The Trump administration and Cornell University have reached a multimillion-dollar agreement to restore over $250 million in federal funding. As part of the deal, Cornell will pay the government $30 million over three years and invest $30 million in research benefiting US farmers. The university will also provide anonymized admissions data for federal audits, conduct surveys on campus climate, and in return, the government will restore funding and close ongoing investigations. This agreement, echoing settlements with other Ivy League institutions, reflects the administration’s ongoing focus on campus oversight and academic practices.
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A federal judge in Rhode Island has mandated the Trump administration fully fund nationwide SNAP benefits for November, citing the government’s “arbitrary and capricious” decision to only partially fund the program. This ruling, coming after a challenge from a coalition of cities and nonprofits, requires full funding to be delivered to states by November 7th. The administration, however, immediately appealed the order, despite prior court decisions mandating at least partial payments. The decision follows a week of mixed signals from the Trump administration regarding SNAP funding, and amid warnings from the Agriculture Secretary that funds beyond November are unavailable.
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In response to a judge’s order to distribute full November SNAP benefits, the Trump administration has appealed, seeking to block the directive and continue with planned partial payments. Despite the administration’s stance, some states like Wisconsin have already begun issuing full benefits, while others are still working on partial distributions. The court battle has created uncertainty for SNAP recipients, with some states awaiting further guidance. The administration argues the court order violates the separation of powers.
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Following the death of Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel, who was deported to Costa Rica in a vegetative state after being detained by US immigration authorities, his family has accused the US of negligence. A spokesperson for the Trump administration, however, maintained that the medical treatment provided to Gamboa was sufficient, citing his illegal re-entry into the US. Gamboa, who was initially held in Texas detention centers before being hospitalized and eventually deported, died in Costa Rica on October 26th. Former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias has condemned the treatment Gamboa received, while the Trump administration has reiterated its focus on consequences for those who break the law.
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Federal worker unions have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the inclusion of a “loyalty test” in federal job applications. The lawsuit alleges that the administration is creating an unconstitutional system of political patronage through the Merit Hiring Plan, which includes open-ended essay questions about aligning with the President’s Executive Orders. Despite OPM’s clarification that the questions are “encouraged,” the unions argue that their review by hiring managers and political appointees suggests their use in the hiring process. These questions have appeared in thousands of job postings, including those unrelated to politics, prompting concerns about undermining a nonpartisan workforce.
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Trump administration’s failure to fully fund food aid benefits by Friday, as mandated by the US judge, immediately raises a multitude of concerns. The most pressing of these is, quite simply, the potential for millions of Americans to face food insecurity. The very core of this ruling is about ensuring people have access to basic necessities, and the potential for non-compliance throws this into stark relief. The fact that the administration is even considering defying the order speaks volumes. It’s almost as if the judge’s ruling carries no weight, a sentiment echoed by the concerned citizens.
This blatant disregard for the legal process feels like a recurring theme.… Continue reading
Trump Officials Accused of Bullying Tactics to Kill a Climate Measure
This story really hits a nerve, doesn’t it? It’s a stark reminder of the lengths some people will go to obstruct progress, especially when it comes to climate action. We’re talking about a situation where the Trump administration, during its tenure, allegedly employed some seriously aggressive tactics to kill a deal designed to curb pollution from cargo ships. The implications of this are vast, and frankly, a bit frightening. The fact that the story is based on unnamed diplomats speaking out of fear of retribution speaks volumes about the atmosphere created by these actions.… Continue reading
The ongoing government shutdown has caused significant disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), leaving millions of recipients without access to their food benefits. Due to the shutdown, people like Gia Haley and Erica Arneson have not received their SNAP payments, forcing them to rely on food banks or skip meals altogether. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to distribute SNAP funding in full, but the delay has already caused widespread hardship. Food banks across the country are facing increased demand and are struggling to meet the needs of those affected.
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The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to enforce its policy blocking transgender and nonbinary individuals from selecting passport sex markers that align with their gender identity. This decision, a win for the conservative majority, halts a lower court’s order and means the policy can be enforced while the lawsuit continues. The State Department’s policy change followed an executive order that limited sex recognition based on birth certificates. Plaintiffs argue that this policy risks safety for transgender people as they travel, while the government maintains it is vital for accurate identification.
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A federal judge in Rhode Island has ordered the Trump administration to fully deliver SNAP payments to states by Friday. The order came after weeks of uncertainty surrounding the program during the government shutdown. The judge determined the administration needed to use additional funding to ensure payments were delivered in full. This action followed a lawsuit alleging that the USDA’s actions were arbitrary.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Family Speaks Out After Deportation of Man in Vegetative State, Blames ICE
Following the death of Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel, who was deported to Costa Rica in a vegetative state after being detained by US immigration authorities, his family has accused the US of negligence. A spokesperson for the Trump administration, however, maintained that the medical treatment provided to Gamboa was sufficient, citing his illegal re-entry into the US. Gamboa, who was initially held in Texas detention centers before being hospitalized and eventually deported, died in Costa Rica on October 26th. Former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias has condemned the treatment Gamboa received, while the Trump administration has reiterated its focus on consequences for those who break the law.
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