Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. The Trump administration says it will restart food benefits during the government's shutdown.

People will only get half of their normal amount, and it could be a while before they get that money, as NPR's Jennifer Ludden explains.

I will say this money, the way it goes out is complicated. It goes from the federal government to states, then through

contractors onto the debit-like cards that people use to buy food. And recalculating for partial payments

does take time. But in its court filing, the administration said it could be weeks, if not

months, especially it said, in some states with decades-old systems. So it leaves this

possibility that people in some states might see benefits before others. NPR's Jennifer

Lutton. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine says she's hopeful that bipartisan negotiations

will end the shutdown. Maine Public Radio's Kevin Miller reports.

Collins says a group of Democrats and Republicans are trying to, quote, chart a path forward to end the month later. shutdown. Main Public Radio's Kevin Miller reports. once government reopens. Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, hopes of

voting the shutdown will happen by weeks end. I don't want to create false hopes out there,

but that is based on discussions that I've had with numerous Democrats as recently as last night,

as well as with my Republican colleagues.

Republican and Democratic leaders would have to endorse any deal.

For NPR news, I'm Kevin Miller.

More than 20 Democrat-led states are suing the Trump administration for new restrictions to the

public service loan forgiveness program.

The rule blocks non-profit and government workers from the program.

If federal officials determine their employer has a, quote, substantial illegal purpose,

states argue the administration has overstepped its authority. Officials in Michigan say they

thwarted a potential ISIS-inspired attack on Halloween. Two men are facing terrorism charges,

as NPR's Ryan Lucas reports.

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