News from around the nation.

Rural households stand to benefit the most from an expanded working familes tax credit, polls show the private sector is at fault for the housing crisis, and opposition to data centers grows with a new moratorium in a California town.

Transcript

The Public News Service Thursday, October 22, 2026 Afternoon Update.

I'm Edwin J. Vieira.

Keeping the millionaire's tax and the working family's tax credit expansion tied to it is vital to addressing the state's affordability crisis.

That's according to groups advocating to keep the tax this November.

Isobel Charle reports.

Passed earlier this year, the expansion uses revenue from the millionaire's tax to provide an annual refund of up to $1,300 for low and moderate income households.

Tracy Jung with the Washington State Budget and Policy Center says the expansion more than doubles the credit's reach and people living outside urban areas will benefit the most.

The expansion will be a huge financial boost for rural residents.

In Yakima County, about 40 percent of households will be eligible for the credit.

That's 47,000 households and about $30 million back into the pockets of working people.

Jung explains the working family's tax credit expansion raises the income eligibility level and includes young adults and older people without dependents.

Ballot Initiative 645 aims to repeal the millionaire's tax, but backers say it would not repeal the expanded tax credit that comes with it.

More than 9,000 Marylanders face food insecurity, including more than 260,000 children, according to Feeding America.

While people in Maryland and across the country grapple with food insecurity, experts offer ways to keep their diets heart healthy and make ends meet.

More from Simone Perez.

As families continue to face higher costs for groceries and other necessities, experts say it's possible to eat healthy foods on a budget.

Rachel Bartnick with the American Heart Association suggests starting with small substitutions, including low-cost proteins, whole grains, and homemade alternatives to some packaged food.

You can think about swapping out a sugary bottle dressing with a homemade simple vinaigrette.

Then you can think about swapping lean proteins with, say, beans or other legumes.

The association also recommends tofu, lean ground turkey, and chicken as budget-friendly protein options.

It suggests brown rice and barley as high-fiber alternatives to white rice.

Canned tuna can add an inexpensive source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids to salads, sandwiches, or rice bowls.

Americans point the finger at the private sector, but new polling shows they want Congress to do more on the affordable housing front.

And researchers say solutions aren't gaining enough traction for buyers in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

More from Mike Moen.

In a new national survey from Clever Real Estate, 33% of respondents blame mortgage lenders and banks for the affordable housing crisis, with equal blame for builders and developers.

And around 78% want the next Congress to prioritize this issue.

Separately, a panel discussion on the lack of starter homes included Julia Gordon of the Center for Affordable Housing Lending.

It is not likely the private market and private builders all on their own are going to want to serve the population that's looking for starter homes.

Congress recently adopted reforms by passing a landmark bill, but they won't take effect until federal agencies act on directives and lawmakers provide additional funding.

This is Public News Service.

Opposition to data center projects in El Segundo are getting a boost from the city council and the school board.

Suzanne Potter explains.

On Wednesday, the city council extended its moratorium on data centers until September of next year.

This comes on the heels of a vote by the governing board of the Weisburn Unified School District in September to oppose data center construction near school sites.

Board member Rebecca Hamburg-Cappy, who's seeking re-election, says air pollution from data centers is problematic.

We have an obligation to protect the health and safety of our students and proposing a large-scale data center in such close proximity to our school facilities threatens that.

Opponents at the city council meeting objected to the amount of water and energy data centers consume and said they worry about the effect on their bills.

New research shows rising poverty and food costs are leaving more North Dakota families struggling to afford basic necessities.

Judith Ruiz Branch reports.

A report from North Dakota Kids Count finds roughly 13 percent of the state's kids are living in poverty.

Zanna Berg, who works with the group, says more than 25 percent of North Dakota children live in households earning just above assistance cutoffs.

The report shows families both above and below the poverty line are having to choose between groceries and other essentials like housing or medical bills.

The data shows this poverty is rising in North Dakota, which is very concerning.

The reality, though, is just because you go over that threshold doesn't mean that you're still not struggling.

North Dakota expanded eligibility to allow more students to qualify for free school meals.

Still, 61% of Black children and 58% of American Indian children in North Dakota qualify for assistance.

The findings come as voters will decide in November whether to guarantee free school meals for all public school students.

Yard ornaments and amusing pet costumes for Halloween are good fun for humans, but they may cause a scare for pets.

Terry Dee explains.

How a pet reacts to a costume depends on what they have been exposed to, says All Pet Health Care Veterinarian and Medical Director Dr. Kelly Skinner.

Costumes or gigantic yard decorations that make noise or sudden movement can frighten them and endanger their safety.

She emphasizes taking precautions when pets accompany trick-or-treaters.

It's not appropriate to have your pet off-leash during Halloween.

There are going to be vehicles that are out on the road.

And if they do seem like they're fearful of costumes or those kinds of things, then it's probably best if they stay at home.

If the pet reacts to repeated doorbell rings, it's a good idea to place them in a secured room to calm them or prevent attempts to run off, she notes.

Well-meaning residents on the trick-or-treat trail with dog snacks should ask the pet owner's permission before giving anything to an animal.

Skinner also suggests that owners wait until they arrive home and thoroughly examine the snack to make sure it's safe for their pet to eat.

I'm Edwin J. Viera for Public News Service, member and listener supported.

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