A JetBlue flight made an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday after suffering a flight control issue en route from Cancun, Mexico, to New Jersey. Jet Blue and the FAA said the plane experienced a sudden drop in altitude, resulting in injuries to some passengers. The airline did not disclose the number of injured parties or the severity of their injuries. Local media quoted Tampa Fire Rescue as saying that around 15 to 20 people were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening.

To celebrate Halloween, the White House opened its gates on Thursday to younger guests. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted trick-or-treaters on the South Lawn. Children, parents, and families got to meet the first couple and collect full-sized candy bars. The guest list included military, law enforcement, foster, and adoptive families, as well as administration staffers with children.

Lawmakers in Washington are out of session amid the stalemate surrounding the month-long government shutdown. New York has declared a state of emergency to dip into local money to provide for $40 million in meals statewide for those who rely on SNAP benefits. Trump is also calling for Republicans to use the so-called "nuclear option" to slash the Senate's 60-vote threshold to a simple majority.