The Yonder Report

Money meant for schools in timber country is uncertain as Congress fails to reauthorize a rural program, farmers and others will see federal dollars for energy projects unlocked and DOGE cuts threaten plant species needed for U.S. food security.

Rural Dems want the DNC to bring working class voters back into the fold, kids in Maine are losing a federal program that supplies local food to schools and Trump's tariffs are sowing doubt and stress for America's farmers.

Rural schools face budget woes even as the White House aims to dismantle the Department of Education, postal carriers argue against proposed USPS changes, fiber networks to improve rural internet may be supplanted by Musk's satellites and PLAY BALL! 

Rural folks face significant clean air and water risks due to EPA cutbacks, a group of policymakers is working to expand rural healthcare via mobile clinics and a new study maps Montana's news landscape.

Cuts to Medicaid and frozen funding for broadband are both likely to have a negative impact on rural healthcare, which is already struggling. Plus, lawsuits over the mass firing of federal workers have huge implications for public lands.

Many fear the Trump administration's effort to raise money fast could include the sale of public lands, thousands of farmers are waiting for payouts frozen by the USDA and a shortage has rural America’s doctors coming out of retirement.

Activists work to protect immigrant communities as the reach of ICE expands, experts urge lawmakers to ramp-up elder abuse protections in rural America and a multi-state arts initiative crafts ways to close the urban-rural divide.

U.S. farmers in limbo due to the federal funding freeze worry their projects will go unrealized, mass firings could wreak havoc on tourists visiting public lands this summer, while money to fight wildfires in rural areas is also jeopardized.

A Taos, New Mexico sheriff won't comply with immigration enforcement that could erode public trust, New Hampshire worries a dearth of charging stations will force tourists driving EVs to vacation elsewhere and Southern states promote workarounds to improve education.

Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program and Americans have $90B in unpaid medical bills.

As bird flu spreads, egg prices continue to soar, wildfires are not stopping Americans from moving to wildfire-prone states, and post-pandemic infrastructure is not just roads and bridges but also education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

Winter blues? Alaskans cure theirs at the Cordova Iceworm Festival, Trump's energy plans will impact rural folks, legislation in Virginia aims to ensure rural communities get adequate EV charging stations, and a retreat for BIPOC women earns rave reviews.

Opponents of a proposed Alaskan mine warn proponents they can't eat gold when the fish are gone, ahead of what could be mass deportations, immigrants get training about their rights and a national coalition grants money to keep local news afloat. 

"Drill, baby, drill" is a tough sell for oil and gas companies in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, rising sea levels create struggles for Washington's coastal communities and more folks than ever are taking advantage of America's great outdoors.

Rural America is becoming more racially diverse, but getting rid of language barriers is still a challenge, coal miners with black lung get federal help, farmers are bracing for another trade war and President Jimmy Carter elevated the humble peanut.

From the unprecedented election season to the latest environmental news, the Yonder Report looks back at stories that topped our weekly 2024 newscasts.

A potential funding cut for natural disasters could affect rural folks more than those in urban communities, a New Mexico town may have some answers for its housing shortage and who provides America's Christmas trees?

Many rural counties that voted for Trump also cast ballots against school vouchers and to protect abortion rights, Pennsylvania's Black mayors are collaborating to unite their communities and unique methods are being tried to address America’s mental health crisis.