Explore a full-page version of the map. An additional 285,000 rural Americans completed their Covid-19 vaccinations last week, raising the overall rate of completed vaccinations by about 0.6 percentage points to 34% of the rural population, according to data from the Centers from Disease Control and state departments of health. The rate of metropolitan completed […]
Posted inEducation
Commentary: On STEM– Our Once-in-a-Generation Moment Is Now
Much has been said nationally of the need to develop STEM aptitude – that ubiquitous acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. But Developing these skills in our students is not just about preparing them for the 21st century workforce. It is more critical than that. Fostering a STEM culture is about ensuring young […]
Posted inEconomy
Economy of Pandemic Whipsawing North Carolina’s Logging and Sawmill Industries
This story was originally published by Carolina Public Press. Logging and sawmill operations across North Carolina are struggling to adjust to a destabilized lumber market caused by rapid swings in supply and demand during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sawmills shut down in the early months of the pandemic, leading to a rise in lumber prices. Leaders […]
Posted inEnvironment
California Wildfires: Rising from the Bones
It’s raining here. One drop after precious drop, a downpour, a mist and then nothing. I smell it rise from the earth, a sigh, a need. The sound momentarilty comforting. I wonder if it’s enough to soothe the fire rushing through my community, to soothe the shattered edges of our collective psyche. I’m in Truckee, […]
Posted inRural Life
Accidental Rancher: Summer Rain ‘Dakotans Dream About but Rarely Experience’
This summer has been hot and dry. The seeds I planted in the spring had a hard time germinating because the soil temperature went from cold to very hot so abruptly. Their struggles continued as sunny day after sunny day sucked moisture from the prairie soil until it cracked. Out in the pasture, the grass […]
Posted inArts and Culture
Q&A: Author Gigi Georges on Centering Contemporary Young Women in Rural Stories
Editor’s Note: This interview first appeared in Path Finders, a new email newsletter from the Daily Yonder. Each week, Path Finders features a Q&A with a rural thinker, creator, or doer. Like what you see here? You can join the mailing list at the bottom of this article and receive more conversations like this in your inbox each […]
Posted inPolitics and Government
Advocates Hope New Mexico Bill Offers National Model For Frontier Equity
As a child growing up in Catron County, New Mexico, Gail Armstrong says she rode a bus over one hundred miles to school each day. Now a state representative, Armstrong (R-Magdalena) is committed to helping rural and remote communities receive the infrastructure they need. “I scream and shout, hold my breath, and stomp my feet […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Rural Covid-19 Cases Increase for Fourth Consecutive Week
Explore full-page version of the map The number of new Covid-19 infections has increased significantly for the fourth consecutive week, according to a Daily Yonder analysis. The death rate remained relatively unchanged last week compared to two weeks ago. New infections in rural counties climbed 60% last week to a total of 46,141. The rate […]
Posted inEconomy
Lack of International Travelers Keeps Grand Canyon Visitor Numbers Down
This article and video are republished with permission from Cronkite News. GRAND CANYON – Grand Canyon National Park has seen a rebound in domestic visitors in 2021, but not enough to compensate for the loss of international travelers the park usually attracts, officials say. Since May 2020, parts of the park have been accessible for […]
Posted inBroadband and Technology
Commentary: Rural Communities Ahead of a Rough Technology Sunset
Over the next 18 months or so, the large telecom companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile will be turning off their 3G copper wire networks – what they call “sunsetting” or “retiring” the networks. AT&T has stated they will sunset their 3G network in February of 2022. Verizon will sunset its CDMA (a popular cell phone standard) network at the end of 2022, and […]
Posted inGrowth and Development
Climbing’s Olympic Debut Brings More Exposure to a High-Impact Sport
For the first time in its history, the Olympic Games will include climbing as one of its disciplines. The growth of the sport presents exciting opportunities, but there are also economic, environmental, and social concerns about climbing’s footprint on the rural communities that are home to the majority of the climbing sites. At the forefront […]
