News from rural America.

Oregon community groups are getting food and water to farm workers amid debilitating wildfire conditions, the sticker price is higher, but EVs are cheaper once your gas-powered car has 18,000 miles, and Oklahoma’s libraries are closing the broadband gap.

TRANSCRIPT

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

Rural Oklahoma has a significant broadband gap, but a new initiative is bringing hundreds of digital access points to community libraries.

As many as 175 free library portals will give rural residents private space to access workforce development, education, remote health care, and other essential services.

Kingfisher Memorial Library's Mike Totkus says they've already put in the first one, including dedicated telehealth equipment.

This really fits in with what libraries do, because libraries have always been supportive of the right to seek information, speak freely, have intellectual freedom.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan, 40 libraries plan to open 61 portals across 32 counties by year's end.

Mike Sanders at the Oklahoma Broadband Office says not everyone can access a cell phone or computer. or get connected through one.

The fact that these are free and these libraries are so open and able to offer full-time help, we thought what a great idea to have these placed in Oklahoma.

Community help is making a difference in rural Oregon, which is coping with its worst ever wildfire season.

Wildfires can worsen working conditions for immigrants who plant, pick, and pack the state's food and make up nearly two-thirds of Oregon's agriculture workforce.

Groups have rallied support by providing field hands with food, sun protection, water, and more.

Community organizer Eddie Melendrez is with Malher County's Food Bank.

We've heard concerns from even the field workers on their physical health, their respiratory health, how it impacts them being out there in the long days, in the sun, in the smoke.

Melendrez says when groups help in the fields, it starts a chain reaction.

Others wanting to give back, others donating, others putting time into going out to fields and sharing resources.

Some folks believe the emissions generated when manufacturing an electric vehicle are greater than those from driving an old gas-powered car.

But a University of California study shows EVs emit a lot less overall.

Jessica Dunn with the Union of Concerned Scientists says swapping even a fairly new gas car for an EV cuts lifetime emissions by about half.

Basically after 18,000 miles it's advantageous from an environmental perspective to get rid of gasoline car, and opt for an electric vehicle.

Rural areas have low rates of EV adoption, in part because they're lacking charging infrastructure.

Finally, folks in Sauk County, Wisconsin, will be queuing up for an unusual performance next month when ballerinas arrive to choreograph the fall hay harvest.

The Worm Farm Institute will present the world premiere and live production of Hay Rick Ballet, a one-of-a-kind performance to honor the working agricultural landscape.

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

For more rural stories, visit dailyyonder.com.