WEATHER ALERT
Here’s how Volusia, Flagler residents can apply for D-SNAP benefits after recent hurricanes
Read full article: Here’s how Volusia, Flagler residents can apply for D-SNAP benefits after recent hurricanesResidents of Volusia and Flagler counties who were impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton can get help applying for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits in Daytona Beach.
How social media became a storefront for deadly fake pills
Read full article: How social media became a storefront for deadly fake pillsFentanyl overdoses have become a leading cause of death for minors in the last 5 years or so — and social media, where tainted, fake prescription drugs can be obtained with just a few clicks, is part of the problem.
Louisiana Supreme Court reopens window for lawsuits by adult victims of childhood sex abuse
Read full article: Louisiana Supreme Court reopens window for lawsuits by adult victims of childhood sex abuseLouisiana's highest court is giving childhood victims of sexual abuse a renewed opportunity to file damage lawsuits.
One-fourth of people dropped from Medicaid still aren't insured, survey shows
Read full article: One-fourth of people dropped from Medicaid still aren't insured, survey showsA new survey shows that almost a quarter of people who have been dropped from Medicaid during post-pandemic eligibility reviews are still uninsured.
Louisiana Legislature opened window for sex abuse survivors to sue, but state's high court shut it
Read full article: Louisiana Legislature opened window for sex abuse survivors to sue, but state's high court shut itAdvocates for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse say they will ask Louisiana’s Supreme Court to reconsider a ruling that wiped out 2021 legislation giving them a renewed opportunity to file damage lawsuits.
US applications for unemployment benefits fall again despite recent layoff announcements
Read full article: US applications for unemployment benefits fall again despite recent layoff announcementsThe number of Americans filing for jobless claims fell last week despite more layoff announcements from high-profile companies recently.
Check your account: New Florida assistance portal linked woman’s, stranger’s info
Read full article: Check your account: New Florida assistance portal linked woman’s, stranger’s infoFollowing the launch of the state’s My Access Portal for SNAP and Medicaid benefits, a South Florida woman said a stranger’s name and her baby have appeared on her mother’s account.
New website for Florida government assistance should be more convenient, secure, experts say
Read full article: New website for Florida government assistance should be more convenient, secure, experts sayFloridians who get food, cash or health care assistance through the government will need to navigate a new website starting Tuesday.
Senate panel subpoenas CEOs of Discord, Snap and X to testify about children's safety online
Read full article: Senate panel subpoenas CEOs of Discord, Snap and X to testify about children's safety onlineA Senate committee has issued bipartisan subpoenas to the CEOs of Discord, Snap and X, demanding that the heads of the three companies testify at a December hearing on protecting children online.
Child poverty in the US jumped and income declined in 2022 as coronavirus pandemic benefits ended
Read full article: Child poverty in the US jumped and income declined in 2022 as coronavirus pandemic benefits endedChild poverty in the United States more than doubled and median household income declined last year when coronavirus pandemic-era government benefits expired and inflation kept rising.
College students struggling with hunger face potential loss of food stamp benefits
Read full article: College students struggling with hunger face potential loss of food stamp benefitsMany college students who are struggling with hunger are facing the potential loss of food stamp benefits that were boosted in the pandemic.
As public health emergency ends, pandemic-era support programs have already been fading away
Read full article: As public health emergency ends, pandemic-era support programs have already been fading awayThe formal end of the national Public Health Emergency on Thursday is largely a symbolic and psychological step, representing the country’s formal emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oakland 2nd California diocese to seek bankruptcy over abuse
Read full article: Oakland 2nd California diocese to seek bankruptcy over abuseThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland has filed for bankruptcy due to hundreds of new child sex abuse claims, becoming the second diocese in California to do so.
With youth depression, suicide up, free counseling service in Seminole County offers help
Read full article: With youth depression, suicide up, free counseling service in Seminole County offers helpAlarming new numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show our children are far worse off after the pandemic than most experts thought.
Seattle schools sue tech giants over social media harm
Read full article: Seattle schools sue tech giants over social media harmThe public school district in Seattle is suing the tech giants behind TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat, seeking to hold them accountable for the mental health crisis among youth.
On-site D-SNAP locations coming to Oviedo Mall, Volusia Ocean Center this weekend
Read full article: On-site D-SNAP locations coming to Oviedo Mall, Volusia Ocean Center this weekendIn-person Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program locations will open for the weekend at Oviedo Mall and the Volusia Ocean Center.
D-SNAP third phase opening for Lake, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia county residents affected by Hurricane Ian
Read full article: D-SNAP third phase opening for Lake, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia county residents affected by Hurricane IanThe Department of Children and Families announced on Sunday that the third phase of the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or D-SNAP, will open on Monday, Oct. 24 for Lake, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia county residents affected by Hurricane Ian.
Florida hires LexisNexis government security to stop international D-SNAP thieves
Read full article: Florida hires LexisNexis government security to stop international D-SNAP thievesFlorida’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been shored up with a state-of-the-art security control system implemented by LexisNexis Special Services Inc. to block a potential surge of international imposters expected to attempt to steal benefits meant for victims of Hurricane Ian.
Orange County extends state of emergency amid recovery efforts in wake of Hurricane Ian
Read full article: Orange County extends state of emergency amid recovery efforts in wake of Hurricane IanOrange County Mayor Jerry Demings said as of Monday, the county has extended its state of emergency as the area deals with its first hurricane-related death, ongoing debris cleanup and an increased demand for affordable and emergency housing in the wake of Ian.
Here’s how the latest COVID-19 relief package could benefit nonprofit organizations
Read full article: Here’s how the latest COVID-19 relief package could benefit nonprofit organizationsORLANDO, Fla. – Monday night’s deal reached in Congress for a new stimulus package will be showing some strong support for small business owners and for nonprofit organizations. Funding from the new round of COVID-19 relief will go toward small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, nonprofits, and food assistance programs to help them recover from the pandemic. “In that package, there is some funding for food assistance programs, much like SNAP, which is formerly known as food stamps. Essentially, what happens in the bill is that they’ve allocated $13 billion for SNAP and other food assistance programs.”According to the organization, the current bill would provide them funding through the SNAP federal food assistance program. The much-anticipated federal relief funding also includes $15 billions to help independent movie theaters, cultural institutions and live venues like the Amway Center and Camping World Stadium, which weren’t included in the first round of COVID-19 relief funding.
Shop local at these popular Orlando area farmers markets
Read full article: Shop local at these popular Orlando area farmers marketsThere is no reason to spend a weekend freezing in air-conditioned grocery stores when Central Florida offers a huge selection of year-round farmers markets. There are open air markets across the greater Orlando area, many that accept SNAP benefits and support local farmers, food markers and artisans. Check out the list below of popular outdoor markets offering local handmade goods, live music and fresh produce. Did I miss your neighborhood weekend market? Let me know at especk@wkmg.com.
Asian stocks follow Wall Street lower on lack of US aid plan
Read full article: Asian stocks follow Wall Street lower on lack of US aid planStocks are mostly lower in Asia after pandemic concerns snapped a four-day winning streak on Wall Street. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)TOKYO – Asian stocks followed Wall Street lower on Thursday as investors watched Washington for signs of whether political leaders can agree on an economic aid plan in the two weeks before the Nov. 3 presidential election. On Wall Street, the benchmark S&P 500 index lost 0.2% on Wednesday as U.S. political leaders wrangled over economic aid following the expiration of extra unemployment benefits that propped up consumer spending. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 declined to 3,435.56. Industrial and health care stocks declined.
With more people utilizing government assistance amid pandemic, grocery stores brace for rush of shoppers
Read full article: With more people utilizing government assistance amid pandemic, grocery stores brace for rush of shoppersORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Wednesday is the first of the month, when people who depend on government assistance like WIC or SNAP, start receiving money for food. "We start filling out the shelves every hour we can fill it out, but sometimes the line outside is full. WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children that meet the eligibility requirements. Jim and Debbie Crum plan to add themselves to that list when they plan on filing for unemployment and food assistance later today. To enroll in food assistance, click here