Public News Service

When the Champlain Towers South collapsed in Surfside in 2021 taking 98 lives, it sent shock waves across #SouthFlorida. 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. Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani, a postdoctoral researcher at Washington University in St. Louis and the study's lead author, called the findings significant. "We saw a correlation between the start of the subsidence and the nearby construction activities and we also found some correlation between the geology," Zanjani explained. "As we move from Sunny Isles to Miami Beach, the amount of subsidence is less." Using satellite-based technology, the team tracked subtle ground movements which are otherwise invisible. Sunny Isles Beach, known for its luxury high-rises, showed the most dramatic rates of subsidence. The researchers believe the southern Florida geology with softer sandy layers within the limestone may be a factor. For longtime residents, the study is unsettling. The idea some buildings may be sinking in a region already grappling with rising seas and stronger storms adds concerns about the future. Zanjani cautioned against jumping to conclusions. "It doesn't necessarily mean that these buildings are unsafe," Zanjani pointed out. "This is beyond the scope of the study we had. It just shows that there is something happening under these buildings and it's related to geology and a lot more factors that we don't understand, and we need to do more research." The research was motivated by the Surfside collapse but scientists found no evidence subsidence contributed to the tragedy. Still, Zanjani emphasized the study highlights the need for transparency and better monitoring of structural stability across the region. Zanjani's paper is open-access to the public.

Construction will begin early next year on new affordable housing dedicated to low-income Oregon farmworkers. This project is the latest by the Farmworker Housing Development Corporation, a nonprofit that is partnering with Energy Trust of Oregon to make their housing more energy efficient. This year, the FHDC hosted workshops teaching more than 200 families how to save energy at home. Ramon Martinez, communications and advocacy coordinator with the FHDC, said the payoffs are significant. Along with receiving more than $20,000 in incentives to help reduce energy use across their properties, residents' bills are down. "During the cold months, some people are afraid to turn on the heater, right? But its been great because I've heard successful stories about residents seeing $200, $300 bills, lowering it down to the $100 range," he explained. Research shows that most farmworkers in Oregon do not have access to affordable housing and often live in over-crowded conditions. In Oregon and Washington, 32% of farmworker households live in poverty, which is more than twice as much as the general U.S. population. The Farmworker Housing Development Corporation manages 460 units across the central Willamette Valley, providing affordable housing to more than 2,000 people. Along with rental housing, it also helps farmworkers who are interested in becoming homeowners. Christian Meneses-Zurita, senior asset manager with the FHDC, said it has hosted homebuyer resource fairs and recently started a fund to help farmworkers find housing and pay for education. "Our affordable housing options can be a stepping stone," Meneses-Zurita said. More information about the Ramon Ramirez Fund is at www.FHDC.org. In early 2025, construction will begin on new affordable housing dedicated to low-income Oregon farmworkers.

Rural communities across #Massachusetts are benefiting from state grants aimed at strengthening the local food supply and building climate resilience. State officials have awarded nearly $4 million to help farmers improve soil health, upgrade irrigation systems and prepare for extreme weather events, including the current critical drought conditions. Ashley E. Randle, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, said farms are helping the state meet its ambitious climate goals. "They're a mitigation and resilience strategy so that farms can be best positioned to withstand the changing weather conditions that they are facing," Randle explained. Randle pointed out grants will help farms improve efficiency and environmental controls and reduce greenhouse gases. Massachusetts has set a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. From cranberries to oysters, the majority of farms in Massachusetts are smaller, family-owned operations. Randle noted grants will help farmers purchase high tunnels and other equipment needed to extend their production season. She emphasized it helps secure jobs and provides income to local economies during the winter months. "All of these grants are really helping to ensure that we have a stable food supply," Randle stressed. "And to continue to grow and adapt should there be climate change impacts like we saw last year that devastated the sector." Last year, a deep freeze in February spoiled the peach crop while a late frost in May damaged most tree fruits. Significant flooding last summer severely damaged 13,000 acres, resulting in more than $65 million in losses. Randle added farms often face unpredictable factors but grant programs can help them adapt and thrive in the face of uncertainty.

As Michiganders mail their Christmas cards and gifts, postal union members warn that proposed changes could slow mail delivery. The plan to cut costs in the Postal Service includes ending evening pickups in remote regions, holding some mail overnight before processing, and reducing transportation frequency, potentially causing widespread delays - especially in rural communities. Michael Mize, president of the Michigan Postal Service Union, said there is a shift taking place within the Postal Service that's not in the best interest of the people it serves. "The problem is, in my opinion, is we're trying to make this a business where we can show a profit - and that is not what the Postal Service has ever been about. It's about service to the American people," he said. The Postal Service reported a net loss of $9.5 billion for the end of fiscal year 2024 in September - $3 billion more than the previous year. To address financial challenges, the Postal Service also consolidated operations as part of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's 2021 "Delivering for America" plan, which aims to stabilize the finances. Roscoe Woods, legislative director of the Michigan Postal Workers Union, believes some of the debt comes from non-compliance with collective bargaining agreements. "Since DeJoy took over, there has pretty much been a widespread decision made: Don't worry about the contract, we'll just pay the grievances," he contended. "Let's just do what we gotta do." Mize shared the action he feels is needed to push back against the proposed changes. "We have to continue to work with our Congressional people to see resolutions and billsget passed to stop some of these things," he said. The American Postal Workers union worries that a slowdown could drive customers away, weakening a vital service that working people nationwide depend on. Disclosure: American Postal Workers Union contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Livable Wages/Working Families.

As the new year quickly approaches, #Wisconsin business owners and shoppers alike are bracing for the prospect of tariffs from a new administration that could affect both their livelihoods and families. Eau Claire Outdoors is a shop that sells gear for camping and backwoods experiences. Kate Felton, shop owner, said she carries products manufactured both in the U.S. and elsewhere. She worries about shoppers being able to afford the brands she stocks if U.S. manufacturers increase prices as a result of tariff backlash. "The Trump tariffs really couldn't come at a worse time for small businesses. Certainly, there's no good time for this to come - but this moment in particular is just a very dangerous moment for prices to increase on small businesses," she explained. Eau Claire small businesses saw record-low sales this past year, she added, including the lowest turnout for Small Business Saturday in over a decade. Felton said the uncertainty has also made her and her husband reconsider plans to start a family. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to impose a new slate of tariffs as soon as he enters office in January. Tariffs, or taxes on imports, are paid by businesses purchasing goods from other countries. Economists say tariffs are typically passed on to consumers of anything the U.S. imports, from electronics and home goods to gas. Thomas Kemp, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire economics department chair, suspects a significant number of businesses in the state would feel the effects. "Let's say a small Wisconsin business is dependent upon a Chinese supplier for, say, machinery and equipment, that's going to impact them significantly. Or if they're a retailer that sells primarily goods and services made in China, they're going to be impacted by this," he explained. In 2022, Wisconsin, imports totaled $41 billion, the highest level recorded in state history, according to Wisconsin Economic Development. The state ranks 20th nationally for imports.

In the last days of President Joe Biden's term, senators are tackling some of their highest priorities, like confirming judges. But that may also include passing a bill to protect reporters and their sources. The Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act would provide a federal shield law for a reporter to protect the identities of their sources. Lucy Dalglish, former dean of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism - University of Maryland, said the bill would protect all types of journalists, from independent reporters to those at mainstream publications. "It covers more than just traditional, mainstream media journalists," she said. "It covers folks, such as ones who are working for this radio network, and others who regularly collect information, digest it in some way and disseminate it to the public." She added the bill also bans investigators going to telecommunications or other internet companies to see who a reporter has been in contact with. Right now, 49 states and Washington, D.C. have a shield law or some legal precedent on the books. In January, the legislation unanimously passed the House of Representatives. But last week, the bill failed after Sen. Tom Cotton, R-AR, objected to its passage. The only way now for the bill to pass Congress is if it is attached to another piece of legislation - or if the Senate has a stand-alone vote on the bill. Dalglish said it's sometimes surprising how administrations vary in their subpoenas of reporters. For example, she explained, many thought the subpoenaing of reporters after 9/11 would stop with a new president. But Dalglish said President Barack Obama and his justice department accessed the phone records of more reporters than any other president. "And you get more subpoenas during different times in history, what's going on in society. It hasn't been too bad lately, but it goes in spurts," she said. "And of course, we really have no idea what's going to be going on in this new Trump administration." A slew of press freedom organizations support the proposed law, including the Society of Professional Journalists and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

When a 6-year-old girl in #Florida had a temper tantrum in class, it seemed like a typical childhood moment. But instead of calming the situation, a school resource officer placed her in a squad car, fingerprinted her and took a mug shot, which left lasting emotional scars. Delvin Davis, senior policy analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center, said the case highlights a troubling ongoing concern: disparities in how discipline is enforced, particularly for Black and brown children. This case and others are highlighted in his report, "Only Young Once: The Systemic Harm of Florida's School-to-Prison Pipeline and Youth Legal System." "As you can imagine, it was a very traumatic experience for her," Davis explained. "She's older now, but still it has lingering on ongoing effects for her -- mentally and how she does well in school and how she interacts with other people, things like that -- and how she interacts with authority figures as well." Following the case, in 2021, the Florida Legislature passed the "Kaia Rolle Act," which prohibits the arrest of children under age 7, except in cases involving a forcible felony. However, children as young as 7 can still be arrested and prosecuted in the state. Davis' report examined how school discipline policies, combined with a significant increase in law enforcement presence in schools, have exacerbated the problem, particularly in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting. Davis noted it led to a sharp rise in school-based policing. "Once you expel or suspend a kid from school, there's a higher correlation for dropout rates," Davis pointed out. "And pretty much the first step into the school to prison pipeline is a downward spiral, where you're more likely to see that kid detained later on, arrested later on and further on into the penal system." At the heart of Davis's findings is a call for systemic change to ensure schools are places of support and growth, not gateways to the juvenile justice system. The report also pointed to solutions, emphasizing community-based programs as more effective alternatives to punitive discipline.

#Montana's wildland firefighters face a drastic pay cut at the end of this week without congressional action. Nationwide, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made $600 million available to boost wages for more than 11,000 firefighters. The law gave Interior Department or Forest Service employees an annual raise of either $20,000 or a 50% base salary increase. Wildland firefighters can make as little as $15 an hour doing one of the country's most dangerous jobs. Jonathon Golden, legislative director for the advocacy group Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, described the pay raise as a game changer. "That really sent a message and a signal to the workforce that they were acknowledged for their hard work, their dedication, their sacrifice," Golden explained. "That hard work also includes the off season when they are recovering." Federal spending is set to expire at the end of this week. Congress could pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded into the new year, which would cover the firefighter pay raise. Golden's group said rather than needing biennial approval, Congress should make the federal wildland firefighting increases permanent. In addition to pay raises, more permanence would also allow crews to prepare and budget for future fire seasons, which Golden pointed out are becoming longer and more costly to fight. "We need those preparedness budgets and the wages, salaries and expenses budgets as well to also increase," Golden urged. "Because that's the stuff that gets those firefighters out on the line, prepared and ready to go to fight the increasingly dangerous fires." Golden and other advocates are pushing to bring federal wildland firefighter pay closer to the wages of state fire personnel, which in some cases are much higher.

#Kentucky's 33,000 state employees face challenges taking time off from work after giving birth to a child or adopting, and many are forced to use sick leave or take unpaid leave through the federal Family and Medical Leave Act because they don't have paid parental leave. Dustin Pugel, policy director at the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, said implementing a policy for state workers would put the Commonwealth more in line with other states, especially surrounding ones such as Ohio, already offering paid parental leave. "Younger workers who are considering starting a family, who are also looking at other state sectors to decide where they want to work, it's really important that we attract them by offering this benefit." Across Kentucky an increasing number of large private companies such as Norton Healthcare, along with public entities such as Louisville Metro Government and Fayette County Public Schools provide paid parental leave to employees. Mothers who use paid parental leave have stronger bonds with their child and have better physical and mental health. Pugel added, dads also benefit from paid time off to help nurture new life. "It's shown to increase brain activity in the part of the brain that's associated with empathy," Pugel outlined. "For kids whose parents use paid parental leave, there's a whole host of benefits as well, social, emotional, cognitive" As of the beginning of 2024, 38 states had a paid parental leave policy for state government employees, with Kentucky remaining one of the 12 states without a policy.

From hosting family to higher credit card bills and increased alcohol consumption, the holiday season, while fun, is not always friendly to our health. A #Minnesota expert said to avoid a cardiac event, give yourself a gift by not letting bad habits take hold. Findings from the American Heart Association show that more cardiac deaths occur on Dec. 25 than on any other day of the year. Coming in second is Dec. 26, while Jan. 1 rounds out the top three. Dr. Sameh Hozayen, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Physicians and a board member of the American Heart Association-Twin Cities, said there is no firm reason behind the spikes this time of year but he argued it is fair to link them with temporary lifestyle changes. "People are sleeping less, changing the way we eat, changing the frequency in which we drink alcohol," Hozayen outlined. He pointed out because of travel or health clinics scaling back availability, people sometimes have gaps over the holidays when it comes to screenings or other appointments. Hozayen recommended trying to fit in as much exercise as possible and limit unhealthy foods when not at a holiday party. Drinking alcohol in moderation is another tip. As for those with existing medical conditions, Hozayen noted the holidays are not meant to take a vacation from your special health needs. He emphasized it is important to keep taking your medications and make sure they are refilled. As for the research, he observed the higher death totals are not exclusive to colder climates, where blood flow can be restricted when the temperature drops. "This has been shown in the United States (but) has also been shown in a country like New Zealand, where the Christmastime and the New Year time is actually in summer," Hozayen added. Health experts said it is important to know the warning signs such as chest discomfort, discomfort in the arms, and shortness of breath. When there are obvious signs, calling 911 right away is deemed vital, as well as knowing how to provide hands-only CPR. Disclosure: The American Heart Association of Minnesota contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, and Smoking Prevention.