This Morning’s Top Headlines – Oct. 31 | Morning News NOW

Government Shutdown - The government shutdown is in its 31st day, causing frustration over missed paychecks and potential loss of food assistance [1] - President Trump urged GOP senators to use the "nuclear option" to eliminate the filibuster and pass a short-term funding bill with a simple majority [1][2][4] - Federal programs providing food to millions of low-income Americans are set to run out of money [4] - Some states are using state funds to bridge the gap in food assistance, with California deploying its National Guard to help food banks [8] School Shooting & Legal Implications - A former first-grade teacher testified about being shot by a six-year-old student, detailing the trauma and injuries sustained [12][13] - The civil trial focuses on whether the school's former assistant principal was negligent in acting on warnings about the student having a weapon [11][16] - The case is considered a "trailblazer case" that could establish new case law regarding responsibility in school shootings, particularly concerning school administrators [16][18][22] - As of Monday, there have been 64 school shootings in the US this year [22] Hurricane & Storm Impacts - Hurricane Melissa battered Jamaica, causing widespread destruction and leaving thousands of tourists stranded [26][27][31] - 90% of buildings in the hard-hit town of Black River had their roofs blown off [27] - Over 70% of Jamaica was still without power [30] - A deadly rainstorm impacted the Northeast, causing flash flooding and leading to at least three deaths [34] - Winds in Philadelphia reached up to 40 mph [35] - 53 million people were under wind advisories across parts of the Northeast, with winds expected to reach 40 to almost 50 mph [37]