Latest news with #IDHS
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Access to non-farm business and irrigation significantly reduces climate change-induced rural migration, says IIT Madras study
Researchers from the Statistical Department of IIT Madras have studied data from the India Human Development Survey (IDHS) and found that access to non-farm business and irrigation significantly reduces rural migration that is caused by drought, which in turn is climate change induced. The IDHS study is a nationally representative, multi-topic panel survey of thousands of households in urban and rural areas across the country. The findings of the study led by Sabuj Kumar Mandal, Professor of Economics, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, and Gauri Sreekumar, Researcher, IIT Madras, were published in the Indian Economic Review. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Mandal said that they used data from Round I (2004-2005) and Round II (2011-2012) data of the IHDS for nearly 2 years and studied 80,000 households. 'The impact of drought on the migration among rural farm households was estimated using the Difference-in-differences method, a statistical technique used in economics and quantitative research to study the differential effect of a treatment group versus a control group in an experiment.' 'We have used climate data from the India Meteorological Department for drought and rainfall information. People migrate from one state to another, like from West Bengal and Odisha to Tamil Nadu. Erratic rainfall, which is less than the long-term average, leads to crop failure and then very volatile agricultural income causes such migration,' he explained. Ms. Sreekumar said that to reduce the risk imposed by drought, families turn to non-farm activities to reduce the dependence of households' income on crop yields. This income is used to purchase crop and livestock inputs, improve skills and production technologies, thus increasing agricultural productivity. In turn, the income helps to prepare for disasters and compensate for any income loss. The study also found that households' participation in agriculture/milk/other cooperatives, non-government organisations, credit/savings groups, self-help groups, and other such associations could check migration. Farmer-based organisations and more agricultural extension services could be established by the Government. The team has suggested that alternative livelihoods like unskilled jobs be created near their villages. In the next stage, the researchers plan to study the behaviour and psychological farmers that drive farmers to migrate and reasons of those who do not.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Ride inspectors call safety at Holiday World 'top notch'
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Ride inspectors from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) took a trip to Holiday world to inspect rides and equipment. In a post to social media, the department shared its trip and informed the public on how to spot ride permits and ensure equipment is safe. 'One of the most important things when it comes to safety is redundancies,' Amusement Ride Inspector Micheal Gann said. 'So we have our inspectors that are trained and certified, in this case Holiday World has there own inspectors that are trained and certified as well. So the more sets of eyes you have, especially someone that has experience with the equipment, you're going to see different things. And having those redundancies is really how you get a robust safety guideline and system.' Officials with Indiana Homeland Security say ride permits will be visible near the ride operator's station. If you spot expired or missing permits, report them to the IDHS Amusement Ride Hotline at 1-888-203-5020. 'Holiday World has been a great partner for us and I have no doubt that public safety is top notch,' Gann said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
IDHS provides tips to avoid scams after recent severe weather
(WTWO/WAWV) — With the recent severe weather, the Indiana Department Homeland Security (IDHS) is warning Hoosiers to stay vigilant against storm-related scams. According to the IDHS, scammers could prey on homeowners by promising quick and affordable fixes, only to then disappear after a down payment has been made or delivering inadequate work. The Indiana Attorney General's office is providing tips to use to avoid falling victim to storm scammers: Be skeptical of anyone offering immediate cleanup or repair services without proper vetting. Know the facts: FEMA does not charge application fees. If someone demands payment to helpyou access FEMA funds, it is likely a scam. Research contractors: Check reputations through references, online reviews or the BetterBusiness Bureau before hiring. Verify credentials: Ask for IDs, licenses and proof that the contractor is bonded and insured. Get multiple estimates: Compare offers to ensure fair pricing and scope of work. Insist on written agreements: Do not trust verbal promises. Get everything in writing. Avoid risky payments: Never pay with wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency or cash, and never pay the full amount upfront. Those who suspect a scam can file a complaint at or call the AG's office at 1-800-382-5516. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
State budget cuts prompt closure of Indiana Sheriffs' Youth Ranch
The Indiana Sheriffs' Youth Ranch in Clay County is closing, the result of state budget cuts, according to Scott Minier, youth ranch executive director. "State budget cuts have abruptly and prematurely ended a long-term training and leasing agreement between the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana Sheriffs' Youth Ranch (ISYR)," Minier stated in a news release. Indiana Sheriff's Youth Ranch closing The Indiana Sheriffs' Youth Ranch in Clay County is closing, the result of state budget cuts, according to Scott Minier, youth ranch executive director. ISYR will permanently close as a result. The academy has worked with future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses and victims of crime. 'Since 2019, IDHS had for $48,000 annually shared our 62-acre private training retreat's lodge, classroom building, animal kennels, pole barns, lakes and rolling, wooded acreage for search and rescue, K-9, drone and hazardous materials training," Minier said. State agencies have also used the Youth Ranch property for water dive and rescue exercises, stop-the-bleed planning, hosting international and out-of-state guests as well as celebrating holidays, according to the news release. IDHS' lease was to continue through 2029 with renewals signed in two-year options to coincide with the state's biennial budget cycles. State figures show no increases in rent have been paid over the first six years of the expected 10-year period. In 2018, the state of Indiana occupied the ISYR property at no charge. Minier said the $48,000 gap in funding is too much for dedicated volunteers to raise and donors to contribute, given other construction and operating expenses. 'With the help of some visionary sheriffs, generous donors and dedicated volunteers, our Youth Ranch trudged through its bureaucratic start-up years, we survived state-mandated COVID-19 business closures cancelling our special events and face-to-face fundraisers, we demolished unsafe facilities, remodeled existing structures, built two new year-round youth cabins and began construction on two others — despite the nation's supply chain issues and runaway inflation,' Minier said. The most important accomplishment was engaging more than 2,000 K-college Hoosier students each year in day visits, overnights, weeklong leadership academies and special off-season events like the increasingly popular Sheriffs' Easter Egg Hunts, Sheriffs' Pumpkin Painting Parties and Sheriffs' Breakfasts With Santa, he said. Those events provided law enforcement with opportunities to bond with at-risk kids "like never before," Minier stated. An appraisal is being conducted, so the 62-acre Youth Ranch property can be offered at auction May 31, along with equipment, furniture and accessories. If a reserve bid based on the appraisal is not met, the property and improvements will be listed on the public real estate market with Greg Clingan Auction & Real Estate of Covington, Ind. Any proceeds from the sale will proportionally refund major naming-rights donors after an ISYR mortgage, other debt and expenses are satisfied. ISYR's training retreat is located one mile north of I-70 between Indianapolis and Terre Haute along State Road 59. Its 62-acre rolling, wooded property offers three semi-private managed lakes, a five-bedroom stone and timber home with 4.5 bathrooms and a new gourmet kitchen, two new year-round cabins, two pole barns and a training center with full kitchen and two half-baths. An auction will be conducted by Clingan on May 31, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 5325 N. State Road 59, Brazil. Equipment, furniture and accessories will be offered in addition to the property and buildings – including like-new Polaris ATVs, fishing kayaks, two zero-turn mowers, Stihl and DeWalt power tools, commercial kitchen equipment, office furniture, computer screens and printers, picnic tables, gas grills, bunkbeds, bedroom suits and household items. Go to for details.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Jury finds Danville man to be Sexually Violent Person
A Danville man has been found to be a Sexually Violent Person by a Vermilion County jury. Otis Arrington, 66, was committed to the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services following his recent court case. The case was prosecuted by the office of Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Arrington had been detained in the IDHS Treatment and Detention Facility awaiting his trial. 'This offender's violent history indicates his release would pose a threat to women in the community,' Raoul said. 'I am committed to protecting Illinois families and communities from offenders who have been deemed sexually violent by the court.' Arrington was convicted in Indiana in 1978 of rape and burglary and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Just four months after his 1989 release and while on parole, Arrington committed aggravated criminal sexual assault, home invasion, residential burglary, armed violence and armed robbery in Danville. He was convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison for those charges in 1990. Under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act, Raoul's office files cases seeking to commit offenders to the custody of IDHS. To be committed under the act, a person must have been convicted of a sexually violent offense and suffer from a mental disorder. The Attorney General's office must also prove that the offender is likely to commit future acts of sexual violence if released from custody. Once committed to IDHS, offenders are reevaluated on a regular basis to determine if they continue to meet the criteria for commitment as a sexually violent person. Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicole Bartell and Deputy Chief William Bryant handled the case for Raoul's Sexually Violent Persons Bureau.
