Move to cities continues: Some 52 percent of the 3,143 counties in the United States lost population between 2010 and 2020, while four-fifths of metropolitan areas grew. Eighty-six percent of Americans now live in metro areas, up one percentage point from 2010. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Emergency health funds: Up to $500 million is available in emergency grants to rural healthcare facilities to expand access to Covid-19 vaccines, healthcare services, and nutrition assistance. (USDA)
SNAP boost to end: The temporary 15 percent increase in SNAP benefits, enacted last winter by Congress in response to the pandemic, is due to expire on Sept. 30, which anti-hunger groups say will mean greater food insecurity. (CBS News)
Water cuts: The first mandatory cuts in water supplies by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will hit Arizona dairy and cotton farmers hard while sparing cities and tribes. Although some farms will turn to wells, there is concern that groundwater is already overpumped. (Associated Press)