• Venezuela military options on the table: CBS reports the Pentagon is preparing strike and pressure scenarios for President Trump as he seeks to weaken Nicolás Maduro without launching a full U.S. invasion.
• Government shutdown ends: Smithsonian reopens: Federal workers return nationwide after Democrats walked away with no concessions.
• Chicago's treasurer sparks outrage with Treasury-bond protest: Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin stops investing in U.S. Treasury bonds as a political protest against Trump, triggering backlash from Democrats and warnings that she's jeopardizing the city's financial stability while running for Congress.
• Verizon announces 15,000 layoffs amid weakening economy: Verizon becomes the latest Fortune 500 company cutting jobs and outsourcing store operations.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

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• Shutdown ends after 40 days: The Senate advances the clean continuing resolution as eight Democrats break ranks, giving Republicans the leverage to reopen the government. Erick explains how Democrats misread the political moment and why progressive activists are erupting in fury.
• Controversial Senate provision sparks backlash: A hidden line item expanding investigatory authority tied to January 6 blindsides House Republicans. With no senator claiming responsibility, conservatives demand it be removed before final passage.
• Air travel disruptions will linger: Airlines warn that weeks of TSA shortages and air-traffic controller absences created a scheduling mess that could take until Thanksgiving to fully resolve. Federal agencies are so behind that October's inflation and jobs reports may never be released.
• Epstein document dump escalates tensions: House Republicans release 23,000+ pages from the Epstein investigation. Democrats call it a distraction, Republicans argue it clears the president, and Erick vents his frustration that both parties weaponize Epstein instead of addressing inflation, health-care costs, and the economic pain facing Americans.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

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Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

• Democrats divided: Chuck Schumer faces mounting anger within his own party for ending the shutdown without gaining concessions. Democrats are frustrated that they began the standoff without a concrete negotiating strategy, while Republicans unified around simply refusing to deal.
• Redistricting hesitation spreads: Following last week's election results, lawmakers in Kansas, Indiana, and Maryland are signaling a pause on mid-cycle redistricting. Both parties fear accidentally transforming safe districts into competitive losses in a volatile electorate.
• Air travel recovery will lag: Airlines and airports warn delays and disruptions may continue into Thanksgiving. Staffing shortages and scheduling reshuffles during the shutdown created operational chaos that will take weeks to unwind.
• Tariff argument backfires: The administration's assertion that unwinding tariffs would cost $3 trillion is drawing new constitutional scrutiny from the Supreme Court, raising questions about executive authority and the major questions doctrine.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

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Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

• Shutdown winding down: After 40 days, the Senate advanced a clean continuing resolution. Debate has been cut off and a formal vote is expected within days—Democrats get promises of future votes, but no policy wins.
• ATC pay fight: President Trump threatens to dock pay for air traffic controllers who didn't report during the shutdown. Supporters call it accountability; critics argue controllers were unpaid and took other work to keep families afloat.
• SCOTUS docket moves: The Court refused to revisit Obergefell via the Kim Davis case, signaling no appetite to re-litigate same-sex marriage. At the same time, justices agreed to hear a Mississippi case that could require absentee ballots to be received and counted by the close of Election Day nationwide.
• Preemptive pardons: President Trump issued preemptive pardons to Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, and others tied to 2020 election litigation, framing it as closing the book on years of legal warfare.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

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Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

• Flight Reductions Hit Major Airports: Air traffic controllers continue calling out as the shutdown drags on. The FAA is ordering flight capacity cuts at more than 40 major airports, including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, and Chicago, as workers go unpaid and pick up side jobs to support their families.
• Ford Backs Away from the Electric F-150: After real-world testing and weak consumer demand, Ford appears poised to scrap the electric F-150 Lightning project.
• Senate Republicans Push Back on Trump's Filibuster Messaging: GOP allies are privately urging the President to stop calling for an end to the filibuster, arguing it gave Senate Democrats cover to prolong the shutdown. Republicans say the focus must shift back to forcing Democrats to accept a clean reopening.
• Lower Prices Coming for Ozempic and Wegovy: The administration announces reduced Medicare and Medicaid costs for weight-loss injectables, bringing monthly prices closer to $149.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

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Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

• Supreme Court Pushback on Tariffs: Justices across the ideological spectrum, from Clarence Thomas to Ketanji Brown Jackson, show skepticism toward the President's use of IEEPA to justify tariffs. With Roberts, Barrett, and Gorsuch signaling opposition, the future of the tariff structure looks uncertain.
• Election Results and the Economy: Tuesday's election outcomes across Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Georgia and beyond point to a voter base anxious about their economic reality.
• Redistricting Battles Begin: Republicans move to challenge California's new redistricting plan, while legal uncertainty around the Voting Rights Act case stalls GOP-led redistricting efforts in Louisiana and other states.
• Minneapolis Picks Moderation: Jacob Frey wins reelection over a Democratic Socialist challenger, a reminder that voters in progressive cities may favor stability over ideological extremism.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Get the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite app.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

•Senate Democrats Kill Reopening Again: For the 14th time, Democrats vote to keep the government shut down. Erick unpacks the behind-the-scenes deal rumored between John Thune and Senate Democrats that could finally reopen Washington, if it can clear the House.

•Tensions Inside the Pentagon: Senate Republicans lash out at Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby for troop drawdowns in Europe and reduced communication with Congress.

•SNAP Clash in the White House: The President says SNAP benefits are frozen until Congress acts, but his own administration insists funding continues for two more weeks.

•Venezuela War Games: The Pentagon is gaming out military action to oust Nicolás Maduro amid China's growing footprint in South America.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

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Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

•SNAP Funding Nears the End: Even after a Massachusetts judge's order, the Trump administration admits there are only two weeks of SNAP benefits left. States like Texas, Louisiana, and Virginia step up with temporary aid, but time is running out nationwide.

•Trump Blocks AI Chip Exports to China: The president halts NVIDIA's sales of advanced AI chips to China, aiming to protect U.S. tech from theft and reverse engineering, but backdoor deals through other nations could undermine the policy.

•Travel Chaos Ahead of Thanksgiving: With TSA agents unpaid and air traffic controllers calling out, travel delays are mounting.

•Election Day Preview: Key races in Georgia, Virginia, and New Jersey could shift state power and shape national narratives. Erick warns Republicans not to buy the media spin. Democrats will use any wins to pressure the GOP to end the shutdown.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Get the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite app.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

•SNAP Benefits on the Brink: A federal judge in Boston questions the legality of freezing SNAP funds, but even if emergency funds are released, the relief would last only a few weeks. Millions of Americans could soon face food insecurity as the shutdown drags on.

•Media Spins the Shutdown: The Washington Post and cable outlets claim Republicans are to blame, yet internal polling shows the generic ballot tied and voters' anger shifting toward Democrats.

•Trump Assassination Attempt Verdict: Ryan Routh, convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, asks to serve his sentence in a state that allows assisted suicide.

•Trump Officials Move to Military Bases: Progressive outrage grows after The Atlantic reports top Trump aides have relocated to secure military housing for safety.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

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Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

•Shutdown Day 29: SNAP benefits and Head Start funding are on the brink. TSA and air-traffic-control staff shortages begin slowing air travel across the country.

•Obamacare Profiteering: UnitedHealthcare and AARP are cashing in on subsidies while small businesses and taxpayers shoulder the burden. Republicans are turning their sights on the insurance industry's record profits.

•Federal Reserve Rate Cut: The Fed lowers rates ¼ point despite limited data amid the shutdown, prioritizing jobs over inflation.

•Trump, China & the Constitution: As Trump prepares to meet Xi Jinping, China's economy falters, and the president reaffirms he cannot seek a third term, proving once again that America's Constitution holds strong.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Get the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite app.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.