When the Government Stops, What's Next?

A U.S. government partial shutdown could start as soon as this weekend. From missed paychecks to reduced public services, a government shutdown is no joke. So while Congress plays politics, remember who’s left holding the bag: regular people just trying to live their lives.

Quick Catchup:

📌President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire GOP mega-donor Elon Musk effectively strong-armed Republican lawmakers to block a bipartisan bill to fund the government through March.

📌Musk used the X platform to rally Americans to call their elected leaders to voice their concerns.

📌That set off a firestorm in D-C, pitting GOP lawmakers against Democrats, even the GOP against Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson

Trump’s Unexpected Demand

In a move that surprised many Republicans, President-Elect Trump called for any funding bill to also eliminate a debt ceiling increase. You can read the statement here in JD Vance’s tweet:

• This demand has complicated negotiations and left lawmakers scrambling for a solution.

• In another surprise twist, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren (this morning) said she supported Mr. Trump’s pressure on lawmakers to eliminate the debt ceiling.

Elon Musk’s Impact

• Musk weighed in on X, urging Americans to call their lawmakers to vote NO on the bill.

• Musk also implied that a partial government shutdown is unlikely to have a huge impact.

Government Shut Down: Potential Impact

If a shutdown begins this Friday, here’s what to expect based on FAQs from congressional websites. While there are many questions, we’ve rounded up the most relevant:

It’s the holidays, what about travel and airport security?

• TSA and air traffic controllers will still work but expect longer lines and potential delays as they work without pay.

• So, you can still count on getting to your holiday destinations.

Will the mail still be delivered?

• Yes. The U.S. Postal Service operates independently and will continue delivering mail.

What happens to federal employees, the military and federal law enforcement?

• Many federal employees will be furloughed (placed on unpaid leave).

• Essential employees, like TSA agents and air traffic controllers, will still work but may not be paid until the shutdown ends.

• Active-duty military personnel and federal officers will continue to work, but their paychecks may be delayed until the shutdown is resolved.

 Will Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits stop?

• No, Current Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance benefits will still be mailed out, assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months.

• Delays in customer service or processing new applications could occur.

What Happens to Veterans’ Services?

• All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain open.

• The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits.

What Does This Mean for Disaster Relief Efforts?

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies.

• All long-term projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.

• How this impacts California Fire victims is still unknown.

Will national parks stay open?

• It depends. Some parks might remain accessible, but services like visitor centers, trash collection, and restrooms could be closed.

More Details

Remember 2018? President Trump presided over a 35-day government shutdown—the longest in four decades. Here’s a quick recap of what went down:

• The Standoff: The shutdown was all about funding for Trump’s border wall—a battle he didn’t exactly win.

• Real-World Fallout:

  • Long flight delays: Air traffic controllers and TSA workers were stretched thin, with many working without pay.

  • Paycheck pain: Federal employees and contractors faced serious financial stress, missing paychecks for over a month.

  • Economic Impact: The shutdown cost the economy about $3 billion, equal to 0.02% of GDP, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

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Governor Newsom Declares State of Emergency Over Bird Flu

California is stepping up its response to bird flu. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency after virus cases were detected in dairy cows on farms in Southern California.

“Proactive Action”

According to the governor’s office, this declaration is a “proactive action” designed to:

• Streamline the state’s response to bird flu.

• Ensure swift and coordinated efforts to address the outbreak.

Digging Deeper

• California currently accounts for about half of known human infections in the U.S.

• The people infected in California were exposed to infected cows and have had mostly mild symptoms

• There's no evidence of ongoing human-to-human spread in California or the rest of the country.

FBI Reveals Carlsbad Man’s Connection to Wisconsin Shooter

You probably heard about the tragic mass shooting in Wisconsin where a 15-year-old girl, Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, shot her teacher and classmates before taking her own life. Now, the FBI says there’s a disturbing connection to San Diego County.

Here’s what we know:

• Alexander Paffendorf, a 20-year-old man from Carlsbad, was allegedly conspiring with Rupnow.

• According to investigators, the pair had discussed plans for another mass shooting—this time targeting a government building in San Diego.

• FBI agents detained Paffendorf after discovering his communications with Rupnow.

• During questioning, Paffendorf reportedly admitted that he told Rupnow he would arm himself with explosives and a gun to carry out the attack.

For more details, check out the CBS 8 San Diego report:

Principals Join the Union: What's Going On in L.A. Schools?

Things have reached a tipping point in California’s public schools. What happened in Los Angeles Unified, highlights just how serious the challenges have become.

Quick Catchup

Principals and mid-level administrators at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)—the nation’s second-largest— have chosen to unionize under the Teamsters.

Their reasons? Overwhelming workloads and mounting pressures, including:

• The demands to raise student achievement.

• Managing complex budgets and increasing budget cuts.

• Keeping campuses safe in increasingly challenging conditions (lack of campus police)

• Part of the reason 85% of the principals voted to unionize- they are upset with the district leadership under Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and the Board of Education.

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