Washington — As the partial federal government stretches into its third week, Michigan is feeling some effects as agencies with offices in the state have…
Washington — As the partial federal government stretches into its third week, Michigan is feeling some effects as agencies with offices in the state have ground to a halt.
At least two of Michigan’s five national parks — Keweenaw National Historic Park in Calumet and North Country National Scenic Trail Offices in Lowell — are closed due to the partial government shutdown. Isle Royale National Park is closed for the winter, but the Houghton Visitor Center there is also now closed due to the shutdown.
The National Park Service warns on its website that access to other national parks that have remained opened during the partial shutdown «may change without notice.» The agency has warned «there will be no National Park Service-provided visitor services, such as restrooms, trash collection, facilities, or road maintenance» for most parks that have remained open.
Elsewhere, Transportation Security Administration workers at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and other airports are at risk of missing their next paycheck on Jan. 11. TSA workers fretting they won’t be paid have been calling in sick in what the agency dubs «call outs,» a problem that so far does not seem to be affecting screening operations.
Michael Bilello, TSA Assistant Administrator for Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, said the agency is closely monitoring the situation. He noted that TSA workers were paid on time at the end of December.
«Call outs began over the holiday period and have increased, but are causing minimal impact given there are 51,739 employees supporting the screening process,» Bilello said. «Security effectiveness will not be compromised and performance standards will not change. Wait times may be affected depending on the number of call outs.
«To date, however, screening wait times remain well within TSA standards,» Bilelllo continued. «Yesterday, TSA screened over 2.2 million passengers. Overall, 99.8 percent waited less than 30 minutes. TSA is grateful to the agents who show up to work, remain focused on the mission and respectful to the traveling public as they continue the important work necessary to secure the nation’s transportation systems.
Additionally, Federal Aviation Administration officials were delayed in investigating a plane crash in Saginaw County, leading local police officials to tape off the scene of the accident in the hopes of preserving evidence.
