S&P 500 hits record high as government shutdown threatens SNAP benefits in Houston area

The rally follows new data showing inflation slowed more than expected, fueling optimism that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates next week. But the positive economic news comes as the federal government shutdown threatens to leave millions of Americans without Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November — including more than 877,000 people across the Houston area. Those benefits help families pay for basic groceries, including ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner.