The federal government shutdown will soon begin to impact enrollees of nutrition assistance and other programs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided notice to states that if the federal government shutdown continues into November, there will not be enough funds to pay November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
No new applications for SNAP benefits will be approved by the state after 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, until funding resumes. Counties and tribal nations can continue to review applications and work with applicants, but they can’t approve households for new benefits.
Additionally, the Minnesota Family Investment Program will no longer approve applications after Oct. 29. MFIP provides cash and food benefits for people with dependent children who have low income and limited assets.
"The loss of federal funding for benefits will cause more strain on our local food shelves and will create more food insecurity for Minnesotans," stated the Department of Children, Youth and Families on its webpage.
Counties like Crow Wing and Carlton are listing food resources for those who may be impacted by these changes.
-
Larissa Donovan/KAXEParents and community members gathered at the J.W. Smith Elementary gymnasium for the Q&A session. The School Board will host a public hearing on March 24, 2026. -
Contributed/Leech Lake Tribal CollegeLane Azure, Margaret "Maggie" Ross and Beatrice Bridglall will visit the college March 30-April 1, 2026, with a public forum for each candidate. -
Contributed/Pequot Lakes High School via FacebookCherry, Pequot Lakes and Red Lake County are repeat qualifiers to the boys basketball state tournament. Grand Rapids is making its first appearance since 2017. -
Plus: the Bemidji City Council rejected Northern Township's wastewater connection request; and the Brainerd City Council selected its next Chief of Police. -
After a dispute with the soon-to-be city over which is best suited to install sewer around Lake Bemidji, the Bemidji Council reaffirmed its policy of "no connection without annexation." -
Contributed/Summit School Facebook pageKids Count on Us, a statewide organization of child care providers, hosts the event 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2026, in the Northwest Technical College commons. -
And: A new bill would ban municipalities from signing nondisclosure agreements; Otter Tail Power Co. had above-average profits last two years; Mountain Iron-Buhl is girls basketball runner-up.
-
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe Pequot Lakes Fire District and Breezy Point Police Department responded to the fire the morning of March 14, 2026. The incident is under investigation. -
Contributed/Lakers Music BoostersSeveral Detroit Lakes High School band and choir members are currently on a northbound bus, and Music Director Tim Siewert said the travel fiasco will add $35,000 in unexpected costs. -
The 110 investor-owned utilities included in the report had an average profit margin of 12.8% from 2021 to 2024 and 14.6% in 2025. Xcel and Otter Tail were in the top 40 both years.
