South

Southwest Airlines ends era of free checked bags as profit pressures mount

Published

7 months ago

May 28, 2025

Southwest Airlines ends era of free checked bags as profit pressures mount

Kaltbaum Capital Management President Gary Kaltbaum analyzes Nvidia and Southwest Airlines on ‘Varney & Co.’

Southwest Airlines is ending its long-standing policy of free checked bags and introducing a new basic fare on Wednesday as the carrier aims to attract new customers and boost profitability.

Most passengers will be charged $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for their second checked bag for flights booked and or changed on or after Wednesday, marking a major shift in its customer-friendly pricing model.

Still, Southwest, considered a “no-frills” carrier, said Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select or Choice Extra fares will receive two free checked bags for up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation. Additionally, A-List Members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will get one free checked bag as the carrier aims to encourage more people to join its loyalty program.

The carrier is simultaneously launching a new basic fare, which will be its cheapest but least flexible fare.

SOUTHWEST ENDING ITS OPEN SEATING POLICY

Travelers use a Southwest Airlines Co. self-check-in kiosk at Logan International Airport in Boston on Friday, July 19, 2019. ( Scott Eisen/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

CEO Bob Jordan said the changes, announced in March, are part of an effort “to meet current and future customer needs” as well as “attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today.”

However, unlike rival carriers, Southwest upheld a policy allowing passengers to check free bags, appealing to a wide range of budget-conscious travelers. The policy, along with open seating, helped the carrier distinguish itself as one of the first to adopt and maintain its low-cost model. However, in recent years, financial challenges have forced the airline to reevaluate its approach.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES EXITS MULTIPLE AIRPORTS AS BOEING TROUBLES WEIGH

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 aircraft as seen landing at dusk at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

To drive more revenue growth, Southwest announced in July that it would begin offering assigned seating and offering premium seating options on all flights – a move designed to boost profits by charging higher rates for premium seats across its entire network. The carrier has maintained a single economy-class cabin with open seating assignments for more than 50 years.

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
LUV	SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.	32.66	+1.71	+5.53%

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Reservations for flights with assigned seats are expected to start in the second half of 2025 for flights operating in 2026.

Later this year, the company will change the fare classes as well. In the third quarter of 2025, customers will choose between Choice Extra, which was formerly Business Select, Choice Preferred, formerly Anytime, and Choice, formerly Wanna Get Away Plus. The new fares will also have new seat options: Standard, Preferred and Extra Legroom, which will cost extra.

Southwest is working to gain more customers and increase revenue while navigating a complex landscape. The carrier withdrew its financial forecast last month because of economic uncertainty stemming from tariffs. It didn’t reaffirm its previous forecast of $1.7 billion in earnings before interest and taxes in 2025 and its outlook of about $3.8 billion in 2026.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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North Carolina

Fiery crash in Polk County leaves two dead; Highway Patrol

Published

20 minutes ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Fiery crash in Polk County leaves two dead; Highway Patrol

POLK COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Two people are dead after a truck ran off the road in Polk County, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

HIGHWAY PATROL SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IN FATAL HIT-AND-RUN THAT CLAIMED LIFE OF LEICESTER MAN

Highway patrol says the fatal collision occurred at approximately 12:55 p.m. when an F-150 was traveling east on North Carolina 108 near Farm Lane.

The truck ran off the road and struck a tree, catching fire and being consumed by the flames.

According to the Highway Patrol, the driver and passenger were trapped in the vehicle and died as a result of the collision and the fire.

UPDATE: MULTI-CAR CRASH ON ASHEVILLE BRIDGE NOW CLEARED

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Highway Patrol says it is working with the Medical Examiner’s Office to identify the deceased.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma City takes on Charlotte, looks for 4th straight home win

Published

38 minutes ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma City takes on Charlotte, looks for 4th straight home win

Charlotte Hornets (12-23, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (30-6, first in the Western Conference)

Oklahoma City; Monday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -15.5; over/under is 232.5

BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City hosts Charlotte looking to continue its three-game home winning streak.

The Thunder have gone 17-2 at home. Oklahoma City scores 121.9 points while outscoring opponents by 14.7 points per game.

The Hornets have gone 5-13 away from home. Charlotte ranks fourth in the league averaging 15.1 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 36.7% from downtown. Kon Knueppel leads the team averaging 3.6 makes while shooting 42.8% from 3-point range.

The Thunder’s 13.6 made 3-pointers per game this season are the same per game average that the Hornets allow. The Hornets are shooting 45.6% from the field, 2.5% higher than the 43.1% the Thunder’s opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Thunder won 109-96 in the last meeting on Nov. 16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points, and Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 15 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Chet Holmgren is averaging 18.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 25.0 points over the last 10 games.

Bridges is averaging 20.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 4.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 6-4, averaging 118.9 points, 42.5 rebounds, 24.7 assists, 9.9 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.3 points per game.

Hornets: 5-5, averaging 118.7 points, 45.6 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 7.6 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.8 points.

INJURIES: Thunder: Nikola Topic: out (groin), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee), Ousmane Dieng: out (calf), Jaylin Williams: out (heel), Isaiah Hartenstein: out (calf).

Hornets: Mason Plumlee: out (groin), Grant Williams: out (acl), Ryan Kalkbrenner: day to day (elbow), Tidjane Salaun: day to day (ankle), Moussa Diabate: day to day (wrist).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026

Published

1 hour ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Evening: 4-3-2, FB: 3

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Evening: 5-0-6-8, FB: 3

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

Evening: 06

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 4 drawing

03-15-21-28-31

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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