Washington chaos continues, and other news

A ship carrying African migrants to Europe caught fire and capsized off the coast of Sicily earlier today. The BBC reports that 103 people have now been found dead.

Tropical Storm Karen is headed for the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The government shutdown continues — and national parks are closed. It makes me feel bad for Peter Wisniewski, a contractor from Idaho who, NPR’s Howard Berkes reports, spent 18 years getting a private permit to float the Grand Canyon. Wisniewski and 15 friends are now camped out at the park gates.

In New York news, Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that the state’s budget could have a surplus in a few years. He’s formed a commission that will try to figure out how to cut taxes by $2-3 billion, focusing on property tax.

Cuomo also announced that New York’s DMV is allowing veterans to have their veteran status indicated on their license, permit, or non-driver ID card.

And there’s money for modernizing North Country movie theaters.

And our neck-of-the-woods news, coming up on the 8 O’clock Hour tomorrow:

The government shutdown is squeezing scientific research and development, and that could have long-term effects on the economy.

It’s regatta season for rowing teams in the region. Lucy Martin brings us the sights and sounds of the fall opener at the the Head of the Rideau in Ottawa.

Hundreds of Catholics from around the region were in Lake Placid Sunday for mass celebrated by Pope Francis’s personal representative in America.

Einstein and Picasso walk into a bar — a funny thought, and the premise of the Grasse River Players community theater production this weekend.