Wind and solar projects are powering a big surge for Indiana s economy. You ve probably seen tall wind turbines and row after row of flat panels on solar farms. The clean-energy farms are fueled by sunshine or wind and produce more than electricity. .
Colorado s Omni-Salud program - which allows low-income undocumented Coloradans and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients to enroll in affordable health insurance plans with financial assistance - saw a surge in demand at the start of the state s open enrollment period. Raquel Lane-Arellano - communications manager with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition - said the rush to enroll shows that word is getting out about the program, now in its second year. "It also shows us that there is such a great need for the program," said Lane-Arellano, "given that the capacity - which is currently at 11,000 for the Silver Enhanced Savings Program insurance plan - filled up in two days, which was absolutely a record." Lane-Arellano said the strong demand should move lawmakers to expand investments in Omni-Salud - which aims to reduce costs to taxpayers, including expensive emergency room care when patients without insurance can t pay their bill
Washington state s Climate Commitment Act promised funds for communities on the front lines of climate change. One group is tracking those dollars to make sure the state follows through. Passed in 2021, the CCA is the state s carbon cap-and-trade program - with at least 35% of the revenue it generates committed to "Vulnerable Populations within Overburdened Communities." However, an analysis by the nonprofit Front and Centered found less than 7% of revenue in the current budget met this requirement. .
By Kayla Benjamin for The Washington Informer.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service Collaboration Every morning, 70-year-old Al Powell takes long walks on the Sligo Creek Trail, covering miles of well-paved track alongside the burbling water. It’s an incredibly convenient place to walk for Powell: the trail and the creek run right past his home in Hyattsville, where he has lived since 1974. He and his wife, Geeta Powell, can see the path from their backyard. .
The rise in deaths involving synthetic opioids or fentanyl have overdose-prevention advocates looking for solutions across the nation. Gov. Mike Parson recently signed a bill legalizing fentanyl test strips with hopes of lessening the death toll. .