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Major airline ditches snacks during short flights as ‘zero service’ sparks debate

Tue, 05 May 2026 18:39:20 -0400

Some Delta Air Lines passengers are voicing frustration over upcoming changes to onboard service, with critics questioning whether the move is more about cost-cutting than efficiency.

The reaction comes after Delta confirmed it will eliminate food and beverage service on roughly 450 daily flights — about 9% of its network. The changes, which take effect May 19, apply to flights of 349 miles or fewer, many of them under an hour in the air.

"Delta is adjusting onboard beverage service to create a more consistent experience across our network," the airline said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.

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"Customers traveling in Delta Comfort and Delta Main on flights 350 miles and above will now receive full beverage and snack service," the carrier said.

"Shorter flights will no longer offer food and beverage service — with the exception of Delta First, which always receives full service," the Atlanta-based airline added.

On X, some travelers described the move as "nickel-and-diming," while others questioned the removal of even basic drink service.

Under the new policy, full drink and snack service — including alcoholic beverages and multiple snack options — will be available on flights of 350 miles or more, about 14% of Delta’s daily departures.

Shorter routes that previously offered a limited "express service" will lose those offerings entirely.

Delta noted that many of the affected flights already had minimal or no service, particularly those under 250 miles, meaning some routes won’t see much change.

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First-class passengers will continue to receive full service regardless of flight length.

"Even on the small number of flights without beverage service, our crew will continue to be visible, available and focused on caring for our customers, like they do on every flight," Delta said.

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Lee Abbamonte, a New York-based travel expert, applauded Delta for the policy update.

"It's a reasonable decision," he told Fox News Digital. "Short flights don't need food and beverage — you're done in an hour and can easily plan ahead or just wait."

"Airlines have been cutting costs for years now, and it will only continue as fuel prices continue to rise and competition lessens," he added.

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One passenger on Reddit wrote a post blasting the decision, calling it "zero service."

Others passengers took to Twitter to debate the pros and cons.

"They can’t even spot me those three pretzels?" one X user wrote.

"They’ll charge you for a $9 water but keep paying the big guy like a king," another chimed in.

"Airlines really out here squeezing every last dollar," a third said.

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"Airlines could charge for food to offset some of the costs," one suggested.

Yet many travelers praised Delta's decision.

"A 350-mile flight is less than 45 minutes. I don’t know why anyone would worry about this at all. They can hardly serve the plane in the amount of time they have between takeoff and landing," an X user said.

"It’s ridiculous to do a beverage service when you only have maybe 20 usable minutes. Half the plane gets served, and the other half write complaint letters when they don’t get served," another added.

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A third agreed with that.

"On those shorter flights, it’s already a race to get everyone their small bag of chips. … Who cares?"

Top airline offers $99 rescue fares as thousands are left stranded by Spirit shutdown

Tue, 05 May 2026 13:54:27 -0400

JetBlue is stepping in to assist travelers affected by Spirit Airlines’ shutdown, offering discounted fares and expanding service in key markets.

The move follows Spirit’s sudden shutdown over the weekend, which halted thousands of flights and left passengers scrambling to rebook.

JetBlue will provide $99 one-way "rescue fares" for stranded Spirit customers with proof of a valid itinerary on the same route, with travel available through May 6, the company said in a press release.

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The airline will also cap certain fares at $299 on nonstop routes previously operated by Spirit from Fort Lauderdale and San Juan, aiming to prevent last-minute price spikes.

"This is really tough news for the thousands of Spirit team members affected, as well as the customers who were planning trips on Spirit," JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty said in a statement. "We want to help fill the void created by this loss."

JetBlue, which has major operations in Fort Lauderdale and San Juan, said it is positioned to absorb some of the displaced demand.

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The company is adding service to 11 destinations and increasing flights on existing routes, including new service to cities such as Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit and Houston, along with Barranquilla and Cali, Colombia.

As part of the expansion, JetBlue is also returning to Charlotte Douglas International Airport for the first time since 2024, reintroducing service to a market it previously exited due to lower demand.

Fox News Digital reached out to JetBlue for further comment.

The expansion will bring JetBlue’s Fort Lauderdale schedule to nearly 130 daily departures this summer, its largest operation at the airport to date.

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"South Florida is a key market for JetBlue, and we recognize this is a challenging moment for many travelers," said Geraghty in the statement. "Our focus is on stepping up in the near term by adding service, maintaining connectivity and keeping fares competitive, so customers can continue to travel with confidence."

JetBlue said it will continue to adjust capacity based on demand.

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The airline is also offering support to Spirit employees, extending travel privileges for pilots and flight attendants trying to return home and offering interview opportunities for open roles.

Travel experts are warning that the loss of Spirit Airlines could have ripple effects across airfare pricing nationwide, Fox News Digital previously reported.

Lee Abbamonte, a New York-based travel expert, said Spirit "almost singlehandedly kept pricing competitive in many markets," adding that its absence could reduce pressure on other carriers to keep fares low.

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"Without Spirit, there’s no reason for airfare to ever come down," Abbamonte told Fox News Digital, noting the shift could mean fewer options and higher baseline prices for budget travelers.

Andrea Margolis of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Underwater robotics expert reveals 'shipwreck city' hiding beneath major urban lake

Tue, 05 May 2026 06:00:57 -0400

An underwater robotics specialist is revealing a "shipwreck city" hiding beneath a lake in a major West Coast hub — and much of it remains a mystery.

Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) specialist Phil Parisi is working to verify and document nearly 100 "targets" in Lake Union, a central lake in Seattle, Washington.

The urban lake has served as a working waterway for over a century, supporting shipbuilding and vessel traffic in the Emerald City.

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The expert told KING 5 that about half of those sites, which were previously mapped but not visually confirmed, are believed to be shipwrecks — and not all of them have been explored by divers.

To bridge that gap, Parisi uses ROVs to document targets identified in sonar surveys.

"We need to document what these wrecks look like today," Parisi told KING 5.

He described deeper portions of the lake as a "ghost town," where plant life drops off beyond about 25 feet.

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"There is a harsh lack of life," Parisi said.

But what the lake lacks in marine life, he said, it makes up for in wreckage.

"It’s crazy that there’s so much down there," he added, according to KING 5. "It’s shocking to me. I was stunned. Looking at these maps — it’s shipwreck city."

Parisi told Fox News Digital that, while roughly 40 sites have already been documented, dozens more identified in sonar surveys have yet to be visually confirmed — work he is now taking on.

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Parisi and his team use GPS to get close to targets, then rely on sonar to locate them in low-visibility waters.

"Flying blind through murky, low-visibility waters is difficult, so we rely on ROV-mounted sonars to 'see' and determine the target's relative position," he said.

"Then, we descend to the bottom and fly toward the sonar signature until the target appears on the live ROV camera."

Because of pollution in Lake Union, Parisi said his team relies on ROVs rather than scuba divers.

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"It's nice not having to worry about contaminants," he said.

But they still face challenges, particularly with Seattle's piers lining the lake.

"Many wrecks are tucked underneath, and some marina owners are reluctant to let us film beneath their docks," he said.

"Additionally, when we do arrive at a wreck, gathering identifying information can be extremely difficult. Biofouling, rust, poor public anchoring techniques and other environmental degradation often shed registration stickers, obscure painted hull names, and cause wrecks to collapse."

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Asked about describing the lake as a "shipwreck city," Parisi said two things stand out about the underwater sites: the shallowness of Lake Union and the large number of "unknown" targets that remain.

"The lake is surprisingly shallow compared to other bodies of water in the Puget Sound, meaning lake goers are a stone's throw from the sunken maritime history yet are often unaware," said Parisi.

"Secondly, documentation or footage is missing for over half of the nearly 100 targets in the lake, leaving a huge gap in our understanding of what's down there."

Parisi said the work isn't a new discovery, but builds on earlier sonar surveys and dive records that mapped the sites.

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He also stressed the importance of local exploration, saying he wants Americans "to be excited about what's in their own backyard."

"Every place holds incredible landmarks and hidden treasures, yet we're often distracted by the humdrum of life," said Parisi.

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"When you get the chance, allow curiosity to take over and do a deep dive into your local city or town's history — it is amazing what happened not so long ago, and it never disappoints!"

Cruise ship passenger describes uncertainty after 3 deaths amid hantavirus probe

Mon, 04 May 2026 18:41:21 -0400

A passenger aboard a cruise ship where three people have died is speaking out, describing fear and uncertainty as the vessel remains off the coast of Cape Verde and the cause of a suspected hantavirus outbreak remains under investigation.

"I am currently on board the m/v Hondius, and what’s happening right now is very real for all of us here," the passenger said. "We’re not just a story, we’re not just headlines — we’re people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home."

"There’s a lot of uncertainty, and that’s the hardest part. All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home," he added. "So if you’re seeing coverage about this, just remember that there are real people behind it and that this isn’t something happening somewhere far away. It’s happening to us right now."

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Sunday that one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. Of the six people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.

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The vessel, m/v Hondius, remains off the coast of Cape Verde as authorities work to determine whether the cases are connected and when those requiring medical care will be allowed to disembark.

Oceanwide Expeditions, which operates the ship, released a timeline of the incident on Monday, showing the situation has unfolded over several weeks.

According to the company, a Dutch passenger died on April 11, though the cause of death could not be determined at the time. That individual was later disembarked on St. Helena on April 24.

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On April 27, the cruise line said the passenger’s wife, also Dutch, became ill during her return journey and later died. It has not been confirmed whether those deaths are connected to the current situation.

Also on April 27, another passenger became seriously ill and was medically evacuated to South Africa, where the individual remains in intensive care. A variant of hantavirus has been identified in that patient, who is of British nationality, the cruise line said.

A third passenger, who was German, died on May 2, though the cause has not yet been established.

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Two crew members on board — one British and one Dutch — are also experiencing acute respiratory symptoms and require urgent medical care, the company said.

At this time, hantavirus has not been confirmed in the two individuals still on board who need treatment, and officials have not established a link between the virus and the three deaths.

The ship remains at sea with 149 people on board, representing more than 20 nationalities, as medical evacuations and disembarkation require approval from local health authorities.

The company said it is working with local and international authorities, including the WHO, as it prepares for possible medical repatriation and next steps. Officials are also considering sailing the vessel to Las Palmas or Tenerife, where disembarkation and further medical screening could take place.

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"Strict precautionary measures are in process on board, including isolation measures, hygiene protocols and medical monitoring," the company said. "All passengers have been informed and are being supported."

"We are in close contact with those directly involved and their families, and are providing support where possible," the company added.

Flight passenger yells, 'I want off,' calls crew 'idiots' and yanks open emergency exit door

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:50:37 -0400

An unruly flight passenger erupted after a lengthy tarmac delay last week, according to a video that went viral — and he even yanked open the plane's emergency door.

The poster of the video on a Reddit forum at the end of April wrote that the incident took place on a Chicago-bound flight leaving Atlanta (the audio can be heard at the top of this article).

Storms in the Southeast "caused the plane to sit on the tarmac for some time," according to the Reddit poster.

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When reached for comment, a Delta spokesperson told Fox News Digital the incident took place on a 168-passenger plane waiting on the tarmac due to thunderstorms. Law enforcement removed the unruly passenger from the scene.

"The safety of our customers and crew comes before all else, and Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior," the official also said. "We apologize to our customers on this flight for the delay in their travels."

In the video, the man can be seen arguing with flight attendants about how the flight had been delayed for three or four hours, with even more delays in sight.

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"Get me to the gate, I want off,!" he said. "Or I'll take myself off."

The man can be seen yanking open the airplane door, prompting an attendant to exclaim, "Oh my God."

"'Oh my God!' Who are you?" he shot back.

"It doesn't matter, exactly," he added. "You know who matters? Me. I told you idiots."

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The pilot then chimed in via intercom and informed the man and others that the aircraft would return to the gate.

"Good idea!" the man said, before the video then cut off.

The Reddit poster said that the man was arrested when the plane arrived at the gate.

"When they returned to the gate, he was met [by] airport police/air marshals," the user wrote.

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"There was a scuffle, he threw his luggage at a flight attendant — and was arrested."

Commenters widely criticized the man's behavior.

"Yeah, this dude is a delusional narcissist," one person said.

"You can keep him, Atlanta," another wrote. "Sincerely, [a] guy from Chicago."

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Some commenters said they understood the individual's frustration.

"I don't agree with what he did, but I can understand it," a commenter said. "The airline should not be allowed to keep you locked up on the plane that long on the tarmac."

"As someone who has spent time trapped on an un-airconditioned plane sitting on the tarmac, I have to say that I understand the overwhelming desire to get off," another user wrote. "Nobody on that flight did what this guy did, but I am sure we all thought about it."

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A third user said, "Obviously, this isn't how people should behave ... but there also needs to be a limit on how long an airline can hold a plane full of people hostage on a runway."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Atlanta Police Department for additional information.

Spirit Airlines chaos could be big loss for budget travelers as they fight for answers

Mon, 04 May 2026 15:08:16 -0400

Spirit Airlines' sudden shutdown ahead of the summer travel season is stoking fears of higher fares — and raising questions about what comes next.

The airline, which had more than 4,000 domestic flights scheduled through May 15, abruptly halted all flights on Saturday morning.

"This is tremendously disappointing and not the outcome any of us wanted," Spirit CEO Dave Davis said in a company statement.

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"All flights booked with credit and debit cards are in the process of being automatically refunded," a spokesperson for Spirit previously told FOX Business.

"The majority of guests who booked travel on a credit or debit card were refunded as of Saturday evening, with a small percentage continuing to process. Refunds may take time to appear in a guest’s account."

Travelers who purchased tickets through third-party vendors will need to reach out to those providers to request refunds, the airline said, FOX Business reported.

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Passengers who booked using vouchers, travel credits or loyalty points face looming questions.

The news of Spirit's demise was "a blow to air travelers across the United States," according to Lee Abbamonte, a New York-based travel expert.

Abbamonte told Fox News Digital that Spirit "almost singlehandedly kept pricing competitive in many markets in the country."

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"With Spirit being no longer viable, there is no pressure on legacy carriers to keep prices lower, especially with skyrocketing fuel costs," he said, citing increased fuel prices tied to the war with Iran.

Fox News Digital reached out to Spirit Airlines for comment.

"This is going to have a ripple effect across airfare pricing all over the country," he said.

"You may not like Spirit … but you cannot argue with their pricing model," added Abbamonte.

"Without Spirit, there's no reason for airfare to ever come down, especially with fuel costs skyrocketing."

Hunter Shkolnik, a New York-based attorney and aviation expert, told Fox News Digital that he expects fares to go up "across the board."

"Legacy airlines win here, budget travelers lose," he said. "Spirit kept prices honest, and without it, fewer choices and higher baseline fares are almost inevitable."

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Michael Boyd, the Colorado-based CEO of aviation consultancy Boyd Group International, disagreed about fare hikes. He told Fox News Digital that the concerns are "absolute nonsense."

"By this point, Spirit is not really a factor," he said. "They’re not in a lot of major markets and the ones they are in are mostly focused in Florida."

Major U.S. airlines — including United, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest — are capping their rebooking fares.

Affected Spirit customers may be eligible for one-way tickets priced at around $200, provided they can verify their original booking, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a Saturday morning press conference.

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"I would recommend that if you have a ticket with Spirit that you actually try to book with these airlines as soon as possible," Duffy said.

American and Delta are also offering reduced fares on high-traffic Spirit routes, while Allegiant has frozen prices on overlapping routes. Frontier is offering up to 50% off base fares through May 10, Duffy wrote on X.

Spirit passengers had mixed reactions to the shutdown.

"My thing with Spirit was your ticket could be $75, but by the time you [added] your bag, seat and gas for the plane, you [were] paying $300 like any other airline," one person said.

"The only thing Spirit was good for is if you were flying with the clothes on your back and nothing else," another chimed in.

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"The way airline prices have doubled overnight because of Spirit shutting down," a third X user wrote. "Legit it's too expensive to literally exist nowadays."

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Sophia Compton of Fox News Digital, as well as Reuters, contributed reporting.

Fragile 'underwater museum' of ancient shipwrecks discovered beneath busy sea corridor

Mon, 04 May 2026 06:00:29 -0400

Over 100 historic shipwrecks have been uncovered at a strategic maritime gateway — and researchers warn they may be at risk of fading away.

The vessels were found on the seafloor of the Bay of Gibraltar, part of the narrow waterway linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, by researchers with Project Herakles.

The project, a joint venture between Spain's University of Cádiz and the University of Granada, has been underway for six years.

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Researchers have identified 150 underwater archaeological sites — the majority of which are shipwrecks, according to The Guardian.

The wrecks span centuries, from as early as the 5th century B.C. to World War II-era vessels.

The vessels include 23 Roman ships, four medieval ships, and the engine and propeller of a plane from the 1930s, according to The Guardian.

The findings were "not a chance discovery," said Felipe Cerezo Andreo, a lecturer in archaeology at the University of Cádiz — and the discovery took years in the making.

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The archaeologist told Fox News Digital in translated comments that his team's research has dramatically expanded what was previously known about the area.

"Before starting Project Herakles in 2019, only four underwater sites were known in the area; today we have information on more than 150 documented sites in just three years of work," he said.

"They can now be studied, protected and shared."

Researchers combined historical research with advanced technology to locate, map and study the wrecks.

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"We began by analyzing historical archives, museums and interviewing the local community of fishermen and divers, who know the seabed better than anyone," Andreo recalled.

Archaeologists then used advanced marine scanning technology to map the seafloor and locate buried shipwrecks, including magnetometers to "detect metallic anomalies."

Andreo said most of the recorded shipwrecks are from the 18th to 20th centuries — but older Phoenician, Punic and Roman vessels are also buried in the sands.

"The bay was a very important space in antiquity," he said. "We have evidence of settlements such as Carteia and Iulia Traducta that used these waters as their main port."

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He added, "Although the more recent ships are more visible, beneath them lie Phoenician, Punic, and Roman wrecks that tell the maritime history of both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic."

The scale of the findings suggests the area holds a continuous record of maritime history, he said.

"This tells us we are not dealing with isolated shipwrecks, but rather a submerged historical archive that has recorded every commercial and military movement since antiquity," said Andreo.

"The bay has functioned as a funnel of global history, and this is reflected in a seabed that preserves archaeological evidence."

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Most of the ships are in "critical" condition, he said — with the biggest threats coming from human activity, including port work, construction and looting.

"We have identified that a large portion of these 150 sites are at significant risk of deterioration," he said.

"Some are directly exposed on the seabed, making them vulnerable to erosion."

An invasive algae called Rugulopteryx okamurae is "drastically altering the marine environment and hindering the preservation and study of the remains," he said.

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"That is why, in Herakles, we prioritize non-intrusive documentation, [such as] photogrammetry and 3D models, to record everything before it disappears, following UNESCO principles of in situ conservation," he said.

The archaeologist stressed that the shipwrecks are still a living cultural resource, and that his team is "working to make this heritage accessible to everyone."

The team is planning an underwater park and VR experiences, so that people can explore the shipwrecks without risking further damage to the sites, Andreo added.

"We want society to feel that these shipwrecks are their 'museums beneath the sea,'" he said.

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"Ultimately, protecting these remains is about protecting the pages of the book that explain who we are today."

'Independence One' brings back golden age of air travel for America’s 250th anniversary

Sun, 03 May 2026 13:42:09 -0400

Southwest Airlines is marking America’s upcoming 250th anniversary with a new patriotic aircraft and a partnership aimed at boosting volunteer efforts nationwide.

The airline announced the launch of "Independence One," a specially designed plane featuring red, white and blue elements tied to the nation’s founding.

The aircraft includes visual references to American history, including "1776" displayed in script, 13 stars representing the original colonies and the phrase "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" from the Declaration of Independence, the airline said in a press release.

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Independence One joins two other America-themed planes in Southwest’s fleet, including Freedom One, introduced in 2021, and Liberty One, another recently unveiled aircraft.

"With our new 'Independence One' and 'Liberty One' aircraft, we honor this important milestone in our nation’s history," Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.

The airline also announced a partnership with America250, the organization leading the nationwide celebration of the country’s semiquincentennial.

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As part of the initiative, Southwest said it will contribute up to $250,000 through a "We Serve Together" grant program, supporting nonprofit organizations connected to employee volunteer efforts.

The funding builds on more than 180,000 hours of volunteer service logged by Southwest employees in 2025, according to the company.

"As America marks its 250th anniversary, Southwest Airlines’ legacy of connecting people and communities reflects the spirit of freedom and opportunity that defines our nation," Rosie Rios, chair of America250, said in a statement.

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The new jet entered service last week, with its first flight departing from the airline's hometown of Dallas and heading to Philadelphia, a city closely tied to the nation’s founding.

The aircraft will continue to fly routes across the country throughout the year as part of the broader America250 celebration.

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The airline, which has operated for more than five decades, said the initiative reflects its long-standing mission of connecting communities across the United States while honoring the country’s history.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Southwest Airlines for further comment.

Archaeologists uncover massive artifact depicting pharaoh thought to have challenged Moses in Exodus

Sun, 03 May 2026 08:00:56 -0400

Archaeologists in Egypt recently uncovered a massive statue believed to depict King Ramses II, the pharoah believed to be a major character in the Old Testament.

The statue was found at the Tel Pharaoh site in Husseiniya Center, Sharqia Governorate, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on April 22. The site is in Egypt's Nile Delta, northeast of Cairo.

Officials also described the statue as "remarkable" in size, weighing between 5 and 6 tons and measuring over 7 feet long.

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In a translated statement, the ministry described the statue as being in a "relatively poor condition of preservation," with its legs and base missing.

Still, officials described the statue as "likely represent[ing] King Ramses II."

Ramesses II, born in 1303 B.C., is considered one of the most influential and powerful Egyptian rulers of the New Kingdom era.

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The pharaoh is often cited by scholars as a possible ruler referenced in the biblical Book of Exodus, though no name is given in the Old Testament.

Ramesses II is said to have retaliated against Moses and refused his requests, which resulted in a series of plagues. He died in 1213 B.C.

Egyptian antiquities official Mohamed Abdel Badie said the statue was likely moved in ancient times and reused at the site.

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"[P]reliminary studies indicate the statue was transported in ancient times from the city of Pi-Ramesses to the Tel Pharaoh site, known in ancient times as 'Imet,' to be reused within one of the religious complexes, reflecting the religious and historical importance of the site across different periods," said Badie.

The statement also described the statue as "one of the important archaeological pieces of evidence that shed light on aspects of religious and royal activity in the eastern Delta region."

"As part of efforts to preserve this discovery, the statue was immediately transferred upon its discovery from within the temple complex at the site to the museum storage facility in the San El-Hagar area," the statement noted.

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The move was "in preparation for the start of precise and urgent restoration work, in accordance with the highest scientific standards followed in the conservation and preservation of antiquities."

The find adds to a growing list of archaeological discoveries recently announced across Egypt.

In late March, officials revealed eight rare papyrus scrolls dating back nearly 3,000 years, with their contents still unknown.

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Officials also recently unveiled the remains of an ancient religious complex in North Sinai, a site often identified with a biblical city mentioned in the Old Testament.

Massive 2,000-pound sea lion shocks tourists at iconic US hot spot: 'He’s like a Volkswagen!'

Sat, 02 May 2026 22:00:03 -0400

He’s getting a "seal" of approval — and stealing the spotlight.

A massive sea lion nicknamed "Chonkers," estimated to weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds, is drawing crowds to San Francisco’s Pier 39, where the rare Steller sea lion has been spotted lounging among much smaller California sea lions, according to The Marine Mammal Center.

The outsized marine mammal has quickly become a must-see attraction, with visitors flocking to the popular waterfront destination for a glimpse of the unusually large animal, whose presence is rare compared to the pier’s typical sea lion population.

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The massive sea lion dwarfs the smaller animals that typically crowd the docks.

"He’s like a Volkswagen! He’s so huge!" said visitor Oluwaseyi Akinbobola, who rushed to the pier hoping to see the animal after hearing about it.

Experts estimate Chonkers weighs between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds and likely traveled from waters off Washington or Oregon, said Laura Gill, public programs manager at The Marine Mammal Center in nearby Sausalito.

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Visitors snapped photos and gathered along the pier Thursday morning as the enormous sea lion flopped onto the docks, surrounded by dozens of smaller California sea lions that typically inhabit the area.

The protected docks offer shelter from predators and rough waves, along with an abundant food supply including anchovies, herring and rockfish, Gill said.

"There’s plenty of food in San Francisco Bay for them … a lot of easy prey for them," she said.

Despite his size, the Steller sea lion has been seen attempting to snuggle among the smaller animals for warmth, though he "sticks out like a sore thumb," Gill said.

Sea lions have gathered at Pier 39 since shortly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, whose epicenter was in nearby Santa Cruz County, when a small number of animals began occupying the docks before growing into a well-known tourist attraction.

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Chonkers has been most visible in the early morning hours and can be difficult to spot later in the day, adding urgency for visitors hoping to catch a glimpse.

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Officials say it remains to be seen whether more Steller sea lions will follow, but for now, the oversized visitor has become an overnight, and perhaps overweight sensation at one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist destinations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Massive new cruise ship unveils jaw-dropping outdoor theme park in middle of the ocean

Sat, 02 May 2026 18:20:53 -0400

Cruise lines have long competed over bigger ships and flashier amenities, but one company is now taking that rivalry to new heights — literally.

MSC Cruises has unveiled plans for a sprawling open-air "theme park" at sea aboard its upcoming flagship, MSC World Asia, including an over-water swing ride that will send passengers soaring above the ocean, according to a company press release.

The attraction, called "Cliffhanger," is billed as Europe’s first over-water swing of its kind, suspended high above the ship’s deck with unobstructed views of the surrounding sea. It will be part of a larger outdoor zone known as "The Harbour," designed as a central hub for open-air experiences and family activities, the company said.

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The Harbour is expected to feature a ropes course, waterslides and what MSC says will be the longest dry slide at sea, along with a playground and gathering spaces, according to the announcement. At night, the area is designed to transform into a lit-up entertainment zone with extended programming.

"As a family-owned company, MSC Cruises knows what it takes to keep the whole family happy on holiday," Steve Leatham, the company’s vice president of entertainment, said in a statement.

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MSC Cruises, based in Geneva, is the world’s third-largest cruise line, operating 23 ships that sail to more than 300 destinations across five continents.

The outdoor park reflects a broader push toward immersive, all-ages experiences — a trend gaining momentum across the cruise industry as ships increasingly resemble floating resorts, according to reports.

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At the center of the MSC ship will be the "Family Aventura District," a dedicated area combining outdoor attractions with indoor entertainment spaces, including a 10,000-square-foot kids club and an interactive arena where the floor itself becomes part of digital game shows, according to MSC Cruises.

The vessel is also expected to incorporate tech-driven experiences aimed at older kids and teens, including events hosted by an AI-powered avatar and interactive competitions, the company said.

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MSC World Asia is scheduled to debut in December 2026, sailing seven-night Mediterranean itineraries with stops in destinations such as Barcelona, Naples and Rome, according to the cruise line.

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Some cruise travelers, however, remain divided on how newer ships balance value with experience.

In online forums, some passengers say MSC offers strong pricing and comparable onboard options, while others argue competitors still edge ahead in areas like food and family programming.

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As ships increasingly add amusement-style attractions over the years, from zip lines to surf simulators, the scale of the open-air theme park suggests the industry is continuing to cruise heavily into onboard experiences.

Shakespeare's missing London home pinpointed after centuries-long mystery, researcher says

Sat, 02 May 2026 10:00:29 -0400

A researcher has pinpointed the exact location of William Shakespeare's missing London home, a mystery that has puzzled historians for centuries.

The property lies in London's Blackfriars district near the River Thames, according to a recent press release from King's College London (KCL).

The property covered what is now Ireland Yard and parts of Burgon Street, including the area around 5 St. Andrew’s Hill in Blackfriars.

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Lucy Munro, a professor of Shakespeare and early modern literature at KCL, identified the location by uncovering a previously overlooked 1668 map.

From there, Munro linked it to a chain of property records tracing ownership back to Shakespeare.

The professor told KCL, "I was doing research as part of a wider project and couldn’t believe it when I realized what I was looking at — the floor plan of Shakespeare's Blackfriars house."

The property's exact location "has puzzled academics since the 18th century," though scholars have long known that Shakespeare owned property in Blackfriars later in life, the university said.

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"It has long been thought that Shakespeare retired from his London theater career not long after he purchased the Blackfriars house in 1613, returning to Stratford-upon-Avon, where he had a comfortable life as a gentleman," KCL's release stated.

"However, this discovery could indicate that Shakespeare spent more time in London in his later years than has been thought."

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Munro said she's "confident" her discovery marks the exact location of Shakespeare's property.

The professor said a "continuous paper trail" from 1613 to 1667 confirms the property's exact location, backed by indentures, lease records and a map drafted shortly after the Great Fire of London in 1666.

The documents also shed some light on how Shakespeare may have used the property, though it's not entirely clear.

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"I think that the 1668 plan encourages us to reassess how he might have used it, as it gives us a much clearer idea of what it might have been like," she said.

"It shows that the house was L-shaped, with a section to the north of the gate that stretched back from St Andrew’s Hill. That section is about 58 square meters [624 square feet], and it probably had two stories, as part of it was erected over the gate."

She added the evidence suggests Shakespeare may have intended to use the London property himself, not just as an investment, though the property "clearly had the potential for subdivision."

Said Munro, "We know from his will that he had rented it out by 1616, as he mentions his tenant, John Robinson, but when Shakespeare bought the house he seems to have gone to some lengths to get it with vacant possession," meaning there were no sitting tenants.

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She added, "A sitting tenant is mentioned in one copy of the sale document, but that clause is crossed out and deleted, and it doesn’t appear in the other copy. … So, Shakespeare may well have bought the house with the intention of living there or of renting part of it and using the other part for himself."

The house is also less than a five-minute walk from the Blackfriars playhouse, where Shakespeare was working and co-authoring plays, which Munro says "suggests that we need to reappraise what he was doing in 1613."

She said that year is "generally treated in the scholarship as a kind of phased retirement to Stratford, but I think that this view is conditioned in part by the fact that we know that he died in 1616 — he obviously did not know that!"

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So, "the purchase of a substantial house in the Blackfriars precinct complicates things, as it argues that he had an ongoing professional and substantial investment in London."

Munro said future excavations at the site are "unlikely at this stage," noting a previous investigation there did not uncover any archaeological remains, but that doesn't mean that research won't continue.

"I’d like to know more about Shakespeare's intentions when he bought it and whether his daughter and granddaughter ever stayed there, but these things are very difficult to recover from the kinds of documentation that mostly survive, such as property transactions," Munro added, noting there's still some potential to find out who Shakespeare’s neighbors were in 1613.

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"It’s exciting to realize that there are still new things to find out about Shakespeare’s life and career despite the work of many brilliant biographers, archaeologists, social historians and others over more than two centuries."

US warns travelers to avoid picturesque country as security rapidly worsens

Sat, 02 May 2026 07:38:40 -0400

U.S. State Department officials are warning Americans to reconsider travel to an off-the-beaten-path travel destination that often draws adventurous tourists.

The State Department updated its travel advisory for Azerbaijan on April 28, warning Americans to reconsider trips to the country.

Azerbaijan sits in the South Caucasus at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

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The advisory stands at a Level 3, which urges Americans to reconsider travel due to safety and security risks.

Azerbaijan, a former Soviet state known for its mud volcanoes and unique landscapes, has become a niche destination for adventurous travelers.

Though Azerbaijan has long been under a Level 3 advisory, the latest update adds new warnings, with the U.S. State Department advising Americans not to travel to its southern border with Iran given the risk of armed conflict.

The country borders Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran.

Officials say the region has faced a continued risk of Iranian drone and missile strikes since U.S.-Iran hostilities escalated in late February.

"Do not travel to the southern border region due to risk of armed conflict, unless this is your best overland exit from Iran," the advisory states.

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The advisory also notes that terrorism is a concern in Azerbaijan, as individuals "may attack with little or no warning."

U.S. officials also warn against traveling to the Armenian-Azeri border "due to the risk of landmines."

"Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout this region," the advisory notes.

"Many of them are not marked, so it can be hard to know where they are."

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Other areas of Azerbaijan that contain landmines are Aghdam, Aghdara, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Khankendi, Khojali, Khojavend, Lachın, Shusha and Zangilan.

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department for additional comment.

Azerbaijan is the latest in a string of destinations flagged by American officials.

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Last month, officials issued an alert for Tirana, Albania, another budget-friendly destination, over Iran-related security concerns.

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The State Department also updated its Haiti travel advisory in April, warning Americans not to visit due to widespread kidnappings and ransom demands.

Major US city urges residents to work from home this summer for highly unusual reason

Fri, 01 May 2026 20:16:41 -0400

If the daily commute to work this summer is already sparking dread, officials in a major metropolitan area have a blunt warning for folks in 2026: Stay home.

Especially on certain days.

Leaders in New York and New Jersey are warning commuters about serious travel congestion during World Cup matches this June and July. NJ Transit says only 40,000 round-trip tickets from Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will be sold per game, significantly limiting capacity.

Cost may also be a concern. NJ Transit is expected to charge $150 for a round-trip train trip between Penn Station and the Meadowlands during the matches — instead of the usual fare of $12.90, a massive temporary increase.

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"If you are not attending one of the events, please, if possible, work from home because the city will be incredibly congested and so will New Jersey," Kathryn Garcia, Port Authority's executive director, said at a recent news conference.

"I would also discourage anyone from taking a rideshare.

"We are going to do a lot of outreach to people coming through our airport to make sure they know about illegal taxis, but it also is for those in the city. We encourage you to use public transit if you can," Garcia added.

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The advisory comes as transit officials brace for massive crowds with MetLife Stadium hosting multiple matches, including the final.

"The back and forth is just going to be tough," Garcia said.

Around Penn Station, a key hub for Long Island, New York City and New Jersey travelers, congestion is expected to worsen.

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NJ Transit’s section of Penn Station will be limited to ticketed World Cup riders for four hours before each match and three hours after.

Matches on June 22 and June 30 will overlap with commuter rush hour and are expected to strain the system.

For all those curious and wanting to plan ahead, here's the full list of matches to take place at MetLife Stadium.

June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco (6 p.m. ET)

June 16: France vs. Senegal (3 p.m. ET)

June 22: Norway vs. Senegal (8 p.m. ET)

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June 25: Ecuador vs. Germany (4 p.m. ET)

June 27: Panama vs. England (5 p.m. ET)

June 30: Round of 32 (5 p.m. ET)

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July 5: Round of 16 (4 p.m. ET)

July 19: FIFA World Cup Final (3 p.m. ET)

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"To reduce congestion and ensure safety, there will be no general spectator parking on stadium property on matchdays," according to NJ Transit's website.

"Access to the stadium will be limited to … official transportation options, and no private bus or charter operators will provide matchday service. Fans are strongly encouraged to plan ahead, purchase transportation in advance and follow official guidance."

Where was ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ filmed? A look at the real locations in the film sequel

Fri, 01 May 2026 16:30:16 -0400

As "The Devil Wears Prada 2" hits theaters, fans are avidly turning their attention to the real-life New York City locations featured in the film.

The long-awaited film sequel revisits the fast-paced world of fashion and media, following Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, and her former boss Miranda Priestly, portrayed by Meryl Streep.

It also showcases some of Manhattan’s most recognizable backdrops, from corporate office towers to upscale residential streets and everyday transit hubs.

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Much like the original 2006 film, the sequel leans on real-world locations to bring the story to life — a move that could once again drive tourism interest across the city.

Check out some of the key filming spots that are already drawing attention.

Midtown office buildings

One of the most recognizable locations in the film is 1221 Avenue of the Americas, a 51-story tower in Midtown Manhattan that served as the exterior for the fictional Runway magazine headquarters in the original 2006 film.

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Located between 48th and 49th Streets along Sixth Avenue, the building appears in key scenes where characters enter the office.

Filming for "The Devil Wears Prada 2" returned to the site in July 2025, drawing tourists and NYC residents, as scenes were shot outside the building and in its lobby.

Miranda Priestly's apartment

Miranda Priestly’s upscale Manhattan apartment was a memorable setting in the original film, where Andy personally delivered the next Runway issue.

The location is on the Upper East Side — and continues to draw interest from fans exploring the city.

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Smith & Wollensky steakhouse

Another notable New York City location tied to the original film is the iconic Smith & Wollensky steakhouse on 49th Street and Third Avenue.

In the original, Andy Sachs is sent to pick up a lunch order from the Midtown restaurant for Miranda and is given 15 minutes to get the steak.

Subway stations

The trailer showcases scenes outside the 34th Street–Hudson Yards subway station, near the Vessel — a 150-foot tall honeycomb-shaped interactive structure and tourist attraction made of staircases — as well as inside and outside the office building at 50 Hudson Yards.

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During production last summer, fans gathered nearby, taking photos and videos as scenes were filmed.

A Runway magazine-themed pop-up at 20 Hudson Yards in April 2026 drew numerous fans — featuring a huge red stiletto display.

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Bubby's

Known as one of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s go-to eateries, Bubby’s in Tribeca was also used as a filming location for "The Devil Wears Prada 2," where Hathaway was spotted on set as fans gathered to take photos and videos during production.

The restaurant was also featured in the series "Love Story" — further adding to its appeal for visitors.

Archaeologist reveals how Church of England leader's treasure ended up in river after decades-long mystery

Fri, 01 May 2026 06:00:45 -0400

An archaeologist uncovered a cache of rare religious artifacts deliberately thrown in an English river — and has now shed light on why they were dumped.

Gary Bankhead, an archaeologist at Durham University, has found a variety of valuable Christian artifacts in the River Wear in Durham.

The artifacts included a bronze crucifix, a silver trowel and a christening spoon, as well as a silver key, a 19th-century Russian icon depicting Jesus on the cross and a silver medal from 1964 showing Christ with open arms, surrounded by Greek letters in a Byzantine-style font.

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Other significant finds included gold, silver and bronze medals commemorating the Second Vatican Council, as well as a gold Greek Orthodox cross pendant and other medals, including one marking the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Bankhead has linked the hoard to Michael Ramsey, an English bishop who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961 to 1974 and later retired to Durham.

It’s "exceptionally unusual" to find a hoard of artifacts in a river, said Bankhead — especially one linked to the head of the Church of England.

Bankhead told Fox News Digital he's spent "many years" diving the River Wear and has recovered over 14,500 artifacts from the river in total.

Still, to him, the Ramsey hoard "immediately stood apart."

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He uncovered the hoard nearly two decades ago but recently detailed the findings in his book, "Pilgrim Souvenirs, Devotional and other Objects of Faith: Late-medieval to modern period small finds from the River Wear, Durham."

"What made it so striking was the way the objects had been deposited," he said. "They weren’t scattered randomly across the riverbed."

Instead, Bankhead found "distinct clusters" beneath Prebends Bridge, one of Durham's best-known bridges.

The archaeologist noted it looked "as though someone had stood above the bridge and deliberately dropped them into the water" — hinting at what was to come.

Bankhead spent the next two years recovering the hoard. Once he'd recorded each object, he found that a clear pattern emerged.

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He found that Ramsey's housekeeper, Audrey Heaton, removed the artifacts at the instruction of Joan Ramsey, the bishop's wife, as the pattern did not suggest a crime.

Bankhead said his explanation "only really came together" when he spoke with the niece of Heaton, who shared Heaton’s diaries and memories of her aunt.

He determined that Joan Ramsey packaged small groups of objects into plastic bags and weighed them down with stones to ensure they sank — though the exact reason remains unclear. Bankhead suggested the items may have been discarded because they could not be sold or given away.

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The niece told Bankhead that she recalled her aunt being "extremely upset" about being asked to throw the religious items in the river.

"She recognized that they had real historical and monetary value, and struggled with the idea of throwing them away," said Bankhead.

"This wasn't something Heaton ever forgot. It weighed heavily on her, which is why she talked about it whenever they met."

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The disposal process was covert, and Heaton was tasked with disposing of the bags while walking her dogs early in the morning or late at night.

"She was instructed to ensure that no one saw what she was doing," Bankhead said.

He added, "The objects were not randomly dispersed. Items relating to Greek Orthodoxy were found together in one location, Vatican-associated objects in another, with the remaining material arranged in distinct clusters beneath the four different bridge abutments."

Bankhead said he's never seen himself "as a treasure hunter in the commercial sense."

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"When the hoard was formally valued, I donated my share to the Help for Heroes charity, because making any personal financial gain from it never felt appropriate," he said.

"My interest has always been in the history and the story — not the monetary value."

Bankhead noted that each piece of treasure had its own story, with each one carefully created by skilled artisans.

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Though the pieces are more modern, it's not the first time in English history that religious artifacts have been deliberately dumped in a river.

The hoard "feels like a modern continuation of a pattern I’ve encountered repeatedly among the more than 14,500 artifacts I’ve recovered from the Wear," Bankhead said.

"[It shows] people choosing the river as the final resting place for religious or deeply personal objects," he added.

"What the hoard makes clear is that this practice stretches back to late-medieval pilgrimage and continues, quite remarkably, into the 20th century."

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Bankhead's book, "Pilgrim Souvenirs, Devotional and other Objects of Faith: Late-medieval to modern period small finds from the River Wear, Durham," is available on Amazon.

Classic cars, packed streets as Springfield erupts for Route 66 celebration, drawing national attention

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:50:34 -0400

"Fox & Friends" co-host Steve Doocy wrapped up his Route 66 road trip Thursday, spending time in Springfield, Missouri, to celebrate the historic highway’s 100th anniversary this year.

The visit marked the final leg of Doocy’s three-day journey along the iconic roadway, often called the "Mother Road," which stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, California.

After kicking off the trip in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and traveling through Kansas, Doocy arrived in Springfield, widely recognized as the birthplace of Route 66.

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"Everybody today here in Springfield is wearing their Route 66 merch," Doocy said during a live segment.

On Thursday, Doocy was broadcasting live from along the route, where locals and car enthusiasts gathered with classic vehicles to mark the milestone.

"It’s been really interesting because so many people in all the towns that we have visited have turned out," Doocy said. "In these towns, this is a very big deal."

Classic Mustangs lined the roadway as part of the celebration, with owners showing off vehicles tied to the history and culture of Route 66.

The segment also featured former Missouri Rep. Billy Long, set to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Iceland.

Long emphasized Springfield’s historic significance.

"This is the birthplace of Route 66," Long said.

"I was born here. Route 66 was born here."

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Long shared the story of how Route 66 got its name, adding his signature auctioneer style.

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"A bunch of highway commissioners had an idea to put an intercontinental road through the country," Long said, adding that an auctioneer in the room counted through possible route numbers before landing on 66.

The celebration in Springfield marked the official kickoff of events commemorating the highway’s centennial, with communities across the country expected to take part throughout America's 250th birthday year.

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Doocy’s road trip highlighted the people, places and traditions that continue to keep the spirit of Route 66 alive nearly a century after its creation.

Startling footage from amusement park shows thrill ride halted as guests wait in midair

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:15:59 -0400

Dramatic video footage shows amusement park riders sitting about 200 feet in the air after a ride was halted last weekend.

Passengers sat in their seats on the Supergirl Sky Flight ride, a starflyer-style swing ride at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio on Sunday.

The ride is roughly 200 feet tall, according to Six Flags' website.

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In a statement, Six Flags told Fox News Digital the ride was stopped by an operator who saw a guest pull out a cellphone in violation of park policies.

The official said the incident lasted around seven minutes.

"A ride operator stopped one of our rides when a guest violated our safety policy," the spokesperson said.

"Once the issue was resolved, the ride resumed. All guests safely exited, and the ride remained open for the remainder of the day."

Rider Maria Salazar told Storyful it was "scary to have to wait up in the air, unable to move.

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"When my husband, our friends and I got in the ride, it stopped in the air for about 10 to 15 minutes before they had to call maintenance to bring us down."

The Six Flags' website says the Supergirl Sky Flight ride "is taller than the famous quarry walls surrounding the park."

"The 360 view you’ll get of the park and the land that surrounds it is truly breathtaking," the description said.

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"Too bad you’ll be spinning around too fast to catch more than a blur."

The park, which bills itself as the "Thrill Capital of South Texas," opened in 1992, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

The park is not to be confused with Six Flags Over Texas, which is located in Arlington, outside of Dallas.

A similar ride incident occurred at a Six Flags park in Massachusetts last week.

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Guests were evacuated from Superman the Ride at Six Flags New England last week after the roller coaster abruptly stopped.

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"Trained employees safely unloaded all guests from the ride," a spokesperson said in a statement at the time.

"Our team was in constant contact with the guests, and all riders were invited to return to the park."

2 mystery deaths at Zion National Park prompt urgent questions about visitor safety

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:30:40 -0400

After two hikers died within five days of one another at Utah's Zion National Park, there is renewed discussion about the risks of hiking in the desert escape known for its red sandstone cliffs.

With cliffs soaring over 2,000 feet above the Virgin River, the views are known to be breathtaking.

But towering cliffs, narrow slot canyons and rappelling can present significant challenges, even for seasoned hikers.

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The first incident occurred on April 17, when Gilberto Ramos, 68, of Laredo, Texas, fell to his death while hiking the notoriously narrow Angels Landing Trail, a route known for its steep drop-offs and chain-assisted ridge, according to the National Park Service.

"Park rangers and local law enforcement agencies responded to the incident after receiving reports from visitors," the National Park Service (NPS) said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.

"The deceased was located on the north side of Angels Landing in Zion Canyon near Big Bend," the NPS said. "Recovery operations concluded the evening of April 17, and the remains were transferred to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the State of Utah Office of the Medical Examiner."

Angels Landing is regarded as one of the most dangerous hikes in the U.S., with steep drop-offs where hikers must cling to chains along a knife-edge ridge, according to National Parks Traveler news outlet.

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Ramos’ death prompted a large-scale emergency response and temporary trail closures.

Authorities from the National Park Service, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and local search-and-rescue teams all assisted — and the incident remains under investigation, Backpacker magazine reported.

Less than a week later, a second tragedy unfolded.

On April 22, a 43-year-old man from Hillsborough, California, died while canyoneering in Spry Canyon. It is considered an easier route, but it does involve scrambling and rappelling, SFGate reported.

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"First responders arrived on scene at approximately 5 p.m. and provided emergency medical response, but were unable to resuscitate the individual," the National Park Service said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.

"The incident is currently under investigation by NPS and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and we don’t have additional information to provide at this time."

The second hiker, who has not been publicly identified, was traveling alone on a route considered beginner-friendly. Even so, it includes rappelling down cliffs as high as 165 feet, according to SFGate.

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Lucas Alfred, a spokesperson for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, told St. George News that deputies assisted rescue crews in responding to the call.

"This is considered a low-level accidental fall, meaning he did not fall very far, unlike a fall from the height of Angels Landing, for example," Alfred said.

Bill Wade, executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, does not believe hiking deaths have increased in recent years.

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"Many of them are true accidents — the person making an error in judgment that results in the person falling or being in a place of jeopardy," Wade told Fox News Digital.

He cited avalanches, rockfall, a falling river and getting "off route" as potential causes of hiking deaths or injuries.

"I don’t think many are from operational or infrastructure issues at this time — but if staffing reductions continue, response time to emergencies is likely to be affected," he said.

It’s impossible to eliminate every risk in national parks, Wade said.

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"There will always be accidents," he said, "and always the few visitors that will ignore signs and warnings and put themselves in jeopardy — some of whom will pay the ultimate price."

Kentucky Derby no longer guaranteed boom for Lexington as vacant hotel rooms replace sellouts

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:42:28 -0400

The Kentucky Derby may still draw big crowds from around the world, but hotels in nearby Lexington are struggling to fill vacant beds.

For years, Derby weekend meant sold-out rooms and sharply increased prices across the city.

Now, hotel leaders say that surge is spreading out, with more travelers opting to stay closer to Louisville or along surrounding corridors, according to FOX 56.

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The change has left some Lexington hotels working to fill rooms just days before the race, in sharp contrast to previous years when bookings were locked in far in advance.

Industry observers say a number of factors may be contributing to the shift.

Alice Ford, a travel host of "Alice’s Adventures on Earth" and frequent Kentucky Derby attendee, told Fox News Digital that recent changes to the event may be contributing to more spread-out attendance.

"They’ve added several more race days in the beginning of the week, which is spreading out viewership over a longer period of time," Ford said.

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She also pointed to tighter security measures and broader economic pressures.

"Big events like the Derby are no longer high priorities for a lot of people when choosing between expensive sporting events," Ford noted.

She also said changing attitudes toward the ethics of horse racing may be influencing attendance.

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Back in Lexington, hotel managers say the local impact is clear.

"Shelbyville has added a bunch of hotels — Simpsonville, even Frankfort. So now Derby is not considered a ‘special event’ here," Alison Chenet, general manager of a Hilton Garden Inn in Lexington, told FOX 56.

Instead of tripling rates and selling out, many hotels are raising prices more modestly and focusing on balancing occupancy.

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While Derby weekend remains busy, Chenet said Lexington hotels now see their highest demand during Keeneland’s spring and fall meets, as well as major events like the Railbird music festival.

She added that her property is already sold out for Railbird weekend, with room rates significantly higher than usual.

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Chenet said she expects bookings to pick up as race day approaches — but estimates her hotel will reach about 85% to 90% capacity.

Disneyland cracks down on guest actions with restrictions, sparking hot debate

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:00:02 -0400

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, maintains a list of "resort rules" targeting a surge in ride disruptions that has gotten renewed attention.

The changes, outlined in a recent operations briefing and detailed by the "Mickey Visit" blog, are aimed at improving reliability across increasingly complex attractions.

Guest behavior accounted for 13% of ride shutdowns in fiscal year 2025 — up from a 10% historical average — prompting the regulations, according to Natalie Katzka, director of attractions engineering services at Disneyland, who spoke at the briefing.

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One of the rules getting attention is a phone policy nicknamed by various blogs "Stow it, Don’t Show it" — as the "Disney Fanatic" blog and others reported.

Cast members conduct visual checks and will not dispatch ride vehicles if a phone is visible, according to the blogs.

Handheld filming is not permitted on high-motion rides, and phones must be fully secured in a bag or pocket before boarding, according to the briefing.

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The rule is being enforced on high-motion or technologically sensitive attractions like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and the Incredicoaster, the "Inside the Magic" blog said.

Disneyland officials told Fox News Digital the company is always evaluating its regulations to find ways to enhance the guest experience and create a safe environment for all visitors.

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Select attractions may have posted signage with rules in their boarding area, and guests are asked to listen to cast members’ instructions, the officials said.

The rules crackdown extends to other loose items, including oversized insulated drinkware.

The so-called "Stanley ban" targets large metal tumblers, which officials say pose storage and safety risks, according to "Inside the Magic."

Disneyland introduced dedicated storage solutions like ride-side shelves and expanded locker use, while also adding more water refill stations, according to the "Mickey Visit" blog.

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"Loose articles," said Katzka, include anything from phones and hats to water bottles and backpacks, all of which can trigger emergency stops if they fall from a moving vehicle or interfere with sensors.

Behaviors such as extending arms and legs beyond restraints are also not permitted, according to existing park rules.

Enforcement is tightening at park entry points, too.

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Disneyland has a ban on selfie sticks. "Selfie sticks, hand-held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices, flags and banners are not allowed in any theme park," the park says in its list of rules.

Security has been instructed to turn guests away rather than issue warnings, multiple blogs reported.

Bag checks at Disneyland have become more intensive, with security teams conducting deeper inspections for restricted items, according to several blogs.

As part of the park's dedication to its guest experience, the venue also uses facial recognition at the entry gates, Disney officials said.

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The goal is to facilitate re-entry into the parks and help prevent fraud.

The technology converts a guest’s face into a numerical biometric signature for park entry, which Disney says is deleted within 30 days unless required for fraud investigations.

Guests can opt out via designated manual-entry lanes, according to the "Mickey Visit" blog.

Disney fans took to Reddit to react to the limited cell-phone ban.

"Their entire ecosystem … requires you to use your phone for everything. This is laughable," a Reddit user said about the phone ban on specific rides.

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Another quipped, "Disney makes everything as app-based as possible … then complains about people being glued to their phones."

But another commenter had a different take. "I do not want to spend time on my phone when I am at ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth.’ I want to be in my happy place."

And another person wrote, "As someone who generally puts their phone away on the rides, I’m good with just experiencing it."

'Get off the plane,' Delta passengers chant at flyer who refuses to hang up phone

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:30:51 -0400

A Delta Air Lines flight passenger was removed from a plane in Miami after refusing to end a phone call before takeoff, causing a delay and enraging other travelers.

The incident happened Monday on a flight from Miami to Atlanta, the airline confirmed to Fox News Digital.

Crew members repeatedly told the passenger to hang up while the plane was taxiing, but the person refused to get off the phone and escalated the disruptive behavior, the airline said.

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"The safety of our customers and crew comes before all else, and Delta has zero tolerance for disruptive behavior," Delta said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"We apologize to our customers for this experience and delay in their travels."

The plane returned to the gate, where the passenger was removed.

The flight then departed about an hour later than scheduled, according to flight tracker Cirium.

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Footage of the incident shows other passengers voicing frustration as the situation unfolded, with some urging the individual to be considerate of others on board.

"Get off the plane," one passenger could be heard chanting.

Flight attendants later informed travelers everyone would need to deplane.

"So, we’re all supposed to listen, and he doesn’t?" another passenger said.

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"Just get him off the plane. He's in the front row," yet another person added.

Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," told Fox News Digital passengers are required to follow crew instructions.

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"FAA rules require passengers to follow airline procedures, which generally require airplane mode once a plane’s doors are closed," Leff said.

He noted that while a single phone is unlikely to interfere with aircraft systems, concerns remain about multiple devices transmitting signals at once.

"No one thinks a single iPhone is going to break a 787," Leff said. "The concern … is that operating together and at scale many devices used by all passengers could create these issues.

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"I do have to wonder, though, about a passenger who just refuses to get off their call," Leff said.

"That’s going to end badly."

'Really big deal': 13-mile secret of America's heartland revealed by Fox News' Steve Doocy

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:16:31 -0400

Steve Doocy, "Fox & Friends" co-host, continued his Route 66 road trip Wednesday, stopping in Kansas to celebrate the historic highway’s upcoming 100th anniversary.

The trip is part of a three-day journey along the iconic roadway, often called the "Mother Road," stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, California.

Doocy kicked off the journey Tuesday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he visited local businesses and spoke with artists about the city's deep ties to Route 66.

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On Wednesday, he made his way to Baxter Springs, Kansas, broadcasting live from a local grill and pub, Bricks and Brews.

"Kansas is the shortest state. It’s only 13 miles of Route 66," Doocy said during the segment. "The cool thing is everybody in this town grew up along Route 66, so this is a really big deal."

Residents gathered early to meet him, many sharing their personal connections to the historic road.

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"How many people grew up along Route 66?" Doocy asked the crowd. "Everybody did."

Doocy later continued the morning from the Baxter Springs Visitor Center, where local officials and residents gathered to celebrate the milestone.

"It may be the shortest stretch along Route 66 for Kansas, but it’s special to me because I’m from Kansas," Doocy said.

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Speaking with Mayor Kelly Abbott, Doocy highlighted how deeply the historic roadway is woven into daily life in the town.

"Everything we do is on Route 66, whether it’s go to school or work or to the high school ballgame," Abbott said.

Doocy noted that before the interstate system, the highway served as a primary route connecting travelers across the country.

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"This was America’s main street," he said.

The segment also featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new park designed to welcome travelers passing through the area.

"It gives us an opportunity for people to travel Route 66, explore our history and find a place to rest," one official said.

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Doocy also spoke with visitors about America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, asking what the milestone meant to them.

"I’m proud to be an American," one attendee said.

Others echoed similar sentiments, pointing to freedom and appreciation for veterans as reasons they value the country.

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Doocy’s trip will conclude in Springfield, Missouri, where the official kickoff of the Route 66 centennial celebration is set to take place.

Panic at popular theme park as stranded riders scramble to escape broken roller coaster

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:20:42 -0400

Guests at a beloved amusement park in Massachusetts were seen being evacuated from the park's most iconic roller coaster in an eye-popping video taken last week.

The guests were passengers on Superman the Ride at Six Flags New England, a park that brands itself as the "Thrill Capital of New England," when the ride appeared to malfunction on Friday.

Video shows guests carefully stepping down a steep, elevated section of track along a narrow maintenance walkway.

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The park said all riders were safely taken off the coaster, according to a statement obtained by Western Mass News.

"On Friday, April 24 the ride did not complete its typical cycle," Six Flag New England's statement said. "Trained employees safely unloaded all guests from the ride. Our team was in constant contact with the guests, and all riders were invited to return to the park."

The passengers appeared to be high above the ground, which unsettled commenters on X.

"I would have an absolute panic attack," one X user wrote.

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"Well that's terrifying, given I have ridden that coaster multiple times," another chimed in.

A third commenter said, "You’d think they have better options, especially if a child was stuck up there. I’d have no problem climbing down though."

Others were relieved the situation wasn't worse.

"At least they weren't stuck upside down," an X user said. "That would be my nightmare lol."

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The park, located in Agawam, Massachusetts, is roughly 25 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut, and 90 miles west of Boston.

The park is one of the largest in New England, known for its expansive lineup of thrill rides and its Hurricane Harbor water park.

Six Flags New England is also the oldest Six Flags location, having opened up in 1870 as Gallup's Grove, according to the Agawam Historical Association.

For most of the 20th century, the park operated as Riverside Park and was rebranded after Six Flags acquired it in the late 1990s.

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The incident came amid a separate event at another Six Flags park.

At Six Flags St. Louis, multiple fights involving juveniles broke out on Saturday during opening day.

Officials said that the fights involved as many as 100 people and were quickly dispersed by police, according to First Alert 4.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Six Flags New England for comment.

Beautiful destination forced to impose penalties to stop aggressive street tactics

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:29:01 -0400

A popular Italian island is taking new steps to improve the tourist experience by cracking down on aggressive sales tactics.

Capri, a luxury destination off the coast of Naples, has introduced a ban on persistent street solicitation, targeting restaurant hosts, tour operators and vendors who approach visitors with repeated or intrusive pitches, U.K. news outlet The Independent reported.

Under the new rule, violators can face fines ranging from about $30 to $585.

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The move comes as Capri continues to grapple with overtourism with as many as 50,000 visitors arriving on peak days, according to Italy’s national hotel association.

The island is implementing other changes to combat overtourism, as well.

Starting in May, officials are introducing limits on organized tour groups, capping them at 40 people, the association noted.

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Tour guides are no longer allowed to use oversized markers such as umbrellas or flags to lead groups — a move aimed at reducing congestion in busy areas, according to Euronews.

The measures were approved unanimously by Capri’s city council as part of a broader effort to manage surging visitor numbers and reduce crowding during peak travel months, Travel Noire reported.

The head of Capri’s local business association, Luciano Bersani, said the new rules are a "first step" toward easing congestion during the busiest times of day.

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"[The association] favorably welcomes the new regulation on tourist groups and guides. This is an important first step, calling for other concrete initiatives, which should allow for better use of Capri during certain hours of the day congested by the many daily visitors," Bersani said in early 2026, Italian media reported.

Capri has long enforced rules to preserve its character.

As far back as the 1960s, local ordinances banned disruptive behavior such as loud radios, overnight stays in public areas and picnicking on lawns, Time Out reported.

Local business groups have expressed support for the latest restrictions.

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The changes are expected to ease congestion in heavily trafficked areas such as the main square and marina, while improving the overall experience for both visitors and residents, Euronews said.

"This is an act of responsibility that reflects our vision of an island that is finally more livable," said Lorenzo Coppola, president of Capri’s hotel association, the Italian media reported.

"The new rules for [organized] groups are indispensable tools for decongesting critical areas, giving back breathing space to our pedestrian routes."

"I welcome the cap, which I don't see as protecting just VIP tourism, but for everyone," Gianluigi Lembo, owner of the famous Taverna Anema e Core, said in early 2026, Italian media reported.

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"We are studying this and port security extensively, and we will be able to resolve it well before the summer," Capri’s mayor, Paolo Falco, said in a statement to Italian media in February 2026.

The changes come as Capri prepares for another high-volume summer travel season.