Government shutdown endangers Head Start programs serving 65,000 children

The US government shutdown is causing the closure of around 140 Head Start programs, affecting approximately 65,000 children and low-income families who rely on these services for education, health, and nutrition. The shutdown, now in its early days, is also impacting SNAP benefits and other community services, with political disagreements delaying efforts to reopen the government. The situation highlights the broader social and economic challenges faced by vulnerable populations during government impasses.