Minnesotans with low to moderate incomes can turn to free services to help get their tax returns ready to file but some programs are saying a lack of volunteers means they cannot assist everyone. Community Action Agencies are among the offices helping file income tax returns for qualifying households. Tara Kaufman, community service specialist for Tri-County Community Action in north-central Minnesota, said they are fortunate to have some volunteers on hand but they are still well short of what is needed to serve additional clients. .
Libraries across Virginia and the nation are fighting back on censorship issues. So far this year, 100 bills are pending at the state and federal levels to limit school library database access, criminalize librarians or defund libraries altogether. Virginia is no exception. .
The risk first responders face is getting renewed focus following the fatal shooting of two police officers and a paramedic in Minnesota. Amid challenges facing agencies, leaders say those in the field remain committed to the mission. The tragedy occurred Sunday in the Twin Cities suburb of Burnsville when teams were responding to a domestic-violence call. .
Churches repurposing unused buildings and spaces bignewsnetwork.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bignewsnetwork.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
In North Carolina, congregations are banding together to repurpose empty churches as community pillars to address issues like housing. According to a study called "Twenty Years of Congregational Change," church attendance has declined, with 70% of churches seeing fewer than 100 members at their services each week. Lynda Ferguson, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Asheboro, said the trend has affected churches in her area. .