Latest news with #50501
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
The Workforce Crisis Threatening America's Economy
The U.S. lost its last remaining perfect credit rating earlier this month as Moody's elected to downgrade U.S. debt from AAA to AA1. Historically, these downgrades, first enacted by S&P in 2011 and then by Fitch in 2023, have had little material impact on the U.S. economy because of its size, and the sheer global demand for treasuries. However, they do serve as financial markets' town crier—highlighting issues that could affect the U.S. economy and further investment into it. Describing the reasons for their downgrades, S&P and Fitch cited "political brinkmanship" in the U.S. taking the form of "repeated debt-limit political standoffs and last-minute resolutions." But Moody's rationale was different. Instead of harping on politics, it pointed to two nonpartisan realities: rising entitlement spending and smaller government revenues to finance them. For many labor market experts, these findings are old news. The U.S. faces a growing shortfall of entrants to the labor force who can replace those retiring from it. For the past three years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has downgraded its forecasts of total employment growth, citing an aging U.S. population and declining labor force participation. In fact, one study by Lightcast projected that U.S. population growth will outpace labor force growth by eight to one in 2032. This means there will be increased demand for government programs such as Social Security and Medicare, but fewer workers to fund them. Such trends have wreaked havoc on other countries. For example, France had 2.1 workers paying into its pension system for every retiree in 2000. In 2023, just 1.2 workers were supporting every retiree. When the government attempted to alter an unsustainable status quo by raising the age of retirement, it triggered severe protests throughout the country. France is not facing these dire straits alone. Between 2000 and 2022, the worker-to-retiree ratio for Europe has decreased from 4.9 to 2.9. In China and Japan, an aging population coupled with a shrinking labor force has drastically reduced economic activity over the past decade, forcing both nations to enact significant cutbacks in government spending. People affiliated with the 50501 movement march through downtown Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, April 19, 2025, to protest the Trump administration on the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. People affiliated with the 50501 movement march through downtown Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, April 19, 2025, to protest the Trump administration on the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Image/AFP/Getty Images Unlike its peers, the U.S. has yet to meaningfully address these issues due to its political paralysis. Reforming the entitlements system through Social Security and Medicare reform, increasing labor force participation by changing immigration policy, and even incentivizing companies to hire more workers by updating the tax code are considered near-insurmountable tasks for a Congress defined by partisan gridlock. Social Security was last reformed in 1983; immigration policy was last changed in 1986; and the tax code was last updated in 2017. With the federal government unlikely to address the shortfall of workers needed to sustain a growing demand for entitlements, it is no wonder the U.S.' creditworthiness is declining. But there are plenty of opportunities for improvement. As of April 2025, 7.2 million Americans are out of the labor force but would like to be employed, while 10.7 percent of young adults aged 16 to 24 are not in employment, education, or training programs. Many of them do not have the skillsets or training that employers are looking for, while others have a narrow view of careers that match their background and interests. To reduce the U.S. labor shortage, we can start by reaching out to this disaffected cohort of workers through workforce development programs, especially ones that include apprenticeships, that inform young adults of the careers they can pursue and skills they must develop to earn a respectable living. Workforce development does not hold the same political cachet as addressing entitlements, immigration policy, or the tax code. Nor is it a one-stop solution for fixing the U.S.' large fiscal imbalance. But it is a meaningful, attainable step towards accommodating increased entitlement demand by maximizing the number of taxpaying workers to fund it. And by ensuring every worker has the ability to actively participate in this economy, the U.S. can prove that it is capable of following through on the tougher steps ahead to correct its fiscal deficit. Noah Yosif is Chief Economist at the American Staffing Association. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
May Day protesters rally at Mississippi Capitol against President Trump policies
A group of protesters gathered on the south side of the Mississippi State Capitol Building on Thursday, May 1, to express their opposition to ongoing federal cuts and executive orders initiated by President Donald Trump. Billed as the "May Day Strong" rally, the event was organized by the Mississippi chapter of the 50501 movement, the name of which stands for "50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement." In some countries, May Day is a public holiday honoring labor. Protesters who rallied in Jackson say much of their message focuses on fighting back against Trump's policies affecting immigrants and federal workers. "Not for profit. Not for greed. People first, is what we need," protesters chanted. Just over 100 days into Trump's second term, protesters spoke of their concerns with Trump's agenda, governing style and expansion of executive authority. Around noon, approximately 40 people attended Thursday's protest, a smaller turnout compared to the last two events with more than 400 participants. Attendance size remained consistent with the initial rallies. By the end of the May 1 event, numbers grew to 140 people. Among the crowd was protester David Wood, a migrant-worker advocate. Wood criticized the current administration for "demonizing" migrant workers. Wood stated that migrant workers do not drive down wages, take jobs away from Americans, nor do they come to the country to commit crimes. "I am sickened by the way the extreme right and its media outlets, led by the current U.S. President, maligns and illegally imprisons immigrants undocumented and documented alike," Wood said. "Anyone paranoid about a globalizing and multiracial society needs to place their fears on someone else ... Immigrant workers are not criminals." Protester Erica Jones, executive director of the Mississippi Association of Educators, emphasized the importance of supporting "one of the state's most essential" fields of employment — public education. Jones is also a 20-year second-grade teacher. Protest at capitol receives push back: Have protests against President Trump, Elon Musk at the Mississippi Capitol gained momentum? Jones spoke about how Trump and current legislators have started the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. According to the White House, Trump ordered Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in March "to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely." Previous Clarion Ledger reporting noted that a White House official acknowledged the agency would keep administering "critical programs" and cannot be fully dissolved without congressional approval. But it will operate at a smaller scale with fewer employees. Jones stated she believes these changes will impact students and the teacher shortage in Mississippi. Jones said the state's education system cannot progress without adequate federal funding, adding "we must have those funds to operate." "Our public schools provide equal opportunities for all children, not the ones that are cherry-picked. All children," Jones said. "Public schools are great resources. They are equalizers. "Let's think about Madison County or Rankin County but then compare it to those communities and zip codes in the Mississippi Delta. Not all schools are created equal, and that's why it's so important that we continue to invest our public dollars in our public schools." Jackson police on violent crime: Police chief says drastic drop in homicides compared to last year 'signifies progress' Denise Pilgrim of Madison and Dianne Martin of Clinton, 74-year-old twin sisters, attended the protest, citing multiple reasons for their participation, with the need for a "formal government" being the most significant. Thursday's demonstration marked Pilgrim's first time participating in a political protest and only the second time for Martin. "I've been independent all my life, but I've probably voted Republican more than Democrat. So, I'm saying this from a purple standpoint," Pilgrim said. "In all my life I have never ever seen one man try to absorb so much authority in our country. Our country is a republic. It's a democracy. It needs to stay that way. It scares me to death that people are not in Congress are not standing up against him." The sisters said they both wanted members of Congress to work together for the benefit of the country. For Martin, she said she hopes "everything gets more centrist." "(Congress) used to talk across the aisle and they came up with legislation. And now they seem like they just follow the president, whoever it might be," Martin said. Pilgrim added to her sister's sentiments stating, "I want to see everybody work together. I want to quit all this hate, this division. And mostly, I want to see Congress stand up and do their job." Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at pdankins@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: May Day protest rally in Jackson MS against Donald Trump, DOGE
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Anti-Trump Protest Planned for Memorial Day Weekend
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A series of protests against Donald Trump's administration will take place over the Memorial Day weekend. The protests will take place in Mississippi and come as more than 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home. Where are Protests Taking Place? In Mississippi, there will be protests in Jackson, Hernando and Hattiesburg, organized by various groups including 50501, a decentralized, grassroots movement, named for "50 protests, 50 states, one day," and the group Indivisible DeSoto MS. The Jackson protest will take place on Saturday in Southside at the Mississippi State Capitol Building. Demonstrators protest near Trump National Golf Club Washington DC before the arrival of President Donald Trump in Sterling, Va., Thursday, May 22, 2025. Demonstrators protest near Trump National Golf Club Washington DC before the arrival of President Donald Trump in Sterling, Va., Thursday, May 22, 2025. AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr. The Hernando protest will start at the DeSoto County Courthouse on Saturday, 3 p.m. local time. Why Are People Protesting? There has been a wave of anti-Trump protests in recent weeks. People are protesting to express their disapproval of policies Trump's administration has implemented including cuts overseen by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Other protests have focused on Trump's immigration policies. Recent polls have shown Trump's approval rating at a historic low. The last wave of protests under the "50501" movement took place on May Day. Meanwhile, protesters gathered outside a golf course in Washington, D.C., on Thursday while Trump held a cryptocurrency gala dinner with people who bought $TRUMP crypto. What People Are Saying Mississippi protest organizers wrote in a press release: "This Memorial Day weekend, we stand together, peacefully but firmly, to demand a more responsible and responsive governance, and to uphold the fundamental rights and dignity of every individual. "We are coming together to address and challenge the reckless actions of the current administration, actions that we believe have far-reaching consequences for our communities and our nation. "This is a crucial moment for us to unite our voices and collectively advocate for the principles we hold dear. We aim to shine a light on policies and decisions that undermine the well-being of the people, and to champion those individuals and groups who tirelessly strive to uplift and protect the interests of all citizens." What Happens Next Aside from protests, there will more than 130 Memorial Day public ceremonies hosted by the Department of Veteran Affairs across the U.S. Meanwhile, activists are coordinating a protest on June 14, targeting a military-style parade planned by the Trump administration. This is Flag Day and Trump's birthday. The "No Kings" group, which is organizing the protest, is recruiting volunteers online and working with local chapters in more than 30 states. Organizers say they expect thousands to participate in coordinated events, with more information to be released closer to June 14. However, the extent to which people will be able to take part in protest may be hampered by 41 new anti-protest bills that have been introduced in 22 states in 2025 thus far, according to the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) tracker.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas public broadcasting stations would suffer crushing setback under Trump order
A protester holds a sign in support of funding for public media during a May 1, 2025, rally at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka as part of a 50501 national day of action. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) In May 1993, Kansas Sen. Bob Dole addressed the annual public radio conference at an early morning session, introduced as 'one of the toughest critics of public broadcasting.' Saying he shouldn't be thought of as an enemy, Dole then gave the crowd a dose of the sardonic wit for which he was well known: 'I've already had breakfast. And by the way, Big Bird never tasted better.' When he ran for president three years later, Dole's campaign issued a position paper including his stance on public broadcasting: Dole 'opposed the establishment of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as well as the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities and supports their elimination.' Although he didn't succeed in his presidential bid, Dole's position was perfectly in line with the Republican Party. 'Every Republican President since Richard Nixon has tried to strip the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) of taxpayer funding.' That quote comes from the 'Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise,' also known as Project 2025. It calls for the elimination of this 'tyrannical situation' in which 'PBS and NPR do not even bother to run programming that would attract conservatives.' Project 2025 calls for 'the 47th President' to use their bully pulpit to persuade Congress — especially members of their own party — to support the total elimination of funding for public broadcasting: 'CPB receives advance appropriations that provide them with funding two years ahead of time, which insulates the agency from Congress's power of the purse and oversight. This special budgetary treatment is unjustified and should be ended.' To be clear, CPB is not a government agency. It's a private, nonprofit corporation created by an act of Congress in 1967 during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The advance funding approach is intended to insulate public broadcasters from partisan politics. It's not surprising that President Donald Trump would follow through on Project 2025's plan to eliminate funding from the budget, but as with many other actions he has taken recently, he chose to issue an executive order to accomplish the goal expeditiously. His order gives the CPB board until the end of June to revise its community service grants in a way that would 'prohibit direct or indirect funding of NPR and PBS,' contending that 'neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.' Signed May 1, the order 'Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media' also calls for the immediate cancellation of funding, ignoring the advanced funding formula intended to shield public media from political pressures. The leaders of PBS (the Public Broadcasting Service) and NPR (National Public Radio) were quick to respond. Katharine Meyer, NPR president and CEO, issued a statement the next morning: 'The President's order is an affront to the First Amendment rights of NPR and locally owned and operated stations throughout America to produce and air programming that meets the needs of their communities.' Her counterpart at PBS, Paula Kerger, released a more terse statement referring to it as a 'blatantly unlawful Executive Order, issued in the middle of the night.' She noted that PBS is exploring all options to continue with its mission. While challenges to this executive order, which may well be overruled by the courts, are playing out, managers of local public broadcasting stations must consider how to deal with the potential loss of revenue. Stations receive grants directly from CPB and pass much of the money along to PBS and NPR to cover the cost of the national programming as well as to cover the cost of local productions and broadcast transmissions. In a letter addressed to listeners of Kansas Public Radio, based at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, director Feloniz Lovato-Winston notes that federal funding amounts to 10% of the station's budget. 'Critical funding for Kansas Public Radio is just steps away from being eliminated,' she writes, 'and could result in a loss of approximately $244,000 per year.' At KTWU, the PBS station licensed to Washburn University in Topeka, that figure is significantly higher at approximately $865,000, which is about 30% of the station's budget, according to general manager Val VanDerSluis. Stations in western Kansas, located in a less densely populated region, face even more challenging circumstances. From her office in Bunker Hill, Betsy Schwien, general manager of Smoky Hills PBS, which serves western Kansas, reports that federal funding accounts for about 48-49% of its annual budget. At High Plains Public Radio, with offices in Garden City and Amarillo, Texas, the current annual operating grant of $222,000 from CPB amounts to about 15% of its annual budget. 'Without this funding,' says executive director Quentin Hope, 'HPPR would be hard pressed to continue its current levels of service, including operating transmitters reaching the most rural areas of the High Plains.' Such broadcasts to rural areas in Kansas can be traced to the early 1920s, when professors from Kansas State Agricultural College (now Kansas State University) drove over to Milford to present lectures on KFKB, a radio station operated by 'the Goat Gland Doctor' — J.R. Brinkley. In 1924, K-State launched its own station, KSAC, broadcasting educational programming to listeners across Kansas and beyond. When the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 was taking shape, the general manager of KSAC, Jack Burke, served as chairman of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters. He played a key role in a lobbying effort to include radio in the legislation in addition to TV. Ralph Titus, an announcer for KSAC (later identified as KKSU), joined the committee that determined how NPR would function. When the first edition of 'All Things Considered' premiered on NPR in 1971, Titus was on air locally to welcome it. A timeline of KSAC's history credits the station with providing more stories than any other in the nation during NPR's first decade. I should note that I used to be employed by public broadcasting in Kansas, serving as a producer and host of the 'Sunflower Journeys' series as well as producing documentaries (like 'Goat Gland Doctor,' narrated by Titus) and community affairs programs. I still produce documentaries that appear on public television occasionally, but I left my position at KTWU 10 years ago this month to return to my roots as an independent producer. The effort to defund public broadcasting seems particularly alarming and sinister to me, as does the elimination of funding for institutions such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, not to mention other draconian cuts that have been made in the name of 'government efficiency.' It raises serious questions about the objectives of those initiating these actions. Is this really only a matter of conservatives following through with their vision of America and making good on their promises to restore 'family values' and the like? Trump has denigrated and demonized journalists since he began campaigning, calling us 'enemies of the people' and speaking of 'witch hunts' and 'fake news.' His executive order related to public broadcasting must be viewed in the broader context of his attacks on other media outlets, all of which suggests he's following an 'authoritarian playbook' to circumvent the Constitution and the safeguards built in to our system of democracy. Will our congressional representatives take any actions to protect us? It doesn't look very likely. However, I did come across a series called 'The Open Mind' featuring an extended interview with Sen. Jerry Moran that was distributed to PBS stations across the nation last year. Following a conversation over lunch at a small cafe in Hays, the host travels with Moran to Plainville, the small town where he grew up. The conversation continues as they walk through the stacks of the Plainville Memorial Library, where Moran recalls the time when he worked at the library as a teenager, helping organize its collection according to the Dewey Decimal System. He obviously has an appreciation for libraries, which makes one curious about how he felt when Trump issued the executive order directed at the federal agency that provides grants to libraries and museums: the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). I also wonder what he thinks about how the director of the Library of Congress, Carla Hayden — the first woman and person of color to lead the world's largest library — was summarily dismissed for no apparent reason, leaving the impression that it most likely relates to the administration's fervor in eliminating any ostensible DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) hires. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt basically said as much: 'There were quite concerning things she had done at the Library of Congress in pursuit of DEI.' One of the recent additions to the vast archives of the Library of Congress during Hayden's tenure did indeed have a considerable amount of content related to diversity and inclusion as well as equity. I can attest to that fact because I produced some of it. In partnership with the American Archive of Public Broadcasting, the LOC has become a repository for selected locally produced programming. I received notification from Rochelle Miller, the archives project manager, last spring that our local series about Kansas history and culture has been included: 'Early seasons of 'Sunflower Journeys' are now preserved and stored by the Library of Congress for future generations.' I contacted Moran's office in Washington, D.C., to ask about his response to the recent order involving public broadcasting. Although an aide indicated that I might expect to receive a response for this piece, I had yet to receive one Tuesday. The same is true for an inquiry I made of my U.S. representative, Derek Schmidt, who continues to revel in what he sees as great accomplishments of Trump, whose 'first 100 days have been success after success — and he's just getting started.' That assessment is listed on a special page of the White House website, along with those of most other Republicans in Congress, including Sen. Roger Marshall, who echoes Schmidt's assessment: 'The President's first 100 days is a return to American greatness.' Do you suppose they also agree with and support Trump's characterization of those employed by PBS and NPR as he posted on his Truth Social platform? 'RADICAL LEFT 'MONSTERS' THAT SO BADLY HURT OUR COUNTRY!' The only monster I've encountered in my years with public broadcasting is one who's obsessed with cookies! Dave Kendall served as producer and host of the 'Sunflower Journeys' series on public television for its first 27 seasons and continues to produce documentary videos through his own company, Prairie Hollow Productions. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why cutting public broadcasting huts Missouri communities
A protester holds a sign in support of funding for public media during a May 1, 2025, rally at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka as part of a 50501 national day of action (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector). When most Americans think of public broadcasting, they think of Sesame Street or All Things Considered — educational programs, in-depth journalism, and community storytelling that has shaped generations. For many Missourians, especially in rural or low-income areas, public radio and television are far more than entertainment. They're essential services. Now, those services are under threat. The Trump administration has proposed eliminating all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting(CPB), which supports NPR, PBS, and hundreds of local stations across the country. This $1.1 billion cut would gut the infrastructure of public media, leaving many stations without the resources to continue serving their communities. If Congress approves, we are cutting off vital access to information for people who need it most. Here in Missouri, we know the value of public broadcasting. In towns where broadband access is limited and local newspapers have shuttered, NPR affiliates are often the last remaining source of reliable news. For families navigating a fractured education system, PBS Kids programming offers a free and trusted learning tool. And for communities of color, immigrant populations, and other marginalized groups, public media has offered a rare platform to tell our stories and hear others like them. I know the power of public broadcasting firsthand. In 2010, I was an intern at Nine PBS in St. Louis, where I saw how dedicated teams work tirelessly to deliver educational and cultural programming that reflects and serves our local communities. That experience continues to inform my belief in the role public media plays in strengthening democracy. What's most frustrating about this proposal is that it's not taking place in isolation. At the same time that public broadcasting is vulnerable to losing needed funding, the federal budget for the Pentagon is on track to exceed $1 trillion. While billions are poured into weapons systems and defense contractors, pennies are being pinched from programs that inform, educate and unify. At the Peace Economy Project, we advocate for a reallocation of public funds away from militarism and toward programs that strengthen our communities. That includes healthcare, education, climate resilience — and yes, public media. When we spend more on missiles than on minds, we undermine both our security and our democracy. Public broadcasting has proven to be one of the most cost-effective investments our government makes. The CPB costs each American about $1.35 per year. For the price of a candy bar, we receive educational programming, local journalism, cultural enrichment, and civic discourse. These are the building blocks of a healthy democracy. They are not luxuries. Cutting federal funding would also disproportionately harm stations in rural and underserved communities. Unlike urban stations that can supplement their budgets with corporate sponsorship and philanthropy, many small stations rely heavily on federal support. Without it, they may be forced to shut down or dramatically cut services. That means fewer local voices on the airwaves, fewer educational programs for kids, and less access to emergency information when it's needed most. Defunding public broadcasting is shortsighted and dangerous. It weakens the flow of fact-based journalism at a time when disinformation is surging. It disconnects communities already struggling with isolation, and it sends a clear message that the voices of everyday Americans matter less than the interests of weapons manufacturers. This administration would lead people to believe that public safety is about border walls and military bases. It's actually more about social programs and access to reliable information, early childhood education, cultural expression, and civic participation. Public broadcasting supports all of these. I urge Missouri's congressional delegation—Democrats and Republicans alike—to reject this proposal. Stand up for the farmers tuning into Harvest Public Media. Stand up for the kids watching Mister Rogers reruns in the far reaches of the heartland. Stand up for the voters who depend on unbiased election coverage, and for the storytellers who bring our region's history and hopes to life. Public broadcasting has always been about the public good. Let's make sure it stays that way.
