Federal agents and protesters speak through a fence outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Sept. 29, 2025.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) drives on Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25).
Trader Joe's new Halloween Canvas Mini Totes.

Welcome to spooky season ! I'm Nicole Fallert. Chunk is the fattest bear.

Quick look at Wednesday's news:

  • The federal government shut down at midnight.
  • Life in Broadview, Illinois, has been transformed amid ICE presence.
  • This WNBA star's exit interview was the news conference heard around the world.

A government shutdown begins

There's no end to a government shutdown in sight as Democratic lawmakers demand health care policy changes that President Donald Trump and Republicans have refused to entertain.

What is a government shutdown? Each fiscal year, Congress appropriates funds for federal agencies to operate. If Congress does not agree on appropriations or a temporary spending bill, federal agencies must effectively shut down or stop normal spending.

  • How we got here: Both sides traded barbs over who is to blame. Democrats have demanded the reversal of Medicaid cuts that Republicans passed this year and the extension of health care subsidies be included in a funding measure.
  • Some Americans awake to uncertain employment. Trump said he may lay off “vast numbers” of federal workers and eliminate programs in a shutdown.
  • What happens Wednesday? The Senate will reconvene this morning, while the House won't be in session at all. Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, is keeping lawmakers in recess in order to pressure Democrats.

USA TODAY has everything you need to know during a shutdown:

  • Will a government shutdown delay your flight?
  • A shutdown won’t excuse borrowers from making progress on their student loans.
  • Banks, post offices, courts, parks — know what's open and closed.
  • Which Democrats broke ranks to fund the government?
  • Here's what veterans should know about service disruptions.
  • How do Americans feel about a shutdown?

More news to know now

  • A judge ruled Trump's deportation moves against pro-Palestinian students were unconstitutional.
  • Homes collapsed as waves from hurricanes Imelda and Humberto slam North Carolina.
  • How will "TrumpRx" lower drug prices?
  • A year after a USA TODAY investigation, a rape kit backlog persists.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Hegseth rips Pentagon 'decay' and 'fat generals'

President Donald Trump threatened firings and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lambasted "decades of decay" at the Pentagon as they spoke before a silent audience of hundreds of top military commanders who'd traveled from around the world on short notice to hear them at a Quantico, Virginia military base. Hegseth, who took the podium first before a billboard-sized American flag, unveiled his major policy priorities, telling the country's military elite that new measures would weed out political correctness among the world's most powerful armed forces. Critics said the gathering was a waste of taxpayer dollars and dangerous to national security

Chicago suburb tells ICE they want them out

'A lot of rhetoric comes from the White House about being tough on crime, but from where I sit, ICE has generated criminal activity in Broadview.'

~Katrina Thompson, mayor of the small village of Broadview outside Chicago home to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, saying federal agents the area amount to a "siege." Tense moments between the two sides in Broadview have frequently ended with federal agents deploying chemical agents and other crowd control tactics on protesters as well as journalists.

Today's talkers

  • Heartbreak over Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban is everywhere.
  • Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers united to say "Hi Donald."
  • We're watching "Love is Blind" Season 9.
  • See what 50 different homes look like across America.

What did Napheesa Collier say about the WNBA?

In her end-of-season comments this week, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier called out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league's lack of transparency, in addition to officiating concerns, player safety, and stalled CBA negotiations. Collier, who currently serves as the WNBPA vice president, said she decided to publicly air her grievances after repeated concerns she voiced directly to Engelbert went ignored. Collier made it clear that she was speaking for herself — but fellow WNBA players, coaches and former stars are now speaking up in support of Collier.

  • Engelbert said she was "disheartened" amid the criticism.
  • On the court: The Las Vegas Aces held off the Indiana Fever to reach the WNBA Finals.

Photo of the day: Halloween hype

October is here and so are Trader Joe's Halloween-themed mini canvas bags. Here's how to get one of the viral totes.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daily Briefing: The government is shut down

Reporting by Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect