FAA to reduce air traffic by 10%. And, Trump administration plans to appeal SNAP ruling

"This move is intended to help keep the nation's airspace safe as the agency deals with a shortage of air traffic controllers and the government shutdown. Airlines have started canceling flights in order to comply with the FAA's orders. The shutdown is taking a toll on air traffic controllers, who are required to work without pay. NPR's Joel Rose tells Up First that there is some speculation that the reduction in air traffic is mostly a PR or political move related to ending the shutdown."

"The Trump administration is appealing a court decision ordering it to restore full funding for SNAP benefits by today. The government previously stated it would restore partial benefits in response to an earlier decision. In a new decision made yesterday, U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island ruled that the government failed to consider the harm to individuals who rely on those benefits."

Beginning today the Federal Aviation Administration will reduce air traffic by 10% at many of the busiest airports to address a shortage of air traffic controllers and risks during the government shutdown. Airlines have begun canceling flights to comply with FAA orders. The shutdown requires air traffic controllers to work without pay and produced staffing shortages at dozens of facilities over the past weekend. There is speculation the reduction may have political or PR motivations tied to ending the shutdown. Separately, the administration is appealing a court order on restoring full SNAP funding after only partial payments were made.

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