Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

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.

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.

Keith and Danielle Medash have sued the Luzerne County Children, Youth and Families agency in federal court alleging officials ignored warning signs about the danger presented by the birth parents of a boy they later adopted. The natural father was later charged with fracturing the boy's skull.

Commonwealth Foundation, a right-leaning think tank based in Harrisburg, says Gov. Josh Shapiro is wrong and many Medicaid recipients will work or meet other requirements to keep the benefit.

Restorative Roots Recovery owns the only licensed male recovery houses in Luzerne County. While the owners have plans to grow, the federal government looks to shrink funding for recovery services.

The Trump administration’s recent cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services included billions of dollars in grants to the states. Gov. Josh Shapiro joined a multistate lawsuit against the administration, resulting in a temporary pause on the cuts. But Luzerne and Lackawanna county officials are left waiting on money that may not come.

Rep. Bridget Kosierowski organized town hall about future of Medicaid and Medicare during President Trump's second term.

Pennsylvania health-focused agencies are working to address maternal health care across the state. Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh sat with health care providers, local elected officials and a patient at the Scranton Primary Health Care Center to learn from their experiences.