Month: November 2025

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a stark warning Sunday that U.S. air travel could grind nearly to a halt in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving if the government shutdown continues, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faces severe air traffic control shortages.

The FAA’s staffing crisis has forced widespread flight reductions at more than 40 major airports nationwide. Duffy said 81 “staffing triggers” were reported Saturday, prompting operational changes across the national airspace. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the country’s busiest, “18 of 22 controllers didn’t show up,” he noted.

Duffy said in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union: “It’s only going to get worse. The two weeks before Thanksgiving, you’re going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle.” Duffy explained that many controllers are choosing to stay home as they face financial hardships caused by the prolonged government shutdown. “I want them to come to work. The problem is, they’re confronted with real economic problems. The answer is, vote to open up the government and then have your debates, have your conversation. I think that’s the best way, best approach, to get America back operational.”

As of Sunday morning, more than 1,500 flights had been canceled and over 4,000 delayed, according to FlightAware. Those figures follow 1,550 cancellations on Saturday and 1,025 on Friday. The FAA reported that 42 airport towers were experiencing staffing shortages that delayed flights in at least a dozen major cities, including Atlanta, Newark, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York.

To manage the shortages, the FAA implemented ground delay programs at several major hubs, including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Newark Liberty, Houston Hobby, George Bush Intercontinental, Nashville, Chicago O’Hare, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and New York’s JFK and LaGuardia airports. These measures slow down air traffic to ensure safety but significantly limit the number of flights moving through affected airspace.

The FAA said the reductions amount to roughly a 4% cut in flight capacity this weekend, projected to climb to 6% by Tuesday, 8% by Thursday, and up to 10% by Friday if the shutdown persists.

Despite the growing disruption, Duffy assured travelers that safety remains the agency’s top priority, saying: “We’re working overtime to make sure that it is safe to travel. If we have staffing triggers in locations in the American airspace, what we will do is, we will slow traffic, which means you will have delays, and then airlines might cancel flights.”

Still, Duffy acknowledged the mounting strain on both the system and the workforce. “Next Friday, it’s going to be at 10% to reduce the pressure on controllers. The problem is that as I try to reduce the pressure by lowering flights, I have more controllers that keep not coming to work. And so the pressure goes back up again.”

With the holiday travel season fast approaching, Duffy warned that if the shutdown isn’t resolved soon, “many people hoping to get home for Thanksgiving are not going to be able to get on an airplane, because there are not going to be that many flights that fly if this thing doesn’t open back up.”

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A police pursuit through Tampa early Saturday turned deadly when a speeding driver lost control and crashed into a packed bar patio, killing four people and injuring 13 others.

According to the Tampa Police Department, the chase began around 12:40 a.m. after law enforcement air patrol spotted a vehicle driving erratically along Interstate 275. The Florida Highway Patrol initiated pursuit of the driver, identified as 22-year-old Silas Kenneth Sampson, and attempted a PIT maneuver—a tactic meant to force a fleeing car to spin and stop—but it was unsuccessful. After the failed maneuver, the Highway Patrol reportedly ended its active pursuit before the crash occurred. Investigators say there is “no evidence to indicate that Sampson’s actions were targeted toward any specific persons or businesses.”

Dash and aerial footage released by authorities show the suspect vehicle continuing at high speed before veering off and slamming into Bradley’s, a well-known LGBTQ bar in the city’s Ybor neighborhood. The impact scattered debris across the street and left multiple people trapped beneath wreckage. Three people died at the scene, and a fourth later succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Of the 13 injured, two remain in critical condition, seven are stable, and several have since been discharged or treated at the scene. Officials have not released the victims’ names.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw stated: “What happened this morning was a senseless tragedy, our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims and all those who were impacted. Reckless driving put innocent lives in danger. The Tampa Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families.”

The establishment said in a statement that the incident was ‘horrific’ and that the bar will remain closed until Monday: Bradley Nelson, the owner of Bradley’s on 7th, shared in a statement: “This event has been very traumatic for my entire staff, and myself. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of those who were killed, and to all the injured. Bradley’s on 7th is known for being a very tight-knit family of employees and customers. Our customers are very loyal and have made Bradley’s on 7th what it is today. They are truly part of our family. We ask you to remember all those killed and injured in your prayers, as we do the same. I cannot say enough about the expert job done by the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff Office and the Florida Highway Patrol and all the involved EMS teams. The speed in which this event was handled, should be noted by all.”

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor wrote on X: “What happened in Ybor City last night was devastating. Families are grieving, first responders are hurting, and our entire city feels this loss. My thoughts are with everyone affected. The investigation continues, and our commitment to keeping our community safe has never been stronger.”

The suspect is charged with four counts of vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated fleeing to elude serious bodily injury or death, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) records. He is being held at the Falkenburg Road Jail without bond.

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to ever lead the U.S. House of Representatives, announced Thursday that she will retire from Congress at the end of her current term. Pelosi’s announcement marks the end of a four-decade tenure in Congress, representing San Francisco since her first election in 1987. The 85-year-old Democrat’s term officially concludes on January 3, 2027.

Pelosi said in a nearly six-minute video posted on X: “I want you, my fellow San Franciscans, to be the first to know. I will not be seeking reelection to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative.”

In her message, Pelosi reflected on her deep ties to her district and her enduring optimism for its future. “As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power. We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way. And now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy, and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.”

Born Nancy Patricia D’Alesandro in Baltimore in 1940, Pelosi grew up immersed in politics. Her father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., served as both a congressman and mayor of Baltimore, while her brother later held the same mayoral office. After moving to California with her husband, Paul Pelosi, whom she met at Georgetown University, she became deeply involved in Democratic organizing, eventually chairing the state party before winning a special congressional election in 1987.

Pelosi became the first woman elected Speaker of the House in 2007,  and the first in 70 years to reclaim the gavel after losing it (returning to the post in 2019). Over 19 years as the Democratic leader, Pelosi guided her party through defining moments, and was known for her ability to unite fractious Democrats and steer landmark legislation through razor-thin margins. Colleagues often cited her unmatched political skill and relentless discipline.

Pelosi’s decision comes just days after the passage of Proposition 50, a California redistricting initiative she championed alongside Gov. Gavin Newsom. The measure, which passed with 63% of the vote, could yield Democrats additional congressional seats in future elections.

Pelosi has also remained an influential figure behind the scenes — advising younger lawmakers, fundraising for Democrats, and helping guide major political decisions. Last year, she played a pivotal role in persuading President Joe Biden to withdraw from his reelection campaign after a damaging debate performance, helping pave the way for Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination.

Democrats across the country praised Pelosi’s service and influence. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called her an “iconic, legendary, transformational figure,” while President Joe Biden hailed her as the “best Speaker of the House in American history,” adding, “when I was President, we worked together to grow our economy, create millions of jobs, and make historic investments in our nation’s future. She has devoted much of her life to this country, and America will always be grateful.”

Former President Barack Obama credited Pelosi for her central role in passing the Affordable Care Act, calling her a “master legislator.” Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added, “There will be so many things to say about the legendary Nancy Pelosi’s transformational tenure in Congress—but for now, let’s start with ‘Thank you, Madam Speaker.’”  California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Pelosi “has inspired generations and set the standard for what public service should be.”

In her farewell message, Pelosi added that “American Democracy is majestic — but it is fragile. Many of us here have witnessed its fragility firsthand — tragically, in this chamber. And so, Democracy must be forever defended from forces that wish it harm.”

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The Trump administration announced Thursday a sweeping agreement with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk aimed at dramatically lowering the cost of popular GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity, diabetes, and other related health conditions. The deal is set to benefit millions of Americans, including Medicare and Medicaid patients, through the upcoming TrumpRx prescription program.

With GLP-1 drugs currently revolutionizing treatment for obesity and metabolic diseases, the Trump administration’s deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk marks one of the most significant public-private healthcare agreements in recent years — one that could reshape how millions of Americans access life-changing medications.

Speaking from the Oval Office, President Donald Trump hailed the announcement as a landmark moment for U.S. healthcare. “This is a triumph for American patients that will save lives and improve the health of millions and millions of Americans,” Trump said, thanking the drugmakers for reaching the agreement after months of negotiations.

Under the new plan, patients who purchase GLP-1 injectables such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro through the TrumpRx platform will pay about $350 per month starting in January, with the price expected to fall to around $250 over the next two years for those paying fully out-of-pocket. For patients covered under Medicare, the monthly co-pay will be $50, with the new pricing expected to take effect by mid-2026. Officials said the TrumpRx platform will allow Americans to buy medications directly from manufacturers, bypassing traditional insurance systems. Daily pill versions of the GLP-1 drugs — pending FDA approval — are projected to start at $149 per month for initial doses.

The Trump administration expects TrumpRx to launch by the end of the year, giving consumers access to lower-cost medications directly from manufacturers. Medicaid participation will depend on state opt-in timelines, but federal officials expect most states to join.

The new pricing model could make the drugs accessible to a broader range of patients, particularly those with severe obesity or obesity-related complications. Currently, most Medicare and Medicaid plans do not cover weight-loss drugs unless linked to other health conditions, leaving many patients paying more than $1,000 a month out-of-pocket.

Under the new structure, lower prices will initially be available to Medicare patients who meet certain medical criteria, including:

• A BMI over 27 with prediabetes, heart attack, or stroke history;
• A BMI over 30 with kidney disease or other chronic conditions;
• A BMI over 35, which classifies as severe obesity.

Administration officials estimate roughly 10% of Medicare patients will qualify at first. The program could save the government an estimated $170 billion over time through reduced obesity-related healthcare costs.

“This is not about losing weight — this is about making America healthy again,” one senior official said. “We’re talking about preventing strokes, kidney disease, and other deadly complications.”

The deal marks another step in the Trump administration’s “most-favored-nations” initiative, which seeks to ensure Americans pay drug prices comparable to those in other developed countries. The agreement follows an executive order signed earlier this year directing federal agencies to pursue such deals to lower medication costs.

Eli Lilly CEO David A. Ricks called the announcement “a pivotal moment in U.S. health care policy and a defining milestone for Lilly,” adding that the company remains committed to expanding obesity treatment access. Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said the agreement will “bring semaglutide medicines to more American patients at a lower cost,” noting that the drug’s FDA-approved uses already span obesity, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and cardiovascular risk.  Both companies are preparing to release new GLP-1 pill versions next year, pending regulatory approval.

Negotiations between the Trump administration and the drugmakers reportedly took months to finalize. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed that the discussions were “intense but productive,” emphasizing that the new pricing framework was built to be sustainable for both taxpayers and the private sector. Health experts note that roughly 40% of Americans are considered obese, making access to affordable treatments a major public health priority. The administration has also signaled plans to complement the initiative with efforts to promote healthier diets and increase physical activity in schools and the military. “There is nothing more important we can do than lower this price,” Kennedy said.

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