On the national scene, two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must keep funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, during the government shutdown.
The rulings came a day before the Agriculture Department planned to halt payments for the program, which serves one in eight Americans and costs about $8 billion a month. Judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ordered the administration to use contingency funds of at least $5 billion to maintain benefits and report back Monday.
Democratic officials from 25 states and the District of Columbia sued, arguing the government is required to use available funds. The administration contends it cannot legally do so.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the funds would not last long and blamed Democrats for the stalemate. Appeals are expected, and it remains unclear how quickly benefits can be reloaded for recipients.
In state news regarding SNAP and the ongoing government shutdown…
Arkansas DHS warns of county office closures, 1,500 furloughs if shutdown continues
Gov. Sanders directs $500,000 to Arkansas food banks as government shutdown persists
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