Six minutes of news from around the nation.

With forecasters warning of projected epic El Niño storms, California declares statewide emergency, an Indiana professor says the current Press access fight matters to Hoosiers, and Michigan water affordability groups demand action from lawmakers.

TRANSCRIPT

The Public News Service Daily Newscast, September the 22nd, 2026.

I'm Mike Clifford.

California's Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Monday in preparations for what state officials say could be an historic El Nino season, directing agencies to stage equipment, protect infrastructure and prepare communities for severe winter weather.

NBC 7 San Diego notes the looming El Nino event is already breaking records and forecasters expected to continue to strengthen, potentially becoming the strongest in recorded history.

Officials warn El Nino could bring heavy rains, strong winds, mountain snow and coastal flooding.

Meantime, an Indiana journalist and professor says the Trump administration's decision to deny White House access to CNN, MSNOW and Politico raises concerns that extend beyond Washington.

Reporters for the outlets have their White House press credentials deactivated or confiscated over the weekend and were turned away when they tried to enter.

More now from our Joe Ulori.

Indiana University's Kathleen Johnston says limits placed on national outlets could eventually affect local stations and newspapers.

Today it's CNN, MS Now, and Politico.

Tomorrow it could be them.

It could be their local television.

It's just a slippery slope.

I don't think we want to get on this.

You know, look, he's not the first president that's tried this.

The news organizations filed a federal lawsuit challenging the restrictions, arguing the administration violated their first amendment rights.

President Donald Trump says he barred the outlets because of coverage he calls fake news.

He says the White House is not attacking a free press and argues news organizations should provide fair and honest coverage.

And it's not just home energy and grocery prices putting the squeeze on folks in Michigan.

A coalition says you can add water bills to the list.

And an event this Wednesday in Lansing aims to highlight the issue.

The Water Equals Life Coalition is leading the Affordable Water Now Day of Action.

It plans to pressure lawmakers on a legislative package backers say would help those struggling with their water bills.

A statewide study says Michigan's average water cost nearly tripled between 1980 and 2018, even after adjusting for inflation.

Certain provisions in the package would establish income-based billing and limit water shutoffs.

Mike Berkowitz, Michigan policy director for the nonprofit Elevate, says the issue should cross party lines.

This is a bipartisan issue that should not be wrapped up in politics, and that it's something that will help Michiganders across the board.

And so that four-bill package, that would establish a statewide water affordability and bill payment assistance program.

The legislation would also offer debt forgiveness to customers who keep up with their adjusted payments, and shutoff protections would cover households with children, seniors, pregnant residents, and people with medical needs.

The proposed law has been introduced in the statehouse, but Berkowitz says it's not getting much attention from lawmakers yet.

Crystal Blair reporting.

This is Public News Service.

New data show cases of black lung are rising among Appalachian coal miners, especially in southwestern Virginia.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says nearly one in three working underground coal miners with a quarter of a century of experience working underground now has a disease.

Brendan McKeon Bates with Appalachian Citizens Law Center says cases they have worked on include testimony from miners who reported being told by their employer to move or change the dust sampling equipment.

He warns that silica dust exposure limits and action levels are only effective if there's strong federal enforcement through mine inspections.

Our most recent report on MSHA sampling has signaled that the amount of dust sampling that's taking place is below where it had been in years past.

Danielle Smith reporting.

Next, advocates fighting hunger in Mississippi are working harder to ensure residents have food on the table.

Federal cuts made last summer through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reduced the number of Mississippians eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by 43,000 people.

To fill in the gaps, more families are going to food banks.

Dan Nisbet with Mississippi Food Network says in the past year, they've seen a 36% jump in people seeking assistance from partner food pantries.

Demand was already sharply rising for our services prior to any of those cuts.

Costs of food, gas, housing and rent are really stretching families' budgets.

During this Hunger Action Month, they're asking people to volunteer, hold a virtual food drive or donate to food banks.

National Hunger Action Day is September 29th.

I'm Freda Ross reporting.

Finally, new research analyzes wastewater to understand North Carolinians' nutrition.

The Duke University study uses a DNA sequencing tool to detect traces of food left behind in sewage.

The methods used in the research represent a shift in how nutrition studies are typically done.

Many rely on subjects tracking what they eat over long periods of time.

Lawrence David with Duke University says based on his own experience, this can be challenging.

I have tried for different research projects over the years to even just track what I eat myself, and it was a lot of work.

It would take me half an hour to 45 minutes a day if I wanted to be really precise about writing down what I was eating.

Diet diaries also often miss certain sections of the community, like children, seniors, and immigrants who don't primarily speak English.

I'm Edwin J. Viera.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service.

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