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The government shutdown has entered its fourth week. Here’s what you need to know:

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The government shutdown has entered its fourth week. Here’s what you need to know:

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  • The federal government shutdown enters its fourth week as President Trump negotiates trade deals with Asia.
  • Funding for food assistance programs SNAP and WIC is scheduled to end on November 1st due to the closure.
  • Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse over extending Affordable Care Act tax subsidies.
  • Air travel has been disrupted, with thousands of flights delayed due to the absence of air traffic controllers.

The federal government shutdown enters its fourth week on Tuesday, Oct. 28, as President Donald Trump is in Asia for trade negotiations until later this week, but there is no sign of Congress moving to resolve the budget impasse by Saturday, Nov. 1, when funding for several key programs is expected to end.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides assistance to more than 40 million people, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, which serves more than 6 million people, including about 41% of all infants in the United States, will not be available until further notice due to closures.

The USDA also confirmed in a memo first reported by Axios that it would not use $5 billion in emergency funds to maintain the program during the shutdown, saying it was reserved for unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday, Oct. 27, that Republican leaders will discuss potential options for the soon-to-expire Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, since the current budget proposal does not extend tax benefits, according to The Hill.

The Senate is scheduled to convene at 3 p.m. ET, but is not scheduled to vote on any shutdown-related measures. The House of Representatives remains in session.

more: SNAP benefits will not be paid on November 1st. “The wells have run dry,” the USDA says.

Is the federal government still closed?

Yes, the federal government has remained largely shut down since shortly after midnight on October 1st.

More than 700,000 federal employees have been furloughed, and about the same number are working without pay. Employees deemed essential to public safety, such as military personnel, law enforcement officers, Border Patrol agents, and air traffic controllers, are required to work regardless.

President Trump signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to keep active-duty military members paid despite the government shutdown, but this does not apply to all federal employees who are required to work.

What do Democrats and Republicans want from reopening the government?

Democrats want to secure tax breaks for the more than 24 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act, but have refused to support government spending bills that do not address the issue.

Senate Democrats want to make the tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of the year, permanent and provide reassurance to prevent the Trump administration from temporarily withholding funds.

Republicans and the president have said they are open to considering fixes to the expiring ACA tax cuts, but want the issue to be addressed separately from the ongoing budget impasse.

What about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid?

According to the Social Security Administration’s closure plan, the agency will continue issuing retirement and disability benefits, but will furlough 12% of its employees and suspend marketing campaigns.

Payments will continue under the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs as well.

Will American mail be delivered?

The USPS said in a statement that it is open because the U.S. Postal Service is not dependent on Congress for funding.

What about the airport?

More than 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration employees will be required to report to work during the shutdown, and neither group is expected to be paid until Congress approves a budget.

The disruption to U.S. air travel deepened on Monday, with more than 5,600 flights delayed across the country as air traffic controllers were increasingly absent as the federal government shutdown continued.

The Trump administration warned of further flight disruptions as air traffic controllers will not receive their full pay for the first time on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

Will food assistance continue under SNAP and WIC?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the nation’s largest food assistance program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, posted a notice on its website on Friday, Oct. 24, saying federal food assistance will no longer be available on Nov. 1.

more: Bessent said troops would begin moving without pay by Nov. 15 if the shutdown continues.

What does the military shutdown mean for the military?

Earlier this month, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to ensure active duty military personnel are paid despite the federal government shutdown.

However, about 55% of the Pentagon’s 740,000 military personnel have been furloughed, including employees in training, procurement and administrative support. Civilians in cybersecurity, medical care, weapons systems maintenance, intelligence and logistics are still working and are not included in President Trump’s order to pay active duty employees.

The National Guard, which President Trump deployed to American cities, must also remain active.

What about Homeland Security, Immigration and Border Protection officers?

Only 5% of the Department of Homeland Security’s 271,000 employees are furloughed, including those involved in research, planning, training and auditing.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that more than 70,000 sworn law enforcement officers across the department, including officers in Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and other critical mission areas, will be paid for all hours worked during the shutdown.

Contributors: USA TODAY’s Zach Anderson, Melina Kahn, Rebecca Morin and Kathryn Palmer. and Reuters

Weather system predicts to help move Melissa away from the East Coast

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Weather system predicts to help move Melissa away from the East Coast

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A series of weather systems is bringing heavy rain and dangerous surf to parts of the Southeast, particularly Florida, but the well-timed weather systems are also part of a weather pattern that is predicted to protect the continental United States from the direct effects of powerful Hurricane Melissa.

On Oct. 26, “several feet” of water was reported to have accumulated in the lobby of a resort in Boca Raton after heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service in Miami, Florida. Standing water also flooded an intersection in Palm Beach, the weather service said.

In Central Florida, more than 19 inches of rain was reported in Eustis, Lake County, in a 24-hour period, and multiple locations in the county reported more than 16 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, Florida. More than 14 inches of rain was reported in Titusville, home to the Kennedy Space Center, and a flood watch remained in place until Oct. 27, the National Weather Service announced.

David Ross, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, said the storm that set single-day precipitation records in central and southern Florida from October 25 to 27 is not directly related to Melissa, but is part of a weather pattern that the hurricane center expects will help steer Melissa northeast into the Atlantic Ocean. Ross said the eastern trough has been going on since August.

Heavy rain is expected to move further north along the U.S. East Coast later in the week, with a “marginal” risk of excessive rainfall causing isolated flash flooding in the Appalachians and parts of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys on the night of October 29 and into the morning of October 30.

Sometimes, some weather patterns aloft can act to concentrate heavy rain in certain areas, Ross said. Areas including Maryland, southeastern Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are expected to face a similar risk of heavy rain on October 30th and October 31st.

The system is expected to provide relief from the sweltering heat for trick-or-treaters in the South wearing their excessively hot Halloween costumes by the weekend, and by Oct. 31, much of the East will see below-average temperatures. However, a low-pressure system is expected to bring rain, which could spoil All Hallows’ Eve festivities in the northeast.

Hurricane Melissa, a potential catastrophic Category 5 hurricane, is expected to make landfall along the coast of southern Jamaica on the morning of October 28, leaving a devastating trail across the island and Cuba hours later. From there, the storm is expected to move through the central and southeastern Bahamas, passing over or near Bermuda on October 30th.

Melissa could briefly bring swells and rough seas to the U.S. East Coast after it passes the Bahamas later this week, but given the angle and speed at which it heads toward the Atlantic, any coastal impacts will likely be short-term, Ross said.

This hurricane season has seen several offshore passing storms, including tropical storms and nor’easters, cause erosion and coastal impacts, but so far the only Atlantic system to make landfall in the continental United States was Tropical Storm Chantal, which crossed the coast of South Carolina and passed through North Carolina on July 6.

Dinah Boyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, wildlife and the environment. Contact dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or dinahvp.77 on X or Signal.

Powerful handshake and nod to Trump for Nobel Prize in Japan

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Powerful handshake and nod to Trump for Nobel Prize in Japan

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump appears to have secured another Nobel Peace Prize nomination — this time from Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi.

She told him at a meeting in Tokyo that she intended to nominate his name for this prestigious award.

Takaichi is the latest in a string of foreign leaders to say they will nominate Trump for the award. He said he was deserving of the honor, which the award committee awarded to Venezuela’s opposition leader earlier this month.

President Trump congratulated Takaichi, who took office last week, as the first female prime minister, saying, “It’s a big deal, a big deal. I want to celebrate that. I think we have to say it out loud.”

Through an interpreter, she told Trump publicly that the world was “starting to enjoy more peace on earth” and praised Trump’s “unwavering commitment to global peace and stability.” Mr. Takaichi said this at the beginning of the meeting at Akasaka Imperial Palace.

White House press secretary Caroline Levitt told reporters accompanying President Trump that Takaichi had privately informed him that he intended to nominate him for the Nobel Prize.

The leaders also agreed to work together to secure supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, as the United States looks to Asian partners for help as China cracks down on exports of materials used to make computer chips, electric vehicles and military equipment.

A framework agreement signed by the United States and Japan requires each country to develop a coordinated plan to accelerate the delivery of processed minerals.

At the beginning of the talks, President Trump told Takaichi: “Whenever there is a question, a question, a desire, a favor needed, something I can do to help Japan, we will be there. We are our strongest allies.”

Takaichi, a close political ally of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, became friends with Trump after the 2016 presidential election and welcomed him to Tokyo the following year on his first Asian tour as president. Prime Minister Abe was assassinated in 2022.

The goodwill extended to Mr. Takaichi as well. After leaving Washington, Trump told reporters that he likes Prime Minister Abe and that she likes him too. “That’s a good sign.”

When the two leaders met for the first time in Tokyo and shook hands, the president said it was a “very strong handshake.”

Takaichi said he and Trump were running a little late because they were watching the start of the World Series.

She told President Trump that her country would gift 250 cherry trees to the United States to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary next year. He also said Japan would provide fireworks for the celebration.

Afterward, the leaders and advisors had a working lunch of American rice and beef prepared with Japanese ingredients. The White House said they discussed the Russia-Ukraine war and critical minerals.

Opinion poll shows Cuomo cuts Mamdani’s lead by half in New York mayoral race

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Opinion poll shows Cuomo cuts Mamdani’s lead by half in New York mayoral race

Latest Suffolk University poll finds Cuomo cuts Mamdani’s lead in New York mayoral race by half

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  • Andrew Cuomo has narrowed his lead over Zoran Mamdani in the New York mayoral race to 10 points, according to a new poll.
  • With about a week to go until the election, Democratic Socialist Mamdani leads independent Cuomo 44% to 34%.
  • Since September, Mr. Cuomo has gained significant support among Hispanic voters and independents.
  • To win, Cuomo will likely need to attract voters who currently support Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has cut his double-digit lead over Democratic Party favorite Zoran Mamdani in half with one week left until the New York mayoral election, according to a new poll from Suffolk University.

The latest Suffolk state poll, released on October 27, shows that Mr. Cuomo, an independent candidate, had a lead of more than 20 points over Mr. Mamdani in the September poll, but now has a 10-point lead.

Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist state lawmaker, leads Cuomo 44% to 34% in the period leading up to the Nov. 4 election, according to a poll of 500 voters conducted by phone from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26. Republican candidate and independent Curtis Sliwa remains in third place with 11%.

A September Suffolk poll showed Mamdani leading Cuomo by 20 points (45% to 25%), followed by Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa with 9% and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams with 8%.

Adams has since withdrawn from the mayoral race and is now supporting Cuomo. As a result, a majority of Mr. Adams’ votes went to Mr. Cuomo, David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk Center for Political Research and who led the poll for New York City’s new mayor, told USA TODAY.

Although Mamdani currently holds a sizable lead, the poll adds some suspense to the widely watched race for mayor of America’s most populous city. Mr. Paleologos said Mr. Cuomo has some momentum, but to defeat Mr. Mamdani voters who support Mr. Sliwa will need to change their ways.

Paleologos said that when voters in Sliwa were asked about their second choice for mayor this month, they supported Mr. Cuomo over Mr. Mamdani by an overwhelming margin of 36% to 2%.

“Mr. Cuomo needs to appeal to Mr. Sliwa’s voters. There is such a big, strong Democratic (candidate), and the only thing that can save Mr. Cuomo at the 11th hour is the Republican voters of Mr. Sliwa. There’s an irony here,” Paleologos said. “They support Mr. Cuomo, and part of the reason is that they are anti-Mamdani and more conservative. They are likely Trump supporters, so they would support any potential Republican nominee.”

“But Mr. Cuomo has to make that case,” Paleologos said. “He’s still the underdog and everything has to go well for him. But he’s starting to show a comeback.”

Spokesman Andrew Cuomo said on October 27 that polls show “the momentum is on our side.” Mamdani’s campaign did not immediately respond to a message from USA TODAY seeking comment on the poll.

A Suffolk poll shows Cuomo has strong support among Hispanic and independent voters.

Mr. Paleologos said Mr. Cuomo’s most dramatic jump was with Hispanic voters, who trailed Mr. Mamdani by 30 points in September, but now have a 1-point lead in polls in Suffolk.

Paleologos said he doesn’t know specifically why Cuomo is doing well among Hispanics. Pollsters said they don’t know if Mr. Cuomo is appealing directly to them “if it’s cultural” or what they prefer in controversial debates.

“But clearly there has been a shift. As we saw during the 2024 presidential election, some Hispanic voters are also more conservative,” Paleologos said. “Perhaps they are leaning toward more moderate candidates with more experience in government.”

From rival to supporter: Mayor Eric Adams supports Mayor Andrew Cuomo in blocking Zoran Mandani

Cuomo’s campaign believes momentum is on its side.

Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said the new Suffolk poll is similar to polls conducted by the Cuomo campaign over the past month.

“Today’s Suffolk University poll shows exactly what we’re seeing on the ground: This is a two-man race, and momentum is on our side,” Azzopardi said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. “And the more New Yorkers learn about how dangerously immature Zoran Mamdani is and his extremist agenda, the less they like what they see.”

Azzopardi said he believes early voting turnout will also help Cuomo.

“And it’s clear that Andrew Cuomo’s message of competent leadership and his policies to improve public safety, end the housing and affordability crisis, and strengthen our economy and education system are resonating,” Azzopardi said. “Andrew Cuomo will not stop fighting for every vote, in every corner of this great city, from now until Election Day. Together, we can and will win the fight to save our city.”

Pollster said Mamdani still within range of victory

Although Mr. Cuomo cut Mr. Mamdani’s lead in half, according to the Oct. 27 Suffolk poll, Mr. Paleologos said Mr. Mamdani is still in a position to become New York’s next mayor. The good news for Mr. Mamdani is that, despite Mr. Cuomo’s gains in the new poll, there may not be enough undecided voters to support Mr. Cuomo’s approach.

Paleologos noted that the polls began on the same day that House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Mamdani for mayor.

A blow to Mr. Cuomo: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries supports Zoran Mandani in New York mayoral race

“Mamdani’s approval ratings haven’t actually gone down. What it shows is that he just hasn’t gotten as strong as Cuomo,” Paleologos said. “The good news for Mamdani is that he is very close to the numbers needed to win.

“He probably needs 46 to 47 percent of the vote to win,” Paleologos added. “He’s right there.”

President Trump’s Midway raid leader asked to testify in Chicago

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President Trump’s Midway raid leader asked to testify in Chicago

U.S. District Judge Sarah L. Ellis ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino to appear in court and testify after video showed him clearly violating the order.

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CHICAGO – A judge on Oct. 28 ordered the head of President Donald Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz to answer questions about whether federal officials were defying the president’s orders to limit the use of chemical weapons against protesters.

U.S. District Judge Sarah L. Ellis ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection Gen. Gregory Bovino to appear in federal court in downtown Chicago after a video taken by anti-immigrant protesters and linked in a court filing showed tear gas being used on protesters. The video was released amid a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois that alleges immigration officials unnecessarily used chemical weapons against journalists, protesters and clergy.

Lawyers representing the civilian group filed a notice on Oct. 26 saying the video shows Bovino violated a temporary restraining order. Mr. Ellis, the judge in charge of the case, issued an order limiting the use of chemical weapons by investigators to cases of “imminent threat” and requiring mandatory warnings.

Homeland security officials have defended the use of chemical weapons and other crowd control tactics in the face of what they call “rioters.”

“There is no better person for the Department of Homeland Security to correct Judge Ellis’ deep misconceptions about its mission, and we thank him for his service,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said of Bovino’s testimony.

The hearing, scheduled for 10 a.m. local time in federal court in Dirksen, comes as the Supreme Court considers whether to authorize the White House to send troops to the city. The Trump administration says the military is needed to crack down on immigration enforcement targeting the “worst of the worst” criminal immigrants.

Local Democratic officials see the raid as a power grab by the Republican White House and take issue with the use of chemical weapons by federal agents in residential areas during the crackdown.

On October 27, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security said that “more than 3,000 illegal aliens, including rapists, murderers, and gang members” had been arrested in connection with the raid. USA TODAY has not been able to independently verify the detainees’ criminal histories or immigration status.

Here’s what you need to know before Bovino takes a stand.

Were protesters executed in gas chambers?

The video, which purportedly shows a Border Patrol chief throwing tear gas into a crowd, was taken by an anti-immigrant protester and linked to federal court documents by lawyers critical of Homeland Security. The incident dates back to Oct. 23, during an immigration enforcement raid on Little Village, a South Side neighborhood and the heart of Chicago’s Mexican community. It was the second attack in recent days.

Tear gas can severely irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, making it difficult to see and breathe.

Moments later, Bovino threw a second can “without apparent justification or warning,” according to a court filing on Oct. 26 by a lawyer representing the private group.

Lawyers for the protesters, journalists and clergy members wrote that they had grave concerns that “the defendants were simply ignoring the court’s” temporary restraining order.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a post to X at the time that “rioters…began throwing rocks and other objects at personnel, including one that struck Secretary Greg Bovino in the head.”

Later on October 23, in an interview with Spanish-language television station Telemundo, Bovino appeared unharmed, saying of Ellis’ order, “I wonder if Judge Ellis got hit in the head with a rock like I did this morning…Maybe she needs to see what it looks like before she makes an order like that.”

“10,000 if I can beat him”: Chicago man orders DHS leader to ‘hit’ him, prosecutors say

Who is Bovino?

Border Patrol Chief Bovino arrived in Chicago shortly after President Trump launched the air raids on September 8th.

“Operation at Large is here to continue the mission we started in Los Angeles: to make our city safer by targeting and arresting criminal illegal aliens,” he announced on September 16.

The longtime Border Patrol agent led immigration raids in Los Angeles that sparked widespread protests and quickly gained a reputation for high-profile tactics in Chicago.

On September 30, he led a raid in which agents rappelled from a Black Hawk helicopter and raided a South Side apartment building. Lawyers for the National Immigration Justice Center said it was unclear whether agents had a warrant for the pre-dawn raid, which left dozens of people arrested and buildings abandoned.

Around the same time, Mr. Bovino was also seen on the Chicago River in a boat with heavily armed operatives. “To the boat,” he wrote in a Sept. 30 post to X. “We will use every resource and tactic to let those who violate our laws know we are coming for you!”

Why did the judge seek to prohibit agents from using chemical weapons?

Bovino is being called to testify in connection with a federal lawsuit over the use of chemical weapons by federal immigration officials against journalists, clergy and protesters.

The case was first filed in the Northern District of Illinois on October 6, and Chief Judge Ellis issued an order on October 9 restricting investigators’ reliance on aggressive tactics.

Ms. Ellis has questioned in court filings and hearings whether her agents were following her orders. On October 16, she also ordered agents to use body-worn cameras following two high-profile raids.

On October 20, she called top officials from the Department of Homeland Security to testify. Customs and Border Protection Incident Deputy Commander. Kyle Harvick and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deputy Director Sean Byers both told Ellis that their officers were following her orders.

At an Oct. 20 hearing, Ellis gave lawyers for the private group two hours to remove Bovino from office. After a video of him deploying tear gas was released, she immediately extended his testimony to five hours and ordered him to appear in court, according to court filings.

Bovino’s hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time. It is unclear whether he will use the public entrance to the building or a private entrance used by other immigration officials.

What are the winning numbers for Powerball’s $358 million jackpot?

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What are the winning numbers for Powerball’s 8 million jackpot?

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The Powerball jackpot was drawn after no one won the top prize on Saturday, October 25th, and rose to $358 million on Monday, October 27th.

If the ticket matches all five numbers and the Powerball in the 11 p.m. ET drawing, the winner can elect a one-time cash payment of $170.7 million before taxes.

Top 10 Powerball Jackpots

  1. $2.04 billion – November 7, 2022 – California
  2. $1.787 billion – September 6, 2025 – Missouri, Texas
  3. $1.765 billion – October 11, 2023 – California
  4. $1.586 billion – January 13, 2016 – California, Florida, Tennessee
  5. $1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 – or
  6. $1.08 billion – July 19, 2023 – California
  7. $842.4 million – January 1, 2024 – Michigan
  8. $768.4 million – March 27, 2019 – Wisconsin
  9. $758.7 million – August 23, 2017 – Massachusetts
  10. $754.6 million – February 6, 2023 – Washington State

Check below to find out the winning numbers for the October 27th Powerball drawing.

Powerball winning numbers for October 27, 2025

Winning numbers for Monday, October 27th will be posted here as soon as they are drawn.

The lottery winning numbers sponsors are: Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of the USA TODAY Network.

Has anyone won Powerball?

Powerball winners will be posted here as soon as they are announced by lottery officials.

To find a complete list of past Powerball winners, go to Click on the link to the lottery website.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing will take place on Wednesday, October 29th, just after 11:00 PM ET.

How to play Powerball

To play Powerball, you must purchase a $2 ticket. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Powerball tickets online.

Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls with numbers from 1 to 69. The red Powerball range is 1-26. You can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases your winnings on all non-jackpot prizes.

“Power Play” multipliers allow you to increase your winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x.

If you’re feeling unlucky or just want to let the computer do the work for you, you can take advantage of the “Quick Pick” option, where a computer-generated number is printed on your Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls with the red Powerball in any order.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. The winnings continue to increase even if no one wins the jackpot.

Where to buy lottery tickets

Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery companythese states and territories of the United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery games and numbers, place your order, view your tickets, and claim your winnings, all from your mobile phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visit jackpocket.com/tos Over the entire period.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.

‘CBS Evening News’ John Dickerson leaves network

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‘CBS Evening News’ John Dickerson leaves network

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CBS Evening News is undergoing another major transformation.

John Dickerson, who took over as co-anchor of CBS’ evening newscasts in January following the departure of Norah O’Donnell, will be leaving the network at the end of the year.

Dickerson shared the news in an Instagram post on Monday, October 27th.

“I am extremely grateful for everything CBS has given me, the work, the audience attention, and the honor of being part of the network’s history. I am also grateful to my dear colleagues who have made me a better journalist and a better person,” he wrote. “i will miss you.”

Dickerson, who also serves as chief political analyst for CBS News, did not discuss the reason for his resignation. He will continue as co-anchor of “CBS Evening News” through the holiday season, the network said.

CBS News President Tom Cybrowski said in a statement that Dickerson “exemplifies the best of journalism,” adding that there is “plenty of time to thank him for his work here and honor his contribution to our success” before he retires at the end of the year.

Why Norah O’Donnell Will you quit “CBS Evening News”? “It’s time” she says

The news comes weeks after Bari Weiss was named managing editor of CBS News, an unusual choice for the role given her lack of experience in broadcast journalism. Mr. Weiss founded the media company Free Press, which was acquired by CBS parent company Paramount Skydance, and previously served as an op-ed editor and writer for the New York Times.

CBS appoints Norah O’Donnell ‘CBS Evening News’ anchor replaced for new role

Dickerson’s departure is also the latest major change at CBS Evening News after O’Donnell stepped down as anchor in January. After 12 years at CBS News, she announced her retirement in July 2024, saying she felt “it was time to do something different.” In her resignation, she said serving as anchor had been “the honor of a lifetime.”

CBS named Dickerson and Maurice Dubois to replace O’Donnell, who officially took over in January. Dickerson first joined CBS News in April 2009, where he also hosted “Face the Nation.”

Who will be the first Democratic nominee in 2028? States are invited to apply now

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Who will be the first Democratic nominee in 2028? States are invited to apply now

Iowa and New Hampshire have indicated they may lead the way regardless of the DNC’s decision.

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As the Democratic National Committee considers the order of its 2028 presidential primary calendar ahead of what is expected to be a close race for the White House, it is prioritizing states that offer “rigorous, efficient and fair” nominating contests.

The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee has begun the application process for states wishing to join the 2028 early nomination slot, emphasizing the need to create a system to promote strong candidates who can win the general election.

“The real question we face as we move forward with this process is why including states in an early window, pre-window period, helps elect a Democratic president and win elections,” committee member Stuart Appelbaum said at the Monday, Oct. 27 meeting. “That is the main criterion we consider when making decisions.”

The commission approved a resolution Oct. 27 inviting proposals from states that would like to hold presidential primaries or caucuses ahead of Super Tuesday. These states have until January 16, 2026 to submit their plans to the commission.

Iowa Democrats are still toying with preemption regardless of what the DNC decides. New Hampshire has indicated it will take similar action.

For years, the Democratic early voting field included four states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.

But after the 2020 Iowa caucuses ended in disastrous results due to delays and inaccuracies in reporting, the DNC decided to rework the calendar.

Then-President Joe Biden recommended that South Carolina take the lead instead of Iowa, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan. The DNC approved the change but indicated it may reconsider the order ahead of the 2028 presidential election cycle.

This order is critical in setting the stage for the nomination process, especially as Democrats face a vast field of potential candidates who have already begun to spread out across the country and lay the early groundwork for a possible campaign.

Members of the Rules and Bylaws Committee approved a resolution at their Oct. 27 meeting that outlines three pillars to guide them in considering the state’s proposal.

  • Rigor: “Early state lineups must be a comprehensive test of candidates with diverse voter groups that are key to winning the general election.”
  • Fairness: “Initial state lineups must be affordable and viable for candidates and must not unduly deplete candidates’ resources or prevent them from effectively participating in future contests.”
  • Efficiency: “Practical ability to plan and manage fair, transparent, and inclusive primaries and caucuses.”

Commissioners also emphasized the need for the state’s plan to be logistically feasible, both in terms of legislative approval and cost, “otherwise it’s just a waste of time,” Commissioner Elaine Kamarck said.

In 2024, the DNC approved moving Georgia to early voting slots. However, the Republican-led state did not move up its primary election date.

Committee leaders said they plan to invite some states to make presentations to the committee before considering the applications and selecting four or five states representing different regions of the country to make up the early voting slots.

Behind-the-scenes and public bargaining has already begun among states likely to compete for early voting slots.

Committee member and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan pushed back as members discussed a phrase in a resolution promoting retail politics that often cited the benefits of campaigning in small states.

“Retail politics won’t be a reality until October,” she said. “And we need to see how the candidates perform in the actual states, the early states.”

New Hampshire Commissioner Joanne Dowdell suggested that states also “need to demonstrate the ability to report election results in a timely manner,” which could hurt Iowa.

In a joint statement, committee co-chairs Mignon Moore and James Roosevelt Jr. said they are “committed to a fair and transparent process that delivers a veteran candidate who will restore the White House to the Democratic Party.”

“Today, RBC takes an important first step in charting our path to 2028,” they said.

Iowa, New Hampshire and other states consider approaches as 2028 debate progresses

In 2024, New Hampshire refused to accept the DNC’s official calendar mandate, and the state held the nation’s first unofficial primary ahead of South Carolina’s vote.

The DNC initially disqualified New Hampshire’s delegates from the national convention as punishment, but eventually reversed and reinstated the delegates.

The state once again signaled its intention to fight for a preemptive move.

In a message posted on social media, Dowdell said New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan met privately with new members of the Rules and Bylaws Committee ahead of the meeting and “made the case for why we need to be the first in the nation.”

The draft resolution adopted by the Rules and Bylaws Committee on October 27 includes reference to “severe penalties” for parties and candidates who do not comply with the agreed timetable.

But Iowa state leaders have indicated that the penalty will not apply to New Hampshire in 2024 and should not interfere with Iowa’s decision on how to proceed in 2028.

In August, Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Rita Hart released a survey asking rank-and-file Democrats about the timing of their caucuses and whether they felt it was important to follow the national party calendar.

If the Iowa Democratic Party is not selected to serve on the committee for early voting slots, holding a “rogue” non-recognition caucus is one option being considered.

The findings will be compiled into a report for the Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee meeting in December.

“I am disappointed that the DNC has already set back the promise of an open and democratic process by forcing a vote on this proposal,” Hart said in a statement. “No matter what false timelines the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee tries to set for this process, I remain committed to continuing family conversations about the Iowa caucus process with members of the state central committee, my campaign, and Democrats in the state.”

He said “all options are on the table” as the party considers where to go next.

In 2024, the Iowa Democratic Party converted its longstanding in-person caucuses into completely absent mail-in caucuses.

The Iowa Democratic Party met in person only to conduct business on the same day the Iowa Republican Party held its first caucus in the nation, but announced its caucus results on Super Tuesday in March 2024.

State party leaders had hoped that complying with the DNC’s rules in 2024 would ingratiate themselves with the national Democratic Party and open the door to new negotiations over their place on the 2028 calendar.

But Scott Brennan, a longtime member of Iowa’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, was not reappointed to the influential committee, which could signal Iowa’s influence is declining.

On the Republican side, there have been no substantive discussions about changing the nomination calendar. Iowa Republicans are once again leading the process, with New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina expected to follow.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief political reporter for the Des Moines Register. She writes about campaigns, elections, and the Iowa caucuses. Contact us at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her at @brianneDMR on X.

Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau, and the delicate art of a ‘soft launch’

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Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau, and the delicate art of a ‘soft launch’

Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau have been spotted holding hands, which could mean the days of “soft launches” aren’t over yet.

The former “American Idol” judge and former Canadian prime minister attended a cabaret show together in Paris on Saturday, Oct. 25, for Perry’s 41st birthday, according to a video from TMZ and photos published by Backgrid. Perry and Trudeau, 53, left the theater hand in hand and got into a car, surrounded by photographers.

To be clear, neither Mr. Perry nor Mr. Trudeau have publicly commented on the rumors of their relationship (USA TODAY has reached out to Mr. Perry’s representatives for comment). But despite this, many online continue to speculate that the two are actually a couple. After all, in the age of “soft launches,” sometimes the only way to know if someone is in a relationship is by reading nonverbal cues.

For those unfamiliar with the dizzying jargon of modern dating, a “soft launch” is when you share subtle signs of whether or not you’re dating someone. In some cases, a soft launch looks like posting a photo of yourself holding hands with someone on social media, keeping that person’s identity private. There are varying degrees of “soft launch” and should not be confused with “hard launch” (where you overtly announce that you are in a relationship).

Sarah Kubrick, a mental health expert known online as The Millennial Therapist, detailed the details of a healthy (and unhealthy) soft launch in a previous column for USA TODAY. What would be her main point? Make sure you soft launch for the right reasons and with respect for your partners in mind.

“Before thinking about soft-launching a relationship, it’s essential to consider your motives,” Kubrick wrote. “In some cases, a soft launch doesn’t help us or honor our partners.”

Soft launch or not?

According to Kubrick, there are several good reasons to soft launch a relationship.

  • privacy. “Some may wish to acknowledge their relationship while maintaining privacy,” Kubrick wrote. “Privacy can be a way to protect yourself and those you love.”

What is a “soft launch” in a relationship? And is it right for you?

  • Uncertainty. “Suppose you are feeling anxious about the future of this person or the relationship,” Kubrick writes. “In that case, a soft launch allows you to test the waters without any public repercussions if things don’t work out. It’s a non-committal way to declare that you have someone in your life.”
  • compromise. “Perhaps your partner is upset that you don’t post about them, but you have strict social media boundaries,” Kubrick wrote. “You decided to soft launch the relationship as a way to meet somewhere in the middle.”

What we know about Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau

Perry and her longtime partner Orlando Bloom (with whom she shares 5-year-old daughter Daisy Dove) announced their split in July. At the time, a representative for the Grammy-nominated singer and the “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor, who had been engaged for six years, said the two “have been transitioning their relationship in recent months to focus on co-parenting.”

“They will continue to be seen as a family, as raising their daughter with love, stability and mutual respect is and will continue to be their shared priority,” the statement said.

Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau holding hands go out in public on her birthday

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Trudeau, who resigned as Canada’s prime minister earlier this year amid difficult election forecasts, will divorce his wife Sophie Grégoire in 2023. The former couple married in 2005 and had three children.

In announcing their separation, Trudeau and Gregoire said they “remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and all that we have built and continue to build.”

Contributor: Brendan Morrow

President Trump’s World Series tweet is fake. His real issues with Canada and Los Angeles

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President Trump’s World Series tweet is fake. His real issues with Canada and Los Angeles

A mock-up of Truth Social’s post, which shows President Donald Trump criticizing the home of two Major League Baseball teams during the World Series, is fake.

The post, shared by an Instagram meme account and widely shared on social media, said: “Both baseball teams are run by extremely incompetent officials from California and Ontario, Canada, so no matter who wins, we will refuse to invite them to the ballroom.” “I will not host a loser. We are actively investigating MLB. This World Series is likely rigged by the Democrats and the Mafia.”

USA TODAY found no evidence that he actually posted this on Truth Social. The same Instagram account that posted this posted several other fictitious posts made to appear to be from President Trump.

The Los Angeles Dodgers tied 1-1 in the seventh round of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, with Game 3 to be played on October 27th in Los Angeles.

However, Trump has a history of criticizing the leaders of California and Canada. Here’s what you need to know:

more: President Trump underwent an MRI at Walter Reed Hospital. What health condition has he been diagnosed with?

President Trump ignores Canadian PM’s bet on MLB over tariffs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he wanted to bet with President Trump that the Toronto Blue Jays would beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, but he never heard back.

Instead, Trump upended trade negotiations with Canada after running a TV ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan’s voice talking about tariffs. The cost was paid for by the Ontario government, whose leaders have threatened to cut off energy supplies to some U.S. states if President Trump moves forward with tariffs on its northern neighbor. “Canada got caught cheating!!!” he wrote on Truth Social on Oct. 23. “They fraudulently received an expensive bribery ad saying President Ronald Reagan didn’t like tariffs, when in reality he loved tariffs for our country and national security.”

In a narration of an April 25, 1987 speech spliced ​​for advertising purposes, President Reagan said that he did not like tariffs, but that he imposed tariffs on some Japanese imports after Japan violated the semiconductor trade agreement. The ad aired during the first two games of the World Series, but Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced it would be suspended starting Oct. 27.

President Trump also said Canada should become the 51st state, despite rebuke from local leaders.

Trump and Gavin Newsom’s long-running feud

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been an outspoken critic of Trump, who in turn often refers to him as “Newscam.”

Mr. Newsom has been at the forefront of the state’s redistricting conflict, sparked by efforts by Texas lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional maps to increase Republican seats. On August 14, Newsom announced that Democratic-leaning states would hold special elections to approve mid-decade redistricting plans in hopes of gaining more Democratic seats.

California’s governor’s office is copying President Trump’s social media style with posts trolling him and mocking Republicans online.

In an interview on CBS News Sunday Morning on October 26, Newsom addressed speculation that he might run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, saying he was considering it.

Contributed by: Michael Collins, Joey Garrison, Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky (@kinseycrowley.bsky.social).

Amazon’s layoffs reportedly affect thousands of jobs

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Amazon’s layoffs reportedly affect thousands of jobs

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Amazon plans to cut thousands of corporate jobs starting October 28, according to multiple reports.

The impending layoffs represent the largest layoff in the company’s history, CNBC and Reuters reported, citing anonymous sources.

Up to 30,000 employees could be cut, according to Reuters, which first reported the impending job cuts on Monday afternoon (October 27). Retrenchments could impact the entire company, including departments such as human resources, devices, services and operations, among others.

Managers of the affected teams were notified of the layoffs and required to undergo training on communicating with staff, Reuters reported. According to estimates by the news agency, the job cuts will affect nearly 10% of the company’s approximately 350,000 employees.

The company has implemented planned layoffs, affecting more than 27,000 employees, various media reported.

USA TODAY reached out to Amazon but did not immediately receive a response.

Amazon repeats assaults under Jassy

Both media outlets said the layoffs were part of Amazon CEO Andy Jassy’s efforts to cut costs in the wake of the pandemic. In June, he suggested that artificial intelligence could accelerate cuts.

“There will be fewer people doing some of the jobs that are currently being done, and more people will be doing other types of jobs,” Jassy wrote in a memo to staff in June.

Forbes reported on October 14, citing unnamed sources, that Amazon is preparing to cut its human resources workforce by up to 15%. Financial news outlets reported that the job cuts were discussed separately from the normal staff reduction process.

The New York Times reported on October 21 that executives told Amazon’s board last year that robotic automation could allow the company to avoid adding employees in the United States. According to the Times, the automation drive could prevent up to 600,000 new jobs.

Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel told the Times that the documents reviewed for the report “did not represent the company’s overall hiring strategy.”

The reported layoffs come shortly after the tech giant was revealed to be one of the donors to President Donald Trump’s controversial White House ballroom. The White House did not say how much Amazon contributed to the now $300 million project.

This story has been updated with new information

“Strangely Hot Santa” is back as a target

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“Strangely Hot Santa” is back as a target

It’s only late October, but Target’s “Strangely Hot Santa” is back.

A video posted on Target’s official Instagram page shows a cheerful “charming store team member” dressed as Santa lifting weights (two red baskets filled with in-store merchandise) inside the retailer’s stores.

“Did you miss Kris K from Target? 🎅🔥 Well, your holiday wishes came early. He’s back!!!” Target posted a video of a man dressed as Santa Claus inside the store on Monday, October 27, on its official Instagram page.

“I don’t know if you remember Target’s ‘weirdly sexy Santa from last year,'” an unidentified person says in the video. “I’m crazy. I’m at Target right now, and look what I’m looking at.”

Target acknowledged the return of holiday popularity in a news release on its website.

“Target’s Chris K., who won hearts with his holiday charm last winter, is back to bring magic, mischief, and must-have gifts this holiday season,” the statement said. “Last year, consumers fell in love with Target’s Chris K., a charismatic store “team member” who appeared in Target’s 2024 Holiday marketing campaign. ”

Last year, Target identified the impersonator as Brent Bailey.

“He is a football fanatic, avid traveler, and amateur DJ who embodies the spirit of the holidays: fun, witty, and effortlessly cool,” the retailer said online.

play

Does Santa really exist? What you need to know about the history of Santa Claus.

Santa’s history may be different than you expected. Learn how Santa Claus came to be associated with Christmas.

“He reads a book!” Target Santa sees a bench with a book

A clip Target shared online from the 2025 season shows a woman pretending to be Santa walking down an aisle holding an open book.

“And he reads books,” says the woman.

Man wearing Nazi uniform arrested Suspect who assaulted Georgia student in viral incident

“Charisma Shop “Team Member””

More than 70 million people watched previous #TargetSanta TikTok videos in-store last year, according to a Target news release. Shortly after, his fan base dubbed him “Hot Santa.”

“We’re excited to have him back in the second round,” Targett said. “He embodies the playful joy, ease, and inspiration that characterizes the Target experience, helping you find the perfect gift, celebrate every moment, and make the season a little brighter. This year, we have even more Chris K.: more fun, more humor, and more magic that only Target can deliver.”

Police identify creepy masked trio: Suspect wearing scary ‘Halloween mask’ was part of a family prank

“Hey baby, hey!!!!”

In just four hours after going online, the post garnered nearly 3,000 likes and dozens of comments.

The post sparked hysterical reactions from viewers.

“YASSSSSSSSSS DADDY!!!!!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥,” one social media user posted.

“I wonder if any stores have it?” asked another.

A third user wrote: “I’m dead, this is the best way to let me know Christmas is coming.”

Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund

Hurricane Melissa tracker shows expected path of Category 5 storm

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Hurricane Melissa tracker shows expected path of Category 5 storm

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Hurricane Melissa is expected to strengthen into a Category 5 storm, bringing damaging winds, storm surge and “catastrophic flooding” to Jamaica during the day, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The Hurricane Center announced in an advisory at 2:00 p.m. ET on October 27 that Melissa is located approximately 145 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds near 175 mph and higher gusts. Jamaican authorities have evacuated low-lying areas and opened hundreds of shelters in preparation for a “life-threatening” storm.

According to the Hurricane Center, Melissa’s center is expected to pass over Jamaica tonight and early Tuesday, October 28th, cross southeastern Cuba by Tuesday night, and cross the southeastern Bahamas by Wednesday, October 29th.

Forecasters say there will likely be some fluctuations in strength before Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28, but the hurricane center said the storm is expected to reach Jamaica and southeastern Cuba as a “very strong major hurricane” and will maintain hurricane strength as it passes through the southeastern Bahamas.

“Preparations to protect life and property have been completed in Jamaica and should be completed quickly in Cuba,” forecasters said in their advisory.

Hurricane Melissa updates: Hurricane strengthens to Category 5 storm and heads towards Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa path tracking device

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the storm’s center. This does not indicate the full width of the storm or its impact, and the center of the storm can move outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

hurricane melissa spaghetti model

Illustrations include a variety of predictive tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five best-performing models to make predictions..

‘Devastating’ flash floods predicted for Jamaica, Cuba, storm surge

A hurricane warning is currently in effect for Jamaica and the Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo and Holguin, and a hurricane watch for the southeastern and central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Hurricane Center said Melissa is expected to bring rainfall totals of 15 to 30 inches to parts of Jamaica through Wednesday, October 29, with additional rainfall totals of 8 to 16 inches in southern Hispaniola. Forecasters said “catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides” were likely.

In eastern Cuba, rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches, with localized precipitation nearing 20 inches, are expected from Monday, Oct. 27 to Wednesday, Oct. 29, resulting in “life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding with numerous landslides,” the hurricane center said.

In addition, forecasters said life-threatening storm surge is likely to occur along Jamaica’s south coast from Monday night until Tuesday, October 28, with peak storm surge heights potentially reaching 9 to 13 feet above ground level. According to the NHC, storm surges are accompanied by “large and destructive waves.” Significant storm surge is also possible along Cuba’s southeast coast late Tuesday through Wednesday, October 29, with peak storm surge heights potentially reaching 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are formed over warm water in the tropics. Thunderstorms can form over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the cluster will swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical cyclone.

A tropical cyclone becomes a named tropical cyclone when its sustained wind speed reaches 39 miles per hour. When wind speeds reach 114 miles per hour, a storm officially becomes a hurricane.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.

How SNAP recipients can find food banks during the government shutdown

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How SNAP recipients can find food banks during the government shutdown

Recipients of SNAP benefits (food stamps) will no longer receive payments on November 1st during the government shutdown. You can find alternative resources here.

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be distributed on November 1, leaving millions of low-income families scrambling for food.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on its website that SNAP benefits will not be distributed on November 1st due to a lack of funding for the program during the ongoing government shutdown.

SNAP, also known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides 42 million Americans with monthly benefits to purchase healthy food.

Advantages of Snap “The wells have run dry,” the USDA says.

“The bottom line is that the well is dry. At this time, there are no benefits to be issued on November 1st,” reads an Oct. 27 message on USDA’s website.

Here are resources for SNAP recipients who will no longer receive benefits starting November 1st.

government shutdown Update: SNAP benefits won’t be paid next month, USDA warns

How to find food banks and other food resources

People who normally rely on SNAP benefits will be able to turn to food banks and other subsidized meal programs in response to the funding shortfall.

To find your local food bank, enter your zip code on the Feeding America website.

The state agency that oversees SNAP benefits may have other assistance programs available during the expiration. For more information, visit the state agency’s website.

Impact of government shutdown on SNAP benefits

In a new message on its website, the USDA confirmed that SNAP benefits will not be distributed on November 1st. Funding for the program is allocated monthly, and October benefits were distributed as usual despite the government shutdown.

According to USDA’s closure plan, the agency is setting aside emergency funds that can be used to directly pay benefits to participants. However, the plan was published in September and has since been removed from the USDA website.

In a letter shared with USA TODAY, the USDA said that “emergency funds will not be available to support periodic benefits in fiscal year 2026 because the appropriation for periodic benefits no longer exists.” The letter also said states cannot pay SNAP payments and receive refunds even if they intend to do so.

DoorDash shipping fees are waived for SNAP recipients

The company announced on October 26 that SNAP recipients will be able to use DoorDash starting in November without paying additional shipping or service fees.

Customers who link their SNAP/EBT card as a payment option on their DoorDash profile can shop at select participating stores, including Sprouts, Dollar General, and Wegmans, and have shipping and service fees waived on one order during the month of November.

DoorDash says a promotional code is required to take advantage of the offer, but users who upload a SNAP/EBT card as a payment method will see the code in the app during the availability period from November 1st to November 30th.

DoorDash said it will waive fees on about 300,000 orders as part of the promotion.

Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Contact her at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

Minnesota man charged with offering money to kill Pam Bondi

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Minnesota man charged with offering money to kill Pam Bondi

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A Minnesota man has been arrested and faces federal charges for allegedly offering $45,000 to kill Attorney General Pam Bondi.

In court documents obtained by USA TODAY, 29-year-old Tyler Avalos allegedly posted a threat on TikTok, telling Bondi to be “dead or alive” but “dead is better”, according to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Caleb Yurchishyn.

The FBI said the investigation into Avalos began on October 9 after receiving a tip from a Detroit-based TikTok user who reported the post to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center.

The TikTok that Avalos allegedly posted included a photo of Bondi with “a red dot from a sniper scope” on her forehead, according to the affidavit.

“Furthermore, the suspected user posted a comment below the description: ‘Cough cough’/’What if we don’t provide the service?’” Yurchishyn said.

In an interview with USA TODAY, Mr. Avalos’ attorney, Daniel Goertz, said, “Mr. Avalos has not committed any crime.”

Investigators said Avalos was discovered after he provided FBI agents with information showing he had registered with TikTok, Google and Comcast social media platforms using Samsung Galaxy phones.

Avalos had a criminal record, according to the affidavit. In July 2022, he was convicted of stalking in Dakota County, Minnesota, and in August 2016 on a domestic assault charge in Polk County, Florida. Separate from those two incidents, the affidavit states Avalos has a misdemeanor assault case in Dakota County in 2019 that “appears to have been reduced from a felony domestic assault by strangulation.”

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.

Twix offers a “Hallowmas” pack that combines Halloween and Christmas. How to get it.

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Twix offers a “Hallowmas” pack that combines Halloween and Christmas. How to get it.

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Is October too early to celebrate Christmas? At least not when you combine it with Halloween, according to Twix.

The Mars-owned candy brand has launched a limited-edition “Hallowmas” pack containing two candies inspired by Halloween and Christmas.

In keeping with the brand’s signature style of two chocolate bars per piece, the ‘Hellomas’ pack includes one green cookie and one snowman-shaped bar.

This pack was first released on October 22nd, but you’ll have another chance to get the special candy on October 29th. Twix is ​​also hosting a “Hellomas” giveaway with prizes. Here’s what you need to know:

What’s in the Twix “Hallowmas” pack?

The “Hellomas” pack includes one classic Twix creation with a green cookie. The other is a snowman-shaped bar that celebrates the holiday season.

How to get Twix “Halloween” pack

The new limited edition Twix pack will only be available in a special drop on October 29th. The previous October 22nd release is already sold out.

Twix says the “Hallowmas” pack will be restocked online at twix.com/hallowmas on October 29th at 12pm ET.

Twix hosts $20,000 giveaway on “Halloween”

In addition to candy drops, Twix is ​​also hosting a sweepstakes ahead of Christmas where you can win Twix bundles and $20,000 in cash prizes.

This giveaway is open until November 1st. To enter, comment on Twix’s Instagram post and tag a friend or share how you’re celebrating “Hellomas” with the tag #TWIXSweetstakes. Full terms and conditions are available at Twix.com/Hallowmas.

Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Contact her at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

ICE, Your Rights When Interacting with Immigration Officers

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ICE, Your Rights When Interacting with Immigration Officers

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  • Federal immigration agents conducted a crackdown in Chicago, arresting more than 1,500 people, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Everyone has the right to remain silent and is not required to reveal their immigration status when encountered by federal agents.
  • ICE agents cannot legally enter a home without a warrant signed by a judge.

President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in Chicago is impacting people in the city and surrounding suburbs.

Federal agents recently detained people in the majority-white neighborhoods of Lakeview and Lincoln Park before firing tear gas into a residential neighborhood on the North Side on Oct. 24, according to Block Club Chicago.

The Department of Homeland Security said it had arrested more than 1,500 people as of early October, but USA TODAY could not independently confirm that number.

Some immigration advocates are calling the arrests an “abduction.” Federal officials and agencies face lawsuits, including one from a Chicago City Council member who was briefly detained in a hospital and an ongoing lawsuit over accusations that agents violated restrictions on ICE’s ability to make arrests without warrants or during traffic stops.

Here’s what you need to know when encountering federal immigration officials, whether you’re a U.S. citizen or not.

more: ICE crackdowns terrorize Chicago, but Latin dancers keep dancing. “Cancellation is not possible.”

If an immigration officer approaches or interacts with a public place

The Chicago Office of Immigrant, Immigrant and Refugee Rights released a guide titled “Know Your Rights and Resources: Defending Justice and Rights for All Chicagoans.”

A section by the Illinois Immigration and Refugee Rights Coalition states the following about your rights when dealing with immigration officials everywhere:

  • You have the right to remain silent.
  • There is no need to reveal your residence status.
  • There’s no need to sign something you don’t understand.
  • You can request a meeting with a lawyer.

It also advises people to remain calm and keep their hands out of sight.

When an immigration officer comes to your home

ICIRR explains that ICE agents have no legal right to enter a home without a warrant signed by a judge, and that some ICE warrants are signed by other employees within the agency and do not have the same legal authority as warrants signed by a judge.

The National Immigration Justice Center website has sample images to help you spot the differences between the two types of warrants.

Is it allowed to film immigration interactions?

According to legal precedent, filming law enforcement officers performing their duties in public places is subject to the First Amendment. According to a column published by the Cato Institute, the Supreme Court has not ruled explicitly on this issue, but seven federal circuits support it.

However, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in July that videotaping employees and posting it online could be considered “doxxing” and therefore violence against employees, according to CBS12.

The National Immigration Justice Center says that if you are filming or taking notes about what is happening, be careful not to disrupt or disrupt its operations.

ICIRR also has a hotline for witnessing ICE activity: 855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (855-435-7693).

Contributor: Michael Loria, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky (@kinseycrowley.bsky.social).

Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M top the list.

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Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M top the list.

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It’s been a week since the first College Football Playoff poll exposed the absurdities of preseason voting.

And more importantly, the potential impact on CFP.

This offseason, the CFP selection committee was tasked with focusing more on good wins and good losses than just wins, and this will be their first test.

Ohio State topped the U.S. LBM Coaches Poll and the Associated Press poll, two polls that were used to rank teams until the first CFP poll. And it has nothing to do with a good win.

The three teams that have a legitimate reason for being No. 1 in the rankings (Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M) all have one win over currently ranked teams and have played the rest of their schedules relatively east.

But all three wins against ranked teams aren’t the same.

It’s just money: Jimbo Fisher’s $77 million acquisition was a meaningful investment for Texas A&M. Please take a look

Do as I say, not as I do. The SEC downplayed Indiana in the 2024 playoff race. Vanderbilt is currently in Indiana.

Indiana continued to play and physically overwhelmed Oregon, while Texas A&M rode into South Bend and won in the final minute. Meanwhile, Ohio State won a big home game against a Texas team that struggles to move the ball offensively against power conference schools other than Mississippi State.

Ohio State and Indiana have a common enemy in Illinois. The Hoosiers won by 53 points in Bloomington, Indiana, and the Buckeyes won by 18 points on the road.

And Texas A&M is a hot team with a big win at the moment (at LSU). However, a week before the first CFP vote, Ohio State (vs. Penn State) and Indiana State (Maryland) can issue statements that could influence the selection committee.

Alternatively, the committee could take a punt and select the No. 1 team through a vote of coaches and media. Since the first CFP in 2014, the committee has almost always done this on the first vote.

Let’s take a look at this week’s CFP forecast.

1. Indiana: Three of the final four games are on the road against Bloomington, so if anyone wants to upset the Hoosiers, this month is the time to do it. Next up is Maryland.

2.Ohio: This team has not been threatened by any signs of offense all season. And it won’t be until the Big Ten championship game. Next up is Pennsylvania.

3. Texas A&M: To be honest, the schedule isn’t what it originally looked like (avoiding Georgia and Alabama). The Aggies will move to 12-0. Next: Goodbye.

4. Alabama: It’s been a year since so much ugliness hit the streets of the SEC, but the ugliness is still there. But now it comes with victory. Next: Goodbye.

5. Georgia: The Dawgs will be measured against a recent championship Georgia team. That’s an unfavorable proposition in every conceivable way. Next: Florida (Jacksonville, Florida)

6. Ole Miss: Big win at Oklahoma State. The Rebels should win and finish at 11-1, but they may still miss the SEC Championship Game. Next up is South Carolina.

7.Oregon: Considered a lock for the CFP, the Ducks still have a lot of heavy lifting left in them. Next: Goodbye.

8. Miami: The biggest question in Coral Gables is: Can the Canes stay motivated against their ACC opponents in the final month of the season? Next is SMU.

9. Vanderbilt: It’s all new territory for this program. Every week is the next step into the unknown, but the Commodores continue to rack up wins. Next up is Texas.

10. Georgia Tech: QB Haynes King is getting stronger as November begins, and a dangerous trap game awaits him with a team (and coach) desperate for victory. Next up is North Carolina State University.

11. Texas Tech University: This is the biggest two-game series of the season for the Red Raiders. Can a stout defense find an answer to the rapid rise of K-State QB Avery Johnson (12 TDs in the last four games)? Next up is Kansas.

12. South Florida: He led by two touchdowns against Memphis. They’ll get one more chance to win there (and possibly earn a CFP spot) in the AAC Championship Game. Next: Goodbye.

protruding bracket

First round bye

Indiana, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Alabama.

1st round match

(12) South Florida at (5) Georgia

(11) Texas Tech at Ole Miss (6)

(10) Georgia Tech, Oregon (7)

(9) Vanderbilt at Miami (8)

When will the first CFP ranking predictions be released?

Broadcast on Tuesday, November 4th from 8:00pm to 8:45pm ET on ESPN

Matt Hayes is a senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X @MattHayesCFB.

Jamaica prepares for ‘catastrophic’ impact of Hurricane Melissa: Latest information

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Jamaica prepares for ‘catastrophic’ impact of Hurricane Melissa: Latest information

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On Monday, October 27, Hurricane Melissa barreled toward Jamaica, forcing the country to evacuate parts of its capital, close its airport, and open hundreds of evacuation centers as the country braced for perhaps the worst hurricane in its history.

Melissa, now a Category 5 storm, is expected to hit the southern coast of Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28, before approaching Cuba as a major hurricane and crossing the Bahamas, forecasters said. Melissa is not a direct threat to the United States.

The center of the storm was approximately 145 miles south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, as of 2 p.m. ET, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 175 mph and was moving slowly westward at 3 mph.

Hurricane Melissa Tracker: View the predicted path for Category 5 storms

Under the influence of warm Caribbean waters, the storm grew explosively over the weekend, with wind speeds doubling from 110 mph to more than 140 mph. Forecasters say Melissa is expected to intensify as it approaches Jamaica.

The storm could dump 30 inches of rain on Jamaica, an amount that Dana Morris-Dixon, the country’s information minister, said was “unheard of before.” Forecasters warned that storm surge could exceed 10 feet along the coast of Melissa, causing “catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding.”

“The time for preparation is almost over,” Jamaica’s Minister of Water and Environment, Matthew Samuda, warned at a press conference.

Several cruise lines are changing plans to avoid Hurricane Melissa. Here are some examples:

Celebrity Beyond’s Oct. 26 itinerary will visit the Western Caribbean rather than the Eastern Caribbean, according to the cruise line’s parent company, Royal Caribbean Group.

Rather than visiting Tortola or St. Thomas, Disney Treasure will stop in Cozumel, Mexico, and spend two days at Castaway Cay, a private destination in the Bahamas, the cruise line said.

Icon of the Seas’ Eastern Caribbean itinerary has been changed to a Western Caribbean cruise that visits Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras, Royal Caribbean Group said.

– Nathan Diller

Experts predict Hurricane Melissa will make landfall on Jamaica’s west coast, near St. Elizabeth Parish, which has a population of more than 150,000 people.

Evan Thompson, director of the Jamaica Meteorological Service, said the storm was expected to move northeast across the country and into the St. Anne Parish area, which is home to more than 170,000 people. Both parishes are dotted with towns and cities of various sizes.

Although the storm’s path is well west of the capital, Kingston, as much as 30 inches of rain and tropical high winds could be observed across the island.

Evan Thompson, director general of the Jamaica Meteorological Service, said at a press conference that many parts of the country are beginning to experience tropical high winds and heavy rain.

He said the impact is expected to worsen throughout the day and into the night as the storm begins to turn north and take a path directly towards the island. He said there was a “small window” where the storm could move farther west and miss the island, but that was not the most likely scenario.

“Of course we all hope and pray for it, but at the same time we have to be realistic,” he said. “At this time, the planned route is towards southwestern Jamaica.”

He ended his presentation by trying to calm residents, saying, “Let’s believe that we can get through this crisis, and let’s get through it together. No one is alone. … This is not the end.”

Melissa’s wind speeds increased to 175 mph on the afternoon of October 27, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“Some fluctuations in intensity are possible over the next 12 to 24 hours as Melissa may begin an eye replacement cycle,” the National Hurricane Center said in an update.

“However, this is unlikely to significantly weaken Melissa, and it would make no real difference if Melissa made landfall in Jamaica at Category 4 or 5 intensity, as both categories would cause catastrophic wind damage,” the forecaster added.

There may be some good news for Jamaica’s capital, Kingston. “As it stands, the center should cross the island about 90 miles west of Jamaica’s population center of Kingston,” Houston-based meteorologist Matt Lanza said in a Substack post.

“Of course, Kingston will be on the stronger side of the storm, but hurricane force winds are limited to a radius of about 30 miles from the center, so there could be a buffer between the capital and the worst of the storm.”

However, storm surge and heavy rain will still be a factor in Kingston.

In recent days, authorities have ordered evacuations in parts of Kingston that are prone to flash flooding and storm surge.

The Guantanamo Bay naval base began moving families off the island last weekend ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa.

The naval base told residents on Friday, Oct. 24, that “all non-mission-essential U.S. citizens will be removed from the island by as early as Saturday afternoon and no later than Sunday morning.” Evacuees were instructed to pack two weeks’ worth of clothing and medicine into one 40-pound bag.

The civilians were taken by shuttle to a plane bound for Florida. Many families were taken to the Pensacola airfield.

The naval base at Guantanamo Bay serves about 6,000 people, including joint military personnel, civilians and family members, according to the Department of the Army, formerly known as the Department of Defense.

Hurricane Melissa experienced what meteorologists call “rapid intensification,” exploding from a 110 mph tropical storm on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 25, to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 mph by 5 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26. It has since reached Category 5 strength with winds of 175 mph.

Rapid intensification is the process by which a storm grows at an accelerated rate. This phenomenon is usually defined as a tropical cyclone (tropical cyclone or hurricane) that intensifies at speeds of at least 35 mph within 24 hours.

This intensification is caused by unusually warm ocean waters in the Caribbean Sea, which provides the energy for the storm to gain strength.

More than 30 inches of rain could fall in Jamaica and Hispaniola, forecasters said, warning of mudslides and “life-threatening flash flooding.” Peak storm surges could reach 9 to 13 feet above the ground and be accompanied by destructive waves.

Waves up to 9 feet high and up to 20 inches of rain could fall along the coast of eastern Cuba into the middle of the week.

The storm has already begun to wreak havoc. At least three deaths in Haiti have been linked to Melissa, according to the Associated Press. The storm also flooded parts of the Dominican Republic, damaging more than 100 homes and knocking out water services in several parts of the country, officials said.

Tourists were evacuated in Jamaica as authorities closed the country’s airports ahead of the storm and moved to open more than 800 shelters.

“Many of these communities will not survive this flood,” Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie told a news conference.

Melissa is the third Category 5 hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season. The other two are Erin and Humberto. According to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach, there is only one other season on record with more than one Category 5 storm in the Atlantic Ocean: Emily, Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005.

In historical records dating back to 1851, a Category 5 hurricane has never made landfall in Jamaica.

Klotzbach said in X that Jamaica has had five major hurricanes on record, with Hurricane Gilbert (1988) being the only Category 4 hurricane to make direct landfall in Jamaica. Gilbert made landfall with maximum winds of 130 mph.

Contributor: Eduardo Cuevas;Reuters

The creator of breast milk ice cream releases booger gummies

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The creator of breast milk ice cream releases booger gummies

Frida’s Boogie Bites candy will be available exclusively through GoPuff for $3.99 starting Monday, October 27th.

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If breast milk flavored ice cream isn’t enough for you, how about booger?

Frida, a lifestyle brand for parents known for its breast milk ice cream, launched Boogie Bites candy on Monday, October 27th. The sweet and sour gummies come in three shapes and colors and were designed to resemble the “real thing,” according to a Frida news release.

Boogie Bites is not the first of its kind. Launched in 2007, Jelly Belly’s BeanBoozled has long been a popular game that involves combining two jelly beans that look similar but taste very different. One of the original flavor combinations was booger and juicy pear.

more: Food Power: Prevent disease with the right nutrients

Frida released the gummies not as a game, but to promote Nose Frida, the brand’s nasal aspirator that can be used to clear nasal congestion in babies and toddlers.

Frida became a hot topic this summer when she released a breast milk-flavored ice cream. Although it’s not actually made with real breast milk, the ice cream is “sweet, slightly salty, smooth, with a honey flavor and a sprinkle of colostrum, with the distinctive yellow flavor of colostrum,” Frida previously told USA TODAY. This ice cream was created in collaboration with OddFellows, a small batch ice cream company based in New York. Not currently available for purchase.

Where to buy Boogie Bites candy

Starting Monday, Oct. 27, Boogie Bites will be available exclusively through consumer goods delivery service GoPuff for $3.99, according to a Frida news release. The candy will be sold in markets including New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Boston and Philadelphia, Frieda’s statement said.

more: Can people tell the difference even if they eat foods that don’t contain artificial colors?

Does Boogie Bites candy actually contain boogers?

No, Boogie Bites are not made from real boogers. According to Frida’s statement, the full ingredient list includes tapioca syrup, sugar, distilled water, pectin, ascorbic acid, citric acid, natural flavors, turmeric (color), spirulina extract (color), salt, and fruit and vegetable juices (color).

Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

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