Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst. The Federal Aviation Administration says it will reduce air traffic by 10 percent across some of the country's busiest airports to maintain safety during the government shutdown. This as it deals with persistent staffing shortages of air traffic controllers. NPR's Joel Rose has more.
Chapter 2: What safety measures is the FAA implementing during the government shutdown?
The FAA is planning to reduce air traffic in 40 high-volume markets beginning on Friday. FAA Administrator Brian Bedford says the agency wants to reduce the pressure at those airports before safety is compromised. We're not going to wait until we see something flashing red to say, oh, we should take action now.
The FAA has already been delaying flights at some airports because of staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. Those controllers are required to work without pay during the shutdown, but some have taken on second jobs and many are calling out sick. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.
The Trump administration says the partial amount of November's SNAP food assistant benefits it will distribute from contingency funds will be higher than first thought, with recipients getting, at most, 65 percent of their normal benefits. The USDA was ordered by two federal judges last week to use the fund to pay out benefits amid the government shutdown.
This after the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that the USDA's original analysis wouldn't use all of the funds and would have left some recipients with no payments this month. Former Speaker of the House and California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi says she won't seek re-election in 2027. And here's Barbara Sprunt reports her departure marks the end of an era in Congress.
First elected in 1987, Pelosi would go on to become one of the most effective leaders of the Democratic Party. She cemented her place in the history books in 2007 when she was elected to become the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House.
She could reliably deliver Democratic votes on must-pass legislation when necessary, although her first speakership came at a complicated time with a looming financial crisis. She reclaimed the gavel in 2019. During her tenures as Speaker, she oversaw the passage of landmark legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, and enacted trillions in new spending as part of the American Rescue Plan.
Barbara Sprint, NPR News, Washington. Pope Leo says U.S. immigration officials have to respect the rights of migrants. NPR's Jason DeRose has more. Pope Leo spoke to a group of reporters just outside Rome and expressed concern about the mass arrests and deportations taking place in the United States under the Trump administration.
To underscore his point, Leo referred to a passage from the Gospel of Matthew heard in many Catholic churches recently. Jesus says very clearly at the end of the world, we're going to be asked, how did you receive the foreigner? Did you receive him and welcome him or not?
The Pope was specifically responding to immigration authorities not allowing migrants arrested in Chicago to receive Holy Communion. NPR's Jason DeRose, this is NPR. President Trump is hosting the leaders of five Central Asian countries at the White House today.
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