News

Families on SNAP worry about not just feeding themselves but also their pets

With SNAP benefits going out late, nonprofits are begging for pet food donations to prevent desperate owners from surrendering their dogs and cats to animal shelters. Nonprofits say it is common for owners to supplement their pet’s diet with human food purchased using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits. For other owners, SNAP frees up money to buy pet food. The situation is so dire that one Louisiana shelter is considering diverting money normally used on veterinary care to buy more pet food. Another Illinois nonprofit is pairing SNAP recipients with volunteers so they can shop together for human and pet food.

People in some states get SNAP food aid while others still wait for their November benefits

People in some U.S. states have started receiving their November SNAP benefits after delays caused by a legal battle over the government shutdown. But people in other states are still waiting. Some states acted quickly to issue full monthly SNAP benefits Friday, a day after a court ordered the Trump administration to make the funds available. On Friday night, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily paused that judicial order to allow time for the appeals court to decide on a more lasting halt. Some states had not moved quickly, because they were waiting for more guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Thousands flee to overcrowded camps after Sudan’s paramilitary captures el-Fasher

Tens of thousands of Sudanese have fled to overcrowded camps to escape atrocities by a paramilitary force since it captured el-Fasher in the western Darfur region. An aid group reported this on Saturday, and the U.N. human rights chief warned that many others are still trapped. Since the Rapid Support Forces seized el-Fasher on Oct. 26, more than 16,200 people have fled to camps in Tawila. The RSF and the Sudanese army have been at war since April 2023. At least 40,000 people have been killed, and some 12 million people have been displaced.

Pfizer clinches deal for obesity drug developer Metsea after a bidding war with Novo Nordisk

Pfizer has signed a deal to purchase Metsera Inc., an obesity drugmaker in the development stage, after winning a bidding war against Novo Nordisk. Metsera, based in New York, is developing oral and injectable treatments for obesity and diabetes. On Friday, Metsera announced that Pfizer will acquire the company for up to $86.25 per share, including cash and contingent value rights. Metsera’s board said it believes this deal offers the best value and certainty for shareholders. Novo Nordisk, which had increased its offer to $10 billion, announced on Saturday that it would not continue pursuing the acquisition.

Rodrigo Paz sworn in as Bolivia’s new president, ending 20 years of one-party rule

Rodrigo Paz has been sworn in as Bolivia’s new president, marking a shift after nearly 20 years of one-party rule. On Saturday, Paz took the oath before lawmakers and foreign leaders. His inauguration has sparked hope among Bolivians facing severe fuel shortages and high food prices. Paz unexpectedly defeated former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga in the presidential runoff last month. He inherits an economy in crisis after two decades of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism party. Paz plans gradual reforms and has distanced Bolivia from the ALBA bloc, moving closer to the United States.

UPS and FedEx grounding MD-11 planes following deadly Kentucky crash

UPS and FedEx has decided to ground their fleets of MD-11 planes “out of an abundance of caution” after a deadly crash at a UPS global aviation hub in Kentucky. The companies announced their decisions separately late Friday. The MD-11 aircraft make up about 9% of the UPS airline fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet. The companies stated that their decisions were made proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer. The crash occurred Tuesday at UPS Worldport in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 14 people, including the three pilots on the MD-11 that was headed for Honolulu.

Washington’s struggling economy takes another hit from the government shutdown

Washington’s local economy has taken blows from a series of actions by the Trump administration, from the layoffs of federal workers to the ongoing law enforcement intervention with the National Guard. Now there’s the added fallout from the government shutdown, which has furloughed workers and paused money for food assistance. Experts say the shutdown’s long-term impact on the regional economy will be felt long after the government reopens. The Capital Area Food Bank is providing 8 million more meals than it had prepared to this budget year. That’s a nearly 20% increase.

Gaza death toll tops 69,000 as Israel and militants again exchange remains

Gaza health officials say over 69,000 Palestinians have died in the Israel-Hamas war. The death toll has risen as bodies are recovered from the rubble since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10 and as other dead are identified. Israel and Hamas have again exchanged bodies under the ceasefire agreement, with Israel returning 15 Palestinian bodies on Saturday. The ceasefire aims to wind down the deadliest conflict ever between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian farmers and others in the West Bank, with violence reaching new highs during the olive harvest.

Russian strikes hit an apartment block and energy sites in Ukraine, killing 4

A Russian drone has hit a tower block in eastern Ukraine, killing three people and injuring 12, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack in Dnipro was part of a larger missile and drone barrage targeting energy infrastructure across the country, and a worker at an energy company in Kharkiv was also killed. Ukrainian forces shot down many drones and missiles, but several locations were struck. Authorities have switched off power in several regions due to the attacks. Fighting for the strategic city of Pokrovsk has reached a key stage, with both Kyiv and Moscow trying to influence international support.

US government shutdown forces some overseas bases to stop paying workers

Local workers at some American military bases in Europe are feeling the impact of the U.S. government shutdown. Unions representing foreign nationals working at the bases say many have not received their salaries since the shutdown in Washington began last month. Labor unions in Italy and Portugal say hundreds of workers have gone unpaid as the shutdown stretches approaches its sixth week. In Italy, over 1,300 local workers at U.S. bases weren’t paid in October. In Portugal, a similar situation is occurring at the Lajes Field base, where roughly 360 Portuguese workers had not been paid. Meanwhile, Germany is covering the salaries of nearly 11,000 civilian employees at U.S. bases there.

Yes, you do need to clean your water bottle. Here’s why and how

Reusable bottles get grubby no matter what liquid they’re filled with, so it’s important to clean them regularly. Water bottles pick up germs from our mouths when we take a sip, and from our hands when we touch the straw or lid. Experts disagree on when and how you should wash them, but they’re all in agreement on one thing: something is better than nothing at all. The simplest cleaning routine is a daily soapy water scrub, using a thin brush to get into straws and tight crannies. For a deeper clean, try the dishwasher if your bottle can handle it, or dissolve a denture or retainer-cleaning tablet in it overnight.

Voters’ anger at high electricity bills and data centers looms over 2026 midterms

Voter anger over rising electricity costs is shaping next year’s midterm elections. Communities with fast-rising electric bills or debates over who pays for Big Tech’s energy needs are pivotal. This week, electricity costs played a key role in elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and Georgia. Voters in several states cited economic concerns as a top issue. Rising electric costs aren’t expected to ease soon, and many Americans could see higher bills during next year’s campaigns. Analysts attribute the increases to grid modernization, demand from data centers, and rising natural gas prices.

JD Vance hopes his Hindu wife converts to Christianity, sparking debate on interfaith marriage

Vice President JD Vance’s recent comments about hoping his Hindu wife converts to Christianity have sparked discussions about interfaith marriages. Speaking at a Turning Point USA event, Vance shared how he and his wife, Usha, navigate their religious differences while raising their children Catholic. A Pew Research survey shows that interfaith marriages have increased significantly since 2010. Experts who routinely counsel interfaith couples emphasize the importance of respecting each other’s beliefs without coercion. The Hindu American Foundation criticized Vance’s remarks, highlighting recent anti-Hindu hate coming from “explicitly Christian sources.”

Some states are requiring gun safety lessons in schools that teach kids ‘stop, don’t touch’

Along with stop, drop and roll, some states are teaching students to ‘Stop and don’t touch that gun.’ Arkansas, Tennessee and Utah passed laws requiring schools to teach children as young as 5 the basics of gun safety and how to properly store guns at home. In Tennessee, lesson plans could include stickers, games, videos with catchy jingles and colorful firearm illustrations, including a gun made of Lego-style bricks. The reality is that many children in the U.S. grow up around firearms from an early age. The main takeaway from the lessons is a series of steps. Children are told to stop, don’t touch, leave quickly and tell an adult.

Snow forecast for Northern Plains and potential record cold in the South

Cold temperatures across much of the U.S. and even snow in parts of the Northern Plains are forecast beginning this weekend. Cities from Baton Rouge to Birmingham could see daily record low temperatures on Tuesday. Areas of the Dakotas could see as much as 3 inches of snow Friday into Saturday. National Weather Service Meteorologist Ashton Robinson Cook says the cold snap isn’t expected to last and that warmer temperatures are forecast for much the central U.S. next week.

Minnesota deer hunters gear up for 2025 season

PIKE LAKE, Minn. — Blaze orange is lighting up the Northland once again as the Minnesota deer opener makes its grand return. Saturday, Nov. 8, marks the official start to the Minnesota deer hunting season, and as hunters are gearing up, supplies are flying off the shelves. FOX21 spoke with the owner of the local sporting goods store, Fisherman’s Corner,…

Safe Haven partners with Northland Essentia locations for phone drive

DULUTH, Minn. — Local Essentia Health employees have come together to donate their old cellphones for a good cause. The old phones were donated to Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center in Duluth, a center for survivors of domestic abuse, where the devices can be repurposed in order to help bring safety to those in need. “These cell phones will…

UMD hosts “Gales of November” in honor of Edmund Fitzgerald

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota-Duluth played host to a special night of remembrance in honor of Lake Superior’s most famous ship. The production “Gales of November” took the stage at the school’s Marshall Performing Arts Center for a 1-night-only performance to relive the tale of the sinking of the S.S Edmund Fitsgerald. Just like the Fitzgerald, the show’s…

FACT FOCUS: Trump says Thanksgiving dinner will cost 25% less this year. His numbers are misleading

With Thanksgiving less than three weeks away, the question of how much this year’s turkey and trimmings will cost looms large, especially with grocery prices 2.7% higher than they were in 2024. President Donald Trump has claimed over the past two days that costs for the Thanksgiving meal are down 25% this year, citing a prepackaged Thanksgiving meal basket from Walmart. But this is misleading. While Walmart’s 2025 meal basket costs about 25% less than the one from 2024, that’s because it offers fewer items and different products to make it more affordable.

Trump says US to boycott G20 in South Africa, repeating allegations about treatment of white farmers

President Donald Trump says no U.S. government officials will be attending the Group of 20 summit this year in South Africa, citing the country’s treatment of white farmers. Trump had already announced he would not attend the annual summit for heads of state from the globe’s leading and emerging economies. Vice President JD Vance had been scheduled to attend in Trump’s place, but a person familiar with Vance’s plans who was granted anonymity to talk about his schedule said Vance would no longer travel there for the summit. “It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa,” Trump said on his social media site.

13th Annual Junk Hunt Hits the DECC!

DULUTH, Minn. — This semi-annual tradition Duluth Tradition has all the fun unique finds. Over 170 booths are set up with treasures ranging from furniture and home decor to clothing and jewelry to treats, antiques, and handmade items! The “Junk Hunks” are also on hand to help customers haul large pieces of furniture to their vehicles for free. Part of…

Man arrested in connection to Jean Duluth crash facing felony charges

DULUTH, Minn. — The man who was arrested in connection with yesterday’s crash on Jean Duluth Road is facing multiple felony charges. The 19-year-old is facing six charges, including felony counts of DUI, Criminal Vehicle Operation, and failure to stop resulting in injury or death. SEE PREVIOUS: DUI arrest following multi-vehicle crash, rollover in Duluth The crash, which hospitalized two…

Fox Sports lets go of Mark Sanchez and hires Drew Brees as NFL analyst

Fox Sports has let go of NFL analyst Mark Sanchez and hired Drew Brees in his place. Sanchez has been off the air since police said he was stabbed during a fight with a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel on Oct. 4. He was in Indianapolis for Fox’s coverage of the Oct. 5 game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders. Sanchez faces a felony battery charge, along with several misdemeanor charges, for what prosecutors have said was a fight over parking. Brees will replace Sanchez on Fox’s No. 4 NFL crew. Brees’ first game will be Nov. 16.

The government shutdown prompts the cancellation of some Veterans Day events

Volunteers usually gather at Riverside National Cemetery in California on Veterans Day to place flags on graves, but not this year. The longest federal government shutdown in history has halted the event due to a lack of resources such as access to restrooms and traffic control. Organizers say they can’t proceed without these essentials. Communities across the country are canceling or scaling back Veterans Day events. The disruption comes as military families face uncertainty about their pay. Some groups are finding alternative ways to honor veterans, including providing Thanksgiving dinners instead of holding parades.

The shutdown has disrupted air travel. Will that drive a surge in car rentals and train bookings?

The U.S. government shutdown has rattled air travel — most recently with an unprecedented effort from the Federal Aviation Administration to cut flights by 10% at airports nationwide. And the disruptions are causing some to instead hit the road or buy a train ticket. That could mean more and more business for car rentals, long-haul buses and commuter rails like Amtrak — particularly if flight delays and cancellations continue piling up as the U.S. approaches Thanksgiving and other peak holiday travel. Amid the latest scramble, Hertz is already reporting a sharp increase in one-way car rentals. Meanwhile, Both Amtrak and Greyhound owner Flix North America are also preparing for potential growing demand.

MMIR office asking hunters to keep an eye out for clues

Hunting Season Generic ST. PAUL, Min. & DULUTH, Min. – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office is asking hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to stay alert and report anything unusual they might encounter in the woods. They say discoveries could help uncover new clues in missing persons cases. Law enforcement urges the public to…

Denmark’s government aims to ban access to social media for children under 15

Denmark’s government has announced a plan to ban social media access for anyone under 15. The Ministry of Digitalization has led the move, allowing some parents to consent for children as young as 13 after assessment. This step is among the most significant by a European country to address concerns about social media use among teens. It follows Australia’s December ban, which set the minimum age at 16. The Danish ministry says the age limit applies to “certain” platforms, though specifics and enforcement details are unclear. The decision aims to protect children from harmful content and commercial pressures.

Trump pardons former Mets great Darryl Strawberry on past tax evasion and drug charges

President Donald Trump has pardoned former New York Mets star Darryl Strawberry on past tax evasion and drug charges. Strawberry, an eight-time All-Star, struggled with legal and personal issues after his baseball career. He pleaded guilty to tax evasion in 1995 and went to prison on drug-related charges. A White House official said Trump approved the pardon, highlighting Strawberry’s Christian faith and longtime, post-career sobriety. Strawberry expressed gratitude on Instagram. He emphasized that it wasn’t about politics. Strawberry played for the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants from 1983 to 1999. He was 1983 National League Rookie of the Year and was on four World Series-winning teams with the Mets and Yankees.

PHOTO ESSAY: Coal miners with black lung fight Trump administration rollback of safety protections

OAK HILL, W.Va. (AP) — Deep in the hills of West Virginia, coal mining and the dangers that come with it have been a part of families’ lives for generations. Death and tragedy are woven into history, but there’s also a fierce legacy of miners fighting for — and winning — protections that have benefitted workers nationwide. As black lung…

Man cited for starting Camp House Fire pleas guilty

DULUTH, Min. – Court records show Parker John Wilson has been convicted of “Forestry-Failure to Extinguish a Fire”. He paid $190 in a fine and fees for the conviction. He was originally cited on September 9th for starting the fire. The fire broke out on May 11, 2025 near Brimson. The $190 was made up of a $100 fine, a…

Trump has accused boat crews of being narco-terrorists. The truth, AP found, is more nuanced

One was a fisherman struggling to eke out a living on $100 a month. Another was a career criminal. A third was a former military cadet. And a fourth was a down-on-his-luck bus driver. The men had little in common beyond their Venezuelan seaside hometowns and the fact all four were among the more than 60 people killed since early September when the U.S. military began attacking boats that the Trump administration alleges were smuggling drugs. The Associated Press learned the identities of four of the men – and pieced together details about at least five others – who were slain.

Ex-NFL player Antonio Brown waives extradition on attempted murder charge, will return to Miami

Former NFL player Antonio Brown will return to Florida after deciding not to contest his extradition from a New Jersey jail on an attempted murder charge. Officials said Friday that Brown waived extradition at a brief court hearing and was awaiting transfer to Miami. He was brought to New Jersey after his arrest by U.S. Marshals in Dubai. Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer after a boxing match on May 16 and firing two shots at a man he had gotten into a fistfight with earlier. Brown was an All-Pro wide receiver with Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and other teams.

2 more men charged in FBI investigation related to alleged Halloween plot in Michigan

Authorities have charged two more young men in a sprawling federal investigation of an alleged terrorism-style attack planned for suburban Detroit. The case is filed in New Jersey. The allegations against Tomas Jimenez-Guzel and Saed Mirreh do not specifically focus on Michigan. But investigators say their plans to travel abroad and fight for the Islamic State group picked up steam after allies in Michigan were arrested. Jimenez-Guzel, of Montclair, New Jersey, and Mirreh, of Kent, Washington, are charged with conspiracy. Their lawyers have not responded to a request for comment.

Cornell University announces deal with Trump administration to restore withheld federal funding

Cornell University has agreed to pay $60 million and accept the Trump administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws in order to restore federal funding and end investigations into the Ivy League school. Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff announced the agreement on Friday, saying it upholds the university’s academic freedom while restoring more than $250 million in research funding that the government withheld amid investigations into alleged civil rights violations. The university agreed to pay $30 million directly to the U.S. government along with another $30 million toward research that will support U.S. farmers.

Kendrick Lamar leads 2026 Grammy nominations, followed by Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Cirkut

Kendrick Lamar leads the 2026 Grammy Award nominations. Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Canadian record producer and songwriter Cirkut follow Lamar with seven nominations each announced Friday. All four are nominated in the song, record and album of the year categories. In the best new artist category, global girl group Katseye, Olivia Dean, The Marias, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren and Lola Young will all go head-to-head. There are a number of first-time nominees as well this year including Tate McRae, Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress. The 2026 Grammy Awards will air Feb. 1 live on CBS and Paramount+ from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Trump administration seeks to halt SNAP food aid payments after a court order

BOSTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration asked a federal appeals court Friday to block a judge’s order that it distribute November’s full monthly SNAP benefits amid a U.S. government shutdown, even as at least some states said they were moving quickly to get the money to people. U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. had given Trump’s administration until Friday to…

Supreme Court weighs longshot appeal to overturn decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide

A call to overturn the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide is on the agenda Friday for the justices’ closed-door conference. Among the new cases the justices are expected to consider is a longshot appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. Davis had been trying to get the court to overturn a lower court order for her to pay $360,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to a couple whom she denied a marriage license. Clarence Thomas is the only justice to call for erasing the same-sex marriage ruling.

Trump is ramping up a new effort to convince a skeptical public he can fix affordability worries

Expect to hear President Donald Trump talk a lot about affordability in coming months. The White House is adjusting its messaging strategy after voters in this week’s elections said the economy was their biggest concern. Trump says his team is doing a “great job on affordability,” promoting a new plan to lower the cost of anti-obesity drugs. But data shows prices for groceries and electricity bills are climbing. Part of the plan will be a push to educate people ahead of tax season about new tax cuts. The White House also hopes the Federal Reserve will do more to cut interest rates.

European Union vessel reaches ship raided by pirates off Somalia; all 24 crew on board safe

A European Union vessel has reached a ship taken by pirates off the coast of Somalia on Friday and found all its 24 crew members safe. The Diaplous Group said the EU vessel, the ESPS Victoria, would remain alongside the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite until it could sail under its own power. The pirates took the vessel, which was carrying a load of gasoline from India to South Africa, on Thursday. The crew hid in a locked-down citadel aboard the vessel, officials said.

Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown arrested on attempted murder charge in Miami shooting

Former NFL star Antonio Brown has been arrested on an attempted murder charge stemming from a shooting after a celebrity boxing event in Miami. Police confirmed Thursday that the 37-year-old Brown was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Dubai. Police spokesman Mike Vega said Brown was initially flown to Essex County, New Jersey, where he’s being held pending extradition to Miami. An arrest warrant says Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer and firing two shots at a man he had gotten into a fistfight with after the amateur boxing event in May. It was unclear from court documents whether Brown has an attorney.

China seeks to project power far beyond its coast with the new Fujian aircraft carrier

China has commissioned its latest aircraft carrier after extensive sea trials, adding a ship to what is already the world’s largest navy and one that experts say will help it expand its influence and reach farther beyond its own waters. China’s official Xinhua news agency reported Friday that the new vessel was commissioned on Wednesday. The Fujian is China’s third carrier and the first that it has both designed and built itself. It is perhaps the most visible example so far of leader Xi Jinping’s massive military overhaul and expansion that aims to have a modernized force by 2035 and one that is “world class” by mid century — which most take to mean capable of going toe-to-toe with the United States.

At the 6-months mark, Pope Leo finds his footing and starts charting his own path and style

Pope Leo XIV is getting used to being pope at the six-month mark, following his shock election in May and sharp learning curve over the summer. His key priorities are starting to come into focus, especially where he dovetails with his predecessor and where he diverges. Leo showed himself in perfect lockstep with Francis when he published his first major teaching document last month, on the church’s non-negotiable “preferential option for the poor.”  Leo’s pontificate’s six-month mark is coming up on Nov. 8, and we have glimpsed a lot about history’s first American pope, his style, substance and where he might be taking the Catholic Church.

South Korea says North Korea fired 1 ballistic missile toward its eastern waters

South Korea’s military says North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile toward its eastern waters. Pyongyang has stepped up its testing activity while talks with Washington and Seoul remain stalled. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said Friday the weapon flew about 434 miles cross-country after being fired from an inland area around the western county of Taekwan. North Korea has been accelerating the pace of its weapons testing in recent weeks, including the firing of purported hypersonic missiles and cruise missiles last month.

Typhoon Kalmaegi kills 5 people in Vietnam as the Philippines prepares for a new storm

Typhoon Kalmaegi has brought fierce winds and torrential rains to Vietnam, and left at least five people dead and thousands of homes damaged before weakening into a tropical storm. The storm moved into Cambodia on Friday. Authorities also say three people are missing and more than 1.6 million households lost power as recovery efforts began in hard-hit Vietnamese provinces. In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national emergency after Kalmaegi left at least 188 dead and 135 missing earlier this week. The country now braces for another major storm, Typhoon Fung-wong, expected to make landfall early next week.

Photos of the aftermath of devastating floods in remote Alaska Native villages

KWIGILLINGOK, Alaska (AP) — Uncertainty looms over the future of remote Alaska Native villages devastated by the remnants of Typhoon Halong last month. Some evacuees express doubts about ever returning to their traditional lifestyles, while other residents remain. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple…

Deep in Trump country, coal miners with black lung say government is suffocating the ‘working man’

Lisa Emery, a respiratory therapist, is deeply concerned about West Virginia coal miners suffering from black lung disease. She sees miners as young as 45 needing double lung transplants due in part to increased silica dust exposure. A rule that would cut exposure to the toxic substance was approved last year but is now in jeopardy. Retired miners are demanding action from President Trump, who promised to put more workers underground. The silica rule faces opposition from industry groups citing costs. Meanwhile, miners continue to suffer, with some feeling forgotten and struggling with severe health issues.