Government runs into backlogs in reopening
The government is reopening its agencies after the record 43-day shutdown and approximately 1.4 million federal workers who haven’t received a paycheck in over a month are still waiting for back pay. Many of these employees across the U.S. told CNN that they’re contending with more than six weeks of backlogs and thinner staff. At the IRS, backlogs in tax filings from those who filed for extensions will take “two to three months to catch up,” said Gibson Jones, president of the National Treasury Employees Union Local 98 in Memphis. With more than 40 days of untouched mail at the IRS, he added, taxpayers expecting refunds should anticipate delays. President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser also estimates the shutdown likely led to a loss of 60,000 private-sector jobs.
Flight cuts still in effect
A 6% reduction in flights at 40 major U.S. airports is still in place — despite the federal government reopening. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has emphasized that the FAA will only bring back full flight capacity when it is safe to do so and when more controllers return to work. More than 1,000 flights nationwide on Thursday were canceled and more than 3,500 were delayed, according to data from FlightAware. Some airlines have told CNN that they anticipate more disruptions in the coming hours, meaning travelers should plan for potential schedule changes and crowded terminals. Notably, Fridays and Saturdays have seen the most staffing problems throughout this time, according to data viewed by CNN.
Trump changes tactics, refuses to take questions from reporters
In a departure from his usual practice, Donald Trump has refused to take questions from reporters covering events at the White House. That was the case as Trump and First Lady Melania Trump quickly exited a White House event where Trump had signed an executive order on foster care. It also was the case when reporters were kept away from a White House event Trump had with business leaders. Some suggest that the idea is to prevent Trump from being asked about the Epstein files and Epstein’s emails referencing Trump that have been released.
U.S. sinks another boat, killing four people
The U.S. military recently carried out its 20th strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean, killing four people, a Defense Department official said without providing proof that the boat was carrying drugs. The attack brings the total number of people killed by the military’s strikes on the alleged drug boats to 80. CNN has reported that the U.S. is using a variety of fighter jets, drones and gunships to carry out the strikes. Trump administration officials have acknowledged they do not necessarily know the identities of the individuals aboard the vessels before they are targeted.
Severe weather hits West Coast
A strong Pacific storm is sweeping through California, raising the risks of flooding, mudslides and debris flows — especially near burn scars in the Los Angeles area. On Thursday, the storm moved through northern and central California with a mix of strong winds and heavy rainfall. San Francisco has already received nearly an inch and a half of rain, about 75% of the city’s November average. Meanwhile, temperatures across the central and southern U.S. are rebounding after an Arctic blast brought record-breaking cold to several states. Some Midwest cities that just saw their first snowflakes of the season could see daily record high temperatures on Saturday, forecasts show.
Blue Origin launch
Blue Origin, the rocket company founded by Amazon multibillionaire Jeff Bezos, has launched a mission to Mars. The company’s New Glenn rocket was carrying a pair of satellites that are now on a long journey to the red planet to study its radiation conditions for future explorers. The two spacecraft are expected to reach Martian orbit in September 2027. Blue Origin also landed the first stage of the rocket back on a seafaring platform for the first time, a key step toward making New Glenn reusable and more cost-effective as it competes with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
