WASHINGTON —Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported more deadly strikes on an alleged drug boats.

On social media, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced,&nbsp; On Sunday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations."

"These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and were transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route in the Eastern Pacific." "Both strikes were conducted in international waters and 3 male narco-terrorists were aboard each vessel. All 6 were killed. No U.S. forces were harmed." "Under President Trump, we are protecting the homeland and killing these cartel terrorists who wish to harm our country and its people.

This was the 19 reported U.S. attack on drug vessels with the death toll at 75 since the Trump administration launched a campaign against drug trafficking in South American waters.

WASHINGTON —Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported more deadly strikes on an alleged drug boats.On social media, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced,&nbsp; On Sunday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and… <a href="https://t.co/ocUoGzwwDO">pic.twitter.com/ocUoGzwwDO</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1987863821868732447?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and were transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route in the Eastern Pacific." "Both strikes were conducted in international waters and 3 male narco-terrorists were aboard each vessel. All 6 were killed. No U.S. forces were harmed." "Under President Trump, we are protecting the homeland and killing these cartel terrorists who wish to harm our country and its people.This was the 19 reported U.S. attack on drug vessels with the death toll at 75 since the Trump administration launched a campaign against drug trafficking in South American waters.---------------

🎥US military kills 6 in new attacks on drug-running boats

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — Seven U.S. Senate Democrats and one independent&nbsp;joined Republicans on Sunday night in advancing legislation to reopen the government and temporarily keep it afloat until the end of January, after a record-breaking shutdown that began Oct. 1.

Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada voted with most of the GOP to advance the stopgap measure through a 60-40 procedural vote.&nbsp;

Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also voted in support.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fetterman, King and Cortez Masto had already voted with Republicans on the previous 14 votes to reopen the government. Until Sunday, Republicans who control the chamber did not have the 60 votes needed to clear the filibuster threshold.

GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has consistently voted against the temporary funding measure, again cast a “no” vote.

The deal would also unlock full-year funding for a vital food aid program that serves 42 million Americans and bring back federal workers fired by President Donald Trump when the government was closed.

It does not include language addressing skyrocketing premiums for those enrolled in individual health insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace, a major sticking point for Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said late Sunday on the Senate floor that he commits to holding a separate vote on health insurance subsidies no later than the second week of December.

In a press conference following the vote, Rosen said Democrats have “an opportunity also to put Republicans on the record on the ACA.”

“Are they committed to doing this? Are they committed leaders who said, ‘You can come to the table on health care once the government was open’? And now he must follow through. If Republicans want to join us in lowering costs for working families, they have the perfect opportunity to show the American public,” Rosen said.

New text of a temporary stopgap funding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/continuing_appropriations_act_2026_bill_text.pdf" target="_blank">deal</a>&nbsp;released Sunday night proposes to keep the government open until Jan. 30. The bill would also reinstate all federal employees who were fired after the shutdown began, restoring their jobs with back pay, and prohibit any further layoffs until the temporary funding expires.

As part of the agreement, three fiscal year 2026 funding bills will ride along with the package, including the appropriations bills for agriculture programs, veterans benefits, military construction and Congress.

Several Senate Democrats left a lengthy closed-door meeting earlier Sunday night upset that the deal does not include anything to address rising health care premiums, on which the party has staked the 40-day shutdown.&nbsp;

Subsidies for those who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace expire at the end of this year.

“So far as I’m concerned, health care isn’t included, so I’ll be a no,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin also issued statements following the caucus meeting declaring they would vote no. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also told reporters on his way out of the meeting that he’s opposed to the deal.

Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey said on social media he would oppose it. ”I’ve been clear that we need real action to stop the devastating health care cost increases that are hurting millions of families,” he said.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., issued a statement expressing support for the agreement, highlighting that Senate Republicans have promised a vote on extending the health care subsidies.

“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will,” Kaine said.

The Sunday night vote does not mean the government will reopen right away.

The legislation must make its way through Senate procedural steps and then gain approval from the U.S. House, which hasn’t been in session since Sept. 19. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, attended the Washington Commanders football game with Trump Sunday night in Landover, Maryland.

Trump briefly spoke to reporters upon news of the deal after leaving the NFL game, telling them, “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending.”

Nearly a million federal workers have missed paychecks during the shutdown, and food benefits for the poorest Americans stopped flowing at the beginning of November.&nbsp;

Air travel has also become snarled as the shutdown has dragged on, and air traffic controllers are under pressure without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration began&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/here-are-airports-hit-faa-pullback-air-traffic-3300-flights-daily-be-canceled" target="_blank">cutting flights</a>&nbsp;Friday at 40 major airports across the U.S. The cuts are set to ramp up to a 10% decrease in air traffic.

The deal includes provisions that Democrats say the Trump administration sought to shrink or cut altogether, including fresh fruit and vegetable subsidies for mothers with children and monthly food boxes for low-income seniors.

The legislation would direct $8.2 billion to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, otherwise known as WIC, a roughly $600 million increase over last year’s program amount.

During the shutdown, the administration used $150 million from a U.S. Department of Agriculture rainy day fund to keep the program going. The bill would replenish the contingency money.

The bill also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and children’s nutrition programs, including subsidized school breakfast and lunch, and the availability of food during summer school breaks.

Democrats on the Senate Committee on Appropriations say it included “key funding for SNAP and other critical nutrition programs as President Trump fights in court during the government shutdown to cut off benefits for 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP to feed their families,” according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY26%20Ag-FDA%20Conference%20Bill%20Summary.pdf" target="_blank">bill summary</a>.&nbsp;

The USDA directed states to begin releasing the November SNAP benefits onto recipients’ benefits debit cards after a Rhode Island federal district judge and circuit court ordered the Trump administration to do so last week.&nbsp;

Trump appealed the order to the Supreme Court, which stayed the decision. A department memo Saturday told states that released the full benefits to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/states-told-trump-administration-undo-full-snap-benefits-paid-november" target="_blank">take back</a>&nbsp;a portion of them.

The bill would also direct money to the SNAP emergency contingency fund.

Hemp farmers are sounding the alarm about a provision in the bill that they say would “effectively eliminate the legal hemp industry built under the 2018 farm bill,” according to a Sunday statement from the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America.

Lawmakers are “slamming the door on 325,000 American jobs and forcing consumers back to dangerous black markets,” the industry group’s executive director Brian Swensen said.&nbsp;

Swensen also added: “The hemp industry has been ready and willing to work on responsible regulations – age restrictions, testing requirements, proper labeling — but instead of collaboration, the industry is getting a misguided prohibition through backdoor appropriations deals.”&nbsp;

Several House Democrats, including a top appropriator, criticized the deal.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans for the proposal Sunday night in a statement, saying House and Senate Democrats have “waged a valiant fight” for the last seven weeks.

“It now appears that Senate Republicans will send the House of Representatives a spending bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. As a result of the Republicans refusal to address the healthcare crisis that they have created, tens of millions of everyday Americans are going to see their costs skyrocket,” Jeffries said.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top House Democratic appropriator, said she did not agree to the release of the veterans and military construction bill as an attachment to the deal.

“Congress must invest in veterans, address the health care crisis that is raising costs on more than 20 million Americans, and prevent President Trump from not spending appropriated dollars in our communities,” DeLauro, D-Conn., said in a statement.

Rep. Angie Craig joined other House Democrats in slamming the Senate negotiations on social media.

“If people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you. I’m not going to put 24 million Americans at risk of losing their health care. I’m a no,” said Craig, of Minnesota.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762772315218.jpeg" alt="Counting votes late Sunday in the U.S. Senate" />
 <figcaption>Counting votes late Sunday in the U.S. Senate</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>WASHINGTON — Seven U.S. Senate Democrats and one independent&nbsp;joined Republicans on Sunday night in advancing legislation to reopen the government and temporarily keep it afloat until the end of January, after a record-breaking shutdown that began Oct. 1.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. Senate advances bill to reopen the government, 60-40. <a href="https://t.co/r2CfPUReJV">pic.twitter.com/r2CfPUReJV</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1987730780114817278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada voted with most of the GOP to advance the stopgap measure through a 60-40 procedural vote.&nbsp;Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also voted in support.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fetterman, King and Cortez Masto had already voted with Republicans on the previous 14 votes to reopen the government. Until Sunday, Republicans who control the chamber did not have the 60 votes needed to clear the filibuster threshold.GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has consistently voted against the temporary funding measure, again cast a “no” vote.The deal would also unlock full-year funding for a vital food aid program that serves 42 million Americans and bring back federal workers fired by President Donald Trump when the government was closed.It does not include language addressing skyrocketing premiums for those enrolled in individual health insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace, a major sticking point for Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said late Sunday on the Senate floor that he commits to holding a separate vote on health insurance subsidies no later than the second week of December.In a press conference following the vote, Rosen said Democrats have “an opportunity also to put Republicans on the record on the ACA.”“Are they committed to doing this? Are they committed leaders who said, ‘You can come to the table on health care once the government was open’? And now he must follow through. If Republicans want to join us in lowering costs for working families, they have the perfect opportunity to show the American public,” Rosen said.New text of a temporary stopgap funding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/continuing_appropriations_act_2026_bill_text.pdf" target="_blank">deal</a>&nbsp;released Sunday night proposes to keep the government open until Jan. 30. The bill would also reinstate all federal employees who were fired after the shutdown began, restoring their jobs with back pay, and prohibit any further layoffs until the temporary funding expires.As part of the agreement, three fiscal year 2026 funding bills will ride along with the package, including the appropriations bills for agriculture programs, veterans benefits, military construction and Congress.<h2>Divided Democrats</h2>Several Senate Democrats left a lengthy closed-door meeting earlier Sunday night upset that the deal does not include anything to address rising health care premiums, on which the party has staked the 40-day shutdown.&nbsp;Subsidies for those who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace expire at the end of this year.“So far as I’m concerned, health care isn’t included, so I’ll be a no,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin also issued statements following the caucus meeting declaring they would vote no. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also told reporters on his way out of the meeting that he’s opposed to the deal.Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey said on social media he would oppose it. ”I’ve been clear that we need real action to stop the devastating health care cost increases that are hurting millions of families,” he said.Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., issued a statement expressing support for the agreement, highlighting that Senate Republicans have promised a vote on extending the health care subsidies.“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will,” Kaine said.<h2>Government reopening will take time</h2>The Sunday night vote does not mean the government will reopen right away.The legislation must make its way through Senate procedural steps and then gain approval from the U.S. House, which hasn’t been in session since Sept. 19. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, attended the Washington Commanders football game with Trump Sunday night in Landover, Maryland.Trump briefly spoke to reporters upon news of the deal after leaving the NFL game, telling them, “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending.”Nearly a million federal workers have missed paychecks during the shutdown, and food benefits for the poorest Americans stopped flowing at the beginning of November.&nbsp;Air travel has also become snarled as the shutdown has dragged on, and air traffic controllers are under pressure without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration began&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/here-are-airports-hit-faa-pullback-air-traffic-3300-flights-daily-be-canceled" target="_blank">cutting flights</a>&nbsp;Friday at 40 major airports across the U.S. The cuts are set to ramp up to a 10% decrease in air traffic.<h2>SNAP funding</h2>The deal includes provisions that Democrats say the Trump administration sought to shrink or cut altogether, including fresh fruit and vegetable subsidies for mothers with children and monthly food boxes for low-income seniors.The legislation would direct $8.2 billion to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, otherwise known as WIC, a roughly $600 million increase over last year’s program amount.During the shutdown, the administration used $150 million from a U.S. Department of Agriculture rainy day fund to keep the program going. The bill would replenish the contingency money.The bill also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and children’s nutrition programs, including subsidized school breakfast and lunch, and the availability of food during summer school breaks.Democrats on the Senate Committee on Appropriations say it included “key funding for SNAP and other critical nutrition programs as President Trump fights in court during the government shutdown to cut off benefits for 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP to feed their families,” according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY26%20Ag-FDA%20Conference%20Bill%20Summary.pdf" target="_blank">bill summary</a>.&nbsp;The USDA directed states to begin releasing the November SNAP benefits onto recipients’ benefits debit cards after a Rhode Island federal district judge and circuit court ordered the Trump administration to do so last week.&nbsp;Trump appealed the order to the Supreme Court, which stayed the decision. A department memo Saturday told states that released the full benefits to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/states-told-trump-administration-undo-full-snap-benefits-paid-november" target="_blank">take back</a>&nbsp;a portion of them.The bill would also direct money to the SNAP emergency contingency fund.<h2>Hemp ban</h2>Hemp farmers are sounding the alarm about a provision in the bill that they say would “effectively eliminate the legal hemp industry built under the 2018 farm bill,” according to a Sunday statement from the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America.Lawmakers are “slamming the door on 325,000 American jobs and forcing consumers back to dangerous black markets,” the industry group’s executive director Brian Swensen said.&nbsp;Swensen also added: “The hemp industry has been ready and willing to work on responsible regulations – age restrictions, testing requirements, proper labeling — but instead of collaboration, the industry is getting a misguided prohibition through backdoor appropriations deals.”&nbsp;<h2>House trepidation</h2>Several House Democrats, including a top appropriator, criticized the deal.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans for the proposal Sunday night in a statement, saying House and Senate Democrats have “waged a valiant fight” for the last seven weeks.“It now appears that Senate Republicans will send the House of Representatives a spending bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. As a result of the Republicans refusal to address the healthcare crisis that they have created, tens of millions of everyday Americans are going to see their costs skyrocket,” Jeffries said.Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top House Democratic appropriator, said she did not agree to the release of the veterans and military construction bill as an attachment to the deal.“Congress must invest in veterans, address the health care crisis that is raising costs on more than 20 million Americans, and prevent President Trump from not spending appropriated dollars in our communities,” DeLauro, D-Conn., said in a statement.Rep. Angie Craig joined other House Democrats in slamming the Senate negotiations on social media.“If people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you. I’m not going to put 24 million Americans at risk of losing their health care. I’m a no,” said Craig, of Minnesota.

US Senate advances bill to end record-breaking government shutdown

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run that killed a KU student have&nbsp;

After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence that killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.

Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene. The Sheriff’s Office worked diligently on this case and has made an arrest, according to Diepenbrock.

Detectives are working with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office on charges in the case.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked area law enforcement agencies for their assistance in this investigation, as well as members of the community who responded with possible tips and shared information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762637573361.png" alt="Elsa McGrain courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Elsa McGrain courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run that killed a KU student have&nbsp;After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence that killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762637613576.png" alt="Security camera image of the suspect vehicle released by the Douglas Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image of the suspect vehicle released by the Douglas Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene. The Sheriff’s Office worked diligently on this case and has made an arrest, according to Diepenbrock.Detectives are working with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office on charges in the case.The Sheriff’s Office thanked area law enforcement agencies for their assistance in this investigation, as well as members of the community who responded with possible tips and shared information.

Driver arrested for hit-and-run that killed KU student from Nebraska

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

Following a late Friday emergency ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Trump administration has instructed states that authorized full November nutrition assistance benefits to return a portion, another unprecedented reversal for a program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.

A Saturday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/updated-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap-november-benefit-issuance11-8" target="_blank">memo</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service said states should fund 65% of benefits for users of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, often called food stamps.&nbsp;

Those that had authorized full payments in line with earlier administration guidance should “immediately undo” that action, according to the memo.

“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” the memo said. “Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025. Please advise the appropriate FNS Regional Office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum.”

President Donald Trump and top administration officials have said they cannot pay full SNAP benefits during the government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and instead, under court orders, are using a contingency fund to make partial payments.

Saturday’s guidance from Patrick A. Penn, the department’s deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, marked the latest turnaround in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-issues-november-snap-benefits-then-asks-supreme-court-intervene" target="_blank">a chaotic few days</a>&nbsp;for the agency, states that administer SNAP and the millions of Americans who depend on it to afford food.

Penn wrote that, in light of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-temporarily-blocks-november-snap-payments" target="_blank">the Supreme Court’s order pausing lower court rulings</a>&nbsp;that USDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">must pay full November benefits</a>, the administration was returning to its position that SNAP benefits should be funded at 65%.&nbsp;

States — including Wisconsin and Kansas — that issued full benefits did so under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220869-snap-november-2025-benefit-guidance-update/" target="_blank">a Friday memo</a>, also signed by Penn, that said states should authorize full payments for SNAP, consistent with a Thursday ruling in federal court.

Kansas, Wisconsin, Oregon govs express dismay

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, in a late Friday statement expressed disappointment with the administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220987-supremecourtnov72025/" target="_blank">appeal to the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;and noted the state had authorized full payments earlier in the day for all eligible Kansans.

“These Kansans, most of them children, seniors or people with disabilities, were struggling to put food on their plates,” she said. “Why the President would petition the highest court to deny food to hungry children is beyond me. It does nothing to advance his political agenda. It does not hurt his perceived enemies. It only hurts our most vulnerable and our reputation around the globe.”

In a Sunday statement, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, flatly refused to try to claw back any authorized benefits. The state acted in compliance with a court order, he said.

“After we did so, the Trump Administration assured Wisconsin and other states that they were actively working to implement full SNAP benefits for November and would ‘complete the processes necessary to make funds available,’” he said. “They have failed to do so to date.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said her state will not comply.

“Oregon acted lawfully, given the federal court’s directive and the communications with the USDA, and my decision to ensure SNAP benefits went out quickly was in direct alignment with my food emergency declaration,” said Kotek, a Democrat. “I am disgusted that President Trump has the audacity to take taxpayers’ money away from them when they are in crisis. I have a question for the President: What would he prefer to spend the money on over groceries for people in need? This is ridiculous, immoral, and Oregon will fight this every step of the way.”

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said in a statement:&nbsp;“Let’s be clear about what this is —&nbsp; the Trump administration is demanding that food assistance be taken away from the households that have already received it. They would rather go door to door, taking away people’s food, than do the right thing and fully fund SNAP for November so that struggling veterans, seniors, and children can keep food on the table. It is incomprehensible, incompetent and inconsistent with our values as Americans.”&nbsp;

The earlier order, from U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island, told the department to use sources outside the contingency fund to make full November payments by Friday. The order was appealed to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

But Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, acting on behalf of the high court,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26221041-25a539-admin-stay/" target="_blank">granted</a>&nbsp;the administration’s request for an emergency stay on Friday night, speeding up the process for what Jackson said would then be an “expeditious” decision by the appeals court but also changing things yet again.

No longer, for the moment, required by a court order to pay full November benefits, the administration instructed states in the Saturday memo to have the vendors that process payments to the electronic benefit transfer cards withhold part of the month’s allotment.

“States must not transmit full benefit issuance files to EBT processors,” Penn wrote. “Instead, States must continue to process and load the partial issuance files that reflect the 35 percent reduction of maximum allotments detailed in the November 5 guidance.”

SNAP funding has been a key issue during the shutdown.&nbsp;

In a plan published Sept. 30, the USDA said it would continue to pay for the roughly $9 billion per month program through its contingency fund. The administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-wont-shuffle-funds-extend-snap-during-shutdown-about-face-earlier-plan" target="_blank">reversed itself</a>&nbsp;10 days later, telling states there would be no SNAP available for November.

A bipartisan U.S. Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/bill-summaries-fy26-ag-fda-leg-branch-and-milcon-va" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;filed Sunday would end the shutdown. It includes provisions to fully fund SNAP, the contingency fund and the $23 billion children nutrition programs fund that may be a source of emergency funding for SNAP if the shutdown persists.

Kansas Reflector Editor in Chief Sherman Smith, Wisconsin Examiner Editor in Chief Ruth Conniff and Oregon Capital Chronicle Editor in Chief Julia Shumway &nbsp;contributed to this report.

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>Following a late Friday emergency ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Trump administration has instructed states that authorized full November nutrition assistance benefits to return a portion, another unprecedented reversal for a program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.A Saturday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/updated-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap-november-benefit-issuance11-8" target="_blank">memo</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service said states should fund 65% of benefits for users of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, often called food stamps.&nbsp;Those that had authorized full payments in line with earlier administration guidance should “immediately undo” that action, according to the memo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762714399470.png" alt="USDA memo" />
 <figcaption>USDA memo</figcaption>
 </figure>“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” the memo said. “Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025. Please advise the appropriate FNS Regional Office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum.”President Donald Trump and top administration officials have said they cannot pay full SNAP benefits during the government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and instead, under court orders, are using a contingency fund to make partial payments.<h2>Shutdown chaos surrounds SNAP</h2>Saturday’s guidance from Patrick A. Penn, the department’s deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, marked the latest turnaround in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-issues-november-snap-benefits-then-asks-supreme-court-intervene" target="_blank">a chaotic few days</a>&nbsp;for the agency, states that administer SNAP and the millions of Americans who depend on it to afford food.Penn wrote that, in light of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-temporarily-blocks-november-snap-payments" target="_blank">the Supreme Court’s order pausing lower court rulings</a>&nbsp;that USDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">must pay full November benefits</a>, the administration was returning to its position that SNAP benefits should be funded at 65%.&nbsp;States — including Wisconsin and Kansas — that issued full benefits did so under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220869-snap-november-2025-benefit-guidance-update/" target="_blank">a Friday memo</a>, also signed by Penn, that said states should authorize full payments for SNAP, consistent with a Thursday ruling in federal court.<h2>Kansas, Wisconsin, Oregon govs express dismay</h2>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, in a late Friday statement expressed disappointment with the administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220987-supremecourtnov72025/" target="_blank">appeal to the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;and noted the state had authorized full payments earlier in the day for all eligible Kansans.“These Kansans, most of them children, seniors or people with disabilities, were struggling to put food on their plates,” she said. “Why the President would petition the highest court to deny food to hungry children is beyond me. It does nothing to advance his political agenda. It does not hurt his perceived enemies. It only hurts our most vulnerable and our reputation around the globe.”In a Sunday statement, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, flatly refused to try to claw back any authorized benefits. The state acted in compliance with a court order, he said.“After we did so, the Trump Administration assured Wisconsin and other states that they were actively working to implement full SNAP benefits for November and would ‘complete the processes necessary to make funds available,’” he said. “They have failed to do so to date.”Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said her state will not comply.“Oregon acted lawfully, given the federal court’s directive and the communications with the USDA, and my decision to ensure SNAP benefits went out quickly was in direct alignment with my food emergency declaration,” said Kotek, a Democrat. “I am disgusted that President Trump has the audacity to take taxpayers’ money away from them when they are in crisis. I have a question for the President: What would he prefer to spend the money on over groceries for people in need? This is ridiculous, immoral, and Oregon will fight this every step of the way.”U.S. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said in a statement:&nbsp;“Let’s be clear about what this is —&nbsp; the Trump administration is demanding that food assistance be taken away from the households that have already received it. They would rather go door to door, taking away people’s food, than do the right thing and fully fund SNAP for November so that struggling veterans, seniors, and children can keep food on the table. It is incomprehensible, incompetent and inconsistent with our values as Americans.”&nbsp;<h2>Court action</h2>The earlier order, from U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island, told the department to use sources outside the contingency fund to make full November payments by Friday. The order was appealed to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.But Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, acting on behalf of the high court,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26221041-25a539-admin-stay/" target="_blank">granted</a>&nbsp;the administration’s request for an emergency stay on Friday night, speeding up the process for what Jackson said would then be an “expeditious” decision by the appeals court but also changing things yet again.No longer, for the moment, required by a court order to pay full November benefits, the administration instructed states in the Saturday memo to have the vendors that process payments to the electronic benefit transfer cards withhold part of the month’s allotment.“States must not transmit full benefit issuance files to EBT processors,” Penn wrote. “Instead, States must continue to process and load the partial issuance files that reflect the 35 percent reduction of maximum allotments detailed in the November 5 guidance.”<h2>Shutdown negotiations</h2>SNAP funding has been a key issue during the shutdown.&nbsp;In a plan published Sept. 30, the USDA said it would continue to pay for the roughly $9 billion per month program through its contingency fund. The administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-wont-shuffle-funds-extend-snap-during-shutdown-about-face-earlier-plan" target="_blank">reversed itself</a>&nbsp;10 days later, telling states there would be no SNAP available for November.A bipartisan U.S. Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/bill-summaries-fy26-ag-fda-leg-branch-and-milcon-va" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;filed Sunday would end the shutdown. It includes provisions to fully fund SNAP, the contingency fund and the $23 billion children nutrition programs fund that may be a source of emergency funding for SNAP if the shutdown persists.Kansas Reflector Editor in Chief Sherman Smith, Wisconsin Examiner Editor in Chief Ruth Conniff and Oregon Capital Chronicle Editor in Chief Julia Shumway &nbsp;contributed to this report.

States told by Trump admin. to ‘undo’ full SNAP benefits paid for November

The rule would allow medical debt on credit reports — even in states that forbid it.

By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/avollers/">Anna Claire Vollers</a>

A new Trump administration rule issued late last month would override state laws that prevent consumers’ credit reports from including medical debt, potentially weakening financial protections for millions of Americans.

In recent years,<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2025/jul/state-protections-against-medical-debt-look-policies-across-us#:~:text=Twelve%20states%20have%20recently%20taken%20action%20to%20prevent%20medical%20debt%20from%20appearing%20on%20credit%20reports%2C%20bringing%20the%20total%20number%20of%20states%20prohibiting%20this%20practice%20to%2014.47" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than a dozen states</a>&nbsp;have taken steps to keep medical debt from hurting residents’ credit scores, passing laws with bipartisan support. But new<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws" target="_blank">&nbsp;guidance</a>&nbsp;from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20has%20reviewed%20the%202022%20interpretive%20rule%20that%20interprets%20sections%201681t(b)(1)%20and%201681t(b)(5)%20of%20the%20FCRA%2C%20and%20the%20Bureau%20now%20confirms%20the%20withdrawal%20of%20that%20rule." target="_blank">&nbsp;repeals</a>&nbsp;a Biden-era rule that allowed states to impose their own bans. The Trump administration has<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20is%20also%20clarifying%20that%20the%20FCRA%20generally%20preempts%20State%20laws%20that%20touch%20on%20broad%20areas%20of%20credit%20reporting%2C%20consistent%20with%20Congress%27s%20intent%20to%20create%20national%20standards%20for%20the%20credit%20reporting%20system." target="_blank">&nbsp;interpreted</a>&nbsp;the 1970 Fair Credit Reporting Act to say that it overrides state laws around reporting debt to credit bureaus.

American consumers had at least<a href="https://www.kff.org/health-costs/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank">&nbsp;$220 billion in unpaid medical bills</a>&nbsp;in 2024, according to an analysis from research nonprofit KFF. About 6% of American adults, or 14 million people, owe more than $1,000 in medical debt.

“Medical debt is a tremendous weight keeping so many families from financial security, and, unlike most other forms of debt, it’s not a choice,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, said last month in a<a href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/10/13/governor-stein-ncdhhs-announce-more-65-billion-medical-debt-erased-north-carolina-0" target="_blank">&nbsp;statement</a>&nbsp;announcing that a new state program had wiped out<a href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/10/13/governor-stein-ncdhhs-announce-more-65-billion-medical-debt-erased-north-carolina-0" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than $6.5 billion in medical debt</a>&nbsp;for more than 25 million North Carolinians.

People rarely plan to take on debt from medical care, as they do when they borrow money to buy a house or car.&nbsp;A<a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_medical-debt-burden-in-the-united-states_report_2022-03.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;one-time or short-term expense</a>&nbsp;such as a single hospital stay causes about two-thirds of all medical debt, according to a 2022 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report.

And even though<a href="https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/#:~:text=Despite%20over%2090%25%20of%20the%20United%20States%20population%20having%20some%20form%20of%20health%20insurance%2C" target="_blank">&nbsp;most Americans have health insurance</a>, many get stuck with unexpected medical bills because their policies have high deductibles or don’t fully cover some treatments, procedures or drugs. People in worse health and those living with a disability are more likely to report medical debt, as are middle-aged adults, Black Americans, and people with low and middle incomes, according to KFF.

In&nbsp;the past two years,<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2025/jul/state-protections-against-medical-debt-look-policies-across-us#:~:text=Twelve%20states%20have%20recently%20taken%20action%20to%20prevent%20medical%20debt%20from%20appearing%20on%20credit%20reports%2C%20bringing%20the%20total%20number%20of%20states%20prohibiting%20this%20practice%20to%2014." target="_blank">&nbsp;a dozen states</a>&nbsp;have passed laws forbidding medical debt from appearing on credit reports, bringing the total number of states with such laws to 14: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

Another five states — Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Nevada and Utah — limit how and when medical debt can appear on credit reports, according to the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund.

Republican and Democratic legislators in other states, including<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/SB0451/id/3259039" target="_blank">&nbsp;Michigan</a>,<a href="https://legiscan.com/OH/bill/HB257/2025" target="_blank">&nbsp;Ohio</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1058/2025" target="_blank">&nbsp;South Dakota</a>, have introduced similar bills this year.

Now the new state laws face an uncertain future. In January, while Biden was still in office,&nbsp; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/final-rules/prohibition-on-creditors-and-consumer-reporting-agencies-concerning-medical-information-regulation-v/" target="_blank">&nbsp;prohibiting credit reporting agencies</a>&nbsp;from reporting medical debt in certain circumstances.&nbsp;Credit bureaus and credit unions&nbsp;<a href="https://litigationtracker.law.georgetown.edu/litigation/cornerstone-credit-union-league-et-al-v-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-et-al/" target="_blank">sued to stop the rule</a>.&nbsp;The incoming Trump administration agreed with the plaintiffs and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2025/07/31/federal-court-reverses-federal-medical-debt-protections#:~:text=A%20lawsuit%20followed%20immediately%2C%20arguing%20CFPB%20had%20exceeded%20its%20authority%2C%20and%2C%20under%20the%20Trump%20administration%2C%20the%20agency%20changed%20direction.%20Instead%20of%20defending%20the%20rule%20in%20court%2C%20the%20agency%20agreed%20with%20plaintiffs%20that%20the%20rule%20should%20be%20blocked%2C%20and%20the%20court%20agreed." target="_blank">declined to defend the rule in court</a>, so a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.235173/gov.uscourts.txed.235173.52.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">blocked it</a>.

Maine state Sen. Donna Bailey, a Democrat, said in a September<a href="https://www.mainesenate.org/new-sen-bailey-law-protects-consumers-from-the-negative-impacts-of-medical-debt/" target="_blank">&nbsp;statement</a>&nbsp;that Maine’s new law barring medical debt from appearing on consumer reports was even more important in light of the demise of the federal rule.

“Although Americans no longer have the federal protection, Mainers will continue to have protection here in our state,” she said in September. “When we go to the hospital for medical care, especially for emergencies, any debt that we take on should not hold us back from buying a car, renting a home or taking out a loan.”

But the Trump administration’s latest order would render state laws such as Maine’s moot.

Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:avollers@stateline.org">avollers@stateline.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762514381672.png" alt=" A cancer patient’s medical bills are spread on a kitchen table in a home in Salem, Va., in this 2011 file photo. A new Trump administration rule would override more than a dozen state laws that shield consumers’ credit reports from medical debt. (Photo by Don Petersen/Associated Press)" />
 <figcaption> A cancer patient’s medical bills are spread on a kitchen table in a home in Salem, Va., in this 2011 file photo. A new Trump administration rule would override more than a dozen state laws that shield consumers’ credit reports from medical debt. (Photo by Don Petersen/Associated Press)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The rule would allow medical debt on credit reports — even in states that forbid it.</h2>By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/avollers/">Anna Claire Vollers</a>A new Trump administration rule issued late last month would override state laws that prevent consumers’ credit reports from including medical debt, potentially weakening financial protections for millions of Americans.In recent years,<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2025/jul/state-protections-against-medical-debt-look-policies-across-us#:~:text=Twelve%20states%20have%20recently%20taken%20action%20to%20prevent%20medical%20debt%20from%20appearing%20on%20credit%20reports%2C%20bringing%20the%20total%20number%20of%20states%20prohibiting%20this%20practice%20to%2014.47" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than a dozen states</a>&nbsp;have taken steps to keep medical debt from hurting residents’ credit scores, passing laws with bipartisan support. But new<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws" target="_blank">&nbsp;guidance</a>&nbsp;from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20has%20reviewed%20the%202022%20interpretive%20rule%20that%20interprets%20sections%201681t(b)(1)%20and%201681t(b)(5)%20of%20the%20FCRA%2C%20and%20the%20Bureau%20now%20confirms%20the%20withdrawal%20of%20that%20rule." target="_blank">&nbsp;repeals</a>&nbsp;a Biden-era rule that allowed states to impose their own bans. The Trump administration has<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20is%20also%20clarifying%20that%20the%20FCRA%20generally%20preempts%20State%20laws%20that%20touch%20on%20broad%20areas%20of%20credit%20reporting%2C%20consistent%20with%20Congress%27s%20intent%20to%20create%20national%20standards%20for%20the%20credit%20reporting%20system." target="_blank">&nbsp;interpreted</a>&nbsp;the 1970 Fair Credit Reporting Act to say that it overrides state laws around reporting debt to credit bureaus.American consumers had at least<a href="https://www.kff.org/health-costs/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank">&nbsp;$220 billion in unpaid medical bills</a>&nbsp;in 2024, according to an analysis from research nonprofit KFF. About 6% of American adults, or 14 million people, owe more than $1,000 in medical debt.“Medical debt is a tremendous weight keeping so many families from financial security, and, unlike most other forms of debt, it’s not a choice,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, said last month in a<a href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/10/13/governor-stein-ncdhhs-announce-more-65-billion-medical-debt-erased-north-carolina-0" target="_blank">&nbsp;statement</a>&nbsp;announcing that a new state program had wiped out<a href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/10/13/governor-stein-ncdhhs-announce-more-65-billion-medical-debt-erased-north-carolina-0" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than $6.5 billion in medical debt</a>&nbsp;for more than 25 million North Carolinians.People rarely plan to take on debt from medical care, as they do when they borrow money to buy a house or car.&nbsp;A<a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_medical-debt-burden-in-the-united-states_report_2022-03.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;one-time or short-term expense</a>&nbsp;such as a single hospital stay causes about two-thirds of all medical debt, according to a 2022 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report.And even though<a href="https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/#:~:text=Despite%20over%2090%25%20of%20the%20United%20States%20population%20having%20some%20form%20of%20health%20insurance%2C" target="_blank">&nbsp;most Americans have health insurance</a>, many get stuck with unexpected medical bills because their policies have high deductibles or don’t fully cover some treatments, procedures or drugs. People in worse health and those living with a disability are more likely to report medical debt, as are middle-aged adults, Black Americans, and people with low and middle incomes, according to KFF.In&nbsp;the past two years,<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2025/jul/state-protections-against-medical-debt-look-policies-across-us#:~:text=Twelve%20states%20have%20recently%20taken%20action%20to%20prevent%20medical%20debt%20from%20appearing%20on%20credit%20reports%2C%20bringing%20the%20total%20number%20of%20states%20prohibiting%20this%20practice%20to%2014." target="_blank">&nbsp;a dozen states</a>&nbsp;have passed laws forbidding medical debt from appearing on credit reports, bringing the total number of states with such laws to 14: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.Another five states — Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Nevada and Utah — limit how and when medical debt can appear on credit reports, according to the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund.Republican and Democratic legislators in other states, including<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/SB0451/id/3259039" target="_blank">&nbsp;Michigan</a>,<a href="https://legiscan.com/OH/bill/HB257/2025" target="_blank">&nbsp;Ohio</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1058/2025" target="_blank">&nbsp;South Dakota</a>, have introduced similar bills this year.Now the new state laws face an uncertain future. In January, while Biden was still in office,&nbsp; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/final-rules/prohibition-on-creditors-and-consumer-reporting-agencies-concerning-medical-information-regulation-v/" target="_blank">&nbsp;prohibiting credit reporting agencies</a>&nbsp;from reporting medical debt in certain circumstances.&nbsp;Credit bureaus and credit unions&nbsp;<a href="https://litigationtracker.law.georgetown.edu/litigation/cornerstone-credit-union-league-et-al-v-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-et-al/" target="_blank">sued to stop the rule</a>.&nbsp;The incoming Trump administration agreed with the plaintiffs and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2025/07/31/federal-court-reverses-federal-medical-debt-protections#:~:text=A%20lawsuit%20followed%20immediately%2C%20arguing%20CFPB%20had%20exceeded%20its%20authority%2C%20and%2C%20under%20the%20Trump%20administration%2C%20the%20agency%20changed%20direction.%20Instead%20of%20defending%20the%20rule%20in%20court%2C%20the%20agency%20agreed%20with%20plaintiffs%20that%20the%20rule%20should%20be%20blocked%2C%20and%20the%20court%20agreed." target="_blank">declined to defend the rule in court</a>, so a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.235173/gov.uscourts.txed.235173.52.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">blocked it</a>.Maine state Sen. Donna Bailey, a Democrat, said in a September<a href="https://www.mainesenate.org/new-sen-bailey-law-protects-consumers-from-the-negative-impacts-of-medical-debt/" target="_blank">&nbsp;statement</a>&nbsp;that Maine’s new law barring medical debt from appearing on consumer reports was even more important in light of the demise of the federal rule.“Although Americans no longer have the federal protection, Mainers will continue to have protection here in our state,” she said in September. “When we go to the hospital for medical care, especially for emergencies, any debt that we take on should not hold us back from buying a car, renting a home or taking out a loan.”But the Trump administration’s latest order would render state laws such as Maine’s moot.Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:avollers@stateline.org">avollers@stateline.org</a>.

New Trump administration rule would override state medical debt protections

Visits highlight role of Nebraska’s 2nd District as a swing district in U.S. House and presidential politics

&nbsp; By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jsalinas/">Juan Salinas II</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/30/nebraska-dhhs-website-blames-dems-for-federal-government-shutdown-as-snap-shutoff-looms/">Nebraska Examiner&nbsp;</a>

OMAHA — Former President Joe Biden highlighted harsh economic realities facing American families under President Donald Trump. And Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear pitched a recipe for helping Democrats win in deep-red states.&nbsp;

Both headliners for the Nebraska Democrats’ top annual fundraiser Friday rallied a downtown Hilton crowd of 630 people headed into next year’s midterm elections, in which the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District could play a crucial role. Another 220 watched from an overflow area.

Friday was one of Biden’s few public speaking events since dropping out of the 2024 presidential campaign under fire from some in the party about his electability following a shaky debate performance against Trump.

He criticized Trump on a variety of issues, from cutting Medicare in the “big, beautiful” tax and spending bill to Trump’s handling of the “strong economy” Biden said he left him. He said Trump had taken a wrecking ball to the Constitution.

“Folks, look, this isn’t a golden age,” Biden said. “The fact of the matter is that it is a very, very dark moment … But we’re in a situation where we had something very special happen just last Tuesday.”

The fundraiser followed strong national elections for Democrats on Tuesday. The party won most of its high-profile contests nationally, including the Governor’s Office in Virginia and the mayor’s race in New York. Some political observers have said the tone and mood of the electorate might hint at&nbsp;what’s possible in the midterms, when the party out of power typically gains seats.

Much of Biden’s speech focused on helping Democrats send a message to his successor: “You work for us, Mr. President. We don’t work for you. You work for us, not just billionaires and millionaires.”

Biden also touted some of his accomplishments as president, including working with Congress to pass the largest modern investment in American infrastructure, a bipartisan bill he passed with help from retiring Nebraska Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and others.

Beshear, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful, spoke about how his approach to politics focuses on working for all Kentuckians, not just those who share his party. He said he governs in a way that can serve as a model for Democrats to win in deeply red, Republican states.&nbsp;

Beshear’s approach tries to bring party members and others together — including progressives, union members, centrists and some Republicans —&nbsp;over economic concerns, which lets him sidestep many of the social issues distracting other campaigns.

“We’ve got to get back to the work of showing people that we are spending all day, every day, trying to make their life a little bit better and a little bit easier,”&nbsp; Beshear said.

He visited Nebraska after having headed to South Carolina earlier this year to test the water for a potential bid. He also visited neighboring Iowa in 2024 to speak at a Democratic fundraiser.&nbsp;

Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. set much of the evening’s tone when he warmed up the crowd by putting on a blue and white&nbsp;“Make America Humane Again” hat — poking fun at Trump’s bright red “Make America Great Again” hats.&nbsp;

“Let’s make America humane again,” he said after being introduced as the first Democrat to lead Nebraska’s largest city in a dozen years.

Jane Kleeb, chair of the state party, said Friday that the blue “wave” Democrats want in 2026 started in May 2025 in Nebraska, with Ewing’s win over three-term Republican incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert.

Ewing criticized Trump’s handling of immigration policy and the ICE raids happening across the U.S. He mentioned the administration’s bulldozing of homeless encampments and sending the National Guard into cities.&nbsp;Democrats gathered as&nbsp;pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside of the hotel.&nbsp;

“We are going to stand with our immigrants when the national state is trying to create chaos,” Ewing said. “We are going to build a space and a city and an economy that works for everybody, not just the rich.”

Republicans took notice of the Biden and Beshear visits. U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ GOP campaign sent a truck with a digital ad on it driving through downtown Omaha during the fundraiser, attacking his registered nonpartisan opponent Dan Osborn by labeling him on it as the “future of the Democratic Party.”

The Nebraska Republican Party, in a statement, said, “If Nebraska Democrats think the presence of the former president will make people forget about the radical Democrats’ policies, inflation, open borders and out-of-control spending, they’re wrong.”

But local Democrats paid no mind, as many spoke in positive tones about the Democrats’ chances in future elections — especially in the Omaha-based&nbsp;2nd Congressional District.&nbsp;

The Omaha-based district was the only swing district nationally to side with Democrats in 2024, when Trump won every contested swing state and won the presidency, except for the stray Electoral College vote that Nebraska allows its congressional districts to syphon off.&nbsp;

Omaha, along with the rest of the&nbsp;2nd Congressional District, voted for Biden in 2020 and sided with former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

And this year’s version of the 2nd District U.S. House race is shaping up to be another charged one, with a crowded Democratic primary vying to replace Republican U.S. Rep Don Bacon, who decided to retire early this year. Political experts view the seat as a possible pickup for Democrats.&nbsp;

That 2nd District slice of the 2026 midterm elections is emerging as crucial for the state and national<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/25/nebraska-is-emerging-as-crucial-for-2026-midterms-can-dems-find-an-opening/">&nbsp;Democratic Party as it tries to find a</a>&nbsp;path toward retaking the House from Republicans. Mid-decade redistricting efforts, including one being discussed in Nebraska, have made that effort more complex.

Nebraska Democrats have said they have desires of winning beyond the 2nd District, especially in legislative races that could spell the difference between the ability to filibuster conservative legislation or not.

The Nebraska Democratic Party’s top annual fundraising event has a history of drawing major headliners, including former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former vice presidential candidate. One reason: Kleeb, the state party chair, serves as a vice chair of the party at the national level.&nbsp;

The event is named for Ben Nelson, a former Nebraska governor and U.S. senator who cast a critical vote to help the party pass the Affordable Care Act under former President Barack Obama.&nbsp;His former vice president encouraged Democrats and others not to despair but to work.

“The American experiment is not going to end on our watch,” said Biden.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762693805392.png" alt="Former President Joe Biden speaks during a Nebraska Democratic Party fundraiser at the Omaha Hilton on Nov. 8, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Former President Joe Biden speaks during a Nebraska Democratic Party fundraiser at the Omaha Hilton on Nov. 8, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Visits highlight role of Nebraska’s 2nd District as a swing district in U.S. House and presidential politics</h2>&nbsp; By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jsalinas/">Juan Salinas II</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/30/nebraska-dhhs-website-blames-dems-for-federal-government-shutdown-as-snap-shutoff-looms/">Nebraska Examiner&nbsp;</a>OMAHA — Former President Joe Biden highlighted harsh economic realities facing American families under President Donald Trump. And Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear pitched a recipe for helping Democrats win in deep-red states.&nbsp;Both headliners for the Nebraska Democrats’ top annual fundraiser Friday rallied a downtown Hilton crowd of 630 people headed into next year’s midterm elections, in which the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District could play a crucial role. Another 220 watched from an overflow area.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762693731959.png" alt="Former President Joe Biden speaks at a Nebraska Democratic Party gathering at the Omaha Hilton on Nov. 8, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Former President Joe Biden speaks at a Nebraska Democratic Party gathering at the Omaha Hilton on Nov. 8, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Friday was one of Biden’s few public speaking events since dropping out of the 2024 presidential campaign under fire from some in the party about his electability following a shaky debate performance against Trump.He criticized Trump on a variety of issues, from cutting Medicare in the “big, beautiful” tax and spending bill to Trump’s handling of the “strong economy” Biden said he left him. He said Trump had taken a wrecking ball to the Constitution.“Folks, look, this isn’t a golden age,” Biden said. “The fact of the matter is that it is a very, very dark moment … But we’re in a situation where we had something very special happen just last Tuesday.”The fundraiser followed strong national elections for Democrats on Tuesday. The party won most of its high-profile contests nationally, including the Governor’s Office in Virginia and the mayor’s race in New York. Some political observers have said the tone and mood of the electorate might hint at&nbsp;what’s possible in the midterms, when the party out of power typically gains seats.Much of Biden’s speech focused on helping Democrats send a message to his successor: “You work for us, Mr. President. We don’t work for you. You work for us, not just billionaires and millionaires.”Biden also touted some of his accomplishments as president, including working with Congress to pass the largest modern investment in American infrastructure, a bipartisan bill he passed with help from retiring Nebraska Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and others.Beshear, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful, spoke about how his approach to politics focuses on working for all Kentuckians, not just those who share his party. He said he governs in a way that can serve as a model for Democrats to win in deeply red, Republican states.&nbsp;Beshear’s approach tries to bring party members and others together — including progressives, union members, centrists and some Republicans —&nbsp;over economic concerns, which lets him sidestep many of the social issues distracting other campaigns.“We’ve got to get back to the work of showing people that we are spending all day, every day, trying to make their life a little bit better and a little bit easier,”&nbsp; Beshear said.He visited Nebraska after having headed to South Carolina earlier this year to test the water for a potential bid. He also visited neighboring Iowa in 2024 to speak at a Democratic fundraiser.&nbsp;Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. set much of the evening’s tone when he warmed up the crowd by putting on a blue and white&nbsp;“Make America Humane Again” hat — poking fun at Trump’s bright red “Make America Great Again” hats.&nbsp;“Let’s make America humane again,” he said after being introduced as the first Democrat to lead Nebraska’s largest city in a dozen years.Jane Kleeb, chair of the state party, said Friday that the blue “wave” Democrats want in 2026 started in May 2025 in Nebraska, with Ewing’s win over three-term Republican incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert.Ewing criticized Trump’s handling of immigration policy and the ICE raids happening across the U.S. He mentioned the administration’s bulldozing of homeless encampments and sending the National Guard into cities.&nbsp;Democrats gathered as&nbsp;pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside of the hotel.&nbsp;“We are going to stand with our immigrants when the national state is trying to create chaos,” Ewing said. “We are going to build a space and a city and an economy that works for everybody, not just the rich.”Republicans took notice of the Biden and Beshear visits. U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ GOP campaign sent a truck with a digital ad on it driving through downtown Omaha during the fundraiser, attacking his registered nonpartisan opponent Dan Osborn by labeling him on it as the “future of the Democratic Party.”The Nebraska Republican Party, in a statement, said, “If Nebraska Democrats think the presence of the former president will make people forget about the radical Democrats’ policies, inflation, open borders and out-of-control spending, they’re wrong.”But local Democrats paid no mind, as many spoke in positive tones about the Democrats’ chances in future elections — especially in the Omaha-based&nbsp;2nd Congressional District.&nbsp;The Omaha-based district was the only swing district nationally to side with Democrats in 2024, when Trump won every contested swing state and won the presidency, except for the stray Electoral College vote that Nebraska allows its congressional districts to syphon off.&nbsp;Omaha, along with the rest of the&nbsp;2nd Congressional District, voted for Biden in 2020 and sided with former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.And this year’s version of the 2nd District U.S. House race is shaping up to be another charged one, with a crowded Democratic primary vying to replace Republican U.S. Rep Don Bacon, who decided to retire early this year. Political experts view the seat as a possible pickup for Democrats.&nbsp;That 2nd District slice of the 2026 midterm elections is emerging as crucial for the state and national<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/25/nebraska-is-emerging-as-crucial-for-2026-midterms-can-dems-find-an-opening/">&nbsp;Democratic Party as it tries to find a</a>&nbsp;path toward retaking the House from Republicans. Mid-decade redistricting efforts, including one being discussed in Nebraska, have made that effort more complex.Nebraska Democrats have said they have desires of winning beyond the 2nd District, especially in legislative races that could spell the difference between the ability to filibuster conservative legislation or not.The Nebraska Democratic Party’s top annual fundraising event has a history of drawing major headliners, including former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former vice presidential candidate. One reason: Kleeb, the state party chair, serves as a vice chair of the party at the national level.&nbsp;The event is named for Ben Nelson, a former Nebraska governor and U.S. senator who cast a critical vote to help the party pass the Affordable Care Act under former President Barack Obama.&nbsp;His former vice president encouraged Democrats and others not to despair but to work.“The American experiment is not going to end on our watch,” said Biden.

Biden visits Omaha with Kentucky governor as Nebraska Dems eye 2026

ATCHISON COUNTY —Three teens were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Atchison County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Acura MDX driven by an 18-year-old Bellevue, Nebraska man was northbound on Interstate 29 eight miles south of Hamburg, Iowa.

The SUV traveled off the west side of the road. The vehicle returned to the road, crossed the center line, traveled off the east side of the road and down an embankment. The vehicle struck several trees a fence, became airborne and rolled into a field.&nbsp; One occupant was ejected.

Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver and a passenger identified as a 16-year-old Bellevue boy to Grape Community Hospital.&nbsp; Air by Starcare transported a second passenger, 18-year-old from Bellevue, to Bryan West Medial Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; All three were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Three teens were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Atchison County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Acura MDX driven by an 18-year-old Bellevue, Nebraska man was northbound on Interstate 29 eight miles south of Hamburg, Iowa.The SUV traveled off the west side of the road. The vehicle returned to the road, crossed the center line, traveled off the east side of the road and down an embankment. The vehicle struck several trees a fence, became airborne and rolled into a field.&nbsp; One occupant was ejected.Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver and a passenger identified as a 16-year-old Bellevue boy to Grape Community Hospital.&nbsp; Air by Starcare transported a second passenger, 18-year-old from Bellevue, to Bryan West Medial Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; All three were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 Nebraska teens hospitalized after violent SUV crash

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of 13 infant botulism illnesses from 10 states: Arizona, California (2), Illinois (2), Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas (2), Washington, according to a statement from the agency.

Laboratory confirmation for some cases is ongoing. There are no deaths reported at this time. The CDPH IBTPP reported an increase in number of botulism type A infections among infants consuming ByHeart powdered infant formula from August 2025 to November 2025. 

All 13 cases included in this outbreak are reported to have consumed ByHeart- brand powdered infant formula. Officials in several states have collected leftover infant formula for testing. This testing is underway, and results are not yet available but expected in the coming weeks. &nbsp;

FDA has been in contact with the firm and has recommended the firm conduct a voluntary recall due to the number of cases, severity of illness, and the strong epidemiological signal. Today, ByHeart, Inc. agreed to initiate a recall of the two lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant formula (Lot: 206VABP/251261P2 and Lot: 206VABP/251131P2) that were reported to have been consumed by the infants. FDA is continuing to work with the firm to ensure all potentially impacted product is removed from the market.

Symptoms of&nbsp;Infant botulism&nbsp;&nbsp;

Most infants with infant botulism will initially develop constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing, which can progress to difficulty breathing and respiratory arrest. Symptoms of infant botulism, which is diagnosed clinically, can take as long as several weeks to develop following formula ingestion.

ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula is available for sale online and at major retailers nationwide.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762681537657.png" alt="Image FDA" />
 <figcaption>Image FDA</figcaption>
 </figure>The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of 13 infant botulism illnesses from 10 states: Arizona, California (2), Illinois (2), Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas (2), Washington, according to a statement from the agency.Laboratory confirmation for some cases is ongoing. There are no deaths reported at this time. The CDPH IBTPP reported an increase in number of botulism type A infections among infants consuming ByHeart powdered infant formula from August 2025 to November 2025. All 13 cases included in this outbreak are reported to have consumed ByHeart- brand powdered infant formula. Officials in several states have collected leftover infant formula for testing. This testing is underway, and results are not yet available but expected in the coming weeks. &nbsp;FDA has been in contact with the firm and has recommended the firm conduct a voluntary recall due to the number of cases, severity of illness, and the strong epidemiological signal. Today, ByHeart, Inc. agreed to initiate a recall of the two lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant formula (Lot: 206VABP/251261P2 and Lot: 206VABP/251131P2) that were reported to have been consumed by the infants. FDA is continuing to work with the firm to ensure all potentially impacted product is removed from the market.<h2>Symptoms of&nbsp;Infant botulism&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Most infants with infant botulism will initially develop constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing, which can progress to difficulty breathing and respiratory arrest. Symptoms of infant botulism, which is diagnosed clinically, can take as long as several weeks to develop following formula ingestion.<h2>Stores affected</h2>ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula is available for sale online and at major retailers nationwide.

ByHeart baby formula recalled amid 10-state outbreak of infant botulism

DOUGLAS COUNTY —The runner who died from injuries after she was struck in a hit-and-run incident Thursday evening near Lawrence was Elsa McGrain, 20, a University of Kansas student from Omaha, according to&nbsp; Sheriff's Department Spokesman Officer George Diepenbrock.

She was studying pre-medicine and set to graduate in 2026.&nbsp;

Elsa was running and a vehicle struck her around 6 p.m. Thursday in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, which is North Seventh Street extended and south of U.S. Highway 24-40 near the Lawrence Regional Airport.

Douglas County deputies and detectives continue to work diligently to investigate this thoroughly, find the driver involved and work appropriately through the justice system from there.

Detectives have determined the vehicle of interest is a truck that is all white with no side markings.

DGSO continues to ask anyone who might have information about the vehicle in the photo or been in the area on E 1500 Road between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday and has potential information to call DGSO Detective Lance Flachsbarth, 785-393-5845, or Douglas County Crime Stoppers, 785-843-TIPS (8477), and leave your contact information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762637613576.png" alt="Detectives have determined the vehicle of interest is a truck that is all white with no side markings.-Douglas County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Detectives have determined the vehicle of interest is a truck that is all white with no side markings.-Douglas County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —The runner who died from injuries after she was struck in a hit-and-run incident Thursday evening near Lawrence was Elsa McGrain, 20, a University of Kansas student from Omaha, according to&nbsp; Sheriff's Department Spokesman Officer George Diepenbrock.She was studying pre-medicine and set to graduate in 2026.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762637573361.png" alt="Elsa McGrain courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Elsa McGrain courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Elsa was running and a vehicle struck her around 6 p.m. Thursday in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, which is North Seventh Street extended and south of U.S. Highway 24-40 near the Lawrence Regional Airport.Douglas County deputies and detectives continue to work diligently to investigate this thoroughly, find the driver involved and work appropriately through the justice system from there.Detectives have determined the vehicle of interest is a truck that is all white with no side markings.DGSO continues to ask anyone who might have information about the vehicle in the photo or been in the area on E 1500 Road between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday and has potential information to call DGSO Detective Lance Flachsbarth, 785-393-5845, or Douglas County Crime Stoppers, 785-843-TIPS (8477), and leave your contact information.

Sheriff: Victim in fatal hit-and-run was KU student from Nebraska

By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily&nbsp;blocked Friday night a lower court’s order that the Trump administration pay for a full month of food benefits, hours after some states began loading nutrition assistance funds on payment cards held by the 42 million Americans who use the program.

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26221041-25a539-admin-stay/" target="_blank">In a two-page filing,</a>&nbsp;Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson&nbsp;accepted the government’s request to pause a Thursday order from Rhode Island Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell while a lower appeals court hears the case.&nbsp;

His order Thursday compelled the U.S. Department of Agriculture to transfer funds from other programs to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, for November. The Trump administration had said the ongoing government shutdown meant it could not pay November SNAP benefits.

“The applicants assert that, without intervention from this Court, they will have to ‘transfer an estimated $4 billion by tonight’ to fund SNAP benefits through November,” Jackson, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, wrote.&nbsp;

A stay is needed to reach an “expeditious resolution,” she wrote.

Jackson’s order froze SNAP payments to states that the USDA had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-issues-november-snap-benefits-then-asks-supreme-court-intervene" target="_blank">appeared to authorize</a>&nbsp;earlier Friday before the administration appealed to the high court.

It was unclear Friday night what effect that might have on individual recipients’ electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards. A press release earlier Friday from California Gov. Gavin Newsom said some Californians had begun to see full benefits on their cards, following an order from a lower court.

In a Friday evening brief to the Supreme Court that followed a day of conflicting messages from the administration, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer said the high court should step in to protect the executive branch’s power from what he characterized as unprecedented overreach by McConnell.

By demanding that the USDA transfer money from a $23 billion fund for child nutrition programs to pay for November SNAP benefits, McConnell substituted his judgment for the agency’s, a violation of the constitutional separation-of-powers doctrine, Sauer argued.&nbsp;

The department’s decision to pay for partial November benefits, by using the roughly $5 billion remaining in a contingency fund, rather than by paying about $9 billion for a full month of benefits, was its decision to make and not reviewable by courts, Sauer said.

“USDA reasonably determined that the best course was to combine partial SNAP payments with stable funding for Child Nutrition Programs—versus jeopardize the latter to guarantee full payments with the former,” Sauer wrote. “The district court would have done otherwise. But it had no legal basis to ‘substitute its own policy judgment for that of the agency.’”

The lower court order — as well a midday Friday letter from the USDA to state SNAP administrators — had also led to confusion among states who started to demand SNAP funds in a way Sauer compared to a bank run.

Several states announced full funding would be available and began sending money to beneficiaries.

Immediately after McConnell’s order was published, Wisconsin demanded “100% of SNAP benefits,” Sauer wrote. Even though the USDA system rejected the file, the private-sector processor of the payment “moved forward, resulting in Wisconsin currently overdrawing its letter of credit by $20 million,” he said.

Kansas made a similar move. And some California SNAP users received their full benefits, according to Sauer’s brief.

McConnell on Thursday had ruled the department’s decision to withhold SNAP benefits arbitrary and capricious — the standard for judicial review of an executive branch action.&nbsp;

The $23 billion fund could spare the $4 billion needed to make November SNAP benefits whole and still maintain its intended purpose well beyond the month, so there was no need to maintain that fund at that level, he wrote.

Instead, the decision “predictably magnifies harm and undermines the very purpose of the program it administers,” McConnell wrote.

While federal agencies are due discretion from courts, such a “poor” use of decision-making power must be remedied, he said.

“Contrary to what the Defendants claim, 29 million children who participate in the Child Nutrition Program are not at risk of immediately going hungry in the event of a transfer,” he said. “Instead, SNAP recipients—16 million of whom are children—will go hungry if they do not receive their SNAP benefits this month.”

But Sauer responded that was not McConnell’s call to make.&nbsp;

The trial judge’s ruling improperly assumed that Congress would eventually replenish the child nutrition program fund, but the USDA was within its right to take a more cautious approach toward protecting the child nutrition funding, said the solicitor general.

“It obviously was not unlawful for the agency to see things differently—and refuse to starve Peter to feed Paul, by gambling school lunches tomorrow in exchange for more SNAP money today,” he wrote. “Indeed, that sort of hard tradeoff is precisely the sort of decision that Congress committed to agency discretion and placed beyond the reach of judges.”

While the USDA had not denied that it was able to move money to different priorities after Congress had appropriated it, the government did not have to do so, Sauer said.

Allowing McConnell’s ruling to stand would invite a stampede to litigation, the government maintained.

“If allowed to stand, this decision will metastasize and sow further shutdown chaos,” Sauer said. “Every beneficiary of a federal program could run into court, point to an agency’s general discretion to prioritize funding, and claim that failing to prioritize their chosen program was arbitrary and capricious.”

Sauer also said McConnell read too much into Trump’s social media post this week that threatened to withhold SNAP funding for the duration of the shutdowns.

McConnell cited in his order the post, in which Trump said SNAP benefits would “be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!” showed the true purpose of the USDA move was political leverage.

“The court below had no basis to transfer of billions of dollars from school lunches to its preferred program based on its tendentious view of ‘the administration’s true motivations.’”

In a statement, Skye Perryman, the president and CEO of Democracy Forward, an advocacy group that is leading the litigation to force SNAP payments, said the group would continue to work to “secure benefits for the American people”

“The Trump-Vance administration continues to attempt — over and over — to take food out of the hands of families, seniors, workers, and children,” Perryman said. “And every time they tried, the courts told them what the law already makes clear: they cannot. American families should not be used as political props in a shutdown that this White House manufactured.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762570194872.png" alt="Supreme Court's Justice Jackson issued the emergency order -Photo Credit:Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States." />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court's Justice Jackson issued the emergency order -Photo Credit:Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States.</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily&nbsp;blocked Friday night a lower court’s order that the Trump administration pay for a full month of food benefits, hours after some states began loading nutrition assistance funds on payment cards held by the 42 million Americans who use the program.<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26221041-25a539-admin-stay/" target="_blank">In a two-page filing,</a>&nbsp;Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson&nbsp;accepted the government’s request to pause a Thursday order from Rhode Island Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell while a lower appeals court hears the case.&nbsp;His order Thursday compelled the U.S. Department of Agriculture to transfer funds from other programs to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, for November. The Trump administration had said the ongoing government shutdown meant it could not pay November SNAP benefits.“The applicants assert that, without intervention from this Court, they will have to ‘transfer an estimated $4 billion by tonight’ to fund SNAP benefits through November,” Jackson, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, wrote.&nbsp;A stay is needed to reach an “expeditious resolution,” she wrote.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762569874331.png" alt="Page 1" />
 <figcaption>Page 1</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762569857484.png" alt="Page 2" />
 <figcaption>Page 2</figcaption>
 </figure>Jackson’s order froze SNAP payments to states that the USDA had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-issues-november-snap-benefits-then-asks-supreme-court-intervene" target="_blank">appeared to authorize</a>&nbsp;earlier Friday before the administration appealed to the high court.It was unclear Friday night what effect that might have on individual recipients’ electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, cards. A press release earlier Friday from California Gov. Gavin Newsom said some Californians had begun to see full benefits on their cards, following an order from a lower court.<h2>High court challenge&nbsp;</h2>In a Friday evening brief to the Supreme Court that followed a day of conflicting messages from the administration, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer said the high court should step in to protect the executive branch’s power from what he characterized as unprecedented overreach by McConnell.By demanding that the USDA transfer money from a $23 billion fund for child nutrition programs to pay for November SNAP benefits, McConnell substituted his judgment for the agency’s, a violation of the constitutional separation-of-powers doctrine, Sauer argued.&nbsp;The department’s decision to pay for partial November benefits, by using the roughly $5 billion remaining in a contingency fund, rather than by paying about $9 billion for a full month of benefits, was its decision to make and not reviewable by courts, Sauer said.“USDA reasonably determined that the best course was to combine partial SNAP payments with stable funding for Child Nutrition Programs—versus jeopardize the latter to guarantee full payments with the former,” Sauer wrote. “The district court would have done otherwise. But it had no legal basis to ‘substitute its own policy judgment for that of the agency.’”<h2>Confusion in states&nbsp;</h2>The lower court order — as well a midday Friday letter from the USDA to state SNAP administrators — had also led to confusion among states who started to demand SNAP funds in a way Sauer compared to a bank run.Several states announced full funding would be available and began sending money to beneficiaries.Immediately after McConnell’s order was published, Wisconsin demanded “100% of SNAP benefits,” Sauer wrote. Even though the USDA system rejected the file, the private-sector processor of the payment “moved forward, resulting in Wisconsin currently overdrawing its letter of credit by $20 million,” he said.Kansas made a similar move. And some California SNAP users received their full benefits, according to Sauer’s brief.<h2>16 million children on SNAP</h2>McConnell on Thursday had ruled the department’s decision to withhold SNAP benefits arbitrary and capricious — the standard for judicial review of an executive branch action.&nbsp;The $23 billion fund could spare the $4 billion needed to make November SNAP benefits whole and still maintain its intended purpose well beyond the month, so there was no need to maintain that fund at that level, he wrote.Instead, the decision “predictably magnifies harm and undermines the very purpose of the program it administers,” McConnell wrote.While federal agencies are due discretion from courts, such a “poor” use of decision-making power must be remedied, he said.“Contrary to what the Defendants claim, 29 million children who participate in the Child Nutrition Program are not at risk of immediately going hungry in the event of a transfer,” he said. “Instead, SNAP recipients—16 million of whom are children—will go hungry if they do not receive their SNAP benefits this month.”<h2>‘Starve Peter to feed Paul’</h2>But Sauer responded that was not McConnell’s call to make.&nbsp;The trial judge’s ruling improperly assumed that Congress would eventually replenish the child nutrition program fund, but the USDA was within its right to take a more cautious approach toward protecting the child nutrition funding, said the solicitor general.“It obviously was not unlawful for the agency to see things differently—and refuse to starve Peter to feed Paul, by gambling school lunches tomorrow in exchange for more SNAP money today,” he wrote. “Indeed, that sort of hard tradeoff is precisely the sort of decision that Congress committed to agency discretion and placed beyond the reach of judges.”While the USDA had not denied that it was able to move money to different priorities after Congress had appropriated it, the government did not have to do so, Sauer said.Allowing McConnell’s ruling to stand would invite a stampede to litigation, the government maintained.“If allowed to stand, this decision will metastasize and sow further shutdown chaos,” Sauer said. “Every beneficiary of a federal program could run into court, point to an agency’s general discretion to prioritize funding, and claim that failing to prioritize their chosen program was arbitrary and capricious.”<h2>Trump social media post</h2>Sauer also said McConnell read too much into Trump’s social media post this week that threatened to withhold SNAP funding for the duration of the shutdowns.McConnell cited in his order the post, in which Trump said SNAP benefits would “be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!” showed the true purpose of the USDA move was political leverage.Sauer said that was improper.“The court below had no basis to transfer of billions of dollars from school lunches to its preferred program based on its tendentious view of ‘the administration’s true motivations.’”In a statement, Skye Perryman, the president and CEO of Democracy Forward, an advocacy group that is leading the litigation to force SNAP payments, said the group would continue to work to “secure benefits for the American people”“The Trump-Vance administration continues to attempt — over and over — to take food out of the hands of families, seniors, workers, and children,” Perryman said. “And every time they tried, the courts told them what the law already makes clear: they cannot. American families should not be used as political props in a shutdown that this White House manufactured.”

US Supreme Court temporarily blocks November SNAP payments

November 7, 2025 (Bellevue, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a former Bellevue Police Department officer as part of a child enticement investigation.

The investigation began in July, when the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office requested NSP investigate a report regarding a Bellevue officer, identified as Ryan Agustin. During the investigation, the Nebraska State Patrol found Agustin to be in possession of manufactured child sexual abuse material.

Friday afternoon, NSP arrested Agustin, 38, of Bellevue, for manufacturing child sexual abuse material. He was lodged in Sarpy County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565129733856.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>November 7, 2025 (Bellevue, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a former Bellevue Police Department officer as part of a child enticement investigation.The investigation began in July, when the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office requested NSP investigate a report regarding a Bellevue officer, identified as Ryan Agustin. During the investigation, the Nebraska State Patrol found Agustin to be in possession of manufactured child sexual abuse material.Friday afternoon, NSP arrested Agustin, 38, of Bellevue, for manufacturing child sexual abuse material. He was lodged in Sarpy County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Former Bellevue Officer Arrested in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture told states Friday it was releasing full November funding for the nation’s major food assistance program that helps 42 million people afford groceries, complying with a federal court order issued Thursday.

Payments would be sent to states Friday, the department’s Food and Nutrition Service said in a letter to state directors of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which is funded by the federal government and administered by the states. Patrick A. Penn, the deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, wrote the two-paragraph&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/%2520https%253a//www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220869-snap-november-2025-benefit-guidance-update/" target="_blank">letter.</a>

“Later today, FNS will complete the processes necessary to make funds available to support your subsequent transmittal of full issuance files to your EBT processor,” Penn wrote. “We will keep you as up to date as possible on any future developments and appreciate your continued partnership to serve program beneficiaries across the country.”

The move abandons an appeal President Donald Trump’s administration made following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">Thursday’s order</a>&nbsp;from Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71886023/00108363689/rhode-island-state-council-of-churches-v-rollins/" target="_blank">appeal</a>&nbsp;said the government shutdown, and the resulting lack of funding for SNAP, was Congress’ fault and that the department could not be compelled to transfer other funds to pay for SNAP benefits.

The shutdown, which started when Congress failed to pass annual laws by Oct. 1, left SNAP without any appropriated funding for November and beyond. The administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-wont-shuffle-funds-extend-snap-during-shutdown-about-face-earlier-plan" target="_blank">reversed its own guidance</a>&nbsp;and declined to use a contingency fund and other accounts within the USDA held more than enough to cover some benefits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761944916334.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>The U.S. Department of Agriculture told states Friday it was releasing full November funding for the nation’s major food assistance program that helps 42 million people afford groceries, complying with a federal court order issued Thursday.Payments would be sent to states Friday, the department’s Food and Nutrition Service said in a letter to state directors of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which is funded by the federal government and administered by the states. Patrick A. Penn, the deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, wrote the two-paragraph&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/%2520https%253a//www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220869-snap-november-2025-benefit-guidance-update/" target="_blank">letter.</a>“Later today, FNS will complete the processes necessary to make funds available to support your subsequent transmittal of full issuance files to your EBT processor,” Penn wrote. “We will keep you as up to date as possible on any future developments and appreciate your continued partnership to serve program beneficiaries across the country.”The move abandons an appeal President Donald Trump’s administration made following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">Thursday’s order</a>&nbsp;from Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71886023/00108363689/rhode-island-state-council-of-churches-v-rollins/" target="_blank">appeal</a>&nbsp;said the government shutdown, and the resulting lack of funding for SNAP, was Congress’ fault and that the department could not be compelled to transfer other funds to pay for SNAP benefits.The shutdown, which started when Congress failed to pass annual laws by Oct. 1, left SNAP without any appropriated funding for November and beyond. The administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-wont-shuffle-funds-extend-snap-during-shutdown-about-face-earlier-plan" target="_blank">reversed its own guidance</a>&nbsp;and declined to use a contingency fund and other accounts within the USDA held more than enough to cover some benefits.