Partial Federal Shutdown Disrupts Parks, Health Agencies

The partial federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1, 2025, has closed or severely limited operations across many agencies, forcing furloughs and scaled-back services. National Park Service sites have shut visitor centers and facilities — including closures at Cabrillo National Monument and Kennesaw Mountain, while Mesa Verde is limited to scenic drives and a privately run campground — and reduced staffing has raised concerns about visitor safety, vandalism and sanitation. Thousands of federal employees are furloughed nationwide, with states such as California (nearly 150,000 federal workers) and Idaho especially hard hit, straining local economies and community services. Large portions of HHS and parts of the CDC are furloughed, which public-health officials warn could slow outbreak response and degrade CDC capacity, and the shutdown may delay FDA approvals and customer service for Medicare and Medicaid. The disruption is also affecting regulatory processes for industry — including fears of delayed EPA and NHTSA certifications and slowed recalls — and is expected to continue at least until lawmakers return after Yom Kippur while negotiators remain deadlocked primarily over whether to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.