News from around the nation.

Trump reportedly gave Maduro ultimatum to relinquish power in Venezuela; US lawmakers demand answers over Hegseth Venezuela boat strike claims; Kentucky unions make gains after coordinated bargaining; MD advocates rally for legislation to make solar energy more affordable; Fed energy tax credits expire soon, OR incentives remain.

Transcript

The Public News Service Monday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

President Donald Trump reportedly gave Nicolas Maduro an ultimatum to relinquish power immediately during their call, but Venezuela's authoritarian leader declined, demanding global amnesty for himself and allies.

That for the Guardian.

The report on Sunday, Trump confirmed the call had taken place, telling reporters, "I wouldn't say it went well or badly. It was a phone call."

And from the BBC, Republican-led committees overseeing the Pentagon have vowed to conduct vigorous oversight into the U.S. boat strikes in the Caribbean.

On Friday, The Washington Post reported that a U.S. strike on a boat in September left two survivors, but a second attack was carried out to comply with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's orders to kill everybody on board.

Hegseth denied the report, calling it fake news.

Meantime, unions in Kentucky and New Hampshire say they've made historic gains through coordinating bargaining.

Kayla Collette, the second shift steward for Local 728 in Kentucky, says the union made no concessions during their negotiations.

She says the wage increases in their contract benefit the region as a whole.

The agreements grant workers more freedom in determining work hours and weekly schedules and make other improvements to working conditions.

We've already seen that happen since we first bargained our initial contract in 2020.

It actually caused the wages in the area to have to get more competitive.

The unions represent more than 850 workers who process visa petitions.

This is Nadia Romligon for Kentucky News Connection.

Next, lawmakers in Maryland and clean energy advocates hope to pass legislation in next year's General Assembly session they say would make solar energy more affordable and accessible.

Under state law, utilities must either produce or purchase solar energy credits to prove a certain amount of power is coming from renewable sources or they're subject to a fine.

The proposed bill would also legalize balcony solar panels that can simply be plugged into an outlet.

Supporters of the legislation say those reforms will maximize impact and increase accountability for Maryland's clean energy buildup.

Maryland delegate Lorg Turkutian says the bill could also lower energy costs.

There will be no increase for ratepayers and the increased solar would put downward pressure on energy rates.

The Trump administration takes a hostile position on renewable energy, including solar.

I'm Zamone Perez.

And federal tax credits for making energy saving changes at home are expiring at the end of the year, but some opportunities for Oregonians to save on upgrades remain beyond 2025.

Originally established to last 10 years under the Inflation Reduction Act, these and other climate incentives are ending under the H.R. 1 bill, but Jamie Seymour with Energy Trust of Oregon says it's cash incentives and programs continue regardless of federal changes.

For people who have made these upgrades this year, they can receive both the tax credit and that incentive, really stacking those savings and taking advantage of that opportunity before the end of the year.

The expiring federal energy efficiency credits could save homeowners up to $3,200 on upgrades like heat pumps and insulation.

This is public news service.

New data make it clear the housing market is challenging right now for first-time home buyers, but in South Dakota, an industry group says all hope is not lost.

Last month, the National Association of Realtors announced that the share of first-time home buyers dropped to a record low of 21 percent. say the numbers underscore how hard it is for younger generations to build wealth through home ownership.

Chas Olson with the South Dakota Housing Development Authority says there's no doubt affordability is a problem right now.

For a first-time home buyer who's primarily going to be looking at existing homes, factors like high interest rates probably have a greater impact on affordability.

He says market woes place pressure on some SDHDA programs, but he says they're also coming off a year in which they were able to help more than 2,000 first-time home buyers.

Olsen says younger working adults who might think the market is out of reach need to look into assistance options and see if they're eligible.

One of his team's programs helps buyers with maximum family incomes of around $120,000.

I'm Mike Moen.

Next to Maine where officials warn a new federal directive will increase homelessness in the state.

The Trump administration is cutting funding for the Continuum of Care program, which helps move some of the most vulnerable people off the streets and into stable, supportive housing.

Mark Swan with the social service organization Preble Street says some 1,200 Mainers, including seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, are now at risk of losing their homes.

"You know, we don't have shelters that can support that many people and it's just a big step backwards.

I don't get why this is happening."

Federal officials say the program has encouraged dependence on government handouts and that funding will now be directed toward short-term transitional housing to encourage greater self-sufficiency.

Swan notes the changes come despite a severe housing shortage in the state with emergency shelters already at capacity.

I'm Catherine Carley.

Finally, New Mexico is leaning into its rural roots in providing students with local healthy foods and school cafeterias, and the National Farm to School Network is taking notice.

The advocacy group brings its annual conference to Albuquerque starting today, noting the state's efforts to turn grassroots community-led food justice into policy.

The network's Jian Chan says the conference includes 40 workshops, farm and school field trips, hands-on classes, and presentation of the Golden Chile Awards, celebrating excellence in farm-to-cafeteria work.

I think everyone is familiar with the term farm-to-table and all of the benefits environmentally for the local economy, just the flavor and freshness of the food.

And so we want to bring that same benefits and the same concept to schools.

The Farm to School Network praised the state's universal school meals program adopted in 2023.

I'm Roz Brown.

This is Mike Clifford and thank you for starting your week with Public News Service.

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