Government shutdown will be the longest in history
Zach Schermelet reported from Capitol Hill as the shutdown exceeded 35 days, the longest period on record.
The federal government is in its 38th day of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, furloughing about 750,000 federal employees, putting thousands more to work without pay and cutting off food assistance to millions of Americans. Starting Friday, Nov. 7, airports across the United States are preparing to cut flights due to lack of pay for air traffic controllers.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on a revised budget on Friday, a sign of some progress after Republicans introduced a new proposal that includes a year’s worth of funding for food aid, military construction and veterans affairs, as well as short-term stopgap funding.
But even if Senate Democrats and Republicans reach a deal this week to reopen the government, the bill would still need House approval before President Donald Trump can sign it into law.
more: How did the last shutdown end? President Trump broke his own record, but what did he say at the end?
Is the government still closed?
Yes, the federal government has remained largely shut down since shortly after midnight on October 1st.
With the exception of military personnel and some Department of Homeland Security employees, who were paid on October 15 and October 31, other federal employees remained unpaid during the shutdown. The last partial paycheck on Oct. 10 included hours worked before the shutdown.
Are SNAP benefits issued?
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully cover this month’s food aid to 42 million low-income Americans by Nov. 7 and halt plans to cut benefits during the government shutdown.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island accused the administration of withholding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, known as SNAP or food stamps, for “political reasons” and ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund the program so people receive 100% of their benefits.
The Trump administration has appealed McConnell’s ruling, but it remains unclear whether SNAP benefits will be paid in full as ordered by the judge.
more: SNAP recipients can receive up to two-thirds of their promised benefits.
What’s happening with US flights?
The US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered flight reductions at major airports due to a shortage of air traffic controllers due to the shutdown.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Nov. 5 ordered 40 major U.S. airports, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, to begin reducing flights by 10% starting Friday, impacting both commercial and cargo services.
On Nov. 6, the FAA revised its plan, saying airlines must begin cutting 4% on domestic flights starting Friday at 6 a.m. ET and expand to a full 10% cut by Nov. 14.
What do Democrats and Republicans want from reopening the government?
Democrats want to secure tax breaks for the 24 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act, but have refused to support government spending bills that do not address the issue.
Senate Democrats want to make the tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of the year, permanent and provide reassurance to prevent the Trump administration from temporarily withholding funds.
Republicans and the president have said they are open to considering fixes to the expiring ACA tax cuts, but want the issue to be addressed separately from the ongoing budget impasse.
Contributors: USA TODAY’s Joey Garrison, Trevor Hughes, Bert Jansen, Melina Kahn, Kathryn Palmer, Rebecca Morin, James Powell, Mark Ramirez, Zachary Charmelet, Zach Wictor, Mary Walrus-Holdridge, Sarah D. Wyer, Kathleen Wong and N’Dare Yancey-Bragg. and Reuters
When Dubai released its State of AI report in April 2025, identifying more than 100 high-impact AI use cases, the emirate was not just showing off its technological prowess, it was making a calculated bet that speed, not spend, would determine which cities would win the global race for AI-powered governance.
In an exclusive interview, Matar Al Hemeiri, Chief Executive of Digital Dubai Government Establishment, revealed how Dubai’s approach to AI government efficiency is fundamentally different from both regional competitors and established Asian tech hubs, and why the Emirate believes its rapid adoption model combined with a binding ethical framework will ultimately provide a blueprint that other governments will follow.
While neighboring Abu Dhabi announced a $4.8 billion investment to become the world’s first fully AI-powered government by 2027, Dubai has taken a different path. “Abu Dhabi’s investments are focused on building end-to-end AI-powered government infrastructure,” Al Hemeiri explained. “Dubai’s model is to incorporate AI ethics, interoperability, and explainability into a scalable governance framework.”
The results are already visible. DubaiAI, a city-wide AI-powered virtual assistant, currently provides information on over 180 public services. This represents one of the most comprehensive government AI chatbot deployments globally. The system handles 60% of the government’s routine inquiries and reduces operational costs by 35%.
But Al Hemeiri refuted the argument that AI automation necessarily means job losses. “Automation frees employees from repetitive, information-intensive tasks,” he said. “Employees are being reskilled and redeployed to higher-value roles such as AI oversight, service design, and strategic policy work.”
Timing couldn’t be more important. Al Hemeiri said Dubai’s growing population is causing a “significant surge in demand for government services,” making AI-enabled efficiencies not just a competitive advantage but an operational necessity.
Speed as a strategy: months from pilot to deployment
What sets Dubai apart when it comes to AI government efficiency is not just what it builds, but how quickly it deploys it. “In Dubai, activities begin as soon as an AI initiative is announced and move from pilot to implementation within a few months, which is much faster than global standards,” Al Hemeiri highlighted.
This claim is supported by numbers. In 2025, more than 96% of government agencies will have at least one AI solution in place, and 60% of users surveyed prefer AI-supported services.
Dubai, which is benchmarking itself against leading smart cities such as Singapore, Berlin, Helsinki and Tallinn, argues that integrating AI ethics directly into procurement and deployment will give it a decisive advantage.
“Our competitiveness lies in the speed at which Dubai operationalizes ethics,” Al Hemeiri said, referring to the common criticism that AI governance frameworks are purely theoretical. “AI policy is not a theoretical framework; it is a set of binding principles and technical requirements that apply to all AI deployments across government.”
This approach is based on the Ethical AI Toolkit, launched in 2019, making Dubai one of the few cities in the world where ethical compliance is embedded from procurement to performance evaluation.
Beyond chatbots: healthcare, energy, and predictive services
While DubaiAI grabs the headlines, Al Hemeiri pointed out that lesser-known implementations are having measurable impact. AI models can now detect chronic diseases such as diabetes earlier, and predictive algorithms have improved audit systems within Dubai Health Authority.
In energy infrastructure, smart grids powered by real-time AI predictive tools are optimizing consumption and reducing environmental impact. The most ambitious project currently in development is Dubai’s Predictive Public Service Platform, which uses integrated data and AI to predict citizens’ needs, from automatic license renewals to preventive health notifications.
“We have started work on building this project and are targeting full deployment in the early 2030s,” Al Hemeiri revealed. Elements of this vision are already being tested through AI-enabled urban planning tools and city-wide digital twins that simulate policy outcomes before implementation.
Data sovereignty: a hybrid model of China and GDPR
Dubai’s approach to data governance provides a middle path between China’s strict localization requirements and the EU’s GDPR framework. “Dubai’s model offers a hybrid: anonymized national data remains within Dubai’s jurisdiction based on strong sovereign law, but can be shared securely between organizations with user consent for government services through UAE Pass, the country’s official digital identity platform,” Al Hemeiri explained.
The key differentiator is Dubai’s adoption of synthetic data frameworks. “This will enable the development and testing of AI systems at scale while protecting privacy and maintaining compliance with Dubai’s data sovereignty requirements,” he said. This approach allows for faster innovation cycles while addressing privacy issues that have hindered AI development in other jurisdictions.
The startup sandbox: true integration, not just deregulation
While Dubai positions itself as a testing ground for AI startups, Al Hemeiri argued that the emirate offers more than regulatory flexibility. “The Dubai AI Sandbox combines regulatory flexibility with direct access to government datasets and real-world testing environments,” he said.
One of the medical diagnostic startups being piloted in the Dubai sandbox has already integrated its AI triage tools into Dubai Health Authority’s services.
“Our ecosystem operates as an interconnected digital operating system, allowing startups in the sandbox to test solutions that seamlessly integrate with other city services, from mobility innovations like the Dubai Loop and eVTOL air taxis to healthcare AI diagnostics,” Al Hemeiri explained.
Turn world attention into economic profit
Dubai AI Week 2025 attracted participants from 100 countries and brought together partnerships with Meta, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. But Al Hemeiri maintained that the emirate is focused on converting attention into tangible results.
“We have established post-event working groups with each of these partners to identify and accelerate joint projects,” he said, citing AI upskilling programs, research and development collaborations, and pilots in healthcare, mobility, and urban planning.
These partnerships feed directly into Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, which aims to generate Dh100 billion annually from digital innovation. The State of AI report predicts that AI could contribute more than Dh235 billion to Dubai’s economy by 2030. This figure represents almost 20% of the economic expansion targeted by the Emirate of Dubai.
Quiet victories and future risks
When asked about efforts to deliver value without media fanfare, Al Hemeiri highlighted the UN Cityverse Challenge, co-led by Digital Dubai and global partners. The challenge brings together innovators to design AI-powered solutions for inclusive public services and sustainability.
He also mentioned Dubai Future Foundation’s autonomous delivery robots, which are already being piloted on Dubai’s streets to improve last-mile delivery efficiency while reducing congestion and emissions.
As for the risks, Al Hemeiri said bluntly: “The biggest risk is scaling up without sufficient oversight.” Dubai is mitigating this through ongoing system audits and explainability requirements on all public sector AI.
Al Hemeiri added: “Ensuring ROI is very important when deciding to build an AI use case. We calculate this when planning a project and only move forward when we are confident that we can achieve the expected ROI for the city.”
Test once every 5 years
When asked what failure will be in five years’ time, Al Hemeiri said: “It means deploying AI piecemeal without improving public trust, efficiency and quality of life.”
Conversely, success will be “when AI-powered public services are seamless, proactive, and comprehensive, making life easier for citizens and residents, and naturally becoming a blueprint for other governments around the world to emulate.”
This is an ambitious vision that positions Dubai not only as a fast follower of AI government efficiency, but also as a potential model for how cities can rapidly deploy innovative technologies without sacrificing ethical oversight or public trust.
The central question remains whether the model will prove replicable beyond Dubai’s own governance structures and resources. But with 96% of government agencies already implementing AI solutions and deployment timelines measured in months rather than years, Dubai is testing that hypothesis in real time, betting that speed is as important as vision in the race to build an AI-powered government.
(Photo by David Rodrigo)
See also: UAE teaches AI to children
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Watch: Trump insults Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
President Trump issued a statement to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in response to why the United States was offered a stake in Venezuela’s natural resources.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Thursday, Nov. 6, that the U.S. military had attacked a suspected drug carrier in international waters in the Caribbean, killing three men.
In a post on social media website X, Hegseth said the ship was operated by a “designated terrorist organization” but offered no further evidence. His post included a 20-second video clip of a boat in the water exploding after being hit by ammunition, and was marked as unclassified.
The military action is the latest of more than a dozen U.S. attacks on ships near the Venezuelan coast and recently in the eastern Pacific Ocean since September, leaving more than 60 people dead.
(Reporting by Ismail Shakil; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
See how golden retrievers are taking over airports and hearts
Hertz sends golden retriever service dogs called Gold Squad to airports across the country.
Hertz’s CEO joined airlines in pleading with Congress to end the government shutdown.
The FAA plans to gradually reduce flights at 40 major U.S. airports due to the closure.
Hertz has seen a spike in one-way rental car reservations as travelers change their plans.
The flight reductions are aimed at freeing up unpaid essential airport employees and maintaining safety.
Hertz’s CEO is calling for the government shutdown to be lifted.
Gil West, CEO of the Estero-based car rental giant, issued a statement in support of airlines after the Federal Aviation Administration announced plans to reduce flights across the United States due to the prolonged shutdown.
West said in a statement:
”We join the airlines in calling on Congress to quickly pass a clean continuing resolution to restore certainty to travelers. Daily delays create unnecessary confusion. ”
As long as the closures continue, the FAA plans to phase out 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports starting Nov. 7.
The FAA plans to cut flights by 4% on Friday and increase the reduction by 1% per day after the weekend. Thousands of flights are expected to be cancelled.
Amid the chaos, some travelers are choosing to travel by car instead of flying. As a result, Hertz said there was an increase in one-way bookings on Saturday, Nov. 8, when traffic reductions are expected to reach 5%.
After the FAA announced the reduction plan on Nov. 5, Hertz announced that reservations for one-way rentals through this weekend had jumped more than 20% compared to a year ago.
To ensure a quick and smooth rental car experience, Hertz recommends that you:
Add flight information to your rental car reservation.
Please make a reservation at a store near you.
If your travel plans are interrupted, change your reservation in the Hertz app or Hertz.com.
When you join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, you can skip the counter and go straight to your rental car location.
The reduction in flights is aimed at reducing stress on essential airport staff, who work without pay, and ensuring the safety of flights.
In case you missed it: Hertz launches nationwide online platform for purchasing used cars
Since the shutdown began on October 1, tens of thousands of flights have been delayed due to widespread air traffic control deficiencies. At least 3.2 million travelers have already been affected by staff shortages, according to affected airlines.
Details about the impact of flight restrictions on air travelers are still unclear.
Philip Mann, an aviation expert and former Federal Aviation Administration training manager, said smaller airports not on the list could also experience delays and cancellations.
“The cuts will ripple throughout the system,” Mann said, noting that if fewer flights arrive at one airport, fewer flights depart from other airports.
The government shutdown is the longest in U.S. history, with no end in sight.
USA TODAY and Reuters contributed to this article.
Martha Stewart and Amanda Seyfried mingle at the Tory Burch show
Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart attended the Tory Burch New York Fashion Week show alongside actresses Amanda Seyfried and Jodie Turner-Smith.
Crumbl Cookies wants to “lighten the burden” with sweet treats.
Days after debuting its cookie collection with lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart, Crumble has announced that it will be giving away free cookie sleeves at stores nationwide for a limited time until Thursday, November 6th.
“Life is tough for many people right now, even here at Crumbl,” Crumbl CEO Jason McGowan said in a statement. “The burden is heavier than most people realize, but sometimes a small act of kindness can make your day feel a little lighter.”
Everyone can use cookies. 🍪🫶 Come to Crumble and get a free cookie today!
In-store sales will only be available until November 6th, while supplies last. Limited to one set of crumble thins per person. No need to purchase. pic.twitter.com/eyZP6zaLod
In addition to the cookie giveaway, McGowan and his wife, Whitney, are donating $1 million to launch a new foundation to “start the movement to eliminate school lunch debt for children in our community.”
“We know that cookies don’t solve everything. For some people, they may not solve anything,” McGowan added. “But our hope is that everyone feels noticed and loved, even if just for a moment. I’m so proud of our franchise partners and bakeries for helping make this small act of kindness possible for Crumble customers.”
The chocolate chip cookie thin, which will be available for free for a limited time, is one of seven desserts that combine “exquisite flavor, texture and presentation in true Martha fashion,” according to a news release from Crumbl Cookies.
“From November 3rd to 8th, Martha will take over Crumble’s entire menu, offering a lineup of desserts that blend Martha’s signature sophistication with Crumble’s playful creativity,” Crumble Cookies said in a news release.
Crumbl Cookies x Martha Stewart collaboration brings new desserts
From coconut layer cake to mile-high lemon pie, the “unforgettable culinary collaboration” was created to celebrate the reissue of Stewart’s first beloved book, “Entertaining.”
“Together, we have created a menu that celebrates Martha’s influence in true Crumble fashion,” Sawyer Hemsley, Crumble’s co-founder and chief branding officer, said in a statement.
“Martha Stewart is an original lifestyle icon, a blueprint for modern entertainment and the ultimate authority on all things delicious,” Hemsley added. “Partnering with someone who has inspired generations of bakers, hosts and creators is a dream come true for us.”
Some of the desserts inspired by Stewart’s Timeless Recipes currently in rotation include:
chocolate tart cookie
coconut layer cake
mile high lemon pie
chocolate chip cookie thin
A “Limited Edition Martha Stewart Box” is also available for 6-pack orders
“Experience the warmth, creativity and hospitality that Martha Stewart has championed for more than 40 years, with a delightful Crumble flair,” Crumble said in a news release.
President Donald Trump calls Nancy Pelosi a ‘bad woman’
President Donald Trump has criticized House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi’s retirement, calling her a “bad woman.”
U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene had heartfelt words about former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
On Nov. 6, Greene, 51, appeared on CNN and addressed Pelosi, 85,’s announcement that she would not seek re-election after nearly 40 years in Congress. The Georgia Republican criticized the liberal stalwart’s involvement in U.S. politics, noting that he is a supporter of term limits.
But Greene later praised the Democratic congresswoman from San Francisco, saying Pelosi has had a “great career for the party.”
“I served under her as Speaker during my first term in the House, and I was very impressed with her ability to get things done. I wish we could get things done for the (Republican) party like Nancy Pelosi was able to get things done for her party,” Greene continued. “So I wish her well in retirement, but I wish she would leave Washington sooner rather than waiting until people are in their 80s.”
During an appearance on “Wolf Blitzer’s Situation Room,” Greene denounced the country’s partisanship, saying, “I’m tired of the toxic nature of politics, not just here in Washington, but across the country. Families are being torn apart. People are getting divorced, and it’s separating parents and children. So I’m trying to lead by example.”
Greene’s take on Pelosi’s latest move stands in stark contrast to what President Donald Trump has said about the lawmaker.
Trump told reporters in the Oval Office about Pelosi’s announcement: “I think she’s an evil woman. I’m glad she’s retiring. I think she’s done a great service to the country by retiring.”
Greene has raised eyebrows in recent years for endorsing baseless conspiracy theories, but has diverged from Republicans on issues such as health care, a record government shutdown and the Jeffrey Epstein file.
When Sunny Hostin spoke about her stance on The View on November 4, she said, “I feel like I’ve gone too far to the right, and now I’m on the left.” But Greene insisted she supports Trump.
“When I ran for Congress in 2020, I ran by criticizing the Republican Party. and “Democrats are equal,” she said, adding, “People have been crushed by decades of failure in Washington, D.C., and I have no problem blaming everyone.”
It’s already Week 10 of the NFL season. If you need help picking players, see why Lorenzo favors the Browns, Bears and Eagles.
The second half of the 2025 NFL regular season began Thursday night in Denver, with the Broncos overcoming an ugly 10-7 loss to the AFC West rival Las Vegas Raiders. Or so we’re told…maybe we spent most of the time sleeping, or watching a “Superman” marathon on HBO, or some combination thereof.
But you’re here for NFL content and information, not kryptonite. That’s exactly what the football looks like for Denver’s offense. Oops, I got off track again.
Let’s identify the winners and losers from this effort (aside from those of us in charge of analysis).
winner
Broncos’ playoff hopes
The AFC West leaders were already in good form going into the evening. And their situation is improving, with ugly wins counting just as much as beautiful ones. Denver, currently 8-2, is projected to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, a half-game behind the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.
Stainless steelless secondary
Denver improved to 2-0 without injured cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the current NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who is still recovering from a chest injury. it doesn’t matter. The Broncos D held the Raiders to 188 yards and added six sacks to his league-leading total (46 yards).
orange crush uniform
The Broncos brought back the 1970s era last season and improved to 4-0. Looks good, plays well? Yeah, but Denver sure is. Saw good. It might be time to take a cue from the New York Jets. Who wouldn’t take a cue from the 2029 Super Bowl champions? – and make the throwback a full-time look. once again.
prime video set
I don’t usually pay much attention to NFL pre- and post-game broadcasts, or streams. But I appreciate the staff of Carissa Thompson, Tony Gonzalez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andrew Whitworth, and Richard Sherman for not taking themselves too seriously, especially when they’re busy with a game like this. Rather than delving into how bad Denver’s offense was, Fitzpatrick and Whitworth spent much of the postgame show playing Jenga with Amazon tiles.
panter
Las Vegas’ AJ Cole and Denver’s Jeremy Croshaw had 14 punts covering nearly 600 yards in the thin Denver air. As a kid who spent several years in Europe, I can tell you that this is the kind of contest that local NFL Europe fans were obsessed with.
loser
Raiders punter and kicker
For Cole and K Daniel Carlson, it wasn’t a complete commitment to excellence. With about 90 seconds left in the third quarter, Cole had his punt blocked deep in Las Vegas territory. The Broncos, stationed at the Raiders’ own 12-yard line, obviously couldn’t handle the ball, but they were close enough for Will Lutz to make a 32-yard leadoff field goal. Carlson missed a 48-yard field goal that would have tied the game with 4:30 left.
Geno Smith
Battered, bruised, frustrated and on the verge of losing faith in teammate Raheem Mostert, the Raiders quarterback hung on until the end, despite playing with an obvious leg injury late in the game. Smith is currently 2-7 and a starter for his new club.
offensive soccer
It was a windy night in the Mile High City. And the Broncos’ defense is arguably the best in the league, by far the best among elite units. Raiders D? It wasn’t much, but they played inspired ball Thursday…helped by Denver’s reckless offense. Aside from the 17 points, both teams had just 408 total yards, three turnovers, and 22 penalties, many of which were offensive (get it?). The Broncos did not generate a first down until about five minutes left in the second quarter.
bo nicks
The Broncos’ second-year quarterback completed 16 of 28 passes for 150 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also made an impact in the running game, which could not offset his passing performance. Knicks surprisingly played some exciting football as a rookie and led this team to the 2024 postseason. But if the man with the shortest name in NFL history doesn’t shake off a severe sophomore slump and play well in the second half, Denver could be in the 2025 playoffs in very short order.
kansas city chiefs
If they can’t catch up with the Broncos, who continue to expand their lead in KC, their streak of winning the AFC West will be at risk of ending at nine. The Chiefs received a bye in Week 10, and the teams’ next game will be in Denver on November 16th, but even if Patrick Mahomes and co. win, they will still be 1.5 games behind the Broncos. If the season ended today, which it actually doesn’t, the reigning AFC champion Chiefs would not qualify for the playoffs.
All your NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th Monday Newsletter.
The clothing retailer, once a mainstay of malls across the country, has filed for bankruptcy and plans to permanently close its remaining stores.
scripps news
Saks Off Fifth, the discount retailer of sister store Saks Fifth Avenue, will close nine stores across the United States, the company said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Closures are scheduled to begin in January 2026 in the following cities:
Austin, Texas
chicago
east hanover new jersey
niagara falls, new york
Pittsburgh North (McKnight Road)
Franklin Mall (formerly Philadelphia Mills) in Philadelphia
Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
Washington DC
west hartford, connecticut
Saks Off Fifth operates about 100 stores in the United States and Canada, according to the company’s website.
What did the company say?
The company said the closures are part of an effort to “optimize” its store presence, “allowing us to focus more attention on high-performing, high-potential store locations and overall store footprint improvements.”
“We are confident that this will better position Sachs-Off’s fifth business for long-term success, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers.”
The company previously announced it would close its 57th Street store in Manhattan, according to multiple reports.
Other retailers also close stores
The move comes as inflation continues to be an issue for consumers and retailers close many stores.
Prices rose at a slower pace than expected in September, according to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Over the past 12 months, the all-item index rose 3% before seasonally adjustment.
Macy’s announced in 2024 that it would close 150 stores as part of a turnaround effort through 2026, saying the move was “designed to return the company to sustained, profitable sales growth.” At the same time, the company announced that it would invest in 350 current Macy’s stores.
Forever 21, once a popular fashion retailer, closed all of its U.S. stores earlier this year after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March.
Saks Off Fifth piloted the original outlet store in Franklin Mills, Pennsylvania under the name Saks Clearinghouse. The company launched the Saks Off 5th website in 2013.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.
COVID-19: Kansas woman speaks after death of mother and friend
In 2020, 20 people died from COVID-19 in Gove County, Kansas, a county with just 2,600 residents. Sharon Dubois lost her mother to the virus.
The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has filed criminal charges against the popular and recently re-elected mayor of a small town for allegedly voting despite not being a U.S. citizen.
Attorney General Kris Kobach said Jose “Joe” Ceballos, 54, is a Mexican citizen with legal permanent resident status in the United States, but is not a citizen. Ceballos was re-elected this week as mayor by residents of Coldwater, a community of 687 people in southwestern Kansas.
Kobach said at a news conference Wednesday that Ceballos is charged with three counts each of election perjury and ineligible voting. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 68 months in prison and a $200,000 fine.
A hearing on the charges is scheduled for Dec. 3.
Coldwater City Attorney Skip Heard told Wichita’s KWCH-TV that Ceballos’ green card holder’s application raised “red flags” in his green card application.
“He’s been a registered voter since 1990,” Hurd told the news station. “He applied for citizenship in February of this year, and through that he raised the question of whether he was a legal citizen,” Hurd said.
The state’s charges are based on Ceballos’ votes in the 2022 and 2023 general elections and the 2024 primary, but Kobach said Ceballos was registered to vote before those elections. Ceballos did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Coldwater City Council President Britt Lennertz issued a statement saying the mayor had convened council members for a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation.
“At this time, our focus remains on ensuring that city operations continue to run smoothly and the needs of our community are met,” Lennertz said. “While the recent allegations regarding the Mayor are understandably concerning, we will allow the appropriate legal process to proceed before making any further comment.”
Lennertz told KWCH that Ceballos, who also served on the City Council, could complete the remaining two months of his current mayoral term, but was informed that he would become mayor after that unless his citizenship was approved by then. She said the situation is difficult for the community that has rallied around the longtime public servant.
“As mayor, he has done a great job,” she told the news outlet. “As a City Council member, he has done a great job. He always puts our community first in everything he does.”
Kobach said Kansas law requires city officials to be qualified electors, as well as U.S. citizens.
“Unpopular voting is a serious problem,” Kobach said. “It doesn’t happen every 10 years,” he said, noting that Kansas is currently the only state in the state to utilize the federal System’s Systematic Alien Eligibility Verification System (SAVE) to verify citizenship status on registered voter rolls. He said Tennessee, Florida and Ohio also use the system.
“The only way a non-citizen could be discovered to be on the voter rolls is if some outside information comes to light indicating that the person is not a U.S. citizen,” he said. “Our current system is based in large part on trust: trust that when a person signs a registration form saying they are eligible to vote or are a U.S. citizen, they are telling the truth. In this case, we allege that Mr. Ceballos violated that trust.”
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said the system allows state officials to determine whether a registered voter is on the rolls, whether intentionally or due to clerical error.
“If they voted, it’s a crime,” he said. “It’s important that we clean this up.”
Schwab said the effort is not about investigating criminal activity, but about restoring voter trust.
“It’s about showing Kansans that we’re doing everything we can to make sure our voter rolls are as clean as possible,” he said. “This is not a witch hunt.”
He said it would be up to Coldwater city officials to decide whether Ceballos should serve as mayor, “but the law says he should not serve because he is not a legal elector.”
President Donald Trump recently praised Schwab, a Republican running for governor in 2026, for using the SAVE system to “protect the integrity of our elections.”
Kobach said he expects the SAVE system will help states identify “hundreds” of non-citizen voters. He said a vote by a non-citizen effectively invalidates the vote of an American citizen.
“We don’t know how big that number will be, but early indications are that it’s a very large number,” he said. “We need to see and decide who to indict.”
Is the current Prius interesting? A plug-in hybrid powertrain excites driving dynamics.
2026 Toyota RAV4 SUV Review
Toyota has made some changes to the 2026 model of its SUV “RAV4.” The entire lineup is now hybrid.
Toyota’s Prius Plug-in Hybrid addresses some of the issues drivers had with older Prius models.
Surprisingly, the new Prius is fun to drive and faster than some popular gas-powered models.
When people think of Toyota’s Prius, the last word that comes to mind is “fast,” but the Japanese automaker’s recent plug-in hybrid marks a major shake-up for the nameplate.
The Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle released in the late 1990s. Some early models received poor reviews for lackluster driving dynamics and bland exterior design. The Prius has always been efficient, but its redesign for the 2023 model year makes it even more stylish.
The new exterior design has received praise from car critics and consumers alike. The latest plug-in hybrid version of the hatchback takes things up a notch and completely revitalizes a nameplate that was in desperate need of a makeover. USA TODAY Cars tested the Prius plug-in hybrid to see if the driving dynamics are as good as the exterior design.
What makes the 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid stand out?
The first thing that stands out about the 2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid is its striking exterior design. Although preference is subjective, it’s clear that Toyota has taken into consideration the Prius’ body style, appearance, and consumer feedback. It’s no longer the ugly duckling of the portfolio, more akin to a sporty hatch than its efficient (but drab) predecessor.
@carconfections
This 2026 Toyota Prius is an amazing option in a very good way. Always known for its efficiency, this new model is no exception, coming in at a 52 MPG rating during our week of testing. And the styling of this model is completely different, especially when combined with the mustard color of the Nightshade model. And would you consider this Prius with more space than your average sedan for around $35,000? Would you buy this Prius?? #carreview #carsofinstagram #cars #automotive #carconfections
♬ Original song – Momoclo
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s sleek, modern look makes it nearly indistinguishable from other popular Toyota models. It seems like it would be more fun to drive, teeth Driving is even more fun thanks to a pleasant power boost from the electric motor and some engineering wizardry.
Not only is this Prius a responsible choice for the environmentally conscious, it’s also a truly appealing daily driver that consumes fuel like fine wine. Some electric-only driving ranges are a plus.
How do you drive?
Performance, usability and efficiency
The 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that produces 220 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. This is more than popular sedans such as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
Car purchase: According to Consumer Reports, this SUV will be the most reliable Toyota vehicle in 2025
Toyota’s plug-in hybrid hatchback is noticeably more peppy than most people expect from a Prius. It benefits greatly from a unique powertrain and accelerates quickly and easily. The hatch handles well and has a smooth ride.
When it comes to fuel economy, the Nightshade trim we tested returned an impressive 50 miles per gallon in the city and 47 miles per gallon on the highway. The plug-in hybrid has an all-electric range of up to 44 miles. This means you can power your wheels using only electricity for up to 44 miles.
Will it fit your lifestyle?
Load capacity, space, practicality
The 2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid seats five. It has 20.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for transporting groceries and other daily necessities of the driver.
If you’re looking for a car that’s fun to drive and highly efficient for your daily commute, this plug-in hybrid is the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Especially if you plan on charging your Prius Plug-in Hybrid from time to time to get the most out of its range.
If you don’t want to charge your hatch regularly, this may not be the vehicle for you. Designed for drivers who want to go as far as possible on as little fuel as possible.
Is it worth it?
price, value, competition
Toyota’s plug-in hybrid hatchback starts at just $33,775. Offered in four trims.
2026 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Trim
Prius Plug-in Hybrid SE: $33,775
Prius Plug-in Hybrid XSE: $37,025
Nightshade Edition: $37,795
XSE Premium: $40,470
The base model comes standard with blind-spot monitors, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Toyota’s suite of safety features. We tested the Nightshade Edition, which comes standard with heated front seats, wireless device charging, and digital key functionality. The 2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid has a solid value proposition for the price with its driving dynamics, efficiency, and many standard features.
The Kia Niro plug-in hybrid is one of the Prius plug-in hybrid’s closest competitors. Toyota’s plug-in hybrids are more affordable, more powerful, and more efficient. It’s slightly faster than the Niro plug-in hybrid. The Prius is a standout model in this segment.
Who should buy the 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid?
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid is an attractive product from Toyota, but it’s not for everyone. If fuel economy isn’t important to you, this hatchback may not be the most attractive option for you. That said, the electric motor is powerful relative to its size, which contributes to good driving dynamics. It also has an attractive exterior design and a simple, modern cabin.
The 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is perfect for drivers who want to regularly save money on gas and experience the benefits of electric vehicle ownership without committing to a fully electric vehicle. This is the most beneficial middle ground for those who want to charge their vehicles regularly. This version of the Prius addressed the shortcomings of its predecessor, turning the hatchback into an exciting and fun car that can travel long distances on a single tank of gas.
Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his aide Cade Cothren have been pardoned by President Donald Trump, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY.
Mr. Casada and Mr. Cothren, along with former state Rep. Robin Smith (R-Hixson) and others, were found guilty in a trial of more than a dozen public corruption charges related to a scheme that prosecutors say defrauded taxpayers through a state-funded mail-in program for Congress.
There are only a few weeks left until the two men go to prison. In September, U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson ordered Casada to self-report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Nov. 21 and serve three years in prison. He ordered Cothren to self-report to prison on Nov. 17 with a two-and-a-half year sentence.
Koslen’s attorney, Joy Boyd Longnecker, confirmed in a text message on Nov. 6 that Koslen, who was Casada’s former chief of staff, “received a call from President Trump today informing him that he will receive a full and unconditional pardon.” Longnecker said he would issue a “fuller statement” the next day. Casada’s attorney, Jonathan Farmer, would not confirm whether Casada had been pardoned as of 5:40 p.m. on Nov. 6.
The pardon had not yet been posted on the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Pardon Counsel’s website as of 7:56 p.m. Nov. 6.
Mr. Smith does not appear to have been pardoned. “Justice requires clemency for collaborators,” her lawyer Ben Rhodes wrote in a post to X. Smith pleaded guilty shortly after being indicted in 2022 and testified against his co-defendants at trial.
She was sentenced to eight months in prison.
This is not the first time this year that President Trump has pardoned a convicted Tennessee Republican lawmaker.
In March, former state Sen. Brian Kelsey was pardoned by President Trump, just two weeks after serving a 21-month sentence in federal prison for an illegal campaign finance scheme to which he pleaded guilty in 2022.
In addition to the prison terms they face, Richardson ordered Casada to pay a $30,000 fine and repay $4,600 earned from the criminal activity, and ordered Kozren to pay a $25,000 fine and repay the money earned from the criminal activity, which Richardson determined was $10,600.
Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mellins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. For questions, tips and story ideas, please contact emealins@tennessean.com..
A federal judge has ordered the government to pay the full amount of SNAP benefits that would normally be paid this month, despite the ongoing shutdown.
How politics is putting SNAP and families at risk
SNAP, America’s food safety net, has become a bargaining chip in the Washington standoff. Reporter Sarah D. Wire explains what’s at stake.
By Friday, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to fully cover federal food aid for 42 million Americans in November.
According to CNN, U.S. District Judge John McConnell said in a hastily convened hearing on Nov. 6 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had not acted quickly enough to release the funds after an earlier order regarding resources. He also said the government acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” in deciding not to transfer certain funds toward full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments.
The Nov. 6 order from McConnell came days after the administration announced it would only provide a portion of November’s food stamp benefits using a portion of the nearly $6 billion emergency fund maintained by SNAP, in compliance with an earlier order.
The Trump administration quickly moved to appeal the order, leaving it unclear whether SNAP benefits would be paid in full by Friday.
Vice President J.D. Vance denounced the decision Thursday night as an “absurd ruling,” telling reporters, “In the middle of a government shutdown, you can’t have a federal judge tell the president how he has to triage the situation.”
Mr. Vance seemed to suggest that the government might not comply with the order. “We’re trying to stay active as much as possible,” he said. “The president and the entire administration are working on it, but we’re not going to do it based on a federal judge’s order.”
The administration previously said $6 billion in emergency fund accounts cannot be used for SNAP payments while the government shutdown continues.
President Donald Trump criticized his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, on Thursday when asked about the SNAP benefit system, claiming that too many Americans are eligible for SNAP benefits.
President Trump said, “Biden has gone completely crazy. He gave it to anyone who asked for it. He gave it to anyone who asked for it, including healthy people with no problems.” “This wasn’t what this was meant for.”
This is the first time in the program’s 60-year history that SNAP food safety net funds have been used in at least two previous shutdowns. This includes the 2018-2019 government shutdown during President Trump’s first term.
“Last weekend, SNAP benefits expired for the first time in our nation’s history. This is a problem that could have been avoided and should be avoided,” McConnell, an Obama appointee, said in a verbal order.
Mr. McConnell complained that the administration chose to provide partial benefits, which would require states to reprogram their systems, a process that could take days or weeks depending on the state.
He argued that the government “knew that (partial) payments of SNAP benefits would be significantly delayed and failed to consider the harm suffered by individuals who rely on those benefits.”
The administration announced on November 5 that it would provide SNAP recipients with up to 65% of their November monthly benefits.
The hearing was held in response to complaints from cities and nonprofit groups that the administration plans to pay only a portion of the benefits.
Contributed by: Reuters
Sarah D. Wire is USA TODAY’s senior national political correspondent and can be reached at swire@usatoday.com.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk scored a major victory on Thursday, November 6, as shareholders approved a compensation package of up to $878 billion over the next 10 years, supporting his vision to transform the EV maker into an AI and robotics juggernaut.
Tesla stock rose about 1% in after-hours trading. The proposal was approved with over 75% support.
Musk took to the stage in Austin, Texas, with a group of dancing robots. “What we’re embarking on now is not just a new chapter in Tesla’s future, it’s a whole new book,” he said. “This is going to be a really big deal.”
He added: “Other shareholder meetings are like snoozefests, but ours is a big deal. I mean, look at this. This is bad.”
Politics: Judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP in November
Republican election losses: President Trump seeks to take back affordability issues from Democrats
Why isn’t the salary package at $1 trillion?
Approval could be positive for Tesla stock, analysts say
Shareholders also re-elected three directors to Tesla’s board of directors and voted in favor of an alternative pay plan for Mr. Musk’s services, after a previous package was blocked by legal challenges. Shareholders also voted in favor of a proposal requiring the board to hold an annual election of all directors.
Analysts said the vote was positive for Tesla’s stock, saying that even though Musk’s far-right political rhetoric has hurt the Tesla brand this year, the company’s reputation rests on his vision of self-driving cars, rolling out robotaxis nationwide and selling humanoid robots.
Musk’s victory was widely expected after the billionaire was given full voting rights for his roughly 15% stake after the automaker moved from Delaware to Texas. Legal challenges there had previously blocked pay raises.
The approval came despite opposition from some major investors, including Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.
Tesla’s board had said Musk could resign if the pay package was not approved.
The vote may also allay investor concerns that Mr. Musk’s interest is waning not only in politics but also in running other companies, including rocket maker SpaceX and artificial intelligence startup xAI.
The board of directors and many investors who expressed support said the nearly $1 trillion package would benefit shareholders in the long run because Musk needs to ensure Tesla hits a series of milestones in order to receive compensation.
Musk’s goals for the next 10 years include delivering 20 million vehicles, operating 1 million robotaxis, selling 1 million robots, and earning as much as $400 billion in core profits. But for him to receive his reward, Tesla’s stock price would first have to rise from its current $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion, then to $8.5 trillion.
Government shutdown will be the longest in history
Zach Schermelet reported from Capitol Hill as the shutdown exceeded 35 days, the longest period on record.
Some Social Security offices closed earlier this week due to staffing shortages amid what is officially the longest government shutdown in the country’s history.
The Social Security Administration confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY that at least three offices across the country have temporarily closed this week due to inability to provide in-person services throughout business hours, although “no widespread closures or service interruptions have occurred.” The agency did not say where the closure took place.
The SSA website listed multiple offices as closed to in-person services. However, the agency said on Nov. 5 that the main reasons for the closure were a variety of reasons, including “renovation plans and necessary facility updates.”
“During the Democratic shutdown, the Social Security Administration will continue to serve our nation’s elderly and most vulnerable,” the agency said in a Nov. 5 statement. “Local SSA offices remain open during the funding shortfall in accordance with the agency’s emergency response plan.”
The agency added, “We recognize that this is a stressful and difficult time for SSA employees who have been working without pay for more than a month,” while criticizing Democrats for not ending the shutdown.
Here is the latest information about SSA functionality during the shutdown:
How has the closure affected Social Security operations?
Social Security, like many other federal agencies, will continue to operate on a “reduced” scale until the shutdown ends.
Thousands of SSA employees have been furloughed since October 1, impacting the number of services available.
Because the benefit program is not dependent on Congressional approval, both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments will continue to be distributed despite the loss of federal funding.
Local social security offices across the country remain open, with reduced services provided to the public for the time being. However, other functions have been affected, such as the announcement of cost of living adjustments for 2026.
What services are available?
Services that the office cannot provide in-person during the closure include providing Medicare card replacements, providing proof of income, and updating/correcting income records.
However, some tasks, such as requesting another Medicare card and proof of income documentation, can be completed using your online Social Security account.
Only the following services are available at your local Social Security office:
We will help you apply for benefits
Assist with appeal claims
Change your address or direct debit information
accept death report
Check or change your citizenship status
Reissue lost or misplaced Social Security payments
Issue important payments
Change representative payee
Process a change of residence or income (SSI recipients only)
Issue a new or replacement Social Security card
When did the shutdown begin? And how long will it last?
The closure began a little more than a month ago, on October 1st.
The government shutdown will last until Democrats and Republicans can agree on a short-term funding package, or funding bill, to extend government operations.
What you need to know about Amazon’s corporate layoffs
Amazon will lay off 14,000 employees as it invests in AI and robotic automation.
Driven by cost-cutting and greater adoption of artificial intelligence, employers cut more than 150,000 jobs in October, the largest wave of layoffs in more than 20 years, a Challenger, Gray & Christmas report said on Thursday, November 6.
Technology companies are cutting the most jobs to cut costs, followed by retail and service industries, according to the outplacement firm. Companies such as Amazon, UPS, and Microsoft have recently announced job cuts.
In another sign of a softening labor market, the number of layoffs in October rose 175% from a year earlier to 153,074, the highest level since 2003, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said.
Andy Challenger, chief revenue officer at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said in a statement: “Some industries are correcting course after the pandemic-induced hiring boom, as the adoption of AI, softening consumer and business spending, and rising costs are driving tightening and hiring freezes.” “The labor market may loosen further as those currently furloughed find it harder to secure new roles quickly.”
Layoffs have soared to more than 1 million so far this year, up 65% from last year to this point, due to what Challenger, Gray and Christmas called the “DOGE impact”: massive cuts to federal employees and government contractors, and the loss of federal funding to private organizations and nonprofits.
The year-to-date number of layoffs is the highest since 2020, when more than 2 million jobs were cut through October. Challenger & Gray & Christmas said this year was the worst year for announced layoffs since 2009.
Mr. Challenger said it was surprising to see such a large wave of layoffs in the fourth quarter, a time when companies typically avoid announcing layoffs.
Additionally, more companies announced layoffs in October, Challenger said. Outplacement support companies are aware of 450 layoff plans, up from fewer than 400 in September. This is more than the approximately 350 people announced in March, when the most layoffs were announced.
“The prospect of announcing layoffs in the fourth quarter is particularly unfavorable at a time when job creation is at its lowest level in years,” Challenger said.
With official data collection suspended during the government shutdown, investors are paying close attention to data from private sources such as Challenger to understand what’s happening in the labor market.
Federal Reserve officials have expressed concern about the job market, and the central bank has lowered benchmark interest rates twice since September. This action lowered the Fed’s benchmark interest rate to a range of 3.75% to 4%. Some economists believe there could be another rate cut at the Fed’s December meeting, but Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said a third straight rate cut is not guaranteed.
Labor market watchers have downplayed Challenger reports, saying they have historically been “inadequate in predicting future labor market conditions.”
“But against the backdrop of a thin labor market, these company layoffs represent a greater labor risk than the tech layoffs of 2022, when these workers were quickly scooped up to other industries,” Vanguard said in a statement. “However, we ultimately expect labor supply constraints that persist over the next three years to help offset the effects of job losses due to cyclical and technological pressures.”
“They said we’ve done a great job on affordability…but we just lost the election because of affordability,” Trump said on Nov. 6.
Could a Republican election loss affect next year’s midterm elections?
Republicans suffered losses across the country in off-year elections. Do these results send a message about the Democratic Party? Here’s what we know.
This is President Donald Trump’s economy, and he wants everyone to know it.
Two days after Democrats capitalized on concerns about consumer costs with big electoral victories in Virginia, New Jersey and other states, the second-term Republican president made reviving the economy one of the cornerstone initiatives of his administration.
“We, not the Democrats, have done a great job on affordability,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Nov. 6. “But they said we just lost the election because of affordability.”
President Trump’s comments came after Democrats won the Nov. 4 gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia and the New York mayoral race by fielding candidates who focused on affordability, including energy prices in New Jersey and high rents in New York City.
The overwhelming double-digit victories for both governors focused attention on consumer costs that have remained high under the Trump administration, and sounded the alarm among Republicans, including former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who argued they needed to focus more on cutting costs.
As President Trump seeks to maintain Republican control of Congress, Democrats have signaled plans to continue pursuing affordability concerns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Democratic National Committee said in a statement on Nov. 5 that this victory is “a stepping stone for victory” heading into 2026.
Although the president talked about inflation and the economy and won in 2024, many Americans are not satisfied with his economic policies. Polls show voters are worried about President Trump’s management of the economy amid trade wars, a weak job market and continued concerns about the cost of living.
According to a CNN/SSRS poll released this week, more than 7 in 10 U.S. adults rate the current economic situation as “bad” or “very bad,” and 61% say President Trump’s policies are making the economy worse.
Despite these concerns, the president paints a rosy picture of the economy and consumer issues.
President Trump has repeatedly said that inflation is no longer a problem. President Trump declared on November 6th during an event in the Oval Office that “all prices are falling.”
But inflation has been rising in recent months, reaching 3% in September, a relatively modest level but above the Federal Reserve’s target interest rate of 2%. The debate over affordability is expected to be a big issue heading into 2026.
Vice President J.D. Vance said after the election, “We need to focus on the domestic front.”
“We will continue to strive for a decent and affordable life in this country, and that will be the standard by which we will ultimately be judged in 2026 and beyond,” Vance wrote on social media.
How airlines can keep flights running smoothly during winter storms
What airlines are doing to prepare for winter weather and keep passengers safe
Forecasters warned that a severe cold wave is expected to begin around November 10 in the central-eastern United States, potentially leading to record-breaking cold.
“A cold front is moving into the United States this weekend, bringing the coldest air of the season to the Midwest and Northeast, widespread freezing in the Deep South, and the potential for record lows as far south as Florida,” Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman said in an online forecast.
“By next week, temperatures in many areas will be closer to mid-December or Christmas time,” AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok said.
X, which Weather Trader meteorologist Ryan Maue called “historically cold” that was “reminiscent of Siberia”.
How cold will it get? The map shows low temperatures in the 20s.
“A series of cold fronts will move south across the central and eastern United States, bringing with it a cold, dry arctic air mass,” the National Weather Prediction Center said in an online forecast.
Much of the Midwest, South and East will experience the coldest daytime temperatures of fall so far, Erdmann said.
The weather will be coldest in the northern Plains and upper Midwest, where highs will stay below freezing into the weekend, with lows in the teens and possibly single digits, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
Overall temperatures are expected to be 10 to 20 degrees below normal, with below-freezing lows expected across the Southern Plains and Southeast on Sunday and Monday nights.
southern freeze
Freezing temperatures and frost are possible as far as the Gulf Coast by Monday night, November 10th.
“The coldest morning in the pattern for the Southeast will be Tuesday morning, with lows in the 20s extending inland, and inland lows in the 30s along the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana,” Pastelok said.
He added: “Temperatures will be low enough to cause widespread frost and severe freezes across inland parts of the Southeast.”
“This could match the record low temperatures set on Veterans Day (Tuesday) in more than a dozen locations across the Southeast, including Savannah, Georgia (31 degrees), Mobile, Alabama (31 degrees), and Fort Myers, Florida (45 degrees),” Erdman said.
Residents should take precautions to protect outdoor pipes and irrigation systems that are not winterized, AccuWeather advised. The cold weather will also end the growing season in areas that have not yet experienced a deep freeze, extending from parts of the Central Plains to much of the Southeast.
Is there snow in the weather forecast?
Along with the cold air, there is a high chance of snow in the northern tier as well.
The cold conditions increase the chance of snow accumulation in parts of the Midwest and Appalachians, including areas further south and at lower elevations than usual, AccuWeather said.
AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said: “Light build-up could occur in some major metropolitan areas and busy highways, leading to slippery roads and hazardous driving conditions early next week.” Cities that could be affected include Chicago and Detroit.
In addition, the action of cold air passing over the warm waters of the Great Lakes will produce lake-effect rain and wet snow, he said. “Where bands of snow remain, the waters off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario could accumulate several inches of snow Sunday through Monday and possibly Tuesday, making it slippery.”
Lego ‘Bhutanical’ display: Halloween season kicks off at New York home
New York City homes are decorated with creepy crawling spiders and “bootanical” flowers made from Lego blocks to celebrate Halloween.
The most iconic ship in the Star Trek series, the USS Enterprise, makes its LEGO debut as a huge and expensive set.
Lego says the $399.99 set is made from just 3,600 pieces and will be named “Lego Icon Star Trek: USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D.” Scheduled to be released on November 28th ahead of the holiday season, the set is already available for pre-order.
“This intricate model takes Star Trek and LEGO fans on a galactic journey of creativity as they build detailed replicas of Starfleet’s legendary flagships,” LEGO said in a Nov. 6 news release.
Plus, if you purchase between November 28th and December 1st, your set will come with a gift. The LEGO Icon Star Trek: Type 15 Shuttlepod set is a 261-piece minifigure scale “Support Craft” that includes an Ensign Lo Laren minifigure.
Here’s what you need to know about LEGO’s new Star Trek sets.
What does the LEGO USS Enterprise set include?
Lego says its USS Enterprise has a lot of great details for Star Trek fans. It includes a removable command saucer, secondary hull, and an open shuttle bay containing a pair of mini-shuttle pods.
The set also includes an angled stand for the ship and minifigure tiles to complete the design. This set also comes with 9 minifigures, each with unique themed accessories chosen specifically for each crew member.
The included minifigures are:
Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Commander William Riker
Lieutenant Worf
major data
Dr. Beverly Crusher
Lieutenant Colonel Geordi La Forge
Counselor Deanna Troi
Bartender Guinan
wesley crusher
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
President Trump prepares ‘game two plan’ in case Supreme Court invalidates tariffs
President Trump said he would develop a “game two plan” to implement tariff policy in case the Supreme Court rules the tariffs invalid.
New gold-letter signs were spotted throughout the White House this week as President Donald Trump continues to renovate the building.
The golden letters are just the latest in a series of changes President Trump has made to the White House during the first year of his second administration.
Most recently, workers began demolishing the east wing of the White House. The construction is part of President Trump’s plan to build a ballroom on the east side of the White House, one of the most important projects at the historic mansion in decades.
As images of the new letters circulated on social media, Democratic lawmakers, including Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt and Democratic National Committee Vice Chairman Malcolm Kenyatta, criticized the timing of the installation as the government shutdown stretches into historic territory.
“I hope they focus on helping Americans who are struggling, but this is not a good sign,” Blunt said.
White House press secretary Davis Engle defended the installation, calling it “glorification.”
“Democrats are more concerned about President Trump’s historic glorification of the White House than they are about the American people who are being hurt by a reckless government shutdown,” Ingle said. “President Trump works 24/7 for the American people, while also making the White House more beautiful.”
Ingle said the installation was done “at no cost to the taxpayer.”
See photos of gold letters
Photos show gold lettering on the White House’s western colonnade and outside the Oval Office.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
Nearly 40 days into the longest continuous federal government shutdown in history, 40 major U.S. airports are cutting flights by 10%, citing pressure on unpaid air traffic controllers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made the announcement on Nov. 5, and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Brian Bedford told CEOs of major airlines that the cuts would start at 4% on Nov. 7, increase to 5% on Nov. 8, 6% on Nov. 9, and reach 10% next week.
Travelers have already endured long flight delays and long security lines due to the government shutdown, which has forced some 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners to work without pay.
Even before the shutdown, the FAA had long struggled with a shortage of air traffic controllers. In May, USA TODAY reported that the FAA was short 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide.
As Thanksgiving approaches and the U.S. enters its busiest travel week, rental car companies such as Hertz are reporting a surge in one-way rentals in the face of flight disruptions.
Source USA TODAY Network Reports and Investigations, FAA, FlightsFrom.com
