Republican U.S. Representative Clay Higgins received criticism after suggesting that people on SNAP, a food assistance program, should not receive help again if they do not have a month's worth of groceries saved, adding, "stop smoking crack." SNAP benefits might stop on November 1 if the government shutdown continues, affecting nearly 42 million Americans.
Key Facts
Clay Higgins, a Republican Congressman from Louisiana, is facing backlash for his comments about SNAP recipients.
He said people who get SNAP benefits should have a month's worth of groceries saved and should not get help if they don't, adding, "stop smoking crack."
Nearly 42 million Americans rely on SNAP for food assistance.
If the government shutdown goes on, SNAP benefits may stop on November 1.
Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul of New York declared a state of emergency due to this potential interruption.
The comment sparked criticism for playing into stereotypes.
SNAP benefits average about $6.20 per person per day.
Legislators are debating bills to keep SNAP funded during government shutdowns.
A Fox News poll shows Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill leading Republican Jack Ciattarelli by 7 percentage points in the New Jersey governor's race, just days before the election. The election is important because it could affect party strategies and show how people feel about President Trump. The poll surveyed 956 likely voters and highlights differences in how supporters view the candidates.
Key Facts
Mikie Sherrill leads Jack Ciattarelli 52% to 45% in the poll.
The poll surveyed 956 likely voters between October 24 and October 28.
The poll has a margin of error of 3%.
New Jersey has not elected a Republican governor since 2013.
64% of Sherrill supporters say they are voting to express opposition to President Trump.
35% of Ciattarelli supporters say they are voting to support President Trump.
Sherrill's favorability rating increased from 51% to 54% this month.
President Trump has been active in influencing voter opinion through his statements on social media.
The U.S. Department of Justice has put two prosecutors, Samuel White and Carlos Valdivia, on leave after they called the participants in the January 6 Capitol attack a "mob of rioters." This decision is in line with actions by President Donald Trump's administration against prosecutors involved in cases he views unfavorably. President Trump has pardoned and commuted sentences for many involved in the January 6 event.
Key Facts
Two prosecutors were placed on leave by the Department of Justice for their language about the January 6 events.
The prosecutors were part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
New documents for a sentencing were filed without the January 6 references after the prosecutors were placed on leave.
President Trump pardoned over 1,500 people involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
14 other people involved in the events had their sentences reduced by President Trump.
President Trump has described the prosecutions as a "grave national injustice."
The January 6 attack was driven by false claims about the 2020 election.
More than 100 police officers were hurt, and multiple deaths were linked to the attack.
Democrat Rob Sand leads Republican Randy Feenstra in a poll for the upcoming Iowa governor race. The poll shows a close contest in a state that has supported President Donald Trump in previous elections. The competitive nature of the race is highlighted by factors like tariffs affecting Iowa's farming industry.
Key Facts
Rob Sand, a Democrat, is running for governor in Iowa and currently leads in a poll.
Sand is the incumbent state auditor and has won previous elections despite Iowa's conservative lean.
Randy Feenstra, a Republican and current U.S. Representative, is Sand's opponent in the race.
The recent poll, conducted by a Democratic-aligned firm, shows Sand with 45% support and Feenstra with 43%.
Iowa has traditionally been a swing state but has leaned Republican in recent elections, backing Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Tariffs impacting Iowa's farming industry could be a key issue affecting voter sentiment.
Iowa last elected a Democratic governor in 2006, and the Senate race there is also seen as potentially competitive.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the military to send 48 lawyers and 4 paralegals to the Justice Department for temporary assignments in Memphis and near the U.S.-Mexico border. This support will help handle immigration-related cases as part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to reinforce immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
The military is sending 48 lawyers and 4 paralegals to assist the Justice Department.
Assignments are planned for Memphis and locations near the U.S.-Mexico border.
The military lawyers will serve as special assistant U.S. attorneys.
The Trump administration has been using military resources to enhance immigration enforcement.
The Justice Department had previously requested 35 attorneys and 2 paralegals from the military.
There is no clear indication of the specific legal work these lawyers will perform.
Military attorneys typically handle a range of legal duties similar to civilian lawyers.
It is not yet clear how removing lawyers for this assignment might affect military justice systems.
President Donald Trump announced a new cap on the number of refugees the U.S. will admit for the fiscal year 2026, setting it at 7,500, the lowest in history. The majority of these spots are reserved for white Afrikaners from South Africa. This change is part of a larger plan to manage refugee resettlement through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Key Facts
The new refugee cap for the U.S. in 2026 is set at 7,500.
This is the lowest cap since the Refugee Act of 1980 was established.
President Trump has prioritized white Afrikaners from South Africa for these refugee slots.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will oversee refugee resettlement.
Trump previously attempted to pause the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Under President Biden, the annual refugee cap was 125,000.
As of now, there are 42.7 million refugees worldwide according to the UN.
Federal authorities announced charges against 20 people, including 14 current or former Mississippi law enforcement officers, for taking bribes from people they thought were drug traffickers. These officers allegedly provided protection for the transportation of drugs and money across Mississippi and Tennessee. Two sheriffs are accused of accepting bribes and disguising payments as campaign contributions.
Key Facts
20 people have been charged, including 14 law enforcement officers.
The charges involve a scheme to protect drug traffickers in exchange for bribes.
Two Mississippi sheriffs, Milton Gaston and Bruce Williams, were arrested.
Bribes went up to $37,000, according to officials.
An FBI agent posed as a drug cartel member to gather evidence.
The officers allegedly helped move 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of cocaine.
Sheriff Gaston reportedly tried to disguise bribe payments as donations.
Similar incidents of misconduct by Mississippi law enforcement have occurred in recent years.
New York Representative Elise Stefanik plans to run for governor of New York in 2026. She has a strong political team and financial backing as she seeks to become the first Republican governor in New York in over 20 years. Stefanik aims to attract voters who supported President Trump but not recent Republican candidates in New York.
Key Facts
Elise Stefanik is a New York Representative planning to run for governor in 2026.
She has over $13 million in campaign funds and is assembling an experienced campaign team.
Stefanik is working with advisers from President Trump's previous campaigns.
New York has seen a shift towards Republican votes in recent elections.
President Trump received significant support in New York during the last election.
Stefanik is focusing on issues like antisemitism, which may resonate with the state's Jewish community.
National Republicans conducted polls to identify a strong GOP candidate against Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul.
Stefanik previously gained attention by confronting college leaders about antisemitism during a House hearing.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the deployment of military lawyers to assist the Justice Department. The plan involves sending 48 lawyers and four paralegals to Memphis and the U.S.-Mexico border to support immigration enforcement efforts. This action is part of the Trump administration’s strategy to strengthen immigration controls.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive involving military lawyers.
The plan includes 48 attorneys and four paralegals.
These legal professionals will serve as special assistant U.S. attorneys.
Their deployment is temporary and lasts through next fall.
The lawyers are sent to Memphis and the U.S.-Mexico border.
The move aims to support federal immigration enforcement.
It is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration strategy.
The impact on the military's own justice system is not yet clear.
President Trump's administration finalized a change to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, defining which public service employers qualify for student loan forgiveness. The new rule will exclude organizations with illegal activities from the program, and it will become effective on July 1, 2026.
Key Facts
The Department of Education finalized a rule for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
PSLF forgives student loans after 10 years of public service work and payments.
President Trump signed an executive order to revise the program's criteria.
The new rule excludes employers with substantial illegal activities from qualifying.
The rule change is part of Trump's efforts to reform certain programs.
The new criteria will alert borrowers if their employer is disqualified.
Approximately 9 million borrowers are potentially eligible for PSLF.
President Trump has decided to reduce the number of refugees allowed into the United States each year. In other international news, violence in Sudan has resulted in many deaths, and authorities in France continue to investigate a major art heist.
Key Facts
President Trump is decreasing the annual number of refugees permitted to enter the U.S.
Reports from Sudan indicate that over 460 people died in a hospital attack by the RSF paramilitary force.
The Red Cross helped move the bodies of two Israeli hostages from Gaza.
French authorities have arrested five more individuals linked to a robbery at the Louvre Museum.
The government shutdown has now lasted for five weeks. There are important deadlines coming up, and these could lead to bigger problems if the shutdown continues.
Key Facts
The federal government has been shut down for one month.
Lisa Desjardins is reporting on the progress of resolving the shutdown.
The shutdown is creating more and more problems as time goes on.
Upcoming deadlines could lead to more serious issues if no resolution is found.
The report covers both the progress and consequences of the shutdown.
Senator Warner criticized the White House for not including Democrats in a briefing about military strikes on drug boats. The senator expressed concern over the lack of bipartisan communication on important security matters.
Key Facts
Senator Warner is upset about the exclusion of Democrats from a White House briefing.
The briefing was about military actions against boats involved in drug trafficking.
Bipartisan means involving both major U.S. political parties: Democrats and Republicans.
Warner believes such security issues should have input from both parties.
The White House has not publicly addressed these concerns.
The topic involves national security and international drug trafficking efforts.
Voters in Virginia are preparing to elect a new governor, and the election could show public opinion on President Trump's actions in his first 10 months in office. The outcome might also give hints about trends in the upcoming midterm elections across the U.S.
Key Facts
Virginians are voting for a new governor this Tuesday.
The governor's race results might reflect opinions on President Trump's early presidency.
The election could indicate voter trends for next year's midterm elections in the United States.
Voter reactions to the candidates and issues are being closely watched.
The election is seen as a potential predictor for national political shifts.
Body camera footage shows a Tennessee police officer visiting Larry Bushart's home after he posted a meme on Facebook related to a vigil for Charlie Kirk. Bushart was arrested and charged with threatening mass violence at a school, but the charges were later dropped. He was jailed for over a month before being released.
Key Facts
A Tennessee officer visited Larry Bushart’s home due to Facebook posts about a Charlie Kirk vigil.
Bushart posted a meme with President Trump’s quote, which authorities found concerning.
Bushart was charged with threatening school violence but charges were later dropped.
He was jailed for over a month before his release.
The Perry County Sheriff’s Department had contacted the Lexington Police to discuss the situation with Bushart.
Authorities believed Bushart's post could cause fear in the community.
Bushart declined to alter his post or clarify its intent before his arrest.
A father from Biloxi, Mississippi, revealed that he took $10,000 from his 4-year-old son's savings account to pay for multiple vacations. He admitted to the act on a financial podcast and showed no regret, explaining that he valued making memories with his son. Experts warn this act could harm the child's future financial security.
Key Facts
A father took $10,000 from his son's savings to pay for vacations.
The father openly shared this on the "Financial Audit with Caleb Hammer" podcast.
He spent the money on trips to New York, the Bahamas, and Disney World.
The savings were mostly made up of birthday money from the family.
Experts say this action could damage the child’s financial future.
The act is seen as financially harmful since it affects the growth of the child’s savings.
The father plans to continue vacationing despite criticism, expecting reimbursement for travel expenses.
Financial experts highlight that such actions, while not common, do occur and can negatively impact children’s future finances.
House Democrats are upset after a briefing on President Trump's strikes against alleged drug boats. They are frustrated because no lawyers were present to explain the legal basis for these actions. The administration has carried out these strikes claiming they target narcoterrorists, but they have not provided enough evidence to Congress.
Key Facts
House Democrats were briefed about strikes on alleged drug boats but were unhappy because lawyers were not there to explain the legal reasoning.
Senate Democrats were not included in the briefing.
The briefing was conducted by officials from the Pentagon and Joint Chiefs of Staff, but they could not answer legal questions.
Democrats want more evidence that the targets were drug smugglers and that the strikes were legal.
The administration claims the strikes are against narcoterrorists as part of a military campaign.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated that Democrats are trying to distract from other issues by criticizing the strikes.
President Trump declared the U.S. in "armed conflict" with drug cartels, giving him authority for such military actions.
Members from both parties have criticized the administration for conducting these strikes without Congress' approval.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a frost advisory for parts of central Alabama. Over 1 million residents are warned about temperatures dropping to the mid-30s, which can harm sensitive plants and affect outdoor activities.
Key Facts
The frost advisory affects central Alabama, covering 27 counties.
Temperatures may drop as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average low for this time of year is 48 degrees.
The advisory is in effect from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday.
Major cities included in the advisory are Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, and Selma.
Residents are advised to protect plants and bring sensitive items indoors to prevent frost damage.
Frost is likely to form under clear skies and light wind conditions.
Similar cold conditions are expected in other U.S. states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas.
The cold spell is expected to last until next week, with temperatures returning to normal and then potentially rising above average.
Millions of people in the U.S. could lose nutritional help as the government faces a shutdown, affecting food aid programs. Some states are stepping in to help with emergency funds, and there is legal action to try and keep the assistance going.
Key Facts
Food aid for millions in the U.S. might stop due to a government shutdown starting Saturday.
New York and other states declared emergencies to provide local assistance.
President Trump’s administration plans to stop food aid starting November 1, which is seen as unusual for a government shutdown.
This stoppage affects about 42 million people who rely on SNAP for food aid.
Twenty-five Democrat-led states have sued to keep SNAP funding, with a court hearing held in Massachusetts.
The USDA says it can no longer use emergency funds to support the program during the shutdown.
Organizations and states expect increased demand for food assistance due to this situation.
Civil society groups express concern about the harm to vulnerable groups.
President Donald Trump announced a new policy limiting refugee admissions to the U.S. to 7,500 people for the next fiscal year. The policy will give priority to white South Africans amid what is described as humanitarian concerns. This is a reduction from the previous limit of 125,000 set by former President Biden.
Key Facts
President Trump set the refugee admissions cap at 7,500 for the next fiscal year.
The policy prioritizes white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners.
The previous refugee limit was 125,000 under former President Biden.
The notice for the change cited "humanitarian concerns" and "national interest."
President Trump had earlier stopped the U.S. Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP).
Trump expressed concerns about white South African farmers facing violence and persecution.
The U.S. has faced criticism for focusing on one group while other refugees face danger.
The South African government has not officially responded to the new U.S. policy.
