Tag: rural america

Economic Divide Between Rural and Urban America in Spotlight at Ways and Means Committee Hearing

The economic divide between rural and urban America was displayed during a House Ways and Means Committee field hearing in Petersburg, West Virginia. The first full hearing of the Ways and Means Committee was hosted in the Mountain State instead of Washington, D.C., to prioritize the “voices” of residents and business owners outside of the…


Lyme Disease Infections Have More Than Tripled in Rural America Since 2007: Health Insurance Analysts

The spread of Lyme disease has increased dramatically over the past 15 years with the illness more than tripling in rural areas, according to the nonprofit FAIR Health’s recent analysis of health insurance claims. Lyme disease, caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected blacklegged ticks, often called “deer…


Rural America Getting $401 Million for High-Speed Internet

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $401 million investment to provide high-speed Internet access to rural communities in the country. The investment will benefit 31,000 rural residents in 11 states—Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas—according to a July 28 USDA press release. As part of…


Inflation Hitting Minorities, Rural Families the Hardest, Research Shows

Many U.S. households are struggling to keep up with the growing cost of living as food and energy costs skyrocket. In June, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) revealed that food prices advanced 10.4 percent, with many staples rising double digits from a year ago. Bread prices rose 10.8 percent, chicken climbed 18.6 percent, eggs soared…


Farmers Sound Warning Amid Sharp Rise in Animal Feed Prices

Amateur farmer Dottie Overland’s pigs get bigger and tastier every day, but her family may never get a chance to eat them. With the cost of farm feed rising to unprecedented levels, buying feed for ten pigs has become prohibitively expensive for Overland, a homeschooling mom who raises animals to save money. “Our intention was…


One Year On, America’s Trump Stores Are Still Winning

In many places in rural America, it seems the 2020 election never ended. “Trump 2020” signs still dot the roadsides, Trump flags still flutter, and Trump hats are still in style. Unlike previous presidential candidates who disappeared after a lost election, former President Donald Trump is still loved by his supporters. It’s not just a…