Six minutes of news from around the nation.

President Trump reimposes the naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz; Lindsey Graham’s sister chosen to fulfill the remainder of Graham’s US Senate term; Global banks pour $906 billion into fossil fuel infrastructure in 2025; Bipartisan housing bill is law, despite opposition from Pennsylvania Republicans; Oregon's Pride weekend shines light on LGBTQ+ hunger gap.

TRANSCRIPT

The Public News Service daily newscast July 14, 2026.

I'm Mike Clifford.

President Donald Trump ordered the reinstatement of a naval blockade Monday and announced he will impose tolls on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, despite his administration's position that such fees violate international law.

The New York Times notes the move essentially collapses the ceasefire.

Trump's actions came shortly after he formally notified the Congress that fighting has resumed.

And South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced Monday that Lindsey Graham's sister, Darlene Graham-Nordone, has been named as her late brother's temporary replacement in the U.S. Senate.

Meantime, the world's largest banks, many based in New York, increased financing for fossil fuel companies in 2025, funding $906 billion for oil, gas, and coal infrastructure, that despite years of making climate pledges.

An annual report banking on climate chaos also finds the 65 largest global banks provided almost $9 trillion in fossil fuel financing since the Paris Agreement was signed.

Caleb Schwartz, who monitors climate and energy issues for the Rainforest Action Network, says the information reveals that the burden of fighting the climate crisis disproportionately falls on the most vulnerable population.

These projects are not helping the average American.

They're putting a lot of money into the average American gas company's pockets, but for the average American who's concerned about rising energy prices and affordability, it's raising their bills.

Schwartz calls the current war with Iran a business model for natural gas producers.

He says when the Straits of Hormuz is closed, gas companies see hundreds of millions of dollars in previously unattainable profits every week.

I'm Mark Richardson.

The report, published in June, was produced and authored by a coalition of climate and environmental organizations.

Next, affordable housing is increasingly scarce across Pennsylvania, but a new bipartisan federal law could bring some relief.

The 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which became law last week, passed with support from both parties.

President Trump declined to sign it, citing the Senate's failure to advance the Save America Act, which deals with elections.

Josh Israel with the Pennsylvania Independent reports that Republican State Representative Scott Perry is the only member of the Pennsylvania delegation to vote no on the legislation.

Israel reads a direct quote that Perry posted on social media explaining his decision.

For over 50 years, the federal government has thrown money at housing, which has caused the current housing crisis.

The more money we throw at it, the more expensive it gets.

Instead of removing inflationary pressures and allowing the market to work, this housing bill doubles down on the failures.

This story was produced with original reporting from Josh Israel for the Pennsylvania Independent.

Danielle Smith reporting.

This is Public News Service.

Oregon's largest pride celebration is coming up this weekend, and organizations focused on uplifting LGBTQ people are spotlighting the rising food insecurity within the community.

Research from UCLA shows 18% of LGBTQ adults experience food insecurity 4% higher than their straight peers.

Brent Blackwell manages Esther's Pantry in Milwaukee and says part of the problem is that many people in the queer community don't feel safe accessing resources.

What we found very early on in my 10-year career here is that folks feel unsafe in the waiting rooms or the areas that they're accessing the food services.

And so they would rather actually go hungry than access the food services in a place that makes them feel unsafe.

Blackwell says Esther's Pantry started in the 1980s serving people impacted by HIV and now welcomes all LGBTQ people as well as immigrants.

He says pantry workers don't ask for legal names and honor however people want to be identified.

I'm Isobel Charle.

And small towns in Kentucky are focusing efforts on getting vehicles to slow down and stop at intersections to help improve walkability.

Arnadia Romligan lets us know the city of Moorhead has plans to improve pedestrian safety by creating a dedicated drop-off zone, especially for older adults and people relying on mobility aids.

Moorhead is one of more than two dozen entities across the state awarded 2026 Community Challenge grants from AARP.

City Council member Edna Schack says when people are encouraged to walk, the local economy benefits.

Being able to walk places encourages people to stop in at places, which is an economic developer for whatever area they're walking in.

According to national data from the Governor's Highway Safety Association, drivers struck and killed more than 3,000 people walking during the first half of 2025.

Finally, disability rights advocates will rally in Boston today to highlight what they say is private equity's role in slowing down wheelchair repairs, which can leave users stranded for weeks and even months.

Research shows these firms have bought out dozens of smaller mom-and-pop competitors over the past decade, forcing residents to rely on just two national wheelchair providers for their often highly customized devices.

Destiny Maxim, an organizer with the Disability Policy Consortium, says the companies are putting profits ahead of people's health.

When there is a duopoly there, there's no competition, and their profit margins are in the billions each year as they prioritize new chairs versus repairing the current ones.

Medical suppliers New Motion and National Seating and Mobility say they're working to better stock the most frequently used repair parts and provide a more predictable service experience.

I'm Katherine Carley.

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

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