Foundation Journal

Prometheus Radio Project, the leading advocate and organizer for community-based low-power FM radio stations, echoed the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) announcement that the deadline for applications has been extended until November 14. The Local Community Radio Act of 2010 promises to enable hundreds of community organizations to start FM radio stations with a short broadcasting range. Organizers at the Prometheus Radio Project have  assisted 1000 groups with the application process , including groups focused on "environmental protection, veterans' issues, serving immigrant and diaspora communities, healthcare access, and cultural preservation."

It's easy to get reports on how the crisis around the Federal government shutdown impacts workers and families in the Kansas City area. Major news outlets have reports that talk about whether this or that agency is shutting down and furloughing workers. Many of these reports feature personal, first-hand accounts of the impact on how workers are making ends meet. KKFI 90.1 FM, the local community radio station, got in on the act this week  with a report from a furloughed USDA worker. What's harder to determine is the impact on programs that provide benefits to poor people or low-income workers. The federally-funded Women, Infants and Children (WIC) feeding program seems to be safe for now, but will lose funding if the government stays closed for long. Thanks to the Springfield News-Leader and St. Joe News-Press for local reporting on the WIC story in Missouri. The story in the News-Leader was inconclusive whether the shutdown would exhaust WIC benefits in Greene County i