(WRGB) — The government shutdown, now in week four, could lead to furloughs at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) and another facility in the Capital Region.
The Naval Nuclear Laboratory gets federal funding for work at KAPL and the Kenneth Kesselring Site in West Milton, employing more than three thousand people at the sites. Most employees are government contractors. Furloughs and a transition to “essential” workers only could begin in the next week.
Sources told CBS6 some workers were already told this week they would be furloughed. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory provided this statement:
“The Naval Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is fully funded by the federal government and is prohibited from incurring obligations that exceed appropriations received from Congress. NNL is making every effort to maintain our current staffing levels, which includes approximately 3,600 personnel between the Knolls Laboratory and Kenneth A. Kesselring Site. To that end, we continue to evaluate a number of opportunities to make best use of our funding in order to extend the amount of time that we can operate at full staffing.”If the government shutdown continues and our funding runs out, some employees may be placed on temporary furlough until the shutdown is over and funding is restored. If that occurs, we will maintain sufficient personnel to support key functions and keep the sites safe and secure.”As federal government contractors there is no expectation that employees who are furloughed will receive backpay. Because the funding situation is dynamic, we cannot provide any timing on when potential furloughs may occur.
If the shutdown doesn’t end before November 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could be halted or delayed. Millions of Americans, and tens of thousands in the Capital Region, rely on SNAP for meals.
Republican Curtis Sliwa is refusing to drop out of the race for New York City Mayor—a move that would likely give Andrew Cuomo more of a chance against Zohran Mamdani. Cuomo is running as an independent after losing the Democratic Primary to Mamdani, a Queens Assemblyman who identifies as a Democratic Socialist.
READ MORE: Trump predicts ‘communist’ Mamdani will take NYC mayoral race
Mamdani leads the race with an average of 45% in recent polls, holding an 18-point-average lead over Cuomo. Sliwa trails both with fewer than 14% on average.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany will have a new Bishop by the end of the year. Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, and Bishop Mark O’Connell of the Archdiocese of Boston will be installed in December.
President Donald Trump is asking the Justice Department to pay him about $230 million to settle his claims filed in response to federal investigations into him. Some top DOJ officials who who would be involved in approving the settlement defended Trump in those cases during his first administration and after he left office in 2021. President Trump would essentially be paying himself, but suggested he would donate the money or use it for ongoing White House renovations.
READ MORE: ‘It’s not going to cost taxpayers a dime:’ Leavitt says as WH ballroom cost estimate rises
President Trump said in July plans to build a massive new ballroom on the White House compound would not affect existing architecture:
“It won’t interfere with the current building… It’ll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building,” said the president on July 31.
Crews began demolishing the East Wing this week, sparking backlash and raising questions about the scope of the construction project.
READ MORE: East Wing demolition triggers backlash: Reviews shut down amid public fury against company
The 90,000-square-foot ballroom is said to be privately funded, but the estimated cost has climbed to $300 million after an initial estimate of $200 million. Renderings of the project show the new construction would be significantly larger than the main portion of the White House.
This week’s Power & Politics Podcast features Erik Hansen, U.S. Travel Association Senior Vice President and Head of Government Relations. He says travel industries are losing a billion dollars a week for every hour the shutdown continues. His conversation with CBS6’s Tom Eschen is available wherever you get your podcasts.
A bonus Power & Politics Podcast this week features Tiffani Silverman, Democratic candidate for Rensselaer County Executive.
Steve McLaughlin is running for re-election and was invited to join CBS6; an open invitation awaits the county executive to field questions before Election Day.