With the government shutdown over, how soon will SNAP recipients feel relief?

Athena Jreij

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — With the government shutdown now over, many Valley residents experiencing food insecurity are hoping to feel relief soon.

Recipients of SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, have been in ‘benefit limbo’ since the shutdown. With conflicting reports on when and how recipients will receive benefits with the government reopening, News Channel 3 is digging deeper into the confusion and when residents will feel relief.

Lisa Newell, a Palm Springs native, says she’s gone without benefits since October and has had to rely on her friends and family for food.

“I’ve worked all my life just right now trying to get my feet back on the floor and so, you know, we all need a little help,” Newell said.

She says she received a letter in the mail saying her benefits would be fully distributed between November 15 and 20th.

However, some recipients may have already received theirs. At FIND Food Bank, officials say it depends on the typical schedule recipients receive their benefits.

News Channel 3 reached out to the California Department of Social Services for clarification, who said in a statement:

“CalFresh/SNAP benefits were delayed due to the Trump Administration’s decision to oppose the issuance of benefits during the shutdown. However, the federal shutdown is over. We anticipate that all recipients should be receiving full SNAP benefits in November and the coming months.  

California remains committed to ensuring that vulnerable Californians have access to the food support they need to the greatest extent possible. While SNAP benefits were delayed, we anticipate that currently all recipients should be receiving full SNAP benefits.”

At FIND Regional Food Bank, the organization has gone into ‘disaster mode,’ with lines extending 30-40% longer than prior to the shutdown. Even with benefits restored, officials say they still expect to operate in crisis mode as they recover the losses and prepare for the holiday season.

“We’ve seen a spike in our lines of up to 30-40%. So even without the shutdown, November and December are holiday months for us, so we typically experience a spike in service numbers. But now even more so, due to the uncertainty,” Lorena Marroquin, Vice President of Community Impact with FIND.

Marroquin says families who lost SNAP have had to put their typical money used for bills, towards groceries.

“A lot of clients have been saying that they are redirecting funds because of the uncertainty. So I know when that happens in a household, especially when you’re paycheck to paycheck, you need a couple of months just to balance out,” Marroquin said.

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Xtra: U.S. is phasing out the penny. How this will impact the Borderland.

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — They’re in your couches and your loafers, but soon they may no longer be in your wallet.

The penny has been minted in the United States for the last 232 years. It has a long history, with Abraham Lincoln’s image appearing on the coin beginning in 1909.

The U.S. Treasury announced it will stop minting the penny once current production runs are exhausted, citing costs of nearly four cents per coin versus the one-cent value. The U.S. Treasury projects savings of about $56 million annually.

This following the trend of other countries such as Canada, New Zealand and Australia, who have already phased out their version of the penny.

On Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, the last batch of pennies were minted during a ceremonial event at the U.S. Mint in Pennsylvania.

Some stores like McDonalds can be seen with signs that read “Penny Phase-Out: Due to the US Penny Phase-Out, we appreciate your help in providing exact change or using a credit/debit card when possible. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

Other stores such as Albertsons can be seen with similar signs, and others reading “Turn In Your Pennies from Your Piggy Bank to Us for FREE! Due to the U.S. Treasury stopping the production of the penny, we are asking, if possible, to give us your pennies in exchange for cash and/or nickels, dimes, or quarters.”

Although the penny will still be used as legal currency, some businesses handling cash have begun rounding prices to the nearest nickel, marking a slight inflation.

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United Way to kickstart ‘7 Days of Caring’ Meal Kit assembly effort

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The United Way of Greater St. Joseph is calling for volunteers to assist with putting together thousands of shelf-stable Meal Kits for local households in need.

The large-scale effort was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Mosaic Life Care and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation.

Mosaic Life Care recently announced a $50,000 contribution to United Way to support local food programs. The Mosaic Life Care Foundation matched the gift, bringing the total investment to $100,000.

The funds will directly support the purchase of food items and supplies needed for assembling Meal Kits.

To meet the growing need for nutritious meals, United Way has launched its “7 Days of Caring,” a series featuring special Caring Connection volunteer sessions dedicated to assembling 2,100 Meal Kits before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Kits will be shared with area residents.

Volunteer sessions will begin on Monday, Dec. 17 and all sessions will take place at the United Way of Greater St. Joseph, located at 118 S. 5th St.

Session dates and times will be:

5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17

1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19

5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20

8:30 to 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21

9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22

1 to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24

9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in advance. Registration is available at www.stjosephunitedway.org/caring-connection.

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Ventura County Fire Department Prepares for Potential Debris Flows Following Aftermath of Mountain Fire

Mina Wahab

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) —Locals are filling up sandbags in preparation for upcoming storms. “We’re just going to sandbag the front door. And I don’t think that the rains going to the water are going to get there, but who knows? If it rains that hard, it might,” said Barry O’Donnell, who lives in Camarillo.

Beyond sandbags the Ventura County Fire Department wants people to build an emergency kit. “Having a spare pair of glasses or knowing where your glasses are to put in that kit. Things like extra medications and spare batteries, a flashlight, maybe even water and food for a day or two,” said Ventura County Fire Spokesman Andrew Dowd.

Dowd says the rainfall estimates range between 1 and 6 inches, and he wants to make sure residents stay informed and have a plan. “With my family, we have a plan. Preset of two different locations that we will meet. If our phones don’t work and there’s an evacuation order given and one of us is home or one of us is not,” said Dowd. The fire department is increasing its staff with 40 additional members, they have also up-staffed their Type 6 fire engines. These are smaller more agile fire engines that can more easily get to flooding or debris flow emergencies. “If there are significant winds and downed trees, we can use that bolt cutters if we need to get through and force entry. We have shovels that we can use if we need to burn up areas or help move debris out of the way or clear out a drainage areas.” The fire department is encouraging people to fill up sandbags at stations throughout the county. 

Click here for evacuation warnings and advisories.

Click here for the National Weather Service Forecast.

Click here for current rainfall totals

Click here for river flow forecast.

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Missouri Man sentenced to 10 years for trafficking cocaine into Idaho

News Team

TREASURE VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) — An out-of-state cocaine dealer is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being caught drug trafficking in Idaho.

William Charles Jones, 34, of St. Louis, Missouri, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Thursday, November 13, for distributing cocaine, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Following his release, Jones must also serve four years of supervised release.

Court records show Jones was a high-volume cocaine distributor in the Treasure Valley area. Investigators say the 34-year-old would travel to Missouri to purchase several kilos of the drug and have it shipped to himself at a residence in Idaho. He would then distribute the cocaine into the community through several mid-level dealers.

On one occasion, Jones travelled to Canada, purchased two kilos of cocaine, and shipped it tohimself in Idaho, following the same process. However, through the efforts of Customs and Border Protection and the Drug Enforcement Administration, that shipment was seized at the U.S./Canadian border.

Following Jones’s indictment, investigators executed a search warrant on his home, uncovering evidence of a trafficking operation. Authorities seized one and a half kilograms of cocaine in brick form, an additional five one-ounce bundles of cocaine, and several psilocybin mushroom bars. They also discovered a dedicated workstation in his garage, complete with a scale, packaging material, and a heat sealer, used to prepare the drugs for distribution. Investigators also found sixteen illegal firearms strategically placed throughout the home.

U.S. Attorney Davis commended the extensive collaborative work of the federal and local law enforcement agencies whose efforts led to Jones’s arrest and conviction. Attorney David Morse prosecuted this case.

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Gene Field Road Bridge to remain closed after MoDOT inspection reveals structural damage

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation have determined that the damaged Gene Field Road bridge will remain closed until structural improvements can be carried out starting next spring.

The Gene Field Road Bridge over Interstate 29 in St. Joseph was closed on Monday, Nov. 10, after being struck by an oversized load. Following evaluations, crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation have determined that the bridge will remain closed until further notice.

One of the bridge’s four support girders was damaged during the incident, causing it to separate from the bridge deck. Due to this and the pre-existing condition of the bridge deck, the bridge will remain closed to all traffic until it can be replaced.

A project to replace the bridge was scheduled for an October 2026 contractor letting, but due to the incident, the project is now being accelerated to the spring of 2026. The Gene Field Road bridge was constructed in 1962.

More information regarding the project, including details about a public meeting scheduled for December, can be found on the project webpage at: www.modot.org/projects/gene-field-road-bridge-replacement-over-interstate-29-buchanan-county.

Traffic Impacts:

Gene Field Road is closed at the bridge over Interstate 29. Due to an ongoing City of St. Joseph project on Woodbine Road, traffic is restricted between Karnes and Cook Road.

The city has implemented a detour directing motorists on the east side of the bridge travel east on Gene Field Road to Bishop Road, then go north on Cook Road.

For more information, please visit www.stjosephmo.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx.

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Idaho Falls Power secures 20-year contract with BPA, ensuring stable, affordable rates

News Release

The following is a news release from Idaho Falls Power:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — After three years of negotiations with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Idaho Falls city leaders approved a 20-year power supply contract that will continue to keep local electric rates stable and affordable for years to come.

“Idaho Falls Power is a city-owned utility and a tremendous asset to our community. City elected officials always strive to protect our community from the ups and downs of the energy market,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper. “This contract, paired with our soon-to-be-operational Peaking Plant, gives us the flexibility to adapt to unpredictable energy markets, keep monthly bills low and help meet future energy needs.”

Idaho Falls Power operates four city-owned hydroelectric plants on the Snake River, which generate about one-third of the community’s electricity. Most of the remaining power (approximately 60%) comes from power purchased through BPA, which distributes energy from federally owned dams throughout the Northwest. Any remaining energy needs are purchased on the wholesale energy market.

“Idaho Falls Power has a long history of building on the past to address the needs of the future,” said Stephen Boorman, Interim General Manager of Idaho Falls Power. “Our city’s self-reliance, technical expertise and commitment to public power makes continuing our 60-plus-year business relationship with BPA a wonderful opportunity.”

Based on predicted energy prices and the value of the federal generation resources, Idaho Falls Power estimates that ratepayers will save around $105 million over the life of the contract versus purchasing energy on the open market. Combining this guaranteed energy allocation, with the stability of our existing hydro resources and the recently completed Peaking Plant, IFP has greatly reduced our exposure to volatile market prices.

“For 125 years, Idaho Falls Power has focused on providing customers with power to light our homes and power our economy,” Lisa Burtenshaw City Council president said. “One of our goals has always been to protect ratepayers from unpredictable energy costs, and this agreement along with our newly constructed Peaking Plant, ensures reliable, affordable power for decades.” Idaho Falls Power customers already benefit from some of the lowest electric rates in the country, just over 7 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is less than half the national average.

Idaho Falls Power’s strong financial position, city-owned generation resources and long record of successful operation under past BPA contracts provide a solid foundation for the future. The utility’s ability to manage risk while maintaining dependable service continues to make it one of the most stable and community-focused power providers in the region.

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Columbia man pleads guilty to murdering his mother’s roommate

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man pleaded guilty to murdering his mother’s roommate in October 2022 on Friday.

Adam Conner, 40, appeared by video and changed his plea of not guilty to a plea of guilty before a Boone County judge. Conner was charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Conner was sentenced to 30 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections plus credit for time served.

Conner’s mother called Columbia police to her home in the 1700 block of High Quest Drive on Oct. 10, 2022, for a welfare check. The woman said her roommate suffered from mental illness and wanted to make sure she wasn’t in the house.

While checking the residence, police began to investigate a suspicious death. Conner was also there when police went to perform the wellness check. In the courtroom Friday, the state said Conner lived in the home as well.

Officers found a closet in the garage with a 40-pound bag of birdseed in front of it. Police found a 58-year-old woman’s body inside the closet. The officer said the body was under a rug inside the closet with a wheelchair on top of it.

The victim was identified in court Friday as Patricia Kelly by a representative for the family. The representative in his victim impact statement said Kelly’s sister accepts Conner’s plea as justice for her.

According to the probable cause statement, police interviewed Conner, who allegedly said he last saw the Kelly early Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Police say Conner gave an inconsistent timeframe.

It was later determined that Kelly died from blunt force trauma to the head. Police interviewed Conner’s mother, who claimed Conner told her not to go into the garage on Oct. 8th when prosecutors believe the crime happened.

Trash bags filled with blood-soaked clothes were found in the backyard. One trash bag contained a bloody claw hammer that crime-scene investigators claimed was consistent with Kelly’s head trauma.

The GPS location of the Kelly’s Life Protect device was at the residence. The Columbia Fire Department was dispatched at 3:11 a.m. Oct. 8th. The device was allegedly pressed three times between 2:57 and 2:59 a.m., according to the statement.

An employee at the call center sent a message to the subscriber and heard “constant panting” but could not verify if the person was safe. court documents state. Columbia firefighters arrived at the home, and when they opened the garage, fire officials said a man, believed to be Conner, was on the phone and said the victim was at the hospital, according to court documents.

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Idaho State Rep. Lance Clow resigns, citing health concerns

Seth Ratliff

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A lengthy career in Idaho politics is coming to an early close. Long-time Twin Falls Republican lawmaker Lance Clow announced Thursday that he will resign from the Idaho House of Representatives at the end of November, citing health issues that have limited his ability to serve.

“This decision comes with the full support of my family and deep appreciation for the citizens of Twin Falls,” Clow wrote in a news release. “You have honored me with your trust and encouragement throughout my career. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I hope I have lived up to your expectations-and perhaps even exceeded them…”

The 78-year-old politician has been a staple in Twin Falls politics for 32 years. His service includes time as a city council member, Mayor, and, most recently, a state representative. Clow was first elected to the legislature in 2012, where he chaired both the education and business committees.

Touching on his early resignation, Clow emphasized he wants to avoid serving in a “diminished or ‘lame duck’” capacity. Instead, he plans to focus on family and personal goals while his health still allows.

His departure creates an immediate vacancy in Legislative District 25. The district committee will now be tasked with nominating three candidates for Governor Brad Little’s consideration. The appointed successor will serve the remainder of Clow’s term, offering an advantage to potentially stand for election in 2026. The process for filling the seat is expected to begin immediately, with no word as of yet on who might fill his seat.

Representative Clow’s full letter announcing his resignation has been included below:

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Local organization tackles food insecurity in the community

News-Press NOW

By: Alexis Kuhnert

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — One local business distributes fresh food from local stores to over 1,800 people each week, in an effort to meet the challenges of hunger throughout the community.

Crossing Nutrition Center is stocked with fresh food from Sam’s Club, North Belt Walmart, Hy-Vee and Price Chopper. It’s then distributed on Wednesday and Friday mornings to the community.

This center has been in the area for seven years and serves as a second site for fresh food distribution in a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank.

There are no qualifying criteria for those who come in. To get in the system, the center only needs registration and to see identification for each individual in a household.

Roger Lenander, executive director of Crossing Outreach, said individuals should receive a barcode to scan after registration. After scanning in, households will get a food box providing them with one to two days’ worth of meals each week.

“We redirect to people’s homes to help getting fresh food, about one million pounds a year that would go to our landfill,” Lenander said.

In 2024, Crossing Outreach served 78,347 individuals with its program. The program can meet the needs of patrons coming in 90% of the time, before it runs completely out of food.

Right now, the program is in need of food coolers, something interested community members can help with by visiting crossing-outreach.org/donate/.

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