News from around the nation.

Hope Fades for Finding Survivors as TX Death Toll Passes 100; Florida's conservative faith leaders urge execution pause amid record pace; Coloradans urged to speak up about at-risk wildlife, habitats; Federal tax-incentive cuts could stall NH solar industry.

Transcript

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

Rescuers continue scouring debris from the catastrophic floods in Central Texas today, even as hopes for finding more survivors faded and the death toll climbed to at least 104 people.

That from the New York Times.

They report as questions mounted about whether cuts to federal agencies may have contributed to the loss of life President Trump cautioned against casting blame. including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, called for an investigation into the administration's efforts to shrink the National Weather Service.

And a delegation of Florida faith leaders will gather in Tallahassee today to call for a pause on executions as the state prepares to tie its annual execution record.

Faith leaders are calling for Governor Ron DeSantis to pause the July 15th execution of Michael Bell, citing concerns about flawed evidence.

Demetrius Minor of conservatives concerned about the death penalty explains their plea.

Why need to rush to expedite an execution?

And again, I want people to understand this.

The death penalty is the one punishment that is irreversible.

You can't say, well, oh, we got it wrong.

We'll go remedy the problem.

The life has already been taken.

Bell was convicted of a 1993 Jacksonville double murder, but saw two key witnesses recant their 1995 testimony last month.

The witnesses reversed course after being denied immunity and appointed attorneys to advise on potential perjury charges.

I'm Tramiel Gomes.

The delegation includes multiple conservative faith leaders who voted for DeSantis, including two members of his faith advisory board.

And Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to hear from folks about their updated 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan, or SWAP, a blueprint for preserving at-risk wildlife over the next 10 years.

Since the first SWAP was launched in 2005, The number of active bald eagle nests has grown from less than 50 to nearly 300.

Madison Martin with the Colorado Wildlife Federation says the plan has also helped peregrine falcon populations and the state's river otters.

Not only is it fun to see them out in their habitat when you're hiking or enjoying other outdoor activities, but they're really crucial for the water systems here in Colorado.

And so seeing them playing means that there is a healthy ecosystem going on.

More information about the plan and submitting comments is available online at engagecpw.org.

I'm Eric Galatas.

Next to New Hampshire, where the growing solar industry faces new challenges as the federal government begins to phase out tax incentives for renewable energy, Sean Gallagher with the Solar Energy Industries Association says the move will have consequences nationwide.

It's really devastating impacts, not just to the solar industry, but to American energy security and national security.

Solar energy is putting more new power on the grid than every other fuel source combined in the last several years.

New Hampshire's already fallen short of meeting its renewable energy standard of getting one quarter of its power from renewable sources.

This is Public News Service.

Minnesota has 42 data centers operating around the state, with nearly a dozen more in the works.

State lawmakers have approved changes to regulate these centers and incentivize developers to build more of them.

The spring legislative session saw the state pass environmental protections to keep in check the large amounts of electricity and water these buildings gobble up each day.

At the same time sales tax exemptions were extended to convince tech companies choose Minnesota over neighboring states as potential sites.

Tom Dicklich of the Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council says that's a crucial factor with reduced activity for some public works projects.

As you see some of the things happening in Washington funds that we're putting money into states as they're drying up and slowing down our folks need to work.

Advocating for tax incentives put the council at odds with other Minnesota unions that don't want to lose revenue for priorities like education.

But Diklage says his labor group often doesn't get specific funding in the state budget and needs to find opportunities to fight for its members.

I'm Mike Moen.

And Texas lawmakers passed the life of the Mother Act.

It was built as legislation to clarify when doctors in the state can legally perform an abortion. - Texas adopted one of the most restrictive abortion bans in 2021.

The ban allows the procedure only if the life of the mother is in danger or there is a risk of impairment of her primary bodily function.

Houston based OBGYN, Dr. Damla Karsan says, despite the clarification, medical professionals are still hesitant to provide care in most cases.

It's been frustrating because I feel restricted in my ability to offer them the full scope of options for their care.

I know it's really had a chilling effect on all my colleagues and myself as well.

Carson was involved in two legal challenges to the abortion ban.

I'm Freda Ross reporting.

Finally, we head to Wyoming where the Historic Preservation Office is a state office born from the National Historic Preservation Act of federal law. a three month delay.

The Trump administration released 2025 funds to state historic preservation offices last week, but 2026 funding is still in question.

Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Beatles with the Wyoming office says its funding, which helps protect historical, archaeological and cultural resources, was not included in the federal budget bill ushered over the finish line last week.

There are concerns about the future of funding for historic preservation and what will happen to us in the next several years.

In a recent advocacy alert, the Alliance for Historic Wyoming warns that future cuts to the office would discourage private investment and hamper economic growth.

I'm Kathleen Shannon.

There are nearly 600 Wyoming listings on the National Register for Historic Places.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service, member and listener supported.

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