News from around the nation.

India warns Trump over major Russian oil tariffs; a new report finds that federal budget cuts impede gains for New Mexico's tribal colleges, and schools that listen to students can foster democracy.

Transcript

The Public News Service Thursday afternoon update.

I'm Mike Clifford.

India's foreign ministry says it told Washington that new measures to levy tariffs over the purchase of Russian oil could impact bilateral ties.

Reuters notes the U.S. is India's top export destination, with good shipments rising to almost $43 billion this summer.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. House passed a sweeping sanctions and tariffs bill.

The bill now sent to President Trump authorizes him to impose stiff tariffs of up to 100%. on China, India, and other countries to reduce their demand on Russian energy.

Meantime, there were very few pandemic upsides, but one shone a spotlight on the critical needs faced by Native American communities.

Yet six years later, investment needed to build long-term economic sustainability has faltered.

A new report from the American Indian College Fund and the Brookings Institution finds tribal colleges and universities are delivering strong returns for their communities, but inconsistent federal and philanthropic funding makes it harder for schools to plan for long-term success.

Navajo Technical University President Elmer Guy says Native students are eager to make a contribution.

To solve some of the problems that we are faced with, with water, with the environment, with technology now.

As Indigenous nations, we have to solve our own problems and then keep these professionals home for them to give back.

The report said federal funding for tribal campuses fell more than 7% over the past decade.

I'm Roz Brown.

Next, Texas has officially recorded 49 triple-digit days this year.

As the hottest summer on record nears its end, environmentalists are concerned.

Politicians are putting climate change on the back burner.

Luke Metzger with Environment Texas says it hasn't been proven that including climate change and campaigning has impacted politicians. and Texans need lawmakers who will address extreme weather that's impacting the state.

We're the number one state in the country for billion-plus-dollar disasters, and scientists are connecting all of that to climate change.

We experienced horrific flooding in the hill country.

We're breaking records for extreme heat.

He admits that climate change is not the number one issue for Texans and other Americans, but says people are still concerned about it.

I'm Freda Ross reporting.

And California students are ready to speak out and get involved on campus, and schools can do a lot to make them feel heard, according to a new data brief from San Francisco-based Youth Truth.

Camilla Valerio with Youth Truth recommends schools encourage a strong connection between teachers and students.

We really want the schools to ask themselves, do students have opportunities to use their voice?

Researchers surveyed 35,000 students from across the country and found that 14% of high school students and 10% of middle school students feel they lack a civic voice.

This is Public News Service.

A nonprofit in Oregon is helping to make sure people in small communities in eastern Oregon are able to access the same money and energy-saving home upgrades and incentives as their urban neighbors.

Research from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy finds rural residents spend 40% more than city dwellers on their energy bills relative to income.

Dawson Larman is with Wallowa Resources, which offers free home energy assessments in Baker, Union, and Wallowa counties.

He says doing home improvement projects and navigating which incentives are available can be complicated.

We try to take that burden off of those homeowners by scheduling times with contractors, Working with Energy Trust to see what the incentive may be and just take a proactive role to assist wherever we can.

Larman says Wallowa Resources can help with a range of projects like adding more insulation to an attic or retrofitting a heating system.

He adds the program is not just for homes.

People can also get their farms and businesses assessed for efficiency.

I'm Isobel Charle.

And it's pretty aggravating to have to call a half dozen doctors just to find one that takes your insurance.

A new bill on Governor Gavin Newsom's desk aims to solve that problem.

Assembly Bill 280 creates a centralized database that insurers must use to keep their in-network listing up to date.

Jennifer Robles with Health Access California says right now, people routinely encounter providers who are no longer in-network, aren't accepting new patients, have incorrect contact information, or are otherwise unavailable.

Some provider directories can be about 80% inaccurate, others 20-30% error rate.

And that really delays a consumer's access to care.

Insurers have been required to maintain accurate directories for a decade, but stubborn errors have persisted.

I'm Suzanne Potter.

According to the legislative analysis, the bill faces opposition from California Association of Health Plans and the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies.

Finally, folks in Minnesota have until September 30th to make use of a digital tool that helps households navigate new Medicaid work requirements.

The U.S. Census Bureau has released its annual summary of household income, poverty, and health coverage.

Median incomes last year topped $87,000, the highest on record, but the holistic poverty rate was unchanged, and Stephen Durloff of the Stone Center for Research on Wealth and Equality and Mobility says 2025's tax and policy bill, H.R. 1, isn't showing up yet in the numbers.

These data do not fully capture the ways in which Medicaid and SNAP have been reduced, so I expect those numbers to get worse next year.

The new Medicaid work requirements begin January 1st.

I'm Mike Moen.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service.

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