Maine
Map: A look at helicopter traffic patterns over D.C.
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Before an American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter near the Reagan National Airport, lawmakers had raised concerns about the increasingly congested airspace above the Washington, D.C., area.
Several helicopter routes pass by and even over DCA, including the one followed by the Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the inbound American Airlines flight on Wednesday. The recommended maximum altitude for helicopters on this route is 200 feet. AA Flight 5342’s last transmitted altitude was approximately 300 feet.
Reagan National, the smallest of three major airports in the region, is home to the country’s busiest runway, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Its runways were originally built to accommodate about 15 million passengers annually, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, told NPR on Thursday. The runways now see well over 20 million a year.
“Those of us who represent the region have often tried to make the case that, listen, we’ve got a couple of other airports here,” Sen. Kaine told NPR’s Steve Inskeep on Morning Edition. “Let’s spread the traffic out among the airports because this congestion issue has been a concern.”
Commercial planes also share the skies with helicopters. Over a three-year period ending in 2019, there were about 88,000 helicopter flights within 30 miles of Reagan National Airport, including about 33,000 military and 18,000 law enforcement flights, according to a Government Accountability Office report published in 2021.
Copyright 2025 NPR
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The Winter Olympics continue in Milan Cortina, Italy, with snowboarding events taking center stage.
Snowboarding, which debuted at the Olympics in Japan in 1998, has been a stronghold for the United States.
The U.S. leads the medal count in the sport, boasting 35 medals, including 17 gold.
Among the American champions is Seth Wescott, a Mainer who claimed gold in 2006 and 2010.
In this segment, Wescott discusses the 2026 Games and reflects on his past Olympic experiences.
The Maine Principals Association (MPA) high school basketball tournament begins in the coming days, so here’s the entire girls statewide schedule.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P2: #10-Kennebunk (7-11) at #7-Thornton Academy (10-8), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P3: #11-Massabesic (5-13) at #6-Westbrook (11-7)
Thursday, Feb. 12
P1: #9-Scarborough (7-11) at #8-Gorham (10-8), 6 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Portland Expo
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G1: #5-Windham (12-6) vs. #4-Biddeford (15-3), 5 p.m.
G2: P3 winner vs. #3-South Portland (16-2), 1 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Sanford (16-2), 2:45 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Cheverus (17-1), 6:45 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Portland Expo
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 1 p.m.
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 2:45 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Arena, Portland
Saturday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Friday, Feb. 13
G1: #5-Bangor (13-5) vs. #4-Edward Little (14-4), 7 p.m.
G2: #6-Brunswick (7-11) vs. #3-Camden Hills (15-3), 4 p.m.
G3: #7-Lewiston (9-9) vs. #2-Hampden Academy (14-4), 5:30 p.m.
G4: #8-Skowhegan (8-10) vs. #1-Mt. Ararat (17-1), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 2 p.m.
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 3:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Friday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P1: #9-Yarmouth (9-9) at #8-Freeport (8-10), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P2: #10-Lake Region (7-11) at #7-Leavitt (8-10)
QUARTERFINALS
at Portland Expo
Friday, Feb. 13
G1: #5-Marshwood (13-5) vs. #4-Greely (13-5), 5 p.m.
G2: #6-Poland (12-6) vs. #3-York (12-6), 1 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Oceanside (17-1), 2:45 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Gray-New Gloucester (17-1), 6:45 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Portland Expo
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 5 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 6:45 p.m.
FINAL
at Portland Expo
Friday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P1: #9-Cony (10-8) at #8-Erskine Academy (14-4), 6 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Friday, Feb. 13
G2: #6-Mt. Desert Island (12-6) vs. #3-Lawrence (13-5), 7 p.m.
G3: #7-Ellsworth (11-7) vs. #2-Old Town (14-4), 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14
G1: #5-Hermon (10-8) vs. #4-Presque Isle (13-5), 7 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Gardiner (17-1), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 7 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Friday, Feb. 20, 8:30 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P2: #10-Traip Academy (6-12) at #7-Dirigo (9-9), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P1: #9-Hall-Dale (5-13) at #8-Mt. View (9-9)
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G1: #5-Winthrop (9-9) vs. #4-Oak Hill (12-6), 7 p.m.
G2: #6-Winslow (10-8) vs. #3-Wells (16-2), 4 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Maranacook (15-3), 5:30 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Spruce Mountain (17-1), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 2 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 3:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P1: #9-Washington Academy (5-13) at #8-Orono (7-11), 6 p.m.
P2: #10-Central (6-12) at #7-Sumner (8-10), 6 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Monday, Feb. 16
G2: #6-Calais (8-10) vs. #3-Foxcroft Academy (15-3), 7 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-George Stevens (16-2), 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G1: #5-Caribou (9-9) vs. #4-Dexter/Piscataquis (10-8), 7 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Mattanawcook Academy (18-0), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 7 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 21, 8:30 p.m.
Class D South
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Monday, Feb. 16
G1: #5-Old Orchard Beach (12-6) vs. #4-Monmouth Academy (10-8), noon
G2: #6-Madison (9-9) vs. #3-Carrabec (15-3), 9 a.m.
G3: #7-Boothbay (5-13) vs. #2-Buckfield (15-3), 10:30 a.m.
G4: #8-North Yarmouth Academy (5-13) vs. #1-Mt. Abram (15-3), 1:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 10 a.m.
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 11:30 a.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P1: #9-Stearns (7-11) at #8-Schenck (7-11), 6 p.m.
P2: #10-Fort Fairfield (7-11) at #7-Narraguagus (9-9), 5 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 14
G2: #6-Woodland (9-9) vs. #3-Central Aroostook (17-1), noon
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Machias (16-2), 1:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 16
G1: #5-Southern Aroostook (14-4) vs. #4-Penobscot Valley (13-5), noon
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Bangor Christian (18-0), 1:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 10 a.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 11:30 a.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Tuesday, Feb. 10
G1: #5-Ashland (10-8) vs. #4-Deer Isle-Stonington (10-8), 7:30 p.m.
G2: #6-Shead (7-11) vs. #3-Jonesport-Beals (9-8), 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 12
G3: #7-Van Buren (7-11) vs. #2-Katahdin (15-2), 6 p.m.
G4: #8-Easton (6-12) vs. #1-Wisdom (16-1), 3 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, noon
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 1:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Wednesday, Feb. 11
G3: #7-Greenville (4-14) vs. #2-Forest Hills (14-4), 3:30 p.m.
G4: #8-Rangeley (2-15) vs. #1-Valley (16-1), 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 12
G1: #5-North Haven (8-8) vs. #4-Temple Academy (11-7), 2 p.m.
G2: #6-Pine Tree Academy (8-9) vs. #3-Vinalhaven (15-3), 5 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 9 a.m.
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 10:30 a.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 27
CLASS B
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
North winner vs. South winner, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28
CLASS A
at Cross Insurance Arena, Portland
North winner vs. South winner, 6:05 p.m.
CLASS C
at Augusta Civic Center
North winner vs. South winner, 7:05 p.m.
CLASS D
at Augusta Civic Center
North winner vs. South winner, 2:35 p.m.
CLASS S
at Augusta Civic Center
North winner vs. South winner, 11:05 a.m.
The Maine Principals Association (MPA) high school basketball tournament kicks off this week, so here’s the entire boys statewide schedule.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P1: #9-Kennebunk (11-7) at #8-Scarborough (11-7)
P2: #10-Bonny Eagle (10-8) at #7-Westbrook (13-5)
P3: #11-Falmouth (7-11) at #6-Portland (12-6)
QUARTERFINALS
at Portland Expo
Saturday, Feb. 14
G1: #5-Cheverus (10-8) vs. #4-Thornton Academy (12-6), 5 p.m.
G2: P3 winner vs. #3-South Portland (15-3), 1 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Sanford (17-1), 2:45 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Windham (16-2), 6:45 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Portland Expo
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 6 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 7:45 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Arena, Portland
Saturday, Feb. 21, 7:45 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 14
G1: #5-Lewiston (10-8) vs. #4-Bangor (10-8), 7 p.m.
G2: #6-Mt. Blue (10-8) vs. #3-Brunswick (14-4), 4 p.m.
G3: #7-Hampden Academy (9-9) vs. #2-Edward Little (14-4), 5:30 p.m.
G4: #8-Skowhegan (8-10) vs. #1-Camden Hills (17-1), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 7 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Friday, Feb. 20, 8:30 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P1: #9-Gray-New Gloucester (6-12) at #8-Cape Elizabeth (8-10)
P2: #10-Lincoln Academy (5-13) at #7-Oceanside (9-9)
QUARTERFINALS
at Portland Expo
Monday, Feb. 16
G1: #5-Leavitt (11-7) vs. #4-Yarmouth (14-4), 5 p.m.
G2: #6-Poland (12-6) vs. #3-Lake Region (15-3), 1 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Medomak Valley (15-3), 2:45 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-York (17-1), 6:45 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Portland Expo
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 5 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 6:45 p.m.
FINAL
at Portland Expo
Friday, Feb. 20, 7:45 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P1: #9-Nokomis (5-13) at #8-Presque Isle (9-9)
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Friday, Feb. 13
G2: #6-Erskine Academy (14-4) vs. #3-Gardiner (15-3), 4 p.m.
G3: #7-Belfast (7-11) vs. #2-Hermon (16-2), 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14
G1: #5-Ellsworth (14-4) vs. #4-Mt. Desert Island (15-3), 4 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Cony (16-2), 5:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 2 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 3:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Friday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P1: #9-Wells (9-9) at #8-Oak Hill (9-9), 6 p.m.
P2: #10-Winslow (8-10) at #7-Dirigo (11-7), 6 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Monday, Feb. 16
G1: #5-Mt. View (11-7) vs. #4-Sacopee Valley (12-6), 7 p.m.
G2: #6-Waynflete (9-8) vs. #3-Maranacook (14-4), 4 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Hall-Dale (14-4), 5:30 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Spruce Mountain (16-2), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 7 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 21, 8:30 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P1: #9-Dexter (8-10) at #8-Calais (8-10)
P2: #10-Bucksport (5-13) at #7-Orono (11-7)
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Monday, Feb. 16
G2: #6-Sumner (11-7) vs. #3-Fort Kent (12-6), 4 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Mattanawcook Academy (15-3), 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G1: #5-Washington Academy (11-7) vs. #4-Foxcroft Academy (14-4), 4 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Caribou (15-3), 5:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 2 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 3:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 14
G1: #5-Wiscasset (13-5) vs. #4-Carrabec (11-7), noon
G2: #6-Buckfield (8-10) vs. #3-Madison (12-6), 9 a.m.
G3: #7-Telstar (6-12) vs. #2-Monmouth Academy (13-5), 10:30 a.m.
G4: #8-Old Orchard Beach (6-12) vs. #1-Mt. Abram (14-4), 1:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 10 a.m.
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 11:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P1: #9-Schenck (10-8) at #8-Central Aroostook (12-6)
P2: #10-Stearns (12-6) at #7-Penobscot Valley (11-7)
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 14
G2: #6-Woodland (11-7) vs. #3-Fort Fairfield (15-3), 9 a.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Madawaska (15-3), 10:30 a.m.
Monday, Feb. 16
G1: #5-Hodgdon (12-6) vs. #4-Bangor Christian (16-2), 9 a.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Machias (17-1), 10:30 a.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 10 a.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 11:30 a.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Tuesday, Feb. 10
G1: #5-Shead (8-10) vs. #4-Washburn (9-9), 3 p.m.
G4: #8-Deer Isle-Stonington (2-16) vs. #1-Jonesport-Beals (11-7), 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 12
G2: #7-Van Buren (5-13) vs. #3-Katahdin (10-8), 7:30 p.m.
G3: #6-Wisdom (5-13) vs. #2-Easton (12-6), 4:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 9 a.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 10:30 a.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Wednesday, Feb. 11
G2: #6-Temple Academy (5-13) vs. #3-Forest Hills (12-6), 2 p.m.
G4: #8-Greenville (2-16) vs. #1-Valley (16-2), 5 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 12
G1: #5-Vinalhaven (5-11) vs. #4-Islesboro (8-8), 3:30 p.m.
G3: #7-Rangeley (3-14) vs. #2-Pine Tree Academy (12-4), 6:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, noon
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 1:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 27
CLASS B
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
North winner vs. South winner, 8:45 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28
CLASS A
at Cross Insurance Arena, Portland
North winner vs. South winner, 7:45 p.m.
CLASS C
at Augusta Civic Center
North winner vs. South winner, 8:45 p.m.
CLASS D
at Augusta Civic Center
North winner vs. South winner, 4:15 p.m.
CLASS S
at Augusta Civic Center
North winner vs. South winner, 12:45 p.m.
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