News from around the nation.

Trump administration freezes billions in social services funding to five Democratic states; House GOP faces internal divisions, challenges on agenda and questions from Trump; Eastern Kentuckians say proposed rate hikes will further hurt region; SD expert helps make sense of U.S. military action in Venezuela; Free or low-cost ways Oregonians can save on heating bills.

Transcript

The Public News Service Wednesday afternoon update, I'm Mike Clifford.

The Trump administration is freezing $10 billion in funds for social services and childcare in five Democratic-led states, according to a Department of Health and Human Services official with the agency, suggesting without evidence that the funding has been used fraudulently.

That from CNN.

They report the freeze, first reported by the New York Post, will impact California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York.

Meantime, House Republicans mapping out their agenda for 2026 got a start of the year pep talk Tuesday from President Trump at the Trump Kennedy Center.

That from the Hill.

They report the meandering off script hour and a half speech provided few specifics or directives.

Even as the president stressed the importance of electoral success, you got to win the midterms, Trump said, because if we don't win the midterms, they'll find a reason to impeach me.

Next, eastern Kentuckians could potentially face a 14 percent rate increase on their energy bills under a proposal by Kentucky Power.

The state's energy regulator is holding a final public hearing on the case this Thursday at 5 p.m. in Boyd County, followed by a formal hearing on January 13th.

Suzanne Griffiths, a community advocate living in Boyd County, says residents in the region already pay the highest average power bills in the state.

She adds families continue to make daily sacrifices to lower their monthly payments.

"They're very conscientious of how much electricity they use.

They're bundling up the kids before they go to bed."

Housing across the Commonwealth often lacks proper insulation and energy-efficient appliances.

This is Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection.

And demonstrations continue to unfold around the country following U.S. military action in Venezuela.

Rapid City is among those that saw protests after the Trump administration announced military strikes and the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on narco-terrorism charges.

The White House cites drugs flowing into the U.S. but critics say it's more about oil and that the president should have sought congressional approval.

The University of South Dakota's Tyler Moore says there's a consistent viewpoint in constitutional circles regarding military directors from the executive branch.

I think the consensus view is that the president has lots of power to exercise the military in ways that stop short of putting us in of war with another country.

President Trump has also stated the US will run Venezuela for the time being.

I'm Mike Moen.

And in the face of rising utility rates this winter, experts say there are many cheaper, low-cost strategies around their homes to save on energy bills.

Jamie Seymour is with the Energy Trust of Oregon.

For starters, she recommends paying careful attention to any place where warm air can escape.

All those little small gaps and cracks around the house, whether that is around your windows, your pipes, your exhaust fans.

All of those in a typical home can add up to about the same loss of energy and comfort as leaving a window open year round.

She says heating is most often a household's largest energy expense.

This is public news service.

People concerned about voting rights say they are prepared for continued attacks on state elections in 2026.

The Trump administration has now filed lawsuits against 18 mostly Democratic-led states demanding access to voter registration lists, including driver's license information and partial Social Security numbers.

Jen Lancaster, with the League of Women Voters of Maine, says that information could be used to create a national database exploited to make false claims of voter fraud.

"We're very proud to fight back and stand up for Maine voters, their right to their own privacy, and to push back against a pretty unlawful demand."

The White House has proposed expanding the federal SAVE program which checks immigration status to also confirm voter eligibility.

But Lancaster says it's been found to wrongly flag US citizens.

The Department of Justice says it needs voter information to ensure states are complying with federal election laws.

I'm Katherine Carley.

And the popularity of collecting vinyl records hints that the public isn't completely content with owning things digitally.

Library leaders in North Dakota say the renewed passion is leading more people to look into their physical media offerings.

Andrea Plaker leads the Williston Community Library.

She and her fellow directors around the state report elevated activity and people requesting library cards.

Plaker explains some users feel that options like e-books aren't for them and word of mouth is fueling interest in physical copies.

There is a huge craze out there right now, right?

And people are getting out there more and they're saying like, "Oh, there's all these great authors and talking to each other about, "Oh my gosh, did you read this great book?"

The American Library Association confirms that younger generations are making frequent use of their local branches.

National Library Week isn't until April, but Laker says libraries like hers will amplify community messaging in February through special programs.

I'm Mike Moen.

And finally, an historic Dallas church can keep its rainbow-painted front step that following a unanimous decision by the Dallas Landmark Commission.

Leaders of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church say they painted the steps, the colors of the Progress Pride flag, as a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ community after Governor Greg Abbott ordered Rainbow Crosswalks be removed across the state.

Compared to a standard Pride flag, a Progress Pride flag features more colors and represents more communities.

During a hearing before the commission, senior pastor Rachel Griffin Allison said painting the steps was not an act of defiance.

Our intention was and remains simple to communicate to every person who approaches our building that they are seen safe and well.

I'm Freda Ross reporting.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service.

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