Six minutes of news from around the nation.

The Trump administration floats new ways to lower diesel fuel costs, the Indiana death penalty faces renewed scrutiny after Tennessee's failure, and the Farm Bill expires, leaving West Virginia farmers in limbo.

TRANSCRIPT

The Public News Service Daily Newscast, October the 6th, 2026.

I'm Mike Clifford.

Even as President Donald Trump labels affordability a democratic hoax, he is taking action on the sky-high prices for diesel fuel.

Reuters notes the diesel prices shot to a record of about $6.50 a gallon last month, and they are a risk to Trump ahead of the November 3rd elections.

Prices for trucking goods have risen in response to the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

They note the order is expected to contain a variety of ways to expand access to diesel, which could include making more available so-called red-dye diesel fuel, which is used by the ag industry and by some off-road vehicles.

That's according to sources.

And a failed execution attempt in Tennessee is renewing calls for Indiana to reconsider the death penalty.

Our Joe Ulori has the story.

Tennessee's governor halted executions and ordered an independent review after two failed attempts to execute Christina Pike.

Indiana Abolition Coalition Executive Director Stephanie Anderson says the problems in Tennessee raise concerns here.

There are issues with lethal injection drugs.

There are issues with executions using drugs.

We don't need the death penalty to keep us safe.

Indiana uses the same lethal injection drug as Tennessee and is preparing for another execution November 5th, Indiana has executed three inmates over the past two years.

Governor Mike Braun's office declined to say whether it has asked the Department of Correction to review its procedures following the problems in Tennessee.

This story was produced with original reporting from Tim Spears for WISH-TV.

Indiana is scheduled to execute Jeffrey Weishite November 5th for the 2010 murders of 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch and 5-year-old Caleb Lynch in Vandenberg County.

The Indiana Parole Board will consider his request for clemency during hearings October the 16th and 19th.

And the Farm Bill has now officially expired.

The package of federal legislation governs how land is used.

It determines resources for farmers and sets funding for federal nutrition programs.

More on the story from our Nadia Ramligan.

Experts say it could be weeks before a new bill is crafted.

Gina Palantino with the Food Research and Action Network says stalled farm bill progress leaves the future of SNAP even more uncertain.

Last year's federal budget reconciliation law implemented changes that made it more difficult to obtain benefits, took away benefits for non-citizens and made major changes to how states pay for the program.

And for the first time in history, it created a cost share where the SNAP benefits, instead of being at 100 percent, We're now going to be paid by the states depending on the percentage of their payment error rates.

West Virginia producers specifically rely on the federal farm bill for conservation funding, disaster relief, crop support and financial relief for market pressures.

This is Public News Service.

A new proposal in North Dakota would give public school teachers an annual bonus in an effort to keep more educators in the classroom.

The Support Teachers and Youth Succeed or Stays stipend would initially give eligible teachers about $3,400 a year.

Landon Schmeigel, a social studies teacher at Legacy High School in Bismarck, says teachers are struggling to make ends meet.

While he says the proposed bonus isn't life-changing, he thinks it could work toward helping educators like him stay in the profession.

Currently, my daycare expenses are three times the price of my mortgage.

I have a graduate's degree and I live paycheck to paycheck. $3,500 isn't the lottery, but it's a step in the right direction.

The proposal comes as North Dakota continues to face severe teacher shortages, with state officials announcing a critical scarcity across every subject and grade level this school year.

I'm Judith Ruiz Branch reporting.

And it's time now to consider health insurance options during upcoming open enrollment periods.

Insurance experts suggest taking time and choosing plans that best fit each family's needs.

Open enrollment periods can vary depending on employer, but they typically last for about two weeks and take place sometime in the fall.

Dr. Rhonda Randall with UnitedHealthcare says when it comes to selecting a health plan, it's important to start early.

The most common thing we see is people wait too late and then they feel like they're cramming for a big test to make this very important decision.

And it can be really tempting to just renew what you already have, but the coverage you currently have might not be the best coverage for you next year.

UnitedHealthcare has published an online guide to help choose the best insurance plan through your employer.

Check with your human resources department to determine when the open enrollment period is.

For those shopping through the federal marketplace, the enrollment period for Affordable Care Act coverage is from November 1st to January 15th.

I'm Mark Moran.

Finally, caregivers, their clients and immigrant rights groups are calling on Washington lawmakers to use emergency funds.

So thousands of lawfully present refugees and asylees can retain their health care in the face of federal cuts.

About 11,000 immigrants, many of whom are elders and people with disabilities, lost their Apple health insurance on October 1st through H.R. 1, the Trump administration's sweeping tax cut and spending bill.

Li Qi P. Long with Northwest Health Law Advocates says the loss of funding will not just harm immigrants, but will ripple out to everyone in the state.

When people lose medical insurance, their medical needs don't just go away.

More people end up in emergency rooms and on the street.

So far, over 50,000 Washingtonians have lost their Medicaid, CHIP, or ACA coverage, according to Georgetown University, due to cuts and price increases.

The White House argues H.R. 1 protects and strengthens Medicaid while eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.

I'm Isobel Charle.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service.

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