Six minutes of news from around the nation.

White House inadvertently texted top-secret Yemen war plans to journalist; MS egg prices stay high amid industry consolidation; NM native, others remembered on National Medal of Honor Day; IN inches closer to lifesaving law change.

Transcript

The Public News Service daily newscast, March the 25th, 2025.

I'm Mike Clifford.

Senior members of Donald Trump's cabinet have been involved in a serious security breach while discussing secret military plans for recent US attacks on the Houthi armed group in Yemen.

Not for the Guardian.

They report in an extraordinary blunder key figures in the Trump administration, including the Vice President, J.D. Vance, the Defense Secretary, Pete Hegsta, the Secretary of State, Mark Rubio, and the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, used the commercial chat app, Signal, to convene and discuss plans, while also including a prominent journalist in the group.

Signal is not approved by the US government for sharing sensitive information.

Meantime, Mississippi families still pay nearly double for eggs compared with pre-pandemic prices, averaging about $2.48 a dozen.

A new report from Food and Water Watch blames industry consolidation, pointing to CalMain Foods, the state's largest producer, which raised prices sharply in 2022 despite avoiding that year's avian flu outbreaks.

The Justice Department is investigating major egg producers, although no charges have been filed.

Amanda Starbuck with Food and Water Watch highlights how factory farming practices and corporate power have exacerbated the crisis.

We have this system that relies on factory farms cramming up to a million or more birds per egg laying operation into a single facility.

This can serve as a breeding ground for disease.

It makes animals stressed.

They don't have access to fresh air and sunlight, and it really can exacerbate an outbreak such as bird flu.

CalMain Foods says its prices reflect higher costs, citing a 34 percent jump in feed expenses since 2022.

But with Mississippi families paying nearly double what they cost before the pandemic, it is especially tough in a state with one of America's highest poverty rates.

USDA data shows eggs remain the cheapest animal protein, but at nearly three bucks a carton, they're far from the dollar a dozen days some remember.

This story was produced with original reporting from Nina Elkady for "Sentient."

I'm Tramiel Gomes.

And military bravery and sacrifice is recognized today with the nation's recipients of the National Medal of Honor being celebrated for their service.

In addition to ceremonies across the country, a permanent place of remembrance opens in Arlington, Texas today.

The new National Medal of Honor Museum has been spearheaded by President and CEO Chris Cassidy, who hopes it will serve as a reminder of what he calls the pillars of American excellence, courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.

It's telling the stories of American military heroes, but it's also a way to be inspired for courage in your own life.

The museum includes the story of New Mexico's Hiroshi Miyamura, a Medal of Honor recipient who served in the Pacific Theater during World War II before returning to Gallup.

I'm Roz Brown.

This is Public News Service.

Underage drinkers in Indiana could soon receive legal protection during medical emergencies.

State lawmakers there passed a bill to expand the Lifeline Law, which now awaits the governor's signature.

The current law protects only the person who calls 911 to help someone underage with alcohol poisoning.

The updated version would also protect the person in medical danger from underage drinking charges.

Purdue student body vice president Rebecca Siener helped lead the push for change.

Currently, the person in need of medical attention is not protected.

Our students are more fearful of the legal repercussions of underage drinking than the potentially life-threatening condition of alcohol poisoning.

Opponents of the bill claim it could encourage more underage drinking.

This story was produced with original reporting from Kyla Russell for Wish TV.

I'm Joe Ulori, Public News Service.

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And Minnesota's up-and-coming doctors say in order to better care for patients down the road, they need collective bargaining power.

This week, a super majority of nearly 1,000 University of Minnesota resident physicians and fellows submitted their union creation plans.

Dr. Thomas Schmidt is an infectious disease fellow with the U of M, and he says the current work environment for providers advancing through their training in hospitals and other settings is pretty grueling with up to 80-hour work weeks in some cases.

It's us making sure that we're having some breaks and making sure that we're able to have some life outside of training to ensure that we can be good doctors when we're there with our patients.

Researchers say the number of newly union-represented doctors could soon double compared to the past two decades.

Because of consolidation in healthcare, more physicians are now employees of larger systems as opposed to independent practitioners.

I'm Mike Moen.

Finally, new legislation would bring the insurance industry under Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

Supporters say the change would protect consumers from deceptive practices.

Attorney Tyler Staggs represented insurers for nearly 20 years.

He says his law firm now advocates for consumers because of the insurance industry's growing unfairness.

He cites cases such as a client left homeless when an insurer denied living expenses after a house fire.

In another case, he says a client was denied a claim after a brain injury from a car accident.

Rather than paying the benefits that the insured paid for, the insurance company low-balls them and delays to see if they can force them to take a settlement.

Oregon's insurance industry is the only major industry in the state not subject to the state's Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

The bill is scheduled for a work session in the Senate today.

I'm Isabel Charlay.

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

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