Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Trump Administration Says It'll Partially Fund SNAP With Contingency Funds
The Trump administration told a federal judge yesterday that it will use contingency funds to provide only half of the normal SNAP food stamp benefits for November during the government shutdown. The Agriculture Department said it will use all $4.65 billion in the contingency fund, which will cover about 50 percent of each household's normal benefits. Officials said they need at least $4 billion more to provide full benefits, but declined to tap into other available funds, saying it could take money away from school lunch and breakfast programs. Benefits will be delayed because states must reprogram their computer systems to calculate the reduced payments, which could take weeks or even months in some states with older systems. About 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, receiving an average of just over $350 per month.
2 Illinois Man Charged With Threatening President Trump On Instagram
An Illinois man was arrested and charged with threatening President Trump in an Instagram video where he said the president should be executed. Trent Schneider, 57, from Winthrop Harbor, was arrested yesterday by a Lake County Sheriff's SWAT team and handed over to federal authorities. He allegedly posted a video on October 16th saying he was going to get guns and people needed to die, specifically targeting Trump. He posted the same video online 18 times between October 16th and 21st. When federal agents questioned him on October 22nd, he became angry and yelled at them to leave. After they left, he posted another threat. Schneider has a lengthy criminal history and was previously arrested in 2022 for threatening to shoot up a T-Mobile store, but was found unfit to stand trial.
3 It's Election Day - Here Are Some Of The Biggest Races On The Ballot Around The Country
The polls are open around the country today for off-year elections, and Election Day 2025 features closely watched races in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia that could preview next year's midterm elections. In New York City, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Queens assemblyman and democratic socialist, faces former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who's running as an independent after dropping out of the Democratic primary. Republican Curtis Sliwa is on the ballot again, though President Trump has suggested Cuomo would be a better mayor. In New Jersey, Republican Jack Ciattarelli is making his third run for governor against Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill. Virginia's governor’s race pits Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears against former Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger. In the Virginia attorney general race, Democrat Jay Jones and incumbent Republican Jason Miyares are statistically tied. California's Proposition 50 would allow Democrats to temporarily redraw House district boundaries to make them more favorable to their party.