Investigators recover black boxes from the deadly aviation collision over the Potomac River. And it’s coming down to the wire as three of President Donald Trump’s nominees for key positions hang in the balance. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
Black boxes recovered in deadly passenger jet, US Army helicopter collision
National Transportation Safety Board investigators are evaluating the black boxes recovered from the American Airlines passenger jet that collided with the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday night, Jan. 29. The collision killed all those on board both aircraft — 67 people total.
The recovered boxes, which record flight data and voice communications, will be a key part of the NTSB’s investigation and a useful tool in determining what caused the collision.
Officials said it’s still too early to speculate about what led to the crash that killed all 64 people on American Eagle flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., and all three soldiers on the Black Hawk. However, a preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration found that air traffic control staffing was “not normal” at Reagan National Airport when the crash occurred.
Straight Arrow News reporter Lauren Taylor has more details from that report. In addition, President Donald Trump speculated about what caused the crash, which remains unfounded.
As the investigation continues, more information about the lives lost in the collision becomes available.
Two teenage figure skaters, their mothers and two former world champions who were coaching at a well-known Boston rink were among the 14 members of the skating community killed in the crash. Skating Club of Boston CEO Doug Zeghibe said skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane died, along with 1994 pairs world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov of Russia.
Also among those killed was civil rights attorney Kiah Duggins, according to news outlets in Kansas. They said Duggins was originally from Wichita and was traveling back to Washington where she worked with the Civil Rights Corps after visiting family.
Friends Michael “Mikey” Stovall and Jesse Pitcher, along with other friends, were also killed. They were headed home after their annual hunting trip in Kansas, according to family members.
Trump may not include oil in 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico
Trump is moving forward with his plan to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, America’s two largest trading partners. The tariffs will take effect starting Saturday, Feb. 1, with the president saying he is still considering whether to include slapping higher import taxes on oil from those countries.
Trump said his decision would be based on whether the oil prices charged by Canada and Mexico are fair.
Before taking office, the president threatened to levy tariffs as a way to combat illegal immigration and the smuggling of fentanyl across the U.S. border.
Trump also said he’s still considering new tariffs on Chinese goods, citing its part in the fentanyl trade. He has threatened a 10% duty on all Chinese goods.
Fiery day of confirmation hearings for controversial Trump picks
Three of Trump’s most controversial cabinet nominees faced Senate panels for confirmation hearings Thursday, Jan. 30. Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FBI Director nominee Kash Patel and National Intelligence Director nominee Tulsi Gabbard faced tough questioning.
A key Republican remains undecided in Kennedy’s confirmation. During Thursday’s Senate Finance Committee hearing, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said that while he agrees with Kennedy on issues such as processed food and obesity, his outspoken skepticism regarding vaccines in the past remains a sticking point for him.
“Does a 70-year-old man, a 71-year-old man, who spent decades criticizing vaccines, and who is finally invested in finding fault with vaccines — can he change his attitudes and approach now that he will have the most important position in influencing vaccine policy in the United States?” Cassidy asked.
He continued, “I recognize man, if you come out unequivocally, saying vaccines are safe, it does not cause autism, that would have an incredible impact. That’s your power. So, what is it going to be? Will it be using credibility to support lots of articles, or will it be to use credibility to undermine? And I gotta figure that out for my vote.”
If Cassidy votes against Kennedy, the nominee could still have a vote on the Senate floor if Republican leaders employ procedural tactics to force it.
Meanwhile, Patel had numerous heated exchanges with Democrats during his Thursday hearing over previous comments about going after Trump’s perceived “deep state” enemies.
In the past, Patel said “cowards in uniform” violated the “chain of command” in their response to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Most recently, he claimed that remark was about senior officials failing to deploy the U.S. National Guard.
Patel also told senators the FBI would take “no retributive actions” on his watch.
Gabbard faced questions from several of her own party members about her views on Russian aggression, U.S. government surveillance and NSA leaker Edward Snowden.
When pressed repeatedly by both Republicans and Democrats, Gabbard would not say whether she believes Snowden was a traitor who betrayed his oath.
If all Democrats oppose Trump’s nominees, supporters can only afford to lose three GOP votes on the Senate floor to still win confirmation. However, Gabbard might not even make it that far. It would take only one Republican to block her nomination in the Senate Intelligence Committee if all Democrats on the panel oppose her.
Hamas provides names of 3 hostages to be released Saturday
Hamas identified three Israeli hostages it is set to release Saturday, Feb. 1, as part of the new phase of its ceasefire agreement with Israel. A Hamas spokesperson said in a Telegram social media post that Ofer Kalderon, Yarden Bibas and Israeli-American Keith Samuel Siegel will be released Saturday in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel.
The announcement followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for negotiators who helped broker the ceasefire agreement to “guarantee the safety of our hostages” after the chaotic release of seven hostages in Khan Younis on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Three Israeli hostages were jostled and roughed up by a massive crowd as they were handed over to the Red Cross. Netanyahu accused Hamas and its affiliated groups of violating the hostage release terms in the ceasefire agreement, calling the scene surrounding the release “unacceptable.”
Law banning gun sales for adults under 21 is unconstitutional: US appeals court
A U.S. appeals court ruled against a decades-old federal law that requires a prospective gun owner to be 21 years old to buy a gun.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans found that such a law violates the Second Amendment following a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expanded gun rights.
The appeals court found that people between the ages of 18 and 20 should not be prohibited from buying guns, saying that the age group has the right to keep and bear arms.
According to the organization Everytown Research and Policy, federal law requires a person to be 21 to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer and 18 to buy a long gun. There is an 18-year-old minimum for handgun purchases from unlicensed dealers and no minimum age for long guns.
Many states have raised the age, barring handgun sales to people under 21 and long gun sales to those under 18, regardless of whether the purchase is from a dealer or an unlicensed seller.
Music’s top stars pack the stage for ‘FireAid’ relief concert
Some of the biggest names in music rocked the stage in dual concerts Thursday night, raising money for victims of the recent Los Angeles area wildfires. The star-studded event also saw some iconic reunions.
All surviving members of Nirvana came together for a surprise performance, playing some of the band’s most famous songs with St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and former Nirvana drummer and current Foo Fighters lead singer Dave Grohl’s daughter, Violet.
Entertainer Gwen Stefani joined her former band No Doubt for the first time in years.
The wildfires, fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, left at least 29 people dead and destroyed entire neighborhoods.
The two largest fires, the Palisades and Eaton fires, have continued to burn for more than three weeks now. However, CalFire said they’re almost completely contained at this time.
FireAid organizers said 100% of the proceeds from the concert will go toward fire relief efforts.