Smithsonian museums and National Zoo close as government shutdown persists

Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo closed Sunday due to the government shutdown, with their websites urging visitors to check back for updates on when they'll reopen.The big picture: All of the Smithsonian's institutions, including its research centers and 21 museums are affected by the temporary closure in addition to the zoo, which emphasized on its site that its beloved pandas and other animals "will continue to be fed and cared for."The Smithsonian had used funds from previous years to remain open in the days after the shutdown took effect on Oct. 1.Yes, but: The panda cam and all other live animal feeds will not broadcast during the shutdown. "The cams require federal resources, primarily staff, to run and broadcast. They are deemed non-essential," the zoo said on its site's government shutdown FAQs page.What we're watching: The closures are set to remain in place until Republicans and Democrats resolve the shutdown standoff on Capitol Hill, and there were no immediate signs of a deal as of Sunday evening.Go deeper: The government shutdown fight, explained by two polls

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