soybeans

When conservative politicians push for work requirements as a condition of receiving food benefits, they often argue that food banks can step in to fill any gaps created if people lose government assistance. But as the holiday season kicks into high gear - traditionally a high point for giving - the shelves at many Louisiana food banks are bare, partly because food assistance has been going to areas that were hit by recent disasters. Gov. John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards are calling for donations.

Number of the Day

$1.44 trillion - The amount of outstanding student loan debt in America, an increase of $37 billion in the third quarter of 2018. (Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York via Bloomberg)