— from Gov. Josh Stein, Who Urges USDA to Deploy Contingency Funds
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the November benefits for the 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be delayed if the federal government shutdown continues.
On Oct. 10, 2025, NCDHHS was directed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to delay the issuance of November SNAP benefits due to the ongoing federal shutdown. While October benefits are not impacted, this federal inaction means there is a significant risk that November benefits will not be issued on their normal schedule. As of Oct. 27, 2025, NCDHHS has not received the necessary federal funding for the program.
Additionally, the USDA sent guidance and a notice to states on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, stating it would not be using the roughly $6 billion in federal contingency funds available to keep the SNAP program running for November. The notice also explained that the federal government would not reimburse any state funds used to cover SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits in North Carolina represent about $230 million to $250 million each month. NCDHHS will stay in close communication with federal partners and will issue SNAP benefits to beneficiaries as soon as federal funding is provided.
“I am urging the USDA to take immediate action to prevent more than 1.4 million North Carolinians – including children, people with disabilities, veterans, and working families – from going hungry,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Specifically, USDA can deploy federal contingency funds and prevent a disruption of SNAP benefits on November 1. The administration’s refusal to use these available funds as temperatures cool and the Thanksgiving holiday approaches is a cruel abdication of the responsibility to support families and communities. Congress owes it to the American people to return to the negotiating table and come together to reopen the government, stop health care premiums from skyrocketing, and ensure stability for hardworking people across our state and country.”
“We know how vital these benefits are for children, seniors, and hardworking families in every corner of our state,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “Our priority is to be transparent and provide clear, factual information so families can prepare for a potential delay in benefits. We will continue to process applications and stand ready to issue benefits as quickly as possible once we receive authorization and funding from our federal partners.”
More than 600,000 households comprising 1.4 million individual North Carolinians are due to receive SNAP benefits to help put nutritious and healthy food on the table in November. Four in five North Carolina families participating in SNAP have either a child, senior or an adult with a disability. There are more than 580,000 children in North Carolina that rely on SNAP and more than 80% of people receiving SNAP benefits are working.
Additionally, NCDHHS does not currently have funding to maintain benefits past early November for the more than 262,000 people who depend on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This critical program provides healthy food, infant formula, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new mothers and young children. While it is possible the federal government may allocate additional funding, at present there is no certainty that funding will be received. NCDHHS is currently exploring all options to maintain these benefits if NCDHHS does not receive federal funding for WIC.
The federal government shut down began on Oct. 1, 2025, because Congress did not pass a budget for the new fiscal year. The administration has paused or reduced many federal programs, and more than a million federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more serious the impacts may become.
NCDHHS is doing everything it can to reduce the impact on North Carolinians. The department understands the uncertainty can be very concerning for individuals and families who rely on these programs. NCDHHS is committed to being transparent and will share the latest updates on the www.ncdhhs.gov/shutdown website.
NCDHHS is providing the following guidance for people who depend on food and nutrition benefits:
Continue to Apply and Renew: All residents should continue to apply for SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork on time. County DSS offices remain open and are processing all applications to prevent a backlog when funding is restored.
Check Your Balance: Any benefits currently on your EBT card are still available to use. Check your balance on the ebtEDGE app, at ebtEDGE.com, or by calling the number on the back of your card (1-888-622-7328).
If you or your family is in immediate need for food resources, please call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources. You can also visit the NCDHHS website dedicated to food access to find a food pantry closest to you.
— press release from Office of Governor Josh Stein
Airport Runway Expansion, Upgrades Topic Of Discussion At Nov. 12 Franklin Co. Public Info Session
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of Franklin County Capital Projects Manager Jessica Hudson
Franklin County Triangle North Executive Airport is proposing some upgrades to its facilities, including extending a runway by 700 feet to improve airport operations to accommodate larger corporate aircraft. As part of the capital improvement process, airport officials and the N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12 in Louisburg at the Franklin Plaza training room, 279 Bickett Blvd., according to information from Jessica Hudson, the county’s Capital Projects manager.
The runway extension and other associated improvements will improve airport operations and support regional economic development in Franklin County and the Research Triangle Region through the State Transportation Improvement Program, a statement from Hudson explained.
Franklin County owns the airport, which has an economic impact of $85.55 million in annual contributions to the State of North Carolina, supports more than 395 jobs and generates in excess of $4.3 million in tax revenue.
The public is invited to attend any time between 5 p.m and 7 p.m. local time as no formal presentation will be made, Hudson noted.
The proposed improvements also include the realignment of Airport Road, M.C. Wilder Road and Sam Horton Road, as well as the relocation of utilities, the automated weather observing system and updating navigational systems and lighting infrastructure.
The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the project to the public and for the project team to be available to answer questions and receive feedback on the proposed project. The comments and information received will be taken into consideration as work on the project develops.
This airfield enhancement project will allow the airport to meet updated FAA safety standards, accommodate future growth, support broader statewide efforts to improve transportation access and strengthen regional connectivity.
Information on this project will be available on Triangle North Executive Airport’s website at https://tinyurl.com/FlyTNEA and will be updated with information from the public information meeting. Citizens may submit comments through the NCDOT portal for this project located at https://publicinput.com/lhz-runway-extension, by calling 984.205.6615 (enter project code 9931), or by email (lhz-runway-extension@publicinput.com) by Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Responses by mail should be addressed to:
Bo Carson
Airport Director
Triangle North Executive Airport
440 Airport Road
Louisburg, NC 27549
Individuals with special communications needs who wish to speak at this public meeting should contact NCDOT’s Ron Coleman at rcoleman2@ncdot.gov, by phone at 919.707.7050 or via U.S. Mail:
Ron Coleman
NCDOT
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1595
SportsTalk: Louisburg College Football Homecoming Recap
/by Scout HughesLouisburg College Head Football Coach Quinderra Spellman joins SportsTalk with Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis to recap the Homecoming win over Myrtle Beach Collegiate and to preview Nassau County CC for this weeks game. Scout and Steve also talk about Game 3 of the World Series in which the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays in 18 innings.
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The Local Skinny! Mammogram Bus Rolls to Aycock, Nov. 1
/by WIZS StaffWearing pink in October and tying pink ribbons around lamppost and trees are visual reminders to Freddie Harris about just how much community support there is for breast cancer awareness. And she wants a big showing of support on Saturday at a community event to learn more about how breast cancer awareness.
The Invision Diagnostics bus is pulling in to Aycock Rec Center on Saturday, Nov. 1 to provide free 3-D mammograms. The slots are filling up, Harris said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! but there’s still time to take part. Call 877.318.1349 to schedule your appointment. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The service is for those with or without insurance, Harris said. Although appointments are preferred, Harris said anyone who comes out Saturday without scheduling first will get assistance.
“No one will miss an opportunity,” she said. “We’ll figure it out.”
Harris, a two-time cancer survivor and founder of the nonprofit Sisters Speak Life, said there’s more to Saturday’s event than mammograms. Inside the Aycock gym will be vendors and others just waiting to provide participants with information, resources and more.
Feeling nervous about entering the bus to have the mammogram? “Step inside the gym and someone will go with you,” Harris said.
In addition to resources and information, Harris said they’ll show a video titled “Metamorphosis of the Butterfly,” which captures survivors’ journeys through diagnosis and treatment.
And the Wall of Hope is a place to share information about a survivor – whether yourself or someone you know.
People who’ve had their world turned upside by a cancer diagnosis can feel uplifted by the support they feel, Harris said. “Not just from family and friends, but the community. I think that what makes a difference.”
Harris said Saturday’s event is another way to promote awareness of breast cancer, but that’s not all. It’s a way for people to come together to show support for one another.
Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/sistersspeaklife/
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 10-28-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Easy to Compost
/by WIZS StaffMichael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
This segment demonstrates how easy it can be to compost at home.
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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Disruption in SNAP Benefits in North Carolina as the Federal Government Shutdown Continues
/by WIZS Staff— from Gov. Josh Stein, Who Urges USDA to Deploy Contingency Funds
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the November benefits for the 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be delayed if the federal government shutdown continues.
On Oct. 10, 2025, NCDHHS was directed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to delay the issuance of November SNAP benefits due to the ongoing federal shutdown. While October benefits are not impacted, this federal inaction means there is a significant risk that November benefits will not be issued on their normal schedule. As of Oct. 27, 2025, NCDHHS has not received the necessary federal funding for the program.
Additionally, the USDA sent guidance and a notice to states on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, stating it would not be using the roughly $6 billion in federal contingency funds available to keep the SNAP program running for November. The notice also explained that the federal government would not reimburse any state funds used to cover SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits in North Carolina represent about $230 million to $250 million each month. NCDHHS will stay in close communication with federal partners and will issue SNAP benefits to beneficiaries as soon as federal funding is provided.
“I am urging the USDA to take immediate action to prevent more than 1.4 million North Carolinians – including children, people with disabilities, veterans, and working families – from going hungry,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Specifically, USDA can deploy federal contingency funds and prevent a disruption of SNAP benefits on November 1. The administration’s refusal to use these available funds as temperatures cool and the Thanksgiving holiday approaches is a cruel abdication of the responsibility to support families and communities. Congress owes it to the American people to return to the negotiating table and come together to reopen the government, stop health care premiums from skyrocketing, and ensure stability for hardworking people across our state and country.”
“We know how vital these benefits are for children, seniors, and hardworking families in every corner of our state,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “Our priority is to be transparent and provide clear, factual information so families can prepare for a potential delay in benefits. We will continue to process applications and stand ready to issue benefits as quickly as possible once we receive authorization and funding from our federal partners.”
More than 600,000 households comprising 1.4 million individual North Carolinians are due to receive SNAP benefits to help put nutritious and healthy food on the table in November. Four in five North Carolina families participating in SNAP have either a child, senior or an adult with a disability. There are more than 580,000 children in North Carolina that rely on SNAP and more than 80% of people receiving SNAP benefits are working.
Additionally, NCDHHS does not currently have funding to maintain benefits past early November for the more than 262,000 people who depend on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This critical program provides healthy food, infant formula, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new mothers and young children. While it is possible the federal government may allocate additional funding, at present there is no certainty that funding will be received. NCDHHS is currently exploring all options to maintain these benefits if NCDHHS does not receive federal funding for WIC.
The federal government shut down began on Oct. 1, 2025, because Congress did not pass a budget for the new fiscal year. The administration has paused or reduced many federal programs, and more than a million federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more serious the impacts may become.
NCDHHS is doing everything it can to reduce the impact on North Carolinians. The department understands the uncertainty can be very concerning for individuals and families who rely on these programs. NCDHHS is committed to being transparent and will share the latest updates on the www.ncdhhs.gov/shutdown website.
NCDHHS is providing the following guidance for people who depend on food and nutrition benefits:
Continue to Apply and Renew: All residents should continue to apply for SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork on time. County DSS offices remain open and are processing all applications to prevent a backlog when funding is restored.
Check Your Balance: Any benefits currently on your EBT card are still available to use. Check your balance on the ebtEDGE app, at ebtEDGE.com, or by calling the number on the back of your card (1-888-622-7328).
If you or your family is in immediate need for food resources, please call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources. You can also visit the NCDHHS website dedicated to food access to find a food pantry closest to you.
— press release from Office of Governor Josh Stein
SportsTalk: Vance County Football Week 10 Recap
/by Scout HughesScout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap Vance County’s win over East Wake. They guys also talk about other high school, college and NFL Football action from over the weekend.
High School Football Scores from Week 10:
Area College Football Scores for Week 9:
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‘Tricky’ Weather Prompts Maria Parham Health To Send ‘Trunk Or Treat’ Indoors
/by WIZS StaffMaria Parham Health’s Trunk or Treat event will still take place on Tuesday, Oct. 28, but, thanks to rainy weather predicted for the next few days, organizers have decided to send the costumed kiddos inside to get their goodies.
This is the fifth year for the event, but it’ll be the first time that it’s not a drive-thru affair. The trick-or-treating will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., said MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young. Enter through the Main Lobby of the hospital and follow a clearly marked loop that will lead you out through the doors of the Heart & Vascular department.
All trick-or-treaters must be accompanied by an adult, Young noted. “We can’t wait to see all your creative costumes and smiles – rain or shine, the fun goes on inside!” she said.
For more information, please contact Donna Young at donna.young@lpnt.net.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 10-27-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Youth and Community See Joy, Diversity with Phase 1 of 3 and Re-Dedication
/by WIZS StaffKendrick Vann looked out over the crowd gathered for the Chestnut Street park rededication Thursday afternoon, with its bright blue basketball courts and nearby playground and picnic areas and commented on another beautiful aspect: the folks who’d come together to be a part of the activities.
“The most beautiful thing about this project,” Vann said, “You look around – we’ve got a diverse group out here. And these kids are a diverse group – that’s beautiful for our area,” he said.
Vernon Brown spent many an hour honing his basketball skills on the Chestnut Street courts back in the early 1970’s. The longtime member of the Recreation Advisory Committee, Brown recounted the history of the courts – located on the site of a warehouse that burned during a tumultuous period of boycotts and unrest in the city.
Those blacktop courts proved to be so popular, Brown said kids waited in line for at least an hour to have their turn to play.
“Soon, and very soon,” Brown said, “there will be hundreds of people out here and these basketball courts will be full.”
Thursday’s rededication marked the completion of Phase 1 of the project, which took off in earnest in January 2024 when Joshua Jones, Charles “C.J” Turrentine, Jr. and others talked about making some modest improvements.
Those modest improvements turned into a $100,000 revitalization project, fueled by generous donors and grants. “We’ve got two more phases to go,” Turrentine said. “This is not the end – we’re just getting started.”
Recreation Advisory Council Chair Donna Stearns, a retired employee of the recreation and parks department, recalled how busy the park was in the mid-1980’s.
“I find joy that we found this to do together,” Stearns said in remarks at the event. “I’ve never seen it look so good. This is a community-oriented project. And look what we’ve done!”
Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott said the rededication also is a celebration of what can be achieved through partnerships with the community, government agencies and the faith-based community.
Elliott thanked Turrentine for the vision and everyone who participated in the project.
“This is not just a rededication,” she said. “This is hope… for our students and our families to come together.”
Click Here to Listen Including Ceremony Audio
(This news post originally appeared on WIZS.com on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025)