Government shutdown

Geisinger nurses went on strike in Luzerne County. Officials fought to find a new buyer for three local hospitals after a deal fell through more than a year ago. And communities came together to support their most vulnerable — the aging, uninsured and hungry.

Four Republicans, including U.S. Reps. Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan, broke from their party and signed Democrats' petition to force a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.

The record-breaking federal government shutdown ended Wednesday, restoring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to more than 42 million Americans who rely on the food assistance program, including more than 2 million people in Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg lawmakers say leaders have agreed to a $50.1 billion dollar budget deal, though few details were publicly available Tuesday night. The state has gone more than 130 days without a budget.

While eight Democratic Senators broke rank with their party Sunday night to reach a deal with Republicans to end the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania has gone more than 130 days without a state budget. That's hitting school districts and charter schools in particular.

Gov. Josh Shapiro helped pack groceries while talking about the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund at Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Pittston as SNAP benefits are frozen for more than two million Pennsylvanians due to the government shutdown.

Federal judges ruled that President Donald Trump's administration must use emergency funds to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits. The Trump administration will restore benefits, but only half. Meanwhile in Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro pledged $5 million to food banks.

November’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits will not be paid to Pennsylvanians due to the federal government shutdown. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notified states earlier this month that it would not be able to fully fund SNAP for November during the shutdown.