BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — Barring approval of a last-minute continuing resolution to keep things running, the federal government will shut down tonight. Various government agencies and services will stop, while others will continue operating because laws and legislation require it. Should you care in North Dakota about what is widely seen as D.C. politics and power plays? Probably. Depending on your circumstances, a government shutdown could create problems in your daily life or affect travel and vacation plans. Here are some examples of the local impact of a federal shutdown: If you work for the government, you may be out of work and without pay. According to the Congressional Budget Office September 2024 Civilian Employment Report, about 5,622 people in North Dakota work for the federal government. Each federal agency determines its own plan for how to handle a shutdown, but basically any government operations deemed "non-essential" will shut down. Workers could be furloughed, meaning that they keep their jobs but temporarily don’t work until the government reopens. Other federal workers might stay on the job but without pay, with the expectation that they would be paid back in full once the government reopens. Federal workers are exempted from furloughs if their jobs are national security-related or if they perform essential activities that, “protect life and property.” So, essential government agencies like the FBI, the Border Patrol and the Coast Guard will remain open. Transportation Security Administration officers would continue to staff airport checkpoints. While troops would stay at their posts, many civilian employees in agencies like the Department of Defense would be sent home. Court systems would be affected, too, with civil proceedings paused, while criminal prosecutions continue. Automated tax collection would stay on track, but the Internal Revenue Service would stop auditing tax returns. If you have appointments with federal government agencies in North Dakota, they would likely be put on hold during a government shutdown. Social Security and Medicare payments will not be affected by a government shutdown. According to the Social Security Administration, 146,521 people in North Dakota receive Social Security benefits, while another report indicates there are 146,837 people in the state who receive Medicare benefits. If you receive Social Security or Medicaid, you will continue to receive those benefits even if the federal government shuts down. These are part of mandatory government spending that's not subject to annual appropriations measures. Doctors and hospitals would also continue to get their Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. But it's possible that new applications wouldn't be processed. During a government shutdown in 1996, thousands of Medicare applicants were turned away daily. Theodore Roosevelt National Park and other national sites in North Dakota will be closed. National parks and monuments would close in a government shutdown. A shutdown means, among other things, there would be no park employees available to answer questions or work information centers or help with any passes or reservations. There are five national parks and sites in North Dakota that would close: Knife River Indian Village National Historic Site. North of Stanton. Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. Southwest of Williston. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Follows the Missouri River from Fort Union, through the Knife River Indians village site, down through Bismarck and south out of the state. North Country National Scenic Trail. From just east of the Knife River site eastward and out of the state southeast of Fargo. Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In general, runs north and south of Medora, with the city roughly in the middle of it all. State parks, of which North Dakota has plenty, would not be directly affected by a federal government shutdown. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW