What updates are there on air traffic control and aviation post-shutdown?
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Federal aviation officials are easing restrictions, allowing more flights as more air traffic controllers return to work, NPR's Joel Rose reports it's the latest sign that commercial aviation is gradually returning to normal after the government shutdown.
The reductions in air traffic at dozens of major airports will be lowered from 6 percent to 3 percent of flights through the weekend. The Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration say that reflects improvements in staffing levels at air traffic facilities.
The FAA said the restrictions were necessary to keep the airspace safe as the agency grappled with widespread staffing shortages of air traffic controllers during the government shutdown. But with the shutdown over, air traffic controllers have finally received some of the back pay they earned, and most are now back to work.
Airlines say they're confident they can ramp up quickly and should be able to return to their full schedules before Thanksgiving holiday travel begins. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.
Kentucky's hemp farmers say a new federal limit on THC-infused products would be disastrous for their livelihoods. Shepard Snyder with member station WEKU reports the provision is part of the spending bill President Trump signed into law this week.
The provision limits the amount of THC in sellable hemp to just 0.4 milligrams per container. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell added the provision, saying it's meant to close a legal loophole and keep mind-altering substances out of the hands of children. But Abram Phillips, who runs a hemp farm out of northern Kentucky, says imposing such a limit would kneecap their profits.
At that point, your consumers don't care because that's not what they want. So why would they buy something they don't want? If we don't have consumers, we have no market.
The provision passed despite opposition from fellow Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. The ban would go into effect a year from now. For NPR News, I'm Shepard Snyder in Lexington, Kentucky.
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