Friday, March 6, 2026

The nation’s top low-wage employers and the affordability crisis

Labor/low-wages—   Eric Galatas, producer, Colorado News Connection, bureau of Public News Service.   The debate over the nation’s persistent affordability crisis has mostly focused on the rising costs of such essentials as housing, groceries, and health care. But a new report digs into the other side of that equation: low worker wages. While companies such as Amazon, FedEx, Target, […]
Thursday, January 15, 2026

Political climate making job search tougher for trans folks

Job Market     Roz Brown, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   A majority of American adults express support for policies that protect transgender people from discrimination, but many in the trans community still struggle to find a job. About 2.1 million American adults identify as transgender, according to UCLA’s Williams Institute. The Pew Research Center […]
Monday, December 15, 2025

California unemployment agency paid $4.6 million in monthly fees for unused cellphones

EDD Audit By Adam Ashton, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.   California’s unemployment agency kept paying cellphone bills for four and a half years without checking whether its workers were actually using the devices. That’s how it racked up $4.6 million in fees for mobile devices its workers were not using, according to a […]
Saturday, December 6, 2025

Critics slam government plan to cut the wages of farmworkers

Labor and Government   Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   Farmworker advocates are speaking out against wage cuts for agricultural workers, both foreign-born workers in the H-2A visa program and U.S. citizens who work alongside them. This week, the United Farm Workers, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and others condemned the changes. Diego […]
Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Los Angeles City Council approves motion to encourage film production to stay local

  The Los Angeles City Council has taken the first step in stopping runaway film production. Yesterday, the council unanimously approved a measure to slash the red tape and make it easier for production companies to operate in Los Angeles. Second District Councilmember Adrin Nazarian introduced the measure. After the vote, Nazarian spoke to a crowd of supporters in front […]
Thursday, March 13, 2025

Research data shows majority of Black women in California face discrimination at work

Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   New research finds Black working women still face rampant discrimination in the Golden State. The California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute commissioned a survey of 452 Black women. Almost 60% reported experiencing workplace racism or gender discrimination in the past year. Shakari Byerly, managing partner of EVITARUS Research, […]
Tuesday, March 11, 2025

New research shows mass deportations hurt US economy

Judith Ruiz-Branch, producer/reporter, Illinois News Connection, a bureau of Public News Service.   As nationwide deportation efforts continue, new research examined the labor market of a past president to help forecast what could happen if President Donald Trump follows through on his plans. The Obama administration deported more than 3 million people. Trump says he wants to deport more to increase jobs for […]
Sunday, February 2, 2025

Many Americans working two jobs or more to survive

  Terri Dee, producer/reporter, Indiana News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   Americans working two jobs to help with living expenses and cover some extras has become the norm. The U.S. Census shows that 25% of Midwest women work multiple jobs within office and administration. Of men, 24% hold outside jobs in management. One study by MyPerfectResume found that […]
Friday, December 13, 2024

The hard life of migrant workers who provide labor for Christmas tree growers

  Trimmel Gomes, producer/reporter, Virginia News Connection, a bureau of Public News Service.   The joy of decorating a real Christmas tree is a time-honored tradition for many people across the country. But the story behind the real trees is often overlooked. A closer look reveals a labor-intensive industry supported by migrant workers who face difficult conditions to provide a […]
Sunday, September 22, 2024

U.S. wage gender gap widens for first time in a decade

Edwin J. Viera, reporter/producer, Connecticut News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.    New research shows the gender wage gap has widened. The U.S. Census Bureau found full-time working women make 82.7 cents for every dollar a man makes, down from 84 cents for every dollar in 2022. Connecticut echoes the trend statewide, particularly in the public sector workforce. Jamila K. Taylor, […]
Friday, July 19, 2024

CA workers encouraged to know their rights for hot days

  Suzanne Potter, reporter/producer, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.    California shattered heat records left and right this month and temperatures are forecast to be 10 degrees above normal for several days. Therefore,  the state wants to remind workers of their right to shade, free cold water, and rest breaks. Also, employers are required to train […]