Month: November 2025

The death toll has risen to 12, with dozens others injured, after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, igniting a massive fire and leaving widespread destruction in a nearby industrial area.

According to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, the plane’s three crew members, in addition to nine others who have not yet been identified, are among the deceased.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, said at a press conference that one of the victims is believed to be a young child,  and the Jefferson County Coroner is at the scene attempting to determine the identities of the victims, but said that will be “a little more difficult” due to the condition of the bodies. Two individuals who were hospitalized still remain in critical condition.

Officials said Wednesday that the left engine of the plane caught fire during takeoff and immediately detached.  National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman said that investigators have recovered the cockpit flight recorder and the flight data recorder, in hopes of finding out more about the accident.  Inman said that “the plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of runway 17 R. Shortly after clearing that fence, it made impact with structures and the terrain off of the airport property.”

The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter carrying about 38,000 gallons of fuel, went down around 5:15 p.m. local time shortly after takeoff, bound for Honolulu. Video footage showed one of the plane’s engines on fire moments before it crashed, triggering multiple explosions and a blaze that took more than six hours and 100 firefighters to extinguish.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, three crew members were aboard UPS Flight 2976, with the crash tearing through two nearby businesses — Grade A Auto Parts and Kentucky Petroleum Recycling — both located just beyond the airport’s perimeter. The recycling facility’s petroleum products may have fueled the explosion.

Sean Garber, who owns Grade A Auto Parts & Recycling, said four of his company’s 18 buildings were destroyed and that about 20 people were inside when the plane hit. “There was a huge ball of fire and massive multiple explosions occurring all around and obviously people running and screaming,” Garber said, adding that some employees “had to jump out windows” to escape.

Officials said at least 15 people were taken to hospitals across the city. University of Louisville Health reported that two remain in critical condition with burns and blast injuries. “As of this morning, 13 of those patients have been discharged,” spokesperson Heather Fountaine said.

Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency to speed aid and recovery efforts, noting that roughly 200 law enforcement officers and 18 fire departments responded to what he described as a “blazing inferno.” “There is a significant amount of resources in the search and rescue and, ultimately, what is probably by now the recovery effort that is occurring,” he said.

A temporary shelter-in-place order was issued within a five-mile radius of the crash but was later reduced to a quarter mile. About 135 homes and businesses in the area lost power. One nearby restaurant, Stooges Bar and Grill, narrowly escaped damage and has been assisting recovery crews.

Operations at the airport were halted Tuesday evening but resumed Wednesday morning with delays. “TSA screening remains ongoing this morning for departing passengers,” the airport said, advising travelers to monitor flight updates. Airport CEO Dan Mann reported that about 12% of flights were canceled.

Rep. Morgan McGarvey, who represents Louisville, said, “I’m heartbroken that we’ve now lost at least nine people in last night’s tragic plane crash. Please join me in lifting up their loved ones and all who are still waiting on news.” He described the aftermath as “apocalyptic,” with debris, fire, and smoke engulfing parts of the city.

UPS, headquartered in Louisville, said in a statement: “We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration plan to continue the investigation into the crash.

Editorial credit: RozenskiP / Shutterstock.com

The Supreme Court appeared skeptical Wednesday of President Donald Trump’s sweeping use of emergency powers to impose global tariffs, questioning whether the president overstepped constitutional limits by bypassing Congress.

The justices heard nearly three hours of arguments over Trump’s reliance on the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law meant to address national crises, to levy tariffs on a wide range of imports. The outcome could carry major implications for American consumers, businesses, and presidential authority for decades to come.

Under the Constitution, Congress holds the exclusive power to set taxes and duties. Trump, however, used IEEPA— which allows presidents to “regulate” imports during an emergency — to justify tariffs of up to 34% on China and 25% on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, citing the flow of fentanyl as an “extraordinary threat.” Lower courts ruled against him, saying the law does not grant such tariff powers.

Chief Justice John Roberts, a pivotal conservative voice, questioned whether Trump’s actions crossed into congressional territory. “The imposition of taxes on Americans has always been the core power of Congress,” he said, later noting that tariffs “reach into the pockets of the American people” much like taxes. Justice Elena Kagan added, “It has a lot of actions that can be taken under this statute. It just doesn’t have the one you want.”

Solicitor General D. John Sauer, arguing for the administration, insisted the levies were “regulatory tariffs, not taxes,” and that any revenue collected was incidental. Still, several justices — including conservatives — pressed him on whether such an interpretation gave the executive branch unchecked control.

Justice Neil Gorsuch voiced concern about “the gradual but continual accretion of power in the executive branch and away from the people’s elected representatives.” He even asked whether a future president could use the same logic to impose tariffs under a climate change emergency. “It’s very likely that can be done,” Sauer replied, prompting Gorsuch to quip, “I am sure you would.”

Some conservatives, including Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, and Samuel Alito, stated that Trump’s view that emergency statutes must be broad enough to let presidents respond swiftly. “Isn’t it the very nature of an emergency?” Alito asked. Barrett, however, also questioned the potential chaos if the court were to strike down the tariffs, asking how refunds — possibly tens of billions of dollars — would be handled.

For Trump, the stakes are immense. “If a President was not able to quickly and nimbly use the power of Tariffs, we would be defenseless, leading perhaps even to the ruination of our Nation,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Economists warn that the tariffs have raised costs for consumers — with some estimates suggesting U.S. families are paying about $1,700 more annually — and small businesses say they’ve been disproportionately burdened. An NBC News poll recently found that 63% of voters think Trump is falling short on his economic promises, many of which centered on lowering prices through tariffs.

If the Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s IEEPA-based tariffs, the government could face massive refund claims from companies that paid them. However, other tariffs imposed under separate trade laws would remain intact.

The case, brought by small businesses and a coalition of states, is being fast-tracked, and a decision could come within weeks. However the justices rule, the verdict will redefine the balance of power between Congress and the presidency — and determine how far future leaders can go in wielding emergency authority to shape the U.S. economy.

Editorial credit: Yaya Ernst / Shutterstock.com