By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and STEPHEN GROVES

WASHINGTON (AP) — Plunged into a government shutdown, the U.S. is confronting a fresh cycle of uncertainty after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and services running by Wednesday’s deadline.

Roughly 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed, some potentially fired by the Trump administration. Many offices will be shuttered, perhaps permanently, as Trump vows to “do things that are irreversible, that are bad” as retribution. His deportation agenda is expected to run full speed ahead, while education, environmental and other services sputter. The economic fallout is expected to ripple nationwide.

“We don’t want it to shut down,” Trump said at the White House before the midnight deadline.

But the president, who met privately with congressional leadership this week, appeared unable to negotiate any deal between Democrats and Republicans to prevent that outcome.

This is the third time Trump has presided over a federal funding lapse, the first since his return to the White House this year, in a remarkable record that underscores the polarizing divide over budget priorities and a political climate that rewards hardline positions rather than more traditional compromises.

Plenty of blame being thrown around

The Democrats picked this fight, which was unusual for the party that prefers to keep government running, but their voters are eager to challenge the president’s second-term agenda. Democrats are demanding funding for health care subsidies that are expiring for millions of people under the Affordable Care Act, spiking the costs of insurance premiums nationwide.

Republicans have refused to negotiate for now and have encouraged Trump to steer clear of any talks. After the White House meeting, the president posted a cartoonish fake video mocking the Democratic leadership that was widely viewed as unserious and racist.

What neither side has devised is an easy offramp to prevent what could become a protracted closure. The ramifications are certain to spread beyond the political arena, upending the lives of Americans who rely on the government for benefit payments, work contracts and the various services being thrown into turmoil.

“What the government spends money on is a demonstration of our country’s priorities,” said Rachel Snyderman, a former White House budget official who is the managing director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank in Washington.

Shutdowns, she said, “only inflict economic cost, fear and confusion across the country.”

Economic fallout expected to ripple nationwide

An economic jolt could be felt in a matter of days. The government is expected Friday to produce its monthly jobs report, which may or may not be delivered.

While the financial markets have generally “shrugged” during past shutdowns, according to a Goldman Sachs analysis, this one could be different partly because there are no signs of broader negotiations.

“There are also few good analogies to this week’s potential shutdown,” the analysis said.

Across the government, preparations have been underway. Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, headed by Russ Vought, directed agencies to execute plans for not just furloughs, as are typical during a federal funding lapse, but mass firings of federal workers. It’s part of the Trump administration’s mission, including its Department of Government Efficiency, to shrink the federal government.

What’s staying open and shutting down

The Medicare and Medicaid health care programs are expected to continue, though staffing shortages could mean delays for some services. The Pentagon would still function. And most employees will stay on the job at the Department of Homeland Security.

But Trump has warned that the administration could focus on programs that are important to Democrats, “cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like.”

As agencies sort out which workers are essential, or not, Smithsonian museums are expected to stay open at least until Monday. A group of former national park superintendents urged the Trump administration to close the parks to visitors, arguing that poorly staffed parks in a shutdown are a danger to the public and put park resources at risk.

No easy exit as health care costs soar

Ahead of Wednesday’s start of the fiscal year, House Republicans had approved a temporary funding bill, over opposition from Democrats, to keep government running into mid-November while broader negotiations continue.

But that bill has failed repeatedly in the Senate, including late Tuesday. It takes a 60-vote threshold for approval, which requires cooperation between the two parties. A Democratic bill also failed. With a 53-47 GOP majority, Democrats are leveraging their votes to demand negotiation.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said Republicans are happy to discuss the health care issue with Democrats — but not as part of talks to keep the government open. More votes are expected Wednesday.

The standoff is a political test for Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who has drawn scorn from a restive base of left-flank voters pushing the party to hold firm in its demands for health care funding.

“Americans are hurting with higher costs,” Schumer said after the failed vote Tuesday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson sent lawmakers home nearly two weeks ago after having passed the GOP bill, blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

“They want to fight Trump,” Johnson said Tuesday on CNBC. “A lot of good people are going to be hurt because of this.”

Trump, during his meeting with the congressional leaders, expressed surprise at the scope of the rising costs of health care, but Democrats left with no path toward talks.

During Trump’s first term, the nation endured its longest-ever shutdown, 35 days, over his demands for funds Congress refused to provide to build his promised U.S.-Mexico border wall.

In 2013, the government shut down for 16 days during the Obama presidency over GOP demands to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Other closures date back decades.

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Associated Press writers Matt Brown, Joey Cappelletti, Will Weissert, Fatima Hussein and other AP reporters nationwide contributed to this report.

On a day where the attention of the Minnesota hockey world belonged to Kirill Kaprizov, he made a splash after sunset as well.

Following a thunderous ovation and a wave to the crowd when his new contract was recognized early in the Wild’s final home preseason game, Kaprizov set up the Wild’s first goal and scored their second one in a 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.

The Wild trailed 1-0 and 2-1 before Kaprizov deflected a Zeev Buium shot to tie the game, and Marcus Foligno scored on a shorthanded breakaway. The Wild also killed a penalty in the final three minutes to preserve the win.

Jesper Wallstedt, the likely backup to top goalie Filip Gustavsson, had 26 saves in the win.

Minnesota improved to 2-2-1 in the preseason with the victory. Their final tune-up is Friday in Chicago, ahead of their regular season debut on Thursday, Oct. 9 in St. Louis.

Connor Hellebuyck had 17 saves for the Jets. Winnipeg star forward Jonathan Toews left the game in the second period and did not return.

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The St. Paul Public Schools board unanimously approved a property tax levy at 2% less than the one a year ago.

The approved levy amount for the 2026-2027 school year is $216.48 million, or 1.98% less than the previous year. At this point, the board can lower that amount but not raise it any higher. It will be finalized in December.

That doesn’t mean all homeowners will see a 1.98% decrease in their property taxes that go to the district, said Tom Sager, the district’s executive chief of financial services. That depends on factors such as property values, which can fluctuate depending on neighborhoods.

“And (property owners) really won’t know the impact that this is going to have until they receive that preliminary statement because this decrease in the school district property tax levy is only one of many, many variables that go into it,” Sager said, of overall tax bills.

Why is the levy being cut?

District officials attributed the reduction in the levy largely to changes in how the state factors costs for retiree health insurance, pensions, severance and unemployment payments, which reduced overall expenses for SPPS.

Plus, additional state aid for community service programs also offset some district costs.

Local property taxes account for around 20% of the SPPS budget.

A reduction in the district’s levy isn’t common. In the past five years, the district’s total property tax levy has increased on average by 3.5% annually.

November referendum

While Tuesday’s levy decision is part of an annual process, a November referendum will ask voters to increase the district’s general revenue by $1,073 per pupil for 10 years, beginning with taxes payable in 2026. The district currently spends more than $23,000 per pupil each year.

The result will cost the average St. Paul homeowner — with the median home valued at $289,200 — $309 per year, or $26 per month. The 10-year tax is subject to increase with inflation.

Voters approved similar referendums in 2018, 2012 and 2006. The 2018 levy referendum gave the district $1,180 per student, or $18.6 million per year plus inflation, in new revenue.

If approved by voters, the increase will generate approximately $37.2 million per year in additional revenue. The school board approved a $1 billion budget in June for 2026. An estimated $51.1 million budget shortfall is to be covered by $35.5 million in reserve funds and $15.6 million in budget cuts and new revenue, including funds from the levy.

What if the referendum is not approved?

If the referendum is not approved by voters, district officials say they expect to make at least $37 million in additional budget cuts.

Of the district’s overall budget reductions for 2026, 74%, or $11.5 million, come from cuts in central office departments. Central office departments make up 8% of the district’s total budget.

Drawing from the district’s fund balance for the budget shortfall maintains programs and services as much as possible, district officials said at the time the budget was approved. However, if the referendum is not approved by voters, anything is on the table for potential cuts, they say.

Why is there a shortfall?

District officials attribute the shortfall to state funding not keeping pace with inflation in the past 20 years as well as increased expenses.

If state funding kept pace with inflation each year since 2003, the district would receive $1,470 more per student than it currently does, or approximately $50 million per year, according to district officials

There also is uncertainty over potential cuts in federal funding.

The district board set its Truth in Taxation and budget hearing for Dec. 2 at district offices. The public can attend this hearing to learn more about the budget.

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By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI

Federal officials have sued pro-Palestinian demonstrators involved in a heated protest outside a New Jersey synagogue last year, citing a law created to protect abortion clinics from obstruction and threats.

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Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said the civil lawsuit filed Monday against two pro-Palestinian groups and some demonstrators appears to be the first time the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act has been used against protesters outside a house of worship.

Monday’s lawsuit stems from a Nov. 13 demonstration outside Congregation Ohr Torah in West Orange, about 20 miles west of Manhattan. It occurred during a real estate fair that promoted the sale of homes in Israel and in settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, has signaled it would use the 1994 law against pro-Palestinian demonstrators that have protested outside synagogues over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

“No American should be harassed, targeted, or discriminated against for peacefully practicing their religion,” U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement issued Monday. “Today’s lawsuit underscores this Department of Justice’s commitment to defending Jewish Americans — and all Americans of faith — from those who would threaten their right to worship.”

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act was passed during a time when abortion clinic protests and violence against abortion providers, such as the murder of Dr. David Gunn in 1993, was on the rise. It specifically prohibits the use of force and physical obstruction to interfere with people at both reproductive health centers or houses of worship.

Under Trump, however, the agency has curtailed prosecutions against abortion clinic protesters, calling them an example of the “weaponization” of law enforcement. The Republican has also pardoned anti-abortion activists, including a number involved in the October 2020 invasion and blockade of a Washington clinic.

Monday’s lawsuit claims the protesters interfered with the attendees’ civil rights to exercise their religion, claiming they physically assaulted worshippers and used plastic horns known as vuvuzelas to disrupt the event.

The lawsuit names two groups — The American Muslims for Palestine New Jersey and the Party for Socialism and Liberation in New Jersey — and three individuals. The groups did not respond Tuesday to requests for comment, and telephone numbers for the individuals could not be located.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit does not include the two pro-Israel counter protesters who were charged with aggravated assault and other offenses against pro-Palestinian demonstrators. A spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said the agency doesn’t comment on pending prosecutions.