Essential food services for infants and children could expire at the end of the year. Take action.

Right now, the state and local agencies that administer the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) have temporary flexibilities that allow them to enroll families by phone or video appointment and load benefits remotely. However, without congressional action, the future of those flexibilities is uncertain. Without them, young families could face more barriers to accessing healthy food, nutrition services and breastfeeding support. Congress can fix this by providing permanent authority for flexible WIC services in any Continuing Resolution (CR) before the end of the year (a CR is a must-pass funding bill to keep the government open after December 11, 2026).

As the season of Advent nears, Christians are reminded of Mary, who proclaimed through her song, the Magnificat, that God fills the hungry with good things (Luke 1:53). Her witness continues to call us to ensure that all families have access to the nourishment they need to thrive.

Through ELCA World Hunger and congregational food ministries, the ELCA accompanies families who count on WIC for formula, healthy food and breastfeeding support. For a new mother without transportation, paid leave or ability to leave their in-person job to make a faraway appointment, virtual confirmation from a WIC administrator can be the difference between a child being fed and going hungry. If the waivers are allowed to lapse, it could have a profound impact on rural families in particular, who often need to travel much farther to make appointments in person.

Take action today.

Customize your comment with your lived or ministry experience and values.

Contact your lawmakers today. Customize your message with your experiences and values.

Find your Member of Congress Here

Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro, 202-224-3542, https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/

Senator Jackie Rosen, 202-224-6244, https://www.rosen.senate.gov/

Rep. Dina Titus, (202)-225-5965, https://titus.house.gov/

Rep. Mark Amodei, (202)-225-6155, https://amodei.house.gov/

Rep. Susie Lee, (202)-225-3252, https://susielee.house.gov/

Rep Steven Horsford, (202)-225-9894, https://horsford.house.gov/

If you would like to schedule time with your legislator, please reach out to Pastor Paul,and he is willing to work with ELCA Advocacy Partners to secure a time.

Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada urges congregations in immigrant communities to remind those to know their rights, have family preparedness plans in place, and be aware of ICE officers in plainclothes and unmarked vehicles.

If ICE comes to your home, you have the right to:

• See a warrant BEFORE you open the door. You have the right to refuse to allow ICE or police to enter your home unless the officers show a court warrant signed by a judicial officer (usually a judge).

• A warrant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is never enough! You have the right to ask ICE to slide

the warrant under the door so you can inspect it. You do not have to open the door until they do. If it is an arrest warrant, it must be signed by a judicial officer and have your name on it. If it is a search warrant, it must be signed by a judicial officer and have the exact address of your home. If you open the door to ICE without a court warrant, this may be seen as giving “consent” to have your home entered and searched.

• Remain silent. Present the Rights Card to officers. If you talk about your immigration status, your country of origin or how you got to the U.S., this information could be used against you.

NOTE: ICE agents can and do lie in order to gain entrance to your home.

Know Your Rights: https://nvimmigrantcoalition.org/

A federal judge has ruled that people with disabilities or serious health conditions do not have to prove they are unable to work to qualify for the “medically frail” exemption from new Medicaid work requirements.

Nevada was one of the states that challenged the federal guidance. The judge found that requiring people to prove their condition also prevents them from working could make it harder for eligible Nevadans to keep their coverage and continue receiving care.

This is an important step for people managing serious or complex health conditions. But the broader Medicaid work requirements are still scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027. Most adults covered through Medicaid expansion will still need to meet the monthly work, education, or community activity requirements unless they qualify for an exemption. Some paperwork rules also remain in place.

We should keep watching how Nevada Medicaid responds and make sure people get clear information about their coverage. Access to health care should not depend on a person being able to navigate a maze of paperwork while managing a serious illness.

Read More: Nevada Current

Microplastics have been found in freshly fallen snow across the Sierra Nevada, including in remote locations. This raises questions for Nevada, where the Sierra Nevada snowpack supplies much of Northern Nevada’s freshwater. The study does not tell us how much plastic reaches drinking water or what the health impacts may be. We need careful research, ongoing monitoring, and a commitment to care for the water and land we share.

Read more from the Nevada Current

The following resource provides guidance and inspiration for Lutheran Office for World Community response to challenges affecting the world today through advocacy, public voice, policy and political engagements. Learn more from the new resource linked in the comments below