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‘Fire incidents’ cited by Southwest in new policy applying to wheelchair travelers

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‘Fire incidents’ cited by Southwest in new policy applying to wheelchair travelers


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Southwest Airlines will be making a change to its boarding process that impacts travelers with wheelchairs and scooters. 

In a recent message sent to employees, Dave Hunt, vice president of safety and security at the airline, said there will be a new safety requirement regarding lithium-powered mobility devices.

“Beginning Sept. 25, customers will be required to take out removable lithium batteries from their mobility device(s) before boarding and carry them into the cabin,” according to the memo.

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“These batteries will not count as a customer’s carry-on or personal item.”

A new size requirement will be put in place by Jan. 11, 2026, restricting lithium batteries to 300 watt-hours or fewer.

Southwest Airlines is changing the boarding process for mobility device users due to fire risks associated with lithium batteries.  (iStock)

“Lithium batteries have become one of the most common sources of smoke and fire incidents on aircraft,” the memo states. 

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“While these events are rare, quick access and visibility are critical to keeping everyone onboard safe.”

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The Texas-based airline said it will be among the first U.S. carriers to adopt these standards. 

A spokesperson for the airline told Fox News Digital it has begun notifying the affected customers with travel planned for Sept. 25 and onward. 

The new policy by Southwest requires that passengers with wheelchairs or scooters must remove lithium batteries before boarding, starting Sept. 25. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

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“While this change applies to less than 0.1% of our customers, we remain committed to supporting each individual who may be affected,” the guidance also said. 

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Earlier this year, Southwest updated its policy requiring portable chargers to remain visible while in use during a flight. 

A new size requirement will be put in place by Jan. 11, 2026, restricting lithium batteries to 300 watt-hours or fewer. (iStock)

Passengers may bring up to 20 spare batteries on the flight with them, according to Southwest’s website. 

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In July, a lithium battery exploded in a passenger’s bag on a Delta flight from Atlanta. 

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The flight, which was headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was diverted, with flight attendants extinguishing the device and declaring an emergency, as Fox 5 and other outlets reported. 



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North Carolina

2 Candidates Emerge in NC State’s Coaching Search

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2 Candidates Emerge in NC State’s Coaching Search


RALEIGH — NC State replaced Kevin Keatts with Will Wade in March 2025, introducing him 368 days ago in front of the Wolfpack community at Reynolds Coliseum. A little over a year later, Wade decided to leave his new program to return to LSU, the school that fired him for cause in 2022, beginning a long journey back to Power Four basketball.

Now, athletic director Boo Corrigan and the rest of the NC State administration must find a new leader for the men’s basketball program. To make matters more complicated, they won’t have a lot of time to do so, as the new head coach needs to be in place firmly before April 7, the day the transfer portal opens. However, early noise indicates the group in charge has eyes on two candidates.


Who are the candidates?

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Mar 29, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack athletic director Boo Corrigan before the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Marquette Golden Eagles at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

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According to multiple reports, Corrigan and other power brokers at NC State zeroed in on Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz and Tennessee associate head coach Justin Gainey as the primary two candidates for the opening. Both names were expected to be in the mix as soon as the Wade exit became more and more likely, although Corrigan shared no specific names during his Thursday press conference.

The NC State University Board of Trustees hosted an emergency meeting on Friday, with the primary subject being Wade’s buyout negotiation. Of course, speculation began quickly that there were discussions about the next coach of the Wolfpack, but that’s been confirmed not to be the case in the behind-closed-doors meeting for the board.

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Even so, it seems as though NC State plans on making a strong push for Schertz first, despite his status as head coach at Saint Louis still and his recent agreement to a contract extension. That certainly makes things more complicated, but hiring Schertz would allow NC State to maintain any sort of positive momentum established by Wade and his regime in Raleigh. Still, Corrigan isn’t totally committed to a sitting head coach.

“I don’t think it has to be a sitting head coach at this point,” Corrigan said. “I think we want to find someone that knows how to coach and is a great coach, and has the ability to connect with people, both internal and external, with the players, be able to recruit. You have to be a good recruiter in this day and age.”

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Nov 12, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack Athletic Director Boo Corrigan looks on during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Eagles won 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

NC State will move as quickly as it possibly can, with Gainey and Schertz atop the list. That doesn’t rule out other options entirely, but all signs point to one of them being the most likely to be the next coach of the Wolfpack, ending the Will Wade era as quickly as it started.

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Oklahoma

Rapper Snoop Dogg to star in, produce ‘God of the Rodeo’ film shot in Oklahoma

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Rapper Snoop Dogg to star in, produce ‘God of the Rodeo’ film shot in Oklahoma


Rapper and hip hop icon Snoop Dogg is set to produce and star in a feature film that will be shot in Oklahoma this year.

“God of the Rodeo” is based on a 1998 book from New York-based journalist and author Daniel Bergner, who reported on inmates competing in a controversial rodeo inside Louisiana’s Angola Prison in the 1960s. According to Deadline, the film centers around Bucckey, an inmate serving a life sentence who “finds a glimmer of redemption” through the rodeo. Snoop’s role has not yet been announced.

The film is directed by Rosalind Ross, who is best known for writing, directing and executive producing “Father Stu.” Snoop will produce alongside Sara Ramker, Giannina Scott and Ridley Scott, Deadline reports.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce confirmed to News 9 on Friday “God of the Rodeo” was pre-approved for the state’s film incentive program through Oklahoma Film + Music.

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Filming is scheduled in Oklahoma for June 15 through July 31, according to Oklahoma Film + Music’s website. The website also lists Tulsa-based production company Rebellium Films as working on the film. Filming locations have not been announced yet.





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SC measles outbreak remains stalled with no new cases reported

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SC measles outbreak remains stalled with no new cases reported


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Not long ago, it appeared almost certain that the measles outbreak centered in Spartanburg would surpass 1,000 cases.

Now that case total may be unlikely.

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On March 27, DPH reported no new infections. The total number of cases remains at 997, where it has stood since March 17, when DPH reported one new infection.

There is currently one person in quarantine, according to the March 27 DPH update.

The measles outbreak began in October and grew somewhat slowly until the Christmas holidays. In January, the number of cases exploded—from 185 on Jan. 2 to 847 on Jan. 30.

In a March 25 media briefing, state epidemiologist Linda Bell was asked about the declining number of cases.

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She credited an uptick in vaccinations in January and February, as well as DPH efforts to identify cases quickly and quarantine people who were infected or exposed.

If no new infections occur, DPH officials said the outbreak could be declared ended on April 26.

DPH officials explained that it takes 42 days with no new infections, “to declare an end to a measles outbreak. This is double the number of days for an incubation period (21 days) and a clear indicator of a broken transmission chain.”

Bell said DPH is asking school nurses and physicians’ offices to report any possible measles symptoms.

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She added that health officials are keeping an eye on spring break — April 6-10 for public schools in Spartanburg County — as families might travel for vacation or to visit family members. People lacking immunity could be at risk.

“We remain vigilant,” Bell said, stressing that the two-dose MMR vaccine is the most effective protection against the spread of measles.



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