Community
Stay informed about local news, initiatives, and the people who make our community thrive.

Choate's layoffs and service cuts leave community facing uncertain future
By March 2027, the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center will have phased out its 75 civil mental health beds and laid off approximately 250 employees.

5 Ways Glen Adnam Foundation Drives Lasting Local Community Development
In today's challenging economic climate, philanthropic organizations and the communities they serve face significant hurdles. The nonprofit sector is navigating a landscape of shifting public policy and growing demand fo…

Shop Local Benefits: How Community Support Boosts Local Economies
For every $100 spent at a local business in our vibrant city, an average of $68 stays right here, cycling through our neighborhoods and supporting our friends and neighbors.

Local services face funding crisis, threatening climate gains
The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), which has already distributed $262 million in community grants since 2021 and is projected to reach $1.

Arts & Culture Drive Billions. Is Local Funding Falling Short?
In 2022, nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their enthusiastic audiences generated a staggering $151.

2026 funding cuts will cripple child services
In Hamilton County, a committee determined Job and Family Services needs a levy to generate $144 million annually for mandated services.

Local Businesses Face Rising Costs for Digital Reputation Management
Dark Hall Coffee, a local Arizona shop, turned a rude online comment about its gothic theme and Pride representation into a viral T-shirt campaign.

Digital platforms boost 2026 local volunteerism, but engagement depth is key.
In a small town of 10,000, a single Facebook group mobilized 300 volunteers for a river cleanup in under 48 hours.

Mail-In vs. In-Person Voting: Grita Canta Vota Explains What's at Stake in 2026
The debate over mail-in vs. in-person voting is a political trap, distracting from the smartest way to cast your ballot, especially for Latino voters. Organizations like Grita Canta Vota empower voters with facts to make confident, secure choices.

Exploring Domestic and International Mission Opportunities With Thirst Missions
This article explores domestic and international mission opportunities with Thirst Missions, highlighting how short-term trips allow individuals and groups to put faith into action and support local ministries. It discusses the unique benefits of both domestic and international missions, emphasizing service, discipleship, and building lasting relationships.

Portland's $10 Million Budget Deal Saves 30 Jobs, But Trust Remains Elusive
After approving an $8.

Albany Lawmakers Advance Ranked-Choice Voting for City Races
A citizen group in Albany has already gathered 3,200 signatures, aiming to force a vote on ranked-choice voting for city elections, reports Wamc .

Local Volunteering: Types, Trends, and Community Impact
In New York City, volunteer participation is double the rate seen at state and national levels, according to NYCService .

8 Local Resources for New Residents in 2026
While the 2026 Multicultural Festival will host nearly 80 organizations offering resources for newcomers, some of the most impactful support for new residents comes through highly specialized, paid ca

Killeen City Council Reviews Animal Services Fee Changes
In Killeen, adopting a sterilized pet now costs $40, while an unsterilized one is just $25, according to Killeen Texas .

Chicago Trans Liberation March fights for rights amid new legislation
Thousands marched in Chicago's Trans Liberation March, explicitly protesting recent attacks and legislative threats against the trans community.

Chicago Pride Parade 2026 Route and Street Closures
Hundreds of thousands of attendees are expected to descend upon Lakeview this Sunday, June 28, 2026, for the 55th annual Chicago Pride Parade, transforming four miles of city streets.

Supreme Court Allows TPS Termination for Haitians, Syrians
Hundreds of Haitian and Syrian families in Chicago now face an uncertain future after the U.

Illinois clinics saw 32,000 out-of-state patients in 2025
In 2025, Illinois provided 32,000 abortions to out-of-state residents, a figure that highlights the state's growing role in the national abortion landscape.

Activists Push Chicago to Create Permanent Gun Violence Prevention Department
A coalition of Chicago faith leaders and activists is demanding the city establish a Department of Gun Violence Prevention with a $100 million budget, representing about 3% of the city's annual public

Multiple EF1 Tornadoes Confirmed in Louisiana
The National Weather Service confirmed three EF1 tornadoes ripped through Southeast Louisiana, including parts of Jefferson and Orleans parishes, with peak winds reaching 95 mph, causing unexpected da

ARPA Funds Expire: Cities Brace for Service Cuts Amid Funding Crisis
A small town in Ohio, having used federal pandemic funds to hire five new paramedics, now faces a 30% cut to its emergency services budget as those funds expire this year, according to the Ohio Munici

7 Free Summer Activities for Kids and Families in 2026
As summer care costs soar, forcing families into tough choices, cities like Milwaukee are stepping up.

Chicago Urges Reduced Water Use During Storms to Prevent Flooding
Nearly three years after historic flooding damaged their homes, some West Side homeowners are still waiting for city help.

Supreme Court to Rule on Birthright Citizenship for Immigrant Mothers
In January 2025, an executive order instructed the federal government to deny citizenship to any child born in the U.

Bronzeville Alder Demands Accountability for Youth Shootings
A 12-year-old boy was among seven young people shot over a single weekend at unsanctioned teen gatherings in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.

California primary election results show early leads for key races
With only 46% of votes counted in key statewide races, California's primary election on June 2 leaves the fate of gubernatorial successors and crucial U.

Daraxonrasib extends life in pancreatic cancer trial
Pancreatic cancer patients receiving the new drug Daraxonrasib lived nearly twice as long as those on standard chemotherapy in a recent Phase III trial.

Edgewater Street Renamed Lori Cannon Way Honoring LGBTQ+ Activist
On what would have been her 75th birthday, over 200 people gathered in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood to rename a block of North Broadway after Lori Cannon, the late HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ activist.

Aging Demographics Strain Local Services, Funding Faces 2026 Challenge
In Palm Coast, Florida, a heated debate is underway over whether to prioritize affordable housing for seniors or the local workforce, illustrating a growing national dilemma for communities grappling