Salem News Channel

More flights delayed and canceled amid government shutdown

Continued staffing shortages in air traffic control facilities are causing delays at airports as the government shutdown nears the one-month mark. Controllers have been working without pay since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been warning that travelers will see more flights delayed or canceled the longer they go without a paycheck. The Federal Aviation Administration reported staffing-related delays on Friday at airports in Boston, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, and Newark, New Jersey. Most controllers are continuing to work mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown. Duffy says that leaves little time for a side job to help cover bills, mortgage and other expenses unless controllers call out.

Trump: Senate should scrap filibuster to end government shutdown

President Trump wants the Senate to change its rules so Republicans can end the government shutdown. Republicans have a majority in the Senate, but are unable to reach the filibuster’s 60-vote threshold without help from Democrats. So, the president is calling on the Senate to scrap the filibuster, which would allow the GOP to bypass Democrats and reopen the government. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has strongly opposed changing the filibuster and repeatedly said he is not considering changing the rules to end the month-long shutdown.

Artic Frost; Jack Smith Broke the Law

Third Of Americans Consider Halloween One Of The Costliest Holidays

Over half of Americans (57%) said rising chocolate prices are changing how much they dish out for candy this Halloween. The new study by financial services company Empower, which polled 2,000 general population Americans, found a third consider Halloween one of the costliest holidays of the year and the average American plans to spend $296 — including candy, costumes, decor and entertainment. Younger generations plan to spend almost double that, with millennials averaging $522 and Gen Z averaging $435. Yet, despite the price tag, 51% said Halloween is one of their favorite holidays, and nearly six in 10 (57%) said the memories they make with friends and family on Oct. 31 are priceless. Still, five in 10 are cutting back on Halloween spending overall due to inflation (52%), though 39% of Americans say they overspend each year, highest among millennials (52%) and Gen Z (48%). More than half of Americans surveyed (54%) believe parents today feel pressured to spend more on Halloween than past generations. Almost a third (31%) say they end up spending more when they see friends or family doing so, even if it’s beyond their means (53% Gen Z, 50% millennials). “Some consumers may be ghosting chocolate this Halloween as prices creep higher. Trick-or-treat spending offers a peek into how pricing pressures are shifting budgets and filtering into the smallest traditions,” said Rebecca Rickert, head of consumer insights at Empower. Most shoppers will start looking for Halloween items in September (39%) and October (43%), despite the rise of retailers offering “Summerween.” Though, a quarter of millennials (26%) start shopping for Halloween no later than August. Two in five (40%) respondents said they look forward to Halloween shopping more than shopping for other holidays (61% millennials, 56% Gen Z). To save money, close to a quarter said they often reuse or recycle costumes from past years (22%) or shop at thrift stores/discount retailers for Halloween looks (22%). One in five prefer to DIY or make costumes at home (20%). Close to a quarter (23%) of Gen Z and millennials buy costumes for their pets, even if it costs extra (18% overall). A quarter of younger generations will use AI to find the best deals on candy, costumes or decorations (25% millennials, 24% Gen Z) — as well as to generate costume ideas (27% millennials; 24% Gen Z). More than one in five millennials will also use it to help plan fall or Halloween-themed travel (21%). Even with tighter budgets, Americans want Halloween to feel memorable: 45% said they’d rather spend on experiences like trips or parties than on décor. These experiences include: pumpkin patches or harvest festivals (31% overall; 41% Gen Z, 39% millennials), Halloween parties (23% overall; 39% millennials, 35% Gen Z), and Halloween theme parks or haunted houses (21% overall; 37% millennials, 35% Gen Z). While almost three in 10 Gen Z (28%) and millennial (27%) respondents will also be visiting a haunted or historic towns (like Salem or Sleepy Hollow) — only 17% of Gen X and 4% of baby boomers are incorporating that into their fall plans. Average American’s Halloween Spending Includes: Candy — $59 Children’s costumes — $56 Adult costumes — $46 Pet costumes — $33 Home/yard decorations — $52 Parties/entertainment (tickets, fright nights, events, etc.) — $51 Empower’s “Halloween Spending” survey was commissioned through Talker Research and based on online survey responses from 2,000 general population Americans (aged 18+) from Sept. 10–16, 2025.

Shutdown funding: Judges order use of contingency funds for SNAP

Two federal judge have ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund the SNAP food aid program using contingency funds during the government shutdown. The rulings Friday came a day before the payments were due to be halted. SNAP is used by 1 in 8 Americans to buy groceries and is a major piece of the nation’s social safety net. The administration has said it can't fund SNAP with the government shuttered. Democratic state officials challenged the plan to freeze SNAP payments starting Nov. 1, saying there’s a legal obligation to keep providing the assistance for low-income people. Judges agreed, but gave the administration some leeway on the details.

What's the Democrat's Strategy?

Speaker Johnson On Gov't Shutdown — "Pray For An End Of This Bitter Partisanship"

Speaker Johnson On Gov't Shutdown — "Pray For An End Of This Bitter Partisanship" With Rep. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district.

Speaker Johnson — "Pray For An End Of This Bitter Partisanship"

World Tensions Are Coming To America

World Tensions Are Coming To America With Rep. Scott Perry, representative for Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district.

SNC's Mike Gallagher Joins From Israel As IDF Responds To HAMAS

SNC's Mike Gallagher Joins From Israel As IDF Responds To HAMAS With Mike Gallagher, Host of The Mike Gallagher Show on Salem News Channel.

Several Injured After JetBlue Flight Makes Emergency Landing

Officials say at least 15 JetBlue passengers were injured after a sudden drop in altitude forced an emergency landing in Florida. The Thursday flight from Cancun to Newark, New Jersey, was diverted to Tampa International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration says the flight crew experienced “a flight control issue” and that it is investigating. A spokesperson for the local fire department said Friday that between 15 and 20 passengers were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. JetBlue says it has taken the Airbus A320 out of service for inspection and will investigate the cause.

FBI Foils Violent Attack Plot in Michigan; Several Arrested

FBI Director Kash Patel says federal officials have arrested multiple people in Michigan who had allegedly been plotting a violent attack over the Halloween weekend. Patel announced the arrests in a social media post, saying they took place Friday morning. FBI and state police were in a neighborhood near Fordson High School in Dearborn. FBI personnel were seen going in and out of a house. An FBI spokesperson says investigators were also in Inkster, another suburb. Michigan's governor says she was briefed by the FBI director but shared no details.