Government shutdown 2019: News and updates for Friday, Jan. 18

The partial government shutdown, already a record, hit day 28 on Friday. The dispute over President Donald Trump's demand for $5.7 billion in border wall funding seems to have settled into trench warfare, with both sides lobbing shots but seemingly giving little ground.

Here's a look at today's shutdown news: 

Shutdown costing billions

S&P Global ratings estimates the United States' real gross domestic product is losing about $1.2 billion a week during the shutdown, NBC reported. The estimated costs to the economy as of Friday, Jan. 18 were $4.73 billion — not far shy of that $5.7 billion lawmakers and the administration are fighting over. 

NBC: Have losses from the shutdown equaled the cost of Trump's border wall demand?

Attempts to help federal employees may violate ethics rules

After the crowdfunding site GoFundMe announced that hundreds of thousands of dollars had been raised in support of furloughed government employees, concerns were raised over ethics rules. 

Federal employees who turn to social media and crowdfunding to raise money "are likely violating ethics rules and could face punishment when the government reopens," USA Today reported, citing experts. 

USA Today: Crowdfunding federal employees likely violating ethics rules, experts say 

If GoFundMe's not an option, more traditional sources are stepping in to help. Banks and credit unions are offering special deals for furloughed workers like interest-free, same-day loans and cancellation of late fees, CNBC reported. 

CNBC: Where to get interest-free loans as the longest-ever government shutdown continues

California plans to ignore administration on unemployment payments 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state will offer unemployment benefits to federal employees being forced to work without pay, NPR reported, despite a directive to the contrary from the Department of Labor. 

"Newsom says he believes California is on strong legal footing," NPR said. 

NPR: Defying Trump administration, Calif. offers federal workers unemployment benefits

Some Democrats call for better border security message

Some House Democrats seem concerned that their message is simply opposition to Trump's border wall idea without an alternative plan, the New York Times reported. 

"There have been concerns by some members saying we need to tell our constituents what we're for and what it would look like in terms of border security," Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-California, told the Times. 

New York Times: Trump hits back at Pelosi, threatening her trip to see troops

Courts about to take a hit

When money runs out for the federal court system within the next two weeks, officials will have to decide what to do, the New York Times reported. Options include eliminating paychecks for court employees, furloughing some of them, postponing cases, and holding jury pay. 

New York Times: Federal courts, running out of money, brace for shutdown's pain

Pelosi's trip overseas halted by Trump at the last minute

Seven Democratic lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were scheduled to visit Brussels and troops in Afghanistan, but President Trump grounded the military jet they were going to travel on, Politico reported. 

The move was widely interpreted as Trump hitting back at Pelosi over her letter suggesting a delay in the Jan. 29 State of the Union address because of the shutdown. 

Politico: Chasing Nancy Pelosi's bus to nowhere

Politico published the full letter from Trump. 

The drama increased on Friday when a Pelosi aide alleged that the Trump administration had leaked news of the lawmakers' plans to go ahead with the trip by traveling via commercial aircraft, Politico reported in another story. The trip was then canceled for good. 

Politico: Pelosi aide accuses Trump team of security threat by leaking new Afghanistan plans

How long has this been going on? 

CNN is keeping track of the shutdown to the second. 

More shutdown coverage: 

Delaware federal court employees will work without pay after next week

February food stamps to come early amid government shutdown, March funding uncertain

Email Andrew Sharp at asharp@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @buckeye_201.