BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – With the federal government officially shut down, many assume the effects are limited to Washington, D.C.

However, local communities could soon feel the ripple effects.

Jeff Budziak, a political science professor at Western Kentucky University, says furloughs are the most common result for federal workers, meaning many won’t report to work or receive pay.

Essential federal employees must still work but without immediate compensation—though they typically receive back pay when the government reopens.

“Those things may feel invisible,” Budziak said, “But they’re happening in the background of our everyday life. Services like food inspections, passport processing, and disaster relief could face delays or disruptions. The shutdown also impacts local economies tied to f

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