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Monday, February 23, 2026

Tag: Airport
February 18, 2026
News

Florida House Approves Bill to Rename Airport After Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Florida House passed a bill to rename Palm Beach County International Airport after President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Florida state lawmakers, state Rep. John Snyder (R), Governor Ron DeSantis (R), and President Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bill passed Tuesday afternoon in Florida’s state House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Forty years ago, Donald Trump came to Palm Beach County when it was a sleepy little beach town and he bought a defunct property that today serves as the winter White House as a symbol of the power of the United States, which has made Palm Beach one of the most desirable and important locations in the world,” said state Rep. Snyder.

🎯IMPACT: If both chambers pass the legislation and Governor Ron DeSantis signs it into law, the change would take effect at a projected cost of up to $5.5 million.

IN FULL

The Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a proposal to rename Palm Beach County International Airport in honor of President Donald J. Trump, advancing the measure on an 81–30 vote. A companion bill is now moving through the Florida Senate. If both chambers pass the legislation and Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signs it into law, the change would take effect at a projected cost of up to $5.5 million.

Supporters argue the renaming recognizes Trump’s long-standing ties to Palm Beach, where his Mar-a-Lago resort is located. Republican state Rep. John Snyder defended the measure, saying: “Forty years ago, Donald Trump came to Palm Beach County when it was a sleepy little beach town and he bought a defunct property that today serves as the winter White House as a symbol of the power of the United States, which has made Palm Beach one of the most desirable and important locations in the world.”

The proposal reflects Trump’s continued influence in Florida politics and a broader trend of attaching his name to prominent institutions and initiatives. In December 2025, the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted unanimously to rename the venue the “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”

Around the same time, Trump unveiled plans for a new “Golden Fleet” of naval vessels, including a proposed line of “Trump-class battleships,” which he said would showcase American strength and revitalize domestic shipbuilding.

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December 9, 2025
News

Japan Reels From 7.5 Magnitude Quake, Airport and Nuclear Fuel Plant Damaged, 34 Injured.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan, causing injuries, minor damage, and a tsunami along its Pacific coast.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Japanese authorities, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, and the Japan Meteorological Agency.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The quake occurred late Monday night near Aomori, Japan, with tsunami waves affecting nearby coastal regions.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are putting people’s lives first and doing everything we can.” – Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

🎯IMPACT: Injuries were reported, power was disrupted, and transportation services were temporarily suspended. Authorities are monitoring for aftershocks.

IN FULL

Japan is gauging regional damage in the aftermath of a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck late Monday night. The quake caused injuries, minor damage, and a tsunami along the Pacific coast. Authorities are warning residents about potential aftershocks as emergency teams continue to evaluate the situation.

The quake, recorded at 7.5 magnitude by Japanese authorities and 7.6 by the U.S. Geological Survey, occurred at 11:15 PM in the Pacific Ocean. Its epicenter was located 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori, with a depth of 44 kilometers. Tsunami waves up to 70 centimeters were recorded at Kuji port in Iwate prefecture, while other coastal areas saw waves of up to 50 centimeters.

According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, most injuries were caused by falling objects in homes and businesses. The country’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that at least 34 people were injured, with one person in serious condition. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the formation of an emergency task force, stating, “We are putting people’s lives first and doing everything we can.”

Approximately 800 homes lost power, and Shinkansen bullet trains were suspended in parts of the region. Power was mostly restored by Tuesday morning, according to Tohoku Electric Power Co. About 480 residents sought shelter at Hachinohe Air Base, and 18 defense helicopters were deployed for damage assessment. Some 200 passengers were stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido due to structural damage in a terminal building.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority reported a 450-liter water spill at the Rokkasho fuel reprocessing plant, but confirmed that no safety concerns were raised. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a warning of possible aftershocks and urged residents to remain prepared, citing a slight increase in the risk of a magnitude 8-level earthquake. Smaller aftershocks, including a magnitude 6.6 and 5.1, were recorded in the hours following the initial quake.

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December 1, 2025
News

TSA Implements Fee for Travelers Without Real ID.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a $45 fee for travelers without Real IDs starting February 1, 2026, requiring them to use a new verification system called TSA Confirm.ID.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The TSA, air travelers, and private vendors facilitating the Confirm.ID process.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The new fee begins February 1, 2026, at U.S. airports nationwide.

🎯IMPACT: Passengers without Real IDs may face longer wait times and must pay the fee if they opt to use the Confirm.ID process to verify their identity.

IN FULL

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced plans to charge U.S. air travelers who do not possess a Real ID, passport, or other form of approved identification a $45 fee beginning on February 1, 2026. While travelers who lack a Real ID or passport can still fly, they will be required to use the agency’s Confirm.ID system for identity verification, the cost of which will be covered by the fee.

According to TSA Chief of Staff Adam Stahl, the fee is intended as a mechanism to ensure that air travelers, and not U.S. taxpayers at large, provide the funding for Confirm.ID verification. After paying the $45 fee and undergoing verification, a passenger’s identity will be confirmed for a period of 10 days.

Implemented as a TSA travel requirement in May of 2025, Real ID is a federally compliant state driver’s license, learner’s permit, or non-driver ID card that displays a black or gold star in the upper right corner. Passengers without these IDs will be directed to the Confirm.ID process during check-in at TSA security checkpoints. This process involves answering a series of questions to verify identity, after which a receipt is issued to present to screening agents.

Air travelers who possess a Real ID, U.S. passport, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trusted Traveler card, or Enhanced Driver’s License, U.S. Department of War ID, permanent resident card, or border crossing card will not need to pay the fee. Notably, the TSA warns that passengers without federally compliant IDs will likely face increased wait times at airports while their identity is confirmed.

Currently, the TSA estimates over 94 percent of passengers at U.S. airports use a Real ID or other forms of acceptable identification.

Image by Michael Ball.

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November 5, 2025
News
Politics

Nationwide Airport Shutdown to Paralyze Travel for Hours.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Travel chaos erupted across the U.S. as staffing shortages caused by the ongoing Democrat-caused government shutdown led to significant flight delays.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, air traffic controllers, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, November 5, 2025, affecting airports nationwide, including Newark, JFK, LAX, and others.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, a 10 percent reduction in scheduled air traffic at 40 major airports will begin Friday.” – Sean Duffy

🎯IMPACT: Delays of up to seven hours at major airports, with average wait times around two hours and 20 minutes, affecting both arrivals and departures.

IN FULL

Travel disruptions across the United States intensified on November 5 as the Democrat-caused federal government shutdown worsened staffing shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The agency reported delays at 17 major airports, with wait times potentially reaching seven hours.

Airports affected include Newark Liberty International (EWR), John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), Los Angeles (LAX), Atlanta (ATL), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Miami (MIA), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Washington-area airports (DCA, IAD, BWI), and hubs in San Francisco (SFO), Boston (BOS), Seattle (SEA), Denver (DEN), Orlando (MCO), and Salt Lake City (SLC).

To manage the backlog, the FAA has implemented an airspace flow program, spacing out flights across U.S. airspace from the ground to 60,000 feet. Both arrivals and departures are affected, with average delays estimated at 2 hours and 20 minutes. Newark has experienced some of the longest delays, while Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has reported average delays exceeding three hours.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that, if the Democrat shutdown continues, there could be a 10 percent reduction in scheduled air traffic at 40 major airports starting Friday. “Unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, a 10 percent reduction in scheduled air traffic at 40 major airports will begin Friday,” he said.

The shutdown, now in its 36th day, is the longest in U.S. history. Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are working without pay, placing additional strain on an already understaffed system. On Monday, about 2,800 flights were delayed and more than 100 were canceled, as some essential workers struggled to report to work amid financial pressure.

The aviation industry, including major carriers like Delta Air Lines, has urged Congress to pass a “clean continuing resolution” (CR) to reopen the government. Republicans have tried this multiple times, but the Democratic minority in the U.S. Senate has blocked every attempt.

Delta executives warned that ongoing delays and cancellations threaten safety and could disrupt air travel nationwide. Meanwhile, some Senate Democrats have suggested federal workers are willing to continue working without pay to oppose elements of the Trump agenda. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) remarked, “I think they all would like to see the shutdown end, but they also don’t like giving Donald Trump a blank check.”

As the shutdown drags on, officials continue to monitor staffing levels and adjust flight schedules. Travelers are advised to expect extended wait times at security checkpoints and potential flight cancellations. With air traffic controllers and TSA agents stretched thin, the coming days could see further disruptions at major airports if the government remains closed.

Image by dbking.

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January 31, 2025
News

Father of Crash Pilot Claims Black Hawk Crew Made ‘Grave Error.’

The father of one of the American Airlines Flight 5342 pilots, whose plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. says he believes the helicopter crew made a “grave error.” Timothy Lilley, father of American Airlines pilot Sam Lilley, is himself a former military pilot.

Lilley notes that visibility over the Potomac River in the nation’s capital can be difficult at night, especially if the Black Hawk pilots were using night vision goggles. “From what I can see, those guys turned right into the jet. I think the PSA jet was doing everything right. The Army pilot made a grave error. It hurts me because those are my brothers, and now my son is dead,” Timothy Lilley said in an interview with local news.

The latest revelations in the deadly air crash—in which all 60 American Airlines passengers, four crew, and three military personnel are presumed dead—suggest the Black Hawk was flying at too high of an altitude as it moved to cross over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport. Video of the crash appears to show the Black Hawk at an altitude of around 300 feet instead of the limit of 200 feet as it turns directly into the commercial flight that was on descent for landing at the airport.

Additionally, there is some speculation that the Black Hawk pilots may have misidentified another plane as American Airlines Flight 5342, leaving them unaware of the actual incoming aircraft—despite warnings from the airport’s control tower. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun investigating the crash, alongside other agencies, aiming to determine the cause. An FAA report disclosed that only one air traffic controller was present at the airport during the collision, which the agency marked as “not normal.”

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The father of one of the American Airlines Flight 5342 pilots, whose plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. says he believes the helicopter crew made a "grave error." Timothy Lilley, father of American Airlines pilot Sam Lilley, is himself a former military pilot. show more
February 6, 2024
Health

Ohio Warns Of Measles Exposure At Cincinnati Airport.

Health officials in Ohio have alerted the public to a potential measles exposure at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Individuals present in Terminal A between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on January 27 and between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on January 29 are being warned that they may have been exposed to the virus.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is working alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health departments to identify those at risk, with the alert triggered by a Montgomery County child who was recently diagnosed with measles.

Symptoms of measles usually manifest in two stages and can start between seven and fourteen days following exposure. Initial symptoms may include a fever exceeding 101 degrees, a runny nose, red teary eyes, and a cough. The second stage usually occurs three to five days later when a rash develops initially on the face before spreading across the body.

Measles — a highly contagious virus — can prove severe, even deadly, especially for young children. The CDC recommends the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination as the best protection against infection. This incident follows a similar alert from health officials in Washington, D.C., who warned of potential measles exposure at Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last month.

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Health officials in Ohio have alerted the public to a potential measles exposure at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Individuals present in Terminal A between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on January 27 and between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on January 29 are being warned that they may have been exposed to the virus. show more
December 7, 2023
Jake Welch
Immigration

San Antonio Operating ‘Secret Migrant Camp’ With Taxpayer Funds.

Hundreds of newly arrived migrants have been living in a “secret migrant camp” at San Antonio Airport in Texas for more than half a year, according to reports, which found the existence of the facility was kept hidden from local officials in the area despite taxpayers funding its operation.

The camp, located in an empty airport hanger, has hosted migrants bussed to the city from the southern border, with migrants spending anywhere between hours and even days in the facility. It is believed up to 400 migrants sleep in the hangar every evening, including women and children.

San Antonio city, although long having guarded the secret of its existence closely, admitted to the Daily Mail that it has been managing the facility since May. It refused to reveal how much money has been spent on the facility.

The hanger is run by the charity Interfaith Welcome Coalition (IWC), which describes itself as a “faith-based movement meeting the changing needs of asylum seekers, refugees and at-risk immigrants in collaboration with others.”

Tori Salas, the coordinating director of the IWC, claims the facility is a “hidden area where they take the migrants… basically until four or hours before they fly.”

One San Antonio City Councillor, Marc Whyte, told the newspaper the city council never authorized those in charge of the hanger to use public funds. “When I found out about this, I lost my mind,” Whyte stated.

“What the hell is going on next to the airport? Any expansion of migrant holding facilities I, of course, am adamantly against,” he added.

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Hundreds of newly arrived migrants have been living in a "secret migrant camp" at San Antonio Airport in Texas for more than half a year, according to reports, which found the existence of the facility was kept hidden from local officials in the area despite taxpayers funding its operation. show more
November 29, 2023
UK

Saudi Arabia Buys 10% of UK’s Heathrow Airport.

Saudi Arabia‘s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to acquire a ten percent stake in Britain’s Heathrow Airport from Spanish infrastructure firm Ferrovial and an additional 15 percent in the airport’s parent company, FGP Topco, from French-based private equity fund Ardian.

The £2.37 billion ($3 billion) transaction announced by Ferrovial is still subject to regulatory approval. If successful, this would conclude Ferrovial’s investment in the UK airports’ operator, which initially held a 56 percent stake in 2006, reduced to 25 percent by 2013.

The airport has been incurring financial losses this year due to high borrowing costs on its debt. The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s decision to reduce passenger charges — contributing to terminals, runways, baggage systems, and security expenditures — is a significant factor.

The reduction brings the average charge per passenger at Heathrow in 2023 from £31.57 to £25.43 in 2024, staying constant till 2026. Heathrow executives had hoped to raise charges to over £40, while airlines suggested a cap of around £18.50.

The PIF, one of the world’s most active sovereign wealth funds, with assets exceeding $700 billion, reflects Saudi Arabia’s continuing global investments across various sectors despite international concern over the kingdom‘s human rights record.

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Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to acquire a ten percent stake in Britain's Heathrow Airport from Spanish infrastructure firm Ferrovial and an additional 15 percent in the airport's parent company, FGP Topco, from French-based private equity fund Ardian. show more