GOP lawmaker warns of possible food, medicine shortages as flights grounded

The ongoing government shutdown that has grounded, delayed and canceled passenger flights has also wreaked havoc on cargo flights, prompting alarm about the communities that especially rely on imported goods. As the U.S. Secretary of Transportation announced further reductions to flight volumes on Thursday, that concern is front of mind for Rep. Nicholas Begich, R-Alaska."This is very concerning for Alaska. Many of our rural communities and small villages aren’t connected to any type of road system and rely on air travel for basic living essentials," Begich said.FLIGHT DELAYS WORSEN AS UNPAID