EVERY DAY, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you need to know with your morning cup of coffee.

1. #SVP: There has been an increase in the number of people seeking help from the Society of St Vincent de Paul over the cost of their energy bills. [RTE]

2. #SHUTDOWN: The US shutdown has entered its third day with neither side willing to budge on the issue.

3. #HOMELESSNESS: A new report looking at how people end up being homeless finds that two-thirds of homeless people in Cork have mental health conditions.

4. #CLAIMS: The State Claims Agency spent €160,000 last years investigating fraudulent claims.

5. #SEANAD WIN: The government was defeated in a Seanad vote last night on the issue of upward only rent reviews, largely due to the absence of a number of senators. Watch it here.

6. #POLLING: Andrew Doyle TD wants polling hours to be set from 7am to 10pm stating that the variation in polling hours in some elections is causing confusion and resulting in potential lower turnouts.

7. #WEATHER: Conditions outside are pretty grim. There are reports of heavy traffic, power failures and gardaí are warning motorists to drive with care.

8. #MATERNITY: The Master of the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street has said that any further cuts will put mums at risk. [The Independent]

9. #MICHAEL JACKSON: The family of the deceased singer have lost their wrongful death lawsuit against his tour promoter.