A federal judge will decide if SNAP benefits, which help millions of Americans buy food, can continue despite a government shutdown. The Trump administration says these benefits might stop because there is no funding, but many states are suing to keep the assistance flowing.
Key Facts
A judge is about to make a decision on SNAP benefits, possibly preventing a cutoff on Saturday.
SNAP assists 42 million Americans with food purchasing.
The benefits might stop due to a federal government shutdown that started almost a month ago.
Democratic governors and attorneys general from about 24 states are suing to continue the benefits.
The judge questioned why the USDA's emergency fund isn't used, as it was intended for situations like a shutdown.
Even if the emergency fund is used, it covers only part of the needed amount for November.
Arranging partial payments for SNAP could delay and complicate the process for millions.
The New York City Police Department arrested David Mosley for allegedly planning an animal sacrifice on Halloween. He faces charges including animal cruelty and criminal mischief. The investigation is ongoing, and online posts about the incident have caused widespread concern.
Key Facts
David Mosley was arrested in the Bronx on charges related to animal cruelty.
The charges include two counts of criminal mischief and one count each of aggravated cruelty to animals and torturing an animal.
Social media users claimed Mosley killed a cat and planned to perform another animal sacrifice.
A post on Mosley’s Instagram, which has since been removed, showed a picture of a cat, causing public outcry.
Mosley denied killing the cat, claiming the image was staged with makeup and fake blood.
Local animal rescues warned against allowing Mosley to adopt pets.
The NYPD's Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad is looking into the social media posts.
The case has sparked significant backlash and concern on social media platforms.
The Trump administration has set a new limit of 7,500 refugees for admission into the U.S. for the current fiscal year, marking the lowest number since the program began in 1980. The focus is on admitting primarily Afrikaners from South Africa and others facing discrimination, while many refugee groups express concern about the changes and lack of resources.
Key Facts
The new refugee cap is set at 7,500 for the fiscal year.
This is the lowest refugee cap since the U.S. refugee program started in 1980.
The administration is focusing on admitting Afrikaners from South Africa.
Many refugee resettlement groups are concerned about limited resources and support.
The refugee program has been paused for most of the year, except for certain groups.
The previous cap under the Biden administration was 125,000.
Some refugee agencies have closed or reduced services due to budget and resource cuts.
The Trump administration has set a limit of 7,500 refugees to be admitted into the United States annually, with most being white South Africans. This new cap significantly reduces the previous limit of 125,000 refugees established under President Biden's administration.
Key Facts
The U.S. will admit only 7,500 refugees annually.
Most of these refugees will be from South Africa and are white.
This is a significant decrease from the 125,000 refugee limit set by the previous administration.
The change was announced in the Federal Registry.
The administration cited "humanitarian concerns" and "national interest" as reasons.
Refugee admissions have decreased since President Trump suspended the program on his first day in office.
Some groups that help resettle refugees have had to reduce staff due to lower refugee numbers.
The South African government disputes claims of discrimination and violence against white farmers.
Vice President JD Vance suggested reducing the number of people who legally immigrate to the U.S. He shared these views during an event at the University of Mississippi, where he also answered questions from students.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance spoke at the University of Mississippi about reducing legal immigration.
The event was organized by Turning Point USA.
Vance believes the U.S. should admit fewer legal immigrants than it currently does.
He did not specify an exact number when asked about his proposed reduction.
Vance criticized former President Joe Biden's immigration policies.
He expressed concern that too many immigrants could affect the social structure of the U.S.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker asked the Trump administration to halt immigration raids in Chicago during Halloween weekend. This request followed reports of a recent raid happening before a children's Halloween event, causing concerns about safety and disruption.
Key Facts
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wants immigration raids stopped in Chicago over Halloween weekend.
The request is addressed to key leaders at the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and Border Patrol.
Pritzker's concern is that children could be scared or harmed during Halloween celebrations.
The request comes after reports of a raid occurring before a children's parade in Chicago.
The Chicago community is worried about the safety and peace of Halloween events for kids.
Federal immigration agencies did not provide comments on the request.
A recent court ruling stated that ICE Commander Gregory Bovino does not need to report operations updates daily.
The article discusses the final push by supporters of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani ahead of the November 4 election. Mamdani's campaign focuses on issues like rent freezes and universal childcare, with significant support from volunteers and small donations. His lead in polls has sparked broader interest, especially in liberal political circles.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is running for mayor of New York City and has a lead in the polls.
His campaign focuses on affordability, including rent freezes and universal childcare.
Mamdani's campaign relies heavily on grassroots support and small donations.
Volunteers are actively working to get out the vote across New York City.
Mamdani opposes wealthy donor influence in politics and supports increasing taxes on wealthy New Yorkers.
He has been involved in activism, including a taxi worker hunger strike and protests against US funding for conflicts.
Mamdani is a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, which is not common in mainstream U.S. politics.
The National Weather Service has issued weather alerts for almost the entire U.S. coastline due to various storm systems. These alerts include warnings for hazardous ocean conditions on both the East and West Coasts. People are advised to stay cautious, especially regarding high waves and flooding.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service issued alerts for nearly the entire U.S. coastline.
A strong low-pressure system is affecting the East Coast, while storm systems and winds are affecting the West Coast.
Alerts include small craft advisories, high surf advisories, and coastal flood warnings.
The East Coast faces risks from strong winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding.
The West Coast is warned about hazardous ocean conditions, including rip currents and high waves.
People, especially inexperienced mariners, are advised to avoid navigating during these conditions.
Beachgoers are warned about high waves, which can pose risks like ocean drowning and capsizing small boats.
The alerts have different expiration times, with some lasting through the weekend.
President Trump has directed the immediate restart of U.S. nuclear weapons testing. This has caused concern among arms control experts, who say it could lead to international tension and is not necessary. Critics in Congress and arms control groups oppose this plan citing potential high costs and political consequences.
Key Facts
President Trump announced the U.S. will restart nuclear weapons testing.
The last U.S. nuclear test explosion occurred in 1992.
Experts argue this move could lead to other countries, like Russia and North Korea, restarting their own tests.
Restarting nuclear tests in Nevada could take up to 36 months and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Critics say there's strong opposition in Congress and expect new legislation to block the plan.
The U.S. signed a treaty in 1996 to ban all nuclear test explosions.
Critics say Trump's directive was addressed to the wrong federal department, showing a misunderstanding of the process involved.
The U.S. government shutdown continues into its fifth week, affecting millions of Americans as Democrats and Republicans cannot agree on a spending plan. Key impacts include potential loss of food assistance, delayed military pay, and challenges with heating aid during winter.
Key Facts
The government shutdown has lasted five weeks with no resolution in sight.
More than 40 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) for food, which may run out of funding by November 1.
Food assistance programs are stressed, and people are visiting aid organizations for help.
Over a million U.S. military members could miss paychecks without government intervention.
The Pentagon received a $130 million donation to help pay military salaries temporarily.
The White House intends to use various military funds to cover troop pay.
Six million Americans could miss receiving heating aid due to the shutdown.
Some states have barred utilities from cutting off heat to residents who cannot pay, but this does not cover all heating sources.
The U.S. government shutdown has stopped funding for the Medicare telehealth program, affecting patients who rely on virtual medical appointments. Many Medicare patients, especially older adults, are unable to access these services, impacting their healthcare.
Key Facts
The U.S. government shutdown has lasted five weeks and halted funding for Medicare telehealth.
Medicare telehealth allows patients to have virtual medical appointments from home.
Bill Swick, a patient with a rare brain disease, relies on telehealth for speech therapy.
Telehealth funding for Medicare stopped because Congress couldn't agree on a budget.
The lack of funding affects millions of Medicare patients who used telehealth.
The stoppage can prevent patients from maintaining continuous care for severe conditions.
Telehealth expansion during Trump's first term allowed more flexibility in accessing care.
Abigail Spanberger is leading Winsome Earle-Sears by 10 points in the Virginia gubernatorial race, according to a new poll. The poll reflects a shift toward Spanberger since August, where she had a smaller lead. The election is critical as a predictor for the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
Abigail Spanberger leads Winsome Earle-Sears by 10 points in a recent poll for the Virginia governor's race.
The poll was conducted by Roanoke College from October 22 to 27, surveying 1,041 likely voters.
The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 4.05 percentage points.
Spanberger had a 7-point lead in an August poll by the same college.
Virginia's gubernatorial race traditionally favors the party not in the White House.
Winsome Earle-Sears is aligned with President Donald Trump in this race.
Spanberger has a more comfortable lead than other Democrats in different state races.
Virginia has shown a shift toward Democratic candidates in recent elections.
The U.S. Senate voted to end a national emergency declared by President Donald Trump to impose global tariffs. Several Republican senators joined Democrats to support the measure, including those from Kentucky, Alaska, and Maine. The Senate also voted to repeal tariffs on Brazil and Canada earlier in the week.
Key Facts
The U.S. Senate voted 51-47 to end President Trump's national emergency on global tariffs.
Republican Senators Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell from Kentucky supported the measure.
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and Susan Collins from Maine also supported the measure.
Earlier in the week, the Senate voted 52-48 to repeal tariffs on Brazil.
The Senate voted 50-46 to repeal tariffs on Canada.
This decision involves reversing policies related to trade and tariffs set by President Trump.
The article discusses President Donald Trump's approach to governance, highlighting how he made government scandals more visible. It argues that Trump's actions are not new but have removed the polite pretenses of past administrations' practices.
Key Facts
The article focuses on President Donald Trump's governance style.
Trump is described as making political scandals openly visible.
Corruption is portrayed as existing before Trump, but less visible.
Past U.S. administrations also engaged in controversial actions, but they were often hidden under polite terms.
The article cites examples like government contracts and political donations benefiting wealthy individuals.
Immigration policies under Trump and Obama are compared, noting a continuation rather than a change in practice.
The piece suggests that Trump's actions are a revealing of existing systems, rather than a complete break from them.
A federal judge ruled that Bilal A. “Bill” Essayli, appointed by President Donald Trump as acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, was serving in that role unlawfully. The decision found that the Justice Department violated a law limiting how long someone can serve as an interim official without Senate confirmation. Despite this, the judge allowed ongoing cases signed by Essayli to continue.
Key Facts
Bilal A. Essayli was appointed by President Trump as acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California.
A federal judge ruled that Essayli served unlawfully because his temporary appointment had expired.
The ruling was based on the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, which limits the time someone can serve in an acting role without Senate confirmation.
Similar rulings have been made in New Jersey and Nevada against Trump-appointed prosecutors.
The judge decided ongoing cases handled by Essayli could continue since other authorized officials were involved.
Essayli stated he plans to remain in his position despite the ruling.
The Federal Public Defender’s Office expressed approval of the court’s decision, citing respect for constitutional order.
The Trump administration announced it will limit refugee admissions to 7,500 for the 2026 fiscal year. Most of the refugees will be white South Africans. This is a significant cut from the previous cap set by the Biden administration.
Key Facts
The Trump administration set a new refugee cap at 7,500 for 2026.
This is a decrease from the previous cap of 125,000 set by the Biden administration.
Most refugees admitted will be white South Africans.
The rationale for this new limit was described as based on "humanitarian concerns or national interest."
The announcement was made through the Federal Register.
The article is labeled as breaking news, suggesting more updates may follow.
President Donald Trump criticized former special counsel Jack Smith on social media for his investigation into election interference. Trump argued that Smith's investigation into the 2020 election was based on weak evidence and should be considered criminal. Smith was appointed to oversee investigations relating to Trump's first presidency.
Key Facts
President Trump criticized former special counsel Jack Smith on Truth Social.
Trump accused Smith of conducting an investigation with little evidence.
The investigation, called "Arctic Frost," looked into the 2020 election.
Smith was appointed by former Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022.
The investigation allegedly included obtaining phone call details from Republican lawmakers.
Trump called Smith a criminal and suggested he should be in jail.
The FBI has not confirmed the claims made about the investigation.
Trump has called for legal actions against several political figures he opposes.
The U.S. government shutdown is affecting military families, causing stress and uncertainty about whether they will receive their paychecks. Some families, like that of a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, are feeling mental strain from not knowing when their next payment will come.
Key Facts
The U.S. government is currently shut down, impacting many employees and military families.
Military families do not know if they will receive their paychecks during this period.
Alicia Blevins, whose husband is a Marine, is seeking therapy to cope with the stress.
Blevins describes feeling unprepared to handle the uncertainty and burden of the shutdown.
Camp Lejeune is a Marine base located near the coast of North Carolina.
Military members are responsible for their duties and may not want to worry their family members with additional stress.
Some supporters of President Trump are moving away from Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate for New York City's mayoral race, and instead backing Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent. A recent poll shows that Cuomo is gaining support from some Trump voters, although the Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani, currently leads the race overall.
Key Facts
Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate for New York City's mayoral race.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is running as an independent in the same race.
A new poll indicates 32% of Trump voters now support Cuomo, while 66% still back Sliwa.
Mamdani leads with 50% support among all New York City voters in the poll.
The poll included 640 likely voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8%.
Most Democrats, including 70% who supported Kamala Harris last election, plan to vote for Mamdani.
Sliwa and Cuomo are competing for Republican and centrist votes.
A spokesperson for Cuomo described Sliwa as a "spoiler" for the Republican vote.
Jackie Goldschneider and Ramona Singer, known from the "Real Housewives" TV shows, criticized Zohran Mamdani ahead of the New York City mayoral election. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, could become the city's youngest and first Muslim mayor. Critics have raised concerns about his policies and lack of experience.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the Democratic candidate for New York City's mayoral election.
If elected, Mamdani would be the youngest and first Muslim mayor of New York City.
Mamdani describes himself as a democratic socialist and proposes freezing apartment rent and offering free bus service.
Some critics, including entertainment figures and former politicians, oppose his ideas and say they could harm the city.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is also running against Mamdani in the election.
Mamdani leads his opponents by 10 to 25 percentage points in recent polls.
