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Top Headlines Today
The government shutdown has now stretched into its eighth day with no resolution in sight. The standoff continues as Democrats push to prolong Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Republicans remain firm, insisting that subsidy discussions should only occur once the government reopens. Meanwhile, President Trump has suggested that some of the approximately 600,000 federal employees currently furloughed might not receive back pay after the shutdown ends, despite a 2019 law designed to guarantee compensation for federal workers following such closures.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) reads a passage from his bible during a news conference on Capitol Hill on Oct. 7 in Washington, D.C. The government remains shut down after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement last week.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
- 🎧 According to NPR’s Domenico Montanaro on Up First, Democrats and Republicans appear locked in a high-stakes standoff. The administration believes it can weather the political fallout and place the blame on Democrats. Although the president has hinted at ongoing talks among congressional leaders, no concrete negotiations seem to be underway. Some Democrats have crossed party lines to vote for reopening the government, but the party remains largely unified in supporting the extension of subsidies, a position Republicans oppose.
The Federal Aviation Administration reports that a shortage of air traffic controllers is causing widespread delays at airports nationwide. The ongoing government shutdown has exacerbated this issue, forcing the FAA to reduce the number of flights it manages to maintain safety in the skies.
- 🎧 NPR’s Joel Rose explains that nearly 11,000 certified air traffic controllers are required to work without pay during the shutdown. During the 2019 shutdown, increased sick leave among controllers led to significant delays, especially at major East Coast airports, which contributed to the shutdown’s conclusion. Additionally, the Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes flights to rural airports, risks running out of funds as early as this weekend if the shutdown persists, potentially impacting nearly 170 communities reliant on this support.
Former FBI Director James Comey is scheduled to appear in federal court today to face arraignment on two felony counts: making false statements to Congress five years ago and obstructing a congressional inquiry. This development follows Attorney General Pam Bondi’s recent refusal to confirm whether she discussed potential charges against Comey with the president. During a lengthy Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Bondi defended the Justice Department’s impartiality and denied political motivations behind its investigations.
- 🎧 NPR’s Carrie Johnson notes that Comey is expected to plead not guilty in court. The indictment is brief, making it difficult to discern the precise evidence behind the charges. While President Trump will not attend the hearing, his role could be pivotal if Comey’s defense argues the prosecution is retaliatory, citing the president’s public hostility as a motive. This argument may be bolstered by Trump’s statements on social media and video footage.
Health & Wellness
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has introduced new recommendations requiring consultation with a healthcare professional before receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
Living Better is a special series exploring what it takes to maintain health in America.
The CDC has endorsed updated guidance for the latest COVID-19 vaccines, which may complicate efforts for many to stay protected this winter compared to previous seasons. The new protocol advises individuals to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination with a healthcare provider-such as a doctor or pharmacist-before getting the shot. This endorsement finalizes the implementation process, influencing who can administer and receive the vaccine, as well as insurance coverage without copays. Here’s what’s important to know amid ongoing confusion:
- 💉 Private and public insurers, including Medicaid and Medicare, will continue to cover the vaccine under the new guidelines.
- 💉 The recommendation clarifies that everyone aged six months and older is eligible for the COVID vaccine, encompassing healthy children, pregnant individuals, and younger adults.
- 💉 Some healthcare providers may hesitate or feel uncertain about administering the vaccine due to mixed messages and speculative safety concerns presented by the CDC’s advisory committee, which lack strong evidence.
- 💉 Other organizations, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, have issued separate guidance endorsing vaccination for most people six months and older.
Featured Series
Attendees celebrate Brenda Cazárez’s 40th birthday as Sonido Colombia performs in the Privada Cusco neighborhood of Monterrey, Mexico, on Aug. 12, 2023.
Ivan Kashinsky
Cumbia Across Latin America is a visual exploration of the people, places, and cultures that sustain this vibrant music genre across six countries.
Monterrey, Mexico, is renowned for its “sonideros”-DJs who specialize in curating collections of cumbia and tropical music. Originating in the 1960s, these DJs continue to energize clubs and street celebrations today. Historically, cumbia was stigmatized as gang-associated music, especially in low-income and migrant neighborhoods known as colonias, with Colonia Independencia at the heart of this culture. During that period, youth territorial disputes often involved graffiti featuring cumbia lyrics. Discover more about cumbia’s cultural impact in Monterrey and view captivating images of sonideros bringing their passion to the streets. The article is also available in Spanish.
Three Things to Know Before You Go
Mike Sida (left) and Wayne Schneider, manager and associate at the West Broad Street Lowe’s in Richmond, Va., pose with Francine the cat. Francine, who went missing on Sept. 18, was found Monday morning at a distribution center in Garysburg, N.C.
Lowe’s
- Francine, a beloved cat residing at a Lowe’s store in Richmond, Virginia, returned home Monday after a two-week adventure in North Carolina. Her journey gained attention through an Instagram account dedicated to updates on her search. (via VPM)
- In Aroostook County, Maine, it’s a longstanding tradition for students to take time off school each fall to assist with the potato harvest, a practice dating back to the 1940s. (via Maine Public)
- New research challenges popular beliefs about Ernest Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, disputing its reputation as one of the best-built vessels of its era and suggesting it did not sink due to rudder loss while trapped in sea ice.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
