As of November 12, the shutdown of the U.S. federal government has entered its 43rd day. This record-breaking political deadlock is having an increasingly serious impact on people's livelihoods. Some analysts have pointed out that this shutdown highlights the reality of intensified party strife in the United States. The Republican and Democratic parties have taken advantage of the situation to blame each other and serve their own political purposes, and there are no signs of compromise. The American people not only suffer serious damage to their own interests, but also have to pay the price for the escalating political polarization. CGTN Stringer in the United States interviewed local residents in Miami, discussing the public's views on the shutdown and the struggle between the two parties, delving into the social structure and political trust issues reflected in this incident. "People can only overdraw their future to make ends meet" – the disappointment of the American people is growing.

On March 20, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to formally begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education. However, a number of U.S. media, including CBS and The Wall Street Journal, believe that Trump's statement about "dismantling the Department of Education" is a rhetorical exaggeration, and the current law does not allow the president to unilaterally shut down the agency established by Congress. The White House also says that the Department of Education will not completely shut down for now in order to preserve some key programs related to financial aid. What are the differences between Chinese and the U.S. education? One U.S. netizen said she took out $125,000 in loans to cover her master's degree and is planning a 20-year repayment plan. Many Chinese netizens were surprised and told her that it usually takes less than a year to pay off an entire year's tuition in China, which shocked her.

The U.S. federal government shutdown has entered its 40th day on November 9, marking the longest closure in the country's history. The shutdown, which began on October 1, was triggered by Congressional failure to reach a new funding agreement. It has left thousands of government workers without pay and millions of Americans without essential services, disrupting multiple areas of daily life such as food assistance, air transportation and healthcare. According to statistics, about 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 airport security screeners are currently working without pay. With more employees taking leave, the civil aviation sector is facing a serious man power shortage, resulting in widespread flight delays in many regions and increased risks to aviation safety. CGTN Stringer visited airports to interview air traffic control personnel and stranded passengers. Ana Lucia Hume, staff member at Miami International Airport, says this is an urgent issue that needs to be resolved, as pilots' mental health has already been affected. If the situation continues, she thinks it could lead to operational difficulties for airlines or even aircraft malfunctions. Passenger Connor Lotte shared his personal experience at John F. Kennedy International Airport, saying, "It took us nearly two hours just to get through immigration. The line in the terminal stretched for almost a mile, and some people even fainted because of the long wait."

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump suspended for an initial six months the entry into the United States of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University amid an escalating dispute with the Ivy League school. Trump's proclamation cited national security concerns as justification for barring international students from entering the U.S. to pursue studies at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university. Jay Nygard, a staff member at the University of Minnesota, told CGTN that there are a tremendous number of not only foreign students but also foreign instructors and teaching assistants. He believes this will affect the operation, funding and overall makeup of U.S. universities. "Students are getting caught up in this whole student visa hysteria and political hysteria that it seems the current administration doesn't understand.”

On May 25, memorial events were held across the United States to honor George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was killed five years ago by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This incident sent shockwaves throughout the nation and sparked massive protests that quickly spread globally. Adam Solveig, a Black American living in New York, is a photographer who loves capturing the everyday moments of the city with his lens. As a Black man, he believes racism has always existed and George Floyd was merely the spark. He also shared his perspective on systemic racism in the U.S. and his outlook for the future.

With the continued shutdown of the U.S. federal government, multiple public welfare programs, including food assistance and healthcare benefits, have been severely affected, increasing the burden on everyday citizens. What do people think about the shutdown? What concerns them the most? To find out, CGTN Stringer in New York took to the streets to interview people who may be affected. Jasmine Jones, who works in retail, said many people are worried as the holidays approach, fearing they may not be able to go home this year. Meanwhile, retiree Joseph Barnes said he understands why the two parties are in conflict but believes there should be a better way, as people's lives are being seriously affected.

Recently, the term "the U.S. ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Threshold," has gained traction on social media, sparking widespread discussion. Netizens use it to describe a state of financial vulnerability in which individuals or households have little to no margin for error–where a single unexpected event can lead to a swift and potentially lasting hardship. "Uncovering America" is a series that examines the lives of ordinary Americans, exploring the challenges they face today from multiple perspectives. Rental housing affordability remains one of the most pressing issues facing renters and policymakers in Chicago. According to the city's 2025 annual report on homelessness, Chicago is facing its largest gap in affordable and available housing in a decade. The city's annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count estimated 7,452 people were experiencing homelessness, either in shelters or unsheltered locations, on January 23, 2025. To address the challenge, Chicago has introduced zoning and land-use reforms, including the Additional Dwelling Units (ADU) Ordinance, aimed at increasing residential density and expanding housing supply. In this video, Nick Serra, principal at Grace Street Renovation Lab, and Steven Vance, co-lead at Abundant Housing Illinois, discuss the housing problems faced by the people of Chicago, as well as the effectiveness and limitations of the Additional Dwelling Units (ADU). They note that there is a rental crisis in Chicago, with the rent increase ranking among the highest in the United States. The ADU has expanded affordable housing options for residents. While some communities have expressed concerns and resistance to new rental developments, they agree that increasing housing supply remains a fundamental way to ease rental pressure and support the development of affordable housing.