1 Senate Adjourns For The Weekend, Meaning SNAP Will Stop Tomorrow
The Senate adjourned for the weekend yesterday, guaranteeing there will be no last-minute legislative rescue for SNAP benefits before tomorrow. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said there are more conversations happening between members and suggested that next week's elections in New Jersey and Virginia might help break the deadlock. Republicans say Democrats must vote to reopen the government before any negotiations can happen on other issues like health care. Democrats say Republicans won't compromise on extending health insurance coverage. A group representing charitable organizations filed a lawsuit yesterday claiming the Trump administration doesn't have the legal authority to suspend SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. The lawsuit argues the administration must use a $5 billion USDA contingency fund to keep the program running, but the USDA says it doesn't have legal authority to use that fund.
2 At Least One Death Reported In New York City Flash Flooding
At least one person died in Brooklyn yesterday after their basement flooded during heavy rains that hit New York City. Firefighters found the person trapped in the East Flatbush neighborhood around 4:25 pm during a flash flood warning. The storm brought between one and two inches of rain in just an hour, with rainfall rates reaching up to 1.25 inches per hour. The flooding closed major roads, including the Long Island Expressway in both directions and the westbound lanes of the Belt Parkway. Central Park received 1.8 inches of rain, and LaGuardia Airport got almost 2 inches, with both amounts breaking rainfall records for the date. The National Weather Service also issued a wind advisory through midnight tonight, with wind gusts expected to reach around 40 mph.
3 Homeland Security Secretary Rejects Request To Suspend Immigration Enforcement In Chicago Until After Halloween
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rejected Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request to pause immigration enforcement actions in Chicago over Halloween weekend. Pritzker asked for the suspension after Border Patrol agents used tear gas in the Old Irving Park neighborhood last Saturday, where kids were preparing for a Halloween parade. Noem said stopping operations would be shameful and unsafe for communities. The incident was part of several confrontations between immigration officers and Chicago residents this week. A federal judge earlier warned Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino that agents must follow court orders about not using chemical agents without warnings in public areas. One longtime neighborhood resident said she won't hand out candy for the first time in over 30 years because she's too shaken.