Louise Schiavone

The storm made landfall in Jamaica Tuesday at Category 5 strength.

Relief planes are starting to arrive there.

At least 19 are reported dead in Jamaica.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic were also hard hit with property damage and loss of life.

In the eastern part of Cuba, heavy equipment has now been clearing blocked roads.

A new national poll by Gallup shows Americans are less concerned about crime than they were a few years ago.

NPR's Martin Koste says the public's perception of crime appears to be following the downward trend of reported crimes.

Instacart says it is planning to offer customers on Snap benefits 50% off on their next grocery order.

Any customer who placed an order in October using a Snap debit-style card will be eligible.

DoorDash also planning to waive service and delivery fees for Snap recipients.

I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone.

Today is day 32 of the federal government shutdown, and among the increasing interruptions caused by Washington's standoff over spending priorities, federal food assistance dollars have ended.

One out of every eight Americans relies upon SNAP for help with grocery bills.

Across the nation, citizens are looking for ways to help out.

Casey Martin from member station KUOW in Seattle tells us one local bagel shop is raising funds for those impacted by the shutoff.

Two federal judges ruled yesterday that it is unlawful for the Trump administration to suspend SNAP food benefits starting today.

The president wrote on social media late yesterday he had directed government lawyers to find a way to pay those benefits, asking for what he called appropriate legal direction.

But it's still not clear when that food aid will start to flow again.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski says it's not impossible for Congress to untie the political knots and restore critical spending.