Midwest

‘It’s scary’: SNAP recipients brace for fallout as benefits vanish during shutdown

Published

8 months ago

November 7, 2025

‘It’s scary’: SNAP recipients brace for fallout as benefits vanish during shutdown

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – As the federal government shutdown drags into its second month, millions of low-income Americans – including thousands in Illinois – are now facing the cutoff of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, bracing for what lies ahead as food pantry lines grow longer by the day.

For residents like Lisa Weaving of Springfield, the loss of food aid is more than a political standoff – it’s a looming crisis.

“It’s scary because I’m a cancer survivor. I’m in remission. My doctor has not released me to go back to work yet, so I’m on disability, and I really need the extra for food, because by the time I pay all the bills, there’s really nothing left,” Weaving said.

RETAIL GIANTS EXPAND PERKS FOR SNAP SHOPPERS, BUT WORKING FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND

A volunteer reaches for food supplies at a pantry serving families who depend on SNAP benefits. (Olivianna Calmes/Fox News)

She said her apartment building houses veterans, seniors and others on disability. “The entire building right now is in an uproar because they don’t know where they’re going to get their food from. We have the bread line across the street, but that’s only one meal a day.”

Weaving said many neighbors are turning to multiple pantries. “We have a pantry that’s open on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 3, and it’s once a month. You can get about 10 items per person. If you have kids, more. So it’s really a help for many, but their food doesn’t last an entire month. So you’re hopping from pantry to pantry.”

USDA data show that more than 41 million Americans use SNAP, with participation rates highest in New Mexico, Oregon and Louisiana. (USDA/Fox News)

At Washington Street Mission in Springfield, director Jarid Brown said demand in Central Illinois has surged sharply since benefits were frozen. “Yesterday I got a call from one of our churches who has a large food pantry, and they had twice the number of people there that night and actually cleaned everything out. If we double that number, it’s only going to last a few weeks. If we see triple that number come in, we’ll be cleaned out within a couple of weeks.”

FEDERAL WORKERS BRACE FOR MISSED PAYCHECK AS SHUTDOWN ENTERS 5TH WEEK

“If you’re living in poverty, if you are in that lowest income, it’s hard enough to climb out of poverty as it is. But now you add in rising food prices and you add in rising utility prices. It makes it nearly impossible for anyone to get out of that hole,” Brown added.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides federal food aid to more than 40 million Americans each month. (Olivianna Calmes/Fox News)

“This is the first time it’s actually going to hit hard,” Weaving said. “And to think there are 42 million, they’re saying, that are going to be hungry in a place like Springfield. We do worry that the crime rate might go up because of this.”

SENATE GOP DIVIDED AS MILLIONS RISK LOSING FOOD AID IN SHUTDOWN STANDOFF

“There are able bodies that may be abusing the system, but there are so many that need this,” Weaving said.

Brown worries about the pause in benefits. “The greatest impact that we’ve had with the budget shutdown is going to be the SNAP benefits being frozen off,” he said. “My hope is that for a minute we can set politics aside and think about what it’s going to take to reopen government and then address the issues that we’re separated on later. But holding individuals who need food assistance hostage for one or two issues, we’re holding service personnel hostage for over one or two issues, that’s not acceptable.”

Stocked shelves at Washington Street Mission’s food pantry in Springfield, Illinois, where staff say food pantries in the area are struggling to keep pace with rising demand. (Olivianna Calmes/Fox News)

Brown said that if people want to help, they should start locally – donating food or money directly to community organizations already serving those in need.

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Illinois has joined other states in suing the federal government to compel the continuation of SNAP payments during the shutdown, arguing that state programs can’t fill the gap on their own.

Olivianna Calmes is a multimedia reporter for Fox News, covering national and Midwest stories.

Olivianna Calmes joined Fox News in 2024 as a Multimedia Reporter based in St. Louis, Missouri.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland marks America’s 250th birthday with lakefront fireworks show

Published

3 minutes ago

July 5, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland marks America’s 250th birthday with lakefront fireworks show

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The city of Cleveland plans to light up the lake through its Fourth of July fireworks show in honor of America’s 250th birthday Saturday.

The city’s show “Light Up the Lake” will take place at 10 p.m. Saturday and last 20 minutes near Voinovich Park and North Coast Yard and be hosted by Downtown Cleveland.

What to know before you go

The city wants to remind the public of safety policies in effect.

All attendees aged 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or supervising adult who is at least 25 years old.

One adult must accompany no more than four minors.

All accompanied minors must remain with a supervising adult within the event perimeter, according to the city.

The city also said that event staff may request proof of age or photo ID from attendees at any point during the event.

The city warns that if maximum capacity is reached, entry into the show may be stopped until space becomes available.

Parking, transit options available for attendees

The city said that parking is available at metered street parking, the Great Lakes Science Center garage at 601 Lakeside Avenue for $15, and the Purple and Tans lots at 101 Erieside Avenue for $25.

The city does encourage attendees to use an all-day Greater Cleveland RTA pass for $5 to get around Cleveland and get to the show.

Voinovich Park to host pre-show watch party

Ahead of the show, Downtown Cleveland will hold a watch party starting at 5 p.m. with balloon art by Balloon Vibe, crafts by Crafty Fun World Entertainment and line dancing with Savvy Tempo Steppers.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Metroparks are said to also provide fun for watch partygoers.

Music will be provided by DJ Krooze.

The city said the watch party will have on-site food vendors and will end at 10 p.m.

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Illinois

Georgia man saved rare 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV from Illinois just in time before it was destroyed

Published

1 hour ago

July 5, 2026

Press Room

Georgia man saved rare 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV from Illinois just in time before it was destroyed

This guy had to rush from Georgia to Illinois to save a rare 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV.

The Lamborghini Diablo is rare to begin with, and the Diablo SV is even rarer.

In a way, this guy did a service to the automotive world.

But it wasn’t easy, and the car barely made it.

What makes this Diablo SV even more special

Ed Bolian, co-founder of VINWiki, was trying to track down a rare 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV that was famously featured in (and sold through) the Victoria’s Secret Christmas catalog that year.

Bolian had been searching for this unique car for years, but it had essentially disappeared after being sold at auction in 2011, it had vanished from public records with no registration or insurance updates for 14 years.

This guy had to rush from Georgia to Illinois to save a rare 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV — VINWiki

Then, much later and with the help of a guy whose nickname is ‘barn find king’, the 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV was eventually tracked down in 2025.

But there was a problem, mainly because this Lambo was months or maybe weeks away from becoming a write-off.

The Victoria’s Secret Lamborghini barely survived a tornado

The Victoria’s Secret Lamborghini Diablo SV was eventually located in private airport hangar in small town in Illinois about one hour away from Chicago.

So far, so normal.

Bolian and his team were expecting rust, dust, saggy tires – the usual.

But then, in June 2026, a series of tornadoes struck this town and the exact hangar where the Lamborghini had sat for 14 years was destroyed in the storm.

The Lambo was bruised and damaged but, amazingly, it was still in one piece.

Bolian was able to find the car and buy it, and then he managed to bring it back to Georgia to restore it.