Minnesota has halted the approval of new #SNAP applications after federal funding for November expired. Officials warn the pause could jeopardize access to food assistance for thousands of vulnerable households. Source: #MinnesotaReformer #AccessPress #Minnesota #hunger #policy #publicservices

When public services for independent living are framed as optional, people with disabilities risk being erased from civic life. Supporting these programs is not special treatment — it’s part of how communities stay inclusive and resilient. Source: #MinnPost #AccessPress #Minnesota #disabilityts

A commentary on Minnesota’s disability services system urges major reforms to enable greater independence for people with disabilities, highlighting service gaps and systemic barriers in current models. Source: #GrandRapidsMN #AccessPress #Minnesota #DisabilityRights #IndependentLiving

A new video from the #Minnesota DHS outlines upcoming federal changes to #Medicaid, also known as #MedicalAssistance in the state. Most changes begin in 2027 and affect adults ages 21–64 without children or disabilities. Source: #MinnesotaDHS buff.ly/marzVIK #AccessPress #Minnesota

A new KFF analysis shows wide disparities in Medicaid spending per enrollee across states and eligibility groups. States that expanded #Medicaid under the# ACA generally spend more per person, particularly for individuals with disabilities and older adults. Source: #KFF #AccessPress #HealthPolicy

The Minnesota Department of Health is seeking applicants for its Health Equity Advisory Leadership Council for the 26–28 term. The council advises on equity issues impacting communities statewide. Applications due by Nov. 7. Source: #MinnesotaDepartmentofHealth buff.ly/z20EH5r #AccessPress

#NorthDakota is advancing efforts to support disability inclusion by strengthening care services and improving accessibility across communities. Officials emphasize the importance of collaboration among state agencies, nonprofits, and local stakeholders. Source: #KXNet buff.ly/h0ERgDU #AccessPress

#Wisconsin has secured one year of funding to restore a deafblind technical assistance program that was abruptly defunded under the Trump administration. The program supports approximately 170 children. Source: #MilwaukeeJournalSentinel #AccessPress #DeafBlind #SpecialEducation #DisabilitySupport

A Minnesota Reformer article explores proposals by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to add autism to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program’s list of automatically covered conditions. #AccessPress #Vaccines #PublicHealth #Autism #VCIP #HealthPolicy

The shutdown is stalling the release of inflation data critical to determining Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, leaving millions of beneficiaries in limbo. A 2.7% increase is projected, but confirmation is delayed. Source: #Denver7 #AccessPress #SocialSecurity

The Minnesota Council on Disability is marking White Cane Day to celebrate the independence and self-reliance of people who are blind or have visual impairments. Source: #MinnesotaCouncilonDisability #AccessPress #Minnesota #DisabilityRights #WhiteCaneDay #BlindCommunity #Accessibility

A CIDRAP op‑ed criticizes the #CDC acting director’s call to separate the #MMR vaccine into individual vaccines, arguing that doing so would weaken medical evidence, decrease vaccination completion rates, and introduce logistical challenges. #AccessPress #Vaccines #PublicHealth #Immunization

A BMJ study using genetic analysis finds that increased #alcohol use is linked to higher #dementia risk. Contrary to earlier research suggesting moderate drinking might be protective. Source: #BMJEvidenceBasedMedicine buff.ly/9tY6T56 #AccessPress #AlcoholUse #BrainHealth #PublicHealth

Access Press is Minnesota’s go-to source for disability-related news, events, and resources. Subscribe to stay informed and connected to the statewide disability community. buff.ly/0rdgsxK #AccessPress #DisabilityNews #Minnesota #MN #MinnesotaNews #DisabilityResources

A new proposal would tighten #SocialSecurity disability eligibility rules, making it harder, especially for older adults, to qualify for benefits. The changes could reduce #SSDI approval rates by up to 20 percent overall and 30 percent among older claimants. Source: #AmericanProgress #AccessPress

A special education teacher argues that AI-driven assistive tools such as voice-to-text, reading aloud features, and adaptive lesson generation can help fulfill the promise of inclusion for students with disabilities. Source: #PBS #AccessPress #EducationTech #DisabilityInclusion #SpecialEd #AITools

St. Louis County officials in northern Minnesota are closely monitoring the impact of the federal shutdown on programs such as #SNAP and #WIC. Source: #WDIO #AccessPress #Minnesota #PublicHealth #HomelessnessSupport

Mandan High School in North Dakota has been designated a national banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics, recognizing its efforts to foster inclusion for students with and without intellectual disabilities. Source: #KXNews #AccessPress #NorthDakota #InclusiveEducation #SpecialOlympics

The Autism Society of Minnesota is facing a $500,000 budget shortfall due to policy and funding changes. They have made staff cuts and program adjustments, and warn that services could be reduced or eliminated if funds aren't raised by December 31. Source: #KARE11 #AccessPress #Minnesota #autism

The Wisconsin Institute for Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia is expanding its diagnostic services to reach more learners affected by dyslexia and related learning disabilities. Source: #Channel3000 #AccessPress #Wisconsin #Dyslexia #LearningDisabilities #EducationAccess #Nonprofit

Federal budget gridlock is causing anxiety for Minnesota state employees who rely on federal funding, particularly those involved in processing disability claims. They warn delays—even of days—could cascade into months of harm to those waiting for care. Source: #knoxradio #AccessPress #Minnesota

#Disability advocates in #Wisconsin are advocating for the option to request, mark, and submit ballots online, allowing citizens with disabilities to vote independently and privately. #WSAW #AccessPress #Wisconsin #VotingRights #DisabilityAccess #ElectionPolicy #CivicInclusion

A “History & Future of Public Lands” seminar is set for Oct. 16 at UND’s Gorecki Alumni Center, featuring longtime park official Walt Dabney and facilitated by former Theodore Roosevelt National Park superintendent Valerie Naylor. Source: #GrandForksHerald #AccessPress #NorthDakota #Conservation

#SueAbderholden, executive director at #NAMI #Minnesota, shares perspectives on mental health advocacy, gaps in care, and her vision for statewide support in a recent TwinCities interview. Source: #TwinCities #AccessPress MentalHealth #NonprofitLeadership

The federal government is in shutdown, causing sweeping furloughs and service disruptions. Minnesota is seeing impacts in areas such as national parks, federal programs, and administrative offices. Source: #MinnPost #AccessPress #Minnesota #GovernmentShutdown #PublicServices #FederalFunding

David M. Perry has joined the Star Tribune's new freelance opinion columnist roster. A historian and journalist, Perry often writes about disability issues, informed by his experience as a parent of children with Down syndrome and autism. Source: #StarTribune #AccessPress #DavidMPerry #StarTribune

University of Minnesota researchers have secured a $2.2 million NIH “High Risk, High Reward” grant to study “SuperAgers," individuals 75 and older who resist the usual cognitive decline. Source: #StarTribune #AccessPress #Minnesota #AgingResearch #Neuroscience #Longevity #HealthScience

Social Security and SSI recipients will see “double” payments in October: one on Oct. 1 and another on Oct. 31, because Nov. 1 falls on a weekend. The article notes this isn’t an extra benefit — it’s a timing adjustment due to the calendar. Source: #FOX9 #AccessPress #Minnesota #SocialSecurity #SSI

The #Trump administration warns that if the federal government remains in shutdown past October, there won’t be enough funding to issue full #SNAP / food stamps for November. States are instructed to hold benefit distributions. Source: #Axios #AccessPress #WashingtonDC #FoodSecurity #ShutdownRisks

Hennepin County is moving to retake direct governance of HCMC amid persistent financial losses as the hospital struggles to cover operating costs. Source: #StarTribune #AccessPress #Minnesota #HealthCare #PublicHospitals #MinnCounty #MinnPolicy

In both South Carolina and Minnesota, authorities have quarantined hundreds of students after measles exposures in recent outbreaks. Health experts warn declining vaccination rates put U.S. measles control at risk. Source: #NBCNews #AccessPress #Minnesota #SouthCarolina #Vaccines #InfectiousDisease

Nearly all staff in the Education Dept.’s #SpecialEducation office have been laid off under the ongoing shutdown, leaving just one or two employees, union sources say. The cuts raise serious questions about compliance. Source: #USAToday #AccessPress #DC #FederalLayoffs

A CBS #Minnesota segment explores how partners can more effectively support someone living with mental illness, offering guidance on communication, empathy, and shared coping strategies. Source: #CBS #AccessPress #MentalHealth

This weekend, Duluth landmarks including Enger Tower, the DECC, and several downtown buildings will be lit teal to mark the Light Duluth Teal Gala, an effort to raise awareness and support for ovarian cancer. #AccessPress #Minnesota #OvarianCancer #Awareness #CommunityEvent

The Twin Cities “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” has been ranked the top event of its kind nationwide, drawing thousands of participants who raised more than $1.2 million to support research, education, and care services. Source: #KARE11 #AccessPress #Minnesota #Alzheimers #CommunityFundraising

Newly released Medicare plan options in MN show steep premium increases, on average, about 18% raising concerns among beneficiaries about the ability to keep their current doctors. With UCare exiting the Medicare Advantage market next year, 158,000 residents will need to switch plans. Source: #KSTP

Minnesota health officials have confirmed 10 new cases of measles since Sept. 29, all in the Twin Cities metro, bringing the statewide total for 2025 to 18. #AccessPress #Minnesota #Measles #PublicHealth #Vaccination #InfectiousDisease

The Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously ruled that counties must pay legal fees for mentally ill defendants who file petitions to force the state to place them into treatment facilities. #AccessPress #Minnesota #CriminalJustice #MentalHealth #CountyLaw

In an interview with TIME, epidemiologist Michael Osterholm argues that the U.S. is now less prepared for the next pandemic than it was before COVID‑19. Source: #TIME #AccessPress #PublicHealth #PandemicPreparedness #SciencePolicy #HealthSecurity

Minnesota’s in-home disability services program is facing collapse as 11 providers have had their payments halted amid new “kickback” rules and regulatory uncertainty. Source: #KSTP #AccessPress #Minnesota #DisabilityServices #StatePolicy #CareSupports

A new COVID‑19 variant, JN.1, has been detected in ND, with reports of some unusual symptoms like sleep troubles and anxiety alongside more typical signs like cough and fatigue. Source: #SuperTalk1270 #AccessPress #NorthDakota #COVID #PublicHealth #HealthAlert

A new meta‑trial suggests that inhaled (nebulized) unfractionated #heparin significantly lowers the risk of needing mechanical ventilation or dying in hospitalized COVID‑19 patients, compared to standard care alone. #AccessPress #MedicalResearch #COVID #RespiratoryTherapy #PublicHealth

Stay informed with Access Press, Minnesota's go-to source for disability-related news, events, and resources. Subscribe today to stay connected. buff.ly/UdVCCYQ #AccessPress #DisabilityNews #Minnesota #MN #MinnesotaNews #Disabilities #DisabilityResources

Hamline University has received a $1.2 million federal grant to enhance support services for first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities. Source: #HamlineUniversity buff.ly/OpIJ4zk #AccessPress #Minnesota #HigherEd #DisabilitySupport #TRIOPrograms #EducationEquity

“Reading Rainbow,” the beloved children’s literacy series, is returning after nearly 20 years with librarian and literacy advocate Mychal Threets as the new host. Source: #KARE11 #AccessPress #ReadingRainbow #Literacy #Children #Education

Grand Forks city and business leaders anticipate a minimal immediate local impact from the federal shutdown, with core city services expected to continue and transit operations to remain operational pending reimbursement. #AccessPress #NorthDakota #GovernmentShutdown #FederalServices

MN officials are assessing the fallout from a federal government shutdown, pointing to risks for federal employees and nutrition‑assistance programs. State leaders say there's enough reserves to cover #SNAP and #WIC to October. Source: #DuluthNewsTribune #AccessPress #Minnesota #FederalShutdown

Some WI residents with disabilities say that recent policy changes are eroding decades of progress in access, care, and inclusion. Source: #MilwaukeeJournalSentinel buff.ly/HPwD4fl #AccessPress #Wisconsin #DisabilityRights #SocialProgress #PolicyImpact

The federal government shutdown could affect up to 35,000 workers in Minnesota, including federal, military, and postal employees. While TSA and air-traffic control staff would continue working without pay, many others could face furloughs. Source: #KSTP #AccessPress #Minnesota #FederalWorkers

In October 2025, Social Security payments will be distributed on October 3, 8, 15, and 22, depending on birth date. SSI recipients will receive two payments—October 1 and October 31—because November 1 falls on a weekend. Source: #FOX9 #AccessPress #SocialSecurity #PublicBenefits #IncomeSupport