vermont, community members in Westford worry for their school’s future
April 20, 2025
A proposal to move sixth through eighth grade out of the Westford School is fueling fears in the rural community that the school could soon be shuttered under a push to consolidate Vermont’s school districts.
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Is Oklahoma considering a law that would ban lab-grown meat?
April 10, 2025
Three states have passed laws banning cultivated meat so far; Florida and Alabama were the first two in May of 2024, and Mississippi followed suit this past March.
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Proposed $25M cut to bird flu aid for farmers could leave Pa. unprepared for surge, GOP lawmakers fear
April 02, 2025
The agriculture department wants to reroute most of those dollars to other needs, such as using $15 million for agriculture innovation grants and $8 million for food assistance programs.
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‘Spinning our wheels’: As West Virginia’s housing crisis worsens, lawmakers put solutions on the back burner
April 01, 2025
As rapid growth and tourism drive up housing costs across West Virginia, lawmakers have done little to respond to the escalating crisis — and time has run out for them to take action this session.
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