In this episode of Our Community, host Candice Michel speaks with Diana Carter, executive director of Brookings CORE Response, and Sean Cosgrove, a national forest service ranger, about the profound impacts of recent government actions on local communities, public lands, and social safety nets. The discussion highlights issues like abrupt funding cuts to nonprofits, which jeopardize critical services for vulnerable populations, and the defunding of public land management agencies, which threatens environmental conservation and public access. Diana shares the challenges of maintaining housing programs amidst financial instability, while Sean describes the consequences of staff reductions and privatization efforts within the forest service sector. They critique policies that undermine social safety nets, increase homelessness, and destroy public trust, linking these issues to broader shifts toward individualism and widespread misinformation. The guests call for community engagement, government accountability, and a renewed focus on collective responsibility to protect essential services and public resources.

Host: Candice Michel; Guest: Brookings CORE Response Executive Director Diana Carter and Sean Cosgrove, National Forest Service Ranger; Producer: Candice Michel

The opinions expressed here are those of the individual participants. Curry Coast Community Radio takes no position on issues discussed in this program.

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Intro and end music: The Best Is Yet to Come, licensed from audioblocks.com.