News from around the nation.

Ukraine strikes two oil refineries in Russia; A California senior group presses for action on long-term care; Iowa beach pollution advisories linked to factory farms; Medicaid coverage losses begin under Nebraska work requirements.

Transcript

The Public News Service Thursday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says long-range missiles struck refineries in Bashkorkostan and Yaroslav.

The BBC notes in Yaroslav huge clouds of black smoke were seen over the city, which is home to Russia's largest oil refineries.

The Russian governor called it the largest attack ever by enemy drones, saying 93 drones had been destroyed but oil storage tanks had been hit by falling debris.

Meantime, a nonprofit that fights for better access to health care is speaking out about affordability issues and long-term care funding.

In-home care costs more than $60,000 a year, assisted living about $54,000, and a private room in a nursing home around $108,000.

That's according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Very low-income people will rely on Medi-Cal, but Bonnie Burns with the nonprofit California Health Advocates says only wealthy people can afford newer hybrid policies that provide a cash benefit for long-term care paired with an annuity or life insurance policy.

So people with average incomes struggle.

And those people who can't afford those and who are not poor are really stuck because there isn't anything out there to finance that kind of care for those middle-income older people.

I'm Suzanne Potter.

And a new report from Food and Water Rot shows that 85% of Iowa beach pollution advisories have been issued in counties near factory farms.

Facility operators say they're working within safety standards.

The data show that of the 105 beach advisories issued since Memorial Day, 89% were the result of E. coli levels that exceed safety standards.

E. coli presence in water indicates fecal contamination, in Iowa.

That's associated with large livestock operations.

Food and Water Watch Research Director Amanda Starbuck says factory farm pollution is having a dramatic effect on rural residents who rely on their private groundwater wells for drinking water.

And they're the ones responsible for testing these wells for contaminants and treating the water.

And a lot of people don't have that within their means.

And so they don't even necessarily know what sorts of hazardous pollutants they're drinking.

I'm Mark Moran.

And the first Nebraskans began losing Medicaid coverage last Friday under the state's new work requirements.

Nebraska was the first state to implement the new federal Medicaid work requirements beginning enforcement in May ahead of the 2027 deadline.

Speaking during a virtual roundtable hosted by Nebraska Appleseed, State Senator John Fredrickson questioned the decision.

Nebraska chose to implement this eight months ahead of the federal deadline, eight months early in the middle of a very well-documented budget crisis, with the governor calling for even more cuts on top of that.

Healthcare providers and lawmakers say confusion surrounding the policy could leave eligible residents without insurance.

This is Public News Service.

A newly formed collaborative will soon start helping community groups and nonprofits across Texas acquire funding for their work.

The Texas Impact Capital Alliance, co-sponsored by the Episcopal Health Foundation, will identify and bring together people who are willing to invest in local programs and help them build relationships with like-minded organizations.

Suzy Bell Gosley with Episcopal Health is co-chairing the alliance.

She says Tika will make it easier to finance projects that improve health and strengthen communities across the state. foundations, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, organizations that care about Texas communities so more investment reaches the people in places that need it most.

This kind of impact investing is designed to bridge the gap between grants and local funding that community organizations use to do their work.

I'm Freida Ross reporting.

Next up, New Mexico's major investments in kids will be highlighted in a multi-city tour starting this month.

New Mexico Voices for Children, in partnership with W.K.

Kellogg Foundation, has created a roadmap of improvements to child care, education, health care, and family supports.

The Child Advocacy Group's Emily Wildow says the report spotlights new policies and funding that have improved opportunities for the state's children.

We've seen a lot of great wins during this administration.

There's been huge investments.

Nation-leading policies have been passed.

What are the things that are happening throughout the state that still need a lot of focus?

New Mexico launched its universal no-cost child care program in 2025.

I'm Roz Brown.

Finally, tribal nations and environmental groups are giving up for another fight over Enbridge's proposed Line 5 tunnel as the project heads back to state regulators.

The aging pipeline carries oil and natural gas liquids from the Straits of Mackinac, where opponents fear that a spill could devastate the Great Lakes.

Enbridge wants to replace the underwater section with a new pipeline housed in a four-mile tunnel under the lake bed.

The Michigan Supreme Court found regulators had not adequately considered potential harm to resources protected under the state's public trust doctrine.

Earth Justice Senior Attorney Adam Roshinsky says the commission must rethink its approach.

This is not a case where an agency looked at 95% of the issues and the court said, just go back and do the other 5%.

The court rejected the commission's framework of analysis and sent this back to the drawing board.

It didn't say go back and do a little more.

It said go back and do it right this time.

Crystal Blair reporting.

Enbridge is reviewing the opinion and assessing legal options.

The company says it's committed to operating Line 5 safely, strengthening safeguards in the straight and protecting Michigan's natural resources.

This is by Clifford for Public News Service.

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