Air traffic controllers and TSA workers are among millions of federal employees working without pay during the first government shutdown since 2019.

• Americans may also experience slower response times when contacting federal agencies during the shutdown.

The big picture: Many Democrats are holding out on a funding extension, saying Congress should extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits due to expire at year's end. President Trump has called their demands "ridiculous."

The latest: The shutdown began yesterday after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a funding deal.

• Yom Kippur is today, and Congress typically recesses for the Jewish holiday. That means discussions might not resume until tomorrow.

State of play: Millions of government employees won't get paid during the shutdown, and federal agencies might slow down. Several government websites are also not being updated.

• Federal functions deemed essential — including health programs, new Social Security and Medicare actions, SNAP benefits and FDA inspections — typically don't pause during a shutdown.

Zoom in: Texas was home to roughly 131,000 federal civilian workers as of September 2024. That number may be smaller now because of the Trump administration's layoffs, which are still being challenged in court.

• National parks in Texas and nationwide will be "as accessible as possible" during the shutdown but may limit their services, per the National Park Service.

Threat level: A law passed during the 2019 shutdown allows federal workers to automatically receive back pay once funding resumes, though Trump has said "a lot" of government employees could be laid off.

What we're watching: The shutdown's impacts could be felt more deeply if it stretches into next week.

• Ali Hard, policy director at the National WIC Association, told Politico she is "very concerned" about the program running out of funds if the shutdown lasts over a "week or so."
• And staff shortages at airports could lead to flight delays or cancellations.

Flashback: The longest government shutdown in U.S. history stretched 35 days during Trump's first term and ended when he made a concession on immigration.

Go deeper: How shutdowns affect daily life

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico raised more than $6.2 million in three weeks after launching his Senate bid last month, his campaign announced yesterday.

Why it matters: Talarico's fundraising haul is setting up an intriguing — and potentially expensive — primary battle for Democrats.

• Talarico's campaign said it received contributions from more than 125,000 individuals from all 50 states.
• The 36-year-old state lawmaker's profile has skyrocketed since his Senate campaign launch, positioning himself as a D.C. outsider with an emphasis on appealing to Christian voters in the state.
• Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, Talarico's primary opponent, raised over $4.1 million in the third quarter.

The big picture: Democrats at the national level are watching both their party's primary and a bitter GOP contest in Texas.

• Allred comfortably won the party's Senate nomination last year but lost to incumbent Ted Cruz (R-Texas) by more than 8 percentage points in the general election.
• Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is locked in a tough fight against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a close ally of President Trump.
• Democrats are quietly hopeful that Paxton will defeat the four-term incumbent Cornyn, opening what they think is a wider path to a Democratic victory next November.

⛺️ Officials cleared a large homeless encampment near downtown and destroyed residents' belongings as part of Mayor John Whitmire's initiative to address homelessness. (Houston Chronicle)

💸 A University of Houston study found that inflation is straining Houston families, increasing debt and financial insecurity across the city. (Chron)

🎶 Houston's own Gabriella Martinez, known as the "Taylor Swift of Tejano," received a Latin Grammy nomination for her debut album. (KHOU)

🎶 Enjoy the 42nd annual Festival Chicano at the Miller Outdoor Theatre this weekend.

• Thursday-Saturday. 7pm each night. Free.

👠 Celebrate Taylor Swift's new album "The Life of a Showgirl" at a drag brunch at the Montrose Country Club.

• 11am Saturday. $22.

🗣️ See former Vice President Kamala Harris at the Hobby Center.

• 3pm Saturday. Tickets prices start at close to $100.

🌹 Watch the surrealist film classic "La Belle et la Bête" at an outdoor screening at the Menil lawn.

• 7:30pm Saturday. Free.

Montrose's rainbow crosswalk is back.

Why it matters: After worries it wouldn't survive Mayor John Whitmire's Westheimer Road repaving project, crews yesterday embellished the crosswalk with the colors of gay pride just in time for LGBTQ History Month.

What they're saying: "Have no fear, the restoration is here," Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin posted on Instagram thanking Whitmire and others for getting it replaced.

• "Montrose is even brighter today."