Rural

Biden Proposal Would Let Conservationists Lease Public Land

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration wants to put conserving vast government-owned lands on equal footing with oil drilling, livestock grazing and... Read More

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration wants to put conserving vast government-owned lands on equal footing with oil drilling, livestock grazing and other interests, according to a top administration official who defended the idea against criticism that it would interfere with industry. The proposal... Read More

2023-03-14 17:07:48
by Kate Michael
Xochitl Torres Small Wants Rural America to Thrive

WASHINGTON — In February, Biden tapped Xochitl Torres Small, currently USDA undersecretary for rural development, to serve as the agency’s... Read More

WASHINGTON — In February, Biden tapped Xochitl Torres Small, currently USDA undersecretary for rural development, to serve as the agency’s deputy agriculture secretary. As she awaits confirmation, she’s using every tool at her disposal to ensure rural America is getting... Read More

2023-02-24 01:46:28
by Dan McCue
Vilsack Sees Next Farm Bill as Opportunity to Diversify Ag Sector

ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged Congress on Thursday to use the upcoming farm bill reauthorization as... Read More

ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged Congress on Thursday to use the upcoming farm bill reauthorization as an opportunity to encourage America’s farmers to diversify and “create multiple profit centers” in their farming operations. Speaking at the... Read More

2023-02-08 21:56:31
by Dan McCue
Heart Failure Risk Much Higher in Rural Areas

WASHINGTON — Adults living in rural areas of the United States have a 19% higher risk of developing heart failure... Read More

WASHINGTON — Adults living in rural areas of the United States have a 19% higher risk of developing heart failure compared with their urban counterparts, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health. The news is worse... Read More

2023-02-08 16:06:30
by Dan McCue
Barrasso Leads Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Rural Health Care

WASHINGTON — Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., is leading a bipartisan effort to provide some regulatory relief to rural health clinics.... Read More

WASHINGTON — Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., is leading a bipartisan effort to provide some regulatory relief to rural health clinics. The bill, which Barrasso introduced with Sens. Tina Smith, D-Minn., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., would modernize the... Read More

More Consumers Buying Organic, but US Farmers Still Wary

CHURDAN, Iowa (AP) — In the 1970s when George Naylor said he wanted to grow organic crops, the idea didn't... Read More

CHURDAN, Iowa (AP) — In the 1970s when George Naylor said he wanted to grow organic crops, the idea didn't go over well. Back then organic crops were an oddity, destined for health food stores or maybe a few farmers... Read More

2022-07-26 20:07:17
by Madeline Hughes
Rural Broadband Companies Face Fines

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission proposed $4.35 million in fines against 73 rural broadband companies that applied and received... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission proposed $4.35 million in fines against 73 rural broadband companies that applied and received government funding to build their rural networks but never did. The companies had all won bids in 2020 for areas... Read More

2022-07-07 19:41:40
by Madeline Hughes
Nebraska’s Quandary: Building out the Internet for All

LINCOLN, Neb. — In Nebraska officials want to ensure the millions set aside for broadband buildout during the pandemic are... Read More

LINCOLN, Neb. — In Nebraska officials want to ensure the millions set aside for broadband buildout during the pandemic are used. However, it’s going to be hard for the rural state where one company recently declined to use $13 million... Read More

2022-04-22 21:13:05
by Tom Ramstack
FBI Warns Farmers to Beware Ransomware Cyberattacks

WASHINGTON — The FBI issued a warning this week to farm cooperatives that ransomware attackers are increasingly trying to disrupt... Read More

WASHINGTON — The FBI issued a warning this week to farm cooperatives that ransomware attackers are increasingly trying to disrupt their operations during the planting and harvest seasons. The FBI announcement was one of several warnings about cyberattacks that are... Read More

2022-04-07 16:54:58
by Reece Nations
NY’s Largest Solar Farm Project by Acreage Gains Approval

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment authorized Excelsior Energy Center LLC... Read More

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment authorized Excelsior Energy Center LLC to construct and manage a 280-megawatt solar farm in the Town of Byron, located in Genesee County. Following a review... Read More

2022-03-21 22:27:00
by Dan McCue
FCC to Hold Next 5G Mid-Band Spectrum Auction Beginning July 29

WASHINGTON — Bidding will start in the next auction of 2.5 GHz band licenses for 5G wireless services beginning on... Read More

WASHINGTON — Bidding will start in the next auction of 2.5 GHz band licenses for 5G wireless services beginning on July 29, the Federal Communications Commission announced Monday. The ascending clock format auction will offer approximately 8,000 new flexible-use, county-based... Read More

2022-03-07 15:12:18
by Dan McCue
USDA Seeks to Be Less a Bank, More a Partner in Rural Development

WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M., makes no effort to hide her enthusiasm for her current job, undersecretary... Read More

WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M., makes no effort to hide her enthusiasm for her current job, undersecretary for rural development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Six months after her confirmation, the Democrat from Las Cruces, New... Read More

2022-02-02 14:49:19
by Dan McCue
Bipartisan Anti-Poverty Bill Unveiled in House, Senate

WASHINGTON — Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Rob Portman, D-Ohio, joined by House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C. and Rep.... Read More

WASHINGTON — Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Rob Portman, D-Ohio, joined by House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C. and Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., are urging their colleagues to support a sweeping new anti-poverty bill intended, in their words, “to create... Read More

2022-01-13 00:43:15
by Tom Ramstack
Benefits of Electric Vehicles Overlook Agricultural Areas

WASHINGTON — Automotive industry officials told a congressional panel Wednesday that reaching President Joe Biden’s goal of switching the U.S.... Read More

WASHINGTON — Automotive industry officials told a congressional panel Wednesday that reaching President Joe Biden’s goal of switching the U.S. transportation sector to electric vehicles is likely to be a trade-off of one set of problems for another. Electric vehicles... Read More

2021-11-03 16:26:04
by Alexa Hornbeck
WHO Builds Pipeline for Health Care Workers in Rural Areas

WASHINGTON — The World Health Organization recently hosted the third in a series of webinars on rural health equity and... Read More

WASHINGTON — The World Health Organization recently hosted the third in a series of webinars on rural health equity and policies aimed at developing, attracting, and retaining health workers in rural and remote areas.  “Four out of five of the... Read More

2021-10-21 18:36:44
by Reece Nations
FCC Announces $554 Million Broadband Opportunity Fund Program

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission announced on Wednesday it is set to approve a total of $554,150,641 for the... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission announced on Wednesday it is set to approve a total of $554,150,641 for the third round of funding in deployments of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. The FCC previously announced over $1 billion in... Read More

2021-09-07 20:07:17
by Alexa Hornbeck
How the Pandemic is Changing Telehealth Investments in Rural Areas

The Biden Administration is investing more than $19 million to expand telehealth access to rural and underserved communities, and Mend,... Read More

The Biden Administration is investing more than $19 million to expand telehealth access to rural and underserved communities, and Mend, a telemedicine and AI-powered patient engagement platform, is looking to prioritize access in rural areas where there is less internet... Read More

2021-07-14 14:31:03
by Tom Ramstack
Small Business Advocates Plead for Help Recovering from the Pandemic

WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress threw their support Tuesday behind President Joe Biden’s goal of helping small and rural businesses... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress threw their support Tuesday behind President Joe Biden’s goal of helping small and rural businesses but with different perspectives on how to achieve it. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, suggested that Congress provide a dedicated source... Read More

2021-06-28 19:55:59
by Victoria Turner
Top Rural Health Equity Initiative Launched

One of the nation’s leading integrated health systems serving rural America, Marshfield Clinic Health System, has banded together with multi-sided... Read More

One of the nation’s leading integrated health systems serving rural America, Marshfield Clinic Health System, has banded together with multi-sided community referral platform NowPow, launching one of the country’s largest rural health equity initiatives Monday.  Along with the common social... Read More

2021-06-17 14:24:13
by Victoria Turner
Broadband Deployment Needs Flexibility, Not More Federal Red Tape

A small community in Lincoln County, Maine, was recently denied a broadband deployment grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,... Read More

A small community in Lincoln County, Maine, was recently denied a broadband deployment grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as satellite service provider ViaSat had already won the area in a Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction by the Federal... Read More

2021-06-10 11:26:29
by TWN Staff
O’Halleran Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Support Rural Health Care Providers

Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz., has joined Rep. Jodey Arrington, R- Texas, and a bipartisan group of members in a drive... Read More

Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz., has joined Rep. Jodey Arrington, R- Texas, and a bipartisan group of members in a drive to improve the performance standards for health care providers who participate in Medicare’s Accountable Care Organizations, which are part of... Read More

2021-06-04 17:47:07
by TWN Staff
Kilmer Applauds Funding to Expand Broadband to Tribal Land

Rep. Derek Kilmer, D- Wash., on Thursday cheered word that the Biden administration is allocating nearly $1 billion for grants... Read More

Rep. Derek Kilmer, D- Wash., on Thursday cheered word that the Biden administration is allocating nearly $1 billion for grants to expand broadband access on tribal lands. The anouncement of the funding was made by Vice President Kamala Harris, Commerce... Read More

2021-03-12 14:49:25
by Dan McCue
House, Senate Democrats Say Time Has Come for Internet for All

WASHINGTON - House and Senate Democrats assembled at the U.S. Capitol Thursday to unveil a new $94 billion proposal to... Read More

WASHINGTON - House and Senate Democrats assembled at the U.S. Capitol Thursday to unveil a new $94 billion proposal to make broadband internet more accessible and affordable nationwide, striking a blow at the digital inequalities that have become all-too-apparent during... Read More

2021-01-26 21:06:41
by Sara Wilkerson
New Study Warns of COVID-19’s Negative Impact on Rural Colleges and Communities

A new study published by the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on underserved... Read More

A new study published by the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on underserved rural colleges and surrounding communities could endanger the stability of local economies, health care systems and social mobility for the... Read More

As Patients Embrace Telemedicine, Health Insurers Must Act

Virtual care is the fix for a lot of what’s broken with healthcare in America today. As patients embrace the... Read More

Virtual care is the fix for a lot of what’s broken with healthcare in America today. As patients embrace the conveniences of telehealth, medical professionals are recognizing that the pandemic model is here to stay. It’s time for the insurance... Read More

2020-12-17 20:29:46
by Sean Trambley
Reps. Sewell, Reed Push Legislation to Expand New Markets Tax Credit

WASHINGTON – This week, Reps. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., and Tom Reed, R-N.Y., introduced the New Markets Stabilization Act, bipartisan legislation... Read More

WASHINGTON – This week, Reps. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., and Tom Reed, R-N.Y., introduced the New Markets Stabilization Act, bipartisan legislation that will preserve access to the New Markets Tax Credit for underserved communities.  “Historically underserved communities have faced tremendous economic... Read More

2020-12-08 16:51:33
by Sean Trambley
Rep. Finkenauer Targets Student Loan Relief to Revitalize Rural Areas

WASHINGTON – This week, Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, introduced the Rural Revitalization Now Act to provide up to $50,000 in... Read More

WASHINGTON – This week, Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, introduced the Rural Revitalization Now Act to provide up to $50,000 in student loan relief for people who commit to live and work in rural communities for at least eight years. The... Read More

2020-11-11 21:23:37
by Sean Trambley
Schrier Helps Tribes Secure First-Ever Licenses to Expand Internet Access

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., recently helped the Nisqually and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., recently helped the Nisqually and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in her district fulfill a long time dream. They are two of eight tribes in the state to receive first-of-their-kind licenses... Read More

Rural Vacation Towns Made it Through the Summer. Now What?

DENVER — The pandemic hit Colorado’s ski towns first. As spring breakers headed to the slopes, they brought the coronavirus... Read More

DENVER — The pandemic hit Colorado’s ski towns first. As spring breakers headed to the slopes, they brought the coronavirus with them. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis shut down the state’s ski resorts in March, triggering a wave of furloughs and... Read More

2020-10-09 14:40:59
by Sara Wilkerson
Blue Dogs Host Roundtable Discussion on Rural Education and Workforce Development

WASHINGTON - This week the Blue Dog Coalition hosted a roundtable discussion with experts in the K-12, higher and tribal... Read More

WASHINGTON - This week the Blue Dog Coalition hosted a roundtable discussion with experts in the K-12, higher and tribal education fields on rural education and workforce development. Blue Dog member Rep. Kendra Horn, D-Okla., moderated the roundtable discussion on... Read More

1 2
Straight From The Well
scroll top