News from around the nation.

A pair of earthquakes battered Venezuela with at least 164 fatalities; Nevada leaders promote ballot measure on abortion rights; Social Security cuts could hit Pennsylvania retirees in 2032; retirement for folks in New Mexico looks different depending on wealth.

Transcript

The Public News Service Thursday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

At least 164 people are dead after a pair of earthquakes struck Venezuela Wednesday evening.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the epicenter of the first quake was about 100 miles west of the capital, Caracas.

The second hit a nearby town 39 seconds later, with a magnitude of 7.5, making it the most powerful in 100 years.

At least 1,000 injuries have been reported so far.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance.

It was a national holiday, so many people were home when the quake struck.

And on the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v.

Wade, Nevada Democratic leaders are promoting Question 6 on the November ballot.

The measure would amend the state constitution to protect the right to seek abortion care.

It passed in 2024 and now needs second passage to become final.

State Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro says the Dobbs decision is part of the Republican effort to dismantle reproductive rights.

This decision was made possible by the Trump administration's far-right Supreme Court appointments and appointments that were enabled by an anti-reproductive freedom majority in the U.S. Senate.

Cannizzaro is currently running for Attorney General.

I'm Suzanne Potter.

Next, that new trustees report we've been following says Social Security's trust funds are projected to run short by the end of 2032 and benefits will be cut unless Congress acts.

AARP Pennsylvania says nearly 3 million people in the state rely on Social Security, more than one in five residents.

Bill Johnston Walsh with AARP Pennsylvania says lawmakers need to ensure the program has the money it needs to keep pace with growing demand.

He says retirees could lose nearly 20 percent of their monthly payments. they'll probably only get about 83% of their scheduled benefits.

So that means, for example, if you're getting a monthly check for $1,000, you'll only get about $830 instead.

AARP wants Congress to protect and strengthen Social Security without cutting benefits people have paid into for their entire working lives.

Danielle Smith reporting.

And in New Mexico and elsewhere, the decision to retire is often out of a person's control.

But new findings reveal more than half of retirees say they stopped working earlier than planned.

Co-author Tim Geddes with Deloitte Consulting says those with incomes under $35,000 a year cited different reasons for retirement than those with annual incomes above $75,000.

For the lower income groups, change in health status dominated, which presumably means they just weren't feeling up to continuing working.

But on the higher income side, many of them said they retired for reasons that seem pretty positive.

The Society of Actuaries Research Institute report found 59% of retirees left the workforce before they had expected to, while only a small percentage left later than envisioned.

This is Public News Service.

Communities in Michigan are among those feeling the effects of post office suspensions nationwide.

According to the American Postal Workers Union, more than 400 facilities in 48 states are grappling with issues such as lease disputes, staffing shortages, building damage, and safety concerns.

Residents in some Michigan communities are worried about having to travel further to access postal services.

During a recent live stream, union leader James Stevenson shared what he believes are the consequences of post office closures.

Once you close all these post offices, that revenue simply dissipates and you simply push people into alternative means of mailing.

And more likely than not, it's going to be more expensive than the universal cost that you have with the Postal Service.

Union leaders say residents often don't realize they have the opportunity to comment on or appeal proposed post office closures through a federal review process.

And they're encouraging Michigan residents to get involved.

Leaders point to successful efforts in Detroit and the Kalamazoo area, where residents and local leaders fought to keep post offices open.

Crystal Blair reporting.

Next, the southern Minnesota town remains on a mission to rebuild its downtown nearly five years after a devastating tornado.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of AARP's Community Challenge Grand Program.

Recipients are awarded funds for quick turnaround projects with livability in mind.

The town of Heartland is building a new community center destroyed by a 2021 tornado.

Jean Eaton with Age-Friendly Freeborn County says their grant will help transform that space with amenities.

We're going to add water fountains, bike racks, outdoor tables, landscaping and lighting to make it more welcoming for the community.

She says these features help older residents gather and avoid isolation. and a more inviting downtown appeals to young families looking for areas with affordable housing.

I'm Mike Moen.

Finally, a new survey finds millions of women are living with pelvic organ prolapse, and many don't know it's treatable.

Untreated prolapse can lead to complications including kidney damage.

Dr. Nuray Moshanga is a urogynecologist with Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health.

She says the condition is more common than most people realize.

The pelvic floor has a combination of organs, which include your bladder, your uterus, vagina, and rectum.

So when you're experiencing symptoms like increased pressure, feeling a bulge, feeling like something is coming out of your vagina, that can be indicative of a prolapse where there's a weakening of what keeps all the organs in place.

The Orlando Health Survey found that 50% of women incorrectly believe urine leakage is a normal part of aging.

I'm Tramiel Gomes.

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

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