1440 for 2/8/25 in News stories

Alaska Plane Crash
Rescue crews yesterday recovered the wreckage of a downed small passenger plane that went missing over the Bering Sea off Alaska’s western coast. All 10 people aboard the aircraft are presumed to be dead. The incident is the third major US aviation tragedy since last week.

The aircraft, operated by regional carrier Bering Air, had nine passengers and a pilot on board when its altitude dropped and its position was lost 12 miles offshore around 4 pm local time Thursday. The cause of the crash is unclear. The plane took off from Unalakleet, Alaska, and was crossing the Norton Sound, an inlet of the Bering Sea, on its way to Nome, Alaska—typically less than an hourlong flight. Weather conditions included light snow, gusty winds, and limited visibility.

The incident comes after a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided Jan. 29 near Washington, DC’s Reagan National Airport, killing 67 people. Two days later, at least seven people died when a medical transport plane crashed in a Philadelphia neighborhood shortly after takeoff.

US economy adds 143,000 jobs in January, short of expectations.

The nonfarm payroll growth for last month is down from 307,000 jobs added in December and below economists’ estimates of 169,000. The unemployment rate fell slightly to 4% from 4.1% in December. Average hourly earnings rose 0.5% month over month and 4.1% year over year—both higher than expected. See all data here.

UK to demolish Grenfell Tower eight years after deadly fire.

The UK government is set to take down the remains of the London social housing unit after a June 2017 fire—the deadliest in Britain since World War II—killed 72 people (see overview). Some families of the victims oppose the decision, hoping to preserve the building as a memorial, but officials argue redeveloping the site will help the community heal.

Gastrointestinal outbreak on Caribbean cruise sickens over 90 people.

The outbreak has affected 89 passengers and two crew members on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas cruise, which departed from Tampa, Florida, earlier this month. Passengers have predominantly been experiencing diarrhea and vomiting. The CDC was notified of the outbreak Tuesday and is monitoring the situation.

Heavy weekend snow and ice to strike US Midwest and Northeast.

The US Midwest and Northeast are bracing for a series of winter storms, with some areas, including parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island seeing over 5 inches of snow. A wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain is expected in other regions, making roads slippery and travel hazardous.

New York governor closes poultry markets after bird flu detected in NYC.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) ordered a weeklong shutdown of live bird markets in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island Friday after seven cases of avian flu were detected. The move, aimed at preventing the spread of the avian influenza, will remain in effect through Feb. 14. The CDC maintains risk to the public is low; see current cases and status here.

Humankind(ness)
Today, we’re sharing a story from reader Richard B. in Springfield, New Jersey.

“My daughter left her handbag with her phone and passport in the back of a taxi in Paris on the eve of a Sunday. Flight with her family was scheduled for 1 pm the next day. At 2:30 am, our phone rings in New Jersey with a 510 area code. When it rings a second time, my wife answered. A voice says, ‘Please don’t hang up as I have been trying to call someone for the last 6 hours. I work for Boeing in Seattle and my sister lives on the outskirts of Paris and has Felice U.’s pocket book. She doesn’t speak English but would like to return it. Her husband found it in the back of his cab.’”

“Our daughter contacted her concierge and arrangements were made for the brother-in-law to come to the hotel. This was accomplished by 10 am and they made the plane home in time. We still are not sure how the man in Seattle was able to trace us to NJ but his detective work and persistence in attempting to find someone is amazing. Upon their return, my daughter and her family found multiple calls from him on the home phone and my son-in-law’s cell phone documenting his persistent efforts. There are, indeed, good people in this world.”