This is an L.A. Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Faith Pino from L.A. Times Studios in Washington, D.C.

Here are some of today's top stories from the Los Angeles Times.

The Trump administration moved to block a court order Friday, requiring it to fully fund

food stamps during the government shutdown.

According to reporters, the appeal comes less than 24 hours after a federal judge ordered

the administration to pay out all November snap benefits.

Judge John McConnell, Jr. of Rhode Island said cutting payments

to 65 percent would cause serious harm to low-income families. But the administration appealed

the ruling, asking a higher court to halt it. The White House argued that the judge's order

violates the Constitution by forcing the government

to spend money that Congress hasn't yet approved.

About 42 million Americans rely on SNAP.

The program costs $9 billion a month, and officials say emergency funds alone can't cover

it.

Still, some states aren't waiting.

Wisconsin officials said full benefits were already loaded overnight for some residents,

while Michigan says it's ready to distribute payments as soon as federal funds are released.

Republicans are calling the judges ruling government overreach, but Democrats call it a lifeline

for families struggling to

eat during the record long shutdown. Meanwhile, the appeals court could decide as early as this

weekend whether the administration must follow through on payments. And with the holiday

...