Rep. Adam Schiff Dabbles in Stand-Up Comedy, Rips CNN for Trump Town Hall

National Parks to Close Amid Government Shutdown

National Parks to Close , Amid Government Shutdown. As Congress has yet to pass a funding measure before the Sept. 30 deadline, a government shutdown appears imminent, Politico reports. . On Sept. 29, the Biden administration announced that if a shutdown goes into effect, most of the nation's national parks will close. The Interior Department will maintain crucial park duties, but staff who tend to visitors will be furloughed, Politico reports. . At [National Park] sites across the country, gates will be locked, visitor centers will be closed, and thousands of park rangers will be furloughed, The Interior Department, via fact sheet. Accordingly, the public will be encouraged not to visit sites during the period of lapse in appropriations out of consideration for protection of natural and cultural resources, as well as visitor safety, The Interior Department, via fact sheet. However, state governments have the option of using their own money to keep parks open. Arizona and Utah plan to utilize that course of action "to keep the Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands national parks" open, Politico reports. . Arizona and Utah plan to utilize that course of action "to keep the Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands national parks" open, Politico reports. . Arizona and Utah plan to utilize that course of action "to keep the Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands national parks" open, Politico reports. . We expect to be reimbursed, just as federal employees receive back pay during a shutdown, and we have communicated this to the Department of Interior, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, via statement. Last year, over 312 million people visited national parks, bringing in about $24 billion for local economies. The decision to shut them down contrasts actions taken by the Trump administration amid a 2018 government shutdown, Politico reports. During that year's 35-day shutdown, parks remained open without staff. Several, such as Joshua Tree National Park, were damaged by visitors

Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dead at 90

Sen. Dianne Feinstein , Dead at 90. Feinstein's death was confirmed by "two sources familiar with the matter" on Sept. 29, according to NBC News. She was the oldest and longest-serving senator in office. She was the oldest and longest-serving senator in office. Feinstein had made plans to retire when her current term was over next year. A temporary successor will be assigned to her Senate seat by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. In 1978, Feinstein became the first woman to be named president of San Francisco's board of supervisors. After then-Mayor George Moscone and Harvey Milk were assassinated later that year, she was made acting mayor, the first woman to hold the title. After then-Mayor George Moscone and Harvey Milk were assassinated later that year, she was made acting mayor, the first woman to hold the title. After losing a bid for the governor's office in 1990, Feinstein won a special election to become the state's first female senator. During her time in the Senate, Feinstein wrote the 1994 assault weapons ban which was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton. During her time in the Senate, Feinstein wrote the 1994 assault weapons ban which was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton. The ban later expired during the George W. Bush administration. Feinstein also sponsored bills to protect California land, create a national AMBER alert network, reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and more. Feinstein also sponsored bills to protect California land, create a national AMBER alert network, reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and more. But toward the end of her career, Feinstein's ability to govern amid a seemingly declining mental state became a main topic of concern in the Senate. But toward the end of her career, Feinstein's ability to govern amid a seemingly declining mental state became a main topic of concern in the Senate