Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
Today’s top stories
The Republican-led House of Representatives is expected to approve a funding bill today that would end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Many Democrats denounced the measure because it does not address health care subsidies that expire at year’s end. The deal includes a promise to vote on the Affordable Care Act in December, but it’s unclear whether that will reach the House floor. Some Democrats have called for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to be ousted from his leadership role even though he voted against the plan; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to weigh in, reflecting divisions within the party.
Even if the shutdown ends this week, flight disruptions are likely to linger. Airlines canceled thousands of flights during the shutdown to comply with a Federal Aviation Administration order, producing staffing shortages. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the FAA’s restrictions will remain until regulators are satisfied staffing levels are back to normal.
The largest aircraft carrier in the world, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is now operating in the U.S. Southern Command area, which includes waters near Venezuela. In recent weeks, U.S. forces have opened fire on small boats in the region, killing at least 76 people. The administration said the boats were smuggling drugs, but has provided no public evidence to support that claim. The killings could expose U.S. troops to legal jeopardy, according to reporting; a senior officer who oversaw the strikes resigned two years early amid concerns the operations may have been illegal.
Have you ever received a text saying you owe a toll or must pick up a package? Google has had enough. The company filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against an alleged China-based criminal organization called “Lighthouse,” which it says provides software and support to online scammers sending phishing text messages and running other fraud operations.
Deep dive
Pregnancy tests can confirm pregnancy as early as four weeks, but many prenatal providers don’t see patients until eight or nine weeks. While waiting for an initial prenatal visit isn’t necessarily risky for most people, many expectant parents want earlier care. Early ultrasound may not clearly show pregnancy, and many clinics delay early appointments because roughly 15% of pregnancies end in the first trimester and they are not set up to manage that caseload. If you need care sooner, consider seeing a primary care provider or an OB/GYN to manage symptoms like nausea or heartburn and to get basic guidance.
Life advice
SNAP benefits were delayed in November because of the shutdown. Kevin Curry, founder of Fit Men Cook and a former SNAP recipient, has been sharing tips for finding free or affordable food. Key suggestions:
– If your state offers Double Up Food Bucks, SNAP cards can stretch to get double fruits and vegetables.
– Contact the USDA’s National Hunger Hotline to locate nearby food pantries and meal sites.
– Visit multiple food pantries if you need something specific; inventories vary.
– Ask grocery stores when they release markdowns and deals.
For more tips on affording food when money is tight, listen to this episode of NPR’s Life Kit. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
3 things to know before you go
1. Podcast hosts and guests are predominantly male and white, according to new research from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. Read the breakdown of what else the study found.
2. The Wright family mansion, former home of Orville Wright, was recognized with a historical marker in Oakwood, Ohio.
3. Two dozen violins played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust are on display at the Jewish Museum Milwaukee as part of the Violins of Hope exhibit.
This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.
