Government Shutdown Inches to Finish Line as Food Stamp Turmoil Continues, MN Lawmaker Assassination Report Planned, Veterans Honored Statewide

This episode is brought to you by Facebook. So you were scrolling on Marketplace, and there it was, the bike you'd been searching for. You sent a message, and it turned out the seller was super chatty, kind of funny, and an avid cyclist. The next thing you know, you're in a cycling crew, well, a community cycling group. The thing about Facebook, you might find more than what you're looking for. From a browse to a bike ride, this summer find more on Facebook. Yeah, I might want to download that Exxon Mobile Rewards Plus app. Yeah. Are you the Exxon Tiger? I am. Yeah, you know, new users can earn $10 and points, five bucks after your first purchase and five after your second. That's a lot. That's a whole lot. It is. Well, hey, you get on that download, buddy. I will. Loading. Download the Exxon Mobile Rewards Plus app and join today. Exxon. Trust the Tiger. For details, visit Exxonoffer.com. You're listening to Four Things to Know, a WCCO Daily News podcast. Today is Tuesday, November 11th. I'm Johnny Connor. Thank you for listening to Four Things to Know. Our top story today, it's the longest government shutdown in United States history, but Congress is one step closer to reopening the government. The Senate approved a funding package late last night. The final version of the bill passed in a 60-40 vote. That bill would extend government funding through January and reinstate federal workers laid off during the shutdown. The bill still needs approval from the House and the signature of the president for government to officially reopen. But even as progress is made, there's still confusion and uncertainty over SNAP benefits. Some people have gotten them, some have not, and everyone just wants the uncertainty to end. Lower courts have ruled that the government must keep full payments flowing, but the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to keep them frozen for now. The high court is expected to rule on that today. This back and forth over SNAP benefits is shocking for many people in our state from top leaders like Attorney General Keith Ellison to parents like Giannihart from Anoka. It's important to just know that as soon as court rulings force the USDA... to resume paying full SNAP benefits on Friday. The very next day, USDA changed course in order states to halt paying those benefits and claw back those funds, which was particularly shocking to me. As a parent, I'm trying to do my best to shield my daughter from how concerned I am. But at the same time, she is seeing the difference in our cupboards. She's seeing the difference in her meals. About 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP benefits to get groceries each month. Many of them are children or seniors. And it was another busy day at MSP International as the travel impacts from the shutdown continue. As of this recording, at least 45 flights in and out have been canceled. The FAA has ordered up to 10% of domestic flights to be cut by Friday in the name of public safety. Number two, we are learning more about an after-action report that's being requested in the wake of the June lawmaker attacks in Minnesota. Several of the agencies involved have asked the International Association of Chiefs of Police for the report.

The review and report will evaluate the multi-agency response and following manhunt for the suspect. Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their family dog were killed. Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot several times, but both survived. The report is expected to take about six months to complete, and once a contract is finalized in the coming weeks, the efforts will get underway. Officials say these types of reviews are routine in response to critical accident investigations. The agencies involved include Brooklyn Park, Champlain, and New Hope Police Departments, as well as the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Number three today, on this Veterans Day, a new executive order is aiming to help reduce food insecurity for those who have served. Governor Tim Walz issued that order this morning. It directs the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs to develop a statewide veteran food pantry network. The pantry network will work with partner organizations to ensure veterans, service members, and their families have access to food support. Hundreds came out for the state's official Veterans Day program in Mancato today. Plus, middle school students in Chaska spent their morning honoring our veterans. Frankie McClister joined the kids. In his story, you'll hear from Chaska Middle School West Principal Alicia Fisher and seventh grader Lottie Grinniger. It was a jam-packed gymnasium filled with students, staff, veterans, and current military members. Now, the indoor portion kicked off with the Star-Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance, and more. Students spoke about what it means to be an American. They defined what it means to simply be a veteran and also asked those military members in the room to stand up and be recognized. I want to say thank you. Truly what that song meant was thank you. We can truly never repay you in the way you paid us. We've been preparing them for a dignified event. It's different than a pep fest and for them to really understand the gravity of what veterans do for us every single day. Veterans Day became a holiday in 1954. And it's really neat. We spoke with a military member who attended today. And he was actually a former student here and used to play in the band for those military members in the past that would attend the same exact ceremony. So 360 moment for him. And that interview that Frankie mentioned with the military member will air tonight on WCCO TV. That story, as always, will also be posted to our website, WCCO.com.

Number four, we're past our prime when it comes to fall colors, but it is peak time for yard work with all those leaves on the ground. But do you really need to rake? Some experts actually say no. But there is a catch. If you do have big wet piles, then you might need to. John Trapp is a horticulture expert at the University of Minnesota. And he says rather than raking, it's actually recommended to try mulching or just mowing the leaves. He says it's more beneficial to your lawn and the critters that live there. It's a good thing to have some leaf cover because that's nutrients for the lawn. It also provides a little bit of habitat for insects and other organisms that are using, that are growing in the soil or in the lawn itself over winter. Our expert recommends lowering the blade to two to three inches when mowing over the leaves. Those are the four things to know today. Now let's get a check in on your next weather forecast. Happy Tuesday, I'm meteorologist Joseph Dames on this Veterans Day. We have a pretty nice forecast coming through. Look at this. Upper 40s for new hope down through Bloomington and Hastings coming in at 49 degrees. Tonight, a little bit cooler. You're going to have to bundle up again. Temperatures falling down to about 33 degrees with some dry weather and warmer conditions to wrap up the week. Have a good day. And now, here's more to know. After eight months at the bargaining table, educators in one of the state's largest school districts will not walk off the job today. Instead, they'll use this week to vote on a new contract agreement. The union and Minneapolis public schools struck a deal over the weekend. That deal includes smaller class sizes and pay raises for teachers and other educators. Minneapolis Federation of Teachers President Marsha Howard says the breakthrough came when the two sides started trusting each other. The numbers started making sense to both sides. It was astonishing to witness. Things started making sense to both sides. The Minneapolis superintendent also praised the deal, saying it puts our students first and advances our shared values and goals. Educators start voting on that new deal on Thursday. A new warning for parents after a case of botulism in a Minnesota baby. The CDC and Minnesota Department of Health say the case is now part of a multi-state outbreak linked to a baby formula called bi-heart-whole nutrition. Today, the brand said it will expand its recall to include all products while the investigation continues. The Minnesota case was reported in August. Twelve other infants across nine states also had suspected or confirmed cases. Botulism can cause difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death. It's the end of a road for a major Twin Cities cone zone. The Highway 610 extension project in Maple Grove is finally finished and drivers get to use it later this week. 610 has been under construction on and off for several decades. This last project finished work needed to better connect North Metro commuters and their jobs. Roads do reopen to traffic on Thursday.

A popular local shop is getting ready to reopen after a devastating fire. The fire was at the herbivorous butcher in northeast Minneapolis earlier this year. The fire started in the kitchen, and there was a lot of water damage from the fire department putting it out. The butcher owner Aubrey Walsh says insurance didn't cover the costs, so the community stepped up in raising nearly $70,000. The love of our community and our employees has 100% pushed everything forward. How our architect originally designed everything was so perfect, and so we just gave the construction company back the original plans and said, please bring her back to life. They plan to open on Friday for the first time in six months. Orders for Thanksgiving are already sold out. Let's get to some sports headlines. The Vikings are preparing for the NFC North leading Chicago Bears. Yeah, crazy to say that. I haven't said that in a long time. But they're tied for the division lead with the Detroit Lions at six and three. Ironically, both of whom the Vikings have already beaten this season. Now, the Vikings are just trying to get back to 500. quarterback J.J. McCarthy's performance of late, obviously top of mind for most Vikings fans. But just four games into his playing career, head coach Kevin O'Connell says he's still learning to take what's in front of them and not try to be a hero. He's so competitive and he's a very, you know, he's a high football IQ guy and wants to make the play. And as many young quarterbacks have to learn over time. More football talk now. The gophers will face a team that's on another level. Welcome to the Big Ten for the Oregon Ducks. The Golden Govers head out to Oregon for a Friday night matchup in Eugene. Oregon is really good. I don't think this one will be close. They just have one loss this season, and PJ Flack will tell you just how good the ducks really are. They're really, really talented. I mean, you talk about Ohio State's front seven. I mean, this front seven is just as good, if not better. Let's get to hockey. The while they're back in action tonight, they have won four of their last five games, surprisingly. So starting to heat up a little bit. San Jose Sharks are in town. Puck drop is at 7 at Grand Casino Arena. And for some hoops news, the wolves are off tonight. They did get another win last night, so they've also started to heat up, winning five of their last six games. It's time to take a breath with your daily bright spot. The Mega Millions Jackpot is nearing $1 billion. The next drawing is tonight. No tickets matched all six numbers on Friday. So that means the $900 million prize, still up for grabs for you to go try to get. It also happens to be the eighth largest jackpot in the game's history. Wow, big payday for someone. Maybe there won't be a winner and it'll keep going up. Now, the last time someone won the jackpot was all the way back on June 27th. 900 million. That would be nice. I don't even know what I would do. That would be insane. But good luck. Maybe you'll win. I guess we'll find out. We'll definitely hear about it if a Minnesotan win. So we'll keep you updated.

Once again, we are here with the news you need every weekday afternoon by 3 o'clock. Thank you so much for listening today. We will talk to you tomorrow. Have a great night, everybody. Listen to Four Things to Know, a WCCO Daily News podcast, wherever you get your podcasts. That refreshed you've been putting off until the right deal came along? It's here. Wayfair's Black Friday and July sale is happening now so you can finally get the style you've been waiting for for less. Get up to 80% off area rugs and up to 60% off outdoor and bedroom furniture. Shop Wayfair's huge selection of styles and find the piece to fit your style, budget, and space. Plus, free shipping. Black Friday and July ends July 27th. Shop today at Wayfair.com. Every style, every home. Hi, Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Are you looking for a beach read this summer? May I suggest your big wireless bill? It's got suspense, mystery, a slightly flat, emotional arc, and a shocking twist where you realize you've been overpaying the entire time. Fortunately, though, Mint's story is better. Every plan, $15 dollars a month a month. Every plan, $15 dollars a month a month, even unlimited. That's it. That's it. That's it. See terms.