Tag Archive for: chicago

United, American, Southwest Airlines and Others Say Masks No Longer Required – NBC Chicago

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Monday, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle voided the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current national mask mandate on airplanes and mass public transit.

The 59-page ruling from the Florida judge said the CDC failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures that left it fatally flawed.

The CDC had recently extended a federal mask mandate on public transit and in public transportation hubs until May 3, to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

Regarding the ruling, a White House administration official on Monday said, “The agencies are reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps. In the meantime, today’s court decision means CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time.

Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time.”

Based on that ruling, here’s a look at which major U.S. airlines are lifting their mask mandates for domestic flights.

American Airlines: Masks No Longer Required

“In accordance with the Transportation Security Administration no longer enforcing the federal face mask mandate,” American Airlines said in a statement Monday. “Face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights. Please note face masks may still be required based on local ordinances, or when traveling to/from certain international locations based on country requirements.”

Alaska Airlines: Masks No Longer Required

“Face masks have been like boarding passes for nearly two years — you couldn’t fly without one,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement. “But, as of today, masks are optional in airports and onboard aircraft, effective immediately.” 

“Due to a judicial decision in our federal court system, the mask mandate has been overturned, which means our guests and employees have the option to wear a mask while traveling in the U.S. and at work.”

Delta: Masks No Longer Required

“Following the ruling of a…

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CPS Security Guard Charged with Sexually Assaulting Teenage Student – NBC Chicago

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A Chicago Public Schools security guard has been charged with sexually assaulting a student on multiple occasions last year at a South Side high school.

Tywain Carter, 29, was held in lieu of posting $20,000 bond at a hearing Wednesday. Judge Mary Marubio noted that Carter was in a “position of trust or authority” over the alleged victim, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.

“You were a school security guard, this child was new to that school, and you used your position, as a security guard, as a way to have access to this child,” Marubio said.

Prosecutors said Carter had approached the student and the student’s mother, told them he was a security guard and promised to look after the teenager, who was newly enrolled.

Carter would sometimes be required to remove students from classrooms during the school day, and he told a teacher that he needed to remove the student to help “acclimate” the student to the new school, prosecutors said.

On “multiple occasions” last November and December, Carter took the student to a computer lab where the student was assaulted, prosecutors said.

In December, the student told their parents that Carter had been suspended from the school after another student made abuse allegations against Carter, prosecutors said. The teen then allegedly said they had also been the victim of abuse.

The student’s parents reported the allegations to police and school officials on Dec. 23, and Carter was suspended Jan. 6 after a disciplinary meeting with school personnel, according to prosecutors.

Carter was suspended in December while the district investigated, according to a CPS spokesman, who declined to say if the district had been notified of any other allegations against Carter.

“Chicago Public Schools (CPS) strives to foster safe and secure learning environments for our students, families, and colleagues. Our schools and the District investigate and address all complaints and allegations of wrongdoing in accordance with District policies and procedures,” the spokesman said.

The student was interviewed at the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center the next day and identified Carter, who was placed into custody on…

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Stratosphere Networks: Thinking About Computer Security?

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‘Somebody Has to Protect Us:’ CTA Bus Drivers Demand Increased Safety Amid Violence Surge – NBC Chicago

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Hundreds of CTA employees marched through downtown Chicago Saturday afternoon, begging for safety this holiday season following a surge in violence against the agency’s employees.

Keith Hill, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241, which represents a portion of the agency’s employees, says there have been nearly 400 assaults this year on CTA staff.

“Enough is enough,” he said. “Local 241 and 308 is fed up at this point.”

Just last weekend, a 49-year-old CTA bus driver was attacked while driving in the 100 block of North Michigan Avenue.

During the nighttime hours, the driver heard a loud noise and got out of the bus to investigate, according to police. When he did, he was confronted by two individuals. The two individuals then began to repeatedly punch the driver, causing bruises on his body and on his face, authorities said.

Chicago police announced the arrest of a 15-year-old boy the next day.

“We are out here moving this city every day, making sure people get to and from work in a safe manner, but we are getting attacked for doing our jobs,” said Marian Lampkin, a CTA bus operator. “We want to go home the same way we come.”

Union leaders and bus drivers say they’re concerned the trend of violence against transit employees will continue to rise without added security.

“When I think I’m coming to work safe – it’s like I got to pray because I don’t know what the outcome is going to be that day,” said CTA bus operator Tamirra Dixon.

A CTA representative told NBC 5 the agency is working closely with the Chicago Police Department, and the safety and security of its employees are top priorities.

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