A federal judge in Rhode Island mandated on Thursday that the Trump administration secure funding to fully support SNAP benefits for November. U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. instructed President Donald Trump’s administration to ensure the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are made by today (Friday). However, it is improbable that the 42 million Americans — approximately 1 in 8, the majority of whom are in poverty — will receive the funds on their grocery debit cards in such a short timeframe. This order was issued following a challenge from cities and nonprofits that argued the administration’s proposal to cover only 65% of the maximum benefit would leave some recipients without any assistance this month. “The defendants did not take into account the practical implications of their decision to partially fund SNAP,” McConnell stated during a brief hearing. “They were aware that there would be significant delays in processing partial SNAP payments and neglected to consider the adverse effects on individuals dependent on these benefits.” McConnell was among two judges who ruled last week that the administration could not entirely forgo November’s benefits due to the federal shutdown.
Multiple fire departments including New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts responded to a four-alarm fire at approximately 8:20 a.m. on Thursday. The incident occurred at a residential property located at 18- 20 Elliot Street. Following a Mayday call during the incident, four firefighters were taken to Cheshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Crews remained on-site to address lingering flames and associated risks, and an investigation into the fire’s cause will be conducted. Wheelock Elementary School, situated about a block away from the fire, was evacuated, with students being relocated to Keene Middle School.
As of Wednesday, 17 people are being held by ICE at the Northwest Correctional
Facility in St. Albans. After working in Vermont for years, and even raising
families here, several of them were picked up by ICE on Tuesday. Staff and
volunteers with the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP) visited the
prison in person on Wednesday to meet with the detainees to offer them legal
counsel. It is a resource that is getting harder to provide. The Project says many
of these detainees do not have a criminal record.
Vermont State Police arrested four individuals on the interstate after a state trooper’s suspicions were raised when the driver of a vehicle tried to slouch down to avoid identification. A check of the registration revealed the car had been reported stolen from a rental agency in Connecticut. All four men were arraigned on Thursday, with three Connecticut men held on $10,000 cash bail and one St. Johnsbury man held on $5,000 cash bail.
On Wednesday evening, shortly after 7 PM, the Vermont State Police Westminster Barracks received a report regarding a single vehicle accident that took place on River Road near Sawmill Road in Newfane. The investigation revealed that Michael White (46), from Putney, was operating a motor vehicle on a public highway while under the influence of intoxicants. White was arrested and taken to the Vermont State Police, Westminster Barracks for processing. He was later released with a citation to appear in the Vermont Superior Court, Windham Criminal Division on November 25th to respond to the aforementioned charge.
Vermont State Police are stepping in to help address growing public safety
concerns in Burlington. State Police have provided similar patrols in the Queen
City in recent years, but the new effort comes as part of a larger initiative from
Gov. Phil Scott. Vermont troopers can sign up for voluntary overtime shifts
Monday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Working in
conjunction with Burlington police, the agency hopes its patrols can free up
Burlington officers to respond to other calls in the city.
Local artists are finalizing their work for the upcoming Miniature Festival in Brattleboro. The event will showcase dollhouses and other miniature creations decorated by students and local talent. The festival is set to take place at 118 Elliot, with public viewing opportunities for today, (Friday) November 7 and Saturday, November 8th.
WTSA SPORTS FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7th 2025
THE CELTICS ARE BACK ON THE COURT TONIGHT IN ORLANDO AGAINST THE MAGIC, TIP OFF AT 7:00PM.
THE BRUINS ARE IN TORONTO ON SATURDAY AGAINST THE MAPLE LEAFS, PUCK DROPS AT 7:00PM
THE (7-2) PATRIOTS TAKE ON THE (6-2) BUCCANEERS IN TAMPA THIS SUNDAY, THE PATRIOTS ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR 7TH STRAIGHT WIN, KICK OFF AT 1PM.