Thursday, July 25 2024

It is Thursday, July 25 2024. Here are four top stories.

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Southwest to end “open seating”

Southwest Airlines announced that it would no longer offer “open seating,” where passengers could walk in the plane and just choose any seat that was available. That means Southwest passengers will have assigned seats. For deaf passengers who use preboarding, you won’t be able to easily choose the seats at the front. The change is not happening immediately — Southwest said it would provide more information in September. Southwest said its research showed that 80% of its customers preferred an assigned seat. Southwest is still offering two free checked bags per customer.

ASL story based on this source:

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/25/southwest-airlines-seat-assignments.html

Images from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Airlines

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Biden passing “the torch to a new generation”

President Biden said in a televised address from the Oval Office last night that he is passing the torch to a new generation, referring to his decision to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.

Axios explained that Biden spoke in a “hoarse and at times halting tone.” He just had Covid-19. Biden did not talk about his health or talk about specific reasons why he was stepping down.

Biden said it is the time and place for new voices, younger voices, and that time and place is now.

Biden said he felt he deserved a second term but did not want to let his “personal ambition” get in the way of saving our democracy.

A CNN poll showed that 90% of Democrats approved of Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race.

ASL story based on these sources:

https://www.axios.com/2024/07/24/biden-speech-2024-election-campaign-harris

https://www.axios.com/2024/07/25/biden-oval-office-speech-kamala-harris

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Surfer’s leg bitten off by shark

On Tuesday in southeastern Australia, a 23-year-old surfer named Kai McKenzie was bitten by a great white shark and lost his leg while trying to fight it off. The surfer was able to catch a wave and make it to shore, where a retired officer with a dog happened to be there and offered quick help. The man was walking with his dog and used the leash as a tourniquet to slow down the surfer’s bleeding. The surfer’s leg washed up on the beach and it was put on ice. The surfer and the leg were airlifted to a hospital and doctors are hoping that they can reattach it. A GoFundMe set up for the surfer has raised the equivalent of almost $100,000.

ASL story based on these sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cprqxqz2deno

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kais-mckenzies-road-to-recovery-shark-attack-victim

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Abandoned newborn found crying near dumpster

On Sunday in Houston, a person called 911 to report that they heard a baby crying near a dumpster at an apartment complex. First responders checked the dumpster and found a newborn infant. A video shows firefighters holding a tiny baby with a towel among pieces of trash near a blue dumpster. The baby was taken to a hospital and is in good condition. The baby is now in the custody of Child Protective Services. Police said after investigating and checking surveillance footage, they have identified a suspect but is not releasing any information until charges have been filed.

ASL story based on these sources:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/houston-abandoned-newborn-dumpster/story?id=112246025

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That’s all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.