As the Senate advances a deal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, airports around the country have reduced flights and services with airports in Los Angeles and New York seeing hundreds of delays on Sunday, according to data from the flight tracking system FlightAware.

However at BWI, the impact so far has been muted. BWI wait times have barely been affected, with flight reductions and delays happening at rates only marginally higher than usual.

As of Tuesday evening, BWI had 29 delays and 27 cancellations in the past 24 hours,  according to FlightAware.

According to a BWI spokesperson and data from the flight tracking system FlightAware, 38 flights were canceled and 189 flights were delayed at BWI on Monday. On Sunday, 36 flight were canceled and 280 were delayed; and on Saturday, 41 flights were canceled and 145 were delayed. The cancellations include those that were unrelated to the FAA’s new guidelines.

Overall, BWI had a 4% cancellation rate and a 35% delay rate on Sunday, numbers that are within the range of standard BWI operations, although the number of canceled flights is expected to rise.

Passengers like Anne Shaw said they didn’t see a difference in their airport experience, even though two of the main security checkpoints, B and C, were closed as of Monday.

“I haven’t really noticed a difference to be honest with you,” Shaw, from Baltimore, who was taking a Southwest Airlines flight to Cleveland on Monday night.

All of that may change by Friday when greater flight reductions are expected to be in place, depending on the progress of the bill to end the government shutdown, which has already passed the Senate and is on its way to the House.

In a statement to The Baltimore Sun, the FAA said it is still aiming to reach a 10% reduction in flights across the country even with the shutdown potentially ending soon.

“Since the beginning of the shutdown, controllers have been working without pay, and staffing triggers at air traffic facilities across the country have been increasing,” according to the statement. “This has resulted in increased reports of strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers.”

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, BWI had an overall delay rate of 31% in 2024 and a cancellation rate of 1%. Delays also depend on the airline, with some, like American Airlines, having higher rates of delays and cancellations.

“Due to the FAA-mandated flight reductions, passengers may experience cancellations or delays in their travel,” Jonathan Dean, spokesperson with BWI, said. “The carriers are working to modify their schedules in a way to minimize impact on their passengers. Travelers are advised to check flight schedules with their airlines.”

Despite the reconfiguration of BWI, with two out of three security checkpoints closed and passengers mostly checking in on kiosks rather than with an employee, wait times for TSA on Monday night were between 1 and 7 minutes for general, priority, TSA pre-check and CLEAR lines.

Transportation Security Administration staff have been working without pay since the shutdown began. In a statement sent to The Sun, TSA asked the public to be patient with its workforce being “forced to work” while unpaid.

“While the vast majority of TSA’s nationwide operations remain minimally impacted by the government shutdown, occasional delays at some security checkpoints are to be expected,” according to the statement. “The longer the shutdown goes on, the more severe the impact on our TSA workforce who have expenses they must pay for, making it harder to show up for work when not being paid.”

Have a news tip? Contact Chevall Pryce at cpryce@baltsun.com.

Police officers found a man with a gunshot wound to his upper body. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead by staff.

Detectives are investigating the shooting. Anyone with information can call 410-396-2100.

Have a news tip? Contact Chevall Pryce at cpryce@baltsun.com.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Glenelg and Ellicott City, he was the son of Hazel Martin and Robert H. Helsley. A graduate at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and Howard High School, Bob received a scholarship to the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he later taught.

After leaving MICA he went into on-air television design, initially at Pittsburgh’s WQED, where “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” was being produced. He then worked at MPT in Owings Mills and subsequently became art director at Baltimore’s WMAR-TV, where he worked with afternoon host Sylvia Scott and others. Mr. Helsley later joined WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. He won three Emmy Awards — for TV graphics, set design and animation.

“Bob was very well liked. He was kind but had high standards because of his years of work in television visuals,” said Norberto Gomez Jr., visual and performing arts chair at Montgomery College. “He was a fantastic illustrator and typographer. He had the perspective of someone trained in visual design before it was computer based. He was a master of [Adobe] PhotoShop and Illustrator and helped and encouraged students from very diverse backgrounds to continue their education at four- year schools.

“Bob was patient with his students and was a consistent donor to the college for scholarships,” Mr. Gomez said.

The college’s board awarded Mr. Helsley its bronze medallion for his “enthusiasm and dedication” at his retirement.

A poster designer, he created a 1982 poster for the opening of the Joseph Meyerhoff Hall that was exhibited in the prints and maps department of the Library of Congress. He also created posters for the 1983 Inner Harbor U.S. Pro Cycling event and for numerous productions of the Baltimore Opera Co.

Mr. Helsley was a collector of antique posters.

“Bob had impeccable taste,” said James R. Pierce, a friend and gallery owner. “He could come up with original ideas for the framing and he knew how to find things. He could also do paper restoration well.”

A member of the Golden Glow of Christmas Past, he collected early games, decorations, and miniature Santas associated with the holiday.

Mr. Helsley also was among those who restored dollar houses in the early 1980s. He refurbished a Victorian rowhouse in Southwest Baltimore that he used as a backdrop for his many collections.

Friends said he spent weekends combing antique shops. He participated in the old Columbia Flea Market and other venues. He was a regular shopper along Baltimore’s Howard Street Antique Row.

Survivors include a sister, Jewell Novak, of Monson, Massachusetts, and a brother, Michael Helsley, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; and cousins, nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held Oct. 20 at Loudon Park Cemetery.

Have a news tip? Contact Jacques Kelly at jkelly@baltsun.com. 

CFG, which serves the national healthcare and multifamily housing markets, will work with Arctaris Impact Investors, a national investment firm that lends in underserved communities. CFG’s investment will help fuel the firm’s Baltimore Investment Program.

“This partnership expands our efforts to improve the lives of others throughout Baltimore,”  Erik Howard, CFG Bank president, said in an announcement Tuesday, adding that Arctaris has a unique strategy in the region.

Arctaris has made five investments in the Baltimore area, including a planned conversion of the Embassy Suites hotel in partnership with GoodHomes. The former hotel, which closed during the pandemic, will be converted into 303 affordable housing units by summer 2026 under a $30 million plan.

Including that development, Arctaris has invested about $50 million in city projects, said Anita Graham, the firm’s managing director. The firm launched its Baltimore program in 2016 in partnership with the Abell Foundation and Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund.

CFG will purchase Arctaris Impact Notes, a way of earning credit under the Community Reinvestment Act, which encourages banks to lend in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

“We take a holistic approach to community redevelopment that starts by considering the needs of the community,” while investing in businesses, infrastructure and housing, said Jonathan Tower, Arctaris’ founder.

CFG, the largest Baltimore-based bank, has grown from $1 billion in assets at the end of 2019 to more than  $5.3 billion in assets at the end of 2024.

Have a news tip? Contact Lorraine Mirabella at lmirabella@baltsun.com and (410) 332-6672.

The state Motor Vehicle Administration will work with the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families to steer donations to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. The nonprofit group helps veterans and their families who are facing temporary financial hardships with expenses such as rent, mortgage payments and utilities.

“The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund exists to meet veterans where they are — often in moments of crisis — and provide timely, meaningful assistance,” said Heather Geraldes, the fund’s executive director, in an announcement.

The donation option, along with expanded veterans services offices, will help make support for veterans more accessible across the state year-round, MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer said in an announcement.

The MVA has opened veteran service program offices in nine MVA branches across the state, including new locations in Annapolis and Waldorf. The offices, open by appointment from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, are staffed by professionals who help veterans apply for benefits.

These offices have helped more than 6,000 veterans, dependents and survivors secure more than $54 million in federal benefits.

The MVA also offers services specifically for veterans and military personnel. Some include waivers to skip the skills test when applying for a commercial driver’s license; an exemption from state emissions testing for active-duty personnel stationed out-of-state or overseas and “veteran” labels on driver’s licenses for easier access to benefits.

Have a news tip? Contact Lorraine Mirabella at lmirabella@baltsun.com and (410) 332-6672.

The café, known for its modern take on Mediterranean dining — including inventive hummus varieties, lamb tagines, and fresh panini and salad platters — will open inside the Anthem House apartment complex at 900 E. Fort Ave. in early spring 2026, according to a Tuesday news release.

“We’re thrilled to bring Cafe Fili to Locust Point and become part of the Anthem House community,” said owner Ziad Maalouf in the release. “Our vision has always been to create gathering spaces that enhance the neighborhoods we serve, and this expansion represents an exciting evolution of our concept with the addition of our evening mezze program.”

Founded in 2017, Café Fili first opened at 816 Cathedral St. in Mount Vernon before expanding to Washington, D.C. The Riverside café will offer all-day service, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, in what the company describes as “a welcoming atmosphere designed to serve both residents and the broader Locust Point community.”

Maalouf said the company plans to open two additional Baltimore locations later in 2026, with broader regional growth expected in 2027.

Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @Jane.Craves.

Local grassroots organizations, The Baltimore Rapid Response Network and About Face, convened veterans at the War Memorial Plaza for “Vets Say No” — an event that is part of a national day of protest where activists in major cities across the country denounced Trump deploying federal troops to Washington, D.C., Portland and Chicago, among other cities.

Bobby LaPin, an army veteran who owns a local sailboat tour business, called Trump’s actions “unprecedented.”

“Every time the National Guard has been called up by the president, it’s to advance civil rights,” LaPin said Tuesday in an interview with The Baltimore Sun. “It’s to protect freedoms in this country, or to help those who have been put in horrible positions by natural disasters, fires, floods, things like that.”

In his later remarks during the event, LaPin argued — referring to how army veterans have historically been on the frontlines of fighting for racial justice in the United States — that veterans must “stand and defend this nation, not from enemies abroad, but from racism and fascism and corporate corruption that is growing here at home.”

Ryan Harvey, who is not a veteran but works for the Baltimore Rapid Response Network, emphasized the importance of veterans speaking out against what they perceive to be an abuse of power by political leaders and those in service.

“It’s no shock that some of the earliest leaders in the Civil Rights Movement were veterans of World War II,” he said in an interview with The Baltimore Sun. “Veterans have always been looking at the world with a critical eye, given what they’ve done and what they’ve been told to do.”

Asked to react to the “Vets Say No” event, a White House spokesperson argued “the real cause for concern is the Democrats’ defense of violent riots and attacks on law enforcement — not President Trump’s action to provide safety and security for Americans around the country.”

“President Trump has utilized his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel following violent, left-wing riots that local leaders like [California Gov. Gavin] Newscum and [Illinois Gov. JB] Pritzker have refused to stop,” Abigail Jackson, a spokesperson for the White House, said in a statement to The Baltimore Sun.

Trump said in September that he would order federal troops to Baltimore to fight crime because it is one of the “most dangerous places” in the country — even though Baltimore, at the time, had recorded its lowest ever homicide rate.

Gov. Wes Moore took a thinly veiled dig at the president, saying that he would “never honor ignorance.” [Moore in October announced that Maryland would co-lead a coalition of governors and attorneys general supporting Oregon’s legal action against Trump deploying federal troops to the state.] Moore didn’t respond to requests for comment by the publication deadline. 

Mayor Brandon Scott also decried Trump’s plans and argued that the best way to continue lowering crime rates in the city is to “is to restore funding for public safety programs, pass a federal ban on both ghost guns and Glock switches, and repeal the Tiahrt Amendment — allowing local governments to fully track down where the weapons used in the commitment of crime on the streets come from.” Scott didn’t respond to requests for comment by the publication deadline.

When The Sun asked the White House when and if Trump intends to act on his promise to send troops, a White House official said in an email, “We would not get ahead of the President on any potential announcements that may or may not happen.”

Veterans at the event said they believe it’s only a matter of time before Trump acts on his promise and they appreciate Moore’s efforts to counter it.

“He’s doing as much as he possibly can,” LaPin said of Moore’s defense, adding that he spoke to the governor two weeks ago and relayed his concerns about federal troops being deployed to Baltimore.

Ellen Barfield, who served in the army in the 1970s and is a board member of Veterans For Peace, said Moore’s response to Trump so far has “been probably about right.” But, she added, “It would be satisfying if he got really loud.”

Harvey added, “[Moore] has been pretty clear with the president that he’s the Commander in Chief of the Maryland National Guard.”

Have a news tip? Contact Tinashe Chingarande tchingarande@baltsun.com or on Signal as Tnae.19

The Horse You Came In On Saloon, located at 1626 Thames St., was the backdrop of a series of pictures shared in a now-deleted Instagram post, depicting two people dressed as Nazi soldiers and performing salutes both inside and outside the bar, captioned “The woke reich.”

The post quickly circulated on social media, with several Facebook reviews referring to The Horse You Came In On as a “Nazi bar” before reviews became disabled.

Owner Eric Mathias confirmed the visit in a Saturday Facebook post, in which he reported that “They took photos of themselves saluting, and were courteous enough to tag us and associate us with their stupidity.” He wrote that the costumed patrons have “zero connection” to the bar, adding that “it’s obvious that they came to provoke, antagonize and unfortunately heist quality oxygen that others could be using.”

“My staff is not to blame for the beliefs of these people …” reads the post. “This too will pass and the truth + forward action always win. We’re open for business, come visit us, meet my incredible people and make your own judgement.”

On Yelp as of Tuesday afternoon, reviews were temporary disabled as the company “work[ed] to investigate the content you see here reflects actual consumer experiences rather than recent events.”

Established in 1775, The Horse You Came In On is known as Baltimore’s oldest saloon, as well as the scene of the last sighting of Edgar Allan Poe.

Neither the social media user, nor representatives from The Horse You Came In On, responded to requests for comment.

On Sunday, the user reposted one of the photos, writing in her caption that Instagram had removed the original post.

Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @Jane.Craves.

Other than saying that the sudden change was “in accordance with state law,” the department did not explain on Tuesday why the officer’s status had switched, nearly two weeks after he was placed into a paid administrative role pending tandem investigations.

Maryland’s laws on officer discipline spell out certain conditions for wheich an officer can be suspended without pay. Among them is being charged with a violent crime. Other misdemeanor charges can trigger a suspension without pay as well, if they involve “dishonesty, fraud, theft, or misrepresentation,” or are committed in the performance of the officer’s police duties.

Another provision states that pending an investigation and any disciplinary proceedings, a police chief can suspend an officer with or without pay if they find doing so “is in the best interest of the public.” Those emergency suspensions can last only 30 days. The law also requires police chiefs to terminate the employment of any officer who is convicted of a felony, and allows them to fire officers convicted of certain misdemeanors.

Baltimore Police posted some of the laws governing suspensions and pay on social media in the wake of Parks’ suspension, following online outrage that he was still being paid.

“It may very well have been that [Police Commissioner Richard Worley], after reviewing the preliminary internal affairs investigation, believed that he [Parks] should be separated from the department,” said Anne Arundel County attorney Peter O’Neill, who has defended multiple first responders in criminal cases.

“It may very well have been that, and I don’t have any evidence to support this, but that [Worley] has been in contact with” city prosecutors, who may have indicated that they’re presenting the case for indictment, he said.

There were no open criminal cases filed under Parks’ name as of Tuesday afternoon.

As the video spread across social media last month, Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates vowed a “thorough and comprehensive” investigation by his office, which he said wouldn’t call Parks as a witness in other cases in the meantime. Bates’ office did not return a request for comment about Parks on Tuesday.

O’Neill, who had seen the video of Parks, said prosecutors “could certainly argue” that the act of driving a vehicle toward a person constitutes first-degree assault, a felony, if the evidence proves they had intent to cause serious bodily injury. He said “countless defendants,” like when suspects fleeing police direct their vehicle toward an officer on foot, are charged with first-degree assault under those circumstances.

“We see that constantly,”  he said.

The video recorded last month in Central Park Heights shows a group of young men speaking with Parks, with one of them stating that the officer had “no reason to stop” another. Parks, a five-year veteran of the police department, proceeds to calmly enter his car as one of the men starts to walk away down an alley.

Parks’ vehicle then turns onto the alley and accelerates, nearly striking the man as they both continue into a grassy area.

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The chase continues as Parks drives erratically through the area’s streets and sidewalks before the police vehicle is seen speeding down a dirt road and disappearing off camera. A loud crash is heard, and Parks’ vehicle is seen at a standstill atop a chain-link fence in a backyard.

The video of the chase quickly went viral, prompting Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott to call it “deeply concerning” and Worley to say it was  “not only disturbing, but alarming.”

Have a news tip? Contact Dan Belson at dbelson@baltsun.com, on X as @DanBelson_ or on Signal as @danbels.62. 

Another Broken Egg Cafe

The Elkridge outpost of this national breakfast chain will serve a free “Patriot French Toast” combo meal with coffee to veterans, active-duty and retired service members all day. 7700 Hearthside Way, Elkridge; 443-733-3752; anotherbrokenegg.com

BIBIBOP Asian Grill

This regional, Korean-inspired build-your-own-bowl chain will offer free bowls for veterans and active-duty military with proof of service. 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia; 410-310-3853; bibibop.com

Bubbakoo’s Burritos

With proof of service, both veterans and active-duty military can receive a free taco trio at national Mexican restaurant chain. Multiple locations across Maryland; bubbakoos.com.

Bubba’s 33

Veterans get a free lunch or a voucher to use at national bar bite restaurant chain Bubba’s 33 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Veterans Day. 7305 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie; 410-760-7427; bubbas33.com

Chicken Salad Chick

Maryland’s only location of this chicken salad chain, in Westminster, will offer all veterans and active-duty military a free meal, complete with one side and a regular-sized fountain drink, on Veterans Day. 255 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster; 410-861-6401; chickensaladchick.com

Golden Corral

Tuesday is the 25th anniversary of Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night, during which military retirees, veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard members or reservers receive a free dinner from 4 p.m. until close. Multiple locations across Maryland; goldencorral.com

Harris Teeter in Locust Point

Harris Teeter

Holders of both military ID and a VIC store savings card will receive 11% off their grocery carts on Veterans Day. Multiple locations across Maryland; harristeeter.com

Maryland National Parks

All visitors can see 18 Maryland National Park Service sites, including Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and Fort McHenry, free of charge on Veterans Day. A complete list of sites is available on the National Park Service website. Multiple locations across Maryland; nps.gov

Maryland Transit Administration

The MTA will offer free rides for all U.S. military veterans, active-duty military and members of the National Guard and Reserves across all models of Maryland public transit. 410-539-5000; mta.maryland.gov

Sport Clips Haircuts

Service members and veterans can receive a free haircut at any participating Sport Clips locations. Multiple locations across Maryland; sportclips.com

Starbucks

All day Tuesday, Starbucks will pour military service members and their spouses free tall-sized brewed coffee, hot or iced, free of charge. Multiple locations across Maryland; starbucks.com

Wendy’s

With proof of U.S. Military service, veterans and active-duty military can get a free breakfast combo — featuring any breakfast sandwich, seasoned potatoes and a beverage. This offer is only available at locations operated by hospitality company Flynn Group — a complete list is available on the Flynn website. Multiple locations across Maryland flynn.com/wendys

Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @Jane.Craves.