Tag Archives: Politics

US airlines cancel more than 2,500 weekend flights largely due to government shutdown

US airlines cancel more than 2,500 weekend flights largely due to government shutdown

U.S. airlines have canceled more than 2,500 weekend flights mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic. The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports will head into its third day Sunday. So far there have not been any widespread disruptions. FlightAware reports that cancellations jumped Saturday to more than 1,500, following just over 1,000 the previous day. By Saturday evening airlines already had canceled another 1,000-plus Sunday flights.… Continue Reading

Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments

Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments

BOSTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown. A judge had given the Republican administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. But the administration asked an appeals court to suspend any court orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund. After the appeals court declined to immediately intervene, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued an order late Friday pausing the requirement to distribute full SNAP payments until the appeals court rules on whether to issue a more lasting pause.… Continue Reading

Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November

Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November

A federal judge in Rhode Island has ordered the Trump administration to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November. The ruling Thursday was in response to a challenge from cities and nonprofits complaining that the administration was only offering to cover 65% of the maximum benefit. The Trump administration said last month that it would not pay benefits at all for November because of the federal shutdown. Last week, two judges ordered the government to pay at least partial benefits using an emergency fund.… Continue Reading

Most major US airports are among 40 targeted for shutdown flight cuts

Most major US airports are among 40 targeted for shutdown flight cuts

Airports in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago along with hubs across the U.S. are among the 40 that will see flights cut starting Friday due to the government shutdown, according to a list distributed to the airlines and obtained by The Associated Press. The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown. Airlines said they would try to minimize the impact on travelers. United Airlines said it would focus the cuts on smaller regional routes that use smaller planes. Passengers should start to be notified about cancellations Thursday.… Continue Reading

North Carolina’s largest city reelects mayor after fallout over train stabbing

North Carolina’s largest city reelects mayor after fallout over train stabbing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Voters in Charlotte, North Carolina, have reelected Democratic Mayor Vi Lyles after safety concerns in the city increased following a recent stabbing on a commuter train. Lyles won comfortably on Tuesday against Republican and Libertarian challengers. The August killing of a young Ukrainian woman sparked outrage and intensified the focus on crime during the campaign. The Republican-controlled state legislature passed a law in September addressing some criminal justice issues stemming from what happened. Lyles has highlighted additional safety measures for the light rail system. Charlotte hasn’t elected a Republican mayor since 2007.… Continue Reading

Talks to end the government shutdown intensify as federal closure is on track to become longest ever

Talks to end the government shutdown intensify as federal closure is on track to become longest ever

WASHINGTON (AP) — Signs of a potential end to the government shutdown are intensifying with behind-the-scenes talks. This comes as the federal closure, now in its 35th day, is on track to become the longest ever disrupting the lives of millions of Americans. Senators from both parties are quietly negotiating the contours of an emerging deal to reopen the government and resolve the stalemate over health care funds for insurance subsidies. President Donald Trump has largely been absent. He threatened Tuesday no more SNAP food aid unless the government reopens, but his spokeswoman said the administration is releasing the funds in line with court orders. Tuesday’s elections across the U.S. provide an inflection point to bring an end to the shutdown.… Continue Reading

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns of ‘mass chaos’ in skies if shutdown continues

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns of ‘mass chaos’ in skies if shutdown continues

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted Tuesday that there could be chaos in the skies next week if the government shutdown drags on and air traffic controllers miss a second paycheck. The FAA slows down or even stops flights temporarily anytime it is short on controllers or if there is an equipment problem. There have already been numerous delays at airports across the country — sometimes hours long — during the shutdown. Duffy warned that the situation will only get worse the longer the shutdown continues and the financial pressure continues to grow on people who are forced to work without pay. FAA employees already missed one paycheck on Oct. 28. Their next payday is scheduled for next Tuesday.… Continue Reading

Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history, dies at 84

Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history, dies at 84

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President George W. Bush says Dick Cheney was a “decent, honorable man” whose death is “a loss to the nation.” Cheney’s family says he died Monday of complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. Bush said Tuesday history will remember his vice president “as among the finest public servants of his generation.” Cheney was a hard-charging conservative who became one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents and a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq. Cheney led the armed forces as defense chief during the Persian Gulf War under President George H.W. Bush before returning to public life as vice president under the younger Bush.… Continue Reading

Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings

Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings

President Donald Trump’s administration says it will partially fund the SNAP food aid program after a pair of judges’ rulings required the payments to continue. That means grocery aid will resume for 1 in 8 Americans, though it has been delayed for millions already and the amount beneficiaries receive will be reduced. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would not continue the funding in November due to the government shutdown. Two federal judges ruled last week that the government was required to keep the program running. But both gave the administration leeway to pay for it entirely or partially. It can normally take up two two weeks to load beneficiaries’ debit cards.… Continue Reading

Recent News

Powered By SoCast