1. With holiday travel season a few weeks away, the government shutdown continues, and air traffic controllers are among those not being paid. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was on Capitol Hill today to deliver a message. He blamed Democrats for the ongoing situation and said he's hearing about it from the rank and file. Air Traffic Controller is a high-pressure position. Some are turning to second jobs to pay their bills at this point. We're now in Day 23 of the government shutdown.

2. An extensive illegal gambling ring is crumbling. FBI Director Kash Patel speaking this morning about an elaborate ring involving NBA players, coaches, and multiple mafia crime families, operating for several years across 11 states. Terry Rozier plays for the Miami Heat was arrested in his hotel room in Orlando this morning. Sportsbooks in multiple states flagged suspicious activity and a surge of bets on Rozier dating back to 2023. Chauncey Billups is the head coach of the Portland Trailblazers, former league MVP, NBA champion and member of the Naismith Hall of Fame. Billups' arrest in Oregon was made as part of a separate gambling case linked to an illegal poker operation with rigged games tied to the Mafia. Damon Jones, who played for the Bucks, was arrested for allegedly providing inside information about NBA games to co-defendants who used it to place sports bets. So far, the crackdown has led to more than 30 arrests, with further legal action expected.

3. It's choosing time for tens of millions of Americans! It's the time of year when you must decide on health plans offered by employers, and whether to change from what you have. Health care premiums are going up about twice the rate of inflation.