"We, as state officials, have a duty to step up and lead so that innocent children and disabled and low-income adults do not go hungry or lose vital aid when our state has the means to help them," said House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

The U.S. government shutdown is affecting everything from state unemployment reports to food stamps and the judiciary, forcing U.S. Attorney’s offices in Tennessee to scale back workers while causing a bit of sniping by state lawmakers.

House Democrats are asking Gov. Bill Lee to call a special session to approve funding for federal food and energy programs as 690,000 Tennesseans face the prospects of losing November benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known a

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