JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1174

Rep. Dan Crenshaw said the funding impasse rests with Senate Democrats, arguing the House already passed a seven week clean CR and he doesn’t expect the chamber to return this week. He warned SNAP aid faces a shortfall—the emergency fund is about $6 billion versus $9 billion in monthly benefits—and said a Houston food bank is bracing for higher demand. On Venezuela, he backed current strikes on drug boats under presidential authority and dismissed talk of invasion, noting limited briefings. He also echoed Sen. Ted Cruz in condemning Tucker Carlson’s platforming of Nick Fuentes and urged conservatives to disassociate.

Virginia’s governor race, once expected to be quiet, has been upended by a shutdown fight and late controversies. Democrat Abigail Spanberger has led Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in polls while both court federal workers hit by furloughs and earlier DOGE-related layoffs. Earle-Sears criticizes Spanberger over funding tactics and downplays layoff impacts. A Democratic attorney general nominee’s violent 2022 texts sparked GOP attacks, which Spanberger condemned without retracting her endorsement. Democrats unveiled a redistricting amendment late in the campaign, after many early votes. Voters’ top concerns remain energy prices, housing affordability and jobs.

A senior Justice Department official told lawmakers the Trump administration can continue lethal strikes on alleged drug traffickers without congressional approval, arguing the War Powers Resolution doesn’t apply. OLC chief T. Elliot Gaiser cited a classified opinion equating drug cartels with terrorists and noting U.S. forces aren’t facing hostilities. Since early September, at least 15 strikes on suspected drug boats have killed 64 people, CNN tallied, drawing legal concerns and bipartisan criticism over limited disclosure. The policy follows Trump’s order designating certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and coincides with pressure on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Broncos with a concussion after a second-quarter hit. After scrambling on third down, he slid short of the marker and his head struck the turf following contact from cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine. Stroud lay briefly, then walked off under his own power to the medical tent and locker room. An initial unnecessary-roughness flag on Abrams-Draine was overturned on review. Backup Davis Mills entered. Before exiting, Stroud went 6-of-10 for 79 yards and led two drives into field-goal range. It was his second concussion, the first in December 2023.

After learning at a suburban Buffalo Walmart that her surrogate was being induced, MaryBeth Lewis raced 130 miles to a rural hospital with blankets and beanies for her newborn twins. She found the surrogate tired but happy, then a woman in scrubs confronted her, saying what you did was terrible and you will never see these babies, just as visiting hours were announced over. Lewis cried in her car. A lifelong mother who had five daughters and later used IVF to have twin girls, she eventually gave birth to her 13th child at age 62.

Rama Duwaji, a 28-year-old artist married to New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, has largely eschewed the traditional first lady in waiting script, declining interviews and keeping a low profile while advising his campaign’s social media and visual identity. She’s appeared at key moments — from primary day to packed rallies — even as her art foregrounds Middle Eastern women and the Palestinian cause. Born in Houston and raised in Dubai, Duwaji’s public role, should Mamdani win Tuesday and make history, remains deliberately undefined.

A line stretched outside Manhattan’s Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen as SNAP benefits lapsed during the shutdown. Two federal judges ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to keep the program running with contingency funds, yet officials said benefits would still be lost Saturday and take at least a week to restore. The pause hits Black Americans hardest (13.7% of the population but 25.7% of recipients), and tribes issued emergencies while USDA granted a November waiver for FDPIR access. With many beneficiaries children, elders, or disabled, advocates warn families will juggle rent, gas and groceries even if aid returns.

An attorney in Michigan is challenging FBI Director Kash Patel’s claim that a 20-year-old client and four others planned a Halloween weekend attack, saying he expects no charges and sees no evidence of a plot. Authorities have released few details since Friday’s arrests, though two people briefed on the case told the AP the suspects discussed pumpkin day in an online chat and were allegedly inspired by Islamic State extremism. Patel said the FBI thwarted a potential attack and that there is no ongoing public threat. The detainees are U.S. citizens, ages 16 to 20.

New York’s marathon delivered drama and records. Kenya’s Benson Kipruto edged Alexander Mutiso by two hundredths of a second in a photo finish, winning in 2:08:09 as Albert Korir took third. Hellen Obiri shattered the 22-year course record, surging away from Sharon Lokedi to win in 2:19:51; Sheila Chepkirui also finished under the old mark, and Obiri earned a $50,000 bonus. Eliud Kipchoge placed 17th on his New York debut, completing his six-star majors set. In the wheelchair races, Marcel Hug and Susannah Scaroni defended their titles.

Kenya’s death toll from a western landslide rose to 26 after four more bodies were recovered Sunday, just before flash floods forced rescuers to halt work in Chesongoch in the Rift Valley. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said 25 people remain missing as the military deploys four aircraft to reach communities cut off after roads were washed away. With heavy rains displacing thousands, authorities urged residents to move. The government is airlifting supplies and national exam papers to 15 cut-off schools, covering medical bills for over 30 injured, and resettling dozens.