News from around the nation.

Israel and Iran call a halt to military strikes against each other; A new report finds that Unlawful detention of West Virginia immigrants damages families; Educators in Connecticut start considering their 2027 legislative priorities; Advocates argue a fair share tax could improve child well-being in Virginia.

Transcript

The Public News Service Monday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

Iran announces a halt to strikes against Israel.

After the country's exchange fire for the first time since April, at the same time, Iran warns it will carry out a more severe response if Israel continues striking southern Lebanon.

An Israeli government official says at President Trump's request, Israel has also halted strikes against Iran.

ICE enforcement tactics are once again under scrutiny following enforcement operations in West Virginia.

New research raises doubts about the U.S. government's portrayal of the detainees.

The Deportation Data Project claims Operation Country Roads, a 15-day federal campaign, arrested immigrants under the unverified suspicion of drug and child abuse crimes.

ACLU of West Virginia investigative reporter Cal Vass says the affected families are tax-paying people who show up for work every day and are being ripped out of a community. these people who are really paying into the programs that don't benefit them and even paying the salaries of ICE agents that arrested them.

These people are paying into a system that they get nothing back from.

They're helping us by being here.

They're not here because they're some sort of violent, terrible person.

I'm Terry D. reporting.

And Connecticut teachers are looking ahead to the 2027 legislative session.

While this year saw several policy victories, some priorities are carrying over to next year's session, like paying student teachers.

A 2025 survey finds 90% of the state's student teachers worry about affording groceries, while another 80% feel exploited because they're unpaid.

Though the state developed an apprenticeship program framework, Kate Diaz with the Connecticut Education Association says paid student teaching is different.

While the apprenticeship program is, I think, a really high quality option, not all schools are enrolled in the apprenticeship program, so it leaves some of our students really out to dry.

And we're She notes this could involve more money or working to sign districts up for the program.

However, there are concerns about what to do in the short term since students say they can't afford to work without income for a semester.

This is causing a decline in educator recruitment at a time when Connecticut has more than a thousand teacher vacancies.

I'm Edwin J.

Vieira.

The economic well-being of Virginia's kids has improved, but educational metrics dipped, according to a new report from the Annie E.

Casey Foundation.

Virginia ranked 11th among states that saw modest declines in rates of child poverty in children living in homes where adults lack secure employment.

Leslie Bossier with the Annie E.

Casey Foundation says the report isn't just numbers.

Each piece of data represents a child, with or without resources to thrive.

It's a child who either has enough to eat or doesn't have enough to eat.

It's a child who is either in a stable home and has access to quality education to put themselves on a pathway to thrive, or it's a child who doesn't have those necessities.

The Commonwealth also registered 10 percent declines in reading in mass scores of fourth and eighth graders.

That matches a national trend seen in the post-COVID years.

This is Public News Service.

A community health initiative in one of North Dakota's largest cities is reborn with a new collaboration and a deeper understanding of residents' needs.

Live Well Grand Cities is a coalition of Grand Forks residents and leaders, from public health workers to business owners, leading outreach and policy projects.

A couple of decades ago, it started under a different name, but organizers say the efforts stalled during the pandemic.

Co-director Shiloh Previty says they've regained their footing and are promoting healthier lifestyles through food skills classes and community gardens.

We also support a couple of traditional indigenous native plants gardens throughout town, So there's like different specialty crops.

The coalition was involved with Grand Forks recently becoming the first North Dakota city to achieve Blue Zone certification.

It's an opportunity through a national partner that brings together worksites, schools, restaurants, and other local entities to help make healthy living easier and accessible.

I'm Mike Mowen.

And environmental advocates may argue that South Dakota feedlots hurt the environment.

But educators hope to prove the facilities are trying to reduce their impact.

South Dakota State University Extension is offering an environmental training session for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, on Tuesday, June 23rd in Huron.

Bob Toller, SDSU Extension swine specialist, says you don't have to own livestock to go.

He says the one-day training will provide science-based information on how CAFOs manage their environmental impact.

Everything from odor, manure management, soil health, soil quality, nutrition, basically the whole gamut that's going to impact CAFO and the surrounding neighbors.

CAFOs must get a permit and follow state and federal regulations in South Dakota, and owners are required to attend trainings like these.

CAFOs in the state and across the country have been cited for manure leaks into waterways and other violations.

I'm Laura Hatch reporting.

And the Phoenix City Council recently passed an ordinance that changes the rules for needle exchange programs, redefines food distribution events, and criminalizes medical providers who offer unpermitted assistance in public parks.

The National Homeless Center's Will Knight says the ordinance will have far-reaching consequences for people who need the services the most.

It means that unhoused folks in Phoenix are going to lose access to the medical treatment that they rely on right now that helps keep them alive. and helps keep them from overburdening our already overburdened hospital rooms and emergency medical systems.

Critics call the ordinance short-sighted and say it will result in more unhoused people in busier hospitals.

The ordinance establishes new requirements for medical providers to provide treatment while keeping the park safe for residents.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service.

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