Four Maps Graphically Display Obesity in the United States
Metrocosm | READ STORY

Obesity has become an ever-increasing issue in the United States. Metrocosm displays the evolution of this epidemic through a series of graphs that demonstrate the problem. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention among other sources, the graphs display the average weight gain of the country from as early as 1950. They highlight a worrying trend of obesity that appears to spread from the Midwest.

New Land Ownership Data Add Value to Many Policy and Research Questions
USDA | READ STORY

At USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, findings were released from a survey of agricultural landowners conducted earlier this year. It confirmed some things already known and generated lots of new information that farmers, policymakers, businesses and others will use to understand more about who owns farmland, who has and will have access to farmland in the future, what kinds of conservation and production decision landowners are making, and lots more.

How the Geography of U.S. Poverty Has Shifted Since 1960
Pew Research Center| READ STORY

A new Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data finds that the South continues to be home to many of America's poor, though to a lesser degree than a half-century ago. In 1960, half (49%) of impoverished Americans lived in the South. By 2010, that share had dropped to 41%. Much of the geographic shift of poverty reflects general trends in population shifts across the country over that same period.

The Clean Power Plan: What's Water Got To Do With It?
World Resources Institute | READ STORY

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new Clean Power Plan has been heralded as a major step toward a low-carbon economy in the United States. By reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, the new policy is designed to promote the development of renewable energy sources nationwide.

Broadband Study: What's Going On Where
Daily Yonder | READ STORY

Could any of the recently announced $9 billion in broadband subsidies be used to help improve high-speed Internet connections in your community? It's hard to say for sure. But new data from the Federal Communications Commission can give us a pretty good idea of where new federal subsidies could help deliver Internet service to hard-to-reach locations. This subsidy, part of the Connect America Fund, supports the nation's largest telecommunications businesses like AT&T, Verizon, and Centurylink.

Sustainable Development Goals: Setting a New Course for People and Planet
World Resources Institute | READ STORY

The unveiling of the Sustainable Development Goals are a milestone moment for our collective future. On September 25, the largest-ever gathering of world leaders joined together at a UN Summit meeting in New York to formally adopt Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a set of 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the center.