Laura Coates Live

The Office of Management and Budget director warned that layoffs could climb “north of 10,000.” A memo was circulated in September that instructed agencies to prepare for mass layoffs in the event of a shutdown. This as Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez signaled at a CNN town hall that an end to the shutdown is far, far away.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The government shutdown clock ticks up while the countdown to higher health costs closes in, including for states that voted for Trump. Will Congress find any way out?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the first time in more than two years, Hamas and its allies are not holding any living hostages in Gaza. Meanwhile, 1,718 Palestinian detainees who were being held in Israel without charge were released on Monday and returned to Gaza. Israel also released 250 Palestinians serving long-term sentences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More than 4,000 federal employees received layoff notices Friday as part of the Trump administration’s broad effort to reshape the government while it remains shutdown, according to a court filing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted Thursday in Alexandria, Virginia, as President Donald Trump’s Justice Department continues to pursue charges against his political opponents. James has been under investigation since May over a 2023 mortgage she took out to buy a home in Norfolk, Virginia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire framework that will allow for the swift release of all hostages held in Gaza, Israeli withdrawal to an agreed point and the release of some Palestinian prisoners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday showed the sharp divide between the left and the right on how justice in the US is being carried out. Democrats and Republicans repeatedly talked past one another throughout the hearing, pointing fingers across the aisle over who was to blame for weaponizing the Justice Department. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump administration’s efforts to deploy National Guard troops to Democrat-led cities have prompted a legal showdown between the White House and state and local officials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison for his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He also must pay a $500,000 fine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The federal government has shut down as congressional lawmakers remain at odds over funding the government beyond September 30. Although Republicans control Capitol Hill and the White House, they need at least seven Democrats in the Senate to join them to pass a spending package under the chamber’s rules. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices