News from around the nation.

Kirk suspect 'not co-operating' with authorities, governor says; WV families with disabilities face staggering medical costs; Report: Florida locks up hundreds of youth for non-criminal violations; TX students have chance to apply for college at no cost.

Transcript

The Public News Service Monday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

President Donald Trump, high level administration and Republican Party officials and top political influences are expected to converge in Arizona Sunday to honor Charlie Kirk, the assassinated conservative activist.

That from CNN.

They report the memorial service to be held at the massive State Farm Stadium in Glendale, just outside Phoenix, is going to pose an enormous test for law enforcement, particularly the US Secret Service.

And New York's 30,000 small farms beginning to feel the strain of ICE enforcement under the Trump administration with experts warning that an industry heavily reliant on undocumented workers needs urgent action from the Congress.

That for Newsweek.

The reported declining workforce, especially in sectors, could trigger supply shortages and higher labor costs, which may ultimately increase consumer prices.

And despite President Trump's claim that the crime in Memphis requires National Guard intervention, New data tells a different story.

The Memphis Police Department reports crime has dropped to a 25-year low, falling 23 percent from 2024 and 37 percent from 2023.

Dr. Earl Fisher with Up the Vote 901 says Trump's move is more about political theater than public safety, warning it resembles a trial run for a conservative-type army rather than a response to crime.

He questions why troops aren't headed to Utah, which also saw recent gun violence with killing of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

What I think this might do is provide Trump with a photo opportunity where he gets to tout that crime is down because of the National Guard coming in and the average citizen won't be engaged or enlightened enough to realize crime was already getting down.

Danielle Smith reporting.

Meantime, families in Delaware and nationwide face challenges paying for medically complex children's care.

Studies show this care can cost more than $2 million during the child's lifetime because of doctor visits, medical equipment, and much more.

Nancy Lemus is caregiver for her son Christopher, who has severe cerebral palsy.

While he is on Medicaid, she says things can still be financially difficult. - Christopher has about 14 pieces of medical equipment, so our electric bill, it can be as close as our mortgage, because of the amount of electricity that he needs to care for him. - But in caring for her son, she's found there are antiquated policies harming new generations of kids with disabilities.

I'm Edwin J. Vieira.

For more than 20 years now, Lowndes County, Alabama residents have lived with failing or makeshift sewage systems that spill untreated waste into yards and near homes, creating serious health and environmental concerns.

Daniel Schwartz is with Faith in Action Alabama, a multiracial and multi-faith organization.

What we have is a jerry-rigged sewage system where there are pipes above ground that jut out of people's homes in Hayneville, and the sewage is just pushed out about 20 feet away from the house above the ground.

Community, environmental and faith groups are joining forces to push for solutions that will protect residents in the region.

This is public news service.

Undergraduate students in Texas will have the opportunity next month to apply to public colleges and universities for free.

Free college application week will be held from October 13th through the 19th.

Glenna Broon with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board says undergraduate and transfer students can apply without application fees to an unlimited number of schools at mytexasfuture.org.

It will show them all of the information about Free Application Week.

It also talks about My Texas Future, which is a program that we have that can help students decide what they want to do when they graduate, what colleges they're looking at, scholarship programs. 37 universities and 50 community colleges are participating.

Students will need information about extracurricular or volunteer activities, test scores and other previous college credits to apply.

I'm Freda Ross reporting.

Next to Michigan where lawmakers are considering eliminating the state sales tax on gasoline and replacing it with a higher gas tax.

EV advocates say the proposed formula would leave them paying more than their fair share.

Supporters of the bill say it would keep prices at the pump steady and create more reliable funding for Michigan's roads.

But because electric vehicle owners don't buy gas, their annual registration fee is tied to the gas tax, meaning it could rise by $100.

Right now, EV drivers pay a $160 annual registration fee in lieu of gas taxes.

Jay McCurry of Clean Fuels Michigan says she supports road funding too, but wants the formula changed so EV drivers aren't paying more than drivers of gas-powered vehicles.

And there's a formula written into statute that electric vehicle tax increases $5 for every cent that the gas tax goes up.

Michigan has about 8 million registered vehicles, but only around 1 percent are fully electric.

Crystal Blair reporting.

Finally, it's not yet a buzzword, but adaptive grazing is gaining traction in New Mexico for its ability to improve soil health.

Done right, adoptive grazing, frequently moving livestock from one pasture to another, can mimic historical patterns of bison herds.

It improves land health by preventing overgrazing, distributing manure evenly, and allowing plants to recover.

New Mexico rancher Sandy Wilke says whether it's raising cattle or growing ag crops that require fertilizer and pesticides, New management practices have rewards.

Going from our traditional systems that we've done for hundreds of years and then switching over to more sustainable, healthier practices, in the long run, a producer is going to save money.

You're gonna be more productive because your healthier soils don't require all that stuff.

I'm Roz Brown.

This is Mike Clifford.

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