Norfolk Southern Archives

Mike Vick to become Norfolk State head coach

December 18, 2024
Former NFL superstar Michael Vick has come full circle. The quarterback who took the league by storm in the early 2000s is set to become the next head coach at Virginia’s Norfolk State University.

Vick grew up about 20 miles from NSU’s campus in Newport News, Virginia.

Vick led Virginia Tech to an undefeated regular season and the National Championship game in 1999 as a freshman with his running ability and electric playing style. He was the first Black quarterback taken No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.

As a member of the Atlanta Falcons, he instantly rose to stardom and revolutionized the way NFL quarterbacks played the game. But his career was interrupted during its prime years.

In 2007, Vick was convicted for financing a dog fighting ring in his home state. He was sentenced to 23 months, ultimately spending 21 months in prison.

Upon his release and return to the NFL in 2009, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Two years later, Vick won the comeback player of the year award.

He played 13 seasons in the league for four different teams and went to the Pro Bowl four times.

Since his playing days, he’s worked tirelessly to mend his image in conjunction with animal rights advocates. Vick also works as a television football analyst for Fox Sports. He has never been a coach.

He takes over a Norfolk State program that posted a 15–30 record the last four seasons under former head coach Dawson Odums.

The Spartans play at the Football Championship Subdivision level in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The conference has seen its numbers dwindle to just six programs over the last couple of seasons.

He appeared to confirm the hire in a Facebook post Tuesday, Dec. 17 saying, “It’s an honor to announce that I’ll be the new head coach of Norfolk State University… looking forward to coming back home.”

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, Straight Arrow News contacted the university’s athletic department to confirm the hire. However, university officials told SAN they planned to release a statement on the coaching search soon.
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East Palestine residents may wait years for payments due to appeal of settlement

October 1, 2024
East Palestine residents may have to wait up to two years before getting paid out by Norfolk Southern for a disastrous train derailment in 2023, according to lawyers on Monday, Sept. 30. Settlement checks were reportedly supposed to go out by the end of this year but now that appears it will not happen after an appeal by one of the plaintiff’s last week.

The appeal challenges whether a federal judge’s decision to approve a more than $600 million settlement gave enough money to East Palestinians.

Some residents reportedly expressed outrage over the weekend about the appeal by a local pastor because they said they needed those payments to move out of town.

Other residents said that they had deeper concerns about the chemicals they were exposed to from the rail disaster after officials decided to blow up the boxcars filled with toxic chemicals. Those residents want the plaintiff’s lawyers to reveal what their expert found when he tested for any lingering contamination in East Palestine.

Now, an appeals court will have to determine whether or not the settlement offers enough money to residents and if enough information was given to East Palestinians before an agreement was reached.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys vowed on Monday to do everything in their “power” to “quickly resolve this appeal,” adding, “It is tragic that one person is substituting their judgement for the entire community who wants this settlement, and instead of opting out, they have gone this route.”

Lawyers say it is likely the payments will be delayed six months to a year. However, they say the wait may be even longer if the case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court or gets sent back to federal court.

The settlement offers payments of up to $70,000 per household and up to $25,000 per individual. The funds are meant to cover health issues and property damage to the community from the derailment disaster.
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A once-secret report reveals cleanup workers got sick at Ohio derailment site

August 15, 2024
A report undisclosed to the public since spring of 2023 revealed workers cleaning up the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment in February of 2023, became sick during the process. The Associated Press released the report on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The report said the cleanup workers reportedly fell ill while cleaning up creeks near the overturned Norfolk Southern boxcars, which had been carrying toxic chemicals.

Workers reported headaches and nausea while shooting compressed air into the creek bed. The process, known as air knifing, releases chemicals from sediment and water. However, the cleanup continued until three weeks later when another worker became ill. After that incident, air knifing was halted.

An independent toxicologist said that workers should have been told that they were spreading toxic chemicals into the air. The toxicologist also said that using air knifing “was not an informed decision.”

A Norfolk Southern spokesperson claimed that none of the workers who got sick “reported any lingering or long-term symptoms.”

“The health and safety of our employees, contractors, and the community has been paramount throughout the recovery in East Palestine,” the spokesperson said.

Since the derailment, residents of the East Palestine have reported unexplained rashes, asthma and respiratory problems, and even diseases like male breast cancer. Researchers are still determining how many of the health problems are linked to the train derailment disaster. Furthermore, it is unclear if contaminants from other industries in the area were already in the creek bed as well.

East Palestinians have until Thursday, Aug. 22, to decide whether they will accept $25,000 as part of a $600 million lawsuit against Norfolk Southern. The money is meant to cover any future health care costs for residents.

Meanwhile, follow-up testing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) detected small amounts of vinyl chloride and other chemicals at the crash site. However, the agency said that it is not a health risk because contaminated soil from the site has been removed. The entire clean-up effort is reportedly expected to wrap up by the end of this year.
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NTSB: Norfolk Southern decision to burn chemicals in East Palestine unnecessary

June 25, 2024
A decision by Norfolk Southern to release and burn toxic chemicals from five derailed train cars after the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment may have been unnecessary, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday, June 25. In its final meeting on the incident, NTSB investigators attributed the decision to a miscommunication of risk by the railway and its contractors.

After the train derailed in February of 2023, a fire erupted and heated up five tank cars that contained vinyl chloride, The NTSB stated that railroad management and contractors ignored the dropping temperature of one tank car of concern, which indicated a reduced threat of explosion, and still decided to release toxic chemicals into the air.

In addition, investigators found that firefighters and emergency crews stayed on the scene of the crash far too long because Norfolk Southern failed to disclose the toxic chemicals on board the train until an hour after they arrived. An NTSB investigator said,

“This resulted in greater exposure of emergency responders and to the public to post-derailment hazards.” NTSB investigator Troy Lloyd said.

As result of the decision to burn off the chemicals, a plume of smoke rose from the burn site in East Palestine, which led to several lawsuits from residents. Some residents reported illnesses as a result of the pollutants in the air.

A recent report also revealed that the impact of toxins released into the air went farther than the community of East Palestine. According to the report, researchers found toxins in the soil and air in as 16 states.

Meanwhile, the rail disaster is already leading to industry-wide changes. The Department of Transportation announced a new rule on Monday, June 24, that requires railroad companies to alert local emergency agencies about all the hazardous materials being carried through their areas.

The NTSB’s final report with findings and recommendations is expected in several weeks.
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Study: Chemicals from East Palestine train crash spread to 16 states

June 19, 2024
The February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and the decision to burn off toxic chemicals apparently spread contaminated air and rain to as many as 16 states. According to a new analysis published in the “Environmental Research Letters” journal on Wednesday, June 19, chemical remnants covered 14% of the U.S. land area.

Researchers said they detected chemical remnants from South Carolina to Wisconsin to New England. Their analysis found the decision to burn off toxic chemicals caused the spread of pollutants into the air, and eventually, the rain.

The findings are raising concerns about the lasting impacts to human health and the environment. The lead author of the study said that they were surprised to find chemical concentrations so far from the original burn site. He said that the chemicals could seep into the ground, potentially hurting marine life and plants.

The Norfolk Southern train had cars carrying vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen, when it derailed. Officials made an emergency decision to burn off the chemicals in an effort to avoid a catastrophic explosion.

Following the burn, residents nearby reportedly experienced rashes, nausea and headaches. However, the study found that samples taken during the week of the accident showed contamination of soot, ash and dirt in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and New York.

Researchers involved in the study said that it is unclear what the long-term impacts to human health and the environment may be. However, lawmakers in Congress are already looking to find out the answer to that question.

There is a growing bipartisan push for swift action on a House bill that would fund a study on the long-term health effects of the derailment burn off. On Tuesday, June 18, lawmakers made a request for a public hearing on the subject.
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Norfolk Southern reaches $310 million settlement in Ohio train derailment

May 23, 2024
Norfolk Southern has agreed to pay more than $310 million in a settlement with the U.S. federal government for its train derailment disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, last year. The money from the settlement announced on Thursday, May 23, will go toward safety improvements and to address the health of East Palestine residents.

In February of 2023, a train carrying cars filled with vinyl chloride derailed and led to an explosion and massive plumes of smoke that spread chemicals into the area. As a result, residents in the area were forced to evacuate.

As part of the settlement, Norfolk Southern will have pay $235 million for past and future cleanup costs from the disaster. The company will also have to pay for the monitoring of drinking water and groundwater, as well as 20 years of medical exams for the community and alleged violations to the Clean Water Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency called the settlement historic.

“This settlement is historic in many ways and will begin to make up for some of the damage caused to the residents of East Palestine,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said. “And it would absolutely push the industry in the direction that we would like the industry to go.”

However, not everyone felt the same. One East Palestine resident told The Associated Press that “no amount of money can ever make this right.”

Many East Palestine residents told the AP that the settlement doesn’t do nearly enough for a company that reported a $527 million profit in the fourth quarter of 2023. The company also reportedly made a profit of $53 million in the first quarter after the derailment costs. In addition, the railroad’s CEO received more than $13 million in total compensation in 2023.

Norfolk Southern has already paid $780 million for cleanup costs and $107 million to residents and communities impacted by the train derailment disaster.

Norfolk has promised to improve safety by installing around 200 more trackside detectors and some inspection portals. The portals will use cameras from multiple angles to take pictures of each railcar as it passes by. The company estimates the cost for the improvements will be in the range of $244 million going into 2025.

Just one federal investigation remains — a probe by the National Travel Safety Board, which is looking into what caused the crash.
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Norfolk Southern agrees to $600M settlement for Ohio train derailment

April 9, 2024
Over a year after a Norfolk Southern train derailment resulted in a fiery explosion in East Palestine, Ohio, the railroad reached a preliminary agreement for a $600 million settlement on Tuesday, April 9. However, a judge will need to approve and sign the lawsuit.

“If approved by the court, the agreement will resolve all class action claims within a 20-mile radius from the derailment and, for those residents who choose to participate, personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius from the derailment,” a Norfolk Southern press release said.

The agreement notably does not entail any admission of wrongdoing, liability or fault from the railway.

In February of 2023, 38 cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, triggering a massive fire and releasing more than a million gallons of toxic materials, including vinyl chloride.

Approximately 5,000 residents reside in the area, many of whom have voiced concerns regarding the potential impacts of the derailment on their health, property values and businesses. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has affirmed that air and water in the small eastern Ohio city are safe after conducting multiple tests.

To date, Norfolk Southern has disclosed paying $104 million to assist the East Palestine community, along with an additional $4 million allocated to upgrade drinking water infrastructure, $2 million for community projects and $500,000 for economic development.

The railway has stated that if the court approves the settlement, “individuals and businesses will be able to use compensation from the settlement in any manner they see fit to address potential adverse impacts from the derailment,” including for health care-related matters or property restoration.

The crash site remains under investigation, with Norfolk Southern expecting cleanup efforts to conclude sometime this summer.
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President Biden to visit East Palestine a year after disastrous train derailment

January 31, 2024

President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit East Palestine, Ohio, marking a year since a Norfolk Southern train derailment resulted in a toxic chemical spill. Biden’s visit comes amid criticism for not visiting sooner; he previously stated he would visit “at some point.” The White House confirmed Jan. 31 that his visit will take place in February, without offering specific details.

In February 2023, the train derailment caused a fire lasting several days, leading to the evacuation of thousands. Residents still continue to express concerns about the long-term impacts.

Over the past year, Biden has been involved in response efforts to disasters like floods on California’s central coast and wildfires in Hawaii, drawing attention to his absence in Ohio.

In a recent interview with Fox News, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, R, questioned Biden’s timing for the visit.

“My personal opinion, the best time for him to come would be February of 2025 when he is on his book tour,” Conaway said. “The president is always welcome to our town. That being said, I don’t know what he would do here now.”

While Biden has not yet visited, the administration maintains its response to the derailment was prompt and effective. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the immediate federal assistance provided.

“From the moment — the day of the derailment… we’ve had federal assistance, federal employees on the ground within hours,” Jean-Pierre stated, citing involvement from the EPA, Department of Transportation, FEMA, HHS and CDC.

Although the East Palestine derailment was one of the worst in 2023, it was not the only one. The Federal Railroad Administration reported 1,136 derailments in the year, underscoring ongoing safety concerns for railways.

Concerns linger about potential health risks from chemicals spilled and vinyl chloride burned off after the crash. Vinyl chloride is a carcinogen linked to various cancers and is hazardous if inhaled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Cleanup teams continue to remove hazardous waste from the site, with the EPA clearing about 80% of the area. Some contaminated water still shows an oily sheen, though no air contaminants were detected during clean-outs.

Norfolk Southern estimates the total cost for lawsuits, community assistance and hazardous waste removal to be around $800 million.
More questions for Norfolk Southern, no Dollar Tree eggs: March 22 rundown

March 22, 2023

Norfolk Southern’s CEO is returning to Capitol Hill for a new round of questioning; and a new report details how scammers are now using artificial intelligence. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Norfolk Southern CEO to testify

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are taking further steps to boost rail safety and hold Norfolk Southern accountable for the derailment in Ohio.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw is returning to Capitol Hill to face a fresh round of questioning from the Senate Commerce Committee. He testified earlier this month and apologized on behalf of the company.

According to prepared remarks, Shaw will give updated figures on clean-up efforts and show support for some rail safety regulations on the industry.

Last week, Ohio’s Attorney General announced he is suing Norfolk Southern to force it to pay for groundwater and soil monitoring near the train wreckage site for years to come. As well as to cover economic losses in the small town community.

Xi, Putin display alliance during visit

Chinese leader Xi Jinping paid a visit to Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The two countries showed a united front as they offered a joint statement on the war in Ukraine. As he stood next to Putin, China’s leader said he supports peace and is on the right side of history. The two called each other “dear friends” and presented themselves as a twin counterweight to the U.S. influence in the world.

Xi is sticking to his plan to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine to end the war. Something the U.S. continues to doubt.

New report details drug shortage

Children’s medication, antibiotics and treatment for ADHD are among a number of drugs that have been in short supply in recent months, and these shortages of critical medications are only rising, according to a new report released today.

From 2021 to 2022, new drug shortages increased by nearly 30%. There have been 295 individual drugs affected by the shortage since the end of 2022.

California’s 12th atmospheric river

California is once again getting battered by an atmospheric river. The first day of spring showing little change from an extraordinary winter.

Central and Southern California have been hit hardest in this latest system. Hundreds of thousands lost power where winds were recorded as high as 80 miles per hour is mountain communities.

The storms in California have helped to replenish reservoirs and ease the states drought conditions.

Scammers use AI in new tactic

The Federal Trade Commission is warning scammers are now using AI “voice cloning” tools to their benefit.

The FTC says if you receive a phone call from an unknown number, let the caller speak first. Apparently these scammers are recording snippets of your voice and later using it to impersonate you.

The technology can accurately convert written sentences into convincing audio that sounds like you. Once they’ve got your voice, they can call people who know you and pretend they’re you. Then they can pretend to be in some sort of trouble and ask for cash. According to the FTC, scammers only need three seconds of your voice to convert into a convincing scam tactic.

Dollar Tree to stop selling eggs

Dollar Tree is taking eggs off its shelves in the face of “egg-flation.” The average egg price has increased by as much as 60% year-over-year. According to Reuters, the company can’t make a profit over current costs to sell them. So, until costs come down, Dollar Tree will no longer sell eggs in their stores.

It’s just the latest adjustment Dollar tree has made to keep up with high inflation after going from a price-point of $1.00 to $1.25 on the majority of its merchandise last year.
Sen. McConnell hospitalized, Norfolk Southern to testify: March 9 rundown

March 9, 2023

Sen. Mitch McConnell hospitalized

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized after falling at a hotel late Wednesday. Sen. McConnell, R-Ky., is in the hospital receiving treatment after falling at a Washington hotel during a private dinner, according to his spokesperson. There are limited details available on his recovery.

Sen. McConnell is 81 years old. He is serving his seventh six-year term in the Senate. He was first elected in 1984. McConnell is one of the most powerful lawmakers in Washington. He served as Senate majority leader from 2015 to 2021 and has served as the Senate minority leader since.

President Biden to unveil budget proposal

President Biden will be in Philadelphia on Thursday to unveil his budget proposal aimed to cut deficits by $3 trillion dollars over the next decade, according to the White House.

Part of the plan is to increase the Medicare payroll tax on people making more than $400,000 a year. The plan would also impose a tax on the holdings of billionaires. The budget proposal will be released in full Thursday. It comes at a time the U.S. has reached its debt limit and Republicans and Democrats are at odds on raising the ceiling and spending cuts. By this summer, the U.S. could exhaust emergency measures currently in place to keep Washington running.

Arrest made in American kidnapping in Mexico

The White House says is is working with Mexican authorities to track down the people responsible for ambushing four Americans who crossed into Mexico through the city Matamoros. One person has been arrested in the kidnapping and killing. The bodies of two Americans killed are expected to be returned to the U.S. Thursday. Mexico’s president blames the Gulf Cartel for what he believes may have been a deadly case of mistaken identity. The president said the Americans were caught in the middle of what was a shootout between rival cartels.

Norfolk Southern CEO to testify before Senate

The CEO of Norfolk Southern will testify in a Senate hearing Thursday. Senators are expected to press the rail company on its role in two derailments in Ohio, one in East Palestine that resulted in a toxic chemical release and a second derailment in Ohio that occurred the same month. CEO Alan Shaw is expected to make an apology at Thursday’s hearing and also offer tens of millions of dollars to help in recovery efforts.

The company has announced voluntary safety upgrades following the derailment that could have resulted in an explosion if officials did not initiate the toxic chemical release. Senators are expected to ask the company to do more and thoroughly lay out safety plans as the transportation sector is under the microscope after several high-profile derailments.

House members sensitive data hacked, sold on dark web

Members of the House and their staff have been told their sensitive personal information was exposed and some of it is being sold for purchase on the dark web after DC Health Link, the health insurance marketplace for Washington, was hacked. The data breach was reported on Wednesday. The size and the scope of the hack is unknown.

The FBI said the individuals online selling the stolen information don’t seem to realize the high-level of sensitivity of the stolen data, making them believe elected officials were not targeted in the breach. DC Health Link is providing impacted customers identity and credit monitoring services.

“Zombie viruses” discovered in the Arctic

Apparently, climate change currently creating warmer temps in the Arctic poses a whole other type of danger people may not be aware of. Viruses once frozen in permafrost for nearly 50,000 years are still alive, according to a set of scientists.

The scientists have reportedly revived what they call “zombie viruses” that lived among animals and humans thousands of years ago. They found frozen viruses and are experimenting whether they are still infectious. So far, they have found five that are.

While it sounds like the latest sci-fi movie plot, the scientists say their research is indicative of a big problem. They believe ancient viruses, currently frozen over, can come back to life and threaten humans and animals if the warming of the Arctic continues.

Mike Vick to become Norfolk State head coach

East Palestine residents may wait years for payments due to appeal of settlement

A once-secret report reveals cleanup workers got sick at Ohio derailment site

NTSB: Norfolk Southern decision to burn chemicals in East Palestine unnecessary

Study: Chemicals from East Palestine train crash spread to 16 states

Norfolk Southern reaches $310 million settlement in Ohio train derailment

Norfolk Southern agrees to $600M settlement for Ohio train derailment

President Biden to visit East Palestine a year after disastrous train derailment

More questions for Norfolk Southern, no Dollar Tree eggs: March 22 rundown

Norfolk Southern CEO to testify

Xi, Putin display alliance during visit

New report details drug shortage

California’s 12th atmospheric river

Scammers use AI in new tactic

Dollar Tree to stop selling eggs

Sen. McConnell hospitalized, Norfolk Southern to testify: March 9 rundown

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