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The order on Friday temporarily blocked a lower court’s order that the Trump administration pay for a full month of food benefits, hours after some states began loading nutrition assistance funds on payment cards.

Aaron McNeil House, the Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Hopkinsville Brewing Co. and others are preparing to feed people affected by the disruption in SNAP benefits.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Memorial Building and ends at the Justice Center for a brief ceremony.

Chief Justice Debra Lambert said the judicial branch faces “serious challenges” when attracting and retaining qualified employees. 

In October, 645,461 used SNAP benefits to buy groceries in Kentucky. Those people are turning to food banks, which were already stretched thin in meeting the needs of a state with high rates of food insecurity and are now seeing even more visitors.

The candidates, both local business owners and Hopkinsville natives, will face off in the May 19 primary.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump walked back his administration’s plan to partially restore November food benefits during the ongoing government shutdown, saying on social media that payments through the SNAP would resume only when Democrats agree to reopen the government.

Mayor James R. Knight Jr.'s decision surprised council members who heard him caution against a tax cut two months ago.

Several community groups, led by Focus 21st Century Minority Leadership and Pennyrile Resources Conservation and Development Council, organized the forum.

The emergency funds, distributed through Feeding Kentucky’s network, are meant to provide short-term relief as demand surges statewide — though advocates note the aid can’t match the scale of federal support, which typically covers nine meals for every one provided by food pantries.

Following court orders to resume payments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will use $4.65 billion in contingency funds to cover roughly half of November’s SNAP benefits — but the money could take weeks or months to reach recipients.

Even as Kentuckians brace for delayed or reduced SNAP payments amid the ongoing federal shutdown, new federal rules are taking effect that expand who must meet work and reporting requirements to keep their benefits. Starting Nov. 1, most adults ages 18 to 64 — including veterans, the homeless, and former foster youth — must now document at least 80 hours of work or job training each month.