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1,100-Plus Flight Cancelations as Bill to End Shutdown Moves to House; House Expected to Vote Tomorrow on Senate-Passed Bill to End Shutdown; Arctic Blast Brings Snow, Freezing Temps to Millions. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired November 11, 2025 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[07:00:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, new signs of hope that the longest shutdown in U.S. history could soon be over the House now called back to vote. How soon could air travel though untangling, get back to normal? That's one question. Also, another question, why are some Democrats still so mad about it?

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: New this morning, making ends meet harder than ever. Brand new data shows nearly a quarter of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and that number is growing.

Plus, ever wonder what happens when a tornado meets a volcano? Mother Nature's fire and fury caught on camera in Hawaii.

I'm Sara Sidner with Kate Bolduan. John Berman is out today. This is CNN News Central.

BOLDUAN: So, let's get to the breaking news. The end of the 42-day- long government shutdown is in sight, and now it is the House's move. The Senate passed the deal late last night after eight Democrats angered many of the Democratic colleagues by breaking with the party and voting with Republicans. The House is now expected to vote as early as tomorrow.

But in the meantime, things have to stay the same, the longest shutdown in U.S. history becomes even longer in drags on, and it is causing more air travel nightmares for millions of people. More than 1,000 flights were already canceled today with the FAA set to ramp up its air traffic cuts. It had been at 4 percent at America's busiest airports. It is now, as of today, moving to a 6 percent reduction in air traffic at America's 40 major airports.

If the shutdown does not end by Friday, that number, that air traffic reduction goes up to 10 percent. All of this as air traffic controllers are now missing a second paycheck as of this week.

CNN's Gloria Pazmino is at Newark Airport in New Jersey, one of the airports on this list that we're watching so closely. Gloria, what are you seeing this morning?

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Okay. Look, it looks like sort of a regular early Tuesday morning here at the airport. So far, on the board we've seen just one cancelation. But it is pretty busy and moving here so far. We're going to see just how much it changes as the day proceeds.

Now, like you said, while the end of the government shutdown appears to be in sight after that Senate vote late last night, travel is likely to remain difficult for the foreseeable future. And the reason for that is because until this shutdown is finalized, the FAA has to continue to follow this emergency order to incrementally reduce flights across major U.S. airports.

Now, like you mentioned, this is supposed to increase up to 10 percent, and starting today, 6 percent of flights are going to be cut. Now, this is only expected to grow in the next few days to 8 percent on Thursday and eventually 10 percent on Friday until the shutdown is finalized.

Now, so far, today, we're seeing a little over 1,200 cancellations, so far, over 500 delays and it's frustrating many of those travelers .Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOLEE CYPHERT, TRAVELER: The uncertainty of like not having any control, no matter how organized you are, because you might get there and it's just not available to you, is a little scary, especially when you have a whole life that you have to get home to.

ANNA BARBA-UWAINE, TRAVELER: I'm exhausted. I am tired, I am mad. I had to call the customer service. They couldn't give me anything. Yes, I'm tired. I just want to sleep. It's been -- no, it's not okay.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAZMINO: Now, travelers are certainly aware of what's happening, the government shutdown, the fact that these delays are expected, so people are coming into the airport with sort of that expectation.

Now, there's also the whole question of air traffic controllers. As you said in the beginning, Kate, they are now going into their second full missed paycheck. And we've heard from the air controllers union about the fact that even after the shutdown ends, it does not necessarily mean that air controllers will be right back on the job immediately.

And just for some context, last time there was a shutdown in 2019, it took air controllers more than two months to get the pay back that they were owed from the time that the government was shut down.

[07:05:02]

We've also heard from the union about the fact that air traffic controllers have had to take on second jobs in order to make ends meet.

So, even if this government shutdown ends quickly in perhaps in the next few days by Friday, it is unlikely that we will see an immediate return of those air traffic controllers, which is certain to continue to keep causing problems when it comes to air travel, delays and cancelations. Kate?

BOLDUAN: And it does seem in hearing from the union representatives, even from the secretary of transportation, that what is, quote/unquote, normal is kind of a question still what it's going to look like when everything is unraveled and they're back, and they're back at it, because they have seen resignations among those air traffic controllers at a much higher tick than, you know, in, in a normal time because of this shutdown, because they're running out of money.

PAZMINO: That's exactly right, Kate. And remember, before we had the shutdown, this is an industry that's been under an incredible amount of pressure in the last few years. We know there is a staffing shortage. We know that the FAA has been struggling to try and retain people, hire people. And we've also heard from the union that people who were expecting to retire are now doing it sooner.

There's also the question of people who are being trained for the job right now, whether or not they're going to be able to complete that training, whether they're going to be able to keep getting the stipends that they get while they train to continue to do that. So, as a whole, this is an industry and a career area that has been under incredible pressure in the last few years.

Yes. And it's so intertwined. That's why how it unravels and gets back to whatever normal is, is going to take some time.

Great to see you, Gloria, thank you so much, Gloria, on the ground at Newark Airport for us this morning.

SIDNER: All right. A lot of pain there and now, though, there is some -- oh, they have light for some. There is a potential end to the gridlock in sight on Capitol Hill. But that has brought a bitter fight happening inside the Democratic Party. Seven Democrats chose to break from the party decision to hold out for healthcare subsidies before voting to reopen the government. There are now calls for Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step aside. He's facing harsh criticism for being unable to wrangle Democratic Senators.

Stephen Neukam, a Congressional reporter for Axios, is joining us now. Give us some sense of this backlash that Schumer is now facing from his own party. I mean, we're hearing from a multitude of Democrats, including Congressman Ro Khanna, who has called for his replacement. What can you tell us about this battle?

STEPHEN NEUKAM, CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER, AXIOS: Sure, good morning. Yes, certainly, a lot of criticism for the minority leader this week, to start this week. I would say that while it's coming from inside of his own party, it's not coming from inside of his own caucus, at least not at this point. I mean, a lot of the criticism is coming from national Democrats, House Democrats, who were upset that, you know, Senate Democrats sort of weren't able to hold the line in these healthcare negotiations. But until that criticism comes from inside the Senate Democratic Caucus, realistically, you know, it really just won't have that much of effect on Mr. Schumer because those are the ones who decide whether he's leader or not. And, again, he's not up for reelection until 2028. So, yes, a lot of criticism, but not coming from home, at least not yet.

SIDNER: We know that it passed the Senate and now it has to go to the House. And the House members have to get back to work because Johnson had not called them in until this vote happened. What's next here for this bill?

NEUKAM: We're looking at a Wednesday vote. The lawmakers will have today off the holiday, but we're looking at a Wednesday vote to get this through the House so we could have this package on the president's desk by the end of Wednesday and end to shutdown that has dragged on for over 40 days and, you know, end a stalemate that's been incredibly damaging for the country, but also for Congress as a whole.

SIDNER: Steve Neukam, it's a pleasure, thank you so much for coming on this morning.

All right, ahead. It's only November, but a big part of the country is in for some record-breaking, blistering cold temperatures where the worst of it is expected. And law enforcement staff is, quote, waiting on Ms. Maxwell hand and foot. Explosive new allegations of special treatment in prison for convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.

[07:10:01]

And now Democrats are demanding answers.

Also, a man limps into a bank with a cane, but leaves with no limp and his pockets full of cash after robbing a bank in Louisiana. The search for that suspect this morning as well.

Those stories and more ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: There is the potential of record breaking temperatures today as an arctic blast is setting in over much of the Southeastern United States.

[07:15:00]

Millions of people could see some of the coldest temperatures at this point in the year that they have seen in years. And that is making for dangerous conditions for some northern states as well with snow already on the ground, and more to come.

CNN's Derek Van Dam is tracking all of this us. Yes, Derek, we are heading into that time of year. This is coming pretty fast.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Kate, we've got ourselves a winter sandwich here. We've got fall on both sides with winter spliced right in between it. I promise you it's going to get better from here pretty quickly, in fact, but, first, we need to get through this and we need to get through this.

Record temperatures as expected are tumbling across the southeast this morning. Dozens will be rewritten today. Here's a few examples. Tampa, Jacksonville, Savannah, Huntville and Mobile, guess what, this is the coldest and the earliest to spend this cold in the Deep South in decades. So, you can see this hard freeze in place as far south as the gulf. The 30 A, all the vacationers here, waking up this morning with temperatures below freezing. Yikes.

This is what it. The temperature is outside 28 degrees in Atlanta. But, of course, you factor in the winds. That's when we get that feels like temperature. You take into consideration the wind chill, 21 in Atlanta. That is bone chilling for this time of year, certainly. And, of course, this arctic blast means business when it moves over the warm waters of the Great Lakes. It's creating the lake effects, snow bands. You saw some of the imagery coming out of Gary, Indiana, Chicago yesterday.

We'll still get bands of snowfall through the course of the day today, kind of favoring the higher elevations of Northern New England. But we talked about a winter sandwich. We say quickly goodbye to those cold arctic air temperatures and then we welcome in the milder weather. For the second half of this week, the temperature trend going up from here, I guess we get to say goodbye and good riddance because, yes, that was a quick blast of cold air, but it is on its way out tomorrow and into the weekend, I promise. Kate?

BOLDUAN: A quick blast of cold air, definitely making its presence known though. But I really do like the whole imagery of a winter sandwich. I feel like we're going to have a lot more we can play with here.

It's great to see you, Derek. Thank you so much.

Ahead for us, the struggle to make ends meet is getting harder. There is new data out that shows a growing number of American households is now living paycheck to paycheck.

And Major League changes coming to the Major Leagues after two pitchers are indicted in a betting scandal. We've got more details on that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

SIDNER: The defending Super Bowl champs, Philadelphia Eagles, in a defensive slug fest at Lambeau Field on Monday Night football.

CNN's Andy Scholes joins me that was happened on the not so frozen tundra.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes. You know, look, Lambeau Field can certainly be much, much colder, Sara, but it was about 30 degrees for this game. But I tell you what, the offenses were certainly frozen. No one could score. It was the first time since 2009 that a Monday Night Football game was 0-0 at halftime.

In the fourth quarter, it was 3-0. Philly Jalen Hurts backed to pass here, throws it up for DeVonta Smith, he goes and gets it. Finally, we have a touchdown in this game. That made it 10-0. The Packers then scored finally to make it 10-7. Eagles, they were trying to run out the clock. They had fourth and sixth from the 35. Instead of a long field goal, they went for it, but the deep pass to A.J. Brown was incomplete there.

So, the Packers had one last chance, but Brandon McManus' 64-yard field goal as wide left as it gets, as time expires. So, the Eagles they win this game by a final 10-7.

All right, Major League baseball, meanwhile, announced yesterday they have made a deal with sports books to limit the amount that can be bet on individual pitches. So, moving forward, most prominent U.S. sports books will have a $200 limit on individual pitches, and those kind of bets, they cannot be put into parlays. Now, this comes on the heels of Guardians Pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase being indicted for their alleged roles in a gambling scheme, centering on whether individual pitches would be balls or strikes. Major League Baseball said, reducing the amount betters can win on such markets will decentivize attempts at manipulation.

All right, the NBA, meanwhile, it was a wild night around the league. Cavs were down three to the heat and overtime. Off this miss, Donovan Mitchell gets the rebound, hits the turnaround fadeaway three to tie the game with less than a second left, what a shot. But Coach Spoelstra draws up a perfect play. Look at this, Andrew Wiggins, the alley-oop slam at the buzzer to win it for Miami. 140-138 was the final there.

Meanwhile in Orlando, Magic and Blazers, they were tied at 112 with less than two seconds left. Magic with the ball and they inbound to Desmond Bane, the defender all over him. But he is going to hit the fadeaway three at the buzzer to win it for the Magic. Bane's teammates mob him as they win 115-112, fun night in Florida for basketball.

Finally the Spurs, they were down 12 with 11 minutes to go. But then Victor Wenbenyama just took over. Wemby scoring 18 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter, hits this three here to tie it with a minute left, then moments later, another three to give San Antonio the lead. They would end up winning 121 to 117 to improve the 8-2 on the season.

And, Sara, when Wemby at seven foot of million is making shots like that, I don't know what anyone's going to do. It's just unstoppable.

SIDNER: Andy, doesn't it seem like threes have become the new layup? Like it used to be like layups were the thing that got the game won and now it's like threes everyone can do it, except for me.

SCHOLES: I know. And all these scores, I mean, 140 to 138, 128 to -- I mean, the scores are bonkers this season insane in the NBA. But it's just the way things are going. Hey, and people are making shots, you know?

SIDNER: Yes. I love it.

SCHOLES: The three point skill is off the charts these days.

SIDNER: All right, we got to get out there and do a little warm-up, see if we can hit a three, once or twice together.

All right, Andy Scholes, it's good to see you.

SCHOLES: All right.

SIDNER: Ahead, a shutdown shocker in the Senate. A group of Democrats vote with Republicans to reopen the government. But the future of healthcare subsidies is still hanging in the balance.

And customized delivered meals, computer access and a dog to pet, what a whistleblower is saying about how Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell is being treated in prison.

[07:25:03]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: All right. Breaking overnight, a bill to reopen the government and end the country's longest ever shutdown is now headed to the House. Eight Democratic-aligned senators joined Republicans to back the deal's final passage. That happened last night. House lawmakers are now headed back to Washington and they will be voting on that same deal tomorrow.

President Trump has given his seal of approval, if you will, signaling that he will sign it when it does make it to his desk, but he also had some choice words for the top Democrat in the Senate.