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Senate approves bill to end the shutdown, sending it to the House

(AP) The Senate passed legislation Monday to reopen the government, bringing the longest shutdown in history closer to an end as a small group of Democrats ratified a deal with Republicans despite searing criticism from within their party. The final Senate vote, 60-40, broke a grueling stalemate that lasted more than six weeks as Democrats demanded that Republicans negotiate with them to extend health care tax credits that expire Jan. 1. The Republicans never did, and five moderate Democrats eventually switched their votes as federal food aid was delayed, airport delays worsened and hundreds of thousands of federal workers continued to go unpaid.

Here's what's in the Senate deal to end the government shutdown

(CBS News) The Senate took a major step toward ending the government shutdown late Monday by passing a funding bill that unlocks a broader agreement on long-term spending and the promise of a future vote on extending health care tax credits. The vote was 60-40, with eight Democrats providing the votes needed. One Republican voted against it.

Democrats rebel after 8 senators cut a deal to end the shutdown without ACA funds

(NBC News) Many Democrats are fuming after a breakaway group of eight senators teamed up with Republicans to strike a deal to reopen the government without extending health care subsidies, backing off on the demand that led to the shutdown. The agreement, which cleared a key procedural hurdle late Sunday by a vote of 60-40, sparked heavy criticism from congressional candidates, progressive activists and Democratic lawmakers.

Republicans Face Jeffrey Epstein Reckoning as End of Shutdown Looms

(Newsweek) With the longest government shutdown in U.S. history nearing an end, Republicans are set to face another reckoning on Jeffrey Epstein as a petition to force a vote to compel the release of the government’s files on Epstein garners the needed support. President Donald Trump’s administration has faced scrutiny from both critics and supporters since the FBI and Justice Department abruptly announced in July that it would not be releasing any additional records from the sex trafficking investigation into Epstein. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse and lawmakers from both major parties have been calling for the release of the files, but Trump has repeatedly dismissed the scandal as a “hoax,” accusing Democrats of trying to distract from his administration’s success.

Veteran's Day Toons

MAGA ranchers revolt as beef firm demands firing after Trump pledge

(Raw Story) A pro-Trump beef firm is evidently unimpressed with the president's latest pledge to try to win back favor with angry cattle ranchers, MSNBC's Ja'han Jones wrote on Monday — and they put out a statement calling for a key U.S. Department of Agriculture official to be removed. The controversy stems from President Donald Trump's announcement last week that he would launch a criminal investigation into whether meatpacking companies are illegally colluding to fix beef prices, which comes as the cost of beef rises rapidly around the country, driven by both record-low cattle herds and added costs to ranchers from Trump's tariffs.

Justice Department loses thousands of staff as ex-Fox host Pirro's problems mount after sandwich toss setback

(The Independent) The Department of Justice has been hemorrhaging staff under President Donald Trump, with thousands of attorneys leaving and few being hired to replace them, according to a new report. Since January, nearly 5,500 DOJ career employees have quit, taken a buyout, or been fired, according to Justice Connection, an advocacy group composed of department alumni. A Justice Connection spokesperson told The Independent that its estimates are based on both public reporting and non-public information the group has gathered. As a result, the department is grappling with sweeping vacancies amidst a dearth of qualified applicants, according to The Washington Post.

Dad says he and his toddler were pepper sprayed by federal immigration agents

(NBC News) A suburban Chicago father and his 1-year-old daughter were pepper-sprayed at close range as they were headed to go grocery shopping over the weekend and happened upon federal immigration agents, the family said. Rafael Veraza said the incident happened in a Sam's Club parking lot in Cicero on Saturday, amid escalating clashes that day between immigration agents and frustrated area residents.

Gregory Bovino and Border Patrol agents plan to leave Chicago area, sources say

(CBS News) The Trump administration has made plans for U.S. Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and some of his agents to soon leave the Chicago area, three U.S. officials told CBS News Monday, after taking a leading role in a months-long crackdown that has been marked by controversial arrests and clashes with protesters. Bovino and many of the green-uniformed Border Patrol agents under his command could depart Chicago as early as later this week, the officials said, requesting anonymity to discuss internal plans. The plans could change, the officials cautioned, adding that some Customs and Border Protection personnel are expected to stay in Chicago.

Prominent Afrikaners refuse to be 'pawns,' and hit back at Trump's claims about South Africa

(LAist/NPR) President Donald Trump has announced that no U.S. officials will attend the G20 Summit hosted by South Africa — the current rotating chair of the group of major world economies — in Johannesburg later this month, citing "human rights" concerns. The South African government has repeatedly tried to correct the White House, providing statistics that disprove these claims – for example the fact that Black people are by far the worst affected by violent crime and that whites still own the majority of commercial farmland – to no avail. Now, some white Afrikaners themselves, as well as Afrikaans groups, are calling out what they say are the U.S. administration's "lies" and "falsehoods" in their name.