National News - Page 2

Trump draws criticism from Congress and Civil Rights leaders for blaming DEI for National Airport Crash

By Hamil R. Harris The icy waters of the Potomac River claimed the lives of 67 people who died after an American Airlines jet collided with an Army helicopter just a few yards from Reagan National Airport. The fatal mid-air collision is similar to the incident involving an Air Florida jet that crashed into the Potomac in January of 1982. 74 passengers died attempting to land at the airport across the river from the US Capitol. Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Fire Chief John Donnelly mobilized search and rescue assets from the District, Maryland, and Virginia who worked all

Howard University Law Professor Among Victims of Deadly Plane Crash

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Written By Micarie Kemp Howard University is mourning the loss of Professor Kiah Duggins, who was among the victims of Wednesday’s tragic mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport. Duggins, a civil rights attorney, was set to begin teaching at Howard University School of Law this fall. The university confirmed in a statement that she was aboard the American Airlines flight that collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter before crashing into the Potomac River. Officials report that all 64 people aboard the two aircrafts were killed. Howard University says Duggins was an advocate committed to justice and reform. Before

Woolworth’s Sit-In Site Honored as National Historic Landmark

On Feb. 1, 1960, Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair Jr.), Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain Sr., and David Richmond—known as the A&T Four—broke racial barriers by sitting at the Woolworth’s whites-only lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their nonviolent protest quickly garnered attention and support, inspiring local college and high school students to join their cause. This act of courage not only catalyzed similar demonstrations across the country but also played a crucial role in including public accommodations as a protected category in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “Their sit-in inspired thousands of people to demand equal treatment in shops, restaurants, and

Trump signs sweeping executive order to expand school choice

By Yamiche Alcindor, Rebecca Shabad and Dareh Gregorian  President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order Wednesday that would prioritize and free up federal funding to expand school choice programs. The order impacts several federal departments and directs the Education Department to prioritize school choice programs through its discretionary grants, in addition to issuing guidance to states about federal allocations to districts and schools, a senior White House official said. “Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Education shall issue guidance regarding how States can use Federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives,” the order says. The order,

The latest on the fatal midair plane and helicopter crash

By Ayana Archie Authorities are continuing to investigate a midair collision between an American Airlines airliner and an Army helicopter, in which the aircraft fell into the icy Potomac River near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night. All 67 passengers, crew members and Army service members are believed to have died. Here is what we know so far. How did it happen? A regional American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members traveling from Wichita, Kan., was moments from landing when it collided with an Army Blackhawk helicopter carrying three U.S. service members, shortly before 9

Trump’s Cabinet nominees face sharpest bipartisan grilling to date and other takeaways from Thursday’s confirmation hearings

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By Jeremy Herb, Katie Bo Lillis, Annie Grayer and Lauren Fox, CNN Three of President Donald Trump’s most controversial nominees faced sharp questions in the Senate during hearings Thursday from Democrats as well as several Republican senators in what amounted to the most direct skepticism from GOP senators over Trump’s nominees to date. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to be Health and Human Services secretary, was pressed on his views on vaccines by GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who said he had “reservations” about Kennedy’s past positions on vaccine safety. And Tulsi Gabbard, who has been tapped to be the director of national

HBCU Legal Expert Nominated as State’s Secretary of Labor

Courtesy of Delaware State University LaKresha Moultrie, Delaware State University’s vice president of legal affairs, has been nominated by Governor-elect Matt Meyer to serve as the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor. She will bring her extensive legal and managerial experience to this crucial role within the state government. Moultrie’s nomination, which is pending confirmation by the State Senate, signals a commitment by the new administration to bolster workforce development and advocate for equitable opportunities across the state. In a press release, Governor-elect Meyer praised Moultrie’s proven track record: “LaKresha brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a deep

Dozens feared dead after American Eagle jet and Army helicopter collide and crash into Potomac River

By Megan Lebowitz and Raquel Coronell Uribe  A commercial plane and a military helicopter collided midair near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night. Both of the aircraft — an American Eagle jet and Army Black Hawk — are in the Potomac River. There were 64 people on the plane and three in the helicopter. The incident occurred shortly before 9 p.m. ET. The number of casualties is unclear, as a search-and-rescue operation is ongoing. President Donald Trump said in a statement Wednesday night that he has been fully briefed on the crash. He thanked first responders and said he “will provide more

Trump reinstates military members who refused COVID vaccine

By Avery Lotz President Trump reinstated members of the military who were dismissed because they refused to receive the COVID vaccine in an executive order late Monday. Why it matters: The order reverses the dismissals by the Biden administration, restoring thousands of service members to their previous rank and providing them with back pay and benefits. Catch up quick: More than 8,000 service members were discharged for refusing to get vaccinated under a 2021 memorandum. The military’s vaccine mandate was rescinded in early 2023 after it was lifted in an annual defense spending bill. Driving the news: “The vaccine mandate was an unfair, overbroad, and completely unnecessary burden on our service

Trump’s funding freeze creates widespread confusion

In a significant policy move, President Donald Trump has initiated a comprehensive freeze on federal financial assistance, aiming to align government spending with his administration’s priorities. This directive, issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), halts the disbursement of federal grants and loans as the administration reviews existing programs.   Scope and Rationale The freeze encompasses a wide array of federal financial assistance programs, including grants to state and local governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. Essential services such as Social Security benefits and food aid are exempt from this pause. The administration asserts that this measure is