Millions of Americans may not receive their food assistance benefits in November due to a government shutdown that has left many agencies without funding. The program, known as SNAP, supports millions across the country, but without a budget deal from Congress, new funds cannot be distributed. Several states are warning residents about the potential suspension of these benefits until the government reopens.
Key Facts
SNAP benefits may not be issued in November if the U.S. government remains shut down.
More than 16% of Louisiana’s population relies on SNAP benefits.
Nearly 42 million people in the U.S. receive SNAP benefits.
The government shutdown started when Congress failed to approve a new budget on October 1.
The USDA needs Congress to approve funding to continue SNAP distributions.
Louisiana announced no new SNAP benefits in November without government reopening.
Florida and California also issued warnings about potential delays in SNAP benefits.
Democrats and Republicans are in a standoff over the budget, affecting key benefit programs.
Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old truck driver from India, was arrested after a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in California that resulted in three deaths and several injuries. Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, faces charges including driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. The crash aligns with recent discussions regarding California's highway safety and truck driver language proficiency requirements.
Key Facts
Jashanpreet Singh is 21 years old and from India.
He was involved in a crash on Interstate 10 in California that killed three people and injured others.
Singh is charged with driving under the influence of drugs and vehicular manslaughter.
He entered the U.S. illegally in March 2022 and lives in Yuba City, California.
The crash involved an eight-vehicle pileup caused by Singh’s semi-truck.
California recently faced federal scrutiny over truck driver language proficiency.
Singh is currently held without bail and scheduled to appear in court on October 23, 2025.
The victims included a former high school basketball coach and his wife.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said his plan to remove property taxes in Florida might not succeed because other tax-cutting proposals might also appear on the ballot. He noted that to pass, any proposal must get 60% of the vote and having multiple options could prevent this.
Key Facts
Ron DeSantis is the Governor of Florida.
He wants to remove property taxes in Florida.
Other tax-cutting measures might also be put to a vote.
For any proposal to pass, it needs 60% approval from voters.
DeSantis believes multiple measures on the ballot could lead to none passing.
He referred to this situation as a political game rather than a serious effort.
President Donald Trump is adding a new ballroom to the White House. He says the construction is fully funded by himself and other donors, with no government money involved. The exact list of donors and amounts are not fully disclosed, raising questions about possible conflicts of interest.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a new White House ballroom, stating it is privately funded.
The estimated cost for the ballroom is now around $300 million.
No public funds are being used for the project.
Donors include companies such as Lockheed Martin, Apple, and Google.
The ballroom funding includes a $22 million settlement Trump received from a lawsuit against YouTube.
Ethics concerns have been raised about whether donor contributions might lead to access to the administration.
A donor dinner at the White House featured several notable business representatives.
Full details of donors and contributions have not been released.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has proposed changes that may affect when mail gets postmarked. In California, officials are advising voters to send ballots early to ensure they are postmarked by Election Day. This comes amid USPS changes aimed at saving money and reducing emissions.
Key Facts
The USPS proposed that postmark dates might not match the day mail gets dropped off.
Postmarks show when mail was sent and are important for voting, taxes, and legal documents.
Recent USPS changes reduce how often mail is collected, affecting postmark timing.
California voters are advised to send ballots before Election Day due to postmark concerns.
USPS suggests getting a manual postmark in person to ensure correct dating.
Reduced mail collection is intended to save money and reduce carbon emissions.
It's becoming harder to get postmarks on the same day in some areas, especially over 50 miles from processing centers.
Access to post offices can be challenging for rural residents and people with disabilities.
The U.S. national debt has increased to over $38 trillion, just two months after reaching $37 trillion, amid ongoing government shutdown concerns. This rapid debt growth is leading to debates about the country's economic stability and potential impacts on U.S. citizens' finances. Government leaders are discussing possible reforms to manage the rising debt and address related fiscal challenges.
Key Facts
The U.S. national debt has exceeded $38 trillion for the first time.
The debt increased from $37 trillion to $38 trillion in just two months.
This is the fastest debt increase of $1 trillion outside of the COVID-19 pandemic period.
The Joint Economic Committee calculated that the debt increased by nearly $69,714 per second over the past year.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the deficit from April to September was $468 billion, the lowest since 2019.
President Trump has reportedly reduced the deficit by $350 billion through decreased spending and increased revenue.
The national debt is the total amount owed by the government after years of deficits, while the deficit measures yearly spending over revenue.
President Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Oregon and Illinois, citing lawlessness in cities like Portland and Chicago. This decision is undergoing legal challenges, with courts temporarily blocking these deployments. The Supreme Court may soon weigh in on these cases.
Key Facts
President Trump deployed National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois, citing lawlessness.
Democratic state governors of these states opposed the deployments.
District courts temporarily blocked these military deployments.
The 9th Circuit court of appeals sided with the Trump administration, lifting a block in Portland, while the 7th Circuit upheld a block in Chicago.
The Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court to intervene.
Court rulings on these cases could affect future domestic troop deployments.
Legal experts say this week might be significant for the broader legal debate on domestic military use.
Mohamed Shama, an AMC theater manager in North Carolina, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during an immigration interview. He had overstayed a tourist visa since 2014, and his detention is part of a broader immigration crackdown under President Trump's administration. Shama's wife, Maggie Hanlon, was in the process of trying to get him legal status in the U.S.
Key Facts
Mohamed Shama was detained by ICE during an immigration interview on October 9.
He entered the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa, which expired on May 25, 2014.
Shama, originally from Egypt, had lived in the U.S. illegally for over ten years.
He is married to Maggie Hanlon, a U.S. citizen, and was working toward legal status.
Immigration enforcement actions have increased under President Trump.
A GoFundMe campaign raised over $44,000 to help Shama's legal battle.
Legal advice suggests Shama might need to self-deport and fight his case from Egypt.
The University of Virginia has made an agreement with President Trump's administration to stop ongoing civil rights investigations. This decision makes it the third university to make such an arrangement, but unlike others, it will not pay any fees.
Key Facts
The University of Virginia reached a deal with the Trump administration.
The deal pauses ongoing investigations into civil rights issues.
Two other universities made similar deals recently.
The University of Virginia is not required to pay any money as part of the deal.
The announcement was made on October 23, 2025.
The news was reported by Elissa Nadworny on NPR's Morning Edition.
A murder trial is ongoing for an Illinois sheriff deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman, in her home. Massey had called 911 for help, and the incident happened last year.
Key Facts
The trial is about an Illinois sheriff deputy charged with murder.
The deputy is accused of killing Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman.
A Martinez from NPR spoke with Sabrina Singh, who used to be the deputy press secretary at the Pentagon. They discussed the new reporters covering the Pentagon, which is the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters.
Key Facts
Sabrina Singh formerly served as the deputy press secretary at the Pentagon.
A Martinez is an interviewer for NPR who spoke with Sabrina Singh.
They discussed changes in the reporters covering the Pentagon.
The Pentagon is the U.S. Department of Defense's headquarters.
The conversation aired on October 23, 2025.
The discussion is part of a segment on NPR, a U.S. radio network.
Two important legal decisions about President Trump's use of the National Guard might be announced soon. One of these decisions could come from the U.S. Supreme Court, and both are expected to influence future court cases.
Key Facts
Two legal actions are pending about President Trump's National Guard deployments.
One potential decision may come from the U.S. Supreme Court.
The outcomes are expected this week.
Both decisions are preliminary, meaning they are early steps in the legal process.
These legal actions could affect how similar cases are handled in the future.
President Trump has already called antifa a domestic terrorist organization and is now considering labeling it a foreign terrorist organization as well. This change would affect how the government handles antifa-related activities and could influence international actions.
Key Facts
President Trump designated antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
The administration is considering labeling antifa as a foreign terrorist organization.
Labeling a group as a foreign terrorist organization involves certain legal and international implications.
The designation could change how the U.S. government may act against antifa.
The official discussions are ongoing about this potential reclassification.
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated she sometimes dislikes her own political party during a TV appearance. Greene has recently disagreed with President Trump and other Republicans on several issues, including foreign policy and health care. She has expressed frustration with the influence of major industries on politics and has criticized certain Republican leaders.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene said she sometimes hates the Republican Party.
Greene has disagreed with President Trump on issues like the Jeffrey Epstein files, health care subsidies, and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
She criticized Republicans for being too influenced by large industries such as military and health insurance companies.
Greene claims some Republicans are only supporting President Trump out of fear.
She opposed her party by supporting Affordable Care Act subsidies to prevent insurance costs from rising.
Greene accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza and called for stopping U.S. military aid to Israel.
She has had conflicts with Trump loyalist Laura Loomer, resulting in personal attacks.
Greene expressed feeling disconnected from the Republican Party and dissatisfaction with how women are treated within it.
A Republican congressman, Randy Fine, called for an investigation into the citizenship status of Zohran Mamdani, a candidate for New York mayor. Fine claimed that there has been naturalization fraud and suggested reviewing past naturalizations for possible fraud. His statement responded to comments made by journalist Mehdi Hasan.
Key Facts
Randy Fine is a Republican congressman from Florida.
Fine wants an investigation into Zohran Mamdani's U.S. citizenship.
He believes there has been "massive naturalization fraud."
Fine suggested also investigating Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and journalist Mehdi Hasan.
The call for investigation came after Mehdi Hasan’s comments about Muslim slaves in America.
Hasan’s comments involved historical references about the contributions of Muslims in building the country.
President Trump defended the $300 million project to build a new ballroom at the White House, which involves taking down the East Wing. The project has received criticism for both the cost increase and its impact on the historic site. Officials state that the demolition and rebuilding aim to modernize the area and accommodate the new structure.
Key Facts
President Trump is overseeing a $300 million project to build a new ballroom at the White House.
The project involves demolishing the East Wing, which initially had an estimated cost of $200 million.
Critics, like the National Trust for Historic Preservation, argue the new ballroom will overshadow the existing White House.
Trump defended the demolition by saying the existing East Wing wasn't much and needed updates.
The East Wing originally housed the First Lady's offices and was expanded in 1942.
A White House official said the project is modernizing structures from 1902 and 1942.
Plans for the ballroom have been public since July, showing it would replace the current East Wing space.
In the final New York City mayoral debate, candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa focused on each other’s qualifications and their differing views on the future of the city. Key topics included experience, affiliations with President Donald Trump, and stances on international issues like Palestinian rights. Mamdani maintained his lead in the polls while facing criticism from his opponents.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa are the main candidates in the NYC mayoral race.
Mamdani is leading in polls and promotes policies like free transport, rent control, and universal childcare.
Cuomo argues that Mamdani’s plans are unrealistic and points to Mamdani’s lack of governing experience.
President Donald Trump’s policies and threats, like using the National Guard, are influencing the race dynamics.
Mamdani accused Cuomo of aligning with Trump, while Cuomo warned Mamdani's win could lead to federal intervention.
The candidates clashed over Mamdani’s support for Palestinian rights, which Cuomo criticized as anti-Semitic.
The debate highlighted ongoing political rivalry and differing visions for NYC’s future governance.
The final mayoral debate in New York City featured sharp exchanges among candidates Zohran Mamdani, Curtis Sliwa, and Andrew Cuomo, covering topics like housing and recent political issues. Mamdani holds a strong lead in polls, while the candidates criticized each other's records and discussed future dealings with President Trump's administration. The debate served as a last chance for the candidates to appeal to voters before the November 4th election.
Key Facts
The debate took place in New York City with Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independent Andrew Cuomo as participants.
The candidates discussed various topics, such as housing policies and relations with the White House.
Zohran Mamdani is leading in polls ahead of his opponents.
The debate was held in front of a live audience, which contributed to a heated atmosphere.
Curtis Sliwa criticized Mamdani and Cuomo for their past records, claiming he could better ensure public safety.
Sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo were brought up, which he denied.
A question was posed about handling a federal immigration officer raid carried out in New York City's Chinatown.
A TikTok creator named Carlitos Ricardo Parias and a US marshal were injured during an immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles. Parias, a Mexican national in the US illegally, was charged with assault on a federal officer after allegedly resisting arrest. He was documenting immigration operations and had been recognized for his community reporting.
Key Facts
Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a TikTok creator, was shot and injured in the elbow during an immigration operation in Los Angeles.
A US marshal was also injured, hit in the hand by a bullet that ricocheted.
Parias was accused of ramming his car into law enforcement vehicles while trying to escape arrest.
He faced charges for assaulting a federal officer and was scheduled for a court appearance.
Parias had been documenting immigration enforcement actions and was recognized by a city councilman for this work.
The incident occurred amidst increased ICE raids under President Trump's administration.
Protests have occurred in response to these immigration raids, leading to National Guard deployment in some areas.
The candidates for New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa, had a debate before the November election. They discussed topics like political experience, President Donald Trump, and antisemitism.
Key Facts
Three candidates are running for New York City mayor: Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa.
They debated ahead of the mayoral election set for early November.
The candidates discussed each other's political records and experience.
President Donald Trump was a topic during the debate.
Antisemitism was another topic of discussion during the debate.
