GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

A federal judge in Boston on Friday ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP as the government shutdown threatens food aid benefits for millions of Americans, ordering the White House to outline a plan to provide at least partial assistance starting Nov. 1.

We check in with local folklorist Jeff Belanger, talk with Hors d'Oeuvres about the F*ing Awesome Game Show and McGovern with Rep. Jim McGovern.

Today on The Rundown, panelists discuss the state of local elections around the 413, the local impact of losing SNAP benefits amidst the government shutdown and more.

The top five vote-getters will win seats as Springfield city councilors at large in Tuesday's election. All five incumbents from this term are running against three challengers.

Municipal elections in Westfield are non partisan, but 63-year-old Mayor Michael McCabe lists himself as a Republican, according to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. His opponent, 39-year-old Andrew Mullen is a Democrat, and has no record of donations or expenditures.

Western Mass voters head to the polls Nov. 4 as mayoral races heat up in Easthampton, Northampton, Westfield, West Springfield, and North Adams. We break down the contenders.

Millions of Americans could lose food assistance benefits under the program known as SNAP if action isn't taken before Saturday.

President Trump announced he would stop the federal program during the government shutdown — which no president has done before. Farmers and consumers say they are scared and angry.

Easthampton voters will choose whether the interim mayor, the interim mayor's executive assistant, or a city council member will take office.

Almost half of the households in Holyoke, Mass., depend on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Within days, those benefits are expected to run out as the federal government shutdown continues. City officials have announced several initiatives to help its many low income residents keep food on their table — without the federal assistance.