Public News Service

New York lawmakers are focusing on electrifying municipal buildings. Buildings statewide make up 32% of New York's greenhouse gas emissions and experts said electrifying them would lower heating and cooling costs, as well as reducing emissions. Inflation Reduction Act funds are available for municipalities to convert public buildings to use electricity. ...

By Amy Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collaboration Rocky Casillas Aguirre found himself swimming in panic attacks in 2020. He wasn't sleeping; he saw all kinds of therapists and a couple of sleep doctors. Then, he found meditation. ...

When the Champlain Towers South collapsed in Surfside in 2021 taking 98 lives, it sent shock waves across South Florida. The tragedy has left lingering questions about the safety of coastal high-rises and whether the ground beneath them is as solid as once thought. A new study by scientists from the University of Miami uncovered a troubling pattern: 35 buildings along the coastline from Miami Beach to Sunny Isles Beach are sinking, some at rates of up to eight centimeters in the past seven years. ...

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and celebration but for many Virginians, it can also be a deep emotional struggle. Grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship or even a pet can make the festive season feel heavy. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 64% of people with depression report the holidays make them feel worse. ...

Three environmental nonprofits filed suit Wednesday against the California Air Resources Board to oppose the expansion of a program allowing oil and gas companies to offset their pollution by buying credits from huge farms producing natural gas from animal waste. Last month, the state amended the low carbon fuel standard to expand credits favoring biogas, arguing it removes methane from the waste stream and creates renewable power. Tyler Lobdell, staff attorney for the nonprofit co-plaintiff Food and Water Watch, said the program is actually a perverse incentive for factory farms to get bigger. ...

As President-elect Donald Trump takes office, federal safety net programs such as Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP, which support 85 million low-income Americans, may face cuts to reduce inflation and debt. In Pennsylvania, 40% of the child population is covered through Medicaid. Carolyn Myers, communications director for Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said Medicaid has been instrumental in reducing the child uninsured rate. ...

Indiana's busy holiday roads can put older drivers to the test. With 2.8 million Hoosiers traveling this season, the AAA Hoosier Motor Club encouraged families to help senior drivers stay safe. Christina Griffiths, manager of public affairs and communications for the club, highlighted the importance of preparation for older drivers. ...

A survey from the American Heart Association revealed 79% of respondents neglect their health during the holidays. Many say they find this time of year more stressful than income tax season. (deagreez/Adobe Stock)

Baskets made by craftspeople in New Mexico are often equal parts utilitarian and works of art. (NelsonSirlin/Adobe Stock)

A coalition pushing for universal school meals in North Dakota says nearly half of food-insecure children do not qualify for federal nutrition programs, leaving thousands without access to free breakfast and lunch at school. (Adobe Stock)