South
Two Southwest flight attendants hurt after jet dives to avoid mid-air collision
WASHINGTON: Two flight attendants on a Southwest Airlines flight departing Burbank, California, were injured on Friday after pilots took evasive action to dodge another aircraft on takeoff, the airline said.
Southwest Flight 1496 sharply descended nearly 500 feet, according to flight tracking websites, marking the second time in a week that a US commercial jet was forced to make abrupt flight maneuvers to avoid a potential mid-air collision.
The incident also appeared to be the fourth involving military aircraft since March.
The airline and the Federal Aviation Administration said the Southwest pilots took action after receiving cockpit alerts of other aircraft traffic being dangerously close. The Southwest Boeing 737 continued on to Las Vegas, where it landed uneventfully.
Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 identified the other aircraft as a Hawker Hunter fighter jet – British-built aircraft – that crossed in front of the Southwest flight.
The planes came within 7.82km of each other laterally and 107m vertically. The US Air Force and Defense Department did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the military jet’s presence near Burbank.
The FAA was investigating.
Two flight attendants were treated for injuries, the airline said, without providing detail.
No injuries were immediately reported by passengers, according to Southwest. But one passenger told Fox News Digital the sharp descent stirred panic onboard.
“It was terrifying. We really thought we were plummeting to a plane crash,” Caitlin Burdi said in an on-camera interview. After the incident, “the pilot came on (the intercom), and he told us we almost collided with another plane.”
According to a statement from Southwest, the incident began when its crew responded to “two onboard traffic alerts” while taking off from the Hollywood Burbank Airport north of Los Angeles, “requiring them to climb and descend to comply with the alerts.”
Three earlier close calls
In a separate incident one week ago, a SkyWest Airlines jet operating as a Delta Connection flight from Minneapolis reported taking evasive action to avoid a possible collision with a US Air Force bomber during a landing approach over North Dakota on July 18.
The FAA said on Monday it was investigating last Friday’s near-miss incident involving SkyWest Flight 3788, an Embraer ERJ-175 regional jet, which landed safely at Minot, North Dakota.
The Air Force confirmed a B-52 jet bomber assigned to Minot Air Force Base had conducted a ceremonial flyover of the North Dakota State Fair last Friday around the time of the SkyWest incident.
The Air Force said the bomber cockpit crew was in contact with local air traffic control before, during and after the flyover, and that the Minot International Airport control tower “did not advise of the inbound commercial aircraft” as the B-52 was departing the area.
The FAA has said that air traffic services were provided by the Minot air traffic control tower, which is run by a private company and not FAA employees.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating a March 28 close call involving a Delta Airbus A319 jet and a group of Air Force jets near Reagan Washington National Airport. The four Air Force T-38 Talons were heading to nearby Arlington National Cemetery for a flyover at the time.
There has been intense focus on military traffic near civilian airplanes since an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet on January 29 near Reagan National, killing 67 people.
In early May, the FAA barred Army helicopter flights around the Pentagon after another near miss.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club announced a partnership with Arsenal Football Development, the global coaching and development program of Arsenal Football Club.
The partnership connects Augusta Arsenal to Arsenal’s player development model. The club said it will bring coaching education, training methodology and development opportunities to players and coaches.
Augusta Arsenal coaches will participate in a development curriculum designed to elevate training standards and player growth. Players will benefit from expanded development opportunities, including access to training resources and future programming connected to Arsenal’s global network.
Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club was founded in 1982. The club serves over 700 players and families across the CSRA.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Austin, TX
Austin Shower Glass Expands Custom Shower Glass Services to Meet Growing Demand in Austin, TX
AUSTIN, TX – April 30, 2026 – As residential design trends continue to evolve across Austin, homeowners are placing greater emphasis on modern, functional bathroom spaces. Austin Shower Glass is responding to this shift by expanding its custom shower glass services to support increasing demand for tailored, design-focused glass installations throughout the region.
The growing preference for clean, open bathroom layouts has led to a rise in demand for frameless and custom shower glass solutions. Austin Shower Glass operates within this evolving market by providing installations designed to enhance both visual appeal and everyday usability. The company’s approach aligns with broader industry trends that prioritize minimalism, natural light, and efficient use of space.
As more homeowners in Austin and surrounding areas invest in bathroom upgrades, custom shower glass has become a central feature in modern remodeling projects. Rather than relying on standard designs, many homeowners are choosing solutions that are measured and fabricated specifically for their spaces, allowing for greater flexibility and a more refined finish.
Within this context, Austin Shower Glass offers services that include custom shower glass installation, shower glass replacement, and tailored glass solutions for a wide range of bathroom layouts. Each project is approached with attention to detail, focusing on precise measurements, secure installation, and long-term performance.
“Homeowners today are prioritizing both design and functionality when upgrading their bathrooms,” said a company representative. “Custom shower glass allows for a more personalized solution that enhances the overall feel of the space while supporting daily use.”
Austin’s continued population growth and ongoing residential development have contributed to increased demand for modern interior upgrades, including custom glass installations. Austin Shower Glass serves this demand by delivering professional shower glass solutions tailored to the needs of homeowners across the area.
For more information about custom shower glass services in Austin, TX, visit https://austinshowerglass.com/ or click here to get directions.
About Austin Shower Glass
Austin Shower Glass is an Austin, Texas-based company specializing in custom shower glass installation, shower glass replacement, and modern glass solutions for residential spaces. The company focuses on delivering high-quality, precision-based installations designed to enhance both functionality and design.
Media Contact
Company Name: Austin Shower Glass
Contact Person: Stefan F.
Email: Send Email
Phone: +17374653141
Address:12600 Hill Country Blvd R-275
City: Bee Cave
State: Texas
Country: United States
Website: https://austinshowerglass.com/
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Alabama’s new grocery tax holiday starts May 1 and runs through the end of June.
For the first time since sales tax was created in 1939, shoppers in the state will not pay state tax on groceries.
House Bill 527 became law in early April. For the next three years, Alabamians will get two months without the 2 percent grocery tax.
State representative Mike Shaw added the holiday to the bill that Huntsville representative James Lomax sponsored.
According to the USDA, the average family of four spends around $1,000 a month on groceries. Without the 2 percent tax, that family would save around $40 by the end of the two-month holiday.
“One thing I hear from my constituents all the time is, when are we going to get rid of the grocery tax?” Shaw said. “Because we’re doing it in an incremental way, every step doesn’t sound like a lot. But when you add the 2 percent, we’ve already cut and the 2 percent of the grocery tax holiday, it’s going to be a significant chunk of cash in people’s pockets over time.”
The grocery tax has already been slashed in half since 2023.
Shopper Kelli Taylor said any break helps.
“Last month I could fill my vehicle up for 60 bucks. Last week, it was 93 dollars, so everything’s going up,” Taylor said. “So, to me, any break is a welcomed break, and 2 percent is a lot more than 0 percent, so I’ll take it,” Taylor said.
Alabama is one of only eight states that still has a grocery tax. Shaw said lawmakers will keep pushing toward eliminating it entirely.
An important part is making sure the Education Trust Fund (ETF) can handle it, which has lost millions of dollars of grocery tax funding since the cuts.
The holiday only applies to the state tax. Local city and county sales taxes on food remain in effect.
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