Newport News' gun ordinance is supported by a history of restricting gun carrying in public places stretching back to the 1600s, law professor and author Robert J. Spitzer writes in a guest column.Wyoming and Utah may get what they’ve been pining for in recent years: the breakup of PacifiCorp. The electric utility giant has increasingly struggled to mesh pro-fossil-fuel policies favored by those states with cleaner energy policies preferred in other places it operates like California, Oregon and Washington. But what a “corporate realignment” — which the company has not yet formally proposed — might look like and what it might mean for Wyoming ratepayers remains unknown. For now, the company will still pursue its existing rate hike proposals and otherwise make investments to continue to serve its customers, according to utility officials. There’s one thing for certain: It won’t be all roses. “Just like any breakup of any partnership, or of any business, it’s not cost-free,” PacifiCorp’s Rocky Mountain Power President Dick Garlish told the Utah Legislature’s Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Interim Committee on Wednesday. Garlish, who took the helm of Rocky Mountain Power earlier this year, was grilled by Utah lawmakers as he discussed PacifiCorp’s corporate realignment report — a preliminary analysis demanded by Utah lawmakers. Nearly two more years are needed to fully develop realignment scenarios — guided by six different states and other stakeholders — that offer estimates for breakup costs, ongoing operational costs and potential benefits, he added. “This [uncertainty] is the way it’s going to be because this is a big negotiation and a lot of math involved,” Garlish said. Though each of the six states will help direct the potential reorganization of the utility, Garlish added, no single state or stakeholder can dictate it. PacifiCorp is part of billionaire Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate. The regulated monopoly utility operates in six western states, including Wyoming, Utah and Idaho under its Rocky Mountain Power division. Rocky Mountain Power is the largest electrical service provider in Wyoming, where it also operates several wind farms, decades-old coal-fired power plants on the verge of retirement due to escalating costs and has majority ownership of the Jim Bridger coal plant near Rock Springs. Like pro-fossil fuel officials in Utah, Wyoming lawmakers have berated the company in recent years for its gradual shift from planet-warming coal-fired power generation to cleaner forms of power like wind and solar. The intermittent availability of solar and wind power presents reliability issues, they say, while industrializing landscapes in their states for the benefit of the company’s West Coast customers. Meantime, the company has pressed for a series of double-digit rate increases in recent years — hikes so steep they have shocked both ratepayers and their elected representatives. Last year, Rocky Mountain Power proposed a historic 29.2% rate increase for its Wyoming customers, which state authorities whittled to 5.5%. Wyoming customers then saw another 9.3% rate hike temporarily imposed in July, and the utility is now seeking an additional 14.7% increase. The unprecedented rate hikes, in Wyoming and elsewhere, are necessary to recover money the company has already spent to provide electrical services under myriad, monumental energy-market and policy shifts, Garlish said. “Hundreds of millions of dollars of deferred costs are out there that are unrecovered,” he said, referring to Rocky Mountain Power’s proposed 18% rate hike in Utah. “I have to get those [expenditures] back to maintain the financial health of the utility to be able to get the access to the capital to continue. And it’s hard.” Though lawmakers in Wyoming and Utah acknowledge PacifiCorp’s advantageous economies-of-scale for operating in six western states, officials in both states remain skeptical of the company’s integrity. Some have suggested its multi-state model provides enough of a shell game to potentially pass on costs imposed by one state to another. In response to those concerns, PacifiCorp appears willing to sunset its “multi-state protocol” — a forum of stakeholders who review system-wide costs and negotiate how PacifiCorp should allocate them among each of the six states, according to those close to the process. The signal helped set the stage for a potential reorganization of the company into smaller pieces that could be more responsive to local interests, those close to the multi-state protocol process told WyoFile. Until recently, Garlish said, PacifiCorp’s multi-state operations worked well to provide reliable electrical service at relatively low and stable rates while the company navigated six different state authorities with conflicting energy portfolio priorities and ever-changing environmental standards from the federal government. “It worked really well,” Garlish said. “That’s not where we are today.” In fact, the model isn’t working particularly well for PacifiCorp either, Garlish added, describing an untenable “whiplash” from trying to appease all of the divergent authorities over it. “I get that people are frustrated,” he said. “I get that the [Utah] Legislature is frustrated. I get the customers are frustrated. I am frustrated.” In addition to diverging state climate and energy policies that pull the company in different directions, PacifiCorp — and in turn, its customers — is facing billion-dollar liability lawsuits for its role in devastating West Coast wildfires. It’s not alone. Insurance premiums for utilities are exploding due to the convergence of aging electrical power infrastructure and climate-driven conditions that amplify the intensity of wildfires, and that promise to only make the situation worse. Acknowledging the practical need to help maintain vital electrical services, Wyoming, like many other states, is considering legislation to restrict wildfire damage claim amounts when electric utilities spark blazes in the state. The alternative, according to some utility representatives, is bankruptcy and blackouts. Meanwhile, lawmakers in both Wyoming and Utah remain eager to see what benefits their constituents could reap from a PacifiCorp breakup that might result in a smaller regional operation more attuned to their preferred energy policies. Several lawmakers on the Utah legislative panel said they favor a reorganization that results in a single entity that provides services only to Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. “The House, the Senate, leadership in both bodies and the executive branch would like to see this separation,” Utah state Rep. Carl R. Albrecht, R-Richfield, said, adding that he hopes PacifiCorp would “move this thing forward sooner than later, so we could get a direct answer from you on whether or not you can separate from PacifiCorp.” Though Wyoming lawmakers have not formally made a similar request of PacifiCorp, many have expressed a desire to somehow disconnect the state from policies elsewhere that drive the utility away from coal. The Wyoming Public Service Commission, which has rate-making authority over monopoly utilities, will hold a contested rate hearing regarding Rocky Mountain Power’s proposed “energy cost adjustment” in December. 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He was roasting politicians by the fire — and touting himself as New York’s potential next governor. GOP New York Rep. Mike Lawler torched the state’s Democrats while hinting he may run for governor in 2026 during his “Festivus” airing of grievances this week. “Kathy Hochul is the most unpopular governor in the country, and make no mistake, she’s worked her ass off for that title,” Lawler quipped about his possible soon-to-be rival while sitting before a Christmas-themed background with a fireplace roaring in a video posted to X on Monday. “No doubt she’s going to face a real challenge in 2026. I wonder who could beat her. Hmm. I might know a guy,” he said with a wink. “Anyway, that’s a video for another day.” The Hudson Valley congressman, who has long ripped into the Democratic gov, blasted her for upping the state budget by more than $50 billion in under four years, shelling out money on migrants and pursuing Manhattan’s infamous congestion toll. “She’s done such a bad job that even her own hand-picked lieutenant governor is retweeting articles about his plans to run against her,” Lawler said, referring to Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. Lawler, 38, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022, dusted off his top 10 grievances of 2024 in his “Festivus,” a secular tradition on Dec. 23 popularized by the TV comedy classic “Seinfeld.” Hochul topped Lawler’s list. The No. 2 target for the rep was New York City Mayor Eric Adams, whom he raked over the coals for the five-count bribery indictment handed down against him in September. “How bad of a year was it for Mr. Mayor? Well, when the highlight of your year is getting indicted for soliciting and accepting illegal campaign donations from wealthy foreigners — yikes,” Lawler jabbed. The congressman pondered whether there was “any doubt” Hizzoner “joined [first lady] Jill Biden in voting for Trump.” The Hudson Valley rep also poked at rival former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) for having “three losses in a row,” joking that Delgado might pick him as his running mate in 2026. The Republican lawmaker also knocked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York on spending issues and New York Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for failing to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act. In two other Empire State-related swipes, Lawler took aim at Columbia University and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “Remember when we all thought Ivy League students were smart,” Lawler said. “After watching these anti-semitic, self-entitled, brain-addled morons embarrass themselves and our state for the past year, I am prouder than ever to be a product of a truly great New York institution of learning,” he added in reference to his alma mater, Manhattan University. In regards to the MTA, Lawler griped that “these corrupt clowns run a subway system where innocent [people] have to worry about getting burned alive, murdered, or shoved onto the tracks while hoping an ex-marine happens to be nearby to save them.” In non-New York-related jabs, Lawler went straight for the jugular against President Biden. “Speaking of forgetful and forgettable, have you ever seen someone’s presidency relegated to the ash heap of history quicker than Joe Biden’s,” he sniped. “Enjoy retirement, Joe. They serve ice cream daily.” Lawler also gloated over the demise of his former colleague, ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who led the charge to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). “Speaking of hacks, happy trails to Matt Gaetz. Florida co-eds, beware — he’s back,” Lawler ribbed, alluding to the ethics report that dropped Monday unfurling accusations of Gaetz paying women for sex and having sex with a minor. Gaetz has denied the allegations and accused the House Committee on Ethics of mounting a smear campaign against him. Lawler is far from the only pol celebrating “Festivus” with politically charged grievances and humor. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) continued his longstanding tradition of marking “Festivus” with a tirade against government waste. This year in his “Festivus” report, the senator chronicled roughly $1 trillion in what he deemed to be wasteful government spending, spotlighting projects such as climate-focused drag shows-on-ice and testing cocaine on moody rats.President-elect Donald Trump was welcomed back to the world stage on Saturday, sitting down with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron with a dramatic backdrop: the reopening of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. With Trump set to return to the White House in January, the three leaders met at the Elysee Palace in Paris with diplomacy on the war in Ukraine in flux. Officials close to Macron and Zelenskyy said the meeting was positive, without providing details. “The world is going a little crazy right now and we’ll be talking about that,” Trump told reporters as he arrived for an initial two-way meeting with Macron. Macron had sought to engineer the talks to initiate a discussion on how to end the war in Ukraine, an official in his office said. Later, the French president hosted guests, including heads of state and global business leaders, at the cathedral that was painstakingly restored after a catastrophic 2019 fire. For Macron, the day’s events offered a brief fillip as he seeks a new prime minister after his government collapsed this week in a show of force by far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Almost three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Zelenskyy and his allies are anxiously watching Trump for signs of how he plans approach the conflict. U.S. weapons and financial aid have been a vital crutch for Kyiv, but Trump had promised he would engineer a swift end to the war on the campaign trail. That’s fueled concerns in Kyiv and other European capitals that the next U.S. administration might roll back support for Ukraine to pressure Zelenskyy to compromise. On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have been on the back foot for most of the year and Russian gains have been accelerating in recent weeks. The incoming U.S. president faces a daunting range of geopolitical challenges, including war in the Middle East and long-running tensions with China. Shortly before arriving at the presidential palace, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform about the conflict in Syria, where rebels opposed to President Bashar Assad have made rapid advances. A withdrawal of its troops that are helping support Assad might be “the best thing that can happen” to Russia, he said. The U.S., he added, “should have nothing to do with it. This is not our fight.” The visit to Paris is Trump’s first trip abroad to meet with world leaders since he won back the White House in November and is a coup for Macron, who’s seen his political program decimated by the domestic opposition who forced out his prime minister with a no-confidence vote on Wednesday. Macron worked hard to engage Trump through his first term, despite Trump’s occasional barbs, inviting the U.S. leader to the Bastille Day ceremony in 2017 and taking him to dinner at the Eiffel Tower. Trump called Macron weak after the “Yellow Vest” protests broke out in 2018 and attacked him for cozying up to China. On Saturday, Macron deployed all his experience of dealing with Trump, welcoming him with a red-carpet ceremony at the Elysee and making him effectively the guest of honor at the cathedral. Trump was seated in the front row next to Macron and the two men were seen chatting during the service. Regardless of Macron’s domestic struggles, the meeting was testament to the unique soft power of France and the president’s ability to wield it. As Trump and Zelenskiy were speaking, an exclusive list of guests were arriving at the cathedral, which has been rebuilt at a cost of 700 million euros ($740 million). Bernard Arnault, Europe’s richest man, was among the early arrivals. Kering SA Chief Executive Officer Francois-Henri Pinault came with his wife, the actor Salma Hayek. Both men were major donors to the reconstruction effort. Billionaire John Elkann, who chairs automaker Stellantis SA, was also in attendance as was FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni chuckled as she posed for the cameras with Macron and his wife Brigitte. Zelenskyy embraced Macron as he arrived and appeared to say “thank you” to the French leader. The Ukrainian was given an ovation by the guests as he entered the nave. Trump was among the last of the grandees to be greeted by Macron outside the cathedral, though Elon Musk, a close ally of the president-elect, arrived shortly afterward, scurrying across the square in the rain. First lady Jill Biden followed soon before the ceremony started. After the ceremony at the cathedral, a select group of guests will attend a dinner back at Macron’s presidential palace. ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.NACOGDOCHES, Texas (AP) — Kobe Stewart scored 17 points as Presbyterian beat Monmouth 71-61 on Saturday. Stewart had five rebounds and six assists for the Blue Hose (5-3). Kory Mincy added 16 points while shooting 4 for 11 (3 for 8 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line while they also had five rebounds. Jamahri Harvey shot 5 for 14, including 3 for 9 from beyond the arc to finish with 13 points. The Hawks (0-8) were led in scoring by Jack Collins, who finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Monmouth also got 12 points and two steals from Justin Ray. Madison Durr had seven points. The loss is the eighth straight for the Hawks. Presbyterian took the lead with 4:56 left in the first half and never looked back. Stewart led his team in scoring with 13 points in the first half to help put them ahead 45-32 at the break. Presbyterian used an 8-0 run in the second half to build a 17-point lead at 61-44 with 8:51 left in the half before finishing off the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. , the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo ( , Broadway's ) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart. It runs at 12.30pm or in Gold Class at 6pm. runs at 10am, 11.30am, 3.30pm and 6.30pm. For the young and young at heart, is playing at 10am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm and 8.30pm. Otherwise, action fans can settle in for from 7pm. or signup to continue reading Saddle up for the 69 annual Golden Spurs at Myrtleford. The rodeo is a family fun day where you can just kick back and enjoy the thrills and spills of a country rodeo. Held at the Myrtleford Showgrounds, the rodeo is in a natural amphitheatre with plenty of room for everyone to see and be part of the action. Big screen replays ensure you won't miss out on a thing. Gates open at 11am for junior and second division events and the main program starts at 4pm and runs until 10.30pm. Barrel races, team roping, saddle bronc and bareback riding build up the day's events to the open bull ride, where the bravest cowboys try to stay on for eight seconds on some of Australia's Happy Gill's best bucking bulls - Gold Bandit and Vertical Exit. The rodeo is fully catered, and there is a strict no BYO alcohol or glass policy. Patrons are urged to bring their own chair, jacket or blanket for the late evening. Pass-outs are available to get these items from your car. Entry: adults $35, teenagers $25 (13-17), children $15 (6-12), under 6 free, family $85. Camping $20 for the night of December 26. Ticket does not include rodeo entry. No free camping. Limited EFTPOS available (no cash out). The rodeo is run by volunteers with all proceeds donated back to the community. Do Christmas Recovery right at Cofield Wines. Savour tasty bites from food trucks while enjoying your favourite wines, beers and refreshing cocktails. The event will feature live performances, perfect for dancing the day away in the beautiful vineyard. Whether you're celebrating with friends or family, it's the perfect way to keep the holiday spirit alive. Don't miss out on this festive celebration of good food, great drinks and fantastic entertainment. Bookings: Put on your runners and make a beeline for the Boxing Day sales throughout the Border and North East. Stock up on homewares, active wear and cosmetics while the prices are rock bottom. It's also the best time to cash in your Christmas Day gift vouchers to get more bang for your buck. Frequent a local eatery to fuel up for the exercise. Then pace yourself! SOS The Australian ABBA Tribute show takes you back in time when ABBA ruled the world stage. From their debut of at Eurovision right up until today, ABBA's music has left a sparkle in our eyes and a beat in our hearts. The music of ABBA lives on with SOS, performing their greatest hits of hot disco tracks such as , unforgettable pop classics like and heart-clenching ballads like This full show, costumed, choreographed with a high-energy band, will make you believe you're seeing the real thing. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
Hall of WOKE: Eye-Opening Thread Shows How DEI Nonsense Has Tainted ScienceMark Few likes No. 3 Gonzaga's toughness after win over future Pac-12 'partner' SDSU
Intuit quarterly earnings beats estimates on AI-driven tool demandGeorgia has a new President and he is also a former Premier League soccer player. Georgia inaugurated on Sunday an ex-footballer turned far-right politician -- Mikheil Kavelashvili -- as Tbilisi's next figurehead president, after a controversial election process denounced as "illegitimate" by the current pro-EU leader, AFP reported. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Picked by the governing Georgian Dream party as a loyalist, the former forward for English Premier League champions Manchester City is known for his expletive-laden parliament speeches and tirades against government critics and LGBTQ people. He was voted into the role by an electoral college controlled by Georgian Dream, after the party abolished the use of popular votes to elect the president under controversial constitutional changes passed in 2017. Kavelashvili was the only candidate and his inauguration came amid a major political crisis -- thousands of anti-government protesters have staged daily rallies in Tbilisi for a month, outraged at Georgian Dream for shelving EU accession talks. Minutes before he took the oath in parliament, outgoing pro-Western leader Salome Zurabishvili said she remains the "country's only legitimate president." For the first time in Georgia's history, the swearing-in ceremony took place behind closed doors in parliament. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Protesters have described Kavelashvili as a "puppet" of billionaire oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, the country's de facto leader and Georgian Dream's founder. On Friday, Washington imposed sanctions on Ivanishvili, arguing he undermined the country's democratic future for Russia's benefit, the AFP report stated. Mikheil Kavelashvili Born in Georgia's tiny southwestern town of Bolnisi in 1971, Kavelashvili began his career as a professional footballer in the 1980s, playing for clubs in Georgia and Russia and becoming a striker for his country's national team. The 53-year-old played for Manchester City from 1995 to 1997, scoring on his debut against bitter crosstown rivals Manchester United. He then joined Swiss club Grasshoppers, where he spent most of his time on the bench, before stints elsewhere in Switzerland at Zurich, Luzern, Sion, Aarau and Basel. Kavelashvili was disqualified from running for president of the Georgian Football Federation in 2015 due to a lack of higher education -- a requirement for the role. He has served as an MP for Georgian Dream since 2016 and was elected to the legislature on the party's list in October 2024 polls that opposition groups say were rigged and have refused to recognise. FAQs Q1. When did Mikheil Kavelashvili play for Manchester City? A1. Mikheil Kavelashvili played for Manchester City from 1995 to 1997. Q2. Which clubs did Mikheil Kavelashvili play for? A2. After plying his trade in Manchester City, Mikheil Kavelashvili joined Swiss club Grasshoppers, where he spent most of his time on the bench, before stints elsewhere in Switzerland at Zurich, Luzern, Sion, Aarau and Basel. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
The Tesla Inc TSLA Cybertruck may be able to add President-elect Donald Trump to the list of celebrities who are fans of the unique electric vehicle after a recent visit to SpaceX . What Happened: The Cybertruck has attracted purchases from Tesla fans, celebrities and even been bought by some police departments . President-elect Trump recently traveled to Starbase in Texas to watch the sixth flight test of SpaceX's Starship, where he also interacted with Tesla CEO and friend Elon Musk. While pictures and videos of the visit have gone viral online, one of the items investors might be paying attention to is a video of a Cybertruck being in Trump's motorcade. "Cybertruck in the motorcade on Starbase," Trump's Deputy Director of Communications Margo Martin tweeted with a video. Cybertruck in the motorcade on Starbase 🚀🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/8u6ZtZeJW1 While it's unknown who was in the Cybertruck, the Tesla vehicle stood out as it was in the convoy of police and armored vehicles You may not be a billionaire like Elon Musk, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention. Why It's Important: Given the importance to protect Trump during travel given past assassination attempts on his life, the use of a Cybertruck in the convoy could signal the trust in the stainless steel vehicle said to be bulletproof. Investors will be watching to see if Cybertrucks could make their way into the president's convoy going forward or if this was only due to the close proximity to the SpaceX location. Trump was previously gifted a Cybertruck wrapped with an image of himself and featuring the words "Make America Great Again" on the hood by YouTuber Adin Ross. "That's an Elon. That is beautiful," Trump said when he saw the vehicle. Read Next: Elon Musk’s ‘Blade Runner’-Inspired Cybertruck Now Serves Pizza On The Side © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona
Jake Auchincloss sells State Street Corporation stock
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. 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BPU begins process to consider 8% increase in Atlantic City Electric rates Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 4,058 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed, with 76 flights canceled. The site had not posted any American Airlines flights on Tuesday morning, but showed in the afternoon that 961 American flights were delayed. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: Alert the airline, both in person and in writing, of any missing bags. Remember, the clock starts ticking immediately. After 21 days, the baggage is considered lost and the airline is liable for it and its contents. Contact the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or Canadian Transportation Agency , who will query the airline on your behalf and give them a 30-day deadline to respond. Usually, the airline will resolve the issue, but if it doesn't, or if you're unsatisfied with the offer, the next level is mediation. Beyond that, the case could move to adjudication, a court-like process with a panel deciding on the outcome. On international flights, you have up to two years to file litigation. If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: A plane must return to its gate after three hours on the tarmac. Minimum requirements will be set for procuring food, drink, lavatories, ventilation, and access to electronic communications during the delay. For larger airlines, payouts will range from $400 for a 3-6 hour delay, to $700 for 6-9 hours, and $1,000 for more than nine hours. For smaller carriers, the compensation would be $125, $250, and $500, respectively. Here's the loophole: If the delay is related to the air carrier's maintenance problems, no compensation is required. The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. 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