News from around the nation.

At least 2 dead in 'catastrophic' explosion at nursing home in Pennsylvania: Officials; New data: Poverty eases in AL but basic needs still out of reach; NYS experts offer ways to address holiday mental health challenges; Avian flu detected at AR commercial poultry farm.

Transcript

The Public News Service Wednesday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

At least two people are dead following a catastrophic explosion at a nursing home in eastern Pennsylvania.

Officials said Tuesday that from ABC News they quote Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro at a press briefing Tuesday evening saying this is a very, very tragic moment for this community.

The explosion occurred at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol, which is about 25 miles northeast of Philadelphia, on Tuesday night causing a large fire.

Meantime, some economic indicators have improved slightly, but new research shows many Alabama families struggle to meet basic needs in the nation's seventh poorest state.

The 2025 Barriers to Possibility data from the group Alabama Possible examines conditions across all 67 counties, highlighting how poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to education shape daily life for thousands in the state.

Alabama Possible Executive Director, Chandra Scott, says one of the clearest patterns in the data is how closely poverty and educational attainment are linked.

A connection, she says, shapes everything from job access to long term stability for families.

Being able to give someone the skill sets and upper mobility to get out of poverty, give them better choices of housing.

It gives us better choices of food they intake.

It gives them better choices of insurance.

All those things are interconnected.

The data show more than 780,000 Alabamians, including roughly 236,000 children live below the federal poverty line with the statewide poverty rate hovering around 16 percent.

Shantia Hudson reporting and people in New York and across the nation are struggling through this holiday season.

The American Psychiatric Association or APA finds more people feel anxious or depressed during the holidays than in 2024 or 2023.

Some of the reasons cited for this feeling include being unable to afford gifts or missing someone who's no longer around.

Eric Blazek with the Center for independence of the disabled New York ads end of year expectations can leave people feeling disappointed.

We tend to learn things are supposed to be a certain way for us around the holidays.

And this puts high expectations on to that period.

Anytime there are high expectations or standards, it's a lot for a situation to live up to.

He notes returning to simple phrases like things don't have to be perfect or good enough is fine can be reassuring.

I'm Edwin J. Viera.

And a commercial poultry farm in Cleveland County in Arkansas is under quarantine after a case of avian influenza was confirmed at the location.

Ag Secretary Wes Ward said there are more than 6,500 poultry farms in the state making the industry essential to the Arkansas economy.

It's a reminder for commercial producers who are already implementing strict biosecurity measures limiting access to their farms and to their poultry houses.

If someone's in the backyard where they have poultry making sure that they're washing their hands that they're not potentially spreading a virus.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture says it is sampling and quarantining nearby poultry flocks as well.

This is Public News Service.

An Indiana National Guard member says new federal travel restrictions could keep him from witnessing the birth of his first child.

We get the story from our Joe Ulori.

Walter Moyo serves in the Indiana National Guard and works full-time as a nurse.

He married his wife five months ago and has followed every legal step to bring her to the United States.

But a federal proclamation issued this month expanded travel restrictions to dozens of African countries stopping her visa process midstream.

Boyle says the timing is devastating.

It's emotionally challenging to know that I will not be permitted, basically, to be there for the birth of my child.

The administration says the restrictions target countries with high visa overstay rates and are meant to strengthen immigration enforcement. proclamation notes the policy is not based on violence or terrorism concerns.

Immigration advocates argue the broad approach can still harm families who have complied with the law.

This story was produced with original reporting from Jaden Reeves for Wish TV.

And some black farmers say they won't participate in President Donald Trump's new 12-billion-dollar federal farm aid program citing concerns about racial bias.

The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association in Memphis represents more than 20,000 heirs of black landowners and ranchers across the country.

Its president, Thomas Burrell, says the aid excludes those who grow tobacco and sugarcane, crops many black farmers rely on.

He adds his group is preparing a lawsuit arguing the payments violate equal protection and due process rights.

"It is geared toward the larger scale of what we call high roller row crop farmers to the exclusion, which by the way would be most of you white farmers, to the exclusion of your specialty crop or small crop black farmers.

The Trump administration plans to announce crop specific payment rates by month's end with funds released by late February.

Danielle Smith reporting.

Finally, if you're still looking for last minute gifts for kids this Christmas Eve, children's advocates are urging parents in Missouri and around the country to think twice about toys that use artificial intelligence.

Some dolls, action figures, and stuffed animals now use chat box technology that can talk with children like a trusted friend, mimicking human conversation and emotions.

Rachel Franz with the nonprofit organization FairPlay says those toys are often marketed as safe and educational despite growing concerns about their potential harm.

Right now, there is no research and no regulations that are in place to protect kids from the multitude of potential harms that can come from AI toys.

A recent safety report found some AI toys are capable of discussing sexually explicit topics with children or offering advice about dangerous items.

Crystal Blair reporting.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service.

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