Washington, D.C

‘We’re very hopeful’: Advocates push for Congress to approve direct flight from San Antonio to DC

Published

10 months ago

September 16, 2023

‘We’re very hopeful’: Advocates push for Congress to approve direct flight from San Antonio to DC

SAN ANTONIO – It’s not a new topic, but business groups here in San Antonio say the time is now to add direct flights from San Antonio to Washington, D.C.

Dave Peterson said when he used to travel to Washington, D.C., for military-related meetings, it used to take all day.

“It was extremely disappointing. When I needed to go for a simple meeting that couldn’t be done via Zoom or something, it took all day,” said Peterson, interim president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

He’s just one of the many advocates in favor of a direct flight between the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

The push to secure this flight for SAT is nothing new, but Congress has until the end of September to go forward with reauthorization legislation before the current FAA authorization expires. That’s where San Antonio could secure a direct flight.

“We anxiously await the disposition of what happens,” said Jesus Saenz, the director of airports for the City of San Antonio.

The FAA regulates which airports can have direct access to DCA. The Slot Rule and the Perimeter Rule are regulations in place to curb congestion and density at the airport.

Advocates in San Antonio have tried for years to convince Congress to exempt San Antonio from these regulations but have failed. This reauthorization happens every five years. That’s why Danny Zimmerman, the executive principal and CFO of Clearly Zimmerman Engineers, said now is the time to act.

“Here, we are at an inflection point again, and all of a sudden, it’s a perfect storm,” Zimmerman said. “Having more direct flight options just increases that economic activity.”

Advocates say this flight could have direct military and industry impacts in San Antonio.

“San Antonio is a hub of economic activity for South Central Texas and Mexico and is growing with every passing day,” Zimmerman said. “Flights and airports in general are really at the heart of economic activity.”

This summer, the House rejected an amendment that would add additional flights to Reagan in its FAA authorization bill. The Senate could still approve a bipartisan agreement. Senator Ted Cruz visited San Antonio last week, saying he was a clear advocate for the flight.

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Washington, D.C

USA: Uyghur community members demonstrate outside Chinese Embassy in Washington DC to mark 15th anniversary of Urumqi Massacre | Indiablooms

Published

7 hours ago

July 7, 2024

Press Room

USA: Uyghur community members demonstrate outside Chinese Embassy in Washington DC to mark 15th anniversary of Urumqi Massacre | Indiablooms

Uyghur community members of the USA recently marked the 15th anniversary of the Urumqi Massacre in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC.

The association also shared pictures of their protest on X.

“Uyghur Americans commemorated the 15th anniversary of the Urumchi Massacre in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., today,” the community shared on X.

Who are Uyghur Muslims?

Uyghur Muslims are a Turkic minority ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia. It is now widely publicized that their human rights are crushed by China and they were sent to “re-education camps” by the communist regime in Beijing.

The Uyghurs are recognized as native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China.

An American representative at the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said in 2018 that the committee had received many credible reports that 1 million ethnic Uyghurs in China have been held in “re-education camps” by the Chinese authorities.

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Washington, D.C

Stolen French bulldog returned to owner, D.C. police say

Published

14 hours ago

July 7, 2024

Press Room

Stolen French bulldog returned to owner, D.C. police say

A French bulldog, a relatively high-priced pet, was recovered by officers and returned to his owner Saturday night after being taken at gunpoint in Southeast Washington a week earlier, according to D.C. police.

“Good news!” the police said Saturday night in a message on social media.

Officers from the violent crime suppression division “recovered Yurman the French bulldog tonight.”

“Yurman is now back with his owner,” the police announced.

Yurman is a 2-year-old dark-colored male. It was not clear who found him or how. No information was provided about any arrest or charges.

Yurman’s owner was walking her dog in the 1700 block of Fort Davis Street SE about 8:20 p.m. on June 29 when someone approached with a gun, police said.

Police reported the robbery twice on social media, once just after it occurred and again with a brief surveillance video on Wednesday.

Numerous thefts of French bulldogs have occurred in the District and around the country.

In November, three were taken at gunpoint as they were being walked near the 5200 block of East Capitol Street, according to police.

Authorities said the robbers jumped from a vehicle and seized the animals.

Many of the dogs taken here have been recovered.

Purebred French bulldogs may sell for several thousand dollars and appear to be highly prized as pets. Authorities have said they are often taken to be sold.

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Washington, D.C

Another scorching day in D.C. as summer settles in

Published

21 hours ago

July 6, 2024

Press Room

Another scorching day in D.C. as summer settles in

Summer seems firmly established by now in D.C. as a scorching Saturday matched a simmering Friday with another afternoon of 98-degree heat. But the city could give thanks for small favors, as Saturday’s humidity seemed decidedly lower.

Humidity and temperature contribute to the heat index, the figure that suggests the true feel of facing the joint assault of both these sources of summertime threat. On Saturday, according to the heat index, it felt at times like 103 degrees.

Yet by comparison with Friday, that figure could offer some small consolation. On Friday the National Weather Service calculated a maximum “feels-like” temperature of 108. Saturday, it appeared to reach only 103.

Saturday was a small landmark in the advance toward the fiery heart of summer. On Saturday, for the first time this year, the average daily high temperature in the District became 90 degrees.

That may signal that the most summerlike period of summer is now at hand. With Saturday, D.C. has embarked on a long run of July days with an average high temperature of 90 degrees.

Such days may be regarded as close to the thermal height of summer and the capital is now in it.

Yet, of course, summer days here, even well into July, need not be hours of unrelieved meteorological misery.

White clouds proceeded in proud array across the skies on Saturday, and from time to time, covered and even dimmed the sun, producing instant and noticeable cooling. Cloud shadows may be among the subtle comforts that exist even deep in July.

In addition, even if they cover only small patches of ground, and extend for only a few feet or yards, relatively cool and shady places of respite seem to exist in much of the metropolitan area.

On some older streets in the city, trees stand so tall that the leaves and branches of those on one side touch the leaves and branches on the other, several stories in the air. They form a kind of high-arched natural redoubt against the swelter of summer.

The tall oak tree on the east side of the street may touch the tall oak on the other, and to stand in their shadows, peering up at blue sky and white clouds through gaps in green leaves may mitigate much of the harshness of a 98 degree day.

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