Three Oregon State professors consider how rural counties can survive the cuts -- and possible elimination -- of payments that conserve federal forest. Saving rural schools and maintaining fundamental services will require changes at all levels of government.

Critical to rural development are a regional approach, greater flexibility among federal programs, and more investment, from government, lenders and foundations.

Rural transportation leaders are speaking out against a proposal before Congress that would cut funding for needed public transit programs.

Arkansas could lose more than a third of its post offices under a plan proposed by the U.S. Postal Service. A photo essay looks at the towns and people these offices serve.