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Trending News : Thursday 09.21.23

Forecasters have issued tropical storm warnings today for parts of coastal New England and Atlantic Canada as Hurricane Lee’s center approaches the US East Coast. Lee’s mammoth size will allow its strong winds to knock down power lines and possibly cause some flooding in the coming days. 

 

Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On With Your Day.

 

Student loans


Roughly 28 million borrowers will soon be required to pay their monthly student loan bill for the first time since a pandemic-related pause went into effect in 2020. Interest on federal student loans restarted on September 1 and monthly payments will begin in October. Millions of borrowers have a different loan servicer than they did the last time they made a payment and millions of others who finished school during the pause will be making their first payment ever. The Biden administration is encouraging eligible borrowers to apply to the government's new income-driven repayment plan launched in August, known as SAVE, which is said to reduce monthly payments and the amount paid back over time.

Government shutdown


The US national debt has passed $33 trillion as a looming government shutdown threatens to upend crucial federal programs. Government funding is set to expire on September 30 as lawmakers struggle to reach a consensus on a funding plan. House Republicans are trying to push through a bill to temporarily fund the government and beef up border security, but the caucus appears deeply divided on the path forward. If lawmakers are unable to reach an agreement, the White House said, active-duty military and federal law enforcement personnel would be forced to work without pay until funds are appropriated, while FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund could be depleted, complicating relief efforts. Additionally, thousands of children would lose access to health programs, and air traffic controllers and TSA officers would have to work without pay, threatening travel delays across the country. 

Strikes

Stellantis and GM furloughed dozens of autoworkers this week and warned hundreds more could come as the strike continues. This is the first layoff announcement by Stellantis, the automaker that makes vehicles under the Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Chrysler brands. Ford and GM already laid off or warned of idling employees at two of their plants because of the targeted strikes. Unionized autoworkers are on strike for better pay and benefits but the companies argue they can't afford the union's demands. Meanwhile, Hollywood's entertainment strikes are pushing toward $6 billion in losses. Writers and the heads of the four major studios are set to meet for a second consecutive day today as they try to hammer out a deal that puts to an end the historic strike that has frozen most TV and movie productions.

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