A nonprofit group in Hampden County is preparing for a tough situation. They help people pay for heating fuel in the winter. But now, the federal government is shut down. This could delay their usual start date. The group, Valley Opportunity Council, has a backup plan. They know the government shut
The government shutdown is now in its fourth week, and things aren't looking good. Senate Republicans are heading to the White House, not to talk about ending the shutdown, but to show they're on the same page as President Trump. They're not budging on any Democratic demands. Meanwhile, Senate Demo
A looming crisis is on the horizon for millions of Americans who depend on food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits. The federal government shutdown is threatening to disrupt these vital payments, leaving many families uncertain about their next meal. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), whi
The current government shutdown is showing some interesting trends. Unlike the last one, President Trump's approval ratings are not taking a hit. In fact, they're up by a point. This is quite a shift from the last shutdown when his ratings dropped by three points. What's more, fewer people are blam
The fragile peace in Gaza faced a serious challenge this weekend. Israel attacked Gaza after claiming its soldiers were targeted near Rafah. Two Israeli soldiers died, but Hamas denied any involvement. Gaza officials reported many civilian deaths. Both sides blame each other for breaking the ceasefi
People from all walks of life are speaking out against the current administration. They come from different backgrounds and have different reasons for being there. Some are worried about the future of the country. Others are fighting for their rights and the rights of others. A Native American woma
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, recently criticized the ongoing government shutdown, which has lasted for 20 days. He argued that if President Donald Trump had absolute power, the government would have reopened immediately. Johnson's comments came during a press conference w
Government shutdowns happen. The news makes it sound like the end of the world. But is it really? People still go about their daily lives. Families take care of their kids. Workers go to their jobs. Musicians play music. Life doesn't stop just because the government isn't functioning. The media lov
In an unexpected turn, two politicians from opposing sides found common ground on a critical issue. Ro Khanna, a Democrat, surprisingly agreed with Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, on the state of the health care system. Both acknowledged that the system is flawed, but their solutions differ gr
The government shutdown might make things tricky for Medicare open enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7. Even though the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says updates will keep going, getting quick answers might be harder. Experts suggest taking your time with big decision
