## USDA cancels $11 million in federal funding for North Carolina food banks

Authored by wunc.org

The nonprofit Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is one of seven food banks that receives funding through federal programs like this one.

“Our portion of that would have been $2 million,” said Amy Beros, the nonprofit’s CEO.

“But statewide, it's an $11 million impact for the food banks across North Carolina.

She said the $2 million in federal funds the nonprofit would have received would go directly to farmers for the purchase of fresh food that’s then distributed across the 34 counties they serve.

These are neighbors across our counties that are in need, and this is going to be a huge impact economically.”.

Moving forward, the organization is looking for possible state funds to help mitigate the loss.

In the 34 counties that the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina serves, Beros said hunger has been steadily increasing in recent years. »

### Native American Suicide Rates Drop 43% in New Mexico

Authored by nativenewsonline.net

Newly published data from New Mexico shows a promising drop in deaths by suicide among the state’s Native American population.

The state saw a 43% decrease in Native American suicide rates from 2022 to 2023, according to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Center for Health Protection.

In 2011, following several suicide clusters — deaths by suicide that occur in a community in a short span of time — involving Native youth, New Mexico passed a set of bills to create a clearinghouse of culturally-centered Native American suicide prevention resources. »

### Grassroots Democratic group calls for Schumer to resign as minority leader

Authored by thehill.com

Pass the Torch, a grassroots Democratic group that called for former President Biden to step out of the 2024 presidential race, is now calling for Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to resign as minority leader.

“Chuck Schumer is unwilling and unable to meet the moment,” Pass the Torch said in a statement Friday.

The group said the Senate minority leader should resign “to make way for leaders who will actually fight for the American people.”. »

### Trump Orders US Military to Plan Invasion of Panama to Seize Canal: Report

Authored by commondreams.org

The officials explained that the likelihood of a U.S invasion depended on the level of cooperation shown by the Panamanian military.

Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out use of military force to seize control of the vital U.S.-built waterway, as well as Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.

"In short," Illueca added, "the way forward for Panama lies in replacing strategic dissonance with strategic clarity. »

### ‘An ideal tool’: prisons are using virtual reality to help people in solitary confinement

Authored by theguardian.com

Now released, Carlos Ortega went through the virtual reality program in March of last year while in solitary confinement at Corcoran state prison.

But prisons that have piloted the VR program report a 96% reduction in infractions from incarcerated participants in solitary confinement, according to Creative Acts.

However, participants said the small doses of virtual freedom and exposure to the outside world shifted their behaviors and perceptions more than solitary confinement ever did. »

## In pictures

## Also in the news

#### Star Wars: Hunters will be shut down later this year on October 1

#### I went to a GOP congressman's town hall. The rage over DOGE is a force to be reckoned with.

#### The depopulation of Ukraine

#### Elon Musk called a combat veteran a 'traitor.' No American should tolerate it. | Opinion

#### Trump tells Justice Department his win gives ‘mandate’ for ‘far reaching investigation’ into Democrats and news organizations