Washington, D.C
Hundreds of FAA workers fired after deadly D.C. plane crash by Trump administration
Hundreds of FAA workers fired
The Trump administration has fired hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration employees. This comes less than a month after a deadly plane crash in Washington D.C.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Trump administration has fired hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration employees.
This comes less than a month after a deadly plane crash in Washington D.C.
Trump administration fires FAA employees
The backstory:
Last week, probationary workers received e-mails notifying them of the layoffs.
“Around 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, hundreds of employees received messages from an executive order Microsoft address notifying them that they were fired,” said David Spero, the professional aviation safety specialists’ president.
Spero says there could be more emails to come, and employees could also be banned from entering FAA buildings by Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Among those fired were those that worked for FAA radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance. As well as those working on an urgent and classified early warning radar system.
The Trump administration referred to the aviation equipment as outdated following the deadly plane crash that killed 67 people last month.
Latest on DC mid-air crash
The NTSB is sharing new details from their investigation into the collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane over the Potomac River. FOX’s Shaun Rabb has the latest.
“We should have had better equipment. We don’t. We have obsolete equipment. They were understaffed for whatever reason,” says President Trump.
“If you look at these old, antiquated air traffic control systems, it really does look like a video game that is 30 years old,” says Vice President JD Vance.
Senator Maria Cantwell recently asked the Transportation Department to bar Elon Musk from any involvement in efforts to reform air traffic control.
“It’s a clear conflict of interest. And Secretary Duffy should make sure that Mr. Musk is not part of the FAA air transportation system. He has been fined for violations,” says Washington Senator Maria Cantwell.
Air traffic controller shortage in Austin
What they’re saying:
The firing comes at a time when DOGE and the Trump administration are looking to cut back on federal spending, and while there is already a shortage of air traffic controllers.
The FAA says only 53% of 60 controller positions are filled in Austin.
“We are in the top five airports with the greatest shortage of air traffic controllers,” says Congressman Lloyd Doggett.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Tan Radford and previous coverage
Washington, D.C
Flu cases surging around DMV region
Flu cases surging around DMV region
Flu cases are climbing sharply across the D.C. region, with new CDC data showing at least 11 million cases nationwide so far. Health officials say a new variant now accounts for roughly 90% of recent infections.
WASHINGTON – Flu cases are climbing sharply across the D.C. region, with new CDC data showing at least 11 million cases nationwide so far. Health officials say a new variant now accounts for roughly 90% of recent infections.
FOX 5’s Stephanie Ramirez says local health departments are urging residents not to wait if they start feeling sick.
READ MORE: Maryland health officials warn of flu surge as hospitalizations rise statewide
The dominant strain this season is H3N2 subclade K, which has been circulating since September. So far, the flu season has led to an estimated 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths, with older adults hit especially hard.
Maryland is currently reporting high flu activity, according to state health department data.
READ MORE: Flu cases surging in northern Virginia, health officials say
In Arlington, emergency department–diagnosed flu visits jumped from 19 on Dec. 6 to 120 on Dec. 27 — an over five times increase, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Fairfax County, a much larger jurisdiction, saw flu-related ER visits rise from 121 on Dec. 6 to 788 by Dec. 27, an over six-and-a-half-time increase.
Washington, D.C
Traffic changes in DC Monday evening for ‘Freedom 250′ fireworks show
Numerous roads in D.C. will be closed to traffic Monday evening for a fireworks show celebrating America’s 25th birthday.
Projectors have lit up all four sides of the Washington Monument nightly since 7 p.m. Wednesday for the “Illumination of America: Washington Monument Lighting.” The fireworks that lit up the National Mall on New Year’s Eve are making a return Monday night, which is the last night of the display.
The grand finale of the display comes with some parking restrictions and street closures.
Street and parking restrictions for Freedom 250 fireworks
D.C. police said Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 17th Street NW will be an Emergency No Parking zone from roughly 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The following streets will be closed to traffic from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:
- Westbound 395 – no traffic toward Maine Avenue/Independence Avenue, SW
- Independence Avenue from 15th Street to 23rd Street, SW
- Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 12th Street, NW (westbound traffic will be restricted)
- Constitution Avenue from 12th Street to 23rd Street, NW
- Virginia Avenue from 20th Street to 18th Street, NW
- 19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to New York Avenue, NW
- 15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- Madison Drive from 7th Street to 14th Street, NW
Police said all street closures and listed times are subject to change.
“Freedom 250 is lighting up the Washington Monument as the world’s tallest birthday candle to kick off the nation’s 250th birthday year,” Keith Krach, CEO of Freedom 250, said ahead of the New Year’s Eve event.
Freedom 250 is the presidentially appointed committee planning the year-long celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. It was created by the second Trump administration as part of the Department of the Interior, and is a separate organization from America250, which was created by Congress.
The event will “be looking at America’s past, present and what’s to come over the next 250 years,” Krach said.
“Primarily it will focus on the four pillars of Freedom 250, which is innovation; it’s also community and faith; it’s also on the beauty of our country as well,” Krach said. “And, you know, the other thing that’s great about that is that it’ll be something that will kind of be an animation and I think everybody’s going to enjoy it. So from adults to kids and everything.”
The event is free to the public, can be viewed from anywhere on the National Mall, and does not require tickets.
Washington, D.C
Washington DC Pedestrian killed struck crash collision I-295 DC-295
WASHINGTON (7News) — On Saturday evening, Metropolitan Police Department’s Seventh District officers responded to a fatal crash on I-295 northbound near Exit 1 for Laboratory Road, Southwest.
The incident occurred around 7:50 p.m. when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle, police said.
READ MORE | Notorious 295 speed camera rakes in $26M, while DC residents question its legitimacy
Prince George’s County police officers were already on the scene when the MPD officers arrived.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not yet released the victim’s age or gender.
ALSO SEE | Woman killed after pedestrian-vehicle crash in Fairfax County
The driver of the vehicle involved in the collision remained at the scene.
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Police urge anyone with information about the incident to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.
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