the friday brief
11/14/20253 things that matter
shutdown ends after historic pause
the federal government shutdown officially ended on november 12 2025, after 43 days — the longest in u.s. history.
snap payments face post-shutdown delays
with snap supporting roughly 42 million people, the usda’s order for states to undo early november disbursements has caused processing delays and uneven benefit timing, even as the government reopens.
cop30 exposed a widening climate gap
over 195 nations gathered in brazil, but the u.s. federal government was absent — one of only a few countries not represented. democratic governors filled part of the void, yet experts say the combination of u.s. disengagement and global political headwinds makes the 1.5 °c target unlikely without a major course correction.
1 thing to know
holiday spending is arriving as households face the weakest job security in years.
u.s. employers have announced 1.1 million layoffs so far in 2025 — a 65% jump from last year and the highest year-to-date total since the early 2000s.
households are already stretched: total consumer debt is over $19 trillion, credit-card balances hit $1.38 trillion, delinquencies have risen for five quarters, and average aprs are now above 21%. meanwhile, tariffs account for 10.9% of headline inflation, with import prices up ~5%.
the bigger picture:
mass layoffs + record debt + higher borrowing costs + tariff-driven price pressure = a holiday season on thinner financial footing than the headlines suggest.
1 thing to try
aesop’s departure kit + ginger flight therapy
a soothing travel pair for the busiest weeks of the year: lightweight essentials that revive skin mid-journey,
and a grounding ginger pulse-point for when the lines, layovers, or winter weather stretch your patience.
a small ritual that brings you back to yourself, no matter how crowded the season gets.
Shop via links (kit, pulse-point therapy roll-on).
