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

Published

6 months ago

September 24, 2025

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

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

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.

FLIGHT PASSENGER GETS TOO COMFORTABLE ON PLANE, SPARKING ETIQUETTE DEBATE

“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.

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

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle

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)

“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.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

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.

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

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

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.

Ashley J. DiMella is a Lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

Source link

Click to comment

These 4 Western NC towns are among WorldAtlas favorites for 2026

Published

17 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

These 4 Western NC towns are among WorldAtlas favorites for 2026

A new list from WorldAtlas named the publication’s top 10 favorite North Carolina towns of 2026, including several locations located in Western North Carolina.

Founded in 1994 by cartographer John Moen and his wife, Chris Woolwine-Moen, WorldAtlas publishes educational materials and articles on geography, sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics, and travel.

Previous Citizen Times articles have covered numerous mentions of Western North Carolina from WorldAtlas, including “idyllic” and “unpretentious” towns, scenic drives, a favorite downtown area, and more. In the new list, published March 9, WorldAtlas writers chose their all-time favorite North Carolina towns ― almost half of which were located in the western region of the state.

Here’s what WorldAtlas had to say about mountain North Carolina towns, plus the full list and more.

What to do in Banner Elk, N.C.

WorldAtlas noted the range of activities offered in Banner Elk throughout the year. The town sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains between the Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain ski resorts. Writers highlighted the following locations and activities in Banner Elk:

Wildcat Lake, which has a lifeguarded white-sand beach and is used for swimming, non-motorized boating and fishing for largemouth bass, trout, and bluegill
Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum, a museum located at Grandfather Mountain
The Mile High Swinging Bridge, the highest suspension footbridge in the United States, which visitors can cross on foot

What to do in Blowing Rock, N.C.

Also included on the WorldAtlas list, Blowing Rock takes its name from a rock formation where the wind appears to blow upward. The list highlighted the following locations and activities in Blowing Rock:

The town’s namesake, “Blowing Rock,” is a rock formation known for views of Johns River Gorge and the surrounding forest
Fishing, spelunking and rock climbing opportunities in the area
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, also known locally as “Cone Park,” which has hiking trails and is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Memorial Park on Main Street, where town events and concerts often take place

What to do in Brevard, N.C.

Brevard, also known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” is home to more than 200 waterfalls located across Transylvania County. WorldAtlas highlighted the following locations and activities in Brevard:

Museums, trails, rock climbing and the surrounding area’s many waterfalls
Guided Jeep and hiking tours to view waterfalls throughout Transylvania County
Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, a museum displaying artifacts from U.S. military conflicts
Transylvania Heritage Museum, a museum focused on local history and genealogy

What to do in Hot Springs, N.C.

Hot Springs’ name comes from the natural springs that attract visitors from across the state and region. The springs are commonly visited by hikers seeking relief after traveling along the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the town. WorldAtlas highlighted the following activities and events:

Kayaking on the French Broad River
Trailfest, a celebration of hiking typically held in April
French Broad River Festival, a celebration of the French Broad River held each year on the first weekend of May
White-water rafting and ziplining opportunities in the area
Fishing, skiing, sport shooting, golf, disc golf, biking and horseback riding opportunities throughout the area
A range of accommodations including campgrounds, privately owned cabins, apartments, suites and cottages, with options from basic to luxury experiences

WorldAtlas’s best towns in North Carolina

The full list of WorldAtlas’s favorite North Carolina towns of 2026 included:

Banner Elk
Beaufort
Blowing Rock
Brevard
Davidson
Edenton
Hot Springs
Seagrove
Manteo
Wrightsville Beach

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

Source link

Oklahoma

Severe weather threat increasing for Oklahoma tonight

Published

35 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Severe weather threat increasing for Oklahoma tonight

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Severe weather is still expected tonight across much of our area. In fact, the threats have increased since this morning due to more clearing skies in western Oklahoma. More sunshine means more instability to work with.

SPC Severe Weather Outlook. (KOKH)

Due to this, the Storm Prediction Center has increased all hazards for our part of Oklahoma. The strongest storms could produce winds up to 80 mph, baseball size hail, and a few tornadoes. This would be from essentially now until early Wednesday morning.

SPC Tornado Outlook. (KOKH)

The tornadic potential has increased across much of the area generally along and east of I-44/I-35.

The general thinking is that discrete supercells will form in western North Texas in the 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM window and begin to make their way towards southwest Oklahoma. These storms will then quickly go from being individual cells to more clusters of storms. This would increase the wind potential and make it possible for brief spinup tornadoes to form. These QLCS (quasi-linear convective systems) tornadoes can form and develop quickly.

Once the storms are generally east of I-35, there won’t be any more cells anymore and we’d be looking at a larger squall line. Check out the below model images for a look at the evolution of the storms tonight:

There is also the potential for very heavy rain with these storms too.

A cold front will sweep the storms away to the east tonight. After the front, strong northerly winds are possible. Due to this, there is a Wind Advisory Wednesday for parts of our area.

Wednesday Wind Gusts. (KOKH)

These strong winds will increase the fire danger Wednesday afternoon.

To stay up to date with the latest forecast, be sure to download the Fox 25 Weather App.

Download the Fox 25 First Warning Weather App. (KOKH)

Stay with Fox 25, we’ve got your back.

Source link

South-Carolina

Source: Lamont Paris returning to South Carolina next season

Published

59 minutes ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Source: Lamont Paris returning to South Carolina next season

NOTE: The above video is a livestream of WIS featuring current newscasts, Soda City Living and Gray Media’s Local News Live.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Lamont Paris will remain the head coach for South Carolina men’s basketball next season.

A source confirmed to WIS that Paris will return for his fifth season at the helm.

The Gamecocks have gone 62-67 under Paris, which included an NCAA Tournament appearance during the 2023-24 season. In the two seasons since, however, South Carolina has gone 12-20 and 13-18, respectively.

Paris’s tenure has also included a 23-49 record against the SEC as of Tuesday.

The Gamecocks will face Oklahoma on Wednesday in the first round of the SEC Tournament in Nashville. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. The game will also be televised on the SEC Network.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.

Source link