Six minutes of news from around the nation.

Research shows the economy is top of mind for midterm voters in Arkansas, the economy and immigration raids could sway undecided Catholic voters, and a group spurs low-income, infrequent Maryland voters to the polls.

TRANSCRIPT

The Public News Service Daily Newscast for November the 2nd, 2026.

I'm Mike Clifford.

As folks in Arkansas head to the polls tomorrow for the midterm elections, a Pew Research poll shows the cost of household essentials are a top economic concern for voters.

More than 500,000 registered voters cast early ballots in Arkansas, an increase from 2024.

J. Michael Collins with the Institute for Research on Poverty says ongoing economic strain is driving people to the polls.

One of the responses that voters might have is throw the bombs out.

And frankly, I think there's a concern, too, that maybe voters sit this one out.

But that anxiety might turn the other way and we might see higher turnout than we typically would in a midterm election.

The survey shows Americans are worried about the price of gas and energy.

The price of gasoline in Arkansas is below the national average at $3.78 a gallon.

Some counties with the most expensive gas are Montgomery, Boone, and Newton.

I'm Freda Ross reporting.

Next, undecided Catholic voters in Massachusetts and across the U.S. reliably turn out for elections.

A new survey reveals today's affordability crisis could determine how they'll vote on Tuesday.

The Catholic social justice and advocacy organization Network surveyed more than 500 predominantly white and mostly male Catholic voters. 70 percent said the cost of living is their top concern, followed by health care and issues related to older adults.

Network's executive director, Lori Carafone, says these voters view issues through a religious lens but are open to solutions from both parties.

We heard over and over values that are aligned with Catholic social teaching, such as care for their families, ensuring that everyone has enough food to eat.

The survey found the more undecided Catholic voters attend mass or other events at their parish, the more their religious beliefs inform their views on everything from race to climate change.

Nearly two-thirds of regular church attendees also view the environment as a highly religious issue.

I'm Catherine Carley.

And a voter mobilization initiative is aiming to get millions of low-income, infrequent voters to cast their ballots in this year's midterm elections, including residents of Maryland.

The big effort is organizing 1,000 marches to the polls nationwide, with more than a dozen in Maryland.

Bishop William Barber is the president of the Repairers of the Breach.

Because by not voting, you then allow people to take the government and use it in ways that is actually a form of political violence against poor, low-wage persons, marginalized communities.

Residents of low-income households made up the largest share of non-voters in the country in 2024 at 46%.

This is Public News Service.

Dolores Horta, who died last week at the age of 96, spent seven decades advancing human rights, one cause at a time.

Horta was born in the historic mining camp of Dawson, New Mexico in 1930, and went on to become one of America's most influential labor and civil rights leaders.

In recent years, she encouraged people, particularly Latino citizens and working families, to exercise their right to vote.

We know that democracy cannot work unless we all engage, And we have so many issues right now that are so important to all of us.

We have to let our voices be heard and invite other people to also join us because democracy doesn't work unless everybody engages.

A public memorial service for WERTA is pending.

I'm Roz Brown.

And tribal college leaders in North Dakota say a $70 million gift to expand higher education in Indian country will be earth-shifting for institutions that have long operated with limited resources.

The American Indian College Fund announced a seven-year plan to strengthen tribal institutions backed by a gift from Yieldgiving, the philanthropic organization of Mackenzie Scott.

Twyla Baker, president of Nweta Hidasta Saknicksh College, says in her 12-year tenure as president, she's never seen a gift this size.

Baker says it'll provide benefits well beyond her campus, supporting not only individual learners, but also communities and rural economies.

We can change lives with what we do on tribal college campuses.

An investment of this nature, you can almost not get a return on your investment.

Baker says every dollar invested in tribal colleges and universities returns $1.60 in tax revenue and public sector savings.

The funding will support scholarships, professional development, administrative resources, and broader institutional needs for TCUs around the country.

I'm Judith Ruiz Branch reporting.

Finally, instead of spending more than $268 billion to deport immigrants, Colorado could add nearly 20,000 teachers, 17,000 firefighters, and 15,000 nurses to its workforce.

Nationally, it's enough to cover the cost of medical care for 5 million veterans and a host of other programs.

That's according to a new calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute.

Senior economist Ben Zipperer says the cost of the Trump administration's mass deportation program could pay for what many American voters see as priorities.

Instead of funding mass deportations, we could pay for health insurance for nearly 12 million people or fund nearly 10 million public housing units or have paid parental leave for 6 million parents.

Instead, we're demonizing immigrants.

I'm Eric Galatas.

The National Domestic Workers Alliance says at least 30% of workers who care for seniors and people with disabilities are immigrants.

This is Mike Clifford for Public News Service, member and listener supported.

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