VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV called for “deep reflection” in the United States about the treatment of migrants held in detention, saying that “many people who have lived for years and years and years, never causing problems, have been deeply affected by what is going on right now.”

Related Articles

The shutdown is hurting schools whose budgets are mostly federal money

Trump heads to Miami to speak about his economic agenda on the anniversary of his election win

Supreme Court weighs Trump tariffs in a trillion-dollar test of executive power

Government shutdown becomes the longest on record as fallout spreads nationwide

Trump nominates tech space traveler Jared Isaacman again to serve as NASA administrator

The Chicago-born pope was responding Tuesday to a range of geopolitical questions from reporters outside the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, including what kind of spiritual rights migrants in U.S. custody should have, U.S. military attacks on suspected drug traffickers off Venezuela and the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East.

Leo underlined that scripture emphasizes the question that will be posed at the end of the world: “How did you receive the foreigner, did you receive him and welcome him, or not? I think there is a deep reflection that needs to be made about what is happening.”

He said “the spiritual rights of people who have been detained should also be considered,’’ and he called on authorities to allow pastoral workers access to the detained migrants. “Many times they’ve been separated from their families. No one knows what’s happening, but their own spiritual needs should be attended to,” Leo said.

Leo last month urged labor union leaders visiting from Chicago to advocate for immigrants and welcome minorities into their ranks.

Asked about the lethal attacks on suspected drug traffickers off Venezuela, the pontiff said the military action was “increasing tension,’’ noting that they were coming even closer to the coastline.

“The thing is to seek dialogue,’’ the pope said.

On the Middle East, Leo acknowledged that the first phase of the peace accord between Israel and Hamas remains “very fragile,’’ and said that the parties need to find a way forward on future governance “and how you can guarantee the rights of all peoples.’’

Asked about Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians i n the West Bank, the pope described the settlement issue as “complex,’’ adding: “Israel has said one thing, then it’s done another sometimes. We need to try to work together for justice for all peoples.’’

Pope Leo will receive Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican on Thursday. At the end of November he will make his first trip as Pope to Turkey and Lebanon.

By ANNIE MA, Associated Press Education Writer

In Chinle, Arizona, financial distress caused by the government shutdown has led to the suspension of after-school programs, including some that students rely on for meals.

Related Articles

Pope Leo calls for ‘deep reflection’ about treatment of detained migrants in the United States

Trump heads to Miami to speak about his economic agenda on the anniversary of his election win

Supreme Court weighs Trump tariffs in a trillion-dollar test of executive power

Government shutdown becomes the longest on record as fallout spreads nationwide

Trump nominates tech space traveler Jared Isaacman again to serve as NASA administrator

Federal money makes up only a small part of most school budgets in the U.S. But at Chinle Unified School District — spread across 4,200 square miles in the heart of Navajo Nation — half of the revenue comes from a single federal program, called Impact Aid.

Most school districts rely largely on local property taxes to fund teacher salaries and building upgrades. But school districts like Chinle that include Native American reservations, military bases or other federal compounds have fewer options for raising local taxes for education. Federal land isn’t taxable, and the government holds most reservation land in trust for Native tribes, so it can’t be taxed, either.

Instead, the federal government contributes $1.6 billion a year in Impact Aid to those schools. But that money is on hold this year, with payments suspended by the shutdown, leaving schools to ax some programs and weigh how long they can go without deeper cuts.

“The kids maybe are going home and not eating, because these are the only three meals they may get in a day,” said Quincy Natay, Chinle’s superintendent. “All of those programs are on hold and we’re looking at, ‘What programs can we eliminate?’”

Food aid for families has also been disrupted by the shutdown. Two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funding to pay out Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, but the government warned it could take weeks or longer to restart partial payments.

Most of the federal money going to school systems arrives before the start of the school year. Impact Aid, however, typically is delivered annually beginning in October. The grants go to about 1,000 districts, which together have nearly 8 million students enrolled. Arizona receives more money from the program than any other state, in part because of its military bases and expansive tribal land.

Many districts that rely on the program try to carry a deep cash reserve because of uncertainty over the timing and amount of the payments, but some already are feeling the pinch.

At Chinle, the $30 million in Impact Aid goes toward teacher salaries, full-day kindergarten and other costs. Beyond the after-school programs, Natay has paused a number of construction projects. If payments don’t restart, Natay said, within a few months the district would need to borrow money to make payroll.

Education Department workers who would typically field questions about funding have been furloughed — and their jobs are slated for elimination — compounding the sense of uncertainty.

“Several of our districts are scaling back,” said Cherise Imai, executive director of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools. “They’re going into their reserves, or whatever other funding they can use to meet payroll.”

In a letter to the Education Department, several Democratic Congress members from Arizona urged the department to reverse layoffs that hit staff working on the Impact Aid program.

“We are deeply troubled by these layoffs and their potential to cause irreparable harm in schools across our state,” they wrote. A federal judge last week blocked indefinitely all layoffs made by President Donald Trump’s administration during the shutdown.

At Lackland Independent School District outside San Antonio, Impact Aid makes up about half the budget, compensating for the presence of Lackland Air Force Base. Superintendent Burnie Roper said the longer the shutdown lasts, the more uncertainty schools face.

Lackland Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Burnie Roper checks on a student while walking around the campus Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Kin Man Hui)

“We just hope that Congress can figure it out,” Roper said.

A Montana school system in an area with little taxable property, Rocky Boy School District has a large reserve fund. But big, unexpected costs can quickly drain the balance, Superintendent Voyd St. Pierre said.

“If I were to have a boiler go out in the middle of winter, well, that’s probably a $300,000 fix,” St. Pierre said. Impact Aid helps fill the budget gaps, he said. “We don’t have any other funds. We don’t have any other state funds. It’s very difficult for us to go to a bank to get a loan in terms of the taxable valuation or collateral we could provide.”

Districts must reapply for Impact Aid every year, which is allocated based on a complex formula with factors such as percentage of federal property and student headcount. A small portion of the program is allocated through competitive grants, which the Education Department oversees. Some districts become newly eligible for funding each year or have new staff who haven’t handled the program before.

Districts typically would go to Education Department staff when they have questions, but the government shutdown has left them unsure where to turn, said Anne O’Brien, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools.

“There’s no one at the department to answer those questions,” O’Brien said. If the Trump administration eliminates Impact Aid staff permanently, she said, it is unclear who would answer those questions in the future.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Even before Sunday night. Even before his left elbow went in a direction no elbows should venture, Jayden Daniels’ sophomore NFL season was a big letdown.

Last season’s rookie of the year came into 2025 ranked as one of the top five fantasy quarterback prospects. Not surprising after he led the mildly-talented Washington Commanders into the NFC championship game in January.

But he has underwhelmed. Averaging less than 200 passing yards per game. And while he has eight touchdown passes and two TD runs, more was expected.

He’s not alone. Here are some other fantasy disappointments in the season’s first half:

Saquon Barkley (Eagles RB): We knew he wasn’t going to duplicate his 2,000-yard career season from 2024, but come on! Ranked as RB3 in the preseason, he’s averaging a little more than 80 total yards per game. And his TD total of six is held down, again, by Jalen Hurts and all of those Tush Pushes.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Chase Brown (Bengals RB): Cincinnati hit the skids after Joe Burrow went down, and Brown bore some of the collateral damage, tallying less than 70 total yards per game and scoring three TDs. Not terrible, but not great for the preseason RB6.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) hurdles Chicago Bears defensive back Kevin Byard III (31) on a run during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

A.J. Brown (Eagles WR): The WR5 of summer has turned into a pumpkin of autumn. Averaging just four catches for 55 yards per game, and only three scores to boot.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) walks off the field after a win over the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Nico Collins (Texans WR): Houston’s offense has disappointed, and Collins is one reason why. He’s averaging a modest five catches for 59 yards, and just three touchdowns.

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) stretches for a first down in the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)

Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars WR): Came into the season as WR10. Seems a long time ago. Averaging just four catches for about 50 yards. He has but one TD reception and a single TD run.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) runs after catching a pass in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

David Njoku (Browns TE): It’s been a great year for tight ends, but not for the preseason TE12. Just two touchdowns for the lowly Cleveland offense, with about four catches and 37 yards per game.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) lines up for a play against the New England Patriots in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Kyler Murray (Cardinals QB): It’s telling that he has been outplayed by backup Jacoby Brissett since his foot injury. Though ranked ninth in summer, Murray has averaged under 200 passing yards per game, with just six passing TDs and a lone TD scramble.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Harrison Butker (Chiefs K): Remember when this opinionated fellow was a perennial top kicker? Not anymore. His 65 points rank only eighth in the league, and he has missed three of his past eight tries from beyond 40 yards.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, left, misses a field goal attempt against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Sitting stars

Packers quarterback Jordan Love disappointed last week against Carolina, and he’ll be even more disappointing against the Eagles. … Whichever running back lines up for Tampa Bay, Bucky Irving or Rachaad White, they will have trouble with tough New England run defense. … New Orleans RB Alvin Kamara won’t do much against Carolina’s improved D. … Two receivers that will be kept in check are Pittsburgh’s D.K. Metcalf against the Chargers and Jets’ Garrett Wilson versus the Browns. … Indy QB Daniel Jones looked like his old bad self last week, and he may again versus Atlanta. … And with Daniels out, there are really no Commanders you can be confident in against an angry Detroit squad.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) on the field before an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Matchup game

Baltimore’s defense still isn’t great, so Vikings we expect to thrive this week include RB Aaron Jones and WR Jordan Addison. … Miami stinks, but De’Von Achane is still a great starting option against Buffalo. … Chicago RB Kyle Monangai could have another big week against Giants with D’Andre Swift still ailing. … Three tight ends to start this week are Vegas’ revived Brock Bowers vs. Denver, Detroit’s Sam LaPorta against Washington and the Chargers’ Oronde Gadsden against Pittsburgh. … Hot and cold Houston QB C.J. Stroud might be sizzling when he faces Jacksonville.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) runs with the football as Detroit Lions safety Thomas Harper (12) tries to tackle during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Injury watch

The heck with injuries. The bye week is the bigger scourge this week with Chiefs, Cowboys, Bengals and Titans out of action. … Other than Daniels, the biggest injury was the season-ending knee damage suffered by Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. The long list of questionables includes two running backs (Browns’ Quinshon Judkins, Patriots’ Rhamondre Stevenson), five pass catchers (Rams’ Puca Nacua, Bucs’ Chris Godwin, Seahawks’ Cooper Kupp, Pats’ Kayshon Boutte, Packers’ Matthew Golden) and two quarterbacks (49ers’ Brock Purdy, Cardinals’ Murray).

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) carries during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Deepest sleeper

Jacksonville kicker Cam Little was having a bit of a sophomore slump, missing four of eight coming into Sunday’s game. Then he broke the NFL record with a 68-yard field goal. The former Razorback’s kick would have been good from at least 72 yards. So you might want to grab him if your kicking slot is currently filled by a mediocrity.

Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Cam Little (39) makes a 68-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

The Thursday pick

Raiders at Broncos (-9½)
Pick: Broncos by 7

Jordan Poyer #21 of the Miami Dolphins tackles Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X– @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

Related Articles

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 9: Last-minute moves

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 9

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 8: Last-minute moves

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 8

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 7: Last-minute moves

By BRUCE SCHREINER, HALLIE GOLDEN and DYLAN LOVAN, Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The airport in Louisville, Kentucky began resuming operations early Wednesday after a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub there, killing at least seven people and injuring 11, authorities said.

A fireball erupts near airport property after reports of a plane crash at Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

The plane crashed about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday as it was departing for Honolulu from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Video showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke. The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball. Video also revealed portions of a building’s shredded roof next to the end of the runway.

The death toll had risen to at least seven Tuesday night, and four of those killed were not on the plane, officials said.

Death toll could rise, Kentucky’s governor says

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he expects the death toll to increase. Eleven people were also hurt, some of whom had “very significant” injuries, he said.

“Anybody who has seen the images, the video, knows how violent this crash is,” he said.

Beshear said he didn’t know the status of the three crew members aboard the plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 made in 1991.

UPS’s largest package handling facility is in Louisville and the company announced Tuesday night that it had halted package sorting at the center and didn’t say when it would resume. The hub employs thousands of workers, has 300 daily flights and sorts more than 400,000 packages an hour.

“We all know somebody who works at UPS,” Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe said. “And they’re all texting their friends, their family, trying to make sure everyone is safe. Sadly, some of those texts are probably going to go unanswered.”

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg says the National Transportation Safety Board is handling the investigation and sending 28 people. He said city emergency management officials put together a form where nearby residents can report debris in their yards.

Mayor Craig Greenberg speaks at Louisville Regional Airport Authority about the crash of UPS Flight 2796 at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Airport is resuming operations after being shut down

The airport, meanwhile, shut down for the night. It began to resume operations Wednesday morning, with flights that were canceled Tuesday scheduled to depart and arrive first. Some flights previously scheduled to take off from the airport on Wednesday morning were canceled.

Some stranded passengers spent the night in the airport.

Related Articles

Trump heads to Miami to speak about his economic agenda on the anniversary of his election win

Trump tariffs face Supreme Court test in trillion-dollar test of executive power

Excessive force allegations will be the focus of a Chicago court hearing

Young homebuyers lose more ground in housing market as states struggle to help

Today in History: November 5, Susan B. Anthony defies law and casts vote for president

Some roads near the airport remained closed Wednesday and a public school district in Louisville canceled classes and activities for the day.

Pablo Rojas, an aviation attorney, said that based on the videos it looked like the aircraft was struggling to gain altitude as a fire blazed on its left side around one of its engines. Given the large amount of fuel it was carrying, once the fire started in that area, it would’ve been only a matter of time before there was an explosion or the fire grew rapidly.

“Really the plane itself is almost acting like a bomb because of the amount of fuel,” he said.

The governor said a business, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, appeared to be “hit pretty directly,” and a nearby auto parts operation was also affected.

People gather seeking information about missing loved ones

Eric Richardson stood outside a police training academy where people gathered looking for information about missing loved ones Tuesday night, hoping to find out what had happened to his girlfriend. She had been at a metal recycling business near the explosion and wasn’t answering her phone, he told The Associated Press. Her phone’s live location said she was still there.

Bobby Whelan, Richardson’s friend, had been in front of her in line, but had left minutes before the explosion. He said he was about a quarter mile down the road when he heard what sounded like a bomb exploding.

“We don’t even want to think about anything but the best,” Whelan said. “All our friends were there.”

A video taken by Leirim Rodríguez shows several massive balls of flames exploding into the sky in a row, followed by large billowing clouds of black smoke.

Tom Brooks Jr., who runs a metal recycling business down the street, said the unbelievable magnitude of the crash “just rocked the whole place.”

“This was massive. I mean, it literally looked like a war zone,” he said.

Destyn Mitchell was working as a host at an Outback restaurant, about a 15-minute drive from the crash, when she heard a loud boom.

“The mood in the restaurant was very shaken up,” she said. “Everyone is really concerned. People who just sat down to eat got up and left in under 30 minutes and packed up their food because they wanted to hurry up and get home.”

The Louisville airport is only a 10-minute drive from the city’s downtown, which sits on the Ohio River bordering the Indiana state line. There are residential areas, a water park and museums in the area.

Golden reported from Seattle. AP reporters Ed White in Detroit, John Raby in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.