Good morning. Today in Washington, skies are clear with a high expected around 61 degrees, cooling down to a low near 44 overnight. Meanwhile, excitement builds as the Commanders are set to visit Kansas City this evening. For those interested in connecting with me, I’m available on Bluesky, or you can reach me at @abeaujon.87 on Signal, with my email address linked below. This news overview is also offered as a morning newsletter—sign up for it here.
In the realm of music, I can’t stop listening to Jeff Tweedy’s “Feel Free,” a highlight from his performance last night at the Lincoln Theatre. He is scheduled to perform at the 9:30 Club tonight, joined by Macie Stewart. If you’re eager to catch up on my daily music recommendations, you can find curated playlists on both Spotify and Apple Music.
On the political front, the government shutdown has reached Day 27 with no clear resolution in sight. The US Department of Agriculture made headlines on Friday by announcing it would not utilize billions in contingency funds to support food aid for Americans through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This decision marked a reversal from the agency’s earlier strategy detailed in a deleted copy of the USDA’s shutdown plan dated September 30.
Recently, the USDA issued a statement indicating that SNAP aid would cease by November 1, attributing blame to Democrats for the developing crisis.
Meanwhile, a shortage of air traffic controllers—who are currently working unpaid due to the shutdown—led to halted flights into LAX this past Sunday.
As the end of this week approaches, several critical issues are poised to emerge. Open enrollment for Obamacare plans commences on November 1, and many will see insurances increase without subsidies. Furthermore, military personnel are facing the prospect of missing another paycheck, while Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits are also set to expire. Compounding these challenges, the Pentagon has accepted a $130 million donation from an unidentified ‘friend’ of President Donald Trump, a fraction of the billions needed for military pay.
This mystery donor has since been identified as Timothy Mellon.
Federal employees are experiencing heightened anxiety regarding how they will manage rent and mortgage payments in the upcoming week, alongside basic necessities like food. Particularly concerning is the situation for employees stationed abroad, who cannot apply for unemployment benefits, frequently possess security clearances making temporary employment nearly impossible, and may encounter unsympathetic landlords and creditors regarding the ongoing shutdown.
To provide some relief, World Central Kitchen will begin distributing meals to federal workers and their families today at Washington Canal Park, with daily updates on their location available online as the shutdown extends.
In other administration news, President Donald Trump publicly expressed his intention to raise tariffs on Canadian goods by 10 percent, spurred by dissatisfaction with a specific television advertisement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent referred to the ad as “psy-ops” against the American populace. Fortunately, there are signs that the US and China might be edging closer to a deal to mitigate tariff tensions, according to Bessent.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has sparked discussions around potential military operations in Venezuela and Colombia during recent television appearances.
On the environmental front, the US Forest Service is restructuring its oversight of regional offices, which translates to fewer employees managing larger areas of land.
Amidst a backdrop of increasing challenges to governmental policies, big law firms have largely shunned cases against the Trump administration, leaving smaller firms to shoulder the burden. Some of these firms, already stretched thin, have opted to deny representation to clients facing significant legal challenges connected to the current administration’s policies.
Additionally, the US detained British journalist Sami Hamdi upon his entry for a speaking tour, with the Department of Homeland Security asserting that anyone who supports terrorism and poses a threat to American national security will be barred from entry.
In local news, on Washingtonian.com, we explored the prospects for candidate Jay Jones in Virginia politics, gathering insights from political observers on whether he still has a chance at victory.
On the ground in DC, Council member Kenyan McDuffie is rumored to be gearing up for a mayoral run, which suggests that current Mayor Muriel Bowser, often seen as aligned with McDuffie, may not be pursuing a third term in office.
In a concerning turn of events, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton reported being scammed out of over $4,000, with police assessments of her mental capacity cited as inappropriate by her office.
Additionally, the District witnessed a spate of violence over the weekend with twelve individuals wounded in multiple shootings, as well as a fatal shooting incident in Ashburn that appears to have escalated from a dog fight.
Celebrity chef operations are also under scrutiny, as Michelin-starred DC restaurant Gravitas faces a tax lien nearly totaling $300,000.
In a lighter note, local lawyer Isaac Stein, who launched a hot dog stand named Shysters Dogs as part of an art initiative earlier this summer, is now seeing increased business amidst his furlough, touting his establishment as “the only honest ripoff in DC.”
Finally, we invite your nominations for our 500 Most Influential People list, with submissions due by December 5!
image source from：washingtonian
