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

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

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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

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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.”

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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

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“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.

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Midwest

Critical clue led police to suspect Chicago doctor in deaths of Ohio dentist, wife

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Critical clue led police to suspect Chicago doctor in deaths of Ohio dentist, wife

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Investigators followed a critical clue that led to the arrest of the Chicago doctor suspected in the killings of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in Ohio.

Michael David McKee, 39, was arrested in connection with the double murder of Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, who were found dead at their Weinland Park home around 10 a.m. Dec. 30, officials have said.

McKee was arrested in the Chicago area after detectives tracked his vehicle through neighborhood surveillance near the couple’s home, according to court documents.

McKee’s car “arrived just prior to the homicides and left shortly after,” detectives said in the court documents. Investigators were able to identify the vehicle and subsequently link it to McKee.

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SLAIN OHIO DENTIST’S BROTHER-IN-LAW SAYS ‘DOMESTIC DISPUTE’ 911 CALL CAME FROM PARTY GUEST, NOT WIFE

Michael David McKee, a 39-year-old from Chicago, is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Dr. Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe. (Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office)

Detectives said they located the car in Rockford, Illinois, noting that they found evidence that McKee had been in ownership of the vehicle throughout the incident, the documents stated.

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McKee was booked at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois just before noon Saturday, records show. He’s being charged with two counts of murder in Ohio.

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Spencer and Monique Tepe are pictured on their wedding day. (Rob Misleh)

McKee’s neighbor, Gera-Lind Kolarik, told WLS-TV after his arrest that “he did not seem like somebody who would do something like this.”

EERIE SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWS ‘PERSON OF INTEREST’ IN UNSOLVED OHIO DENTIST MURDER CASE

“I sat down with this man and talked with him at the pool, barbecuing, about what a beautiful day it is — and then he turns out to be [charged as] a killer,” she said. “It’s kind of shocking.”

Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead on Dec. 30. (Rob Misleh)

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Detectives in Columbus believe the murders took place between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Dec. 30. The bodies were discovered after one of the Tepe’s friends went to the couple’s house and told a 911 operator he could see a body inside.

Both of the couple’s children were found safe inside the home when officers arrived. Police didn’t find signs of forced entry, and a weapon was not recovered from the home, officials said.

Mourners arrive on Jan. 11, 2026, at Schoedinger Funeral Home in Columbus, Ohio, as several hundred people turned out to pay their respects to the family of Spencer and Monique Tepe. (Credit: Derek Shook Photography)

Visitation for the couple on Sunday drew an outpouring of community support despite cold weather.

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At Schoedinger Funeral Home, where temperatures hovered around 30 degrees with occasional snow flurries, mourners began arriving shortly after the noon visitation opened.

Several hundred people turned out over the course of the afternoon, filling the main parking area and forcing others to park in an adjacent hospital clinic lot and a nearby strip mall as a steady stream of visitors continued to arrive.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Auto Show opens as industry pares back splashy debuts and leans on test tracks

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Detroit Auto Show opens as industry pares back splashy debuts and leans on test tracks


DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Auto Show returns this week, offering an opportunity to take a peek at the cars of today and tomorrow and also go for a spin.

The annual car-fest at a Detroit convention hall features a lineup of 40-plus vehicle brands. At last year’s show, organizers say attendees took more than 100,000 rides in them.

“That’s what makes the Detroit Auto Show different,” show chairman Todd Szott said. “You can get up close, talk to the people behind the brands and actually experience the vehicles.”

The Detroit Auto Show once was the place for new model debuts, glitzy displays and scores of journalists from across the globe.

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Automakers since have determined that new models can make a bigger splash when they’re unveiled to a digital audience on a day when they don’t have to share the spotlight with rivals.

While it has scaled back dramatically from its heyday, it still drew 275,000 attendees a year ago. And it is leaning into interactivity.

Two tracks offer attendees ride-along experiences in internal combustion engine, hybrid and electric vehicles, while the Camp Jeep and Ford Bronco Built Wild Experience give visitors a chance to climb into the vehicles and tackle some makeshift “mountains.”

The show gets underway Tuesday evening with vehicle announcements from Ford Motor Co. as part of the media and industry preview days. On Wednesday, the annual North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year will be revealed. The show opens to the public Saturday and runs through Jan. 25.

Visitors can check out displays under the Alfa Romeo, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Kia, Lincoln, Ram, Subaru and Toyota nameplates.

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Speakers include Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno from Ohio, and a pair of Democrats — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation Secretary under President Joe Biden.



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Milwaukee, WI

Subcompact Power: New Milwaukee M12 Fuel Impact Wrenches

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Subcompact Power: New Milwaukee M12 Fuel Impact Wrenches


Milwaukee Introduces M12 Lineup’s Most Compact Impact Wrenches

Recently, Milwaukee announced the addition of two new subcompact impact wrenches for the M12 Fuel lineup: a 1/4-inch model and a 3/8-inch model. Separate from the 2024 launch of the Gen-2 stubby models, these are designed to be the most compact tools in their class. But what’s beyond the buzz? I decided to dig deeper into the claims to help you decide which one is a good fit for your automotive tool roster.

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Subcompact Impact Wrench Performance

  • Model: Milwaukee 3049 (3/8-inch)
  • Max Breakaway Torque: 225 ft-lbs
  • Max Fastening Torque: 200 ft-lbs
  • Max Speed: 3400 RPM
  • Max Impact Rate: 3600 IPM
  • Anvil: Friction Ring
  • Four Modes
  • Brushless Motor
  • Auto Shut-Off Mode

The Milwaukee 3048 and 3049 impact wrenches are part of the M12 Fuel lineup. As subcompact tools, Milwaukee tells us they’re ideal for light-duty automotive applications, such as installing bumpers and fenders, under-hood fastening, suspension work, and more.

The 3049 reaches torque levels of up to 225 ft-lbs during breakaway applications and 200 ft-lbs while fastening. For the 1/4-inch 3048, you get up to 70 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 100 ft-lbs of breakaway torque. Those are clearly very different performance levels, so choosing the right one is more than just your preferred drive size.

Both models feature four speed modes to select from, including an Auto Shut-Off mode.

Here’s a look at the speed and impact rate specs for both impact wrenches in each of the four settings:

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3048 (1/4-inch)

  • Mode 1: 0-1500 RPM; 0-1350 IPM
  • Mode 2: 0-2900 RPM; 0-3700 IPM
  • Mode 3: 0-3800 RPM; 0-4400 IPM
  • Mode 4 (Auto Shut-Off): 0-2200 RPM (forward)/ 0-3800 RPM – 0-1500 RPM (reverse); 0-4400 IPM

3049 (3/8-inch)

  • Mode 1: 0-1150 RPM; 0-1100 IPM
  • Mode 2: 0-2400 RPM; 0-3400 IPM
  • Mode 3: 0-3400 RPM; 0-3600 IPM
  • Mode 4 (Auto Shut-Off): 0-1600 RPM (forward) / 0-3400 RPM – 0-1500 RPM (reverse); 0-3600 IPM

In Auto Shut-Off mode, the forward torque is limited to 15 ft-lbs in the 3049 and 7 ft-lbs in the 3048 to prevent over-tightening. In reverse, the RPMs slow to a top speed of 1500 RPM automatically once the bolt is free, for fewer fastener drops.

The Auto Shut-Off feature is not unique to this model; it’s included in several Milwaukee impact wrenches on both the M18 and M12 platforms. However, we appreciate its inclusion in this subcompact model to address common fastening and breakaway pain points.

The 3049 is kitted with two 2.5Ah batteries, and I recommend sticking to that size if you want to take full advantage of the lightweight and compact design. However, if you prioritize runtime and you can sacrifice a bit of heft, swapping in a larger-capacity battery would still be fine.

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Subcompact Impact Wrench Design

  • Length: 4.4 in (3048); 4.5 in (3049)
  • Weight: 1.5 lb (3048); 1.6 lb (3049)

The 1/4-inch 3048 impact wrench is the most compact and lightweight model in its class, at just 4.4 inches in length and 1.5 pounds bare. The 3/8-inch 3049 is just barely larger, at 4.5 inches long and 1.6 pounds.

This size of impact wrench excels in small areas, providing better underhood access in automotive applications. While some models, like Milwaukee’s Gen-II M12 stubby impact wrenches, deliver higher performance, these subcompact tools are ideal for lighter-duty fastening within tight spaces.

Additional Features

  • Tri-Beam LED Light: Illuminates dark engine bays while you work.
  • Single-Hand Mode Change: Toggle through speed settings with minimal interruption to your workflow.

How Does it Compare?

Here’s how the Milwaukee 3049 impact wrench stacks up against other 12V subcompact models from Makita and DeWalt.

Milwaukee 3049
(this model)
Makita
XWT12ZB
DeWalt
DCF902B
Max Breakaway Torque: 225 ft-lbs 230 ft-lbs 200 ft-lbs
Max Fastening Torque: 200 ft-lbs 130 ft-lbs 125 ft-lbs
No-Load Speed: 3400 RPM 2400 RPM 2850 RPM
Max Impact Rate: 3600 IPM 3600 IPM 3600 IPM
Length: 4.5 in 5.6 in 5.1 in
Weight: 1.6 lbs 2.7 lbs (w/ battery) 2.2 lbs (w/ battery)
Price: $229 bare $199 bare $159 bare

The big takeaways here are how much more fastening power Milwaukee offers to go with its impressively compact and lightweight design. Considering how many automotive and trade-specific tools the M12 system has compared to Makita and DeWalt, it’s an even more compelling proposition.

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Subcompact Impact Wrench Price

The 3/8-inch 3049 retails for $229 bare and $349 as a kit, including two M12 2.5Ah batteries, a charger, and a contractor bag. At the time of writing, the 1/4-inch model (3048) is only available as a bare tool, also for $229.

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Milwaukee backs both versions with a 5-year tool warranty and a 2-year warranty on the batteries.

If you’d like some added protection for your tool, Milwaukee also offers a protective boot compatible with both the 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch models, which runs $35.

Should You Buy It?

Milwaukee released its Gen-II stubby impact wrenches in 2024, and they were a huge hit for heavy-duty Pro-grade automotive applications. However, for lighter-duty auto jobs, the 3048 and 3049 impact wrenches provide a nice update to the M12 platform, especially for users who don’t need the top-shelf performance of the stubby models.

If you usually work on larger fasteners, these models likely won’t be your main tool. However, for light-duty fastening jobs and tight engine bay access, the 3048 and 3049 provide unmatched M12 compactness. If you prioritize a small form factor over top-shelf power, they’re a compelling option.

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