Columbus lawmakers split as Congress ends nation’s longest government shutdown
The nation’s longest government shutdown ended Wednesday night after the House approved a short-term spending bill that restores federal operations and provides temporary funding for key agencies. The shutdown, which lasted 43 days, concluded with the passage of a measure funding military construction, veterans’ affairs, the Department of Agriculture and the legislative branch through September 30, 2026, while extending funding for the rest of the government through January 3. The Senate
Starbucks Red Cup Day sees high demand amid labor strike at dozens of stores
Starbucks Red Cup Day, one of the company’s most anticipated promotional events of the holiday season, returned nationwide on Thursday, Nov. 13, offering customers a free limited-edition 2025 reusable red cup with the purchase of any featured holiday or fall beverage. The annual giveaway traditionally draws heavy foot traffic to stores, and this year the company announced it had prepared more cups than ever to meet demand. The promotion is available while supplies last at participating loca
Dallas mayor outlines city priorities in annual State of the City address
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson delivered his annual State of the City address on Thursday, choosing the newly launched Texas Stock Exchange as the backdrop for a speech that centered on growth, public safety, and the evolving landscape of downtown. The mayor used the moment to emphasize both the accomplishments of the past year and the challenges that lie ahead, particularly as major employers and professional sports teams reassess their future ties to the city. During his 20-minute remarks, John
Chick-fil-A tests new chicken and waffles sandwich in two U.S. cities
Chick-fil-A is preparing to introduce a new twist to its breakfast and lunch lineup, and only two cities in the United States will have early access. Beginning December 1, select restaurants in San Antonio, Texas, and Baltimore, Maryland, will serve as test markets for the company’s new chicken and waffles sandwich, a menu item that blends sweet and savory flavors and is expected to draw strong interest from customers familiar with the chain’s ongoing menu experiments. The limited-time t
New Jersey poll finds Garden State drivers say New Yorkers are the worst
A long-running regional rivalry gained new life this week as a statewide survey revealed that many New Jersey motorists believe New York drivers are the worst on the road. The findings come from the latest Rutgers-Eagleton poll, which examined how Garden State residents perceive the driving habits of motorists from neighboring states. According to the results, a significant share of New Jersey drivers remain convinced that the behavior of their counterparts across the Hudson River poses the g
Dan Snyder’s former Potomac mansion heads to auction after major price cuts
Dan Snyder’s former Potomac riverfront mansion, a sprawling luxury estate once listed among the most expensive residential properties in the region, will be offered at auction next month after a series of price reductions and an eventual charitable donation. The estate, which was gifted to the American Cancer Society nearly two years ago, is now expected to generate millions for cancer research and patient support programs across the country. Snyder, the former owner of the Washin
US government shutdown ends but economic and social fallout continues to deepen
The longest government shutdown in United States history has finally come to an end, but the deep wounds it has inflicted across the economy and federal systems will not heal anytime soon. Though President Donald Trump signed a funding bill to reopen the government after a record 43 days, the aftershocks continue to ripple through essential sectors. With another possible shutdown looming on January 30, the reprieve may be only temporary, leaving the nation bracing for renewed political and econo
US House passes spending bill to end shutdown, Trump expected to sign
The United States House of Representatives has approved a spending bill intended to end the ongoing federal government shutdown, marking a decisive step toward restoring full government operations after weeks of disruption. The measure passed with a 222–209 vote following a contentious debate in Washington, where party leaders exchanged blame over the prolonged impasse. Six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the legislation, giving the Republican-led chamber the margin it needed to
House set to vote on bill to end record U.S. government shutdown
The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to vote Wednesday evening on a bill that would officially bring an end to the longest government shutdown in American history. According to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the process to move the legislation forward will begin late in the afternoon, with the final vote expected to take place around 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Speaking to reporters, Scalise emphasized the urgency of the decision, noting that lawmakers must act
US imposes new sanctions on global network aiding Iran’s missile and drone programs
The United States has announced a fresh wave of sanctions targeting individuals and entities accused of supporting Iran’s ballistic missile and drone development programs. The move underscores Washington’s ongoing effort to curtail Tehran’s military capabilities and disrupt its network of global suppliers. In a detailed statement released on Wednesday, the US Treasury Department confirmed that 32 individuals and companies operating across eight countries—including Iran, the
Anthropic to invest $50 billion in U.S. AI infrastructure build-out
Anthropic announced plans on Wednesday to invest $50 billion in a large-scale U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure initiative, beginning with new data center projects in Texas and New York. The company said the facilities will serve as core components of its long-term strategy to accelerate research and support enterprise clients across industries that depend on high-performance AI systems. The data centers will be developed in collaboration with Fluidstack, an AI cloud platfo
Flight delays persist nationwide as FAA limits traffic amid staffing strain
With the historic government shutdown approaching its resolution, flight delays continue to ripple across the United States as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforces a nationwide order aimed at reducing strain on air traffic controllers. The measure, while temporary, has led to extended flight times, increased rerouting, and longer wait periods for passengers and pilots alike. For the fifth consecutive day, air traffic operations have slowed as the FAA manages reduced st
Austin completes major cleanup, connects hundreds of homeless residents to aid
The City of Austin has concluded a three-week initiative aimed at addressing homelessness through both cleanup operations and social outreach. The campaign, coordinated by the city’s Homeless Strategies and Operations (HSO) team, sought to connect unhoused residents with essential services while restoring public areas impacted by encampments. Over the course of the operation, more than 1.3 million pounds of debris were collected from nearly 700 sites across the city, marking one of Austin??
Health officials warn travelers as measles cases surge across North America
Health officials across North America are raising concerns over a growing surge in measles cases, urging travelers to remain cautious and ensure they are vaccinated. The warning follows multiple confirmed exposures at major U.S. airports, increasing fears of renewed transmission of the highly contagious disease that had been largely controlled for decades through widespread immunization. The latest alert comes after an individual infected with measles was present at Philadelphia Int
Houston restaurant adds new burlesque dinner nights after strong public demand
Following an overwhelming response from diners, a Houston restaurant has announced additional dates for its burlesque dinner series after its first event on November 11 drew full-house reservations and enthusiastic reviews. The concept blends gourmet dining with theatrical entertainment, creating a unique nightlife experience that merges culinary artistry and live performance. The evening’s debut featured three separate dinner seatings, each priced at $59.95 per person. Guests wer
Trump backs H1-B visa, says US needs global talent amid worker shortage
In a notable shift from his previous hardline stance on immigration, United States President Donald Trump appeared to defend the H1-B visa program, acknowledging that the country must rely on skilled talent from abroad to fill crucial workforce gaps. The remarks came during a televised interview on Fox News, where Trump discussed the challenges of maintaining a balance between protecting American jobs and sustaining industries that depend on specialized foreign labor. When asked whe
Bowie honors two heroes who saved trapped family during fierce July storm
BOWIE, Md. — Two Bowie residents were honored this week for their bravery after stepping forward to save a family trapped in their vehicle during a powerful summer storm. The recognition highlights an extraordinary moment of courage that turned potential tragedy into a story of human compassion and quick thinking. In July, a violent storm swept through Bowie, Maryland, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that caused widespread damage across neighborhoods. Amid the chaos, a large
Columbus Utility Rates to Rise as City Boosts Water and Power Infrastructure
City officials in Columbus, Ohio have announced a sweeping increase in utility rates — including water, sewer, stormwater and electric services — as part of a broader infrastructure strategy aimed at ensuring safe tap water, accommodating future growth and reinforcing drought resilience. The proposed package would represent the largest adjustment in recent years and positions the city to meet both current demands and long-term capital needs. According to municipal sources, inflation and
Northern Lights Dazzle Chicago Skies After Powerful Solar Flare
On Tuesday night, residents throughout the Chicago metropolitan area were treated to a rare celestial display as the multi-hued ribbons of the aurora borealis lit up the sky following a powerful solar flare. From the heart of the city to suburban neighbourhoods, witnesses described vivid shades of pink, purple, green and yellow drifting across the horizon, signalling the arrival of an energetic stream of solar particles. Meteorologists and space-weather experts attribute the spectac
