News from around the nation.

After Maduro, who's next? Trump spurs speculation about his plans for Greenland, Cuba and Colombia; Michiganders brace for higher health insurance premiums this new year; Report: Second chance hiring has lasting community benefits; Lower drug costs for OR seniors are here.

Transcript

The Public News Service Monday afternoon update, I'm Mike Clifford.

A day after the audacious U.S. military operation in Venezuela, President Trump Sunday renewed his calls for an American "takeover" of the Danish territory of Greenland for the sake of U.S. security interests and threatened military action on Colombia for facilitating the global sale of cocaine, while his top diplomat declared, "The Communist government in Cuba is in a lot of trouble."

That's the take from CNN.

They report the comments from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after the ouster of Venezuelan Nicolas Maduro, underscore that the U.S. administration is serious about taking a more expansive role in the Western Hemisphere.

Meantime, as the new year rings in, more than 20 million Americans are facing much higher health insurance costs, including nearly 500,000 Michiganders enrolled in marketplace plans.

Healthcare advocates say insurance premiums are expected to double or even triple for some. comes after enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expired at midnight on New Year's Eve.

Amber Bellazier is with the Michigan League for Public Policy.

She explains how these tax credits have served families in the state.

In terms of increasing access to affordable health coverage that really protects families financial security and helps to promote regular access to care, which we know ultimately improves healthy communities across the board.

Those in and Congress of support ending the credits say extending them would have added significant federal costs and argue that subsidies distorted the insurance market.

Crystal Blair reporting.

And employers in West Virginia and neighboring states continue to report trouble finding workers.

New data show hiring people have served their time after a criminal conviction known as second chance hiring can benefit both employers and communities.

Talisa Carter with the Urban Institute says many people are released from prison without proper identification and face housing challenges.

She says a focused resume can help level the playing field for candidates who are valuable to employers, but may not check all of the conventional boxes.

A resume that's skill-based really presents an opportunity for the formerly incarcerated to put their best foot forward in the workplace.

According to the Urban Institute, labor shortages are most common in the hospitality and retail trade industries.

This is Nadia Ramligan for West Virginia News Service.

And 10 most popular medications used largely by older adults will be on the average of 50 percent cheaper for most of Oregon's Medicare enrollees starting this year.

Stacey Larson is with AARP Oregon.

There are seniors who face very, very high out of pocket costs and often have to choose between utilities or their prescription drugs.

That situation is untenable.

Fortunately, some relief is in sight.

The change was part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

It requires Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices for common high-cost prescription drugs.

This is Public News Service.

Now that 2026 is underway, nearly 43 million Americans with student loans in default are expected to resume repayment.

Beginning this month, the U.S. Department of Education is sending notices that the administration's wage garnishment is restoring.

The action applies to federally held loans that have gone unpaid for at least 270 days.

The Education Data Initiative reports Georgia has roughly 1.7 million student loan borrowers with a total debt exceeding $70 billion.

Jack Wallace is director of government and lender relations at private loan company YRFI.

He says borrowers should act sooner rather than later.

We need to not put our head in the sand and pretend like this is going to go away.

So if you're getting an email from your servicer, which you should be, or getting an envelope by the U.S. Post Office from your service.

So you need to open it up and find out what's going on.

The Treasury Offset Program is the automated system the federal government would use to collect delinquent debts.

Shantia Hudson reporting.

And a New York City bill designed to help renters was defeated in the 11th hour of the Eric Adams administration.

The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act allows vetted nonprofits the first opportunity to buy certain multifamily buildings when a landlord decides to sell them.

It comes as the city grapples with real estate companies buying buildings and letting affordable units fall into disrepair.

Elena Rodriguez with the New Economy Project says this last minute veto isn't the will of Adams' now former constituents.

New York City can't allow the actions of a lame duck mayor acting to appease powerful real estate interests to override the will of the city council and the communities it represents.

This veto is not only an attack on urgently needed housing policy, it directly undermines the council's role as a democratic institution.

I'm Edwin J. Viera.

Finally, almost 20 percent of people in Wisconsin use tobacco.

And for those who want to quit in the new year, keeping that commitment can be hard.

The group Truth Initiative has resources for folks who've decided to stay away from nicotine in 2026.

The second Friday of the year is sometimes called "Quitter's Day" because it's when people often backslide on their resolutions.

To counteract this, the nicotine prevention organization has launched "You've Got This Day" in its place.

This year, it's January 9th.

Megan Jacobs with Truth Initiative says the group offers information about its research-driven X program.

"We introduced this back in 2024 to introduce young people to our free quitting program called X program to drive awareness of that resource through a series of different mechanisms that celebrate the everyday victories that lead to breaking free from nicotine addiction for good."

The X program is a partnership with Mayo Clinic that provides a free, anonymous, digital quitting program.

Mark Richardson reporting.

This is Mike Clifford.

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