Tuesday, November 4, 2025
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYS SNAP WILL BE PARTIALLY FUNDED AFTER JUDGES’ RULINGS
President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday that it will partially fund SNAP after a pair of judges’ rulings required it to keep the food aid program running.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture had planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting November 1st because it said it could no longer keep funding it due to the shutdown. The program serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nation’s social safety net. It costs about $8 billion per month nationally.
It’s not clear how much beneficiaries will receive, nor how quickly beneficiaries will see value show up on the debit cards they use to buy groceries. The process of loading the SNAP cards, which involves steps by state and federal government agencies and vendors, can take up to two weeks in some states.
The average monthly benefit is usually about $190 per person.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the nation’s largest food program, said last month that benefits for November wouldn’t be paid out due to the federal government shutdown.
That set off a scramble by food banks, state governments and the nearly 42 million Americans who receive the aid to find ways to ensure access to groceries.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OPENS DISASTER LOAN OUTREACH CENTER IN VAN BUREN
The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Carter County.
The center will assist businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and residents affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred between March 30th and April 8th.
SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Van Buren to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process.
The center is located at the Carter County Courthouse and will be available from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday and 10 am to 4 pm on Fridays.
Officials say that no appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome.
MAN IN CUSTODY AFTER TWO PEOPLE SHOT ON HALLOWEEN
A man is in custody after two people were shot on Halloween in Southeast Missouri.
Sergeant Tyler Rowe with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety tells KWOC News that officers were flagged down at an intersection near West Gladys Friday night by an individual who had been shot.
As officers investigated and searched for the crime scene, a second victim with gunshot wounds was located inside an apartment.
Both victims were transported by ambulance to an area hospital for their injuries and are in stable condition. The names of the victims are not being released.
Detectives and officers were able to determine that a domestic disturbance occurred at the apartment, resulting in a male suspect, identified as Kyle Hill, of Sikeston, allegedly shooting both victims.
Hill was arrested on a no-bond warrant Sunday, charging him with domestic assault 1st degree, assault 1st degree, two counts of armed criminal action, two counts of unlawful use of weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
THREE FACING CHARGES IN CONNECTION TO MULTIPLE THEFTS IN POPLAR BLUFF
Three people are facing charges in connection to multiple thefts in the Poplar Bluff area.
According to the Poplar Bluff Police Department, on Saturday officers were dispatched to a location on South Westwood for a stealing report.
During an investigation, officers learned three subjects were involved in thefts from numerous stores in Poplar Bluff.
Officials say that Chaka Howard, Jaqueshia Howard, and Nicole Word have all been charged with four counts of stealing.
Chaka and Jaqueshia Howard are also facing a charge of resisting arrest.
MAN ARRESTED ON RAPE CHARGE IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Authorities in Northeast Arkansas have arrested a man following a reported rape.
According to the Paragould Police Department, last week a victim reported to officers that Larry Manes had raped her.
Detectives investigated the complaint and were provided with audio evidence that corroborated the allegation and Manes reportedly made incriminating statements during an interview.
Manes was taken into custody on a felony charge of rape. He is being held in the Greene County Detention Center on no bond.
DIAPER AND WIPE DRIVE TO BE HELD TODAY IN POPLAR BLUFF
An area organization will be collecting items today to support children in our community.
The 2025 Kindness Shower Diaper and Wipe Drive is scheduled for today.
A drop off location will be set up in the Main Branch of the Poplar Bluff Library, collecting diapers, pull-ups, and baby wipes from 2 to 4 pm.
Donations go to help support families affected by the child welfare system in Southeast Missouri.
POPLAR BLUFF LIONS CLUB CHILI DAY TO BE HELD TODAY
The Poplar Bluff Lions Club is hosting their annual Chili Day today.
Chili will be available for pickup from 11 am to 5:30 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Grand Avenue. Dine in and delivery will be available from 11 am to 1:30 pm.
Tickets are $12 each and deliveries will be free for orders of 10 or more.
All proceeds stay local and go to support vision health in the community including free eye exams, free glasses, free vision screenings for children, eye surgeries, and more.
If you have questions or want to place an order, call 573-727-3011.
ROUTE 53 TO BE REDUCED THIS WEEK FOR BRIDGE MAINTENANCE
Route 53 in Butler County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction beginning today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform bridge maintenance over the Black River.
The bridge is located near Qulin, between County Roads 647 and 202.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Thursday.