The Government Shutdown Just Disrupted Your Flight

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

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Caitlin McCabe (0:33)

Flight delays and cancellations loom for travelers as the government shutdown forces 40 major airports to cut traffic. Plus, the fate of Elon Musk's controversial $1 trillion Tesla pay package will finally be decided today. And homebuilders warn of a major shift in the housing market.

Carol Ryan (0:53)

Because of the supply of existing homes for sale, it's been so tight. I think builders have been building a lot more new homes than usual. But the fact that they can't sell when they're offering a 4% mortgage rate is a really bad sign that underlying demand is very weak.

Caitlin McCabe (1:06)

It's Thursday, November 6th. I'm Caitlin McCabe for The Wall Street Journal. And here's the AM Edition of What's News. The top headlines and business stories moving your world today. As the government shutdown stretches into its sixth week, the Federal Aviation Administration has ordered traffic to be reduced by 10% at 40 major airports, while air traffic controllers continue to work without pay. The FAA is set to name the 40 locations today after briefing those affected. Aviation analytics company Serium says as many as 1,800 flights could be impacted tomorrow.

Allison Pohle (1:45)

Travelers should expect delays and cancellations.

Caitlin McCabe (1:48)

That's Journal travel reporter Allison Pohle.

Allison Pohle (1:51)

The reason this is happening is because the transportation department wants to take some of the pressure off of air traffic controllers during this time where they have not been paid for more than 35 days. We know it's a really stressful job. It's also stressful to not know when your next paycheck is coming. So reducing the capacity at 40 major airports is a way that the transportation department is trying to address this and make sure that the airspace stays safe.

Caitlin McCabe (2:23)

Allison said it's not fully clear how long these restrictions will last, but if you're flying soon, she advises checking your flight status and arriving at the airport early. Airlines for America, a trade group representing commercial carriers, said that already more than 3.4 million people have been affected by delays and cancellations due to staffing shortages during the shutdown. Meanwhile, a federal judge has ordered the government to significantly improve the conditions at an immigration detention facility in suburban Chicago.

Alexa Van Brunt (2:55)

The judge very quickly determined that the conditions at the Broadview Ice Facility were unconstitutional, disgusting, and were unacceptable.

Caitlin McCabe (3:06)

Alexa Van Brunt from the MacArthur Justice Center speaking there, she was part of a team of lawyers that sued last week, saying that immigrants in the facility, which is designed to be a temporary holding spot, are being held for days or weeks in unsanitary conditions without access to legal counsel. US. District Judge Robert Gettleman seemed to agree, saying that to, quote, sleep on the floor next to an overflow toilet, that's obviously unconstitutional. A government official overseeing the site said detainees were provided with blankets and water, that the holding rooms were cleaned regularly, and that there were padded benches for sleeping. Justice Department lawyer Janna Brady noted that if significant changes were ordered regarding how the facility is run, it would effectively halt the government's ability to enforce immigration laws in Chicago. In his order, Gettleman said the government must provide bedding, hygiene supplies, daily showers, clean toilets and three daily meals at the facility. He said he crafted his order to be as workable as possible. And we've learned that President Trump has recently expressed reservations to top aides about launching military action to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, fearing that strikes might not compel the autocrat to step down. Officials told the journal that Trump continues to ask aides about military options, leading some to suggest he might eventually order an attack. But they said even basic questions like whether the goal is to remove Maduro or compel him into concessions remain undecided. Trump has reportedly been presented with three options to increase pressure on Maduro, which range from stepping up sanctions and increased tariffs on countries that buy Venezuela's oil, to a campaign of airstrikes or covert operations aimed at government and military facilities and personnel.

It's a big day for Tesla as shareholders are set to decide whether to approve a record-setting pay package for its CEO Elon Musk that could ultimately give him new stock worth $1 trillion and a roughly 25% stake in the company. But as RK. Bolvin explains before claiming his prize, Musk has to clear a number of complex hurdles.