President Trump is calling on Senate Republicans to take drastic action to end the government shutdown — even urging them to “go nuclear” and scrap the filibuster rule that requires 60 votes to pass most legislation.
Plus, a federal judge in Boston signaled she’s prepared to step in and order the government to use emergency funds to keep food stamp payments going. The ruling could offer temporary relief for more than 40 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits each month.
And in California, another museum heist — this one at a storage site for the Oakland Museum of California.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.
Trump pushes to scrap filibuster as shutdown hits day 31
Day 31 of the government shutdown, and America is still stuck. Paychecks are stopping, pressure is building, and now, President Donald Trump wants to change the rules to end it.
On Truth Social, the president urged the Republican-led Senate to “initiate the nuclear option,” which would abolish the filibuster, allowing the Senate to pass a bill to reopen the government without Democratic support, though three Democrats regularly voted with the GOP.
Under current rules, it takes 60 votes to move any legislation forward.
However, the Senate adjourned on Thursday without taking up a new measure. Meaning, there will be no action until at least Monday, day 34 of the longest shutdown in U.S. History.
Democrats are digging in, demanding talks on extending federal tax credits for health care coverage before Congress reaches any deal.
However, the Trump administration is refusing to negotiate until Congress reopens the government.
“We are happy to talk about any policy issue. We’re happy to talk about health care policy. We’re happy to talk about tax policy. We’re happy to talk about regulatory policy, but not at the point of a gun,” said Vice President JD Vance. “You do not get to take the American people’s government hostage and then demand that we give you everything you want.”
Meanwhile, the impact is growing.
Airports across the country are experiencing a shortage of air traffic controllers, with many working without pay and some taking on second jobs just to feed their families.
One group that will get paid, however, is the military.
The White House says it’s using a mix of defense and emergency funds to cover wages for troops, for now. It’s a move that prevents service members from missing a second straight pay period.
Judge pushes USDA to use emergency funds for SNAP benefits
A federal judge in Boston is signaling that she will step in to ensure food aid continues to flow for millions of Americans affected by the government shutdown.
Nearly 42 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps. Funding is set to run out as early as Saturday.
But Judge Indira Talwani said the Trump administration can not simply turn off benefits, ordering the Agriculture Department to tap into a $5.5 billion emergency fund that Congress set aside for crises like this.
She told government lawyers, “Congress has put money in an emergency fund, and it is hard for me to understand how this is not an emergency.”
The fund won’t cover a full month, but it would allow partial payments while the shutdown continues. SNAP costs about $9 billion.
The USDA argues that money was meant for natural disasters, not political stalemates. However, 23 states and three governors sued, saying families should not be left without groceries because Washington can’t agree on a budget.
Talwani is expected to issue her ruling as early as Friday, which could mean benefits might start going out again, though likely delayed, as states rush to reload EBT cards.
Prince Andrew stripped of titles over connection to Epstein
The family of Jeffrey Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre says she “brought down a prince.” King Charles III made it official Thursday: his brother, Prince Andrew, is losing his royal titles and his home.
Buckingham Palace called the move “necessary censures,” as officials evicted Andrew from the royal lodge on the Windsor estate.
The decision comes after Giuffre’s posthumous memoir was released, which revisits her claim that the now-former Duke of York sexually assaulted her as a teenager.
“He’s just Andrew. He’s no longer a prince. And she would be — she is celebrating from the heavens right now, saying, ‘I did it.’ This normal girl from a normal family has taken down a prince. We are so proud of her. Her survivors are proud of her, her sisters. This is a moment that is unprecedented in history,” said Sky Roberts, Giuffre’s brother.
Andrew continues to deny ever meeting Giuffre and has repeatedly denied all allegations. However, her family says accountability should not end with titles and property.
Her brother told BBC Newsnight, “He needs to be behind bars.”
FDA issues drug recall after cancer-causing impurity found in blood pressure pill
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recalling a popular blood pressure drug after tests found a potential cancer-causing chemical. Teva Pharmaceuticals is pulling more than half a million bottles of prazosin hydrochloride off pharmacy shelves.
The medication is commonly used to treat high blood pressure, but doctors also prescribe it to help veterans and PTSD patients with nightmares and anxiety.
The FDA says tests found carcinogenic impurities in some lots of the drug. It’s a substance that could increase the risk of cancer with long-term exposure.
The recall applies to multiple batches distributed nationwide between April and September.
Patients are urged not to stop taking the drug on their own. Instead, they should contact their doctor or pharmacist for replacements or alternatives.
The FDA says that no injuries or illnesses have been reported so far, but the investigation is ongoing.
More than 1,000 artifacts stolen in California museum heist
Another museum heist has taken place, this time in Northern California. More than 1,000 artifacts were stolen from a storage facility belonging to the Oakland Museum of California.
The haul included Native American baskets, engraved tusks, metalwork and even old sports trophies.
Police say the break-in occurred on Oct. 15, just days before the Louvre heist, but it took weeks to realize how much was stolen.
The museum director says this was not some high-tech, Hollywood job like the Louvre heist earlier this month. It was more likely a crime of opportunity. Thieves broke in and grabbed what they could.
The FBI is now involved, and investigators are scouring eBay and Craigslist for clues, in case the thieves are trying to cash in quickly on some of the items.
Penny shortage across the US causes chaos at banks, stores
Since President Trump scrapped production earlier this year, retailers and banks are scrambling for loose change.
Giant Eagle grocery stores in Pennsylvania are offering double-value gift cards for pennies this weekend. At Sheetz, a hundred pennies gets you a free soda.
Banks say they’re rationing what’s left, and some stores are rounding down to the nearest nickel to stay legal. Kwik Trip says that rounding down alone could cost them $3 million this year.
The irony?
Businesses have wanted the penny gone for decades as it costs nearly four cents to make one.
However, this abrupt goodbye with no real plan for a phase-out has left cash drawers and customers clinking for spare change.
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