News from around the nation.

President Trump travels to China today for talks with President Xi Jinping; FBI Director Kash Patel faces questioning today in Congress; New research shows voting supports Oregonians' longevity; Virginia lawmakers call for congressional electric transit investments; State of solar strong in Colorado and across the nation.

Transcript

The Public News Service Tuesday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

Today, President Donald Trump travels to China for his long plan meeting with President Xi Jinping.

The AP notes the plan meeting comes after weeks of Trump trying and failing to persuade the Chinese government to use its considerable leverage to prod around to agree to U.S. terms to end the two-month war or, at the very least, reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

And FBI Director Cash Mattel said to be questioned by members of the Senate Appropriations Committee today.

Potential questioning could include the alleged misuse of FBI resources for travel and allegations Patel has had bouts of excessive drinking.

Patel denies those allegations.

Meantime, as the deadline to cast ballots for Oregon's primary election comes closer, new research highlights the link between voting and longevity in older adults.

In a new study, older adult voters had close to a 40 percent lower mortality risk after 10 years when compared to non-voters, and those in poorer health benefited more.

Bandana Shrestha with AARP Oregon says voting, along with things like volunteering, are crucial for sustained well-being.

Research shows that it's actually meaning and purpose and engagement that really is contributing to people feeling like they have a way to give back to their community, and it has real physiological benefits as well.

After today, voters should bring their ballots to a voting box, which will be open until May 19th at 8 p.m.

I'm Isabel Charlay.

Next, clean energy advocates and Virginia lawmakers are calling for Congress to increase investment in electric transportation.

Arsene Mullen-Perez reports the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by former President Joe Biden invested billions in electric transportation.

That includes developments like Project SYNC, a state vehicle charging initiative that received $1.5 million in federal funding.

Now, congressional lawmakers are negotiating the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.

Democratic State Senator Michael Jones says policymakers must build on previous gains from past legislation.

Federal investments in EV charging, cleaner freight systems, public transit and school buses are helping us modernize while strengthening economic competitiveness.

We cannot afford to slow down.

We can't let our foot off the pedal.

President Donald Trump has attempted to rescind funds from the infrastructure law.

I'm Simone Perez.

And last year, as the Republicans in Congress rolled back clean energy tax credits and the Trump administration created new regulations for wind and solar, many felt the future looked dire for renewable energy.

But Hannah Hess with Rhodium Group's Clean Investment Monitor says $100 billion of investment in new grid scale projects are helping the sector to boom.

That $97 billion is up 20% from the $81 billion invested in 2024.

Solar and storage in particular were the real workhorses in 2025.

Hess and her team tracked investments in new grid scale projects for use when the wind isn't blowing and the sun is not shining.

Original reporting for this story by Rebecca Egan McCarthy and Kate Yonder with Grist.

This is Public News Service.

Indianapolis resident Lamont Hollins says his childhood shaped the program he now hopes will help Indiana families facing hunger and financial hardship.

Our Joe Ulory explains.

Hollins grew up around poverty and instability, stood in government food lines as a child, and lost his mother at a young age.

Now, he's finalizing plans for a youth fishing and financial literacy program.

One in seven Hoosiers rely on food banks and meal programs each year, according to Feeding Indiana's Hungry.

Ultimately, the aim and goal is to push people out of the margins, connecting the resources, the understanding of financial literacy at an earlier age.

Holland says the program will teach fishing, teamwork, patience, and money management skills while connecting young people with mentors and community resources.

And advocates for folks in Nebraska with disabilities say work requirements for Medicaid recipients, which were implemented by the state on May 1st, threaten services for people who need them the most.

Trump administration officials say they're trying to make social service programs recipients more accountable.

Forty-three states are required to implement Medicaid work requirements by January of next year.

Nebraska imposed them on May 1st, a full eight months ahead of the federal deadline.

National Disability Action Executive Director Edison McDonald says the quick implementation gave Medicaid recipients with disabilities no time to plan.

I have met with Nebraska DHHS leadership in the past about making changes to Medicaid, and they've told me pretty consistently that it requires at least 18 months to make any sort of major change.

While there are exceptions under the new rules, Medicaid recipients are required to work, seek, work, or volunteer at least 80 hours a month.

I'm Mark Moran.

Finally, May is American Stroke Month, and health experts in Missouri are reminding residents recognizing stroke systems quickly can save lives.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke each year, and stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability.

The commonly used FAST acronym, warning signs, stand for face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call 911.

Now doctors are expanding that acronym to BEFAST to help people recognize strokes sooner.

Dr. Robbie Johar, a board member with the American Heart Association, explains the new additions.

The B stands for balance loss, sudden trouble, walking, dizziness, lack of coordination that comes off very suddenly, something of that sort.

And E is for eye visual changes, that's sudden loss of vision or blurry vision in either one or both eyes.

He says major stroke risk factors include high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and previous strokes.

Crystal Blair reporting.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service.

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