WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Park Service says it is taking the extraordinary step of dipping into entrance fees to pay for staffing at its highly visited parks in the wake of the partial government shutdown. “We are taking this extraordinary step to ensure that parks are protected, and that visitors can continue to access parks with limited basic services,” Smith said. Bill Clark via Getty Images Garbage overflows a trash can on the National Mall across from the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. The National Park Service, which is responsible for trash removal, hasn't been operating due to the government shutdown. “Instead of working to reopen the federal government, the administration is robbing money collected from entrance fees to operate our national parks during this shutdown,” said Theresa Pierno, president and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association.

Source: Huffington Post January 06, 2019 22:41 UTC