Melissa's Trail Of Destruction, Government Shutdown SNAP Blame, Trump Orders Nuclear Testing, Fed Lowers Interest Rates

Today on America in the Morning Melissa’s Trail Of Destruction Hurricane Melissa is heading northeast into the Atlantic, but not before leaving dozens dead in the Caribbean, hundreds of thousands without power in Cuba, and in Jamaica, damage on an unimaginable scale after slicing through the island as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with destruction that will take many months to assess. Correspondent Rich Johnson reports. Government Shutdown SNAP Blame As the government shutdown continues, lawmakers are turning up the heat and casting blame on the other party over the pending shutdown of food stamp funding at the end of this week. John Stolnis has more from Washington. Trump Order US Nuclear Testing Following the second test of a nuclear-powered weapon by Russia this week, President Trump has ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing. America in the Morning’s Jeff McKay reports from Washington. Illinois Verdict Reached An Illinois jury reached a verdict in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, the woman shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy after she called 9-1-1. Correspondent Jennifer King reports. Attorney Trouble In California A Trump-appointed US Attorney in California has been illegally serving in his role, according to a Federal Judge. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports. National Guard Deployment Extended The Pentagon is saying that National Guard troops will remain mobilized in Washington, DC at least through February. Latest On Hurricane Melissa Hurricane Melissa roared through Cuba as a Category 3 storm leaving hundreds of thousands in the dark before moving through a section of the Bahamas as a weakened Category 1 as it heads out into the Atlantic. Before it hit Cuba, it slammed into Jamaica as the strongest-ever hurricane to hit that island nation. Correspondent Donna Warder reports it will take months and even years for some parts of Jamaica to recover, costing billions to rebuild. Fed Approves Rate Cut As expected, the Federal Reserve approved a second straight interest rate cut, but while President Trump wants more cuts before the end of the year, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell signaled that this may be the last one for 2025. Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports. Trump Meets Xi Today President Trump's trip to Asia concludes today after a meeting with China's President, but also includes some controversy after North Korea conducted a missile test as the president was meeting Wednesday with the leader of South Korea. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports trade and tariffs will be the top topics as Trump meets with Chinese President Xi. Shutdown Voter Frustration As the government shutdown continues with no signs of ending, Republican members of Congress are grappling with voter frustration over rising health care premiums, as well as concerns over food subsidies going away in the coming hours. Lisa Dwyer reports. Virginia & Maryland Talk Redistricting Two states that border Washington, DC have reached two different conclusions where it comes to congressional redistricting. Pay In The WNBA The top women’s hoops league featuring star Caitlin Clark is prolonging a bargaining period amid player unrest. Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices