Democrat Jay Jones was elected Tuesday as Virginia attorney general, riding a wave of voter dissatisfaction with the White House to overcome the revelation that in 2022 he sent widely condemned texts embracing violence against a fellow state lawmaker.

The former Virginia delegate defeated Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares weeks after it emerged that Jones had texted a fellow delegate suggesting the then-House speaker should get two bullets to the head. Jones apologized for the private messages both in statements and at a debate in October.

At the end of the day, this election has never been about me or my opponent, Jones said at a campaign party. It has always been about every single one of us and the future of Virginia.

RELATED STORY | California votes to redraw its congressional districts, countering GOP moves in Texas

Jones victory amid the controversy could signal trouble for Republicans heading into next years midterm elections. He weathered the storm in part by working to shift the debate away from his character and toward President Donald Trumps administration.

Jones campaigned against the impact of federal encroachment on Virginia since Trump took office in January shrinking the civil service, levying tariffs and a Republican federal tax cut bill that Democrats argued imperiled the states health care system.

The win could soon add Virginia to the roster of Democratic-led states legally challenging actions taken by Trump.

A descendant of slaves, Jones is set to become the first Black attorney general in the former capital of the Confederacy. His victory is a landmark moment for Black Virginians in a statewide contest that was already poised to make history, with voters choosing between two women to elect the states first female governor.

RELATED STORY | Zohran Mamdani projected to win New York City mayoral race

Miyares faced a difficult political climate in his bid for reelection. Ever since Democrat Jimmy Carter won the White House in 1976, every time a new president has been elected, Virginia has voted in a governor the following year from the opposite party.

And while the state has had split tickets before meaning voters backed candidates for statewide offices from a party that differs from the elected governor they havent picked an attorney general from the opposite party in 20 years.

Listen, Virginians, politics is like a pendulum. The publics sentiments sway one way and then the next, Miyares said Tuesday. Tonight, it swung a bit too far in the wrong direction, in my opinion. And folks, it will swing back.

Republicans had hoped to persuade swing voters to reelect Miyares but faced challenging headwinds in a state with tens of thousands of federal employees.

RELATED STORY | Democrat Mikie Sherrill projected to win New Jersey gubernatorial race

Outrage over Jones text messages is unlikely to fade once Jones is sworn into office. Republicans, including Trump and Miyares, described his conduct from three years ago as disqualifying him from the attorney generals position in 2025.

Even Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Ghazala Hashmi, the partys candidates for governor and lieutenant governor Tuesday, had stayed silent about whether Jones still had their endorsements. Jones did, however, speak at a Spanberger campaign rally on Saturday.

Jones comes from a family of Hampton Roads politicians and civil rights pioneers. His father was also a Virginia delegate, and his grandfather was the first Black member of the Norfolk School Board. Jones previously ran for attorney general in 2021 but lost the primary to then-incumbent Mark Herring.

My father, my mother, my uncles, my aunts endured segregation, all so that I could stand here before you today, Jones said.

Voters in California on Tuesday are projected to approve a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional maps, which could give Democrats a new five-seat edge in the House of Representatives.

The redrawing is a response to similar GOP efforts in Texas, where Republicans recently redrew boundaries to strengthen their hold on key seats.

Under the new rules, California will move forward with a redrawing of electoral districts only after GOP-led states do so first. Its changes would remain in force until elections in 2030.

In August, Lawmakers in California approved a bill that stipulated if voters approved the new maps, they would be used for the 2026 midterms.

RELATED STORY | California is moving forward with a partisan redistricting effort to counter Texas' move

Redrawing congressional districts typically happens once a decade, based on data from the U.S. Census. California typically relies on an independent commission to outline its maps.

But California Governor Gavin Newsom has said the change is a necessary counter to Republican efforts nationwide.

We cant stand back and watch this democracy disappear district by district all across the country," Newsom said in August.

"Donald Trump, you have poked the bear and we will punch back."

GOP election monitors draw concern from Democrats

In October, the Department of Justice announced it would send federal election monitors to five counties in California, in response to a specific request from the California Republican Party.

Because the election in California focused solely on state and local matters and not federal issues, its unusual for federal monitors to participate, experts say.

This is not a federal election. The US DOJ has no business or basis to interfere with this election. This is solely about whether California amends our state constitution, echoed Brandon Richards, a spokesman for California Governor Gavin Newsom. This administration has made no secret of its goal to undermine free and fair elections. Deploying these federal forces appears to be an intimidation tactic meant for one thing: suppress the vote."

All three of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices who sought reelection Tuesday will get another term, ensuring Democratic jurists keep their majority on the presidential battleground states highest court one at the center of pivotal fights over voting rights, redistricting and elections.

The result shapes the makeup of the seven-member court through the next presidential election in 2028. The three justices had been elected as Democrats, and voters were deciding whether to extend the courts Democratic majority. Rejecting all three could have plunged the court into a partisan deadlock if the states politically divided government could not agree on temporary appointees to fill in.

Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht won new terms, with support from the Democratic Party and allies including Planned Parenthood, labor unions, trial lawyers and a constellation of progressive groups.

RELATED STORY | Zohran Mamdani projected to win New York City mayoral race

In particular, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro considered a potential White House contender in 2028 who is up for reelection next year appeared in ads for the justices and lobbied for their retention.

Pennsylvania sent a resounding message by voting to retain all three Supreme Court Justices who will continue to defend the rule of law, safeguard our elections, and protect our constitutional rights, Shapiro said in a statement.

In addition to voting rights, Democrats leaned heavily on the protection of abortion rights in a state where abortion remains legal.

RELATED STORY | Democrat Mikie Sherrill projected to win New Jersey gubernatorial race

All three were running in what is called a retention election, in which voters are asked to vote yes or no on whether to give current justices another term. They were not identified by party on the ballot. Terms are 10 years, though age limits can shorten that time on the bench.

Reelecting them extends the Democratic majority, currently 5-2.

The court could again be called on to settle partisan battles over election laws ahead of next years midterm contests to decide the governors office and the U.S. House majority. Democrats need to gain just three seats in the 2026 elections to take control of the House.

Traditionally, a retention campaign is an under-the-radar election. But in an era of increasingly polarized judicial elections, spending in the race was on track to exceed $15 million, far surpassing previous spending in a retention election.

While not all spending or financial sources have been disclosed publicly, Democrats easily outspent a Republican campaign by as much as four-to-one. President Donald Trump didn't campaign against the justices and only weighed in on social media on Sunday night, urging Republicans to vote no.

Defeating all three justices could have left the bench in a partisan 2-2 stalemate for two years, including through next years elections.

In recent years, the court has made major decisions around voting and elections, necessitated in part by the politically divided and often stalemated state government.

RELATED STORY | Abigail Spanberger projected to win Virginia gubernatorial race, will be state's first female governor

The justices in 2018 threw out a GOP-drawn map of Pennsylvanias congressional districts as unconstitutionally gerrymandered and, four years later, again picked new boundaries after a stalemate in government.

The court turned away GOP challenges to Pennsylvanias expansive vote-by-mail law, which became a focal point of Republican efforts to overturn Trumps loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Republican justices dissented.

The justices also rendered verdicts in cases involving abortion rights and public school funding.

Two years after the deadliest mass shooting in state history, Maine residents voted Tuesday to make it easier for family members to petition a court to restrict a potentially dangerous persons access to guns.

A ballot question asked residents if they wanted to build on the states yellow flag law, which allows police officers to initiate a process to keep someone away from firearms. Approval adds Maine to more than 20 states that have a red flag law, which empowers family members to take the same step.

Gun safety advocates began pushing for that after 18 people were killed when an Army reservist opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar and grill in Lewiston in October 2023. An independent commission appointed by Maines governor later concluded that there were numerous opportunities for intervention by both Army officials and civilian law enforcement.

RELATED STORY | Scripps News investigates missed warnings before 18 died in Maine mass shooting

Gun control proponents characterized that law as too weak and difficult to implement. The yellow flag law requires police to take the potentially dangerous person into protective custody and hold them for a mental health evaluation.

Maine voters have taken the safety of our communities into our own hands by passing common-sense, responsible gun legislation that will save lives and help keep our kids and families safe, not just from the horrors of a tragedy like Lewiston, but from the devastating impacts of everyday gun violence, said Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, which sponsored Tuesday's proposal.

Opponents of the red flag law said Tuesday that it's significant the yellow flag law is still state law.

"We are glad that Maines yellow flag law remains intact, and we look forward to continuing to work to improve our states safety. Were going to be reviewing all options to keep Mainers safe as we move into the future of the state, the No on 2 Coalition said in a statement.

In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officers testified before the independent commission that they had difficulty implementing the states existing yellow flag law, which they described as cumbersome and time-consuming.

The campaign in favor of the red flag law released an ad this fall in which Arthur Barnard, father of Lewiston shooting victim Artie Strout, said the stronger law could have saved his sons life.

People who are having a mental health crisis need help, not easy access to guns, Barnard said in the ad. Maines laws were too weak to save my sons life. Vote Yes on 2 to change that.

The red flag proposal has encountered resistance from Republicans, hunting groups, gun rights organizations and some Democrats. Maine is a state with relatively low crime where gun ownership is common, and the states laws should reflect that, opponents have said.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, opposed the ballot question. She said in October that the yellow flag law was carefully crafted with Maine in mind, and it remains the right law for the state.

We found common ground on one of the most controversial issues of our time, Mills wrote in an opinion piece in the Portland Press Herald. Question 2 would create a new, separate and confusing process that will undermine the effectiveness of the law and endanger public safety along with it.

RELATED STORY | Military releases investigative findings 9 months after reservist killed 18 people in Maine

The ballot question campaign came as the legal aftermath of the Lewiston shooting is still unfolding.

The survivors and family members of victims of the deadly shooting have sued the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense, seeking unspecified damages and arguing the U.S. Army could have stopped Robert Card, the reservist, from carrying out the shootings. They also point to a Department of Defense watchdog report issued in September that faults the U.S. Army for a high rate of failure to report violent threats by service members.

The report specifically mentions Card, who died by suicide two days after the shootings. It says failure to consistently report violent threats could increase the risk of additional violent incidents by service members, such as what occurred with SFC (Sgt. 1st Class) Card.

Card was in the midst of a mental health spiral that was known to many, and that led to his hospitalization and left him paranoid, delusional and expressing homicidal ideations, attorneys for the victims have said.

Cards family members and fellow reservists said he had exhibited delusional and paranoid behavior months before the shootings. One fellow reservist said in a text: I believe hes going to snap and do a mass shooting.

Democrat Zohran Mamdani has won the race for New York City mayor, the Associated Press projects.

When sworn in on January 1, 2026, he will become New York Citys first Muslim mayor.

Mamdani defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing to him in the Democratic primary. Cuomo, who received a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump despite their once-contentious relationship, failed to draw enough Republican support to mount a serious challenge.

In his victory speech, Mamdani referenced Cuomo, saying he doesn't plan to mention his name in the future.

"Friends, we have toppled a political dynasty," he said. "I wish Andrew Cuomo the best in private life."

RELATED STORY | Democrat Mikie Sherrill projected to win New Jersey gubernatorial race

Mamdani, a 34-year-old assemblyman, built his campaign around making New York City more affordable, riding a wave of enthusiasm from progressive and younger voters.

"This will be an age where New Yorkers expect from their leaders a bold vision of what we will achieve, rather than a list of excuses for what we are too timid to attempt," Mamdani said. "Central to that vision will be the most ambitious agenda to tackle the cost of living crisis that this city has seen since the days of Fiorello La Guardia."

RELATED STORY | Abigail Spanberger projected to win Virginia gubernatorial race, will be state's first female governor

Mamdani's victory is expected to have ripple effects well beyond New York City. Democrats will have to decide whether to embrace his democratic socialist blueprint for success or distance themselves from his more liberal views, which may be harder to sell in less progressive parts of the country.

Republicans told Scripps News ahead of the election that they planned to tie Democrats to Mamdani ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

For his part, Mamdani said he is prepared for the political attacks including those from President Donald Trump, who has threatened to withhold federal funding from the city.

"If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him," Mamdani said.

The Associated Press projects Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill will win a close race to become the next governor of New Jersey.

Sherrill defeated Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, a former state lawmaker who was running in his third consecutive race for governor.

The victory marks the first time since 1961 that Democrats have won three consecutive terms in the New Jersey governors office.

The outcome is seen in part as a rejection of President Donald Trumps policies, signaling that voters chose to continue supporting Democratic leadership and priorities.

Bomb threats cause disruption

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way said bomb threats were emailed to polling places across the state on Tuesday.

The threats caused temporary closures of polling places in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic Counties. In some cases, voters were sent to different polling places nearby.

Law enforcement said the threats were ultimately unfounded.

Poll watchers in question

Republicans nationally warned that they were concerned about election integrity in this year's contests. New Jersey's Republican Party requested monitors from the U.S. Department of Justice.

"We're going to have election integrity efforts all over this state," KC Crosbie, Republican National Committee co-chair, told Scripps News. "Whatever we have to do to protect the vote, we're going to protect the vote, because we found in 2024 that when we do that, we win elections."

RELATED STORY | What Tuesdays elections could mean for Trump, the GOP and Democrats future

Experts told Scripps News Democrats were expected to perform well across the board on Tuesday.

Trump is failing politically," said Simon Rosenberg, a prominent Democratic strategist and media commentator. "He's unpopular. His agenda is even more unpopular than he is, Rosenberg told Scripps News. Between 60 and 70% of the country is not on board most of [Republicans'] agenda. And the Republican candidates in 2026 have to run on that agenda, not on Trump. And that agenda is much more unpopular than he is.

Analysts from both parties pointed to Democrats focused messaging on the economy and affordability as a key factor in their success.

The high cost of living in New Jersey, where property taxes rank among the nations highest, was a central issue in the race. President Donald Trump, who endorsed Ciattarelli, said in a campaign phone call that he would work to lower energy and living costs.

Still, strategists noted that Trump has been less visible on the campaign trail this cycle than in previous elections. The president never appeared in person to campaign for Ciattarelli.

The Associated Press projects former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger will win the Virginia gubernatorial election, setting her up to become the state's first female governor after defeating current Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

At a celebration of her election win, Governor-elect Spanberger called it the honor of her lifetime to be elected the 75th and first female governor of Virginia, while also congratulating Earle-Sears for a "hard fought race."

"My fellow Virginians, tonight we sent a message," Spanberger said. "We sent a message to every corner of the Commonwealth. A message to our neighbors and our fellow Americans across the country. We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025 Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship."

"We chose our Commonwealth, over chaos," she added. "You all chose leadership that will focus relentlessly on what matters most: lowering costs, keeping our communities safe, and strengthening our economy for every Virginian leadership that will focus on problem-solving, not stoking division. You chose, we chose leadership that will always put Virginia first. And Virginia, I cannot wait to get to work for you."

RELATED STORY | Zohran Mamdani projected to win New York City mayoral race

Spanberger who was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2018 Democratic "wave" that saw suburban women carry several Democrats to victory flipped a seat this time that is held by current Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Unlike most states, Virginia limits governors to one four-year term meaning Youngkin was not eligible for reelection.

On the campaign trail, Spanberger largely focused on so-called kitchen table issues like affordability and appealed directly to Virginia's nearly 150,000 federal workers who have been impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown. She also relied on her national security background as a former CIA case officer to bolster her credentials and was seen by some as more of a moderate candidate.

Conversely, Earle-Sears ran as a staunch conservative and closely aligned her campaign with President Donald Trump, emphasizing topics such as education, tax relief and transgender participation in sports. Speaking to a group of supporters Tuesday night, Earle-Sears said she called Spanberger to wish her success and asked her to be a voice for all Virginians.

"I have to tell you, I think I learn more in the loss than I ever do in a victory. And I think there's something about that and it builds you," Earle-Sears said. "It's either going to tear you apart or it's going to build you. Well, I don't tear apart. I have God. I don't tear apart."

RELATED STORY | Democrat Mikie Sherrill projected to win New Jersey gubernatorial race

"I don't think we came up short," she added. "I think we tried very, very hard. So many have counted me out for so long and it's an amazing thing to watch. And we just kept plugging and plugging. So I just want to say to our young people here, remember that life has ups and downs. You must never stay down. There is nothing down there. You must always rise. It's one life that you have and it must be lived to the fullest. Your life has purpose. You have purpose."

Because races on Tuesday across the U.S. represent the first general election of President Trumps second term, voices on both sides of the aisle are already trying to draw conclusions about what the election results might mean for the long term. Campaign strategists and media politicos will be watching election margins and specific county results closely, eager to discern trends about voters attitudes and behaviors heading into next years crucial midterm elections.

The remains of Itay Chen, an Israeli-American citizen killed in Hamas' October 7th attack on Israel, were returned to Israel on Tuesday, The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

Chen died defending against the October 7 attacks on Israel and was taken into Gaza. The 19-year-old was at the time the youngest U.S. citizen taken into Hamas captivity.

"Itay was a beloved and respected SHELACH instructor, guiding children and teenagers, helping them connect more deeply to the land of Israel, encouraging personal growth, and accompanying them on their educational journeys. He completed the full training course, including a survival course," The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. "A passionate athlete, he loved playing basketball and was a member of the Elitzur Netanya team. Funny, always smiling, and full of life."

"Itay was an outstanding young man the very best of our youth. The salt of the earth. He loved the land of Israel, his family, and the friends who always surrounded him. He had a heart of gold always giving of himself to others, always putting his friends first."

The IDF said early on Wednesday local time that it had confirmed the identification of Chen and informed his family.

RELATED COVERAGE | Itay Chen's father Ruby speaks with Scripps News

Scripps News recently spoke with Ruby Chen, Itay's father. He said waiting for news of his son, as more hostages were returned, was a difficulty like nothing else.

"It's a feeling that's difficult to articulate. It's a phone call that is the worst phone call you'll ever get in your lifetime. And when you do not get that phone call, you feel disappointed. That is a very difficult set of emotions to have in one day."

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, killing at least seven people and injuring several more, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, UPS Flight 2976 went down around 5:15 p.m. local time after departing the airport. Beshear said two businesses were hit when the plane crashed, and two employees are missing.

"First responders are onsite and working hard to extinguish the fire and continue the investigation," Beshear said. "Air monitoring assets have been deployed, and we are working to keep the public informed and keep folks in the area safe."

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when it crashed. The cause remains under investigation.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | United flight lands safely at Reagan National after bomb threat

"This is an incredible tragedy that our community will never forget," said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. "We are so thankful for our brave first responders who have flooded the scene to help try and control the fire and provide support for any victims on the ground.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Weather balloon may have caused windshield crack on United plane

The FAA said both the agency and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport remains closed while crews continue firefighting and investigation efforts.

Louisville is home to UPS's largest package handling facility. Around 300 flights a day leave from the hub.

Tom Brady's pet dog is reportedly a clone.

The former NFL quarterback turned Fox Sports broadcaster said Tuesday in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that his current dog, Junie, was cloned from his late dog, Lua, who passed away in 2023.

FROM THE ARCHIVES | Since Dolly The Sheep, We're More OK With Cloning Just Not Humans

The announcement coincided with a statement from Colossal Biosciences a biotech start-up in which Brady is an investor in that the company had acquired another animal cloning firm.

I love my animals. They mean the world to me and my family, Brady said in a statement. A few years ago, I worked with Colossal and leveraged their non-invasive cloning technology through a simple blood draw of our family's elderly dog before she passed.

Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences also made headlines earlier this year when it announced the successful birth of three dire wolves, marking what called the company called the world's first de-extinction of an animal species.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Dire wolf brought back to life, de-extinction company says

The dire wolf had been extinct for over 12,500 years and was more recently made famous in HBOs "Game of Thrones."

Our team took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies," said Colossal CEO Ben Lamm.

The retail industry is facing growing challenges from theft and violence, with shoplifting and organized crime incidents increasing sharply last year, according to a new report from the National Retail Federation.

The Impact of Theft & Violence 2025 study found an 18% jump in shoplifting incidents in 2024 compared with the previous year, while threats or acts of violence during thefts rose 17%.

Organized theft groups have expanded their scope, taking advantage of strained resources and lagging prosecutorial support," said David Johnston, the NRFs vice president for asset protection.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Identity theft is worse than ever: Should you pay for protection?

More than half of surveyed retailers reported increases in phone scams, online fraud and cargo theft linked to organized retail crime. Two-thirds said transnational groups were involved in thefts against their companies in the past year.

In response, many retailers have increased spending on security technology such as cameras, lighting, locking cases and license plate readers. However, 64% of retailers said they reported less than half of store-related thefts to police, often due to limited law enforcement response.

Scientists have spotted the brightest flare yet from a supermassive black hole that shines with the light of 10 trillion suns.

These bursts of light and energy can come from things like tangled-up magnetic fields or hiccups in the heated gas disks surrounding black holes. The flares help illuminate researchers' understanding of the black holes within.

The latest cosmic display was spotted in 2018 by a camera at the Palomar Observatory in California. It took about three months to shine at peak brightness and has been decaying in the years since.

It likely happened because a large star wandered too close to the black hole and got shredded to pieces.

At first, we didn't really believe the numbers about the energy, said study author Matthew Graham with the California Institute of Technology, which operates Palomar.

The new findings were published Tuesday in the journal Nature Astronomy.

RELATED STORY | New findings by NASA Mars rover provide strongest hints yet of potential signs of ancient life

The flare came from a supermassive black hole that's 10 billion light years away, making the flash the most distant one observed so far. It hails from a time when the universe was rather young. A light year is nearly 6 trillion miles (9.7 trillion kilometers).

Almost every large galaxy, including our Milky Way, has a supermassive black hole at its center. But scientists still arent sure how they form.

Studying such behemoths can help researchers better understand the stellar neighborhood surrounding supermassive black holes.

The discovery also allows scientists to probe the interaction of supermassive black holes with their environments early in the universe," said Joseph Michail with Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, which didn't have a role in the new study.

Those early interactions created the cosmos we now call home.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted Tuesday that there could be chaos in the skies next week if the government shutdown drags on and air traffic controllers miss a second paycheck.

There have already been numerous delays at airports across the country sometimes hours long because the Federal Aviation Administration slows down or stops traffic temporarily anytime it is short on controllers. Last weekend saw some of the worst staff shortages and on Sunday, flights at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were delayed for several hours.

Duffy and the head of the air traffic controllers union have both warned that the situation will only get worse the longer the shutdown continues and the financial pressure continues to grow on people who are forced to work without pay. FAA employees already missed one paycheck on Oct. 28. Their next payday is scheduled for next Tuesday.

Many of the controllers said A lot of us can navigate missing one paycheck. Not everybody, but a lot of us can. None of us can manage missing two paychecks, Duffy said. So if you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos. You will see mass flight delays. Youll see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace, because we just cannot manage it because we dont have air traffic controllers.

Most of the flight disruptions so far during the shutdown have been isolated and temporary. But if delays become more widespread and start to ripple throughout the system, the pressure will mount on Congress to reach an agreement to end the shutdown.

Major airlines, aviation unions and the travel industry have been urging Congress to end this shutdown as soon as possible by voting to support the clean funding resolution that Republicans have proposed.

The U.S. Travel Association said in a letter to Congressional leaders this week that the economy has already lost more than $4 billion because of the shutdown, and the industry worries the impact will get significantly worse if the shutdown continues into the holiday travel season.

With Thanksgiving, the busiest travel period of the year, imminently approaching, the consequences of a continued shutdown will be immediate, deeply felt by millions of American travelers, and economically devastating to communities in every state, the U.S. Travel Association said.

RELATED STORY | Orlando International Airport flights delayed up to 11 hours due to staffing issues, FAA says

Normally, airlines strive to have at least 80% of their flights depart and arrive within 15 minutes of when they are scheduled. Aviation analytics firm Cirium said that since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, the total number of delays overall has not fallen significantly below that goal because most of the disruptions so far have been no worse than what happens when a major thunderstorm moves across an airport.

But on Sunday, only about 56% of Newark's departures were on time, and the Orlando airport reported that only about 70% of its flights were on time, according to Cirium.

As of midday Tuesday, there have been 1,932 flight delays reported across the United States, according to www.FlightAware.com. That is lower than what is typical although the FAA did say that flights in Phoenix were being delayed Tuesday morning because of staffing shortages. Strong winds are also causing delays at the Newark and LaGuardia airports Tuesday.

New Mexico is now the first state in the nation to guarantee free child care for all families, regardless of income.

The new initiative, which began Nov. 1, is expected to save families about $12,000 per child each year.

Child care is essential to family stability, workforce participation, and New Mexicos future prosperity, said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. By investing in universal child care, we are giving families financial relief, supporting our economy, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

RELATED STORY | Report finds high child care costs driving parents from workforce

New Mexico has consistently ranked among the lowest in the country for child well-being. According to the 2025 Kids Count report, 60% of children ages 3 and 4 are not enrolled in school.

State officials and child advocacy experts say the new no-cost child care program could help reverse that trend.

New Mexico is creating the conditions for better outcomes in health, learning, and well-being, said Neal Halfon, professor of pediatrics, public health and public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles.

In addition to offering free child care, the state has launched initiatives to expand access, including a campaign to recruit more licensed and registered home providers. It also established a $12.7 million low-interest loan fund to help construct, expand and renovate child care facilities.

A new study suggests long-term melatonin use may be linked to heart failure, but experts say more research is needed before drawing any conclusions.

Researchers reviewed health records for tens of thousands of adults with chronic insomnia and found that people who took prescribed melatonin for more than a year had a higher chance of heart failure over five years.

The study also found that melatonin users were more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure and die of any cause compared to those who didn't use the sleep aid.

RELATED STORY | Short walks are good but longer ones could dramatically impact your heart health, study says

However, experts stress that people shouldn't panic yet. They emphasize that the results show an association, not causation, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.

The study focused specifically on adults with chronic insomnia who were prescribed melatonin, rather than those using over-the-counter versions of the supplement.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

McDonald's is rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel at some locations across the country as the fast-food chain deals with a penny shortage.

The rounding policy affects customers who pay cash without exact change, with totals adjusted up or down by as much as two cents.

For example, a meal costing $12.06 would be rounded down to $12.05.

RELATED STORY | Trump says he has directed US Treasury to stop minting new pennies, citing rising cost

The change comes after the U.S. Mint stopped producing pennies earlier this year, creating shortages for businesses that rely on cash transactions.

The rounding only applies to cash payments. Credit card and app purchases are not affected by the policy.

McDonald's joins other major retailers experiencing penny shortages, including Kroger, Love's and Home Depot.

RELATED STORY | Nickels only? Grocers warn ending pennies could put stores in legal hot water

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

The federal government told a judge Monday it will use all remaining contingency funds to provide reduced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November as the shutdown continues to block new spending.

The move came after two federal judges on Friday ordered the government to keep the program running. One ruling came in a Rhode Island lawsuit brought by nonprofit groups, and another in a separate case filed by more than two dozen states. The USDA had argued it could not legally tap contingency funds to maintain benefits, but both judges disagreed.

RELATED STORY | Judges say Trump administration cant suspend SNAP benefits during shutdown

In a court filing Monday in the Rhode Island case, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will spend $4.65 billion about half the usual monthly amount to cover benefits for existing SNAP households. Officials said the step will exhaust the programs contingency fund, leaving nothing for new applicants or emergencies.

A USDA official cautioned that it could take weeks or even months for recipients to receive their partial payments because states must recalculate benefits. The official said USDA staff will be available to assist states and that the agency is prepared to issue such notice and revised issuance tables to state agencies on November 3, 2025.

One of the groups involved in the Rhode Island lawsuit responded positively to Monday's announcement, but cautioned about what could be ahead.

Todays announcement is an important first step, but its not enough, said Diane Yentel, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. Millions of families, children, and seniors remain at risk of delayed or reduced food assistance. The federal government must act urgently to ensure every person who relies on SNAP receives their full benefits.

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The government shutdown has now stretched on for more than a month, with no end in sight. Its unclear what would happen to SNAP if the shutdown continues after the contingency funds are drained.

More than 40 million Americans rely on SNAP each month for food assistance.

Health insurance premiums in the Affordable Care Act marketplace could increase by an average of 114% for subsidized enrollees in 2026 if Congress fails to extend enhanced subsidies set to expire at the end of 2025.

The dramatic increase stems from the scheduled expiration of subsidy enhancements that have helped millions of Americans afford health coverage. Without congressional action, many people will lose their subsidies entirely, while others will see significantly reduced assistance.

"The primary factor that's driving premiums so much higher is the impending expiration of the subsidy enhancements," said Louise Norris, a health policy analyst with healthinsurance.org. "For people who get a subsidy in the marketplace, which is nearly everyone, the average premium increase is more than 100%."

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Base premiums across the marketplace are rising by an average of 26% for 2026, but the loss of enhanced subsidies means the actual cost to consumers could be far higher.

Insurance companies factored the expected subsidy expiration into their rate calculations, anticipating that younger, healthier people would drop coverage due to higher costs.

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Consumers can prepare by updating their marketplace accounts with projected 2026 income and household changes without immediately selecting a plan. If Congress extends or modifies the subsidies, people can change their plan selection up until the Dec. 15 deadline.

For those who cannot afford ACA marketplace coverage, Norris cautioned against non-ACA-compliant alternatives, which often exclude pre-existing conditions and may not cover essential health benefits.

The enhanced subsidies were originally implemented as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic but have been extended multiple times.

One of the monkeys that escaped last week after a truck overturned on a Mississippi highway was shot and killed early Sunday by a woman who says she feared for the safety of her children.

Jessica Bond Ferguson said she was alerted early Sunday by her 16-year-old son who said he thought he had seen a monkey running in the yard outside their home near Heidelberg, Mississippi. She got out of bed, grabbed her firearm and her cellphone and stepped outside where she saw the monkey about 60 feet (18 meters) away.

Bond Ferguson said she and other residents had been warned that the escaped monkeys carried diseases so she fired her gun.

I did what any other mother would do to protect her children, Bond Ferguson, who has five children ranging in age from 4 to 16, told The Associated Press. I shot at it and it just stood there, and I shot again, and he backed up and that's when he fell.

RELATED STORY | 'Aggressive' monkeys escape from overturned truck on Mississippi highway

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office confirmed in a social media post that a homeowner had found one of the monkeys on their property Sunday morning but said the office didn't have any details. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks took possession of the monkey, the sheriff's office said.

Before Bond Ferguson had gone out the door, she had called the police and was told to keep an eye on the monkey. But she said worried that if the monkey got away it would threaten children at another house.

If it attacked somebody's kid, and I could have stopped it, that would be a lot on me, said Bond Ferguson, a 35-year-old professional chef. It's kind of scary and dangerous that they are running around, and people have kids playing in their yards.

The Rhesus monkeys had been housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, which routinely provides primates to scientific research organizations, according to the university. In a statement last week, Tulane said the monkeys do not belong to the university, and they were not being transported by the university.

A truck carrying the monkeys overturned Tuesday on Interstate 59 north of Heidelberg. Of the 21 monkeys in the truck, 13 were found at the scene of the accident and arrived at their original destination last week, according to Tulane. Another five were killed in the hunt for them and three remained on the loose before Sunday.

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The Mississippi Highway Patrol has said it was investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the state capital, Jackson.

Rhesus monkeys typically weigh about 16 pounds (7.2 kilograms) and are among the most medically studied animals on the planet. Video recorded after the crash showed monkeys crawling through tall grass beside the interstate, where wooden crates labeled live animals were crumpled and strewn about.

Jasper County Sheriff Randy Johnson had said Tulane officials reported the monkeys were not infectious, despite initial reports by the trucks occupants warning that the monkeys were dangerous and harboring various diseases. Nonetheless, Johnson said the monkeys still needed to be neutralized because of their aggressive nature.

The monkeys had recently received checkups confirming they were pathogen-free, Tulane said in a statement Wednesday.

Rhesus macaques are known to be aggressive, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. It said the agencys conservation workers were working with sheriffs officials in the search for the animals.

The search comes about one year after 43 Rhesus macaques escaped from a South Carolina compound that breeds them for medical research because an employee didnt fully lock an enclosure. Employees from the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee, South Carolina, had set up traps to capture them.