Midwest
GOP governor calls on incoming Trump officials to ban junk food in food stamps: 'Make America Healthy Again'
FIRST ON FOX: Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has sent a letter to the incoming Trump administration heads of the Health and Agriculture departments, calling for the end of junk food as part of the federal food stamp program.
“As you know, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a $113 billion federal program designed to support low income families with food assistance,” Sanders wrote in a letter obtained by Fox News Digital to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary-nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Agriculture Secretary-nominee Brooke Rollins. “Unfortunately, this ‘Nutrition Assistance’ program is undermining the health of millions of Americans, on the taxpayers’ dime, by encouraging families to eat highly processed, unhealthy junk food.
“In fact, soda, unhealthy snacks, candy, and dessert account for nearly 23 percent, or $25 billion, of all SNAP purchases. Given the relationship between junk food and poor health, our federal food assistance policies are fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and a wide range of chronic health conditions around America.”
Sanders cited her experience as a mother of three as motivation for “improving maternal health outcomes” in children and explained that one third of the people in her state suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetes, and 40% struggle with obesity.
TRUMP TAPS RFK JR. TO LEAD DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is calling for an end of junk food as part of the SNAP program. (Getty Images)
“Sadly, these health conditions disproportionately affect lower-income families-the same people who rely on SNAP for food,” Sanders wrote.
Sanders cited the work of Stanford University Professor Jayanta Bhattacharya, nominated by President-elect Trump to head the National Institutes of Health, which concluded that removing sugary drinks and snacks from the SNAP program would prevent obesity in 141,000 children and Type 2 diabetes in 240,000 adults.
TRUMP-RFK JR. ALLIANCE BECOMES BEACON OF HOPE FOR ‘CRUNCHY MOMS’: ‘STANDING UP FOR OUR CHILDREN’
Former President Trump, right, shakes hands with former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. during a rally in Glendale, Arizona, on Aug. 23. (Reuters/Go Nakamura)
“Health-centered SNAP reform also offers a great opportunity for Americans to support Arkansas farmers by enjoying Arkansas-grown and harvested poultry, eggs, beef, pecans, peanuts, soy, strawberries, sweet potatoes, rice, peaches, oats, and more,” Sanders wrote. “As someone who believes in the Trump administration’s unifying, aspirational vision for the future, the time has come to support American farmers and end taxpayer-funded junk food.
“As Secretaries, I ask that you work collaboratively across the Administration to prohibit the sale of junk food in SNAP and end taxpayer-funded junk food. I also wish to notify you of my intent to pursue a SNAP waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service that would support fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and protein and prohibit using SNAP for junk food.”
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Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders greets supporters at an event for her campaign for governor. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File)
Sanders closes the letter by saying, “Together, we can, and we will, Make America Healthy Again.”
Sanders’ letter is likely to have a sympathetic ear in the form of Kennedy, who has openly expressed his desire for healthier food in the U.S.
“We have a generation of kids who are swimming around in a toxic soup right now,” Kennedy previously told Fox News in regards to process foods. “We’re letting these industries corrupt our agencies and mass poison them.”
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Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota snow causing slick spots on roads
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Winter weather is back, with flakes falling across the area Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Snow has led to slush on the roads in the Twin Cities metro, which is creating slick spots on roadways – especially on bridges and overpasses, as well as side streets and parking lots.
The slick spots are patchy because the ground has been so warm over the past few days. The warm ground has also helped keep snow totals lower. However, there are minor accumulations in the Twin Cities, especially north of the metro, where there is a winter weather advisory in effect until Wednesday afternoon.
Snow is expected to wind down by around sunrise Wednesday. Skies will then clear, making way for afternoon sun and a high of around 39 degrees. Any snow that did fall is expected to melt pretty quickly.
Find live updates on weather and road conditions below, and watch FOX 9 live in the player above.
7:10 a.m. – Icy roadways
MnDOT is reporting roads in the Twin Cities being partially covered or completely covered in ice for the morning commute. This is causing crashes and backups across the metro.
You can find the latest road conditions from MnDOT here.
6:40 a.m. – Crashes reported
A couple of crashes have been reported in the Twin Cities metro, including on Highway 169 in Shakopee, which is slowing down traffic for the morning commute.
This comes as slippery conditions have been reported across the Twin Cities metro.
You can find the latest road conditions from MnDOT here.
6 a.m. – Plows out salting
Plows are out in the Twin Cities metro area clearing up the slushy roadways and dropping salt, as temperatures hover around the freezing mark Wednesday morning.
MnDOT is reporting partially covered roads in the Twin Cities, with a couple completely covered roadways in the southwest metro and north of the Twin Cities.
You can find the latest road conditions from MnDOT here.
5:30 a.m. – Slushy spots on Twin Cities roadways
Minnesota snow causing slick spots on roads
Winter weather is back, with flakes falling across the area Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Snow has led to slush on the roads in the Twin Cities metro, which is creating slick spots on roadways – especially on bridges and overpasses, as well as side streets and parking lots.
There are some slick spots on Twin Cities roadways, with MnDOT reporting most roads are partially covered in snow or slush.
You can find the latest road conditions from MnDOT here.
Indianapolis, IN
FBI arrests suspect at Indianapolis International Airport
INDIANAPOLIS — A suspect was placed under arrest by the FBI at the Indianapolis International Airport on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the FBI Indianapolis said.
The official told WRTV the man was a suspect in a non-fatal shooting in Indianapolis that happened in the early hours of March 6, 2026.
The man, who the FBI says is a convicted felon, was first located in El Paso, Texas. He later flew to Denver, Colorado, where he boarded a plane to Indianapolis.
The FBI Indianapolis’ Violent Crimes Task Force took him into custody without incident as he deplaned in Indianapolis.
The FBI Indianapolis official added that the suspect was on federal supervised release for a previous drug trafficking case.
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Cleveland, OH
Ohio’s Asphalt Paving Industry at an Inflection Point: What Cleveland Commercial Property Owners Need to Know in 2025-2026
Empire Paving: Asphalt Paving Contractors in Cleveland, OH
Ohio’s asphalt paving industry is undergoing a significant structural shift driven by $14 billion in federal infrastructure funding through the IIJA, aging pavement across Northeast Ohio’s commercial corridors, and rising demand for integrated pavement management over one-time new construction. For Cleveland-area commercial and industrial property owners, this convergence of public investment, climate-driven wear, and evolving contractor capabilities creates both urgency and opportunity.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – The asphalt paving industry in Northeast Ohio is entering a pivotal period of transformation, driven by federal infrastructure dollars, aging commercial pavement, and the region’s punishing freeze-thaw climate. For commercial property owners, facility managers, and HOAs throughout the Cleveland metro area, these trends directly inform decisions about when to pave, whether to repair or replace, and how to select the right contractor.
Historic Infrastructure Investment
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is channeling an estimated $14 billion into Ohio, including $9.7 billion for roads and bridges. In Northeast Ohio alone, ODOT announced over $1.7 billion across 248 projects. Ohio voters further reinforced this in May 2025, approving $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds for infrastructure. For commercial property owners, improved surrounding roads make neglected private parking lots more conspicuous – and more costly to ignore.
Ohio’s Infrastructure Report Card Signals Urgency
The ASCE issued Ohio an overall grade of C- in its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card. NOACA confirmed that 76% of its 2024-2027 roadway funding is dedicated to system preservation – a clear signal that the region’s pavement stock needs rehabilitation. Privately owned parking lots and access drives, many built during Ohio’s industrial peak, are likely in comparable or worse condition.
The Shift to Integrated Pavement Management
Pure “paving-only” revenue among the top 50 U.S. contractors declined approximately 24% from its 2023 peak, even as total revenues climbed 18%. Property owners increasingly seek contractors offering integrated services – milling, resurfacing, drainage repair, sealcoating, and long-term maintenance planning – not just new installation.
Freeze-Thaw Climate Creates a Compounding Crisis
Cleveland’s repeated freeze-thaw cycles fracture pavement from within, saturate subbases, and accelerate structural failure. Well-maintained asphalt can last 20-30 years; neglected pavement often requires full replacement in 10-15. Replacement costs can run up to seven times that of a proactive maintenance program.
In-House Crews Separate Winners from the Rest
Contractors with in-house crews and integrated capabilities outperform subcontracting-dependent firms on scheduling, quality control, and accountability – all critical on active commercial and industrial sites.
Empire Paving has delivered commercial asphalt paving, concrete construction, drainage solutions, and pavement maintenance across Northeast Ohio for over 20 years from its Cleveland headquarters. Learn more at https://www.empirepaving.biz/cuyahoga-county/cleveland-oh/ or call (216) 581-1000.
Media Contact
Company Name: Empire Paving
Contact Person: Scott Heiman
Email:Send Email [https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=ohios-asphalt-paving-industry-at-an-inflection-point-what-cleveland-commercial-property-owners-need-to-know-in-20252026]
Phone: 216-581-1000
Address:4620 Johnston Pkwy
City: Cleveland
State: Ohio, 44128
Country: United States
Website: https://www.empirepaving.biz
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This release was published on openPR.
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