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1. US enters third day of partial government shutdown
On Saturday, the United States government entered a partial shutdown as legislators continue to consider funding for select agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security and Transportation, the Associated Press reports.
While original plans for government funding were on track for bipartisan support, the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renée Good at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis — and the resulting response from the country — caused elected officials to reconsider.
"The Senate passed the five-bill funding package Friday, but it must pass the House again before becoming law. The House is not returning until Monday, ensuring funding will lapse for parts of the government, at least temporarily," reads the article.
2. More than 60,000 supplemental H-2B visas to be released
The U.S. Departments of Labor and Homeland Security announced Jan. 30 that they will issue up to 64,716 supplemental H-2B visas for 2026. Of the additional visas, 46,226 will be available only for returning workers who have received H-2B status in one of the past three years. The other 18,490 visas do not require the person to be a returning worker, according to an announcement.
“As the hotel industry prepares to welcome the world for major celebrations this year, we applaud today’s temporary rule releasing tens of thousands of much-needed H-2B visas. These visas, which are part of a legal guest worker program, are critical to help hotels address staffing shortages and maintain the level of service guests expect," Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, said in a statement.
“We also urge Congress to modernize the H-2B program, advance commonsense reforms that reduce red tape for returning workers, and pursue workable solutions that grow the legal labor pool while protecting U.S. workers and supporting local economies," the statement continued.
3. Latest hotel dining trends include small plates, personalized service
For hotel restaurants looking to mitigate the rising costs of food, sourcing local and providing smaller plate options have both become increasingly important, reports CoStar News Hotels' Trevor Simpson.
When asked about the latest trends in the industry, Steve Palmer, founder, managing partner and chief vision officer of Charleston, South Carolina-based The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, also pointed to more personalized guest experiences.
"The more intentional F&B operators are about recognizing those special guests, the greater the return on investment," he said.
4. Transportation workers strike in Germany
In Germany, tens of thousands of public transportation workers are striking for better working conditions, including shorter shifts, longer breaks and higher pay for night and weekend work.
The strike is organized by Verdi, which represents nearly 100,000 transport workers. According to Reuters, the "walkout affects about 150 municipal transport companies in all but one of Germany's 16 federal states, including Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen."
5. TSA rolls out alternative for Real ID
For travelers hoping to catch a flight without a Real ID, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration has launched an alternative, the Associated Press reports. For $45, travelers can register for ConfirmID, an alternate identity verification option that, if approved, lasts for a 10-day period.
Ahead of flying, passengers can apply and pay online through the TSA's website. When going through security, they would then show their printed confirmation along with their state-issued identification.