News from around the nation.

13 people injured in a Mass Shooting this weekend at a lakeside party in OK; Washington voting experts call for systemic change after SCOTUS ruling; During appreciation week, Connecticut teachers call for policy help; the Missouri area labeled ‘maternal desert’ draws $250,000 investment.

Transcript

The Public News Service Monday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

First, Oklahoma, where authorities say at least 13 people were hurt in a mass shooting during a party at a campground in Oklahoma on Sunday night.

Edmond Police spokesperson Emily Ward said the mass shooting occurred around 9 p.m.

Central Time at a campground near Arcadia Lake, about 13 miles north of Oklahoma City, at a gathering of what appeared to be young adults.

The incident in Edmond was the 131st mass shooting in the U.S. so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Meantime, civic engagement leaders in Washington call on the state to adopt ranked choice voting as a way to secure voting rights after changes to the Federal Voting Rights Act.

Last week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling found a majority black district in Louisiana to be unconstitutional, and critics of the decision say it will lead to less representation for people of color across the country.

Neelu Jenks with Fair Vote Washington says it does not serve the country's democracy to keep fighting over redistricting.

The answer is reforming our electoral system.

It has not been serving us.

We all feel it's not serving us.

It is driving political violence.

We deserve to have a system that gives people more voice and more choice, and that's proportional ranked choice voting.

Ranked choice allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one.

A ranked choice bill in the state legislature meant for local governments failed to advance this session.

Common critiques of this idea include it being complicated while delaying results.

I'm Isobel Charle.

Next, teachers in Connecticut and nationwide are being celebrated during Teacher Appreciation Week.

This includes special luncheons, discounts for educators, and more.

While educators recognize these forms of gratitude, they're also demanding action, with the federal government again proposing sweeping changes to the Department of Education.

There are new proposals to cut funding for efforts like addressing teacher shortages.

Becky Pringle with the National Education Association says vulnerable students are being left behind.

This administration has decided it's not going to take care of our kids and make sure they have what they need every day to create a safe, just, and inclusive, exciting, joyful learning environment.

The latest cuts stem from President Donald Trump's executive order to dismantle the Department of Education.

The White House contends school policy is best left to the states.

Connecticut teachers say they're seeing appreciation from legislators.

I'm Edwin J. Viera.

And UnitedHealthcare and its partners are investing $250,000 to help improve maternal health in southeastern Missouri's boot heel.

Where infant mortality rates are among the highest, reaching up to 11 deaths per 1,000 births, Jamie Bruce is with UnitedHealthcare.

Access to prenatal and postpartum care really shouldn't depend on somebody's zip code or income. and we really think it's important to listen to families and providers.

The region faces major gaps in prenatal care with many expectant mothers unable to access first trimester services.

This is Public News Service.

More than a half million folks in Maine are starting their week eligible for a paid family and medical leave program should they or a loved one experience a major life event.

Employees began contributing to the program through a 1 percent payroll tax last year and can now apply for up to 12 weeks off to care for an ailing parent or a newborn without fear of losing their job.

Dusty Homan Sprague, executive director of the Maine Women's Lobby, says she herself was forced to choose between earning a paycheck or caring for her 8-week-old child.

With this program, now there's the comfort and reassurance of knowing that people don't have to make those kinds of hard choices anymore.

The program also applies to workers in need of safe or military leave.

Maine is now the 14th state to offer a paid family and medical leave program, along with the District of Columbia.

I'm Katherine Carley.

And Idaho is one of the five U.S. states without state-funded preschool and instead emphasizes local and private solutions.

That's despite increased spending by other states.

According to the latest State of Preschool report from the National Institute for Early Education Research, Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Wyoming don't fund public preschool programs.

Nicole Kreiner with the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children says that doesn't mean the state is doing nothing for early childhood education.

Idaho really has taken a parent choice approach for early learning opportunities.

And what I mean by that is we really value the opportunity for parents to provide those for early years, that foundation for early learning.

Universal Public Preschool remains a complex topic in Idaho, with polls showing public support for expanding early learning options.

Idaho's legislature, however, has shied away from debating it.

This year, a budget committee turned down $16 million in federal grant money intended to expand child care availability.

I'm Laura Hatch reporting.

Finally, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal is up for renegotiation in July.

The Magnolia State exports billions of dollars in products to Mexico and Canada, including transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, and chemicals.

President Donald Trump replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement with the USMCA during his first term.

Katie Hettinga with the Rethink Trade Program at the American Economic Liberties Project says a new report from her team shows the agreement doesn't live up to the president's promises.

Trump said the deal would create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, that offshoring would end and U.S. industry would be revitalized, that the deal will fix our giant trade balance.

The USMCA simply has not delivered.

I'm Freda Ross reporting.

This is Mike Clifford.

Thank you for starting a week with Public News Service.

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