PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - January 8, 2026

What's behind the highly unusual move to block Minnesota officials from investigating ICE shooting; Report: WA State driver data still flows to ICE; Amazon data centers worsen nitrate pollution in eastern OR; Child development experts lament new Lego tech-filled Smart Bricks.

Epstein files: Reps ask judge to appoint monitor to ensure all documents released; US Border agents shoot, wound two people in Portland, city officials say; Under ICE tensions, MN faith leaders lean into community mission; IN death penalty bill stirs controversy, contradictions; Report: Political debates causing more stress, ending friendships.

2 dead, 6 wounded in shooting outside LDS church in Salt Lake City; Woman killed by ICE agent in Minneapolis was a mother of 3, poet and new to the city; Texas AFT files federal lawsuit to protect free speech; New bill would shield WA immigrant workers from surprise raids; Colorado food pantries face rising demand amid federal disruptions.

Fatal shooting in MN fuels calls for ICE to scale back its presence; New US dietary guidelines urge less sugar, more protein and make a nod to beef tallow; FL dives into national redistricting fight, prompting partisan and legal clash; NYS bill requiring K-12 education of Jan. 6th attack is reintroduced; New USPS postmark rule could affect MT Native voters.

Trump administration freezes billions in social services funding to five Democratic states; House GOP faces internal divisions, challenges on agenda and questions from Trump; Eastern Kentuckians say proposed rate hikes will further hurt region; SD expert helps make sense of U.S. military action in Venezuela; Free or low-cost ways Oregonians can save on heating bills.

White House posts false Jan. 6 narrative on riot's 5th anniversary; Report: Big finance fueling climate crisis beyond tipping point; CA scores poorly on many issues in 2026 Children's Report Card; Voting rights groups brace for more federal interventions in 2026.

Stephen Miller asserts U.S. has right to take Greenland; Budget cuts loom as Kentucky general assembly session begins; Filling Colorado's labor gap through non degree credentials; New year, new minimum wage for Missouri workers.

Hegseth starts proceedings against Sen. Mark Kelly over his remarks; AR public school enrollment falls as vouchers are available to all; IN coal plants benefit from EPA pause; Vigils outside MA ICE facility attract growing number of activists; Postal changes threaten rural mail-in voters in FL, advocates say.

After Maduro, who's next? Trump spurs speculation about his plans for Greenland, Cuba and Colombia; Michiganders brace for higher health insurance premiums this new year; Report: Second chance hiring has lasting community benefits; Lower drug costs for OR seniors are here.

Denmark tells Trump to stop threatening to seize Greenland; Santa Fe links minimum wage to high cost of housing; ME small businesses, older adults struggle to cover new ACA premiums; Student loan wage garnishment set to resume for Georgians in default; 'You got this day': resources for Wisconsinites to quit smoking.