What You Need to Know: This week, the winds blew hard and the headlines hit harder. Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica, leaving destruction in its wake and testing regional resilience. At home, millions of Americans brace for empty plates as SNAP benefits are frozen by the ongoing shutdown. And on Capitol Hill, a pardoned January 6 rioter threatened Hakeem Jeffries’ life—proof that political violence doesn’t fade with time, it festers. It’s chaos, courage, and consequence. It’s “The State of US.”
Hurricane Melissa Blows Through Jamaica, Bringing A Wave Of Destruction
A historic Category 5 Hurricane, Melissa, ripped through Jamaica on Oct. 28, making landfall near New Hope with sustained winds of 185 mph, the strongest ever recorded for the island. Major flooding and storm surges up to 13 feet have inundated the south-western parish of St. Elizabeth and other coastal regions. At least three people in Jamaica have been confirmed dead in the disaster, as the storm cut power to over 70 percent of households and crippled hospital infrastructure. Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 on Oct. 29, and it’s been reported that 25 people are dead in Haiti.
How to help: Relief organizations, including the Red Cross and UNICEF, have already launched emergency efforts to assist in recovery. You can assist by donating to verified organizations. Many are taking supplies such as water filtration systems, generators, medical kits and non-perishable food through their respective channels.
USDA’s SNAP Benefits Halt To Affect Millions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued on November 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1. In response, the USDA has pointed to Senate Democrats’ repeated votes against a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government, arguing that their actions have prolonged the shutdown and disrupted essential services like food assistance. 23 Democratic state attorneys general are filing a lawsuit against the USDA, seeking to compel the release of contingency funds to restore SNAP benefits.
The impact: The suspension of SNAP benefits is set to affect approximately 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, who rely on the program for essential nutrition. Going on nearly a month, the government shutdown also continues to impact federal workers who are experiencing delays or suspensions, creating widespread uncertainty and economic strain for millions of Americans.
Kamala Harris On A 2028 Presidential Run: ‘Maybe’
Don’t call it a comeback. Former Vice President Kamala Harris teased the possibility of a 2028 presidential run, saying she is “not done” with her political career. During an interview with the BBC, Harris said she has “lived my entire career as a life of service … and it’s in my bones.” Harris emphasized she has not yet made a decision on a presidential bid, but stressed she still sees a political future, even after ruling out a bid for California governor in 2026.
The bigger picture: Analysts say her remarks keep her position as a potential contender alive and signal the early jockeying shaping the 2028 Democratic field. Other Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear have also hinted at interest in the 2028 race.
Letitia James In Court Friday For Mortgage Fraud Case
New York Attorney General Letitia James appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on Friday and pleaded not guilty to federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements. The indictment alleges that James misrepresented a home purchase in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2020 as a secondary residence to secure favorable mortgage terms, when in fact she rented it out. Speaking outside the courthouse, James accused prosecutors of using the justice system as a “tool of revenge,” saying the case stems from her earlier lawsuit against President Donald Trump.
What’s next: James’ trial is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2026, with prosecutors expecting to call eight to 10 witnesses. Meanwhile, James’s legal team has filed motions to challenge the appointment of the interim U.S. attorney who brought the case and to suppress disclosures to the media, arguing that the prosecution is tainted by procedural irregularities.
Hakeem Jefferies’ Life Threatened By Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries faced a credible death threat this week after a man pardoned for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol allegedly sent text messages saying, “I cannot allow this terrorist to live … I will kill him for the future.” The suspect, Christopher P. Moynihan, 34, of Clinton, N.Y., was charged with making a terroristic threat, a felony accusation that arose after he was pardoned by Donald Trump for his earlier involvement in the Capitol breach. Jeffries released a statement thanking federal and state law enforcement for “swift and decisive action” and warned of the broader dangers posed by pardoning violent offenders, saying such clemency has “consequences beyond me.”
Deep dive: The incident underscores growing concern that mass pardons of participants in the January 6 United States Capitol attack may embolden violent actors and weaken deterrence, with legal experts warning that clemency for extremists can “signal impunity” and coax more threats. Meanwhile, lawmakers from both parties are facing pressure to bolster their own security and demand accountability for rhetoric that fuels threats, as security officials say threat investigations on Capitol Hill have surged in 2025.
WSSU Gets $1 Million From Adobe To Train Students For Digital-First Future
Winston‑Salem State University on Monday announced a $1 million investment from Adobe to bolster its digital infrastructure and training programs. The funds will support faculty development in generative AI, the creation of residential learning hubs and digital spaces, and the expansion of Adobe tool access across student disciplines.
More info: University officials said the initiative aligns with a larger goal to equip graduates with the digital literacy skills necessary in today’s workforce rather than simply a degree certificate. The partnership builds on WSSU’s long-standing relationship with Adobe, which declared the university a Creative Campus in 2018.
Jasmine Crockett ‘Strongly Considered’ Texas Senate
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is “strongly considering” a run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, citing recent redistricting efforts in Texas as a catalyst for her potential candidacy. In an interview on SiriusXM’s “The Lurie Daniel Favors Show,” Crockett expressed that if her current district is eliminated, she views it as “karma” and a sign to pursue a higher office. She emphasized the importance of expanding the electorate, stating that success in the Senate race would depend on mobilizing underrepresented voters.
By the numbers: Recent polling indicates that Crockett leads the Democratic primary field for Sen. John Cornyn’s seat, with 31% support, ahead of Beto O’Rourke and state Rep. James Talarico. Crockett, who currently represents Texas’s 30th Congressional District, has been a vocal advocate for expanding voting rights and increasing civic engagement. However, she has not yet declared her candidacy and is awaiting final court rulings on the new congressional maps before making a decision.