/tags/rural-issues Rural Issues en-US Copyright © 2024 �������� Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-12-18/american-legion-st-clair-county-reach-agreement-sell-troubled-metro-east-property The post’s 104-acre property in the rural Freeburg that has been plagued by squatting and criminal activity in recent years. Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-12-18/american-legion-st-clair-county-reach-agreement-sell-troubled-metro-east-property Lexi Cortes, Teri Maddox /2024-11-22/american-legions-freedom-farm-neglect-squatting-crime-controversy The past few years haven’t been kind to the 104-acre property in rural Freeburg. The Metro East American Legion post used to be one of the largest in southern Illinois — and the only one that operated a recreation area. But that's all changed. Fri, 22 Nov 2024 11:00:00 GMT /2024-11-22/american-legions-freedom-farm-neglect-squatting-crime-controversy Teri Maddox /law-order/2024-11-15/illinois-small-metro-east-villages-lack-police-st-clair-county-fix St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson said a $300,000 plan put forth by the county board was a good gesture, but he’s skeptical of the plan. Fri, 15 Nov 2024 18:54:34 GMT /law-order/2024-11-15/illinois-small-metro-east-villages-lack-police-st-clair-county-fix Lexi Cortes /education/2024-09-17/realignments-have-left-rolla-high-school-without-a-conference-for-the-first-time-in-20-years The Ozark Conference dissolved when most of its members left for other conferences, leaving Rolla isolated and looking at options. Tue, 17 Sep 2024 10:00:00 GMT /education/2024-09-17/realignments-have-left-rolla-high-school-without-a-conference-for-the-first-time-in-20-years Jonathan Ahl /2024-04-15/rural-newspaper-decline-new-models-journalism The U.S. has lost more than 2,800 newspapers since 2005, many of them in rural areas. Now some journalists are redoubling their efforts to provide local news and trying new models in a difficult industry. Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMT /2024-04-15/rural-newspaper-decline-new-models-journalism Jim Meadows /health-science-environment/2024-03-07/missourians-with-medical-debt-suffer-financial-physical-and-emotional-toll-report-finds A Missouri Foundation for Health report finds both planned and unexpected costs of medical care create financial, physical and emotional burdens for the state’s residents. Thu, 07 Mar 2024 11:01:00 GMT /health-science-environment/2024-03-07/missourians-with-medical-debt-suffer-financial-physical-and-emotional-toll-report-finds Sarah Fentem /government-politics-issues/2023-12-11/are-the-midwests-rural-areas-finally-seeing-population-growth-after-a-decade-of-decline A recent study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that the population in rural areas is on the rise after a decade of decline. Mon, 11 Dec 2023 11:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2023-12-11/are-the-midwests-rural-areas-finally-seeing-population-growth-after-a-decade-of-decline Sheila Brummer /health-science-environment/2023-08-02/one-third-of-missouris-rural-hospitals-at-risk-of-closure-new-data-shows A July report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, a national policy group, found that 19 of Missouri’s 57 rural hospitals are at risk of shuttering because of “serious financial problems.” Wed, 02 Aug 2023 19:00:00 GMT /health-science-environment/2023-08-02/one-third-of-missouris-rural-hospitals-at-risk-of-closure-new-data-shows Clara Bates /economy-business/2023-07-14/elderberries-are-a-successful-niche-crop-at-a-crossroads-go-big-or-stay-small Elderberries are native to the Midwest, but the commercial cultivation of the crop is relatively recent and saw a big increase during the coronavirus pandemic. That has the burgeoning industry wondering if its future is as a small, niche crop or something bigger. Fri, 14 Jul 2023 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2023-07-14/elderberries-are-a-successful-niche-crop-at-a-crossroads-go-big-or-stay-small Jonathan Ahl /economy-business/2023-03-28/rural-grocery-stores-are-dying-off-heres-what-some-communities-are-doing-to-save-them Rural areas are losing grocery stores to consolidation faster than their urban counterparts — but some communities have come up with innovative solutions. Tue, 28 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2023-03-28/rural-grocery-stores-are-dying-off-heres-what-some-communities-are-doing-to-save-them Aaron Bonderson