A federal judge in Oregon has again stopped the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard to Portland until at least Friday. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut said she found “no credible evidence” that protests in the city were out of control before the president ordered troops federalized earlier this fall. Immergut, a Trump appointee, said she will issue a final order Friday. (Story URL)
The federal government will release about $4.65 billion in contingency funds to cover half of November’s SNAP benefits as the shutdown reaches day 34. However, that will only cover 50% of eligible households’ allotments. The USDA said it will not divert other funds to meet the full $9 billion monthly cost. Two judges have ruled the administration must continue SNAP payments despite the shutdown. (Story URL)
President Trump said in a 60 Minutes interview that he does not know Changpeng Zhao, the billionaire founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, whom he pardoned last month. He speculated, however, that Zhao may have been a victim of a so-called “Biden witch hunt.” Binance also recently helped fund a $2 billion purchase of a crypto company started by Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Jr. (Story URL)
Six people have died and 25 have been hospitalized in a nationwide listeria outbreak linked to recalled precooked pasta meals. The outbreak, first reported in June, prompted recalls of ready-to-eat pasta dishes containing pasta from supplier Nate’s Fine Foods. Listeria infection can cause serious illness, especially in older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. (Story URL)
The French government has warned Chinese retailer Shein it could face a ban after selling a “childlike” sex doll online. France’s consumer fraud agency said it received an anonymous report about the item. One ad showed a life-size doll of a little girl in a white dress holding a teddy bear. Shein said it removed the products and is strengthening internal controls. (Story URL)
