Rural https://www.wcmu.org/tags/rural Rural en-US Copyright Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:30:27 GMT Hundreds of thousands of dollars embezzled from Michigan rural nonprofits https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-08-19/hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-embezzled-from-michigan-rural-nonprofits Cases in Benzie County, the Upper Peninsula and elsewhere demonstrate that small communities are not immune from big theft, and that the betrayal is deeply felt. Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:30:27 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-08-19/hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-embezzled-from-michigan-rural-nonprofits Mardi Link The U.S. sold this tribe’s land illegally. It’s now the latest Native group to get its home back https://www.wcmu.org/2025-06-16/the-u-s-sold-this-tribes-land-illegally-its-now-the-latest-native-group-to-get-its-home-back The United States government promised the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation about 1,280 acres of Illinois reservation in an 1829 treaty. Instead, the U.S sold all of it illegally to white settlers. The Prairie Band is now the latest tribe in the Midwest and Great Plains to get some of their ancestral home back. Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/2025-06-16/the-u-s-sold-this-tribes-land-illegally-its-now-the-latest-native-group-to-get-its-home-back Héctor Alejandro Arzate and Peter Medlin After DOGE gutted AmeriCorps, rural communities stand to lose education and preservation help https://www.wcmu.org/2025-05-16/americorps-cuts AmeriCorps members were working on environmental education and habitat restoration at parks and nature centers in rural areas across the country. Now federal cuts have eliminated many of those positions. Wed, 21 May 2025 19:45:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/2025-05-16/americorps-cuts Kate Grumke 'We can't do online learning': The challenges one rural school faces after the ice storm https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-04-29/we-cant-do-online-learning-the-challenges-one-rural-school-faces-after-the-ice-storm WCMU's David Nicholas interviews Katy Xenakis-Makowski, superintendent of the Johannesburg-Lewiston school district, about recovering from the ice storm and the challenges her students face. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:12:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-04-29/we-cant-do-online-learning-the-challenges-one-rural-school-faces-after-the-ice-storm David Nicholas Changes could be coming to the U.S. Postal Service and rural residents will be most affected https://www.wcmu.org/2025-03-17/usps-changes-rural-delivery Despite the postmaster general resigning, a plan to cut back services will move forward this year. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/2025-03-17/usps-changes-rural-delivery Héctor Alejandro Arzate Study: Rural homelessness is underestimated and exacerbated by opioid epidemic https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-02-22/study-rural-homelessness-is-underestimated-and-exacerbated-by-opioid-epidemic According to new research, the “Point in Time Count” method used by the federal government to track the unhoused population numbers can be far from accurate when applied in rural areas. Sat, 22 Feb 2025 17:10:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-02-22/study-rural-homelessness-is-underestimated-and-exacerbated-by-opioid-epidemic Liz Carey Drone deliveries of medical supplies to begin test runs in northwest Lower Michigan https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-07-31/drone-deliveries-of-medical-supplies-to-begin-test-runs-in-northwest-lower-michigan Getting equitable healthcare to rural areas is a challenge because of the distance between patients and clinics. But a new drone pilot program is testing a potential solution. Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:53:35 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-07-31/drone-deliveries-of-medical-supplies-to-begin-test-runs-in-northwest-lower-michigan Lauren Rice Newspapers in rural areas are folding, leaving vast news deserts. But there are bright spots https://www.wcmu.org/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. Wed, 17 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/2024-04-15/rural-newspaper-decline-new-models-journalism Jim Meadows Some Midwest states take power to ban wind and solar projects away from local communities https://www.wcmu.org/2024-02-12/some-midwest-states-take-power-to-ban-wind-and-solar-projects-away-from-local-communities As the number of wind and solar farms increases, so does opposition in the rural areas where they’re being built. While more counties and townships passed restrictions in the last year, some states are responding by passing laws making it harder for local governments to say no to wind and solar. Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/2024-02-12/some-midwest-states-take-power-to-ban-wind-and-solar-projects-away-from-local-communities Jim Meadows Report: Rural Michigan students need school counselors https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-01-21/report-rural-michigan-students-need-school-counselors A new report said Michigan has the lowest professional-to-student ratio of all states and pointed to the particular staffing needs of rural schools. Mon, 22 Jan 2024 02:17:17 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-01-21/report-rural-michigan-students-need-school-counselors Farah Siddiqi