By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved a stopgap spending bill Monday that will end the longest government shutdown in American history once the measure becomes law later this week.

The&nbsp;60-40 vote sends the updated funding package back to the House, where lawmakers in that chamber are expected sometime during the next few days to clear the legislation for President Donald Trump’s signature.&nbsp;

Shortly before the vote, Trump said he plans to follow the agreements included in the revised measure, including the reinstatement of thousands of federal workers who received layoff notices during the shutdown.&nbsp;

“I’ll abide by the deal,” Trump said. “The deal is very good.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Republicans, he added, will soon begin work on legislation to provide direct payments to Americans to help them afford the rising cost of health insurance, one of the core disagreements between the political parties that led to the shutdown.&nbsp;

“We want a health care system where we pay the money to the people instead of the insurance companies,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “And I tell you, we are going to be working on that very hard over the next short period of time.”

Earlier in the day, House Speaker Mike Johnson urged representatives to begin traveling back to Capitol Hill as soon as possible to ensure they arrive in time to vote on the bill to reopen the government, after the measure arrives from the Senate.&nbsp;

The Louisiana Republican’s request came as airlines were forced to delay or cancel thousands of flights on the 41st day of the shutdown, a situation that could potentially impact a House vote on the stopgap spending bill if members don’t follow his advice.&nbsp;

“The problem we have with air travel is that our air traffic controllers are overworked and unpaid. And many of them have called in sick,” Johnson said. “That’s a very stressful job and even more stressful, exponentially, when they’re having trouble providing for their families. And so air travel has been grinding to a halt in many places.”

Johnson then told his colleagues in the House, which hasn’t been in session since mid-September, that lawmakers from both political parties “need to begin right now returning to the Hill.”

Trump took a markedly different tone over the challenges air traffic controllers have faced during the shutdown in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115526123205979749" target="_blank">a social media post</a>&nbsp;that he published several hours before he spoke to reporters about the deal to reopen government.&nbsp;

“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked,’” Trump wrote, without explaining what that would mean for workers who had to take time off since the shutdown began Oct. 1.&nbsp;

Trump added that he would like to find a way to provide $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers who didn’t require any time off during the past six weeks.

“For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country,” Trump wrote. “You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind!”&nbsp;

The Senate-passed package will provide stopgap funding for much of the federal government through January 30, giving lawmakers a couple more months to work out agreement on nine of the dozen full-year spending bills.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The package holds several other provisions, including the full-year appropriations bills for the Agriculture Department, the Legislative Branch, military construction projects and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.&nbsp;

Seven Democrats and one independent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-advances-bill-end-record-breaking-government-shutdown" target="_blank">broke ranks Sunday</a>&nbsp;on a procedural vote that advanced the package, drawing condemnation from some House members and outside advocacy groups unhappy that no solution was arrived at to counter skyrocketing health insurance premium increases for people in the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, where bipartisanship is required for major bills to move forward under the 60-vote legislative filibuster.&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said during a floor speech Monday he was “grateful that the end” of the stalemate was in sight.&nbsp;

“We’re on the 41st day of this shutdown — nutrition benefits are in jeopardy; air travel is in an extremely precarious situation; our staffs and many, many other government workers have been working for nearly six weeks without pay,” Thune said. “I could spend an hour talking about all of the problems we’ve seen, which have snowballed the longer the shutdown has gone on. But all of us, Democrat and Republican, who voted for last night’s bill are well aware of the facts.”

Schumer bid for deal on health care costs fails

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was far less celebratory after his bid to get Republicans to negotiate a deal on health care costs by forcing a shutdown failed.&nbsp;

“The past few weeks have exposed with shocking clarity how warped Republican priorities truly are. While people’s health care costs have gone up, Republicans have come across as a party preoccupied with ballrooms, Argentina bailouts and private jets,” Schumer said. “Republicans’ breach of trust with the American people is deep and perhaps irreversible.”&nbsp;

“And now that they have failed to do anything to prevent premiums from going up, the anger that Americans feel against Donald Trump and the Republicans is going to get worse,” Schumer added. “Republicans had their chance to fix this and they blew it. Americans will remember Republican intransigence every time they make a sky-high payment on health insurance.”&nbsp;

Schumer was insistent throughout the shutdown that Democrats would only vote to advance a funding bill after lawmakers brokered a bipartisan deal to extend tax credits that are set to expire at the end of December for people who purchase their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace.&nbsp;

That all changed on Sunday when Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada voted to move the bill toward a final passage vote.

Maine independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, also voted to advance the legislation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said during a press conference Monday afternoon that he still believes Schumer is effective and should keep his role in leadership, despite the outcome.&nbsp;

“Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats over the last seven weeks have waged a valiant fight on behalf of the American people. And I’m not going to explain what a handful of Senate Democrats have decided to do. That’s their explanation to offer to the American people,” Jeffries said.&nbsp;

“What we’re going to continue to do as House Democrats, partnered with our allies throughout America, is to wage the fight, to stay in the coliseum, to win victories in the arena on behalf of the American people notwithstanding whatever disappointments may arise,” he said. “That’s the reality of life, that’s certainly the reality of this place. But we’re in this fight for all the right reasons.”&nbsp;

Speaker Johnson said earlier in the day that the “people’s government cannot be held hostage to further anyone’s political agenda. That was never right. And shutting down the government never produces anything.”

Johnson reiterated that GOP lawmakers are “open to finding solutions to reduce the oppressive costs of health care,” though he didn’t outline any plans to do that in the weeks and months ahead.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762828310820.png" alt="Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt presided over the Senate Monday night-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Missouri U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt presided over the Senate Monday night-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved a stopgap spending bill Monday that will end the longest government shutdown in American history once the measure becomes law later this week.The&nbsp;60-40 vote sends the updated funding package back to the House, where lawmakers in that chamber are expected sometime during the next few days to clear the legislation for President Donald Trump’s signature.&nbsp;Shortly before the vote, Trump said he plans to follow the agreements included in the revised measure, including the reinstatement of thousands of federal workers who received layoff notices during the shutdown.&nbsp;“I’ll abide by the deal,” Trump said. “The deal is very good.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Republicans, he added, will soon begin work on legislation to provide direct payments to Americans to help them afford the rising cost of health insurance, one of the core disagreements between the political parties that led to the shutdown.&nbsp;“We want a health care system where we pay the money to the people instead of the insurance companies,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “And I tell you, we are going to be working on that very hard over the next short period of time.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">41 days of ridiculous political posturing by the Democrats ended tonight. Finally the American people will no longer be pawns in their political games. <a href="https://t.co/KFr1w8OXSt">pic.twitter.com/KFr1w8OXSt</a>&mdash; Senator Eric Schmitt (@SenEricSchmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenEricSchmitt/status/1988091017061691526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>House members told to head to D.C.</h2>Earlier in the day, House Speaker Mike Johnson urged representatives to begin traveling back to Capitol Hill as soon as possible to ensure they arrive in time to vote on the bill to reopen the government, after the measure arrives from the Senate.&nbsp;The Louisiana Republican’s request came as airlines were forced to delay or cancel thousands of flights on the 41st day of the shutdown, a situation that could potentially impact a House vote on the stopgap spending bill if members don’t follow his advice.&nbsp;“The problem we have with air travel is that our air traffic controllers are overworked and unpaid. And many of them have called in sick,” Johnson said. “That’s a very stressful job and even more stressful, exponentially, when they’re having trouble providing for their families. And so air travel has been grinding to a halt in many places.”Johnson then told his colleagues in the House, which hasn’t been in session since mid-September, that lawmakers from both political parties “need to begin right now returning to the Hill.”<h2>Trump threatens air traffic controllers</h2>Trump took a markedly different tone over the challenges air traffic controllers have faced during the shutdown in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115526123205979749" target="_blank">a social media post</a>&nbsp;that he published several hours before he spoke to reporters about the deal to reopen government.&nbsp;“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked,’” Trump wrote, without explaining what that would mean for workers who had to take time off since the shutdown began Oct. 1.&nbsp;Trump added that he would like to find a way to provide $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers who didn’t require any time off during the past six weeks.“For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country,” Trump wrote. “You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind!”&nbsp;<h2>An end in sight</h2>The Senate-passed package will provide stopgap funding for much of the federal government through January 30, giving lawmakers a couple more months to work out agreement on nine of the dozen full-year spending bills.&nbsp;&nbsp;The package holds several other provisions, including the full-year appropriations bills for the Agriculture Department, the Legislative Branch, military construction projects and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.&nbsp;Seven Democrats and one independent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-advances-bill-end-record-breaking-government-shutdown" target="_blank">broke ranks Sunday</a>&nbsp;on a procedural vote that advanced the package, drawing condemnation from some House members and outside advocacy groups unhappy that no solution was arrived at to counter skyrocketing health insurance premium increases for people in the Affordable Care Act marketplace.Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, where bipartisanship is required for major bills to move forward under the 60-vote legislative filibuster.&nbsp;Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said during a floor speech Monday he was “grateful that the end” of the stalemate was in sight.&nbsp;“We’re on the 41st day of this shutdown — nutrition benefits are in jeopardy; air travel is in an extremely precarious situation; our staffs and many, many other government workers have been working for nearly six weeks without pay,” Thune said. “I could spend an hour talking about all of the problems we’ve seen, which have snowballed the longer the shutdown has gone on. But all of us, Democrat and Republican, who voted for last night’s bill are well aware of the facts.”<h2>Schumer bid for deal on health care costs fails</h2>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was far less celebratory after his bid to get Republicans to negotiate a deal on health care costs by forcing a shutdown failed.&nbsp;“The past few weeks have exposed with shocking clarity how warped Republican priorities truly are. While people’s health care costs have gone up, Republicans have come across as a party preoccupied with ballrooms, Argentina bailouts and private jets,” Schumer said. “Republicans’ breach of trust with the American people is deep and perhaps irreversible.”&nbsp;“And now that they have failed to do anything to prevent premiums from going up, the anger that Americans feel against Donald Trump and the Republicans is going to get worse,” Schumer added. “Republicans had their chance to fix this and they blew it. Americans will remember Republican intransigence every time they make a sky-high payment on health insurance.”&nbsp;Schumer was insistent throughout the shutdown that Democrats would only vote to advance a funding bill after lawmakers brokered a bipartisan deal to extend tax credits that are set to expire at the end of December for people who purchase their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace.&nbsp;That all changed on Sunday when Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada voted to move the bill toward a final passage vote.Maine independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, also voted to advance the legislation.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Jeffries still supports Schumer</h2>House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said during a press conference Monday afternoon that he still believes Schumer is effective and should keep his role in leadership, despite the outcome.&nbsp;“Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats over the last seven weeks have waged a valiant fight on behalf of the American people. And I’m not going to explain what a handful of Senate Democrats have decided to do. That’s their explanation to offer to the American people,” Jeffries said.&nbsp;“What we’re going to continue to do as House Democrats, partnered with our allies throughout America, is to wage the fight, to stay in the coliseum, to win victories in the arena on behalf of the American people notwithstanding whatever disappointments may arise,” he said. “That’s the reality of life, that’s certainly the reality of this place. But we’re in this fight for all the right reasons.”&nbsp;Speaker Johnson said earlier in the day that the “people’s government cannot be held hostage to further anyone’s political agenda. That was never right. And shutting down the government never produces anything.”Johnson reiterated that GOP lawmakers are “open to finding solutions to reduce the oppressive costs of health care,” though he didn’t outline any plans to do that in the weeks and months ahead.&nbsp;

US Senate in bipartisan vote passes bill to end record-breaking shutdown, House up next

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run that killed a KU student have made an arrest.

After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver, identified as 36-year-old William Klinger, involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence.&nbsp;

The crash killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.

Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene.&nbsp;

Deputies later found her early Friday morning. A passerby spotted her on the side of the road around 3:35 a.m., according to Diepenbrock.

According to the sheriff's department Klingler was arrested around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday. He is being held on requested charges of reckless involuntary homicide. He has a previous conviction for Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Equipment: Knowingly and without authorization removing or disabling in the case of a Felony, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;

McGrain, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, was a pre-med student at KU.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762637573361.png" alt="Elsa McGrain-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Elsa McGrain-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run that killed a KU student have made an arrest.After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver, identified as 36-year-old William Klinger, involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762795144309.png" alt="Klingler photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Klingler photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>The crash killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene.&nbsp;Deputies later found her early Friday morning. A passerby spotted her on the side of the road around 3:35 a.m., according to Diepenbrock.According to the sheriff's department Klingler was arrested around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday. He is being held on requested charges of reckless involuntary homicide. He has a previous conviction for Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Equipment: Knowingly and without authorization removing or disabling in the case of a Felony, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;McGrain, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, was a pre-med student at KU.

Driver accused in hit-and -run that killed Neb. woman has history of crime

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (<a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecKennedy</a>): &quot;The FDA is initiating the removal of broad black box warnings from hormone replacement therapy products for menopause.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xcqVHCpn4E">pic.twitter.com/xcqVHCpn4E</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1987920133160141115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DrMakaryFDA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrMakaryFDA</a>: “50 million women since that study 23 years ago have been denied, or never offered, or talked out of the life-changing, life-saving benefits of hormone replacement therapy.” <a href="https://t.co/q5cr82jsDM">pic.twitter.com/q5cr82jsDM</a>&mdash; HHS Rapid Response (@HHSResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/HHSResponse/status/1987923777498288585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥FDA will lift warnings on hormone therapy for menopause 

By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post

Lincoln, Neb. - Nebraska companies invested nearly $5 billion and created more than 9,000 full-time jobs during the 2024–2025 fiscal year, according to the recently released 2025 Nebraska Tax Incentives Annual Report from the Nebraska Department of Revenue.

The report, covering July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, shows that 79 active projects under the Nebraska Advantage Act accounted for $4.9 billion in capital investment and 9,178 new jobs, with an average annual wage of $59,000. Businesses were approved for or claimed tax credits and refunds totaling $146.8 million across their active projects.

Although the Nebraska Advantage Act stopped accepting new applications at the end of 2020, companies that qualified can continue claiming benefits through 2051. The program provides tax credits and refunds based on investment and employment growth.

Projects included in the report span the state and a variety of industries, from manufacturing and renewable energy to financial services and agriculture. The report highlights individual agreements, including Sustainable Beef in North Platte, which committed $10 million and 75 jobs under a 2022 agreement, and Allo Communications, whose statewide fiber expansion includes North Platte, Ogallala, and Scottsbluff.

Tax Commissioner James Kamm said the department continues auditing projects and may recapture benefits if companies fail to meet targets. Certain data in the report is withheld to protect taxpayer confidentiality.

The report also summarizes activity under the Advantage Rural Development, Microenterprise Tax Credit, and Research and Development acts, as well as older programs such as the Employment and Investment Growth Act.

Lawmakers are expected to continue reviewing Nebraska’s economic incentive framework next session as the ImagiNE Nebraska Act — the successor to Advantage — gains momentum for new applications.

The full 2025 Tax Incentives Annual Report is available at <a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/incentives/annual-reports">revenue.nebraska.gov/incentives/annual-reports</a>.

By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762807389953.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Lincoln, Neb. - Nebraska companies invested nearly $5 billion and created more than 9,000 full-time jobs during the 2024–2025 fiscal year, according to the recently released 2025 Nebraska Tax Incentives Annual Report from the Nebraska Department of Revenue.The report, covering July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, shows that 79 active projects under the Nebraska Advantage Act accounted for $4.9 billion in capital investment and 9,178 new jobs, with an average annual wage of $59,000. Businesses were approved for or claimed tax credits and refunds totaling $146.8 million across their active projects.Although the Nebraska Advantage Act stopped accepting new applications at the end of 2020, companies that qualified can continue claiming benefits through 2051. The program provides tax credits and refunds based on investment and employment growth.Projects included in the report span the state and a variety of industries, from manufacturing and renewable energy to financial services and agriculture. The report highlights individual agreements, including Sustainable Beef in North Platte, which committed $10 million and 75 jobs under a 2022 agreement, and Allo Communications, whose statewide fiber expansion includes North Platte, Ogallala, and Scottsbluff.Tax Commissioner James Kamm said the department continues auditing projects and may recapture benefits if companies fail to meet targets. Certain data in the report is withheld to protect taxpayer confidentiality.The report also summarizes activity under the Advantage Rural Development, Microenterprise Tax Credit, and Research and Development acts, as well as older programs such as the Employment and Investment Growth Act.Lawmakers are expected to continue reviewing Nebraska’s economic incentive framework next session as the ImagiNE Nebraska Act — the successor to Advantage — gains momentum for new applications.The full 2025 Tax Incentives Annual Report is available at <a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/incentives/annual-reports">revenue.nebraska.gov/incentives/annual-reports</a>.

Nebraska Businesses Report $4.9B in Investment Under Tax Incentives

‘This state truly lived up to its name: “Good Life State,”’ says Oleg Stepanyuk, lead pastor of House of Prayer in north Lincoln

By Zach Wendling | <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/10/ukrainians-honor-nebraskans-for-support-during-russian-invasion/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Members of the Ukrainian community in Nebraska honored dozens of neighbors at an appreciation event Friday that spotlighted support for Ukraine during the nearly four years since Russia invaded.

House of Prayer lead pastor Oleg Stepanyuk, who is from Lviv in western Ukraine, near the Polish border, estimated that about 90% of displaced Ukrainians in Nebraska passed through the church.&nbsp;

He said the house of worship in north Lincoln “lived up to the challenge of embracing and helping and making the community stronger.”

“But it would have been impossible without you, without your kind hearts, without your support, prayers and everything,” Stepanyuk told about 100 people attending the three-hour event.

Among those honored were Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, former State Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/04/retired-solider-nebraska-state-senator-sees-no-quit-in-ukrainian-forces/">Tom Brewer</a>, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold.&nbsp;

Many Nebraskans who traveled to Ukraine or Poland or&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/24/nebraskans-reflect-on-support-for-ukraine-one-year-after-russian-invasion/">supported displaced Ukrainians relocated to the Cornhusker State</a>&nbsp;since the February 2022 invasion also were honored.

“We noticed every help, every gesture, every public release, and we are very proud to have the leaders that we have in this state,” Stepanyuk said. “This state truly lived up to its name: ‘Good Life State.’”

The event featured photos of the war and life in Ukraine from Howard Buffett, the son of Warren Buffett. Earlier this year, he published a nearly 400-page book, “Courage of a Nation: Three Years of War,” which was gifted to honorees.

Some honorees also received one-of-a-kind gifts —&nbsp;Bacon received an original map of Ukraine that includes Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014 but many countries still recognize as Ukrainian. Pillen received a bulava, a ceremonial mace and traditional symbol of Ukrainian authority.

State Sens. Bob Andersen, Rob Clements, Stan Clouse, Barry DeKay, Rob Dover, Rick Holdcroft, Kathleen Kauth, Dave Murman and Merv Riepe attended, too, as did former State Sen. Anna Wishart.

A Ukrainian brigadier general, speaking virtually from the warfront, at about 3 a.m. where he was fighting, expressed gratitude to join a celebration of a Ukrainian community that, along with Americans, “break bread together during our mutual defense of freedom and liberty.”

He said he had seen up close the heroism and honors that American servicemen brought to the battlefield and said it was a privilege to serve with those who “truly make the world proud in the fight against the Kremlin evil.”

“War is not something any of us ask for or want, and every day we fight for survival and eventual victory,” the Ukrainian brigadier general said.

“We fight for freedom,” he said. “We fight for existence of our nation. We fight for future of our children.”

Gold, who worked with Brewer on how the university system could help, said Ukrainians were fighting to protect freedom and democracy locally but also “for the rest of the world.”

“For those that may not think that’s in question, rest assured, that’s exactly what’s in question and why this is so important,” Gold said. “Not just for the people of Ukraine, but for all of us that are here tonight.”

Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general who served during the Cold War, has been among the most vocal members of Congress in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-rep-don-bacon-slams-trumps-ukraine-comments/63847085" target="_blank">defending Ukraine and its right to exist</a>. He said the “bully” Russia can’t be appeased, that victory can’t mean Ukraine loses territory and that Russian leaders want to dominate and enslave those they see as “little Russians.”

He told the crowd he keeps speaking out “because it’s right,” not out of bravery or courage.

“They want their independence. They want free markets. They want to be part of the West,” Bacon said of Ukraine. “And we should embrace that with open arms.”

Stepanyuk said Ukrainians praying in support of their home country have cited Bacon’s congressional speeches and have looked to him as a “hero” and an example of a “true man.”

Pillen said the people of Ukraine touch his heart deeply and that Nebraskans can’t fathom what Ukrainians have been through or the courage many have shown in starting a new life.&nbsp;

“All of us from Nebraska want to simply say: ‘Welcome,’ because you are Nebraskans now,” Pillen said.

Brewer worked closely with Pillen in 2023 to pass a new law that allowed Ukrainian refugees and other migrants legally in the state to get driver’s licenses. Pillen and Stepanyuk credited and honored Rhonda Lahm, director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, for the&nbsp;<a href="https://dmv.nebraska.gov/news/dmv-announces-issuance-credentials-ukrainian-nationals" target="_blank">speedy rollout of that law</a>.

When Brewer reached out to Gold for help, Gold said he responded, “Immediately, yes. Just tell me how.” Gold was the chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center when the war began and became NU president in July 2024. Gold helped coordinate ag sector conversations, secured medical scholarships and opened up work on bioprosthetics in Omaha research labs.

“We are here to reach out our arms and to embrace others who need help and to be sure that we do it right, we do it with humility,” Gold said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to do so.”

Brewer, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, said that when he first went to Ukraine after the war began, he didn’t know what he was getting into. On one of his first trips, he helped move supplies from secure areas to villages with many elderly Ukrainians between the front lines of an evolving war.

The colonel said he didn’t expect the mission to change how he saw the world after eight combat tours, but now, wherever he goes in Ukraine, no matter the town size, little old ladies come up, hug him and say, “Thank you.”

“As a soldier, that’s really all you want, is just to say, ‘Thank you for the sacrifice,’” Brewer said, choking up.

“The sheer volume of death that was happening over there would break the spirit of most folks, but they figured out how to survive and how to live in this terrible situation that they have.”

Stepanyuk said Brewer, the “lionheart,” is a household name for many Ukrainians and said Brewer became a “brother in arms,” not just a friend, when he joined the war trenches.

Joining the “lionheart” on recent missions to Ukraine has been a farmer, Don Hutchens, the former executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board, who had been to Ukraine before the war, and a storyteller, John Grinvalds, a reporter with KETV.&nbsp;

Grinvalds documented the most recent mission in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/chronicle-ukraine-wounds-of-war/65504123" target="_blank">five-part “Wounds of War” series</a>&nbsp;published via KETV earlier this year. Grinvalds said the “wounds of war” can be seen globally and through many Nebraskans, neighbors who will carry the damage of war forever.

“I think for a fairer future, a brighter future, it’s time for us to look at how we can heal the wounds of war in our own backyard,” Grinvalds said.

Brewer recalled one of his&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/11/01/nebraska-state-senator-returns-to-ukraine-to-deliver-bibles-stove-food-and-a-message-of-support/">early missions</a>&nbsp;moving supplies, during which he was rushed to a potato cellar with about 20 people, mostly soldiers, as artillery shells landed above ground. Dirt fell from the ceiling as everything shook.

Ukrainian soldiers sat around making tea, Brewer said, with “no fear whatsoever. It’s just another day for them.”

He recalled a young soldier asking if Brewer wanted tea, and Brewer responded, “You betcha,” and quipped to the Friday crowd, “Vodka would have been better.”

Brewer didn’t know the group had run out of water. The young soldier opened the cellar door, darted into the courtyard and pumped a bucket of water from a hand-cranked well. He returned as more artillery rounds landed.

“I felt so terrible, because he just risked his life to get me a glass of tea, but that’s what I ran into in the way of love from these people,” Brewer said.

The Protez Foundation in Minnesota is one U.S.-based nonprofit that has worked to give wounded Ukrainians who have lost limbs, for instance, a new start.&nbsp;

Among the more than 1,000 Ukrainians who have received care or are in steps to receive care are Dmitry, a 31-year-old former member of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade who lost both of his arms while fighting this year and teenager Alex, a native of Mariupol, which was among the earliest targets in the war. He lost his left leg in the first weeks of the war, at the age of 12.

Yuriy Gula, a representative of the foundation, translated the stories on behalf of Dmitry and Alex and thanked Nebraska and others for supporting Ukraine.

Dmitry did not know if it was a grenade or something else that injured him, but his arms were wrapped in tourniquets for 19 hours. A medical team could not reach him in time. Alex walked out of his house and a rocket fell near him. He lost a lot of blood and medical providers couldn’t save his leg.

Pillen described the war as “totally unjust, should never have taken place.” He said Ukrainians and Nebraskans together are brothers and sisters, joining Brewer and Hutchens in highlighting the similarities Nebraska has with Ukraine, such as both being “bread baskets” of the world. Pillen said he hopes there will soon be peace.

Brewer intends to return to Ukraine with Hutchens and Grinvalds in December for about two weeks. The next mission will focus on uplifting Ukraine’s ag sector and orphanages. Brewer said he and Hutchens will stay closer to the country’s capital of Kyiv, working with country leaders and orphanages, while Grinvalds will be closer to the front.

Stepanyuk said people in his home country need Americans to “have Ukrainians in your heart.”

“There will be a day when this war is over and Ukraine will build back to what it was,” Brewer echoed. “I hope that Europe and the United States stay the course and are there to help them rebuild.”

Ukrainians honor Nebraskans for support during Russian invasion

WASHINGTON —Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported more deadly strikes on an alleged drug boats.

On social media, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced,&nbsp; On Sunday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations."

"These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and were transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route in the Eastern Pacific." "Both strikes were conducted in international waters and 3 male narco-terrorists were aboard each vessel. All 6 were killed. No U.S. forces were harmed." "Under President Trump, we are protecting the homeland and killing these cartel terrorists who wish to harm our country and its people.

This was the 19 reported U.S. attack on drug vessels with the death toll at 75 since the Trump administration launched a campaign against drug trafficking in South American waters.

WASHINGTON —Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported more deadly strikes on an alleged drug boats.On social media, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced,&nbsp; On Sunday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and… <a href="https://t.co/ocUoGzwwDO">pic.twitter.com/ocUoGzwwDO</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1987863821868732447?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and were transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route in the Eastern Pacific." "Both strikes were conducted in international waters and 3 male narco-terrorists were aboard each vessel. All 6 were killed. No U.S. forces were harmed." "Under President Trump, we are protecting the homeland and killing these cartel terrorists who wish to harm our country and its people.This was the 19 reported U.S. attack on drug vessels with the death toll at 75 since the Trump administration launched a campaign against drug trafficking in South American waters.---------------

🎥US military kills 6 in new attacks on drug-running boats

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — Seven U.S. Senate Democrats and one independent&nbsp;joined Republicans on Sunday night in advancing legislation to reopen the government and temporarily keep it afloat until the end of January, after a record-breaking shutdown that began Oct. 1.

Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada voted with most of the GOP to advance the stopgap measure through a 60-40 procedural vote.&nbsp;

Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also voted in support.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fetterman, King and Cortez Masto had already voted with Republicans on the previous 14 votes to reopen the government. Until Sunday, Republicans who control the chamber did not have the 60 votes needed to clear the filibuster threshold.

GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has consistently voted against the temporary funding measure, again cast a “no” vote.

The deal would also unlock full-year funding for a vital food aid program that serves 42 million Americans and bring back federal workers fired by President Donald Trump when the government was closed.

It does not include language addressing skyrocketing premiums for those enrolled in individual health insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace, a major sticking point for Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said late Sunday on the Senate floor that he commits to holding a separate vote on health insurance subsidies no later than the second week of December.

In a press conference following the vote, Rosen said Democrats have “an opportunity also to put Republicans on the record on the ACA.”

“Are they committed to doing this? Are they committed leaders who said, ‘You can come to the table on health care once the government was open’? And now he must follow through. If Republicans want to join us in lowering costs for working families, they have the perfect opportunity to show the American public,” Rosen said.

New text of a temporary stopgap funding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/continuing_appropriations_act_2026_bill_text.pdf" target="_blank">deal</a>&nbsp;released Sunday night proposes to keep the government open until Jan. 30. The bill would also reinstate all federal employees who were fired after the shutdown began, restoring their jobs with back pay, and prohibit any further layoffs until the temporary funding expires.

As part of the agreement, three fiscal year 2026 funding bills will ride along with the package, including the appropriations bills for agriculture programs, veterans benefits, military construction and Congress.

Several Senate Democrats left a lengthy closed-door meeting earlier Sunday night upset that the deal does not include anything to address rising health care premiums, on which the party has staked the 40-day shutdown.&nbsp;

Subsidies for those who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace expire at the end of this year.

“So far as I’m concerned, health care isn’t included, so I’ll be a no,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin also issued statements following the caucus meeting declaring they would vote no. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also told reporters on his way out of the meeting that he’s opposed to the deal.

Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey said on social media he would oppose it. ”I’ve been clear that we need real action to stop the devastating health care cost increases that are hurting millions of families,” he said.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., issued a statement expressing support for the agreement, highlighting that Senate Republicans have promised a vote on extending the health care subsidies.

“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will,” Kaine said.

The Sunday night vote does not mean the government will reopen right away.

The legislation must make its way through Senate procedural steps and then gain approval from the U.S. House, which hasn’t been in session since Sept. 19. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, attended the Washington Commanders football game with Trump Sunday night in Landover, Maryland.

Trump briefly spoke to reporters upon news of the deal after leaving the NFL game, telling them, “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending.”

Nearly a million federal workers have missed paychecks during the shutdown, and food benefits for the poorest Americans stopped flowing at the beginning of November.&nbsp;

Air travel has also become snarled as the shutdown has dragged on, and air traffic controllers are under pressure without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration began&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/here-are-airports-hit-faa-pullback-air-traffic-3300-flights-daily-be-canceled" target="_blank">cutting flights</a>&nbsp;Friday at 40 major airports across the U.S. The cuts are set to ramp up to a 10% decrease in air traffic.

The deal includes provisions that Democrats say the Trump administration sought to shrink or cut altogether, including fresh fruit and vegetable subsidies for mothers with children and monthly food boxes for low-income seniors.

The legislation would direct $8.2 billion to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, otherwise known as WIC, a roughly $600 million increase over last year’s program amount.

During the shutdown, the administration used $150 million from a U.S. Department of Agriculture rainy day fund to keep the program going. The bill would replenish the contingency money.

The bill also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and children’s nutrition programs, including subsidized school breakfast and lunch, and the availability of food during summer school breaks.

Democrats on the Senate Committee on Appropriations say it included “key funding for SNAP and other critical nutrition programs as President Trump fights in court during the government shutdown to cut off benefits for 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP to feed their families,” according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY26%20Ag-FDA%20Conference%20Bill%20Summary.pdf" target="_blank">bill summary</a>.&nbsp;

The USDA directed states to begin releasing the November SNAP benefits onto recipients’ benefits debit cards after a Rhode Island federal district judge and circuit court ordered the Trump administration to do so last week.&nbsp;

Trump appealed the order to the Supreme Court, which stayed the decision. A department memo Saturday told states that released the full benefits to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/states-told-trump-administration-undo-full-snap-benefits-paid-november" target="_blank">take back</a>&nbsp;a portion of them.

The bill would also direct money to the SNAP emergency contingency fund.

Hemp farmers are sounding the alarm about a provision in the bill that they say would “effectively eliminate the legal hemp industry built under the 2018 farm bill,” according to a Sunday statement from the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America.

Lawmakers are “slamming the door on 325,000 American jobs and forcing consumers back to dangerous black markets,” the industry group’s executive director Brian Swensen said.&nbsp;

Swensen also added: “The hemp industry has been ready and willing to work on responsible regulations – age restrictions, testing requirements, proper labeling — but instead of collaboration, the industry is getting a misguided prohibition through backdoor appropriations deals.”&nbsp;

Several House Democrats, including a top appropriator, criticized the deal.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans for the proposal Sunday night in a statement, saying House and Senate Democrats have “waged a valiant fight” for the last seven weeks.

“It now appears that Senate Republicans will send the House of Representatives a spending bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. As a result of the Republicans refusal to address the healthcare crisis that they have created, tens of millions of everyday Americans are going to see their costs skyrocket,” Jeffries said.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top House Democratic appropriator, said she did not agree to the release of the veterans and military construction bill as an attachment to the deal.

“Congress must invest in veterans, address the health care crisis that is raising costs on more than 20 million Americans, and prevent President Trump from not spending appropriated dollars in our communities,” DeLauro, D-Conn., said in a statement.

Rep. Angie Craig joined other House Democrats in slamming the Senate negotiations on social media.

“If people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you. I’m not going to put 24 million Americans at risk of losing their health care. I’m a no,” said Craig, of Minnesota.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762772315218.jpeg" alt="Counting votes late Sunday in the U.S. Senate" />
 <figcaption>Counting votes late Sunday in the U.S. Senate</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>WASHINGTON — Seven U.S. Senate Democrats and one independent&nbsp;joined Republicans on Sunday night in advancing legislation to reopen the government and temporarily keep it afloat until the end of January, after a record-breaking shutdown that began Oct. 1.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. Senate advances bill to reopen the government, 60-40. <a href="https://t.co/r2CfPUReJV">pic.twitter.com/r2CfPUReJV</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1987730780114817278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada voted with most of the GOP to advance the stopgap measure through a 60-40 procedural vote.&nbsp;Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also voted in support.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fetterman, King and Cortez Masto had already voted with Republicans on the previous 14 votes to reopen the government. Until Sunday, Republicans who control the chamber did not have the 60 votes needed to clear the filibuster threshold.GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has consistently voted against the temporary funding measure, again cast a “no” vote.The deal would also unlock full-year funding for a vital food aid program that serves 42 million Americans and bring back federal workers fired by President Donald Trump when the government was closed.It does not include language addressing skyrocketing premiums for those enrolled in individual health insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace, a major sticking point for Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said late Sunday on the Senate floor that he commits to holding a separate vote on health insurance subsidies no later than the second week of December.In a press conference following the vote, Rosen said Democrats have “an opportunity also to put Republicans on the record on the ACA.”“Are they committed to doing this? Are they committed leaders who said, ‘You can come to the table on health care once the government was open’? And now he must follow through. If Republicans want to join us in lowering costs for working families, they have the perfect opportunity to show the American public,” Rosen said.New text of a temporary stopgap funding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/continuing_appropriations_act_2026_bill_text.pdf" target="_blank">deal</a>&nbsp;released Sunday night proposes to keep the government open until Jan. 30. The bill would also reinstate all federal employees who were fired after the shutdown began, restoring their jobs with back pay, and prohibit any further layoffs until the temporary funding expires.As part of the agreement, three fiscal year 2026 funding bills will ride along with the package, including the appropriations bills for agriculture programs, veterans benefits, military construction and Congress.<h2>Divided Democrats</h2>Several Senate Democrats left a lengthy closed-door meeting earlier Sunday night upset that the deal does not include anything to address rising health care premiums, on which the party has staked the 40-day shutdown.&nbsp;Subsidies for those who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace expire at the end of this year.“So far as I’m concerned, health care isn’t included, so I’ll be a no,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin also issued statements following the caucus meeting declaring they would vote no. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also told reporters on his way out of the meeting that he’s opposed to the deal.Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey said on social media he would oppose it. ”I’ve been clear that we need real action to stop the devastating health care cost increases that are hurting millions of families,” he said.Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., issued a statement expressing support for the agreement, highlighting that Senate Republicans have promised a vote on extending the health care subsidies.“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will,” Kaine said.<h2>Government reopening will take time</h2>The Sunday night vote does not mean the government will reopen right away.The legislation must make its way through Senate procedural steps and then gain approval from the U.S. House, which hasn’t been in session since Sept. 19. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, attended the Washington Commanders football game with Trump Sunday night in Landover, Maryland.Trump briefly spoke to reporters upon news of the deal after leaving the NFL game, telling them, “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending.”Nearly a million federal workers have missed paychecks during the shutdown, and food benefits for the poorest Americans stopped flowing at the beginning of November.&nbsp;Air travel has also become snarled as the shutdown has dragged on, and air traffic controllers are under pressure without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration began&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/here-are-airports-hit-faa-pullback-air-traffic-3300-flights-daily-be-canceled" target="_blank">cutting flights</a>&nbsp;Friday at 40 major airports across the U.S. The cuts are set to ramp up to a 10% decrease in air traffic.<h2>SNAP funding</h2>The deal includes provisions that Democrats say the Trump administration sought to shrink or cut altogether, including fresh fruit and vegetable subsidies for mothers with children and monthly food boxes for low-income seniors.The legislation would direct $8.2 billion to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, otherwise known as WIC, a roughly $600 million increase over last year’s program amount.During the shutdown, the administration used $150 million from a U.S. Department of Agriculture rainy day fund to keep the program going. The bill would replenish the contingency money.The bill also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and children’s nutrition programs, including subsidized school breakfast and lunch, and the availability of food during summer school breaks.Democrats on the Senate Committee on Appropriations say it included “key funding for SNAP and other critical nutrition programs as President Trump fights in court during the government shutdown to cut off benefits for 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP to feed their families,” according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY26%20Ag-FDA%20Conference%20Bill%20Summary.pdf" target="_blank">bill summary</a>.&nbsp;The USDA directed states to begin releasing the November SNAP benefits onto recipients’ benefits debit cards after a Rhode Island federal district judge and circuit court ordered the Trump administration to do so last week.&nbsp;Trump appealed the order to the Supreme Court, which stayed the decision. A department memo Saturday told states that released the full benefits to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/states-told-trump-administration-undo-full-snap-benefits-paid-november" target="_blank">take back</a>&nbsp;a portion of them.The bill would also direct money to the SNAP emergency contingency fund.<h2>Hemp ban</h2>Hemp farmers are sounding the alarm about a provision in the bill that they say would “effectively eliminate the legal hemp industry built under the 2018 farm bill,” according to a Sunday statement from the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America.Lawmakers are “slamming the door on 325,000 American jobs and forcing consumers back to dangerous black markets,” the industry group’s executive director Brian Swensen said.&nbsp;Swensen also added: “The hemp industry has been ready and willing to work on responsible regulations – age restrictions, testing requirements, proper labeling — but instead of collaboration, the industry is getting a misguided prohibition through backdoor appropriations deals.”&nbsp;<h2>House trepidation</h2>Several House Democrats, including a top appropriator, criticized the deal.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans for the proposal Sunday night in a statement, saying House and Senate Democrats have “waged a valiant fight” for the last seven weeks.“It now appears that Senate Republicans will send the House of Representatives a spending bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. As a result of the Republicans refusal to address the healthcare crisis that they have created, tens of millions of everyday Americans are going to see their costs skyrocket,” Jeffries said.Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top House Democratic appropriator, said she did not agree to the release of the veterans and military construction bill as an attachment to the deal.“Congress must invest in veterans, address the health care crisis that is raising costs on more than 20 million Americans, and prevent President Trump from not spending appropriated dollars in our communities,” DeLauro, D-Conn., said in a statement.Rep. Angie Craig joined other House Democrats in slamming the Senate negotiations on social media.“If people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you. I’m not going to put 24 million Americans at risk of losing their health care. I’m a no,” said Craig, of Minnesota.

US Senate advances bill to end record-breaking government shutdown

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run that killed a KU student have&nbsp;

After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence that killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.

Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene. The Sheriff’s Office worked diligently on this case and has made an arrest, according to Diepenbrock.

Detectives are working with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office on charges in the case.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked area law enforcement agencies for their assistance in this investigation, as well as members of the community who responded with possible tips and shared information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762637573361.png" alt="Elsa McGrain courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Elsa McGrain courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run that killed a KU student have&nbsp;After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence that killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762637613576.png" alt="Security camera image of the suspect vehicle released by the Douglas Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image of the suspect vehicle released by the Douglas Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene. The Sheriff’s Office worked diligently on this case and has made an arrest, according to Diepenbrock.Detectives are working with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office on charges in the case.The Sheriff’s Office thanked area law enforcement agencies for their assistance in this investigation, as well as members of the community who responded with possible tips and shared information.

Driver arrested for hit-and-run that killed KU student from Nebraska

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

Following a late Friday emergency ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Trump administration has instructed states that authorized full November nutrition assistance benefits to return a portion, another unprecedented reversal for a program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.

A Saturday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/updated-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap-november-benefit-issuance11-8" target="_blank">memo</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service said states should fund 65% of benefits for users of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, often called food stamps.&nbsp;

Those that had authorized full payments in line with earlier administration guidance should “immediately undo” that action, according to the memo.

“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” the memo said. “Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025. Please advise the appropriate FNS Regional Office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum.”

President Donald Trump and top administration officials have said they cannot pay full SNAP benefits during the government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and instead, under court orders, are using a contingency fund to make partial payments.

Saturday’s guidance from Patrick A. Penn, the department’s deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, marked the latest turnaround in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-issues-november-snap-benefits-then-asks-supreme-court-intervene" target="_blank">a chaotic few days</a>&nbsp;for the agency, states that administer SNAP and the millions of Americans who depend on it to afford food.

Penn wrote that, in light of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-temporarily-blocks-november-snap-payments" target="_blank">the Supreme Court’s order pausing lower court rulings</a>&nbsp;that USDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">must pay full November benefits</a>, the administration was returning to its position that SNAP benefits should be funded at 65%.&nbsp;

States — including Wisconsin and Kansas — that issued full benefits did so under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220869-snap-november-2025-benefit-guidance-update/" target="_blank">a Friday memo</a>, also signed by Penn, that said states should authorize full payments for SNAP, consistent with a Thursday ruling in federal court.

Kansas, Wisconsin, Oregon govs express dismay

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, in a late Friday statement expressed disappointment with the administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220987-supremecourtnov72025/" target="_blank">appeal to the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;and noted the state had authorized full payments earlier in the day for all eligible Kansans.

“These Kansans, most of them children, seniors or people with disabilities, were struggling to put food on their plates,” she said. “Why the President would petition the highest court to deny food to hungry children is beyond me. It does nothing to advance his political agenda. It does not hurt his perceived enemies. It only hurts our most vulnerable and our reputation around the globe.”

In a Sunday statement, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, flatly refused to try to claw back any authorized benefits. The state acted in compliance with a court order, he said.

“After we did so, the Trump Administration assured Wisconsin and other states that they were actively working to implement full SNAP benefits for November and would ‘complete the processes necessary to make funds available,’” he said. “They have failed to do so to date.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said her state will not comply.

“Oregon acted lawfully, given the federal court’s directive and the communications with the USDA, and my decision to ensure SNAP benefits went out quickly was in direct alignment with my food emergency declaration,” said Kotek, a Democrat. “I am disgusted that President Trump has the audacity to take taxpayers’ money away from them when they are in crisis. I have a question for the President: What would he prefer to spend the money on over groceries for people in need? This is ridiculous, immoral, and Oregon will fight this every step of the way.”

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said in a statement:&nbsp;“Let’s be clear about what this is —&nbsp; the Trump administration is demanding that food assistance be taken away from the households that have already received it. They would rather go door to door, taking away people’s food, than do the right thing and fully fund SNAP for November so that struggling veterans, seniors, and children can keep food on the table. It is incomprehensible, incompetent and inconsistent with our values as Americans.”&nbsp;

The earlier order, from U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island, told the department to use sources outside the contingency fund to make full November payments by Friday. The order was appealed to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

But Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, acting on behalf of the high court,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26221041-25a539-admin-stay/" target="_blank">granted</a>&nbsp;the administration’s request for an emergency stay on Friday night, speeding up the process for what Jackson said would then be an “expeditious” decision by the appeals court but also changing things yet again.

No longer, for the moment, required by a court order to pay full November benefits, the administration instructed states in the Saturday memo to have the vendors that process payments to the electronic benefit transfer cards withhold part of the month’s allotment.

“States must not transmit full benefit issuance files to EBT processors,” Penn wrote. “Instead, States must continue to process and load the partial issuance files that reflect the 35 percent reduction of maximum allotments detailed in the November 5 guidance.”

SNAP funding has been a key issue during the shutdown.&nbsp;

In a plan published Sept. 30, the USDA said it would continue to pay for the roughly $9 billion per month program through its contingency fund. The administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-wont-shuffle-funds-extend-snap-during-shutdown-about-face-earlier-plan" target="_blank">reversed itself</a>&nbsp;10 days later, telling states there would be no SNAP available for November.

A bipartisan U.S. Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/bill-summaries-fy26-ag-fda-leg-branch-and-milcon-va" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;filed Sunday would end the shutdown. It includes provisions to fully fund SNAP, the contingency fund and the $23 billion children nutrition programs fund that may be a source of emergency funding for SNAP if the shutdown persists.

Kansas Reflector Editor in Chief Sherman Smith, Wisconsin Examiner Editor in Chief Ruth Conniff and Oregon Capital Chronicle Editor in Chief Julia Shumway &nbsp;contributed to this report.

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>Following a late Friday emergency ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Trump administration has instructed states that authorized full November nutrition assistance benefits to return a portion, another unprecedented reversal for a program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.A Saturday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/updated-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap-november-benefit-issuance11-8" target="_blank">memo</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service said states should fund 65% of benefits for users of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, often called food stamps.&nbsp;Those that had authorized full payments in line with earlier administration guidance should “immediately undo” that action, according to the memo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762714399470.png" alt="USDA memo" />
 <figcaption>USDA memo</figcaption>
 </figure>“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” the memo said. “Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025. Please advise the appropriate FNS Regional Office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum.”President Donald Trump and top administration officials have said they cannot pay full SNAP benefits during the government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and instead, under court orders, are using a contingency fund to make partial payments.<h2>Shutdown chaos surrounds SNAP</h2>Saturday’s guidance from Patrick A. Penn, the department’s deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, marked the latest turnaround in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-issues-november-snap-benefits-then-asks-supreme-court-intervene" target="_blank">a chaotic few days</a>&nbsp;for the agency, states that administer SNAP and the millions of Americans who depend on it to afford food.Penn wrote that, in light of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-temporarily-blocks-november-snap-payments" target="_blank">the Supreme Court’s order pausing lower court rulings</a>&nbsp;that USDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">must pay full November benefits</a>, the administration was returning to its position that SNAP benefits should be funded at 65%.&nbsp;States — including Wisconsin and Kansas — that issued full benefits did so under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220869-snap-november-2025-benefit-guidance-update/" target="_blank">a Friday memo</a>, also signed by Penn, that said states should authorize full payments for SNAP, consistent with a Thursday ruling in federal court.<h2>Kansas, Wisconsin, Oregon govs express dismay</h2>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, in a late Friday statement expressed disappointment with the administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220987-supremecourtnov72025/" target="_blank">appeal to the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;and noted the state had authorized full payments earlier in the day for all eligible Kansans.“These Kansans, most of them children, seniors or people with disabilities, were struggling to put food on their plates,” she said. “Why the President would petition the highest court to deny food to hungry children is beyond me. It does nothing to advance his political agenda. It does not hurt his perceived enemies. It only hurts our most vulnerable and our reputation around the globe.”In a Sunday statement, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, flatly refused to try to claw back any authorized benefits. The state acted in compliance with a court order, he said.“After we did so, the Trump Administration assured Wisconsin and other states that they were actively working to implement full SNAP benefits for November and would ‘complete the processes necessary to make funds available,’” he said. “They have failed to do so to date.”Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said her state will not comply.“Oregon acted lawfully, given the federal court’s directive and the communications with the USDA, and my decision to ensure SNAP benefits went out quickly was in direct alignment with my food emergency declaration,” said Kotek, a Democrat. “I am disgusted that President Trump has the audacity to take taxpayers’ money away from them when they are in crisis. I have a question for the President: What would he prefer to spend the money on over groceries for people in need? This is ridiculous, immoral, and Oregon will fight this every step of the way.”U.S. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said in a statement:&nbsp;“Let’s be clear about what this is —&nbsp; the Trump administration is demanding that food assistance be taken away from the households that have already received it. They would rather go door to door, taking away people’s food, than do the right thing and fully fund SNAP for November so that struggling veterans, seniors, and children can keep food on the table. It is incomprehensible, incompetent and inconsistent with our values as Americans.”&nbsp;<h2>Court action</h2>The earlier order, from U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island, told the department to use sources outside the contingency fund to make full November payments by Friday. The order was appealed to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.But Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, acting on behalf of the high court,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26221041-25a539-admin-stay/" target="_blank">granted</a>&nbsp;the administration’s request for an emergency stay on Friday night, speeding up the process for what Jackson said would then be an “expeditious” decision by the appeals court but also changing things yet again.No longer, for the moment, required by a court order to pay full November benefits, the administration instructed states in the Saturday memo to have the vendors that process payments to the electronic benefit transfer cards withhold part of the month’s allotment.“States must not transmit full benefit issuance files to EBT processors,” Penn wrote. “Instead, States must continue to process and load the partial issuance files that reflect the 35 percent reduction of maximum allotments detailed in the November 5 guidance.”<h2>Shutdown negotiations</h2>SNAP funding has been a key issue during the shutdown.&nbsp;In a plan published Sept. 30, the USDA said it would continue to pay for the roughly $9 billion per month program through its contingency fund. The administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda-wont-shuffle-funds-extend-snap-during-shutdown-about-face-earlier-plan" target="_blank">reversed itself</a>&nbsp;10 days later, telling states there would be no SNAP available for November.A bipartisan U.S. Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/bill-summaries-fy26-ag-fda-leg-branch-and-milcon-va" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;filed Sunday would end the shutdown. It includes provisions to fully fund SNAP, the contingency fund and the $23 billion children nutrition programs fund that may be a source of emergency funding for SNAP if the shutdown persists.Kansas Reflector Editor in Chief Sherman Smith, Wisconsin Examiner Editor in Chief Ruth Conniff and Oregon Capital Chronicle Editor in Chief Julia Shumway &nbsp;contributed to this report.

States told by Trump admin. to ‘undo’ full SNAP benefits paid for November

The rule would allow medical debt on credit reports — even in states that forbid it.

By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/avollers/">Anna Claire Vollers</a>

A new Trump administration rule issued late last month would override state laws that prevent consumers’ credit reports from including medical debt, potentially weakening financial protections for millions of Americans.

In recent years,<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2025/jul/state-protections-against-medical-debt-look-policies-across-us#:~:text=Twelve%20states%20have%20recently%20taken%20action%20to%20prevent%20medical%20debt%20from%20appearing%20on%20credit%20reports%2C%20bringing%20the%20total%20number%20of%20states%20prohibiting%20this%20practice%20to%2014.47" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than a dozen states</a>&nbsp;have taken steps to keep medical debt from hurting residents’ credit scores, passing laws with bipartisan support. But new<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws" target="_blank">&nbsp;guidance</a>&nbsp;from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20has%20reviewed%20the%202022%20interpretive%20rule%20that%20interprets%20sections%201681t(b)(1)%20and%201681t(b)(5)%20of%20the%20FCRA%2C%20and%20the%20Bureau%20now%20confirms%20the%20withdrawal%20of%20that%20rule." target="_blank">&nbsp;repeals</a>&nbsp;a Biden-era rule that allowed states to impose their own bans. The Trump administration has<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20is%20also%20clarifying%20that%20the%20FCRA%20generally%20preempts%20State%20laws%20that%20touch%20on%20broad%20areas%20of%20credit%20reporting%2C%20consistent%20with%20Congress%27s%20intent%20to%20create%20national%20standards%20for%20the%20credit%20reporting%20system." target="_blank">&nbsp;interpreted</a>&nbsp;the 1970 Fair Credit Reporting Act to say that it overrides state laws around reporting debt to credit bureaus.

American consumers had at least<a href="https://www.kff.org/health-costs/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank">&nbsp;$220 billion in unpaid medical bills</a>&nbsp;in 2024, according to an analysis from research nonprofit KFF. About 6% of American adults, or 14 million people, owe more than $1,000 in medical debt.

“Medical debt is a tremendous weight keeping so many families from financial security, and, unlike most other forms of debt, it’s not a choice,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, said last month in a<a href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/10/13/governor-stein-ncdhhs-announce-more-65-billion-medical-debt-erased-north-carolina-0" target="_blank">&nbsp;statement</a>&nbsp;announcing that a new state program had wiped out<a href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/10/13/governor-stein-ncdhhs-announce-more-65-billion-medical-debt-erased-north-carolina-0" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than $6.5 billion in medical debt</a>&nbsp;for more than 25 million North Carolinians.

People rarely plan to take on debt from medical care, as they do when they borrow money to buy a house or car.&nbsp;A<a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_medical-debt-burden-in-the-united-states_report_2022-03.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;one-time or short-term expense</a>&nbsp;such as a single hospital stay causes about two-thirds of all medical debt, according to a 2022 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report.

And even though<a href="https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/#:~:text=Despite%20over%2090%25%20of%20the%20United%20States%20population%20having%20some%20form%20of%20health%20insurance%2C" target="_blank">&nbsp;most Americans have health insurance</a>, many get stuck with unexpected medical bills because their policies have high deductibles or don’t fully cover some treatments, procedures or drugs. People in worse health and those living with a disability are more likely to report medical debt, as are middle-aged adults, Black Americans, and people with low and middle incomes, according to KFF.

In&nbsp;the past two years,<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2025/jul/state-protections-against-medical-debt-look-policies-across-us#:~:text=Twelve%20states%20have%20recently%20taken%20action%20to%20prevent%20medical%20debt%20from%20appearing%20on%20credit%20reports%2C%20bringing%20the%20total%20number%20of%20states%20prohibiting%20this%20practice%20to%2014." target="_blank">&nbsp;a dozen states</a>&nbsp;have passed laws forbidding medical debt from appearing on credit reports, bringing the total number of states with such laws to 14: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

Another five states — Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Nevada and Utah — limit how and when medical debt can appear on credit reports, according to the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund.

Republican and Democratic legislators in other states, including<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/SB0451/id/3259039" target="_blank">&nbsp;Michigan</a>,<a href="https://legiscan.com/OH/bill/HB257/2025" target="_blank">&nbsp;Ohio</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1058/2025" target="_blank">&nbsp;South Dakota</a>, have introduced similar bills this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762514381672.png" alt=" A cancer patient’s medical bills are spread on a kitchen table in a home in Salem, Va., in this 2011 file photo. A new Trump administration rule would override more than a dozen state laws that shield consumers’ credit reports from medical debt. (Photo by Don Petersen/Associated Press)" />
 <figcaption> A cancer patient’s medical bills are spread on a kitchen table in a home in Salem, Va., in this 2011 file photo. A new Trump administration rule would override more than a dozen state laws that shield consumers’ credit reports from medical debt. (Photo by Don Petersen/Associated Press)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The rule would allow medical debt on credit reports — even in states that forbid it.</h2>By:<a href="https://stateline.org/author/avollers/">Anna Claire Vollers</a>A new Trump administration rule issued late last month would override state laws that prevent consumers’ credit reports from including medical debt, potentially weakening financial protections for millions of Americans.In recent years,<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2025/jul/state-protections-against-medical-debt-look-policies-across-us#:~:text=Twelve%20states%20have%20recently%20taken%20action%20to%20prevent%20medical%20debt%20from%20appearing%20on%20credit%20reports%2C%20bringing%20the%20total%20number%20of%20states%20prohibiting%20this%20practice%20to%2014.47" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than a dozen states</a>&nbsp;have taken steps to keep medical debt from hurting residents’ credit scores, passing laws with bipartisan support. But new<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws" target="_blank">&nbsp;guidance</a>&nbsp;from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20has%20reviewed%20the%202022%20interpretive%20rule%20that%20interprets%20sections%201681t(b)(1)%20and%201681t(b)(5)%20of%20the%20FCRA%2C%20and%20the%20Bureau%20now%20confirms%20the%20withdrawal%20of%20that%20rule." target="_blank">&nbsp;repeals</a>&nbsp;a Biden-era rule that allowed states to impose their own bans. The Trump administration has<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/28/2025-19671/fair-credit-reporting-act-preemption-of-state-laws#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20is%20also%20clarifying%20that%20the%20FCRA%20generally%20preempts%20State%20laws%20that%20touch%20on%20broad%20areas%20of%20credit%20reporting%2C%20consistent%20with%20Congress%27s%20intent%20to%20create%20national%20standards%20for%20the%20credit%20reporting%20system." target="_blank">&nbsp;interpreted</a>&nbsp;the 1970 Fair Credit Reporting Act to say that it overrides state laws around reporting debt to credit bureaus.American consumers had at least<a href="https://www.kff.org/health-costs/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank">&nbsp;$220 billion in unpaid medical bills</a>&nbsp;in 2024, according to an analysis from research nonprofit KFF. About 6% of American adults, or 14 million people, owe more than $1,000 in medical debt.“Medical debt is a tremendous weight keeping so many families from financial security, and, unlike most other forms of debt, it’s not a choice,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, said last month in a<a href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/10/13/governor-stein-ncdhhs-announce-more-65-billion-medical-debt-erased-north-carolina-0" target="_blank">&nbsp;statement</a>&nbsp;announcing that a new state program had wiped out<a href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/10/13/governor-stein-ncdhhs-announce-more-65-billion-medical-debt-erased-north-carolina-0" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than $6.5 billion in medical debt</a>&nbsp;for more than 25 million North Carolinians.People rarely plan to take on debt from medical care, as they do when they borrow money to buy a house or car.&nbsp;A<a href="https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_medical-debt-burden-in-the-united-states_report_2022-03.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;one-time or short-term expense</a>&nbsp;such as a single hospital stay causes about two-thirds of all medical debt, according to a 2022 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report.And even though<a href="https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states/#:~:text=Despite%20over%2090%25%20of%20the%20United%20States%20population%20having%20some%20form%20of%20health%20insurance%2C" target="_blank">&nbsp;most Americans have health insurance</a>, many get stuck with unexpected medical bills because their policies have high deductibles or don’t fully cover some treatments, procedures or drugs. People in worse health and those living with a disability are more likely to report medical debt, as are middle-aged adults, Black Americans, and people with low and middle incomes, according to KFF.In&nbsp;the past two years,<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2025/jul/state-protections-against-medical-debt-look-policies-across-us#:~:text=Twelve%20states%20have%20recently%20taken%20action%20to%20prevent%20medical%20debt%20from%20appearing%20on%20credit%20reports%2C%20bringing%20the%20total%20number%20of%20states%20prohibiting%20this%20practice%20to%2014." target="_blank">&nbsp;a dozen states</a>&nbsp;have passed laws forbidding medical debt from appearing on credit reports, bringing the total number of states with such laws to 14: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.Another five states — Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Nevada and Utah — limit how and when medical debt can appear on credit reports, according to the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund.Republican and Democratic legislators in other states, including<a href="https://legiscan.com/MI/text/SB0451/id/3259039" target="_blank">&nbsp;Michigan</a>,<a href="https://legiscan.com/OH/bill/HB257/2025" target="_blank">&nbsp;Ohio</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://legiscan.com/SD/bill/HB1058/2025" target="_blank">&nbsp;South Dakota</a>, have introduced similar bills this year.Now the new state laws face an uncertain future. In January, while Biden was still in office,&nbsp; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/final-rules/prohibition-on-creditors-and-consumer-reporting-agencies-concerning-medical-information-regulation-v/" target="_blank">&nbsp;prohibiting credit reporting agencies</a>&nbsp;from reporting medical debt in certain circumstances.&nbsp;Credit bureaus and credit unions&nbsp;<a href="https://litigationtracker.law.georgetown.edu/litigation/cornerstone-credit-union-league-et-al-v-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-et-al/" target="_blank">sued to stop the rule</a>.&nbsp;The incoming Trump administration agreed with the plaintiffs and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2025/07/31/federal-court-reverses-federal-medical-debt-protections#:~:text=A%20lawsuit%20followed%20immediately%2C%20arguing%20CFPB%20had%20exceeded%20its%20authority%2C%20and%2C%20under%20the%20Trump%20administration%2C%20the%20agency%20changed%20direction.%20Instead%20of%20defending%20the%20rule%20in%20court%2C%20the%20agency%20agreed%20with%20plaintiffs%20that%20the%20rule%20should%20be%20blocked%2C%20and%20the%20court%20agreed." target="_blank">declined to defend the rule in court</a>, so a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.235173/gov.uscourts.txed.235173.52.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">blocked it</a>.Maine state Sen. Donna Bailey, a Democrat, said in a September<a href="https://www.mainesenate.org/new-sen-bailey-law-protects-consumers-from-the-negative-impacts-of-medical-debt/" target="_blank">&nbsp;statement</a>&nbsp;that Maine’s new law barring medical debt from appearing on consumer reports was even more important in light of the demise of the federal rule.“Although Americans no longer have the federal protection, Mainers will continue to have protection here in our state,” she said in September. “When we go to the hospital for medical care, especially for emergencies, any debt that we take on should not hold us back from buying a car, renting a home or taking out a loan.”But the Trump administration’s latest order would render state laws such as Maine’s moot.Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:avollers@stateline.org">avollers@stateline.org</a>.