If you are flying on American Airlines soon, you may want to pack a little lighter to save a few bucks. The airline has announced it is raising checked bag fees for the first time since 2018. Passengers checking bags at the airport on most flights will now pay $40 for their first checked bag, up from $30. But paying for your first checked bag before you get to the airport will cost $35. Checking a second bag will cost $45, up from $40.
American Airlines said the price bump has to do with fuel prices making the cost of transporting luggage “significantly higher.” Alaska Airlines and JetBlue have also recently increased checked bag prices. According to the Department of Transportation, in the first nine months of 2023, U.S. airlines raked in $5.5 billion in bag fees; American Airlines accounted for $1 billion of that.
Meanwhile for JetBlue, according to a CNBC report, the airline is bumping its luggage prices in an effort to become profitable while keeping airfares lower.
“While we don’t like increasing fees, it’s one step we are taking to get our company back to profitability and cover the increased costs of transporting bags,” JetBlue said. “By adjusting fees for added services that only certain customers use, we can keep base fares low and ensure customer favorites like seatback TVs and high-speed Wi-Fi remain free for everyone.”
American Airlines also announced on Tuesday, Feb. 20, that it is restructuring its frequent flyer miles to drive more traffic to its own website. Rewards for basic economy tickets will only be available to passengers who book through American Airlines. The airline will soon announce a list of third-party travel agencies whose bookings will earn customer rewards.
Hunter Biden seeks to dismiss tax charges: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 21, 2024
Attorneys for Hunter Biden seek to have his tax charges dismissed, saying he was selectively targeted by prosecutors. And heading to the airport? Changes at American Airlines may have you rethinking your checked bags. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024.
Get up to speed on the stories leading the day every weekday morning. Get The Morning RundownTM newsletter straight to your inbox!
Hunter Biden seeks to dismiss tax charges, says he was selectively targeted
The legal team for Hunter Biden has asked a judge to dismiss tax-related charges brought by Special Counsel David Weiss in federal court in 2023. In Tuesday’s Feb. 20 filing, the attorneys accuse prosecutors of selectively targeting the president’s son, bowing to political pressure, violating a statute of limitations, and filing duplicative charges.
The attorneys said Weiss has “gone to extreme lengths to bring charges against Mr. Biden that would not have been filed against anyone else.”
In December of 2023, the special counsel charged Hunter Biden with nine counts, alleging he failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes for three years. Hunter has pleaded not guilty to all tax-related charges, as well as those related to another case, his alleged illegal possession of a firearm.
Meanwhile, Special Counsel Weiss said a former FBI informant, who is accused of lying to the agency about President Biden and his son taking $5 million each in bribes, received some of the information from officials associated with Russian intelligence. Weiss said Alexander Smirnov told the FBI of the Russian connections following his arrest on Thursday, Feb. 15. Smirnov has since been released from custody under certain conditions, including wearing an ankle bracelet and restricting travel only for court appearances.
White House reacts to Alabama’s frozen embryo ruling
Days after Alabama’s Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos can be considered children under state law on Friday, Feb. 16, critics of the decision are speaking out, including those in the Biden administration. While saying she would not comment on the specific case, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reacted while on board Air Force One on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
“This is exactly the type of chaos that we expected when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and paved the way for politicians to dictate some of the most personal decisions families can make,” Jean-Pierre said. “…as a reminder, this is the same state whose attorney general threatened to prosecute people who help women travel out of state to seek the care they need.”
The Alabama ruling concerned a case where a couple’s embryos were destroyed in an accident at a fertility clinic in 2020. In the majority ruling by the all-Republican court, the justices said an 1872 statute in the state’s constitution allowing parents to sue over the death of a minor child “applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location.”
Live Action, an anti-abortion group, cheered the decision.
“Each person, from the tiniest embryo to an elder nearing the end of his life, has incalculable value that deserves and is guaranteed legal protection,” Lila Rose, president and founder of Live Action, said in a statement.
The justice’s decision means the couple’s wrongful death lawsuit can proceed, with the clinic having the option to ask the court to reconsider its ruling.
Two men charged with murder in Kansas City Super Bowl Parade shooting
According to prosecutors, the violence erupted from a dispute between Mays and an unidentified person, initiated by mutual stares, as outlined in court documents and corroborated by witnesses and video evidence.
According to the charges, evidence points to Miller’s gunfire as the cause of 43-year-old Elizabeth Lopez-Galvan’s death. Lopez-Galvan was a mother of two and a local radio DJ. Currently, both suspects are receiving medical treatment while detained on a $1 million bond each.
FuboTV sues Disney, Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery over streaming service
The collaboration between the media companies looks to bring all of their sports assets, including the NFL, NBA, and FIFA, under one streaming service. It is slated to launch in the fall of 2024. A spokesperson for the joint venture has so far declined to comment on the lawsuit.
American Airlines ups baggage fees for first time in over 5 years
If you are flying on American Airlines soon, you may want to pack a little lighter to save a few bucks. The airline has announced it is raising checked bag fees for the first time since 2018. Passengers checking bags at the airport on most flights will now pay $40 for their first checked bag, up from $30. But paying for your first checked bag before you get to the airport will cost $35. Checking a second bag will cost $45, up from $40.
American Airlines said the price bump has to do with fuel prices making the cost of transporting luggage “significantly higher.” Alaska Airlines and JetBlue have also recently increased checked bag prices.
According to the Transportation Department, in the first nine months of 2023, U.S. airlines raked in $5.5 billion in bag fees; American Airlines accounted for $1 billion of that.
American Airlines also announced on Tuesday, Feb. 20, that it is restructuring its frequent flyer miles to drive more traffic to its own website. Rewards for basic economy tickets will only be available to passengers who book through American Airlines. The airline will soon announce a list of third-party travel agencies whose bookings will earn customer rewards.
Four separate films about each Beatles member to be released in 2027
Music movies are having a moment these days, “Bob Marley: One Love” topped the box office this weekend, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” broke concert movie records, and a film on the life of Michael Jackson is currently in production. Now we know the next four musicians with movies on the way, or should we say the next “Fab Four”?
That’s right, The Beatles, all of The Beatles, will each have a separate film made about their lives. According to Sony Pictures, each movie will be shown from a different Beatles member’s point of view, with the films intersecting. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison have granted full life story and music rights to the scripted films. All four movies are set to be released in theaters in 2027.
JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger blocked by federal judge
A federal judge blocked a merger between JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines, Tuesday, Jan. 16. JetBlue planned to acquire Spirit Airlines for $3.8 billion. However, U.S. Judge William Young in Boston agreed with the U.S. Justice Department that the deal was anticompetitive and would harm customers.
JetBlue’s lawyers argued against the decision calling it a “misguided” challenge to a merger of the nation’s sixth-and-seventh-largest airlines, which combined would control more than 10 percent of the domestic market dominated by four larger airlines.
The ruling marked a victory for the White House and its efforts to prevent further consolidation of the U.S. airline industry. The decision also puts another recently proposed deal in jeopardy, Alaska Air’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.
President Joe Biden called the ruling “a victory for consumers everywhere who want lower prices and more choices.”
The U.S. federal judge who made the ruling found the deal violated U.S. antitrust law and also puts into question Spirit Airline’s future. The ultra-low-cost carrier has struggled to turn a profit in the midst of soaring operating costs and supply chain issues.
Spirit’s shares closed down 47% on Tuesday after the ruling, while JetBlue shares ended up 5% higher.
The airlines can appeal the ruling. In a joint statement, JetBlue and Spirit said they were evaluating “next steps as part of the legal process.”
This isn’t the first time has dealt been dealt a blow on a merger. In May, another Boston judge, Leo Sorokin, sided with the U.S. Justice Department in finding that JetBlue’s U.S. Northeast partnership with American Airlines violated antitrust law.
In response, JetBlue terminated the alliance. American Airlines is still appealing Sorokin’s decision.
American Airlines fined $4.1M for keeping passengers on tarmac
The Department of Transportation announced it is fining American Airlines over $4 million for keeping thousands of passengers on the tarmac for an unlawful amount of time. The $4.1 million is the largest ever penalty for violating the department’s tarmac delay rule. Of that fine, $2.05 million will be credited to American Airlines for compensation provided to passengers of impacted flights.
“This is the latest action in our continued drive to enforce the rights of airline passengers,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement Monday. “Whether the issue is extreme tarmac delays or problems getting refunds, DOT will continue to protect consumers and hold airlines accountable.”
According to the department, American Airlines allowed 43 flights to remain on the tarmac for lengthy periods without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane. On one of the 43 flights, passengers were not provided with food and water as required.
The tarmac delays affected a total of 5,821 passengers. Most delays occurred at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, according to the department.
American Airlines told the department the tarmac delays were the result of exceptional weather events, and that they represented less than 0.001% of the approximately 7.7 million flights operated by American and its regional partners from 2018 to 2021. The airline said it has committed “substantial time and resources to improve its performance on tarmac delays.”
“We have since apologized to the impacted customers and regret any inconvenience caused,” the airline said Monday. “American respectfully disagrees that certain of these tarmac delays warrant enforcement action under the extreme circumstances presented.”
Monday’s fine came seven years after the department fined American Airlines a then record-matching $1.6 million after it found the airline had allowed flights to stay on the tarmac without allowing passengers off the plane. The department is also investigating Delta Air Lines for a similar incident in July of 2023.
At least one Delta passenger was taken to a Las Vegas hospital for heat-related illness after the plane sat on the tarmac for hours. Buttigieg described the incident as “infuriating” and “shocking.”
“I want to know how it was possible for passengers to be left in triple-digit heat onboard an aircraft for that long,” Buttigieg told Reuters in July. “Even under normal temperatures a tarmac delay is not supposed to go that long and we have rules about that, which we are actively enforcing.”
Idalia, now a hurricane, nears Florida: The Morning Rundown Aug. 29, 2023
Idalia has strengthened to a hurricane on its way toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, and Toyota has stopped all production at its plants in Japan. These stories highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.
Idalia expected to hit Florida as Category 3 hurricane
Less than 24 hours away from projected landfall in Florida, Idalia has strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane. The storm is expected to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane, with winds topping 100 mph.
President Joe Biden spoke with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on Monday, Aug. 28. A federal emergency disaster has already been declared in the state in order to expedite federal resources.
Warmer-than-average water in the Gulf of Mexico has grown the size of the storm. It’s expected to hit Florida early on Wednesday, Aug. 30 and impact a wide central portion of Florida. This includes major cities like Tampa and Orlando.
As Idalia approaches Florida, Hurricane Franklin is at Category 4 strength over the Atlantic. It’s projected to miss the southeastern coast of the United States.
Trial date set for March 4 in Trump federal election case
1 dead in shooting at University of North Carolina
A shooter opened fire on the campus of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill on Monday, Aug. 28, killing one faculty member and causing the school to go into lockdown for hours. Police said the shots were fired inside the school’s chemistry building around 1:00 p.m.
Sirens sounded, and students and staff were told to remain inside. Arriving officers found the faculty member, who has not been identified, inside a school lab.
“I’m grieved to report that one of our faculty members was killed in this shooting,” UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, who also released a statement, said Monday. “This loss is devastating and the shooting damages the trust and safety we so often take for granted in our campus community.”
Police said witness information helped officers track down the suspected shooter. According to local reports, the suspect was arrested a short time later in a residential neighborhood near campus.
The name of the suspect has not been released. A motive for the shooting is under investigation.
Toyota plants in Japan shut down due to computer problems
All 28 assembly lines at Toyota’s 14 plants in Japan had to shut down due to a production system malfunction. The company said the problem was with its computer system that deals with incoming auto parts.
A spokesperson for the automaker said they do not suspect it to be a cyberattack. According to Reuters, the Japanese plants account for roughly 33% of Toyota’s global production.
It’s not clear when production will resume. The shutdown comes as Toyota rebounds from a semiconductor shortage that stalled production.
American Airlines fined after passengers stuck on tarmac
The U.S. Department of Transportation said it is fining American Airlines $4.1 million for unlawfully keeping passengers stuck inside planes on the tarmac for lengthy periods of time. It’s the heftiest fine the government agency has ever handed down over tarmac delay violations.
Airlines are prohibited from keeping passengers on the tarmac for more than three hours. American Airlines violated that rule 43 times between 2018 and 2021, including one delay on the tarmac in San Antonio that lasted six hours.
The airline released a statement saying the 43 incidents represent a small number of the nearly 8 million flights taken during that time period.
In July of 2023, it was a Delta Air Lines plane that passengers were on when their flight was delayed for hours. Some passengers reportedly passed out due to hot and uncomfortable conditions while stuck on the tarmac.
NASA exploring idea of Mach 4 passenger jet
NASA has begun investigating the possibility of a passenger plane traveling four times faster than the speed of sound, or around 3,045 miles per hour. The agency said it is studying about 50 established commercial air routes.
Since the U.S. and other nations have banned all civilian supersonic flights over land 50 years ago, NASA’s study only covered trans-oceanic travel. The agency has issued two year-long contracts to companies like Boeing to develop concept designs to make supersonic air travel a reality.
American Airlines pilots approve contract, other pilots continue push
American Airlines pilots approved a new contract, according to an announcement from the Allied Pilot Association (APA) on Monday, Aug. 21. According to the union’s announcements, 95% of eligible pilots voted on the contract, with 72.7% of those voting in favor.
The announcement said the contract includes more than $9.6 billion in total pay and benefits increases over four years. This includes $1.1 billion in “immediate, one-time payments and ratification bonuses.”
Other contract features include “annual pay rate increases for the contract’s duration and enhancements to various benefits and work rules,” according to the union.
“Work-rule changes in the new agreement are intended to help ensure more reliable service for passengers and more predictable schedules for pilots,” the APA said in a news release.
According to the union, American Airlines pilots will see “an immediate pay raise of more than 21%” under the new contract. Combined with increases in 401(k) contributions and future raises, the APA says pilot compensation rates will rise more than 46% over the course of the contract.
“This contract is a big first step toward restoring the wages, benefits and work rules that were lost during the past two decades while our profession was under continuous assault,” APA President Capt. Ed Sicher said in a statement. “As pilots, we hold a tremendous amount of responsibility with every flight we take. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, as evidenced by the U.S. airline industry’s unrivaled safety record, and it’s time for our profession to provide rewards commensurate with its unique demands.”
American Airlines warned on Tuesday, Aug. 22 that it was expecting higher costs in the third quarter of 2023 due to the new contract for pilots. The airline expects to add $230 million in expenses due to provisions in the contract for retroactive pay for the first quarter of 2023.
The American Airlines contract is the latest major development among pilots negotiating for better pay and working conditions. In March 2023, pilots at Delta Air Lines ratified a new contract that includes over $7 billion in cumulative increases in wages and benefits over four years.
Trump to surrender in Georgia Thursday: The Rundown Aug. 22, 2023
Former President Donald Trump said he plans to surrender to authorities in Georgia, and it’s the end of an era for an iconic plumber. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Trump to surrender to authorities in Georgia
Former President Trump planned to surrender to authorities on Thursday, Aug. 24 in connection to an indictment in Georgia on charges he attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state. Trump confirmed as much on his social media platform on Monday, Aug. 21.
“Can you believe it? I’ll be going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be arrested,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Hours before that post, Trump’s bond was set at $200,000. According to the bond agreement between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Trump’s attorneys and the judge, the former president is barred from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case.
Willis had given Trump and 18 other co-defendants until Friday, Aug. 25 to turn themselves in. Trump’s former personal lawyer John Eastman has agreed to surrender on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Trump will surrender at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia a day after the first Republican primary debate. He has already said he will not be taking part in the debate. Multiple news outlets have reported a prerecorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson will be made available at the same time.
Biden visits Maui two weeks after wildfires ravaged island
President Joe Biden visited the island of Maui Monday to survey the devastation left behind by massive wildfires earlier in August. President Biden met with survivors, reassuring them federal resources were there to stay as long as recovery efforts take.
On top of mind on the island are the more than 800 people still considered missing. One hundred fifteen people have been found dead.
Officials said there are still weeks of searching to go as crews slowly clear a five-mile disaster zone left in the wake of the historic wildfire. Biden offered his condolences to the community and recognized their strength shown in the process so far.
“Many of you have lost more than just that. Many of you have lost family. Not even sure where some are,” Biden said. “You know, I’ve been impressed how you look out for one another, you turn your pain into purpose. This town has stood as a sacred spot for centuries.”
Judge considers legality of Texas buoy barriers
A federal judge in Texas will consider whether the state has legal grounding to keep its buoy barrier afloat in the Rio Grande River. The border security tactic has been controversial ever since it was implemented in July of 2023.
The Biden administration and Mexico have both pushed for Texas to remove the buoys, citing safety concerns. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) argued the state first deployed the buoy barriers because of safety concerns.
“Just last month here in the Eagle Pass area, there was an infant who drowned crossing the border,” Gov. Abbott said on Aug. 21. “That was before we put the buoys up, a little infant drowned and not a peep out of Washington, D.C.”
The state of Texas has moved its buoys closer to the United States side of the river to appease a request from Mexico. However, Abbott has stood firm the state is within its legal rights to have the buoys deployed.
Japan to release treated radioactive water into Pacific Ocean
Starting Wednesday, Japan plans to release treated radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. The move comes amid criticism from some countries like China and support from others like the U.S.
The plan, in the works for years, came to be after the nuclear plant was damaged during a 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Japan had to pump more water into the plant to cool down fuel rods in the reactor. Because of this, space has been limited.
Japan has said the water release is safe. The water will be filtered to remove most radioactive elements except for tritium.
According to Japan, the water will be diluted to well below internationally approved levels. However, some scientists believe the wastewater could still harm marine life.
American Airlines pilots ratify contract that includes pay raises
The contract includes $1.1 billion in one-time payments and ratification bonuses, immediate pay raises averaging 21%, annual raises and increased company contribution to retirement plans. In addition, the pilots will get more vacation benefits and more predictable schedules.
American has approximately 15,000 pilots. The union said 73% of pilots who took part voted in favor of the contract.
Original voice of Nintendo’s Mario steps down
The original voice of Nintendo’s beloved character Mario will step down. Charles Martinet has been voicing the adventurous plumber in Nintendo games since the 1990s.
The company said Martinet will now be serving in the role of “Mario Ambassador,” traveling the world to promote all things Mario. Nintendo has not said who will be replacing Martinet.
Earlier in August, the company reported a 52% increase in net profits. The rise was in part due to the success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which has grossed $1.3 billion.
DOT proposes rules to make airlines compensate stranded passengers
The Biden administration is proposing new regulations that would require airlines to compensate customers with amenities such as hotel stays and provide free food in cases where flights are delayed or canceled. The aim is to pressure airlines to improve their customer service, particularly for instances of preventable flight delays.
The move comes following widespread disruptions in the airline industry last summer and chaotic travel during the Christmas season. More than 45,000 flights were canceled between June 1 and Aug. 31, while Southwest Airlines canceled nearly 17,000 flights in December.
This has all spurred the Department of Transportation to recommend these new rules that would, for the first time, require airlines to pay compensation beyond just a ticket refund. An April report from the congressional Government Accountability Office blamed airlines for many of these cancellations.
“When an airline causes a flight cancellation or delay, passengers should not foot the bill,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “This rule would, for the first time in U.S. history, propose to require airlines to compensate passengers and cover expenses.”
The White House and the Department of Transportation are expected to release a full list of recommendations soon, which lawmakers in Congress will then weigh in on. Senate Republicans have been resistant to stricter airline regulations in the past, indicating after the Southwest holiday season meltdown that the mass cancellations may not lead to bipartisan legislation from Congress.
“Instead of rushing to regulate prices and how many drink coupons you can get, the Biden Department of Transportation should instead let the flying public vote with their feet,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who is a ranking member on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
The renewed discussion over delay and cancellation compensation proposals is happening as major airlines are struggling to keep not only customers satisfied, but also their own employees content.
Unionized pilots working for American and Southwest have initiated plans for a possible strike if their contract negotiations fall through, while United Airlines pilots plan to picket over their workers’ contracts the week of May 7.
These incidents have put the airline industry under the spotlight and motivated the Department of Transportation to take corrective action, particularly ahead of a this year’s anticipated busy summer travel season.
Dust storm causes 80-car pileup in Illinois, kills 6: May 2 rundown
Low visibility due to a dust storm in Illinois caused a deadly highway pileup of dozens of cars. And writers in Hollywood are officially on strike. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Dust storm creates 80-car pileup
A dust storm in Illinois created an 80 car pileup on a major highway. Six people are dead following the crashes and dozens more were sent to the hospital. The heavy dust filled the skies and blocked visibility, creating a major hazard on Interstate 55 near Springfield, Illinois.
According to state police, the rare and thick dust storm is said to have been caused by high winds blowing up dirt from nearby farms.
In the midst of the pile up, multiple 18-wheelers caught fire in the collisions. There was a roughly two-mile stretch of cars wrecked alongside both directions of the highway. Crews worked to clear the wreckage as the air quality improved.
According to reports, Oropesa has been deported four times from Texas back to Mexico. Twice in 2009, in 2012, and 2016. Oropesa also served jail time for driving while intoxicated 11 years ago in a neighboring Texas county.
The man is accused of murdering five neighbors, ranging from 9 to 31 years of age, in a North Houston suburb. Oropesa is still on the run from authorities. There is an $80,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest.
Missing teens among 7 found dead
A search for two missing teens in Oklahoma is now over after the sheriff’s department uncovered seven bodies on a rural property about an hour south of Tulsa. Medical examiners are still trying to identify and confirm the remains found, but authorities have called off the search for 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer.
The two were last seen traveling with Jesse McFadden, a registered sex offender, whose body was also believed to have been found on the Oklahoma property. It’s unknown at this time who the other four sets of remains on the property belong to.
McFadden was convicted of first-degree rape in 2003 and released in 2020. He was supposed to stand trial on May 1 on charges of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography.
Potential default on nation’s debt one month away
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is warning Congress there is only about one month left before the U.S. could default on its debt if no action is taken by lawmakers to raise the debt ceiling. Yellen shared the updated deadline of June 1 on Monday, May 1, and is urging lawmakers not to wait until the last minute or there could be repercussions felt in the U.S. economy.
In a letter to lawmakers, Yellen said that waiting until the last minute can cause serious harm to the economy. House Republicans passed a bill last week to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for spending cuts. But that’s expected to go nowhere in the Senate.
Epidemic of loneliness and isolation
The U.S. Surgeon General has released a new advisory, calling attention to a public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in the United States.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said lacking connection increases the risk for premature death to more than 60%. He says that carries the same weight as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The report cites research showing that approximately half of U.S. adults experience loneliness daily. That research was conducted before the pandemic. A lack of social connection has also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, anxiety, and dementia, according to the study.
The surgeon general‘s report lays out guidance to increase social connection within the workplace and local communities. It’s a strategy that has never been implemented in the U.S. before.
Hollywood writers strike, TV production to slow
Thousands of writers in Hollywood are officially on strike. This marks the first major walkout in 15 years. The strike is likely to shut down production on some top television shows, streaming series, and potentially some films.
Some impacts will be immediately clear, like late-night shows going dark.
American Airlines pilots authorize strike
Some 15,000 American Airlines pilots have authorized a strike mandate. This means if their contract negotiations fail, a strike is possible. The threat carries extra weight this time of year as airlines prepare for a busy summer travel season.
Pilots are asking for better pay and better scheduling in their contract negotiations.
US military evacuates embassy workers in Sudan amid unrest: April 24 rundown
The U.S. military successfully evacuated American government employees from the U.S. Embassy in Sudan’s capital, as infighting has killed hundreds of people in the country this month. And an American Airlines plane was forced to turn around mid-flight after one of its engines caught fire. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Monday, April 24, 2023.
U.S. Embassy in Sudan evacuated amid unrest
The State Department said workers from the U.S. Embassy in Sudan have been evacuated in a special military operation. In-fighting between two rival generals has intensified in the country, fueling fears that Sudan could be headed towards a civil war.
Dozens of American personnel from the embassy, including diplomatic workers and a U.S. Marine attachment, were safely removed from the region after 100 U.S. troops executed an airlift operation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said operations at the embassy have been suspended.
The State Department says there are no immediate plans to evacuate the hundreds of U.S. civilians currently in Sudan. More than 400 people have been killed and thousands of others injured since fighting broke out earlier this month.
China walks back comments on ex-Soviet states
China walking back remarks by its top diplomat in Paris who questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet countries in a televised interview. The incident came as much of the world remains wary of China’s relationship with Russia.
The Chinese ambassador was asked a question on Crimea and its controversial annexation by Russia. The ambassador said ex-Soviet countries don’t have any status under international law.
The comments led to sharp criticism, with China now acknowledging the status of former Soviet member states as sovereign nations.
Plane engine catches fire after bird strike
A bird strike caused an American Airlines plane had an engine go out and catch fire soon after take off. Flames from the wing were captured on camera by passengers.
The plane was departing from Columbus, Ohio, and headed to Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, April 23. Immediately following take-off, the pilot called in a bird strike and turned the aircraft around and safely landed the plane shortly after the incident.
American Airline passengers on a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, had a similar view three days prior. They saw flames shooting from the wing while on the runway about to take off for Dallas. Those passengers were safely evacuated off the aircraft. American said there was a mechanical issue that started the fire.
According to the FAA, large birds are one of the most dangerous elements of nature that pilots have to deal with. For domestic air travel, bird strikes are to blame for 350 deaths over the history of U.S. passenger flights.
The FAA says bird strikes may be on the rise due to an increase in bird population and aircraft becoming quieter in the skies.
Delivery driver shot at after going to wrong house
A Florida couple said their car was shot at after they went to the wrong address while delivering groceries for Instacart. They were in the process of dropping off a grocery delivery when they pulled up to the wrong house in an upscale neighborhood about 30 miles outside of Miami.
According to a police report, the couple said their GPS led them to the wrong house. The homeowner told investigators he feared for his children’s safety and that the couple was driving erratically. No one was hit and no charges were filed.
The incident comes on the heels of at least three other incidents that have grabbed national attention where people were shot for mistakenly turning into the wrong property or getting into the wrong car.
Ousted Tennessee lawmakers to visit White House
The three Tennessee Democratic lawmakers who led a gun reform protest in the state capitol building and faced expulsion over disrupting legislative proceedings will be guests of the White House on Monday, April 24.
Two of the three lawmakers, state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, were briefly expelled while representative Gloria Jones was nearly ousted in a vote by their peers.
President Biden has invited the trio to the Oval Office to thank them for leading a gun reform protest last month.
Bed Bath & Beyond files for bankruptcy
Bed, Bath, and Beyond has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In its filing, the company said it will close and wind down all 475 remaining brick-and-mortar stores and that it expects to do so by the end of June. That figure includes 125 Buy Buy Baby stores. The company said it will still try to sell some or all of its business. And if you have store coupons, Wednesday, April 26, will be the last day the store accepts them.
The struggling retailer has been warning of a potential bankruptcy since January.
Moose sneaks into movie theater
For the third weekend in a row, the “Super Mario Bros” movie has topped the weekend box office, earning more than $400 million nationwide. It’s the second-fastest animated film to reach those numbers. And apparently a moose heard about the buzz and wanted to see it for himself.
A moose walked into a movie theater in Alaska, helped himself to some concessions, and seemed completely unbothered by his surroundings. The animal was sent back outside the theater as there is a no-moose-allowed policy at the movie theater.
This is the second time in a month that a moose has wandered into a building in the region. The first incident involved a moose that walked through an automatic door and into an Anchorage medical building.