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Tag: government shutdown 2025

  • 2 Arlington churches come together to feed the hungry – WTOP News

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    With the increase in food insecurity as a result of the ongoing government shutdown, two Arlington, Virginia, churches joined forces to feed the hungry.

    With the increase in food insecurity as a result of the ongoing government shutdown, two Arlington, Virginia, churches joined forces on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, to feed the hungry. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

    With the longest government shutdown in U.S. history stretching to day 39, and on the heels of the Supreme Court granting President Donald Trump’s administration’s emergency order blocking a court order to fully fund SNAP benefits, the need for food has grown.

    Government workers have not received a paycheck in a month, inflation is still causing sticker shock in grocery stores, and many in the area had their federal jobs cut earlier in the year, which has caused food insecurity to grow for many in the D.C. area.

    Organizers at Saturday’s food pop-up giveaway, which was jointly hosted in Arlington, Virginia, by Mount Olivet United Methodist Church and Walker Chapel United Methodist Church, said they’ve never seen longer lines.

    “We had folks who were showing up for the first time because they’ve been furloughed,” said pastor Teer Hardy.

    The furloughed government workers stood in a line that wrapped around the parking lot off Glebe Road with families who work multiple jobs to make ends meet.

    “It really is a melting pot of our community here in the parking lot,” Hardy said.

    The food pop-up has been going for nearly 20 years on the second Saturday of the month in the parking lot at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church.

    “It’s like a fifth day of worship for us,” said Greg Hitt, one of the organizers.

    Along with the 450 cartons of eggs and cans of tuna that the churches gave out, Hitt said the Capital Area Food Bank provided 720 pounds of jalapeno peppers, 1,000 pounds of green peppers, 2,625 pounds of sweet potatoes, and a 4,000-pound pallet of onions, potatoes and cabbages.

    Pastor Sarah Keeling, of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, said that the need has grown since January, where they would have enough food to give out to 300 families and today, it has jumped to 450.

    “We can measure how our economy is doing based off this line,” Keeling said. “People are still willing to come out here in these huge numbers, even when they’re afraid of deportations.”

    The food giveaway is set up like a farmers market.

    “We really want it to feel it is something you can come with dignity and not feel bad or ashamed,” said Keeling.

    Hardy said the second Saturday of the month is not only meaningful to him, but also his children and parishioners.

    “Jesus gave us two rules. We love God and we love our neighbor, and then we repeat that over and over and over again,” Hardy said. “This is how we do that.”

    Along with donations and volunteers, both Pastors pointed out they need interpreters who speak Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jimmy Alexander

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  • CDC data blackout during shutdown raising flu season concerns – WTOP News

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    With flu season already hitting hard in parts of the world and COVID-19 still going around, public health experts are sounding the alarm.

    With flu season already hitting hard in parts of the world and COVID-19 still going around, public health experts are sounding the alarm that this could be a rough season for respiratory illnesses.

    The colder months typically bring a rise in sicknesses like the flu and COVID. But this year, doctors are trying to respond without the usual data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which stopped being released when the government shutdown began at the start of October.

    “As an infectious disease specialist, I look to the CDC for guidance in terms of early signals that there’s something going on in my area of practice,” said Dr. Linda Nabha.

    With the shutdown, many CDC staff members who monitor the spread of the illnesses have been furloughed. Nabha said the information they gather and release is essential to tracking outbreaks, underscoring that without it, doctors are — in a way — flying blind.

    “If the surveillance is weaker, then we may have less up-to-date information … and it may be harder for public health officials to detect early signals of a bad flu season or emerging strains,” Nabha said.

    She said local and state health departments may try to fill the gap, but it’s a tough ask for local agencies.

    “We’re essentially asking a certain number of employees to make up for the work of a bigger surveillance group,” she said.

    Nabha said the flu is already hitting hard overseas, which could be a warning sign.

    “It raises the risk that we may see hospitalizations and more severe disease, and we may see it earlier,” she said.

    She urged people not to wait to get vaccinated, and said better planning is needed for any future government shutdowns.

    “We do have to think about what the next season is going to bring if we don’t have those numbers right now,” Nabha said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Mike Murillo

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  • Federal shutdown leaves Maryland family struggling amid cancer battle – WTOP News

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    One Maryland woman, whose name WTOP agreed not to use, shared how the shutdown has collided with her personal health crisis.

    As the federal government shutdown continues, families across the D.C. region are feeling the strain from missed paychecks and stalled work.

    One Maryland woman, whose name WTOP agreed not to use, shared how the shutdown has collided with her personal health crisis. Her husband, a longtime federal employee, is currently furloughed while she battles breast cancer for the second time.

    “All of the people who have been making these decisions have no respect nor any education about the value of the employees that they have betrayed,” she said.

    She explained that the return of her breast cancer earlier this year came just as her husband began facing uncertainty at work. Now, with the shutdown in effect, he is not receiving paychecks, and the couple is struggling to cover rising medical expenses.

    “We’re not really sure what’s going to happen after next month. Our 18th wedding anniversary is on Nov. 11, and we know we’re not going to even be able to go out to dinner to celebrate,” she said.

    The woman said the shutdown has made it difficult to remain hopeful.

    “Now, there’s the shutdown, and there is no end in sight,” she said through sobs. “I’m looking around at everything that’s going on, and it’s like the worst feeling to not have any hope.”

    Lawmakers still collecting paychecks

    Despite the challenges, the woman said she is trying to focus on what she can.

    “I’m trying to appreciate the smallest things that I have right now … because if I didn’t have that, I don’t think there’s anything else there,” she said.

    She urged lawmakers to take action and end the shutdown.

    “Congressional officials … are still collecting their paychecks … but they’re not the ones who are suffering. Their constituents are,” she said.

    She also called for an end to what she called a continued “assault on federal workers.”

    “Their decisions are to punish federal workers for simply doing their jobs. Their goal is to punish American citizens,” she said.

    Through it all, the woman said she and her husband have leaned on each other for support.

    “My greatest fear is if I don’t make it, there is no one there for him. And that’s not OK. None of this is OK,” she said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Mike Murillo

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  • What issues are bringing record numbers of Virginia early voters to the polls? – WTOP News

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    The ongoing federal government shutdown, increased immigration enforcement, and the role parents play in public schools in Virginia were among the issues on some voters’ minds at an early voting satellite center.

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    What issues are bringing record numbers of Virginia voters to the polls, early

    The ongoing federal government shutdown, increased immigration enforcement and the role parents play in public schools in Virginia were among the issues on local voters’ minds during a recent WTOP sampling at a Loudoun County early voting satellite center.

    The number of early ballots cast so far this year is at a record high for a nonpresidential election in Virginia, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, or VPAP.

    During a mid-morning visit with voters outside the Dulles South Recreation Center, one of Loudoun County Office of Elections’ four early voting satellite locations, WTOP asked voters which issues prompted them to cast their ballots before the Nov. 4 general election.

    Most cited convenience as the reason they decided to vote early in person, but the issues they cared about most varied.

    One voter specified the ongoing federal government shutdown as his prime reason for voting, because it affects his livelihood.

    “When the government gets shut down, contractors also get shut down,” he said. “I had skin in the game, to be honest.”

    Another voter characterized himself as a retired civil servant: “I’ve been through many, many shutdowns before, but this one is just very different, and very bad.”

    He said he has family and friends working in the federal government, which has traditionally been a predictable, stable work environment.

    “They never thought they’d ever be impacted, even if it shut down. Usually, there’s an answer that’s in the works, but nobody’s working it,” he said.

    The role of parents in schools

    One husband and wife, who introduced themselves as conservative Christians, said their votes reflected the candidates’ positions “on the more conservative issues — obviously abortion, and also current issues in some of our public schools, as far as gender identity and locker rooms.”

    His wife concurred: “As parents, we want our voices heard. And we want to fight for our kids, to have a say in our kids’ education and any kind of policies that affect them, especially within the confines of school.”

    The retired civil servant said that his children are now grown. He questions whether children are actually benefiting from the “parents matter” issue that buoyed Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s election and gubernatorial term.

    “Parents first? Some get too involved. I think it’s either crossed the line or has touched the line too much,” he said.

    Another man said that he doesn’t have any children, “but I do recognize it as something that is important to the rest of the community.”

    Internal conflicts about immigration 

    Most of the people WTOP spoke with said the increased law and immigration enforcement agents around the country is an intensely political issue.

    “I would like to see discussions and real solutions, rather than some of what I’ve seen,” said the government contractor.

    “Most of the people that are getting deported are getting their lives torn up,” he said. “They’re as American as we are, I think — it’s just that somewhere either their parents didn’t have the papers or didn’t necessarily do things right.”

    The conservative husband and wife both said they believe there’s “a right way to come into the country.”

    According to the wife, “By coming to the country illegally, you already are breaking the law by coming in.”

    And while she “has no problem with criminals going the right way,” she doesn’t believe the increased enforcement has been limited to criminals.

    “I do have a hard time with that. I feel like the Trump administration said they were going after the criminals first, and they have, but I also think that they have opened that up,” she said.

    “I don’t think they’ve been as honest that they’ve been coming after people who are hard-working parents that are probably working double jobs and trying to keep their family afloat,” she said. “As a mom of a lot of kids, it’s heartbreaking to see families pulled apart.”

    She said she feels for families that are being impacted by the increased enforcement: “The truth is, we let them come in illegally, that’s our fault for doing that. So you can’t even blame them.”

    When asked if the immigration issue was important to him, the retired civil servant’s guttural reaction suggested saying it was important to him was an understatement: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement isn’t being monitored. The lack of oversight across the administration is just awful.”

    As for how long the increased immigration enforcement might last, “I would pay attention to what the governor says, whoever the governor turns out to be. That, and sending National Guard from Virginia into another state,” he said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Neal Augenstein

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  • What issues are bringing record numbers of Virginia early voters to the polls? – WTOP News

    [ad_1]

    The ongoing federal government shutdown, increased immigration enforcement, and the role parents play in public schools in Virginia were among the issues on some voters’ minds at an early voting satellite center.

    This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.
    In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.

    What issues are bringing record numbers of Virginia voters to the polls, early

    The ongoing federal government shutdown, increased immigration enforcement and the role parents play in public schools in Virginia were among the issues on local voters’ minds during a recent WTOP sampling at a Loudoun County early voting satellite center.

    The number of early ballots cast so far this year is at a record high for a nonpresidential election in Virginia, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, or VPAP.

    During a mid-morning visit with voters outside the Dulles South Recreation Center, one of Loudoun County Office of Elections’ four early voting satellite locations, WTOP asked voters which issues prompted them to cast their ballots before the Nov. 4 general election.

    Most cited convenience as the reason they decided to vote early in person, but the issues they cared about most varied.

    One voter specified the ongoing federal government shutdown as his prime reason for voting, because it affects his livelihood.

    “When the government gets shut down, contractors also get shut down,” he said. “I had skin in the game, to be honest.”

    Another voter characterized himself as a retired civil servant: “I’ve been through many, many shutdowns before, but this one is just very different, and very bad.”

    He said he has family and friends working in the federal government, which has traditionally been a predictable, stable work environment.

    “They never thought they’d ever be impacted, even if it shut down. Usually, there’s an answer that’s in the works, but nobody’s working it,” he said.

    The role of parents in schools

    One husband and wife, who introduced themselves as conservative Christians, said their votes reflected the candidates’ positions “on the more conservative issues — obviously abortion, and also current issues in some of our public schools, as far as gender identity and locker rooms.”

    His wife concurred: “As parents, we want our voices heard. And we want to fight for our kids, to have a say in our kids’ education and any kind of policies that affect them, especially within the confines of school.”

    The retired civil servant said that his children are now grown. He questions whether children are actually benefiting from the “parents matter” issue that buoyed Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s election and gubernatorial term.

    “Parents first? Some get too involved. I think it’s either crossed the line or has touched the line too much,” he said.

    Another man said that he doesn’t have any children, “but I do recognize it as something that is important to the rest of the community.”

    Internal conflicts about immigration 

    Most of the people WTOP spoke with said the increased law and immigration enforcement agents around the country is an intensely political issue.

    “I would like to see discussions and real solutions, rather than some of what I’ve seen,” said the government contractor.

    “Most of the people that are getting deported are getting their lives torn up,” he said. “They’re as American as we are, I think — it’s just that somewhere either their parents didn’t have the papers or didn’t necessarily do things right.”

    The conservative husband and wife both said they believe there’s “a right way to come into the country.”

    According to the wife, “By coming to the country illegally, you already are breaking the law by coming in.”

    And while she “has no problem with criminals going the right way,” she doesn’t believe the increased enforcement has been limited to criminals.

    “I do have a hard time with that. I feel like the Trump administration said they were going after the criminals first, and they have, but I also think that they have opened that up,” she said.

    “I don’t think they’ve been as honest that they’ve been coming after people who are hard-working parents that are probably working double jobs and trying to keep their family afloat,” she said. “As a mom of a lot of kids, it’s heartbreaking to see families pulled apart.”

    She said she feels for families that are being impacted by the increased enforcement: “The truth is, we let them come in illegally, that’s our fault for doing that. So you can’t even blame them.”

    When asked if the immigration issue was important to him, the retired civil servant’s guttural reaction suggested saying it was important to him was an understatement: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement isn’t being monitored. The lack of oversight across the administration is just awful.”

    As for how long the increased immigration enforcement might last, “I would pay attention to what the governor says, whoever the governor turns out to be. That, and sending National Guard from Virginia into another state,” he said.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Neal Augenstein

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  • Virginia finance professor on the hidden, long-term costs of a government shutdown – WTOP News

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    A University of Virginia professor uncovers the hidden, long-term economic impacts that come with a government shutdown.

    There are obvious economic impacts that come with a government shutdown. Everything from local businesses to the travel industry face uncertainty amid the lapse in funding.

    But what about the less obvious, long-term economic impacts? That’s what Christoph Herpfer, assistant professor of finance at University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, is trying to make clear in a recent report.

    “Underneath the surface, there’s a much bigger thing going on that costs the government and the taxpayer, by extension, a lot more money in the long run than these initial, immediate consequences,” Herpfer said.

    The government often relies on federal employees being intrinsically motivated by the belief a job with the federal government is stable and predictable, according to Herpfer.

    “The shutdown kind of destroys both of these ideas,” Herpfer said. “What we find is that after the shutdown is over, the employees go back to their desks, they do their job, and they fire up LinkedIn, and look for a new job. And within about six to 12 months, you have a massive outflow of talent and human capital out of the government.”

    According to the report, Herpfer found the likelihood that furloughed employees leave their job within one year of the shutdown is one-third higher than employees who were not furloughed. That’s something, he said, that translates into tens of thousands of highly qualified workers leaving the government for the private sector.

    Herpfer was also able to quantify the shock to federal employees’ morale, finding the shock felt by workers furloughed during a shutdown is equivalent to as if their salaries were cut by 10%.

    He said these were the same underlying mechanisms in place during the federal shutdown in 2018. But, this time, our region is especially vulnerable.

    Government cutbacks from earlier this year eliminated 18,000 federal jobs. In addition to that, the D.C. region has seen a recent decline of 8,500 jobs in professional and business services and a sluggish tourism sector.

    But, Herpfer said, it’s possible federal cuts from earlier this year could actually mean we see less furloughed employees leave after the shutdown ends.

    “Because everybody who was on the fence, everybody who was kind of unhappy in the first place, they took the buyout way back in April and May. So maybe the people who are left are the true believers that really want to stick it out, and this time, there won’t be this exodus of people,” Herpfer said.

    “On the other hand, it could be that a lot of these people are on the edge already, and they’re kind of tired from the actions of the last year, which could mean that this could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, and even more people leave the government,” he added.

    Herpfer emphasized that at the end of the day, the government shutdown is a bipartisan issue. He said even if you consider the government bloated, the way to cut down is not a shutdown or pushing employees out.

    “These permanent federal employees will be replaced by employees in the so-called ‘shadow government’ by outside contractors,” Herpfer said. “And what we find is that the cost for these outside contractors actually is two-and-a-half times as high as the savings and payroll from the federal employees who quit.”

    Herpfer aims for his research to support bipartisan efforts running through both the House and the Senate to replace shutdowns with a mechanism that will automatically continue funding the government if leaders cannot come to a stopgap resolution.

    “While this is often played up a lot by the media as a short-term story, the long-term consequences are hidden, and they’re much worse than the short-term consequences,” Herpfer said. “We all benefit from an efficient and competent administration.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Grace Newton

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