Remember the days when many major retailers began Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving? After the pandemic, deal seekers mostly had to wait until Friday, or shop online.

Most major retailers are closed on Thursday, and even a number of grocery and pharmacy chains are also keeping their doors closed.

And if you forgot an ingredient for the big meal, you may or may not be out of luck, depending on where you live.

RELATED STORY | Clock Is ticking: When to start thawing your Thanksgiving turkey

Here is a look at what is open, and what's not, this Thanksgiving. Note that hours may vary and many locations will have adjusted hours. Also, chains that are franchised-owned, like Subway and Burger King, will depend on the franchisee.

What's open:

Albertsons Bass Pro Shops Cabela's CVS Denny's Dollar General Dollar Tree Dunkin' IHOP Kroger McDonald's Starbucks Waffle House

Also, essential government offices, such as the National Weather Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and others, will remain open.

What's closed

Banks Best Buy Dominos Most government offices Pizza Hut Publix Stock markets Target Walmart

If you are looking for sit-down dining options, numerous chains will offer Thanksgiving Day menus. They include Cracker Barrel and Ruth's Chris Steak House. Also many around-the-clock restaurants, like Waffle House and IHOP, will remain open.

Turkey trots are a popular way for novice and experienced runners to burn a few calories before sitting down at the Thanksgiving dinner table and theyre growing in popularity.

According to RunSignup, more than 1.1 million people participated in a turkey trot last Thanksgiving at one of over 936 races across the United States. The number of people who registered through RunSignup has nearly quadrupled over the past eight years.

In 2023, 920,000 participants used RunSignup to sign up for a Thanksgiving Day race, though the actual number was higher because some races use other registration platforms.

While some turkey trots welcomed just a few dozen runners, RunSignup noted that 322 races on Thanksgiving last year had at least 1,000 participants, up from 249 the year before.

These races happen nationwide all 50 states had at least one Thanksgiving Day event, with Florida leading the way at 56.

RELATED STORY | When will stores open? What to expect for Black Friday 2025

The vast majority of races (91.6%) offered a 5K (3.11 miles) distance. Fewer included one-mile, 10K and half marathon options.

Beyond fitness, turkey trots raise significant funds for charity. RunSignup said turkey trot registrations it managed in 2024 raised more than $3.6 million for various causes.

Expert tips for running a turkey trot

With so many runners hitting the starting line, these races can be a good introduction to running for beginners. If youre signed up for a race, here are tips from Cleveland Clinic exercise physiologist Katie Lawton:

Pick a manageable distance. Turkey trots range from one mile to a half marathon, but Lawton says a 5K is often best for beginners. Train ahead of time. Even with race day close, try to log a few miles beforehand. Run with a group. Invite friends or family to join for added fun. Wear comfortable shoes. Any athletic shoe works for a one-time 5K, but if you plan to keep training, invest in running or walking shoes. Specialty stores can help find the right fit. Dress for the weather. Layer clothing so you can remove pieces as you warm up. Hydrate. Drink water before and after the race, especially if you sweated or drank alcohol the night before. Pace yourself. Slower runners should start toward the back of the pack to give faster runners a clear path. Cool down and refuel. Keep moving after the race and eat a light snack, such as a banana or granola bar.

A bipartisan group of senators echoed concerns over a peace deal pitched by President Donald Trump to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Five senators three Democrats, a Republican and an independent released a statement saying they share significant concerns about the peace deal. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; Peter Welch, D-Vt.; Chris Coons, D-Del.; and Angus King, I-Maine, gave the joint statement.

We share significant concerns over the details of the reported peace plan that has been released, the senators said. For over 10 years, Russia has illegally occupied Ukrainian territory and for almost four years, Ukraine has admirably defended itself against Russias attempts to fully occupy Ukraine. No one wants a just and lasting peace more than the Ukrainian people.

However, we will not achieve that lasting peace by offering Putin concession after concession and fatally degrading Ukraines ability to defend itself.

Trump has given Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy until Thursday to accept the deal.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine risks losing its dignity and the support of the United States as a key international ally if it signs the agreement.

Circulated points of the plan, which have not been independently confirmed by Scripps News, indicate Ukraine would be called on to give up some eastern territory, including the Donbas, and areas it currently controls. It would be required to cap its military size and forgo seeking NATO membership, instead relying on security guarantees from the U.S.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the agreement could represent the basis for a peace deal but denied that Russia had substantive talks ongoing.

Trump briefly discussed the plan on Saturday.

RELATED STORY | Zelenskyy warns Ukraine risks losing key ally or dignity with US plan

Wed like to get to peace. It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened. If I were president, it never would have happened. Were trying to get it ended one way or the other. We have to get it, he said.

But the group of senators suggested the cost of ending the war might be too high.

History teaches us that Putin only understands strength and will not abide by any agreement unless it is backed by force. We must consult closely with our Ukrainian and NATO partners on the path forward, they said. We should put real pressure on Russia to come to the negotiating table. And we must make clear to the Kremlin and would-be aggressors in Beijing that America will stand unwaveringly in defense of freedom.

In the meantime, Zelenskyy met with several key allies Saturday at the G20 conference, which Trump did not attend.

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concerns over aspects of the deal, saying it would need additional work.

We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force, she said. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraines armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.

After the NCAA voted to allow college athletes to wager on professional sports, Division I school leaders have decided to rescind the rule change.

The reversal follows a Justice Department investigation alleging that an active NBA player and coach were involved in an illegal sports and poker gambling scheme.

Last month, Division I leaders approved allowing athletes to bet on professional sports. Later, leaders of Division II and Division III schools voted in favor as well. While Divisions II and III typically consist of smaller universities whose athletes are less likely to turn professional, much of the talent in the four major U.S. pro sports leagues comes from Division I programs.

The rule change was set to take effect Nov. 1, but schools were given until Nov. 21 to rescind their approval.

After a procedural 30-day period, two-thirds of Division I member schools have voted to rescind a previously approved rule change that would have allowed student-athletes and athletics department staff members to legally participate in sports betting on professional sports only, the NCAA said Friday. Because sports betting rules are common legislation, the ban on all forms of betting for sports in which the NCAA sponsors a championship will remain in place for all three NCAA divisions.

An anonymous NCAA survey in 2024 found that, despite bylaws prohibiting it, 22% of male athletes and 5% of female athletes wagered on sports.

The NCAA has faced several gambling scandals in recent months. On Friday, the organization said a former Temple basketball player and two former staff members bet on professional and college sports. The former player, Hysier Miller, admitted to betting on his team and was accused of betting against Temple three times.

Earlier this week, the NCAA said more than one-third of Division I mens basketball players reported being harassed by bettors.

Have a frozen Thanksgiving turkey in the freezer? Depending on its size, you may need to start thawing it now.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, heres the general rule for moving a turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator:

4 to 12 pounds 1 to 3 days 12 to 16 pounds 3 to 4 days 16 to 20 pounds 4 to 5 days 20 to 24 pounds 5 to 6 days

RELATED STORY | Which Thanksgiving foods you should never feed to your dog

Missed the deadline? You can thaw the turkey in cold water, though it requires more effort. The USDA recommends placing the turkey in a leak-proof bag, submerging it in cold tap water and changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed.

Heres how long it takes using cold water:

4 to 12 pounds 2 to 6 hours 12 to 16 pounds 6 to 8 hours 16 to 20 pounds 8 to 10 hours 20 to 24 pounds 10 to 12 hours

Once thawed, the turkey should be cooked within one to two days to avoid contamination.

The USDA says its safe to cook a turkey from frozen, but it generally takes about 50% longer.

For food safety, cook the turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Other tips experts remind home cooks:

Never thaw a turkey on the counter. Keep it refrigerated while thawing, check the packaging for leaks, use a meat thermometer and let the turkey rest before carving. Wash hands and surfaces often to prevent salmonella.

Experts also recommend factoring in extra time if you plan to marinate or brine the turkey after thawing.

For the sixth consecutive year, Black Friday will predominantly be a Friday event as most major retailers have shifted away from opening on Thanksgiving Thursday since the pandemic.

Some stores, such as Walgreens, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General will open on Thanksgiving. Some grocery chains, like Kroger and Albertsons, have limited hours on Thanksgiving.

Most major retailers tell Scripps News they plan to open early on Friday, which is considered the busiest in-person shopping day of the year.

When will stores open for Black Friday?

Most major retailers will open several hours early the day after Thanksgiving. Retailers noted there might be some local variations in hours.

Here is when stores will be open (list will be updated as retailers announce updated hours):

Bass Pro Shops: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Best Buy: TBA Cabela's: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Costco: 10 a.m. to regular close (store open one hour early for Executive Members) Dick's Sporting Goods: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dollar General: Normal hours Gap: Opening as early as 5 a.m., but hours will vary Home Goods: TBA Kohl's: 5 a.m. to midnight Lowe's: 6 a.m. to regular close JCPenney: TBA Macy's: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Marshall's: 7 a.m. opening Old Navy: Opening as early as 5 a.m., but hours will vary Target: 6 a.m. opening TJ Maxx: 7 a.m. opening Walmart: Normal hours, generally 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.How busy will Black Friday be?

If last year is any indication, stores will be busy. According to the National Retail Federation, 2024 marked the busiest Black Friday in five years. The day attracted 81.7 million in-person shoppers, which was up from 76.2 million the year before.

RELATED STORY | Winters first big punch may arrive right on Thanksgiving

But 2024 Black Friday remained below pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, the National Retail Federation estimated that 84.2 million people shopped in person on Black Friday.

The National Retail Federation expects Black Friday to be quite busy again this year, with 197 million people to shop online, in-person or both Thanksgiving weekend.

After Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced late Friday that she intends to resign from Congress in January, former President Donald Trump told ABC News, I think its great news for the country. Its great.

He added in the brief interview with ABC News that he wishes her well but has no plans to speak with her.

I think she should be happy, he said.

RELATED STORY | Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announces she plans to resign in January

Greene and Trump went from being staunch allies to having an acrimonious relationship, largely due to their disagreement over handling information related to Jeffrey Epsteins investigation. Greene was among a small number of Republicans pushing for the release of the documents, while Trump expressed opposition before relenting as the House overwhelmingly supported a measure to make them public.

Last week, Trump announced he was pulling his support for Greene, saying he would back a Republican to run against her in the 2026 midterm elections. In a Truth Social post, Trump suggested Greene was a ranting lunatic.

I understand that wonderful, conservative people are thinking about primarying Marjorie in her district of Georgia, that they too are fed up with her and her antics and, if the right person runs, they will have my complete and unyielding support, he wrote. She has gone far left, even doing The View with their low-IQ, Republican-hating anchors.

Trump said on Saturday that Greene would not have survived a primary had she sought reelection next year.

"I think she is a nice person," Trump added.

With Greenes resignation, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will need to set a date for a special election to fill her seat. The district is heavily Republican-leaning.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it is predicting La Nia conditions to return this winter, which will play a major role in upcoming weather patterns.

In its seasonal forecast, NOAA says conditions are expected to be warmer and drier than usual in the South, wetter in the Midwest and North, and cooler than usual in the northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest.

The world experienced a prolonged La Nia from 2020 to 2023, which brought winters that were warmer than usual in the Eastern and Southern U.S., while being cooler than usual in the West. The Midwest, Northeast and parts of Arizona and California had wetter-than-usual conditions, while the Pacific Northwest and Florida were drier than average.

RELATED STORY | Winters first big punch may arrive right on Thanksgiving

Scientists say a weak La Nia also occurred last winter, but other factors did not have a dominant effect on climate. In recent years, overall climate change has resulted in both La Nia and El Nio winters being warmer than usual. Last winter was the 27th-warmest in U.S. history; the winter before was the warmest on record.

NOAAs projections come as a sudden shift in weather patterns is expected later next week. Forecasters say a massive cold front will sweep through much of the U.S., dropping temperatures to well below average by Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanksgiving often marks the start of the cold-weather season for many across the U.S., and this year, winter might arrive just as millions of Americans head out of town.

According to the Climate Prediction Center, much of the U.S. especially the Midwest and Northeast could experience well-below-normal temperatures starting around Thanksgiving weekend. It could also be wetter than usual in the Midwest, Northeast and Rockies. Coupled with cold conditions, many regions could see their first significant snow of the 2025-26 season.

"Below-normal temperatures are forecast to quickly expand across the Plains and into the Mississippi Valley during the six- to 10-day period as a midlevel trough digs into the eastern continental U.S.," the Climate Prediction Center said.

For the nearly 82 million people expected to travel next week, potential snow and rain could wreak havoc.

Last year, a pair of storms swept the country during Thanksgiving week, causing thousands of flights to be canceled or delayed. Parts of interior New England saw more than 10 inches of snow.

Forecasters stress that six- to 10-day forecasts are subject to change.

Five years after his death, actor Chadwick Boseman will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star will be installed Nov. 20.

His widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, will accept the award. Director Ryan Coogler and actress Viola Davis will speak at Thursdays ceremony. Boseman will be the 2,828th person honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Boseman was best known for playing the African superhero TChalla in Marvels Black Panther movies. The film earned seven Academy Award nominations, including Marvels first best picture nomination. He also starred as Jackie Robinson in the film 42.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is deeply honored to celebrate Chadwick Bosemans extraordinary legacy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said. His powerful performances and enduring impact both on and off screen continue to inspire generations around the world.

Boseman died in 2020 at age 43. His family revealed that he quietly battled colon cancer for four years. His final film, Ma Raineys Black Bottom, was released months after his death. It was later disclosed that he was in stage IV cancer while filming the movie.

The Mega Millions jackpot will reach its highest level since the multistate lottery increased ticket prices to $5 in April. The jackpot for Fridays drawing is an estimated $965 million, lottery officials said.

The jackpot has grown steadily since a player in Virginia won $348 million on June 27. No ticket has matched all six winning numbers 10, 13, 40, 42, 46 and Mega Ball 1 since then. This year there have been four winning Mega Millions jackpots.

The last time the jackpot was larger was when a California woman won $1.269 billion. Fridays $965 million prize ranks as the eighth-largest in the games history.

The winner may choose to receive $965 million in 29 annual payments through an annuity or take a one-time cash payout of $445.3 million. Most winners opt for the lump sum.

The odds of matching all six numbers are about 1 in 290 million. Matching only the five white balls without the Mega Ball wins at least $1 million. The odds of winning that prize are 1 in 12.6 million.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The only states that do not participate are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.

Retail sales bounced back in October as shoppers geared up for the holidays. The National Retail Federation says sales jumped 5% compared with last year.

Digital products led the way with a 22% increase.

Clothing and sporting goods stores also saw strong gains. Clothing and accessories are up about 8% year over year. Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores had an over 7% jump.

RELATED STORY | Target, Walmart and other major retailers are rolling out early Black Friday deals. Should you shop or wait? 

The retail federations CEO says solid consumer spending is setting up positive momentum heading into the holiday shopping season. The group said it expects holiday sales will increase between 3.7% and 4.2%. This is despite a government shutdown that retailers are calling a "serious headwind."

Retail sales grew in October as consumers geared up for the holiday season, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. Recent economic data has been mixed, yet consumer spending remains solid supported by wage growth outpacing inflation, historically low unemployment, and wealth effects from strong stock market valuations. These factors point to continued momentum heading into the holidays as consumers focus on family, friends and finding value to make their budgets go further.

Some retailers did see a small drop, most notably furniture and home furnishings stores as well as building and garden supply stores.

Veterans can buy a home more than four years sooner using a VA loan with zero down payment. A new study from Realtor.com finds 74% of first-time VA loan users put no money down.

Conventional buyers typically need a 12% down payment, which takes years to save. On a $430,000 home, thats about $51,600 upfront.

For someone saving 15% of their income, it would take 4.4 years to accumulate that amount.

In high-cost cities like Los Angeles, VA loans can put veterans in a home up to 10 years sooner. Even in lower-cost cities like Akron, Ohio, it can shorten the time it takes to save for a down payment by about 3.3 years.

For many veterans and service members, a VA loan can be a game changer, said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. By removing the hurdle of a large down payment, these loans open doors to homeownership and financial security years sooner.

RELATED STORY | Your guide to Veterans Day free meals, what's open and closed

Realtor.com found that while many military families qualify for the VA loan, few use it. The site estimates that just one-third of veterans and active-duty service members are aware of the program.

Many veterans dont realize that a VA loan removes the need for a down payment, which is one of the biggest hurdles to homeownership, said Chris Birk, vice president of mortgage insight and education at Veterans United Home Loans. As the nations largest VA lender, we see every day how this benefit changes lives. When veterans understand the power of their VA loan, they can start building equity and stability for their families years sooner.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says these loans also offer competitive, low interest rates.

After the U.S. Senate voted Monday to fund the government through the end of January, the House is set to return for the first time in more than seven weeks.

House Republicans say they are expected to consider a resolution to reopen the government Wednesday. The first votes could occur as early as 4 p.m. that day.

The last time the House was fully in session was Sept. 19. Since then, the chamber has only been open for so-called pro forma sessions, when no roll call votes are taken.

RELATED STORY | Senate passes bill that would reopen government, setting up a vote in the House

With the House resuming legislative business, Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., will be sworn in. Grijalva won a special election in Arizonas 7th Congressional District in late September, but House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to swear her in, saying it was because the House was not in session a situation prolonged by the shutdown.

Grijalva had pushed to be sworn in sooner, as she was left without a formal congressional office during the shutdown.

House Democrats upset with deal

While it appears there will be enough Republican votes to pass the resolution, House Democrats expressed frustration with eight Senate Democrats who joined Republicans in supporting it. Democrats had said they would not approve a resolution without a deal to keep health care tax subsidies.

But as the shutdown lingered, and its effects began to hit the nations airports and food banks, eight Democrats joined 52 Republicans in voting for a continuing resolution to fund the government.

Democrats secured several concessions, including a promise to consider health care legislation and assurances that there would be no mass layoffs in the federal government.

RELATED STORY | Senate advances bipartisan deal to end shutdown after clearing key 60-vote hurdle

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the ranking member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, criticized the eight Senate Democrats for approving the bill.

It is outrageous that a few Senate Democrats have joined Republicans in undermining our fight to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing, she said. I will fight against this bill here in the House.Once the resolution passes the House, it will go to President Donald Trump for his signature. Once signed, the government shutdown would officially end.

As a thank you to veterans and active duty members of the U.S. armed forces, dozens of restaurants are offering free meals for Veterans Day. Check out our list below of different offers. Beverages and gratuity are not included unless noted. Most offers are good for Tuesday only.

Many restaurants not listed below may have previously had free meals for veterans. Some of those restaurants are still offering discounts for current and former military.

Offers are at participating locations only for dine-in only, unless otherwise stated, and most require proof of service.

Applebees: Veterans and active duty service members can receive a free dine-in entre from Applebees special menu. Items include the Bacon Cheeseburger and Fiesta Lime Chicken. Since 2008, Applebees has served 12.3 million free meals on Veterans Day.

BIBIBOP Asian Grill: All BIBIBOP Asian Grill outlets will give veterans and active military a free bowl with an ID. The offer is good for dine-in only.

Biggby Coffee: Veterans and active duty with a military ID can get a free 16 oz. latte hot/iced/frozen beverage on Tuesday.

Bob Evans: With proof of service, veterans and active duty can receive a free dine-in breakfast entre, including the Country Biscuit Breakfast or a stack of hotcakes.

RELATED STORY | Trump says he will rename Veterans Day to Victory Day for World War I, commemorating the end of World War I

Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active duty can receive a free order of 10 boneless wings and French fries with proof of military service for dine-in service. Customers at Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations can order at the counter with proof of service.

California Pizza Kitchen: With proof of service, veterans and active duty are able to select from a limited menu.

Chilis: With proof of service, veterans and active duty members can enjoy a free meal from a menu of four entres, including a Chicken and Ranch Quesadilla and the Oldtimer With Cheese. The offer is dine-in only.

Chipotle: Those who order an entre in-restaurant and present a valid military ID will receive a second entre for free.

Cracker Barrel: Those who present a military ID can get a free sunshine pancake special when dining in.

Dave and Buster's: Active and former military can choose a free entre up to $20 and get a $10 Power Card on Tuesday.

Dennys: With a valid military ID, customers can receive a free Grand Slam breakfast from Dennys from 5 a.m. to noon Tuesday.

Dunkin': With a valid military ID, customers can receive a free doughnut for in-person orders.

Golden Corral: The buffet chain is offering current and active duty military and reservists a free meal at the buffet from 4 p.m. to close on Tuesday.

Hooters: All day Tuesday, veterans and active duty military can choose from one of five entres, including Hooters Boneless Wings.

IHOP: From 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday, veterans and active duty members can get free a Red, White and Blueberry Pancake combo.

Little Caesars: The pizza joint will offer its Hot-N-Ready lunch of four slices and a 20-ounce beverage for free to veterans and active military from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Mission BBQ: Veterans and active duty can get a free sandwich all day Tuesday.

Outback Steakhouse: With a valid military ID, Outback Steakhouse is offering a free three-course meal that includes a soup or salad, entree and a slice of cheesecake Monday and Tuesday.

Red Robin: This burger joint offers veterans and active duty members a free Reds Tavern Double Burger and bottomless fries all day Tuesday. It is dine-in only.

Starbucks: Veterans, active duty and military spouses can get a free 12-ounce coffee all day Tuesday.

What is open, closed on Tuesday?

Although many government buildings will be closed, plenty of things will remain open.

What is open

Nearly all major retailers Essential government offices Stock markets

What is closed

Nonessential federal offices, courthouses U.S. post offices Most banks

Essential government offices, like the National Weather Service, will remain open. Examples of nonessential offices closed on Tuesday include the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

Some schools, universities, local and state government offices may close.

Early projections show Thanksgiving staples will cost less this year compared with 2024.

An analysis from Wells Fargo estimates a typical Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will be about 2% to 3% cheaper in 2025.

This comes despite higher inflation and overall food costs. The consumer price index shows food is about 2.7% more expensive than a year ago.

That increase is largely driven by items such as beef, lunch meat, fish and seafood, coffee, and sugar and sweets. Other grocery staples, including turkey, have seen either modest price increases or price drops.

According to Wells Fargo, an allstore-brand Thanksgiving dinner for 10 would cost about $80, while name-brand products would cost about $95. Mixing national and store brands could help shoppers save more.

RELATED STORY | Think mashed potatoes rule Thanksgiving? Think again

The analysis included turkey, stuffing, frozen vegetables, prepared mashed potatoes, gravy, fresh cranberries, dinner rolls, salad mix, pumpkin pie, and whipped cream.

Private-label dinner rolls are about 22% cheaper this year, and turkey, prepared gravy mix, and fresh cranberries are down about 3% to 4%. Some products, such as salad mix and whipped cream, are more expensive.

Politics of Thanksgiving dinner

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump promoted Walmart's annual Thanksgiving meal report, which he said showed a feast for 10 costing $4 per person, down from $7 last year.

"So Walmart, which everybody trusts and I trust theyre not looking to do anything except give numbers, and they have for many years. They talk about the cost of Thanksgiving and the cost of living through Thanksgiving and enjoying Thanksgiving. For Joe Biden, it was 25% more than it is for me at a later time," Trump said.

However, Walmarts 2024 meal included different components, such as Hawaiian rolls, mini marshmallows, and sweet potatoes. That means its not an apples-to-apples comparison, but rather an example of how to create a Thanksgiving meal on a budget.

In a survey of 5,000 Americans, stuffing or dressing, as its called in some parts of the country remains the No. 1 Thanksgiving side dish for 2025.

The survey, conducted by Campbells, found stuffing is the preferred side dish in 38 states. Mashed potatoes ranked first in six states, while two states chose macaroni and cheese. Several states recorded ties.

Overall, stuffing was followed by mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and green bean casserole. Macaroni and cheese has climbed in the annual ranking as millennials and members of Gen Z are more likely to consider the dish a holiday staple.

If you prefer side dishes over the entre, youre not alone. The poll found 63% of respondents enjoy side dishes more than entres, while 47% said they would be content having only side dishes during holiday gatherings.

Campbells annual report also noted several new trends, including increased use of flavors such as honey, barbecue sauce, and peppers in side dishes this year.

A reduction in U.S. flight volume continues on Saturday as the Federal Aviation Administration works to alleviate pressure on the aviation industry amid the ongoing government shutdown.

As of midday Saturday, 1,073 flights in the U.S. had been canceled, according to FlightAware.com. The number spiked on Friday when over 1,000 flights were canceled. On Thursday, the website reported 201 cancellations. There are already over 1,000 flights canceled for Sunday.

The FAA said about 4% of domestic flights would be canceled on Friday, with that percentage increasing to 10% by next week. Officials said the shutdown has led to a growing number of air traffic controllers calling in sick. Air traffic controllers are among essential government employees required to continue working despite going weeks without a paycheck.

Officials said reductions will occur at 40 airports. Scripps News published a full list of affected airports on Thursdsay.

Airlines announce flight reductions

United Airlines has posted a list of hundreds of flights through Sunday that are being canceled. The airline said that because travel volumes are typically lower in early November, there are plenty of rebooking options.

Other airlines, such as Delta and American Airlines, are directing customers to use their apps.

The expectation is delays will get progressively worse as the shutdown continues.

The FAA will have really a snapback. Because the controllers and the TSA people will get back pay. And so the reality of it is, is that it's like almost like a weather delay. It'll snap back very quickly within a couple of days for sure," said Chris Dane, aviation expert and president of Hickory Global Partners.

What to do if your flight is canceled

Many airlines are offering customers refunds, regardless of whether their flight is directly impacted. United said anyone flying between November 6 and 13 can request a refund or reschedule for free.

Delta and American are also offering customers flying between November 7 and 9 the option to request refunds.

"Even for folks like in basic economy, where they're non-refundable, they're allowing them to be refunded during this period. So the airlines are acting responsibly," Dane said.

Cancellations also impacting cargo

Cargo planes are also among those impacted by the reduction. Companies such as FedEx said they're working to minimize the impact of reduced cargo flights.

"In response to the FAAs U.S. flight capacity adjustment order, we have made the necessary operational modifications to meet the requirements so that shipments continue to move safely and swiftly through our network. Contingency plans are in place to flex our integrated air and ground network to help protect time-sensitive, critical shipments such as lifesaving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other products move through our network without disruption," FedEx said in a statement.

Layoffs last month reached their highest October total in more than 20 years, with American companies announcing more than 153,000 job cuts a 175% increase from October 2023, the firm Challenge, Gray and Christmas said.

Employers cited cost-cutting measures and artificial intelligence as the leading reasons for the layoffs.

Over the last decade, companies have shied away from announcing layoffs in the fourth quarter, so its surprising to see so many in October. With the onset of social media, and the ability for workers to share their negative experiences with their employers, the trend of announcing layoffs before the holidays fell away, a practice that seemed particularly cruel, said Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas..

Warehousing led all industries with nearly 48,000 cuts, followed by technology with 33,000.

RELATED STORY | New report finds majority of US workers lack a 'quality job'

So far this year, job cuts have surpassed 1 million for the first time since 2020.

Finding the next job has been challenging for many Americans. Hiring plans are down 35% from last year, hitting their lowest level since 2011.

Federal government "DOGE" job cuts were the leading reason for layoffs in 2025, with 294,000 direct positions and nearly 21,000 indirect jobs being cut due to DOGE.

Experts expect it to remain a challenging landscape for workers.

Its possible with rate cuts and a strong showing in November, companies may make a late season push for employees, but at this point, we do not expect a strong seasonal hiring environment in 2025, said Challenger.