Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

NTD Plus

News

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

Middle Eastern Negotiating Style at Play With Iran, Says Expert

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

Add Your Spare Change, Broaden Your Life’s Possibilities: Economist on Trump Accounts

Daniel Monaghan is a reporter for NTD News covering culture, social issues, and education. He holds a BA in Political Science and Government.

Daniel Monaghan

Trump Warns Iran: Strike a Deal or Face Consequences

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

Russian Drone Crashes in Romania, Injuring 2

Duffy Reopens Columbus Circle, Announces $465M Revamp of DC's Union Station

Melina Wisecup is NTD's congressional correspondent based in Washington, covering Capitol Hill and campaign politics.

Melina Wisecup

Louisiana House Approves GOP-Friendly Map

Iris Tao is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. Prior to her work at the White House, Iris reported on U.S. politics and U.S.–China relations from NTD’s New York headquarters. She holds degrees in journalism and economics from Boston University.

Iris Tao

Trump Reviewing Possible Deal to Extend Iran Ceasefire

Rudy Blalock is a Southern California-based daily news reporter for NTD. Originally from Michigan, he moved to California in 2017 and the sunshine and ocean have kept him here since. In his free time, he may be found underwater scuba diving, on top of a mountain hiking or snowboarding, or at home meditating—which helps fuel his active lifestyle.

Rudy Blalock

US News

Texas Man Arrested After Threatening to Bomb Turning Point USA Event and Kill CEO Erika Kirk

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

Shrey Parikh Wins the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Beating Ishaan Gupta in Lightning Round

State News

Texas

Explosion and Fire at a Dallas Apartment Building Kills at Least 3 People, Including a Child

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 29)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 28)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 27)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 26)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 25)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 22)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 21)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 20)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 19)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 18)

California

More Than 17,000 Under Evacuation Orders as Southern California Wildfire Threatens Homes

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

40,000 Ordered to Evacuate as Chemical Tank Leaks, Threatens Explosion in California

Video of US Fighter Jet Shooting Down UFO Over Lake Huron Emerges in New Pentagon Files

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Government Sues Chick-fil-A Over Religious Rights

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

Sports News

Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Champion, Dies at 41

Haika Mrema

Medical Plane Crash in New Mexico Mountains Kills 4, Sparks Wildfire

California Mayor Resigns, Will Plead Guilty to Acting as Chinese Agent

Following a nearly two-week disruption caused by the government shutdown, food assistance benefits have started flowing again to millions of Americans—along with the enforcement of eligibility rules recently passed by Congress.

Tighter eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Congress approved earlier in July. Federal spending on the program will decline by an estimated $186 billion over the next decade, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/R/PDF/R48552/R48552.9.pdf">according</a> to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

While some states managed to provide partial benefits to recipients during the shutdown, others distributed nothing during the federal funding lapse. Now that operations have resumed, the USDA <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/obbb-qas-variance-exclusion">confirmed</a> on Friday that it will begin to enforce what was a Nov. 1 deadline for full compliance with the new eligibility restrictions.
<h2>Expanded Work Requirements</h2>
The most notable change affects able-bodied adults without dependents, who must now demonstrate they work at least 80 hours a month, attend school, or participate in job training in order to maintain their SNAP benefits, according to a USDA policy <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/obbb-abawd-exemptions-implementation">memo</a> dated Oct. 3 . Without meeting such criteria, recipients may only receive assistance for three months within a three-year period.

The age range subject to the work mandates has expanded. Previously limited to those 18 to 54, the requirement now applies to able-bodied adults through age 64, according to the Food and Nutrition Service.

Parents caring for children have also seen their exemptions narrowed. The previous exception for adults responsible for anyone under 18 now only covers those caring for children under 14.

Veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults aging out of foster care—all previously exempt from work requirements—must now meet the same standards as other recipients. These exemptions were temporarily added by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 but have been eliminated under the new law.

However, a new exemption has been created for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and certain Indigenous peoples as defined under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, who are not subject to the monthly time limit for work or school.

The changes took effect immediately when the law was enacted on July 4, though states received a 120-day grace period to implement the new rules without facing penalties for errors. That exclusion period ended on Nov. 1.
<h2>Immigrant Eligibility Restricted</h2>
The law also narrows food assistance eligibility to immigrants from certain nations, cutting off assistance to some individuals who are in the country legally.

Only U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, Cuban, and Haitian entrants, and citizens from nations in the Compact of Free Association may now receive benefits. The compact is a financial assistance agreement between the U.S. and Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau.

Lawful permanent residents—commonly known as green card holders—must wait five years before qualifying for SNAP, provided they meet other eligibility requirements. Some can qualify sooner if they are under 18 or have connections to the U.S. military.

Refugees, asylum recipients, and human trafficking survivors will all lose benefits under the new criteria unless they are from the above-mentioned nations, according to Oregon's Department of Human Services, which noted the policy changes in a <a href="https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/odhs-announces-federal-changes-to-snap-so-thousands-of-oregonians-impacted-can-prepare">memo</a>. It said the federal change will affect an estimated 3,000 people in Oregon.
<h2>States Face Financial Penalties</h2>
Another provision of the federal law requires states to manage the SNAP program with greater accuracy or face financial consequences.

Though SNAP receives federal funding, individual states administer the program. Beginning in fiscal year 2028, states with error rates exceeding 6 percent will begin losing federal funding. Starting Nov. 1, when the implementation grace period ended, every mistake will count toward that threshold.

Most states have much ground to cover before meeting the 6 percent target. According to <a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-fy24QC-PER.pdf">2024 data</a>, only eight states would qualify for full funding. Nationwide, the average error rate stood near 11 percent last year.

The Congressional Budget Office <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-08/61367-SNAP.pdf">projects</a> that, due to this cost shift—with states potentially having to partially fund SNAP benefits if their error rates exceed 6 percent—in an average month over the 2028-2034 period, states will collectively reduce or eliminate SNAP benefits for approximately 300,000 people.

Latest

Paywall Related

Videos

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

Free for Subscribers

Management

03_Featured

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.

SNAP

These Changes Now in Effect as SNAP Benefits Resume

FAA to End Flight Reduction Order, Return to Normal Operations Monday Morning

Lingering Thunderstorms Bring Flooding Risk After Atmospheric River Drenches Much of California

Jacob Burg reports on the state of Florida for The Epoch Times. He covers a variety of topics including crime, politics, science, education, wildlife, family issues, and features. He previously wrote about sports, politics, and breaking news for the Sarasota Herald Tribune.