Explore

Pew Research Center Study Reveals Nuances in Civic Engagement Across U.S. Urban, Suburban, and Rural Areas

Pew Research Center Study Reveals Nuances in Civic Engagement Across U.S. Urban, Suburban, and Rural Areas

A recent study by the Pew Research Center, conducted as part of the Pew-Knight Initiative, explores how Americans in urban, suburban, and rural communities engage in civic life. The research indicates that while overall engagement rates are broadly similar across these areas, there are distinct differences in the types of activities people participate in. For instance, rural Americans are more likely to display political signs or bumper stickers and attend religious services monthly compared to their urban and suburban counterparts. Conversely, urban Americans are more prone to participating in protests, marches, or demonstrations. The study categorized adults into four engagement groups: Mobilizers (highly active), Connectors (involved but less political), Spectators (news consumers), and Outsiders (least involved). Mobilizers and Outsiders constitute similar proportions across all three community types, while suburban residents are slightly more likely to be Connectors, and urban residents are more likel...

Schmitt Family Continues Dairy Farming and Community Music Tradition at Windy Hill Dairy

Schmitt Family Continues Dairy Farming and Community Music Tradition at Windy Hill Dairy

Steve and Jeff Schmitt, a father-son duo, continue their family's dairy farming legacy at Windy Hill Dairy near Fort Atkinson, Iowa, while also actively participating in their community band. Steve, who started the farm in 1981, has been playing in the band for 50 years, and his son Jeff has been a member for 25 years. The farm, which milks 160 cows in a double-8 parallel parlor and houses them in a freestall barn, saw significant modernization efforts initiated by Jeff. After studying at Northeast Iowa Community College, Jeff returned to the family farm in 2008 and worked towards buying the farm from his father. The partnership at Windy Hill Dairy became official after the construction of a 124-stall freestall barn in 2015, with Steve initially as the majority owner. Four years later, Steve and his wife moved off the farm, giving Jeff full responsibility for the operations. Despite the shift in roles, collaboration remains key, with Jeff consulting Steve on major decisions. Their shared hobby in the commu...

Hattiesburg to Upgrade Hub City Transit Fleet with Propane Buses

Hattiesburg to Upgrade Hub City Transit Fleet with Propane Buses

Hattiesburg is preparing to modernize its Hub City Transit fleet by replacing existing buses with 14 new lower-emission propane models. This initiative is supported by over $7.5 million in combined federal and city funding. The upgrade aims to enhance public transportation services within the city while also contributing to environmental sustainability through the use of cleaner-burning fuel. This investment signifies a commitment from local and federal authorities to improve infrastructure and public amenities in Hattiesburg. The transition to propane buses is part of a broader effort to update aging public transit systems and adopt more eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Palm Springs Desert Sun

Agua Caliente tribe halts plans for Palm Springs housing development

Agua Caliente tribe halts plans for Palm Springs housing development

Philanthropist Brad Prescott intended to purchase the Tommy Jacobs Bel Air Greens golf course and preserve before the Agua Caliente tribe intervened.

New York City Renters Face High Affordability Threshold as National Trends Show Improvement

New York City Renters Face High Affordability Threshold as National Trends Show Improvement

New York City remains the most expensive U.S. city for solo renters, with individuals needing to earn $153,600 annually to comfortably afford a typical studio apartment, which costs approximately $3,840 per month. This figure is based on The Economist's 'Carrie Bradshaw Index,' which assumes renters should spend no more than 30% of their gross income on housing. In contrast, the national trend shows an improvement in rental affordability. The number of America’s 100 largest cities considered unaffordable for an average earner has decreased to 30, the lowest point since the index began three years ago. Nationwide, solo renters now require about $150 less per month in earnings compared to a year ago. This national reprieve is attributed to a surge in new apartment construction, with 695,000 units added in 2024 (a 40-year record) and another 531,000 in 2025, coupled with softer demand that has slowed rent growth and led landlords to offer incentives.

East Asia Forum Outlines Submission Guidelines for Policy Commentary on Asia-Pacific Issues

East Asia Forum Outlines Submission Guidelines for Policy Commentary on Asia-Pacific Issues

The East Asia Forum, hosted by the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University, has detailed its submission guidelines for short, argument-led commentary focusing on Asia-Pacific economics, politics, security, and technology. The forum publishes daily commentary, typically ranging from 700-850 words, and emphasizes that submissions should present a single, clear argument visible within the first two sentences. Contributors are not compensated, and published pieces usually carry a Creative Commons license, allowing non-commercial republication with attribution. The editorial process involves significant rewriting of openings, compression of the middle section, and the setting of final titles by the editorial desk. Authors are expected to turn around proofs within a day. The forum targets a readership of finance and foreign ministry officials, business analysts, journalists, and academics, requiring submissions to be accessible to non-specialists and to avoid academic jargon, footn...

Another big Mexican restaurant chain is closing locations

Another big Mexican restaurant chain is closing locations

On The Border filed for Chapter 7 and closed its restaurants; now another chain is cutting locations.

How Did San Francisco Rebuild After One of America’s Deadliest Earthquakes?

How Did San Francisco Rebuild After One of America’s Deadliest Earthquakes?

San Francisco's history is marked by a remarkable capacity for resilience and reinvention, particularly in the aftermath of devastating natural dis...

Approximately 6 Million U.S. Adults Identify as Afro-Latino, Comprising 12% of Adult Latino Population

Approximately 6 Million U.S. Adults Identify as Afro-Latino, Comprising 12% of Adult Latino Population

In 2020, an estimated 6 million adults in the United States identified as Afro-Latino. This demographic group constituted approximately 2% of the total U.S. adult population. Within the broader Latino adult population, Afro-Latino individuals represented a significant 12%. This data highlights the presence and proportion of Afro-Latino identity within the diverse American demographic landscape. The figures provide a snapshot of self-identification trends within the U.S. adult population, specifically focusing on the intersection of African and Latino heritage. The information is based on data from 2020, offering a recent perspective on this demographic segment.

Urban Planners Navigate Complexities of Land Use, Zoning, and Community Disputes in U.S. Cities

Urban Planners Navigate Complexities of Land Use, Zoning, and Community Disputes in U.S. Cities

Urban planners in the U.S. are primarily responsible for deciding how land in cities and counties can be used, ensuring new projects comply with established rules. Their work involves a significant amount of zoning reviews, report writing, long-range planning, and public hearings. According to O*NET, core tasks include designing and administering plans for land use, zoning, housing, and transportation; advising officials on project feasibility and legality; preparing reports on land use data; and mediating community disputes through public meetings. Most of a planner's week is dedicated to reviewing and processing other people's projects, such as developers seeking to exceed density limits or neighborhoods requesting stop signs. While sketching and design are part of the job, they are not the primary focus, with much of the drawing often handled by others. The role requires extensive reading, writing, meeting, and negotiating, often involving presenting recommendations to potentially upset community member...

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services to Host Statewide Listening Sessions for State Plan for Aging Services

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services to Host Statewide Listening Sessions for State Plan for Aging Services

The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), designated as Virginia’s State Unit on Aging, is preparing its next State Plan for Aging Services, which will cover the period from October 1, 2027, to September 30, 2031. This initiative is mandated by the Older Americans Act of 1965 and the Code of Virginia. To gather input for this crucial plan, DARS will be conducting a series of in-person and virtual listening sessions across Virginia. The department is actively seeking participation from adults aged 60 and older, caregivers, and professionals to ensure the plan effectively addresses the needs of the state's aging population.

Chicago Faith Leaders Advocate for Permanent Department of Gun Violence Reduction Amidst Public Safety Progress

Chicago Faith Leaders Advocate for Permanent Department of Gun Violence Reduction Amidst Public Safety Progress

Faith leaders in Chicago are urging the establishment of a permanent Department of Gun Violence Reduction, emphasizing that the city's current public safety progress, marked by a decrease in homicides, is fragile. From January through August, Chicago recorded 289 homicides, nearly matching the previous year's total for the same period, which ended with the fewest homicides in six decades. Last month also saw the lowest August death toll since 2011. This progress is attributed to extensive community violence intervention networks, including street outreach workers, medical responders, case managers, and community organizations. However, much of this infrastructure relies on temporary funding sources such as philanthropic grants, business community funds, and expiring federal dollars. While Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order creating an Office of Gun Violence Reduction, faith leaders argue that an office is susceptible to changes with new administrations. Alderman Ronnie Mosley (21st Ward) has f...