News from rural America.

August offers one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights, food insecurity hits hardest in rural communities and the South, Oregon is training responders to support aging populations amid extreme weather and a new mosaic commemorates a devastating flood in Whitesburg, Kentucky.

TRANSCRIPT

For the Daily Yonder and Public News Service, this is the news from rural America.

A hunger relief organization's new report shows food insecurity touches every county, with rural and southern communities facing the biggest gaps.

Feeding America's Melanie Hall says food scarcity can create a downward spiral.

People who are food insecure are more likely to get a chronic disease.

That puts a strain on our health care system. kids that are food insecure.

It is harder for them to perform well in school.

Nearly 13 million older adults reported food insecurity in 2024 and eight out of 10 counties with the highest rates were rural.

As fires rage across Oregon, the state is training responders to better support older adults in rural areas amid disasters.

Julia Brown with a non-profit Age Plus says they're teaching police, paramedics and other responders how to be more age aware during extreme weather events.

She notes in most emergencies, officials rely on individuals to pack a go-bag and plan an evacuation route, but not everyone can.

Older adults living independently may not have easy access to transportation, may be living with chronic illness or disability.

Laura Byerly with an Oregon workforce program says an important topic is talking to folks who don't want to evacuate.

When an older adult says, I'm not leaving and you can't make me, what are the opportunities we have there for a conversation?

What is the legal requirement?

Research shows older adults outside of cities are disproportionately impacted by disasters.

Whitesburg, Kentucky's devastating 2022 flood is being commemorated with a new downtown mosaic, illustrating how the community is rebuilding.

Artist Lacey Hall is spearheading the effort as part of Letcher County's Growing Home event.

They wanted it to commemorate the flood, but also honor the people here, the grit, the strength.

Hale, in part, built the mural around fragments of broken treasures donated by community members.

A woman donated a box full of buttons and pendants and doodads of all sorts.

The bits of pottery and glass create the mosaic alongside eastern Kentucky flora and fauna, like Joe Pie weed, black-eyed Susans, kingfishers, herons, and the dragonflies that call mountain streams home.

The dog days of summer are here, and with them come one of nature's most awe-inspiring sights, the Perseid meteor showers.

American Meteor Society contributor Robert Lunsford says visibility will vary by location and weather, but shooting stars will shine brightest just before dawn from August 12th through the 24th.

Take your kids.

It's real fun to have a competition.

Have each family member facing a different direction and see who can see the most meteors.

Skies without light pollution are best for viewing nature's fireworks.

For the Daily Yonder and Public News Service, I'm Roz Brown.

For more rural stories, visit dailyyonder.com.