Stormy Week’s End: Travel Chaos, City Loan Drama, Hot Breakfast Buzz
It seems we are facing a very stormy end to the week, and not just in the air high above us, but at airports here on the ground, in city offices and even at our breakfast tables. With the federal government shutdown rattling travel, a city council trying to clean up financial messes and a crazy story out of Tulane’s animal lab reaching an unlikely conclusion — it’s been quite a week to follow.
So let’s briefly break it all down in basic terms: what’s happening, why it matters to you and what, if anything, you can do if it affects you.
✈️ Air Travel Chaos: F.A.A. Slashes Flights
If you’re flying this week, it might be time to double-, or even triple-check that flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has just ordered a 10% reduction in flights at a number of major airports. The decision comes as the agency is grappling with reduced air traffic control coverage during the partial federal government shutdown.
Plain and simple: There are fewer controllers on the job, and there simply isn’t enough manpower to control all of those aircraft up in the sky safely. And to mitigate the risk, the FAA is pulling flights — which could mean your fight gets canceled or delayed.
For a lot of travelers, this news probably sounds like déjà vu. We have seen many other episodes of flight chaos but predicated on weather or airline strikes, this time it isn’t. It’s about government restrictions and short staffing — with no end in sight.
🧭 If the F.A.A. Cancels Your Flight
When your flight is canceled, don’t panic. Here’s a quick primer to help you navigate the chaos coolly:
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Check Your Airline App:
Once you hear the news, open your airline’s app or website. In many cases, airlines automatically rebook change passengers on the next available flight.
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Call the Airline Directly:
If the app isn’t displaying options or if you need a particular time, phone the customer service line. And be patient — the line is likely to be slow.
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Know Your Rights:
If your flight is canceled because of the F.A.A. restrictions, and you don’t want to rebook, the airline must refund your ticket. You can opt out of the travel credit if you’d rather have cash back.
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Ask About Hotel Vouchers:
Stuck overnight at the airport? Some airlines may offer hotel or meal vouchers. It’s a question worth asking, especially at major airports.
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Stay Calm and Flexible:
More often than not, a little patience pays off. A number of flights will resume as the ranks of airline personnel recover, and being flexible could make it more likely that you arrive at your destination sooner rather than later.
City Council Agrees to New $125M Loan
The City Council approved a deal for the de Blasio administration to borrow up to $125 million as millions of dollars’ worth of racism claims pile up.
But where fliers face turbulence in the skies, there is still a storm of another sort on the ground for city government. New financial guardrails approved by the City Council in a tentative deal with the state have barely had a chance to take effect. This agreement frees them to go forward with a big, $125 million loan to cover financial shortfalls.
But that’s not the end of it — Mayor-elect Helena Moreno says it’s even worse than you think. “I don’t know anything about it,” she said of a special session in an interview with reporters at the Capitol on Monday night. “I’m being left with a complete mess. I inherited a deficit.”
The city will soon start to unlock its rainy-day fund to address near-term costs, she said. But she is also contemplating yet another loan next summer, an indication that the financial crisis may not be over.
For residents, it could mean cuts to services or delayed city projects. It’s a financial tightrope, and everyone is now watching closely to see how the new management handles it.
🍳 Hot Stuff A new addition to the menu
offerings at this purveyor of cayenne-and-spice-fueled fried chicken have nothing to do with lunch or dinner, but rather what’s in between: breakfast.
In the midst of all the chaos, there is, however, one bright spot for foodies. Hot Stuff, a local favorite, debuts breakfast tomorrow — and it sounds tasty.
The new items include:
- Breakfast tacos
- Ham rib biscuits
- Chia pudding
- Chocolate gravy
Yes, you read that correctly — chocolate gravy! Morning person or not, that’s that much more to be smiling about.
Hot Stuff announced the new addition on Instagram, and locals are stoked. It’s just a little sweet note — that good food, even in a stormy week, can light the way.
🐒 An Escaped Monkey’s Tenure at Tulane Ends
The 9-pound monkey that fled a research center on the campus of Tulane University last week has returned.
And now, to one of the weirdest and saddest stories this week — the escaped monkey at Tulane University. It’s finally over, after a whirlwind of days covering it, but not in the way anyone wanted.
- As for the other three lab monkeys, things went tragically:
- A mom shot one monkey.
- A preacher killed another.
The third monkey was no relations, and at length he too was caught alive.
It’s a surprising conclusion to what began as an odd, almost comic escape tale. But it’s also a reminder of how unpredictable, even emotional human reactions can be where wild animals are concerned.
🚦 New Traffic Signals on Lafitte Greenway
And finally, be on the lookout if you’re driving past North Broad Street. There’s a new crossing at the Lafitte Greenway where it crosses the street.
The city warns drivers not to cross the intersection when the red light comes on the new lights. This is a change that the greenway uses daily by cyclists and pedestrians that will improve their security. Therefore, when on the road don’t sleep just open your eyes on the signal and stay alert. 🌦️ In Summary: A Stormy End to the Week This week, whether it’s air travel problems and town finances or new breakfast plates and lights, brings a stormy end to the workweeks, in more ways than one. Whether you’re trapped on an airstrip or watching airy politics unfurl or are fortunate sufficient to have a smoking biscuit at Warm Material, the main concept for this week is the idea that something evolves. As a result, take a breather and pause or eat a few chia custards and drink some delicacies. There’s no dark place to flee regardless of how disordered everything gets.
