Air traffic controller issues; James Comey in court: NPR

Good morning. You are reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to receive it in your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.

Today’s best stories

The government shutdown is now in its eighth day and there is no end in sight as Democrats continue to advocate for expanding Affordable Care Act subsidies. Republicans didn’t hold back, saying they could discuss subsidies after the government reopens. Additionally, President Trump raised the possibility that some of the estimated 600,000 furloughed federal workers could be denied back pay once the government reopens, despite a 2019 law aimed at ensuring federal employees are compensated after a shutdown.

• 🎧 The Democrats and the Republican Party seem to be playing a game of chickentells NPR’s Domenico Montanaro First. The administration believes it can resist what’s happening politically and blame Democrats, he adds. The president gave the impression that congressional leaders were in discussions, but there is no indication that is happening now. Some members of the Democratic caucus voted with Republicans to reopen the government, but Democrats remain united. Democratic leaders are keen to emphasize that they are in favor of extending the subsidies, while Republicans are not.

The Federal Aviation Administration says a shortage of air traffic controllers has led to delays at airports across the United States. The government shutdown has only made the situation worse. The FAA has also had to limit the number of planes it can handle in its airspace to keep the system safe.

• 🎧 Nearly 11,000 certified controllers to operate during shutdownbut they won’t get paid until the government reopens, says NPR’s Joel Rose. During the last government shutdown in 2019, air traffic controllers reported higher than normal numbers of sick calls, which caused significant delays at major East Coast airports and likely contributed to the shutdown’s end. At rural airports, a federal program called Essential Air Service subsidizes flights, but the Trump administration says funds for the program could run out as soon as this weekend if the shutdown continues. Rose says that could be important for the nearly 170 communities nationwide that use the program.

Former FBI Director James Comey will appear in a federal courthouse today to be arraigned on two criminal charges.: Making a false statement to Congress five years ago and obstructing a Congressional investigation. The indictment comes a day after Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to tell senators whether she had discussed the accusations against Comey with the president. During a more than four-hour hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Bondi defended his work at the Justice Department and rejected allegations that his investigations were politically motivated.

• 🎧 In court, Comey is expected to officially plead not guiltysays NPR’s Carrie Johnson. His indictment is only two pages long and it has been difficult to say exactly what facts led to the charges. Trump won’t be present in the courtroom, but he could play an important role, especially if Comey and his lawyers argue for vindictive prosecutions. This would basically mean that he would not have been prosecuted without the president’s hostility towards him. Comey could have a strong advantage for this argument, based on Trump’s comments on social media and in videos.

Live better

Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has agreed to new guidelines for updated COVID-19 vaccines, which could make it harder for many people to protect themselves this winter compared to previous years. The new guidelines call for people to consult a doctor, pharmacist or other health care provider about the risks and benefits of vaccination before getting vaccinated. The CDC’s acceptance of these guidelines is the final action necessary for their implementation, a decision that impacts who can receive and administer the COVID vaccine, and whether vaccination will be covered by insurance without co-pays. Here’s what we know and why the confusion persists:

• 💉 The new guidelines continue to guarantee coverage by private and public insurers, including Medicaid and Medicare.
• 💉 The recommendation should also clarify that everyone aged 6 months and older is eligible for the COVID vaccine, including healthy children, pregnant women and young adults.
• 💉 But some providers might still be confused or hesitant to administer the shots due to uncertainty and mixed messages. The CDC advisory committee has presented speculative vaccine safety risks that are not supported by solid evidence.
• 💉 Other medical groups, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, have issued separate guidelines recommending the shot for most people ages 6 months and older.

Special series

Cumbia across Latin Americais a visual report covering the people, places and cultures that keep this musical genre alive in six countries.

Monterrey, Mexico is the land of “sonideros,” DJs who specialize in collecting cumbia and tropical music records. These DJs emerged in the 1960s and continue to showcase their talents in clubs and street parties today. In Monterrey, cumbia was once considered gang music because it was popular in poor, migrant neighborhoods called colonias. At the epicenter is the Independencia colony. At that time, young people were fighting for territory and one of their rebellious acts was to spray the city walls with cumbia worms. Learn about the genre’s influence in Monterrey and see photos of cumbia DJs taking their passion to the streets. You can also read the article in Spanish.

3 things to know before you leave

1. Francine, a cat who lives at Lowe’s in Richmond, Virginia, returned home Monday after an adventure in North Carolina that lasted more than two weeks. Francine rose to fame through an Instagram account created to share updates about her research. (via VPM)
2. Every fall, schools in Aroostook County, Maine, allow students to miss class to help harvest potatoes. It’s a centuries-old tradition that dates back to the 1940s. (via Maine Public)
3. A new research paper challenges some common beliefs about Ernest Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance. The newspaper questions the ship’s reputation as one of the best built of its time and claims that it did not sink due to losing its rudder while stuck in sea ice.

This newsletter was published by Suzanne Nuyen.