There are celebrity interview shows, and then there's Wildcard.

It's a podcast from NPR that the New York Times just named as one of the 10 best of

2024.

It's hosted by me, Rachel Martin.

I ask guests like Issa Ray and Bowen Yang revealing questions, like what's a place you consider

sacred?

Has ambition ever led you astray?

And I'm telling you, it is such a good time. Listen to

Wildcard, wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear.

The House is expected to vote sometime soon on a bill that would fund the government through

mid-March. As NPR's Barbara Sprunt explains, it comes just hours before

government funding is set to expire and after previous attempts faltered. The funding package, which

also includes disaster aid and funding for farmers, extends federal funding through mid-March and is

the last legislative item for the House before it heads home for the holidays. It will not include

raising the debt

limit, something President-elect Trump demanded earlier this week. Other GOP leaders say the debt limit

will be addressed at a later time. The package will still need support from congressional

Democrats in order to make it through the Senate and to President Biden's desk for signature.

A shutdown would have large impacts with hundreds of thousands of federal workers

furloughed and forcing others to work without pay. The White House warned agencies to prepare to

close if Congress couldn't a shutdown. Barbara Sprint and Pierre News, Washington. Federal regulators

are extending temporary flight restrictions on drones to 30 locations in New York State.

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