Six minutes of news from around the nation.

Democrats in VA ask the Supreme Court to reinstate congressional map; Critics: Governor Hochul's budget framework shortchanges NYers; Ohio bills pave the way for 'plug-in' solar panels in rentals; Rural shift underscores gloomy economic polls in Minnesota; New data: Deportations could cause economic woes in Kentucky.

TRANSCRIPT

The Public News Service daily newscast, May the 12th, 2026.

I'm Mike Clifford.

It's being called a last-ditch effort.

Virginia Democrats filing an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court Monday to save redrawn congressional maps that could send four extra Democrats to the U.S.

House.

They argue the state's high court improperly overturned a redistricting referendum last week.

The Washington Post notes some top Democrats expressed little hope the appeal will the November midterms and are pivoting to waging campaigns in the state's existing districts.

Meantime, New York advocates are dissatisfied with Governor Kathy Hochul's 2027 budget bill.

Despite her claims the budget is done, state lawmakers say there are still unresolved issues, like raising revenues through higher taxes on wealthier New Yorkers.

Critics also note the governor's budget doesn't do enough to blunt the impacts of federal funding cuts and another proposal from the state legislature would be more substantial.

Emily Eisner with the Fiscal Policy Institute says the Trump administration's cuts are affecting all New Yorkers.

When we lose money that goes towards these essential services for low-income people, that also makes the money short on other services that affect everyone.

Garbage collection, public safety, our infrastructure and transit systems.

It's not just the lowest-income people who are going to fill these cuts.

Federal cuts are expected to cause 450,000 New Yorkers to lose their essential plan coverage in July.

I'm Edwin J. Viera.

Next up, small portable plug-in solar systems often placed on balconies are already popular in Europe.

Arnadya Romligan reports so far Utah, Maine, and Virginia have passed legislation allowing them Ohio peers poised to follow suit.

Two bills in the state legislature aim to define the systems and remove certain requirements typically needed for large-scale rooftop panels.

No professional installation is needed and they can be placed anywhere in close proximity to an electrical outlet, explains Mariah Williams with Solar United.

People would want to be able to have access because maybe they don't own their own roof, they're a renter, or maybe they don't have the amount of money that they would need or the credit available to be able to purchase one of those larger rooftop arrays.

The legislation would allow for use of balcony solar without an interconnection permit from a utility company.

And in recent polls, folks in Minnesota expressed plenty of pessimism regarding the economy.

The Center for Rural Strategies commissioned a new survey in more than a dozen U.S.

Senate battleground states, including Minnesota.

The Senator Steve Davis says voters are much less likely to say they prefer for the government to get out of their way.

Right now, people are admitting that they need government support, weakness in the private sector, and the high cost of living are really influencing rural voters. 52% of those rural respondents said the U.S. economy isn't working well for them.

This is Public News Service.

Indianapolis resident Lamont Hollins says his childhood shaped the program he now hopes will help Indiana families facing hunger and financial hardship.

Our Joe Ulory explains.

Hollins grew up around poverty and instability, stood in government food lines as a child, and lost his mother at a young age.

Now, he's finalizing plans for a youth fishing and financial literacy program.

One in seven Hoosiers rely on food banks and meal programs each year, according to Feeding Indiana's Hungry.

Ultimately, the aim and goal is to push people out of the margins, connecting the resources, the understanding of financial literacy at an earlier age.

Holland says the program will teach fishing, teamwork, patience, and money management skills while connecting young people with mentors and community resources.

And advocates for folks in Nebraska with disabilities say work requirements for Medicaid recipients, which were implemented by the state on May 1st, threaten services for people who need them the most.

Trump administration officials say they're trying to make social service programs recipients more accountable. 43 states are required to implement Medicaid work requirements by January of next year.

Nebraska imposed them on May 1st, a full eight months ahead of the federal deadline.

National Disability Action Executive Director Edison McDonald says the quick implementation gave Medicaid recipients with disabilities no time to plan.

I have met with Nebraska DHHS leadership in the past about making changes to Medicaid, And they've told me pretty consistently that it requires at least 18 months to make any sort of major change.

While there are exceptions under the new rules, Medicaid recipients are required to work, seek work, or volunteer at least 80 hours a month.

I'm Mark Moran.

Finally, May is American Stroke Month.

And health experts in Missouri are reminding residents recognizing stroke systems quickly can save lives.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke each year, and stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability.

The commonly used FAST acronym, warning signs, stand for face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call 911.

Now doctors are expanding that acronym to BEFAST to help people recognize strokes sooner.

Dr. Robbie Johar, a board member with the American Heart Association, explains the new additions.

The B stands for balance loss, sudden trouble, walking, dizziness, lack of coordination that comes off very suddenly, something of that sort.

And E is for eye visual changes, that's sudden loss of vision or blurry vision in either one or both eyes.

He says major stroke risk factors include high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and previous strokes.

Crystal Blair reporting.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service.

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