News from around the nation.

In a surprise move, Trump announces deployment of 5,000 US troops to Poland; The House cancels vote on Trump’s war powers; Anti-nicotine advocates offer safe space during District of Columbia Black Pride; Advocates want NYC, NYS to maintain momentum on mental health; Penn State University faculty win SEIU union vote.

Transcript

The Public News Service Friday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

President Trump announced Thursday that the U.S. would deploy 5,000 troops to Poland, despite the Pentagon's decision one week ago to cancel that deployment of thousands of U.S. troops there.

The New York Times notes in a social media post that caught Pentagon officials by surprise, Trump suggested he was making the move based on the successful election of Karol Nowacki, Poland's conservative nationalist president whom Trump endorsed in his election.

And House Republicans canceled a scheduled Thursday vote on a War Powers resolution aimed at ending the U.S. war with Iran, a measure that likely would have advanced had the vote taken place.

The Guardian notes the cancellation, which avoided political embarrassment for Trump, is the latest signal that congressional support for the war is diminishing.

Meantime, as people flock to the District of Columbia for D.C.

Black Pride, anti-smoking advocates are providing safe spaces for LGBTQ people on their quitting journey.

The Truth Initiative will hold a mutual friends brunch on the Sunday of DC Black Pride from 12 to 6 p.m.

Nicotine use is more frequent in the LGBTQ community, and surveys often find those in the community use more forms of nicotine habitually.

Kendrick D'Artiste with the Truth Initiative says it's important to create a secure path for people working to buck their nicotine addiction.

At this event, it will be a high-energy, culturally-rooted brunch experience that will feature wellness activations, including spotlighting our free quitting resources from Truth Initiative called X Program.

The X program features personalized quit plans for people addicted to nicotine with daily advice, text message support, and interactive tools from the initiative and Mayo Clinic experts.

I'm Simone Perez.

Nicotine use among LGBTQ young people remains high. 14% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual middle and high schoolers use nicotine.

That's compared to 8% of their heterosexual peers.

And as the nation recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month, New York state advocates are calling for continued investment in mental health services.

The state has already put more money into youth mental health by increasing the number of counselors in schools.

The 2027 state budget, which has yet to be finalized, would increase funding for teen mental health first aid training so it's available to 10th graders statewide.

Dr. Sharon McLennan-Weir with the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York points to other proposals that address youth mental health.

Daniel's law focused on training police on mental health crisis intervention that is not a police response, rather a treatment response, and hiring more mobile crisis units to go out across the state to address behavioral episodes.

The bill is named for Daniel Prude, a Rochester man who died in 2019 when he was wrestled to the ground by police who were responding to a mental health crisis.

McLennan Weir notes New York City's funding for the law isn't enough for the almost 2 million people in the city with a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness.

I'm Edwin J. Viera.

New York is also working to implement its mental health plan that includes increased use of doulas and peer supports and mental health screenings in obstetric clinics.

This is Public News Service.

After six years of organizing, Penn State University faculty have formed a union to gain a stronger voice and greater influence in university decisions.

The Penn State Faculty Alliance reports about 75 percent of participating faculty voted to join the Service Employees International Union.

More than 2,300 supported the effort and about 8,50 opposed.

Julio Palma Anda, an associate professor of chemistry, says the move follows years of frustration over limited faculty input on key decisions.

I think employees should have a voice in their workplace.

We have made, through the years, several attempts to raise our voice, our concerns, collaborate with the administration, but we have been quite ignored.

He says without a formal collective bargaining structure, faculty lacked a meaningful voice in decision-making.

The union will represent faculty of all ranks across University Park and Commonwealth campuses.

And during Mental Health Awareness Month, Indiana youth advocates say strong relationships and supportive adults can improve teen mental health.

We get more from our Joe Ullori.

Data from the Indiana Youth Institute show nearly 30% of Indiana students in grades 7 through 12 reported feeling sad or depressed for at least two weeks in 2024.

Nearly 14% said they had considered suicide.

Tammy Silverman with the Indiana Youth Institute says small everyday moments can help protect kids from deeper struggles.

So this can be a family dinner without phones.

It can be a mentor who comes back time and time again.

It can be a coach.

Supporters say schools and community groups are expanding counseling and mentoring programs.

Some critics argue schools should stay focused on academics and leave other responsibilities to families.

Mental health experts believe support at home and school often work best together.

Finally, communities across Minnesota will soon see an infusion of state aid for public works projects.

It's from a new bonding bill that was cleared by lawmakers during the spring session.

State lawmakers agreed on a $1.2 billion package to help finance projects like wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

Representative Few Lee of Minneapolis says those types of investments will save money for residents because local entities won't have to foot all of the bill.

He says there's other spending that will benefit all of Minnesota.

We have funding to protect our natural resources, to protect our assets through the DNR, our state parks and trails.

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, which represents state workers, says the package funds many of its members' needs, although often at lower levels than desired.

MAPE also noted the exclusion of an infrastructure project serving the state-owned St. Peter Regional Treatment Center.

But the union applauded money for the Faribault Vocational Programs Building, citing the importance of inmate and staff safety.

I'm Mike Moen.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service.

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