News from around the nation.

A massive explosion levels a Dallas apartment complex; Washington-Canada border event calls for 'People's Trade Agenda'; NYS bill guarantees kids the right to counsel in police custody; Utah lawmakers clear pathway for 'balcony solar' power for renters.

Transcript

The Public News Service Friday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

It's being called a massive explosion that leveled a two-story apartment complex in the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas on Thursday.

Dallas Fire and Rescue Public Information Officer Jason Evans says three people, including a child, were killed.

Two adult females and one child were found in the debris.

Firefighters were responding to a reported gas leak.

Meantime, an event tomorrow at Washington State's border with Canada will call for trade policies that prioritize working people, communities, and the environment instead of what organizers call the interests of large corporations.

The day is part of a series of events leading up to July 1st, when North American leaders may decide to extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement for 16 more years.

Julie Buwana with the Washington Fair Trade Coalition says over 30 organizations representing labor, environmental groups, farmers, and more are calling for a people's trade agenda.

So many folks want to confront corporate rule and the ways in which corporations have hijacked our trade agreements to build and amass power and wealth off the backs of working people on the planet.

Signed by President Donald Trump, the USMCA replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement, known as NAFTA, in 2020.

Trump argued the USMCA would stop the outsourcing of American factories and enforce stricter labor and wage requirements.

I'm Isabel Charlay.

And a New York bill would ensure kids know their rights when in police custody.

The Children's Early Access to Counsel bill makes the right to speak with an attorney unwaivable for kids under 18.

Data show 90% of kids waive this right when interrogated by police, mostly because they don't fully understand their Miranda rights.

Jose Perez with the Children's Defense Fund of New York says kids under arrest may be scared enough to say anything.

A frightened 15 or 16-year-old can still be isolated, pressured, and manipulated by the police officers. police officers, when trying to solve a case, are lawfully and legally allowed to lie to the suspect.

Since its original introduction several years ago, the bill has continued to garner positive feedback.

Previous opposition to the proposal stemmed from lawmakers who felt there was no need to alter current laws, as minors are already ensured their rights when in police custody.

I'm Edwin J. Viera.

Next, Utah is becoming an unlikely leader in a fast-growing segment of clean energy. after state lawmakers approved a first-in-the-nation policy allowing small plug-in solar systems at home.

Ben Delman with the clean energy advocacy group Solar United Neighbors says systems are still pretty pricey, but as demand increases, prices should come down.

Obviously here, we've got a larger market, so I think the potential is tremendous.

And I think, too, when we talk about cost, as these systems become more widespread, there's more demand for them that's going to cause the cost of these to lower.

Supporters say the law could make solar power more accessible for renters, condo owners, and other households.

Credit for original reporting on this story goes to Leah Larson with Grist.

This is Public News Service.

As folks in Pennsylvania are urged to take precautions this summer against the rising threat of measles, 32 measles cases have been confirmed in the Keystone State amid a nationwide surge.

That's according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Candice DeMatteis, with Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease, says measles is the most infectious pathogen that humans come in contact with.

She says very high vaccination rates, around 95 percent or above, are recommended to prevent measles outbreaks.

She notes the Keystone State rate falls short of that threshold, raising concerns in some communities.

For example, in Pennsylvania, we're below 94 percent.

That doesn't sound like that much, but that's also the state average.

So there are pockets that are well below that number.

Unfortunately, that leaves people vulnerable to measles, which is a very serious respiratory infection.

Danielle Smith reporting.

Next, immigration activists are renewing calls from Minnesota's governor and those wanting to succeed him to commit to sanctuary state status.

There's also a new national proposal to rethink how citizenship violations are to be handled.

These reform demands follow public scrutiny of the Trump administration's aggressive push to boost deportations.

The American Immigration Council says its new plan would restore credibility and humanity to ICE enforcement.

The council's Dara Lind says they don't want instances where a person without legal status who's been in the U.S. for a long time and has avoided trouble has their life upended.

Someone who has roots in the community, who everyone involved in the process agrees should be able to stay, but their hands are tied because there's only one penalty, and that's deportation.

The council says when detained by agents and sent to immigration court, these individuals should be offered alternative penalties like fines or community service.

I'm Mike Moen.

Finally, a bipartisan bill introduced in the Congress would create a national wildlife corridor system building on Florida's model to help panthers, bears, and other species survive.

According to wildlife advocates, the state's panthers need connected landscapes to survive, disperse, and maintain genetic diversity.

But roads and development have created deadly bottlenecks, with vehicle collisions remaining a leading cause of death.

Kelly Cox is a senior policy and planning specialist for defenders of wildlife.

She says for the Florida panther, this isn't an abstract debate.

Connectivity is not really a theoretical concept.

It's the difference between survival and extinction.

The Florida panther is a really clear example of why corridors matter.

Panthers need really large connected landscapes to survive and disperse and maintain genetic diversity.

I'm Tramiel Gomes.

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

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