Migrants lacking passports must now submit to facial recognition to board flights in US
The U.S. government has started requiring migrants without passports to submit to facial recognition technology to take domestic flights under a change that prompted confusion this week among immigrants and advocacy groups in Texas.
TSA unveils passenger self-screening lanes at Vegas airport as 'a step into the future'
Federal airport security officials have unveiled a prototype passenger self-screening system at busy Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas but say they do not plan to use it in other cities around the country.
Airlines, cruise lines and hotel stocks fall on virus fears
Air travel in the United States hit another pandemic-era record over the weekend as vacationers jammed airports, but shares of airlines, cruise lines, hotels and almost anything else related to travel are tumbling on growing concerns about highly contagious variants of coronavirus.
US air travel rises to highest levels yet since pandemic hit
(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)Across the United States, air travel is recovering more quickly from the depths of the pandemic, and it is showing up in longer airport security lines and busier traffic on airline websites. "Our last three weeks have been the best three weeks since the pandemic hit, and each week has been better than the one prior,โ American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said Monday. However, the airlines still have far to go before travel fully returns to pre-pandemic levels. Since the pandemic hit, air travel has picked up a few times โ mostly around holidays โ only to drop back down. The airline said people are booking leisure trips to beach and mountain destinations but business travel is still lagging.
The Latest: All Duke University undergrads must quarantine
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University issued a quarantine order for all of its undergraduates effective Saturday night due to a coronavirus outbreak caused by students who attended recruitment parties, the school said. The university said in a statement that all undergraduate students will be forced to stay-in-place until at least March 21. Suspension or dismissal from the school are potential punishments for โflagrant or repeat violators.โOver the past week, the school has reported more than 180 positive coronavirus cases among students. AdItaly has now tallied some 3.2 million cases in the pandemic. The COVAX alliance aims to share COVID-19 vaccines with more than 90 lower and middle-income nations.
2 killed, 2 injured when car plunges off Chicago expressway
FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2018, file photo taken with a long exposure, traffic streaks across the John F. Kennedy Expressway at the start of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)CHICAGO โ Two people were killed and two more were seriously injured early Friday when their vehicle hit a concrete wall and plunged off a Chicago expressway onto a street about 43 feet (13 meters) below, police said. The vehicle โwas traveling too fast for road conditionsโ on Interstate 55 โ also known as the Stevenson Expressway โ when the accident happened at around 4 a.m., Illinois State Police said. The vehicle tumbled off the highway, struck a light pole and landed on the street in the McKinley Park neighborhood on Chicagoโs Southwest Side, Illinois State Police Trooper Omoayena Williams said. The Chicago crash comes days after a pickup truck plunged about 70 feet (21 meters) off a slippery interchange exit ramp in Wisconsin.
TSA looking into adding Capitol rioters to US no-fly list
Federal safety officials are investigating people who took part in last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol to decide whether they belong on the federal no-fly list. The assessments are one of several steps federal agencies are taking to increase security before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration next week. The assessments could result in rioters being added to the federal no-fly list, the person said. The FBI said earlier this week it was considering adding Capitol rioters to the federal no-fly list but stopped short of saying that individuals were being scrutinized. Airlines and Washington-area airports also have promised tighter security after last weekโs riot at the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.
VIRUS TODAY: Huge study on another COVID vaccine is underway
Administrative worker Sander Edmondson, left, hands a COVID-19 testing kit to a woman at a testing site in Los Angeles, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Hereโs whatโs happening Monday with the pandemic in the U.S.:THREE THINGS TO KNOW TODAYโ A huge study of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate is getting underway Monday as states continue to roll out scarce supplies of the nationโs first shots. Some 30,000 volunteers are needed to prove if this vaccine โ a different kind than its Pfizer and Moderna competitors โ really works and is safe. โ Homicides in Detroit, New York, Philadelphia and other U.S. cities have topped 2019 numbers as violence surged during the coronavirus pandemic. ___Find APโs full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
The Latest: China tests millions in port over virus cluster
(AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)BEIJING โ Authorities in Chinaโs northeastern port city of Dalian are testing millions of residents after seven new coronavirus cases were reported there in the last 24 hours. It has a deal to secure up to 100 million doses of the potential vaccine produced by AstraZeneca. Koca said the first shipment of three million doses of CoronaVac would be shipped to Turkey on Sunday and arrive Monday. He said Turkey could get 4.5 million doses until the end of March and would have the option buy up to 30 million doses. Indonesia has reported nearly 700,000 COVID-19 cases, the largest caseload in Southeast Asia and second in Asia only to Indiaโs 10.1 million confirmed cases.
Holiday air travel surges despite dire health warnings
The Transportation Security Administration screened at least 1 million people on four of the last 10 days through Sunday. That's still half the crowd recorded last year at airports, when more than 2 million people were counted per day. With new reported cases of coronavirus spiking across the country, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued a warning against Thanksgiving travel just a week before the holiday. It's unclear whether the pleas of experts like Fauci had any effect on travel and large gatherings at Thanksgiving. On Monday, JetBlue Airways said โbooking trends remain volatile,โ and a recovery in travel demand will be uneven into next year.
Many Americans flying for holiday despite CDC pleas
PROVIDENCE, R.I. โ Millions of Americans bought tickets to fly somewhere for Thanksgiving before the nation's top public health agency pleaded with them not to travel for the holiday. That's despite relatively lenient cancellation policies that major airlines have implemented since the coronavirus pandemic emerged earlier this year. Images that emerged this weekend of crowded airport terminals showed that plenty of people are flying anyway. A day earlier, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Americans should skip Thanksgiving travel and not spend the holiday with people from outside their household. But most are also offering opportunities for people to skip their holiday flights and travel later, though travelers might have to pay more for the replacement flight if it's more expensive.
Loaded gun found in carry-on bag of man at Grand Rapids based airport
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. โ On Sunday, a Transportation Security Administration officer found a loaded gun in a manโs carry-on bag at the Grand Rapids based Gerald R. Ford International Airport. TSA officials say the gun was found in the carry-on bag at around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday. โFirearms and prohibited items continue to be detected at airport security checkpoints during this pandemic,โ said Grand Rapidโs TSA Federal Security Director Roger Dubuc. The gun was found ahead of President Donald Trumpโs visit to Gerald R. Ford International Airport tonight. The president will be in Traverse City before holding a 10:30 p.m. rally at the Grand Rapids based airport.
Air traffic is down, gun seizures up at US airports
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)With air traffic nearing a five-month high, airport security is finding guns in passenger carry-on bags at three times the rate recorded before the pandemic. There has been a significant increase in loaded guns at checkpoints, said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. Last year, 4,432 guns were found in carry-on bags, or about 12.1 per day, and 87% were loaded. TSA's public appeal to follow gun rules came the same day that it reported screening 831,789 people on Sunday. It was the first time checkpoint traffic in U.S. airports has topped 800,000 since March 17.
Reports: TSA insider faults agency's response to coronavirus
The top TSA official in Kansas, Jay Brainard, says the TSAs actions amount to gross mismanagement." The special counsel has ordered TSA's parent agency, the Homeland Security Department, to conduct an investigation. Brainard filed his whistleblower complaint on June 3, and the special counsel on Thursday ordered the Homeland Security Department to investigate the allegations. By law, the special counsel only takes that step when it believes there is a substantial likelihood of wrongdoing. The special counsel will review Homeland Securitys findings and issue a report to the White House and Congress.
Businesses ramp up operations as nations prep for tourists
Five restaurants continue to operate with enhanced off-premise service only, while nine restaurants remain temporarily closed. Transactions at fast food restaurants were down 17% the week of May 24, while transactions at sit-down chains were down 49%. CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS & BANKS: Spains national statistics office said that it received zero international tourists in April. That compares with 7 million tourists that spent 7 billion euros ($7.8 billion) in Spain in the prior-year period. Istanbuls 15th century Grand Bazaar, museums, gyms, child care centers and nurseries, were among other venues allowed to resume operations.
TSA Coronavirus Changes: What to expect when traveling this summer
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced updated security procedures that will be implemented across the country this summer in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Traveling with foodTravelers are asked to place carry-on food items in a clear plastic bag and place in a bin for x-ray screening. Following TSA packing guidelines will reduce agents need to interact with travelers luggage and reduce the potential for cross-contamination. TSA will now allow travelers to pack hand sanitizer in their carry-on bags in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. TSA officials advise travelers to arrive at the airport earlier than usual as staffing has been affected by the pandemic.
Retailers reopening more stores, tourism expanding
The chain began to reopen stores earlier this month and expects most stores to be open in mid-June. TJX Canada began reopening stores in some provinces this week, and stores in Germany, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands and Australia are fully open. Victorias Secret said Thursday its closing 250 stores in the next few months, about a quarter of all its stores. The sales drop was the largest one-month decline since a 22.5% fall in July 2010. The Finance Ministry said imports fell 7% to 6.1 trillion yen ($57 billion) from 6.6 trillion yen.
Program allowing DTW visitors into terminals beyond security without ticket extended indefinitely
DTW visitors have recently been able to enter the post-security areas of the McNamara and North terminals through the DTW Destination Pass program. The program was originally expected to end Sunday, but DTW announced Friday that the program will be extended indefinitely. They should look for the DTW Destination Pass sign on the back wall between carousels No. A valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, must be presented to get the pass, officials said. Click here to apply for a DTW Destination Pass.
TSA anticipating record number of flyers this Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving season will bring a record-breaking number of flyers, according to the Transportation Security Administration. TSA is expecting more than 26.8 million passengers to travel nationwide from Nov. 22 through Dec. 2. We expect record-breaking travel volume this 2019 holiday season, following our busiest summer ever, said Patricia Cogswell, TSA acting deputy administrator. To check if your items comply with federal safety regulations, check the Make sure there are no prohibited items in your luggage. To check if your items comply with federal safety regulations, check the What can I bring? pageRenew your TSA precheck membership.
Flying this Thanksgiving? Expect record crowds at airports
Record throngs of travelers are expected to jam into airports over the Thanksgiving break and airlines are adding hundreds of flights a day in response. The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday that it expects to screen more than 26.8 million passengers and airline crew members between Nov. 22 and Dec. 2. The busiest days figure to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day about 2.7 million people and the Sunday after the holiday, when TSA expects to screen more than 2.8 million people. There were nearly 25,000 flights a day over the Thanksgiving stretch last year. Next Thanksgiving could be much worse because many travelers arent prepared for new rules covering identification documents.
You can now visit Detroit Metro Airport terminals beyond security without a flight ticket
DETROIT - Officials at Detroit Metro Airport announced Monday that visitors can now go through security and enter the terminals even if they don't have a flight ticket. Beginning Tuesday, DTW visitors will be able to enter the post-security areas of the McNamara and North terminals through the DTW Destination Pass program. They should look for the DTW Destination Pass sign on the back wall between carousels No. A valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, must be presented to get the pass, officials said. Click here to apply for a DTW Destination Pass.
TSA confiscates grenade from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport passenger
An empty replica grenade was found by TSA agents at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport on Oct. 1, 2019. On that list was an empty replica hand grenade agents found Oct. 1 at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport. The TSA said the grenade was found in a passenger's checked bag. A loaded Beretta pistol was found at Detroit Metro Airport with a bullet in the chamber Oct. 2. The TSA urges passengers to be prepared and to check the What Can I Bring?
Woman boards Delta flight without ticket or identification
Delta Airlines via CNN(CNN) - Authorities are investigating how a woman managed to board a Delta Air Lines flight from Orlando to Atlanta without identification or a boarding pass. The Orlando Police Department said in a statement that officers responded to a suspicious person report Saturday morning at the airport. Officers asked the passenger for identification and for her boarding pass. She said she had thrown her ticket away and did not have Identification, the police statement said. Delta Air Lines apologized to Flight 1516 passengers in a statement "for the delay after a person not ticketed for that flight was removed from the aircraft."
Energy regulator warns of blackouts if gas pipeline were attacked
Neil Chatterjee, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, warned that an attack on even a single US natural gas pipeline could cause mass blackouts. "Today, we have eight or nine generators depending on a single gas pipeline." TSA's pipeline security branch has just six full-time employeesThe Government Accountability Office has recently identified "weaknesses" in TSA's pipeline security program, including severe staffing limitations that prevented the agency from conducting security reviews. The GAO found that the pipeline security branch employed just six full-time employees last year. The GAO also found that the pipeline security branch has not updated its risk assessment on the top 100 critical pipeline systems since 2014.
ClickOnDetroit Morning Briefing -- Sept. 24, 2019
Brandon Roux:We do have rain chances Wednesday as a midday cool front passes through SE Lower Michigan and Southern Ontario bringing scattered rain showers. More local headlinesFor more Local News head to ClickOnDetroit.com/news/local. LOCAL 4 Sports newsFor more local and national sports news go to ClickOnDetroit.com/sports. Submit a news tipTell us what's happening in your community -- submit a news tip to Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit right here. Tweets by Local4NewsCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
Local 4 News at 11 -- Sept. 23, 2019
DETROIT - Here's what you missed on Local 4 News at 11:FireCrews rushed in Monday to rescue residents of a three-story, 54-unit building senior apartment complex as it burned on Detroit's east side. TSANew technology at Detroit Metro Airport provides Transportation Security Administration with a 3D look inside travelers' bags. Election crimeSouthfield City Clerk Sherikia Hawkins is facing felony charges stemming from last November's elections after numbers didn't add up. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
An exclusive look at 3D technology TSA agents use to keep travelers at Detroit Metro Airport safe
ROMULUS, Mich. - New technology at Detroit Metro Airport provides Transportation Security Administration with a 3D look inside travelers' bags. MORE: Defenders join TSA for behind-the-scenes look at restricted areas of Detroit Metro AirportThe airport has had the computed tomography machine that scans carry-on bags for a year. The scanner can be viewed and rotated 360 degrees to give a full look inside baggage. Steve Lorincz, the federal security director of Homeland Security, said the technology allows agents to virtually see behind other items in bags. It's technology like the X-ray machine that has helped TSA agents stop 11 deadly and dangerous weapons at DTW checkpoints this year.
Travelers routinely try to get weapons past TSA
While most of these items can travel in checked luggage, none of them are allowed in carry-on luggage, said Lorie Dankers, a spokesperson for TSA. We have not allowed knives since the inception of TSA. Between 42,000 and 63,000 passengers pass through TSA checkpoints at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport each day, she said. Of those 253 firearms, 225 were loaded and 84 had a round in the chamber, according to the TSA Blog. Seven of those firearms -- all loaded, four with a round in the chamber -- were found in carry-on bags at Phoenix Sky Harbor, according to the blog post.
This TSA blog will open your eyes as to what's really being confiscated at airport security
These look niceAnd then there are these flowers, pictured above, which were found at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in late July. Knives, by the way, are allowed in your checked bag. I can guarantee that the civil penalty will be more than the cost of a checked bag, Wagner said. Pictured above, bottom row are:An empty grenade, found in a screening at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on July 25. "The most common explanation we hear from travelers for prohibited items is 'I forgot it was in my bag,'" Wagner wrote.
This TSA blog will open your eyes as to what's really being confiscated at airport security
These look โฆ niceAnd then there are these flowers, pictured above, which were found at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in late July. Knives, by the way, are allowed in your checked bag. โI can guarantee that the civil penalty will be more than the cost of a checked bag,โ Wagner said. Pictured above, bottom row are:An empty grenade, found in a screening at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on July 25. "The most common explanation we hear from travelers for prohibited items is 'I forgot it was in my bag,'" Wagner wrote.
TSA officers on leave after discovery of racist display
Two Transportation Security Administration officers have been placed on leave after a racist display was found inside a TSA workstation at Miami International Airport. (CNN) - Two Transportation Security Administration officers have been placed on leave after a racist display was found inside a TSA workstation at Miami International Airport. Three TSA officers discovered two stuffed gorillas tied together and hanging with a noose on July 21, according to four TSA employees with knowledge of the situation and a picture obtained by CNN. A veteran Miami TSA officer who asked that his name not be used for fear of retaliation said he was upset about the incident, which he says has many of Miami International Airport's black and Hispanic TSA officers distraught. "Two TSA officers have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing."
TSA agents find unusual souvenir: a missile launcher
TSA via CNN(CNN) - TSA agents are used to finding strange and alarming objects in travelers' luggage, whether it's snakes, switchblades or swords. The latest addition to that list: a missile launcher. The agents at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport made the discovery Monday in the checked bag of a man who was coming back from Kuwait. Unfortunately for would-be souvenir hunters, the TSA notes that "Military weapons are not permitted in checked or carry-on bags." The missile launcher was given to the state fire marshal for disposal, and the man was released in time to catch his flight.
Toddler Tumbles Onto Baggage Conveyor Belt and Takes Wild Ride at Atlanta Airport
A toddler broke his hand after clambering onto a luggage belt and taking a tumbling trip into the bowels of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The 2-year-old's frantic mother said she had been printing out a Spirit Airlines boarding pass when her child, Lorenzo, ran off and bolted behind an unstaffed ticket counter, then flung himself on the moving conveyor belt. I hope he's OK. I hope he's just enjoying the ride.''' Two employees enter the frame of the video just as the toddler slips from view, pointing and trying to see where the child went.