In a state where nearly 10% of households face food insecurity, Georgia s food banks are grappling with an urgent problem. The nonprofit group Feeding America said the Farm Bill, a crucial piece of legislation which is renegotiated in Congress every five years, holds the key to addressing the issue. Vince Hall, chief government relations officer for Feeding America, said there is a significant gap between the amount of food donated and the actual need in local communities, especially in rural areas, which is where the programs within the Farm Bill come in. .
In making school meals healthier, so-called "Farm to School" programs are nothing new but Wisconsin might see the efforts reach new heights with a grant program taking shape. Starting Feb. 1, Wisconsin will be one of four states in the Great Lakes region to accept grant applications from community partners developing plans for getting more locally grown foods into school cafeterias. .
Another GOP proposal is sparking controversy in Florida over freedom of expression, as it aims to ban rainbow flags from being displayed. House Bill 901 by Rep. David Borrero, R-Sweetwater, would restrict any flags depicting a "racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint." LGBTQ+ advocates said they are well aware the goal is to target those who stand behind the "pride" flag. .
Starting today, Minnesotans can take advantage of early voting ahead of the March 5 presidential primary and a growing number of rural residents will cast their ballots by mail after their communities endorsed the option full-time. In 1987, Minnesota adopted a law which allows cities with fewer than 400 registered voters or non-metro townships of all sizes to make voting by mail their only option if they approve a resolution. Steve Simon, Secretary of State, said the idea is to take pressure off local administrators who simply don t have the resources to maintain polling sites. .
Many Nebraskans age 65 and older with health limitations, as well as younger people living with a disability, want to remain in their own homes. Medicaid s Home and Community Based Services Waiver programs can make it possible. Stephanie Hoyt, who supervises the Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver program at the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, said it waives the fees for in-home support. .