By Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued a partial distribution of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, following guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

DHHS is working closely with federal partners to confirm the necessary guidance, logistics, and funding needed to release the remaining November SNAP benefits. The department remains committed to delivering these remaining funds to Nebraskans as quickly as possible.

"After guidance was received from the USDA authorizing partial issuances, the team immediately worked to ensure these payments were issued as soon as possible,” said DHHS Office of Economic Assistance Director Shannon Grotrian. “Now that the federal government is officially reopened, we will work to distribute the remaining benefits as soon as the USDA provides final authorization.”

Nebraskans may check their EBT card balance by calling 1-877-247-6328, online at&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.GfuENRT80eFcHB0yCoTjprvZ1ZEvmDv4Q88TXsVALxABu-2Ff32z3Tzy-2BZU-2BI4Vu-2BLujIC_tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyDFUXts0PPRvJVwOzrZydJLyKHOwrfm-2FVnUnD7DxPTfciEORkT5FIOfxBj-2FE5p80o4ZcnQqIG7HOGpqU4tt7UYU5Oqv-2Bfrs05rkvA87bjMEmYNfI9lIN1AIW8bRT7EBVLcSnTgY6WgMXHj4qij3NHRMbAZbvzqEICHC8kjGLRNvIgtT0yl6ijQl5EkJt-2BS7qKcMFGt08lUAhwQCsTmflyWd-2B-2F-2BqesISOOjBHuOQQmLzg-2F1nWid-2FSFJVLCXvRsJk8G2-2FuGdTmXiEYRmq86Mf0WbArNccHzFVgWsm8j6PEJEdAqtY4JsnuiWFvY-2FTxumnLDIEkFozb-2BvhP8CI46PPl6Ww-3D-3D" target="_blank">https://www.ebtedge.com/</a>, or through the ebtEDGE app on your phone.

Further information will be distributed as additional guidance is received from federal partners.

For additional information and updates to Nebraska SNAP, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.GfuENRT80eFcHB0yCoTjpuvD-2F13syE3XyxuUHSaW75OtLOoUKXHTxHdfXZhx0liVjYe__tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyDFUXts0PPRvJVwOzrZydJLyKHOwrfm-2FVnUnD7DxPTfciEORkT5FIOfxBj-2FE5p80o4ZcnQqIG7HOGpqU4tt7UYU5Oqv-2Bfrs05rkvA87bjMEmYNfI9lIN1AIW8bRT7EBVLcSnTgY6WgMXHj4qij3NHRMbAZbvzqEICHC8kjGLRNvL159BaF-2F-2Fb0piYsQbh4hjlkFBdGJTBiao2zi3v16DhKeA5aE5dkTxCE0p-2Ft1zifsQj-2BlVEJ2rVY8Ys-2FquYo1wy1ODlc1h3kPKrtzITAccf7O75VKiGAAxaGLKvH55ikn-2BXIsTeldwlbaiP9KSDf9XHDb2ZjJujxs4Zt89N9hq1xg-3D-3D" target="_blank">https://dhhs.ne.gov/SNAP</a>.

Partial November SNAP Benefits Issued to Nebraskans

COLUMBUS, Neb.&nbsp;- Nebraska Public Power District’s (NPPD) board of directors approved a 3 percent retail and 1 percent wholesale rate increase during November’s regularly scheduled meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The average residential retail customer uses around 1,000 kilowatts of electricity a month, and based on this amount, would experience an increase of just over $5 per month.&nbsp;

“NPPD’s strong history of maintaining low rates has enabled existing customers to grow within the state and has attracted new industries looking to establish operations in Nebraska, driving economic growth across the communities we serve,” said NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent. “We continue to manage costs at a time when inflation, supply chain constraints and rising material, fleet, and facility expenses present challenges. Despite these pressures, our focus remains on delivering affordable, reliable energy and that commitment is reflected in how NPPD’s rates compare to peer utilities across the nation.”&nbsp;

NPPD benchmarks its retail rate using data from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), who collected data from over 2,600 utilities across the nation. According to finalized EIA data for 2024, NPPD continues to meet the goal to maintain a total retail base rate position among the lowest 15 percent of providers, with the most recent ranking finishing in the lowest 6.5 percent.&nbsp;

NPPD benchmarks its wholesale rates, using a database maintained by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC). The large group includes more than 800 electric utilities, across the nation, which purchase wholesale power. NPPD’s Board of Directors set a goal to remain in the lowest 25 percent and NPPD continues to meet that goal by finishing at the 12.5 percentile in the most recent rankings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition, the NPPD Board of Directors has voted to provide approximately $30.8 million to wholesale customers, which will appear in the form of a Production Cost Adjustment (PCA) credit on wholesale customer bills. This is the eighth consecutive year that NPPD’s wholesale customers will receive a PCA credit.

NPPD Board Approves 2026 Retail and Wholesale Rates

Allen Lorensen, a Fire Apparatus Engineer/AEMT for the Alliance Fire Department was recently recognized by the Board of Directors of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for achieving 20 consecutive years of National EMS certification. This distinction is an honor held by few EMS professionals.

To maintain his status as a Nationally Registered EMT, Lorensen completed, on a biennial basis, the most comprehensive recertification program for EMS professionals in America.

By maintaining his National EMS Certification and completing regular continuing education courses, Lorensen has demonstrated his commitment to providing exceptional prehospital emergency medical care.

Lorensen was Nationally Registered as an EMT in 2004 and has been serving the Alliance community since 2012. Prior to this position, Lorensen worked for the Page Fire Department, Page Arizona as a Firefighter/EMT and before that was a Volunteer with the Alliance Fire Department.

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians serves as the National EMS Certification organization by providing a valid, uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice by EMS professionals throughout their careers and by maintaining a registry of certification status.

Alliance Fire Apparatus Engineer/AEMT Recognized for 20 Years of Service as an EMT

LINCOLN, Neb. — On Monday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m., the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), in partnership with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln Police Department, and Lincoln Fire &amp; Rescue, will host a joint press conference and training exercise in recognition of Crash Responder Safety Week.

Crash Responder Safety Week, Nov. 17-21, is a national initiative sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to remind drivers to slow down and move over for roadside crash responders. NDOT’s&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.b04f70AIkXepI61RSjEid1wcGxursQJ5tSuGL-2FYR1LAC4-2BnoWrOf2NWP-2FRMsz3VfYEmp_tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyPhG1TMqI6e9S8KGoJbMSS-2FF4lQmv064gRlTzmG6k79oDqeGh-2FVzz4vetxundhxJ44BemETLLZpvO6Doyefod2NcqvO8-2FnNacWPWJjbPBkgldzDQrOPg-2BdnXBbwmmMGT1eXX9Zo-2Be8Qdlk2HLwxXg-2BjHS92SkTaCvVz6vyM0RZ2aP2ryUFZThPbcQPwZc-2BrgcWnF2FuRewL0lDMzEHOVoYyX8on6ztkVYz2p-2Bl40adNXpMbV7UgFS57BPsyBTvzEG1bIBJVl3F0wlaj-2FCkK-2FleJczK1NxByVrLaZdEMcppYMMchrDSKJviTFr-2BUVnAWiS8BSN09Y9p5m0Efqinhvtuw-3D-3D" target="_blank">Traffic Incident</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.b04f70AIkXepI61RSjEid1wcGxursQJ5tSuGL-2FYR1LAC4-2BnoWrOf2NWP-2FRMsz3VfcCus_tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyPhG1TMqI6e9S8KGoJbMSS-2FF4lQmv064gRlTzmG6k79oDqeGh-2FVzz4vetxundhxJ44BemETLLZpvO6Doyefod2NcqvO8-2FnNacWPWJjbPBkgldzDQrOPg-2BdnXBbwmmMGT1eXX9Zo-2Be8Qdlk2HLwxXg-2BjHS92SkTaCvVz6vyM0RZ2b9elUSJoGuYSC7G2Q-2Bu1hJ5rFejwRiQfd5fmgqNckBh4P-2Bce6Wjv3K-2BmUJ9RQX5Gzhbx2QPP4uOY3X3QSGskW7aXf8EqziutgOOSl9Pitj1vOFv8n2M3NwYoNS9Tequ-2F1emHuXbiqPXydwtqJWHcaoBip7-2BI8MEr3n5ls7maNAjg-3D-3D" target="_blank">Management</a>&nbsp;(TIM) program works to keep emergency responders, crash victims, and motorists safe by promoting best practices for motorist safety and crash clearance.

The Crash Responder Safety Week event will include a press conference and training exercise to demonstrate a crash response and best practices.

In the event of rain, the press conference location is subject to change.

What: Crash Responder Safety Week Joint Press Conference and Training Exercise

When:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m.

Where:&nbsp;&nbsp;Lincoln Fire &amp; Rescue Training Center, 300 South St., Lincoln, NE 68502

Nebraska Agencies to Host Crash Responder Safety Week Event

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.

-Blaze A Chalupa, Theft-unlawful taking $5,000+ (Class 2A Felony), Theft-unlawful taking $1,5000-$4,999 (Class 4 Felony)

-Tyler Gealy,&nbsp;Theft, Obstructing, Resisting Arrest

-Fernando Villarreal,&nbsp;Terroristic Threats X3, Resisting&nbsp;Arrest, Disorderly Conduct

-Benjamin Franklin,&nbsp;Poss cont sub X2, Poss drug para,&nbsp;Poss deadly weapon by prohibited person, Poss deadly weapon to&nbsp;commit a (F)

-Isabel Hernandez, Poss cont sub, Poss/consume alcohol, Poss drug para

-Candelario Soto III,&nbsp;POV, DUS 4th, Poss cont sub

-Preston Salway,&nbsp;Assault Domestic- Pregnant woman

-Leo Mousseaux,&nbsp;Burglary, Assault Domestic, Animal abuse, Trespassing

-Michael Rivera,&nbsp;PWITD, Poss Cont Sub, No drug tax&nbsp;stamp, Traffic X2.

-Dawson Reifscheide, Attempted 1st degree homicide, POV Burglary, Stalking, Assault domestic 2nd degree, Terroristic Threats, 1st degree false imprisonment, Assault deadly weapon, Use of a deadly&nbsp; weapon to commit a (F)

-Jeremiah Barnes,&nbsp;Terroristic Thereats

-Cole Russell,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, DUI-Drugs, Poss drug para

-Ceten Herrera,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Trespassing

-Brittin Short,&nbsp;Assault Domestic-Pregnant woman

-Robert L Castellon Jr., Robbery (Class 2 Felony), Use firearm to commit a felony (Class 1C Felony), Terroristic threats (Class 3A Felony)

Panhandle police activity, Nov. 4 - Nov. 12

LINCOLN, Neb.&nbsp;- Governor Jim Pillen, a champion of pro-life issues, released the following statement after a baby in the northwest part of the state was surrendered under Nebraska’s expanded safe haven law.

“We’ve got to do everything we can to protect babies, and we have to step up to help moms in need. We took action and expanded Nebraska’s safe haven law to help babies that are vulnerable and ensure their safety. It’s not just that Nebraskans are pro-life, we’re pro-baby — which means being here to help babies and moms who are in tough situations.”

In 2024, Gov. Pillen signed a law that extended the age a baby can be surrendered from 30 to 90 days, allowing the infant to be left with employees at a hospital licensed by the State of Nebraska, a staffed fire station, a staffed law enforcement agency, or an emergency care provider.&nbsp;Individuals are protected from prosecution for any crime based solely on the act of surrendering a baby under the law.

Earlier this year, an infant, the first under the expanded safe haven law, was surrendered in northeast Nebraska.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gov. Pillen Comments on Baby Surrendered Under Expanded Safe Haven Law

ALLIANCE, Neb. – At approximately 4:04 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, Alliance Police Officers were dispatched to 414 E. 6th Street for a report of a male assaulting individuals and acting violently. The suspect was identified as David Whipple of Alliance, male, Native American, DOB 7/29/2006.

While responding, Officer Campbell located an assault victim in the 500 block of Yellowstone Avenue who had contacted Emergency Medical Services (EMS) after being punched in the face by Whipple. The victim had freshly dried blood on his face and shirt and sustained fresh lacerations. The victim directed officers to the 6th Street residence where Whipple was located. Two other victims fled the scene and have not come forward to make a report.

Upon arrival at the residence, officers contacted Whipple’s mother, who was the original caller. She stated that Whipple had been attempting to fight three individuals who left before officers arrived. When she attempted to allow officers inside, she discovered Whipple had locked the door and refused to open it.

Sergeant Grumbles was able to gain entry into the residence. Once inside, he located Whipple hiding under a mattress in the living room. Whipple appeared highly intoxicated, and officers detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. Whipple informed officers that he was currently on probation, which Officer Campbell confirmed through the Nebraska Criminal Justice System. A Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) indicated a result of .214 BAC.

Further investigation revealed Whipple’s recent arrests, including:

Whipple was transported and booked into the Box Butte County Jail on the following charges:

He is currently being held on a $10,000.00 bond.

Chief David Leavitt issued the following statement:

“Our officers responded quickly and professionally to a volatile and dangerous situation. We are grateful for our partnership with the Nebraska State Patrol and Trooper Nutsch for responding to assist our officers. Recidivism is an issue our officers deal with daily. We are arresting the same individuals over and over, only to have them back on the street days, sometimes only hours later, reoffending and putting our community in danger. Violence in our community will not be tolerated, and our department remains committed to protecting the safety of our residents through firm and fair enforcement of the law.”

Alliance Police Arrest Violent Suspect Following Early Morning Assault

BBDC 2025 Annual Meeting & Awards Information

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: In Search Of The McRib

WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood issued a statement following House passage of Senate Amendment to H.R. 5373, the "Continuing Appropriations&nbsp;and Extensions Act.” The legislation provides full-year funding for Agriculture, Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch appropriations&nbsp;bills. Other federal government funding is extended until January 30th&nbsp;by the package.&nbsp;

"After more than 40 days, the Democrat shutdown is finally over. Over the last several weeks, families have waited for food assistance, homebuyers couldn’t purchase flood insurance, and over a million federal employees went without pay. This bipartisan agreement to reopen the government delivers three of the twelve annual appropriations bills while giving Congress until January 30th&nbsp;to complete the rest. Importantly, the package extends SNAP, WIC, and other critical programs through the end of the fiscal year, so that working families have certainty. Additionally, it includes $16 million to&nbsp;further&nbsp;support the construction of&nbsp;the&nbsp;National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture located at&nbsp;Innovation Campus in Lincoln and&nbsp;over $42&nbsp;million in funding for Offutt Air Force Base's&nbsp;Survivable Airborne Operations Center&nbsp;program."

Rep. Flood: Government Reopening Budget Deal Delivers for Nebraska

On this week's episode of the Alliance Bulldogs Coach's Show, brought to you by Harris Sales in Alliance, Jake Schrantz talks with head girls basketball coach Mickenzie Foster.

They break down expectations for this upcoming season, as well as look back at last year's team.

Alliance Bulldogs Coach's Show - 11/12/25 (Girls Basketball)

Roger Dodger to play in Alliance

UPCOMING Nebraska Extension Webinar on Grazing Standing Milo with Cows

Start your bidding adventure today at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://airauctioneer.com/eagle-radio-fall-auction-2025/preview">https://airauctioneer.com/eagle-radio-fall-auction-2025/preview</a>&nbsp;.

Get ready to click, bid, and save big! Eagle Media’s&nbsp;Fall Online Auction&nbsp;is back November&nbsp;11th through 13th, offering three full days of great local deals from your favorite area businesses. Items will be added up to the opening of the auction on November 11th at 7am

From&nbsp;7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, shoppers can browse and bid from the comfort of home — on everything from home improvement and dining certificates to unique gifts. Each item has its own closing time, so keep an eye on your favorites as the clock winds down!

It’s easy to join the fun. Just&nbsp;preview the auction and get registered now&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://airauctioneer.com/eagle-radio-fall-auction-2025/preview">https://airauctioneer.com/eagle-radio-fall-auction-2025/preview</a>.

 Once you’re signed up, you’ll receive instant access to all the listings and updates as bidding opens.

Don’t miss your chance to score great deals while supporting local businesses — the&nbsp;Eagle Media Fall Auction,&nbsp;November 11th through 13th, online from&nbsp;7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Bidding Fun Ahead: Eagle Media’s Fall Online Auction Returns Nov. 11–13

Spencer Gonzalez to play in Scottsbluff 

Box Butte Development Corp's Annual Meeting Just One Week Away

Shon Townsend Band to perform in Alliance 

Jessi Laine to play in Scottsbluff 

A Colorado based bluegrass band, High Plains Tradition, will open the Alliance Arts Council’s 2025-2026 Season on Friday, Nov. 14.

Founded in 1987, High Plains Tradition is the longest running band from Colorado at this time. For 37 years they have brought their Traditional Bluegrass Music to fans from California to Kentucky and from Texas to Canada. They have done 6 successful tours of Ireland as well. Original members Kenny Pabst and Doug Elrick have seen High Plains Tradition begin as a bar act and graduate to major festivals and concerts throughout the Midwest and West.

With Steve Gilmore on guitar and vocals, Mark Leslie on banjo and vocals, and Bobbie Vickery on fiddle and vocals, they play mostly traditional bluegrass, but also have been known to throw in country, swing and a Gershwin tune or two. Audiences have said “WOW, we never expected that. They are so entertaining ….”. Come and enjoy their bright talent and personality for yourself!

Tickets are $15 for Adults, $10 for Seniors and $5 for Students. Tickets are available at Carnegie Arts Center, the Chamber office and at the door. The show is at 7 p.m. at the Alliance High School Performing Arts Center. Season tickets for all four events of the Alliance Arts Council season will also be sold at the door prior to the bluegrass concert.

Business co-presenters that help make this possible are Western Nebraska Real Estate, Harris Sales, FNIC, FNBO and KCOW/Double Q Country Radio.

The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported these programs through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit <a href="http://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov">www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov</a> for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization.

Alliance Arts Council Season to Open on Nov. 14 with Bluegrass Music

Box Butte County Commissioner Meeting Agenda for Nov. 5

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-lawsuit-israel-palestinian-f212a994fef67f122854a4df7e5d13f5">Starbucks Workers United</a>, the union organizing Starbucks baristas, announced stores in 45 cities will strike beginning Thursday. The cities included are in St. Louis, New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego,&nbsp; Dallas, Columbus, Ohio, and Seattle. More stores are prepared to join if Starbucks doesn't reach a contract agreement with the union, organizers said.

Starbucks confirmed that the vast majority of its U.S. stores would be open and operating as usual Thursday.

Starbucks workers union launches strike in 45 cities

🎥President Trump signs bill to end the 43 day government shutdown

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House approved a spending package Wednesday evening that will reopen the government and end the longest shutdown in the nation’s history, once President Donald Trump signs the legislation into law.

The White House announced Trump will sign the bill in the Oval Office at 9:45 p.m. Eastern.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025285?Page=2" target="_blank">222-209 vote</a>&nbsp;marked the first time that chamber took up a bill since mid-September, when Republican leaders recessed after members approved a stopgap spending measure they knew couldn’t advance in the Senate.&nbsp;

That stalemate, centered around sharply rising health care costs, led to a 43-day shutdown that affected nearly every corner of the country through delayed funding for nutrition programs for millions of Americans, no pay for federal workers, flight delays tied to staffing shortages and much more.&nbsp;

But after nearly six weeks of failed procedural votes, seven centrist Senate Democrats and one independent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-advances-bill-end-record-breaking-government-shutdown" target="_blank">broke with party leaders</a>&nbsp;on Sunday to advance the reworked spending package and then voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-bipartisan-vote-passes-bill-end-record-breaking-shutdown-house-next" target="_blank">approve the legislation</a>&nbsp;Monday.&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., who said throughout the shutdown he was interested in a bipartisan path forward on health insurance costs after the shutdown ended, committed to hold a floor vote on a Democratic bill “no later than the second week in December.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said repeatedly throughout the funding lapse GOP lawmakers have ideas to improve the health care system. However, he didn’t detail any of those publicly and hasn’t committed to a floor vote.&nbsp;

House debate on the spending package that will reopen government was largely along party lines, though Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Greg Steube of Florida voted against the bill.

Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Jared Golden of Maine, Adam Gray of California, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state and Tom Suozzi of New York voted for passage.&nbsp;

Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., urged support for the legislation, saying “history reminds us that shutdowns never change the outcome.”&nbsp;

“Over the last 43 days the facts did not shift, the votes required did not shift, the path forward did not change,” Cole said. “The only thing that did move was the level of pain Democrats inflicted on the nation.”

Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the spending panel, rejected the legislation and said it does nothing to address the rising cost of health care.&nbsp;

“More than 20 million Americans will have to pay double, even triple, their monthly insurance premium in just a matter of weeks,” DeLauro said. “And this bill leaves families without even a glimmer of hope that their costs might go down.”

The Senate significantly reworked the stopgap bill&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/chance-government-shutdown-rises-us-senate-fails-advance-spending-bill" target="_blank">the House originally passed</a>&nbsp;in mid-September into what is now a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5371/text?s=1&amp;r=1&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22HR+5371%22%7D" target="_blank">394-page package</a>, adding in three of the full-year government funding bills and changing the date of the stopgap measure to Jan. 30, among many other provisions. The original stopgap was set to last through Nov. 21.&nbsp;

The updated measure gives Congress a couple more months to work out agreement on the remaining nine appropriations bills that were supposed to become law before the start of the current fiscal year on Oct. 1.&nbsp;

Lawmakers could create a partial government shutdown if they’re unable to agree on approving the remaining appropriations bill before the new government funding deadline at the end of January.

Trump will turn his attention toward the rising cost of health care that Democrats highlighted during the shutdown, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a Wednesday briefing, though she didn’t put a firm timeline on when he’ll release any plans.

“Once the government reopens, the president, as he’s always maintained, is absolutely open to having conversations about health care,” Leavitt said. “And I think you’ll see the president putting forth some really good policy proposals that Democrats should take very seriously to fix, again, the system that they broke.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters following a closed-door meeting that Democrats will try to get the necessary signatures on a discharge petition to force a floor vote on legislation to extend tax credits for three years for people who buy their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

The New York Democrat said the extension mirrors how long the enhanced tax credits were set to last initially in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.&nbsp;

Temporary health care subsidies were originally passed as part of the COVID-19-era American Rescue Plan in 2021 for two years. The Inflation Reduction Act, the signature climate policy bill from the Biden administration, then extended those health care subsidies for three years, expiring at the end of December 2025.&nbsp;

“The legislation that we will introduce in the context of a discharge petition will provide that level of certainty to working-class Americans who are on the verge of seeing their premiums, co-pays and deductibles skyrocket,” Jeffries said.&nbsp;

Democrats will need the support of at least a handful of Republicans in order to get the 218 signatures needed to force a vote on the bill. The&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/DischargePetition/2025111210" target="_blank">discharge petition</a>&nbsp;was released mid-afternoon.

The spending package wraps in several different bills and provisions, such as the three full-year funding bills that cover the Agriculture Department, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Legislative Branch, military construction projects and Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Trump administration issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Senate-Amendment-to-H.R.-5371-SAP.pdf" target="_blank">Statement of Administration Policy</a>&nbsp;a few hours before the House voted, saying the administration strongly supports the bill, describing the measure as “a fiscally responsible package that provides the full-year funding necessary to support the Nation’s veterans, farmers, and rural communities.”

The package also “ends disruptions to programs the American people rely on and ensures the thousands of Federal employees who have been forced to work without a paycheck, such as air traffic controllers, will be promptly paid,” the administration added.&nbsp;

The Agriculture and Military Construction-VA spending bills include tens of billions of dollars in earmarks requested by lawmakers from both political parties, important to them as midterm elections loom in 2026.

‘Legislative self-dealing’ in Senate attacked

But not every Republican on Capitol Hill is happy with how the full-year bills turned out.&nbsp;

Speaker Johnson announced mid-afternoon that the House would take a separate vote later this month to remove language from the package that will allow senators to file suit against the federal government if their data is subpoenaed.

“We are putting this legislation on the fast track suspension calendar in the House for next week,” Johnson wrote in a social media post.&nbsp;

The provision, tucked into the full-year Legislative Branch spending bill, is retroactive to January 1, 2022, and would apply to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/combative-ag-pam-bondi-confronts-us-senate-judiciary-over-trump-crackdown" target="_blank">the eight senators who had their cell phone records subpoenaed</a>&nbsp;during a 2023 investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.&nbsp;

The FBI reportedly obtained data for cell phone use between Jan. 4 and Jan. 7, 2021, for Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, as well as Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania.&nbsp;

Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin said during floor debate the bill “contains the single most corrupt provision for legislative self-dealing that anyone in this chamber today has ever voted on.”

“This provision is an affront to our taxpayers, to the rule of law, to everyone who believes that we in public office must be the servants of the people, not the masters of the people who get special legal rights and privileges and multi-million-dollar payoffs,” Raskin said.&nbsp;

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUsg77xQWFM&amp;t=224s" target="_blank">told reporters</a>&nbsp;earlier in the day that he will “definitely” be filing a lawsuit after the new provision becomes law.&nbsp;

“And if you think I’m going to settle this thing for a million dollars? No. I want to make it so painful no one ever does this again,” Graham said, later adding he wasn’t sure if he’d win such a case.

Dissatisfaction among GOP lawmakers with that provision was on full display on social media, where Florida’s Steube responded to Speaker Johnson’s post by writing that the “Senate will never take up your ‘standalone’ bill. This is precisely why you shouldn’t let the Senate jam the House.”

Government to reopen after 43 days: House sends bill to Trump ending record shutdown

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

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats investigating the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein released emails Wednesday they say show President Donald Trump knew about the financier’s abuse of underage girls as far back as 2011.

<a href="https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-oversight.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/3-emails_redacted.pdf">Click here to read the emails</a>

The three&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26223234-2011-2015-2019-epstein-emails/" target="_blank">emails</a>&nbsp;released by Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform were among 23,000 pages of documents turned over to the committee by Epstein’s estate, according to Democrats.

In a 2011 correspondence with the now-convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein wrote that Trump “spent hours at my house” with a victim whose name is redacted from the email. In the same email, Epstein refers to Trump as the “dog that hasn’t barked.”

In a 2015 email exchange between Epstein and journalist Michael Wolff, Wolff tells Epstein that he’s heard CNN will ask Trump about his relationship with the financier. The two have an exchange about how to hypothetically “craft an answer” for Trump.&nbsp;

Wolff responds, “If he says he hasn’t been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable (public relations) and political currency.”

In a January 2019 email, also to Wolff, Epstein referenced a victim’s name, redacted, as having been at Trump’s Florida estate and private club, Mar-a-Lago, and wrote “Trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever. Of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop.”&nbsp;

Emails raise more questions, leading Dem says

House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia said in a statement Wednesday the emails “raise glaring questions about what else the White House is hiding and the nature of the relationship between Epstein and the President.”

“The Department of Justice must fully release the Epstein files to the public immediately. The Oversight Committee will continue pushing for answers and will not stop until we get justice for the victims,” Garcia continued.

Within hours of the committee Democrats’ release of the emails, committee Republican leaders issued a brief press release linking to “an additional 20,000 pages of documents received from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein” contained on Google Drive and Dropbox clouds.&nbsp;

The White House did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment.

Congress investigates after FBI backtracks

The bipartisan committee investigation began shortly after the FBI released a July&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1407001/dl?inline" target="_blank">memo</a>&nbsp;stating the Department of Justice would not be releasing any further information on the government’s sex trafficking investigation into Epstein.

Epstein was found dead, apparently by suicide, in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell where he was awaiting federal trial.

The FBI’s announcement that the agency would not release further details caused a firestorm of demands to release all investigative material, even among Trump’s supporters in Congress and far-right media influencers,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/clip/public-affairs-event/user-clip-charlie-kirk-epstein/5168389" target="_blank">including</a>&nbsp;Megyn Kelly and the late Charlie Kirk.&nbsp;

Trump campaigned on releasing what are often referred to as the “Epstein files.”

A bipartisan effort in the House of Representatives is aiming to force a vote on the release of the files as soon as this week after House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., swears in Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva.&nbsp;

Grijalva has pledged to be the final signature needed on a discharge petition by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., that will compel a floor vote on a bill to release all Epstein investigation files.

Massie and Khanna hosted a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-must-choose-epstein-survivors-demand-vote-release-case-files" target="_blank">press conference</a>&nbsp;on Capitol Hill in early September featuring several women who told stories of abuse by Epstein and Maxwell.

Since the FBI memo, a magnifying glass has been fixed on Trump’s past relationship with Epstein.&nbsp;

The president sued The Wall Street Journal for reporting on a 50th&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-jeffrey-epstein-birthday-letter-we-have-certain-things-in-common-f918d796?mod=Searchresults_pos1&amp;page=1" target="_blank">birthday card</a>&nbsp;Trump allegedly gave to Epstein. The card featured a cryptic message and a doodle of a naked woman with Trump’s apparent signature mimicking pubic hair.&nbsp;

The Journal also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/justice-department-told-trump-name-in-epstein-files-727a8038?mod=hp_lead_pos1" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed the president in May that his name appeared in the Epstein case files. The context in which his name appeared is unclear.&nbsp;

US House Dems say newly released Epstein emails show Trump knew about abuse

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

The U.S. Supreme Court has extended through Thursday a pause on lower courts’ orders that the Trump administration authorize a full month of benefits for a food assistance program that 1 in 8 Americans use to buy groceries.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/111125zr_3204.pdf" target="_blank">brief, unsigned order</a>&nbsp;published Tuesday evening also said the full court would decide on the administration’s request to block court orders that the U.S. Department of Agriculture release full November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.&nbsp;

The case was presented to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who said she would have dismissed the case and denied the request for an administrative stay. Jackson was appointed to the high court by President Joe Biden.

The order adds another wrinkle to a case that was already the object of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-tug-war-over-snap-benefits-timeline" target="_blank">a weekslong tug-of-war</a>&nbsp;over how the program should operate during the government shutdown.

The shutdown could end before the stay expires. The U.S. Senate passed a bill Monday to reopen the government, and the House is expected to pass it Wednesday. President Donald Trump has said he supports the measure and will likely sign it before the end of the day Thursday.

Trump and administration officials have maintained they were not authorized to release November SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

A Rhode Island federal judge ordered the USDA on Thursday to release full benefits for November. The department sent states a memo authorizing those payments Friday morning, then appealed to the Supreme Court on Friday evening to have the district court’s order overturned.

At the same time, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s order.

In the face of often contradicting administrative guidance and court orders, some states began processing full benefits for November, while others have yet to release them.

US Supreme Court maintains temporary freeze on full SNAP benefits for November

WASHINGTON —President Trump observed Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery.&nbsp;It is the first Veterans Day since he returned to office.

🎥President Trump observes Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved a stopgap spending bill Monday that will end the longest government shutdown in American history once the measure becomes law later this week.

The&nbsp;60-40 vote sends the updated funding package back to the House, where lawmakers in that chamber are expected sometime during the next few days to clear the legislation for President Donald Trump’s signature.&nbsp;

Shortly before the vote, Trump said he plans to follow the agreements included in the revised measure, including the reinstatement of thousands of federal workers who received layoff notices during the shutdown.&nbsp;

“I’ll abide by the deal,” Trump said. “The deal is very good.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Republicans, he added, will soon begin work on legislation to provide direct payments to Americans to help them afford the rising cost of health insurance, one of the core disagreements between the political parties that led to the shutdown.&nbsp;

“We want a health care system where we pay the money to the people instead of the insurance companies,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “And I tell you, we are going to be working on that very hard over the next short period of time.”

Earlier in the day, House Speaker Mike Johnson urged representatives to begin traveling back to Capitol Hill as soon as possible to ensure they arrive in time to vote on the bill to reopen the government, after the measure arrives from the Senate.&nbsp;

The Louisiana Republican’s request came as airlines were forced to delay or cancel thousands of flights on the 41st day of the shutdown, a situation that could potentially impact a House vote on the stopgap spending bill if members don’t follow his advice.&nbsp;

“The problem we have with air travel is that our air traffic controllers are overworked and unpaid. And many of them have called in sick,” Johnson said. “That’s a very stressful job and even more stressful, exponentially, when they’re having trouble providing for their families. And so air travel has been grinding to a halt in many places.”

Johnson then told his colleagues in the House, which hasn’t been in session since mid-September, that lawmakers from both political parties “need to begin right now returning to the Hill.”

Trump took a markedly different tone over the challenges air traffic controllers have faced during the shutdown in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115526123205979749" target="_blank">a social media post</a>&nbsp;that he published several hours before he spoke to reporters about the deal to reopen government.&nbsp;

“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked,’” Trump wrote, without explaining what that would mean for workers who had to take time off since the shutdown began Oct. 1.&nbsp;

Trump added that he would like to find a way to provide $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers who didn’t require any time off during the past six weeks.

“For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country,” Trump wrote. “You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind!”&nbsp;

The Senate-passed package will provide stopgap funding for much of the federal government through January 30, giving lawmakers a couple more months to work out agreement on nine of the dozen full-year spending bills.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The package holds several other provisions, including the full-year appropriations bills for the Agriculture Department, the Legislative Branch, military construction projects and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.&nbsp;

Seven Democrats and one independent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-advances-bill-end-record-breaking-government-shutdown" target="_blank">broke ranks Sunday</a>&nbsp;on a procedural vote that advanced the package, drawing condemnation from some House members and outside advocacy groups unhappy that no solution was arrived at to counter skyrocketing health insurance premium increases for people in the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, where bipartisanship is required for major bills to move forward under the 60-vote legislative filibuster.&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said during a floor speech Monday he was “grateful that the end” of the stalemate was in sight.&nbsp;

“We’re on the 41st day of this shutdown — nutrition benefits are in jeopardy; air travel is in an extremely precarious situation; our staffs and many, many other government workers have been working for nearly six weeks without pay,” Thune said. “I could spend an hour talking about all of the problems we’ve seen, which have snowballed the longer the shutdown has gone on. But all of us, Democrat and Republican, who voted for last night’s bill are well aware of the facts.”

Schumer bid for deal on health care costs fails

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was far less celebratory after his bid to get Republicans to negotiate a deal on health care costs by forcing a shutdown failed.&nbsp;

“The past few weeks have exposed with shocking clarity how warped Republican priorities truly are. While people’s health care costs have gone up, Republicans have come across as a party preoccupied with ballrooms, Argentina bailouts and private jets,” Schumer said. “Republicans’ breach of trust with the American people is deep and perhaps irreversible.”&nbsp;

“And now that they have failed to do anything to prevent premiums from going up, the anger that Americans feel against Donald Trump and the Republicans is going to get worse,” Schumer added. “Republicans had their chance to fix this and they blew it. Americans will remember Republican intransigence every time they make a sky-high payment on health insurance.”&nbsp;

Schumer was insistent throughout the shutdown that Democrats would only vote to advance a funding bill after lawmakers brokered a bipartisan deal to extend tax credits that are set to expire at the end of December for people who purchase their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace.&nbsp;

That all changed on Sunday when 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 to move the bill toward a final passage vote.

Maine independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, also voted to advance the legislation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said during a press conference Monday afternoon that he still believes Schumer is effective and should keep his role in leadership, despite the outcome.&nbsp;

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