--:-- Giles Snyder: This message comes from NPR sponsor Odoo. Some describe Odoo like a magic beanstalk because it scales with you and is magically affordable. Odoo, exactly what a business needs. Sign up at odoo.com. That's O-D-O-O dot com.
--:-- Giles Snyder: Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder.
--:-- [Sound of newsroom in the background]
--:-- Giles Snyder: The Trump administration's surge of immigration agents to Charlotte, North Carolina, drew hundreds of protesters to a city park.
--:-- [Sound of crowd in the background]
--:-- Giles Snyder: We are building a united front to fight back, protect our neighbors, and drive this violent operation out of our city.
--:-- [Sound of crowd chanting]
--:-- Carlos Magana: It's terrifying to pretty much know that at any moment a federal agent can just come out and abuse you just because of the way you look.
--:-- Giles Snyder: The surge in Charlotte began Saturday. There have been no major clashes, but Carlos Magana, who lives in nearby Concord, says people are afraid to leave their homes.
--:-- [Sound of newsroom in the background]
--:-- Giles Snyder: The Homeland Security Department says the surge is aimed at ensuring public safety, but Charlotte's Democratic mayor says it's causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty.
--:-- [Sound of newsroom in the background]
--:-- Jerry Clayton: In an unusual move, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the state Higher Education Coordination Board.
--:-- Jerry Clayton: Texas Public Radio Jerry Clayton has more.
--:-- Jerry Clayton: The suit argues that three state work programs violate the First Amendment. The programs the Texas College Work Program the Works Internship Program and the Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Program, bar participants from engaging in sectarian activities or enrolling in seminary studies.
--:-- Jerry Clayton: Paxton says the restrictions amount to unconstitutional discrimination against religious students and exclude religious organizations that offer only sectarian work opportunities.
--:-- Jerry Clayton: Paxton called the rules, quote, anti-Christian.
--:-- Jerry Clayton: The programs provide more than $8 million in state funding to financially disadvantaged college students with jobs both on and off campus.
--:-- Jerry Clayton: I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio.
--:-- [Sound of newsroom in the background]
--:-- Giles Snyder: Southern California is beginning a soaking this weekend, and the National Weather Service says even more rain is on the way.
--:-- Giles Snyder: The forecast calling for additional heavy rain for tomorrow, prompting concerns for additional flash flooding and rock slides.
--:-- [Sound of newsroom in the background]
--:-- Hansi Lo Wang: U.S. Postal Service says it's planning to make changes after ending another fiscal year with a net loss in the billions.
--:-- Hansi Lo Wang: NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports that USPS is proposing to increase shipping prices next year to help stabilize its finances.
--:-- Hansi Lo Wang: Even though it's a government agency, the U.S. Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars and relies on stamp and service fees to keep running.
--:-- Hansi Lo Wang: In the past fiscal year USPS had a net loss of billion. That down about a half billion dollars compared to the previous year in part because of drops in transportation and workers' compensation expenses.
--:-- Hansi Lo Wang: Postmaster General David Steiner says in the new year, he hopes to increase shipping services, especially in rural areas that private companies don't serve, and improve delivery times.
--:-- Hansi Lo Wang: Service is still not where we expect it to be, nor is it what our customers deserve.
--:-- Hansi Lo Wang: Starting in mid-January, the cost of shipping with USPS may go up between 5 and 8 percent, but a first-class forever stamp is staying at 78 cents, at least for a few more months.
--:-- Hansi Lo Wang: Hansi Luang, NPR News.
--:-- Giles Snyder: And you're listening to NPR News.
--:-- [Sound of newsroom in the background]
--:-- Giles Snyder: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine is working to resume prisoner exchanges with Russia.
--:-- Giles Snyder: Zelensky made the announcement in a social media video a day after his national security chief announced progress in negotiations for the release of 1,200 Ukrainians.
--:-- Giles Snyder: Meanwhile, Zelensky is promising an overhaul of state-owned energy companies following a corruption scandal.
--:-- Giles Snyder: Several of those implicated have ties to Zelensky.
--:-- [Sound of newsroom in the background]
--:-- Jason DeRose: LGBTQ Catholics are speaking out against new bans on gender care at Catholic hospitals.
--:-- Jason DeRose: NPR Jason Rose reports on the situation and says the move further dehumanizes the reports that the group say the move further dehumanizes an already marginalized group.
--:-- Jason DeRose: This week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops passed rules that prohibit Catholic hospitals from performing gender-affirming care for transgender people.
--:-- Jason DeRose: Those treatments include hormone therapy and surgeries.
--:-- Jason DeRose: The rules also bar Catholic hospitals from referring patients elsewhere for these treatments.
--:-- Jason DeRose: The LGBTQ Catholic group Dignity USA says the bishop's decision will cause, quote, tremendous harm to individuals and families.
--:-- Jason DeRose: Dignity USA argues the ban on gender-affirming care undermines transgender people's ability to live the abundant life Jesus spoke of in the Gospels.
--:-- Jason DeRose: Jason DeRose, NPR News.
--:-- Giles Snyder: Voters in Chile going to the polls today in the first round of a presidential election in which crime and immigration are among top concerns.
--:-- Giles Snyder: And in Ecuador, voters are deciding today whether to once again allow foreign military bases as part of the fight against drug trafficking.
--:-- Giles Snyder: Critics cite sovereignty concerns.
--:-- Giles Snyder: I'm Giles Snyder, NPR News.
--:-- Giles Snyder: This message comes from Mint Mobile. Starting at $15 a month, make the switch at mintmobile.com slash switch.
--:-- Giles Snyder: $45 upfront payment for three months. Five gigabyte plan equivalent to $15 a month. Taxes and fees extra. First three months only. See terms.
