Happy New Year 2025

Tag: Wake

Figure skating community mourns the loss of legend Dick Button in the wake of D.C. plane crash tragedy

The figure skating community experienced immense grief this week after 14 members of the community were tragically killed in a midair aircraft collision in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night.

Their loss came just a day before two-time Olympic gold medalist Dick Button, a pioneer in the sport who would also go on to have a legendary broadcasting career, died at 95.

FILE – Dick Button of Englewood, N.J., a North American men’s figure skating champion and winner of the European title, executes a jump during a practice session at St. Moritz, Switzerland, on Jan. 19, 1948, in preparation for the Winter Olympics of 1948. (AP Photo, File)

“On this terrible, sad day for figure skating with the loss of young upcoming talent and their family members and coaches in the plane crash, I am further heartbroken with the loss of figure skating legend, my friend, Dick Button,” Brian Boitano, who won a gold medal in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, wrote in a post on social media.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“RIP, Dick Button,” former American sports reporter Michele Tafoya said in another post.

“I like to think you went to heaven in time to welcome the young skaters and coaches who perished in Wednesday’s tragedy. May you all glide among the stars together.”

Everly and Alydia Livingston were killed in a plane crash between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. All 67 people onboard both aircraft are presumed dead. (Instagram/@ice_skating_sisters)

A winner of two Olympic gold medals, five consecutive world championships, seven straight U.S. titles, and three-straight North American titles, Button was one of the most accomplished men’s figure skaters.

OLYMPIC MEDALIST SCOTT HAMILTON RECALLS FINAL MEETING WITH CHAMPION RUSSIAN SKATERS DAYS BEFORE PLANE CRASH

He was the first to land a double axel and triple jump in competition, both leading to victory at the Olympics. After his skating career ended, Button would enter the world of broadcasting, eventually earning the name “The Voice of Figure Skating.”

Button died Thursday in North Salem, New York, his family confirmed Thursday.

“U.S. Figure Skating mourns the loss of the legendary Dick Button,” the organization said in a statement. “The two-time Olympic champion’s pioneering style & award-winning television commentary revolutionized figure skating. His legacy will live on forever. We extend our deepest condolences to his family & loved ones.”

FILE – Dick Button, of Englewood, N.J., the reigning figure skating champion of the world, is shown tuning up at Oslo to defend his Olympic title in the Winter Games. He is performing a stag jump on Feb. 12, 1952 in Oslo, Norway. (AP Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton spoke about Wednesday’s tragedy and loss of Button, a good friend, in an appearance on TODAY Friday.

Hamilton was in Wichita, Kansas, at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and was familiar with some of the victims in Wednesday’s crash, including world champion pairs skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

“It’s just been beyond anything I can handle,” a tearful Hamilton said of the losses.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

February 1, 2025
Omnilert CEO talks AI and school safety in wake of Antioch High School shooting

Omnilert was used by Antioch High School, which experienced a deadly shooting earlier this month. However, the incident happened out of the system’s field of view.”

Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, was the latest to experience a deadly shooting. In the wake of the tragedy, many have questioned the efficacy of Omnilert, the artificial intelligence-powered weapons detection system that was used in the school. Now the company’s CEO, Dave Fraser, is speaking out about the advantages – and limitations – of AI security systems.

“The way our system works is it’s monitoring video cameras, and if you think about it, it’s essentially playing the role of a human being,” Fraser told Fox Business. “But for it to work, it has to be able to actually see a weapon in the same way that a human would need to see the weapon.”

Fraser explained that unlike traditional surveillance systems, which are often used after an incident, the Omnilert system is meant to be used as a preventative tool, along with other mechanisms.

OPENAI ANNOUNCES US NATIONAL LABORATORIES PARTNERSHIP, PLANS TO SUPPORT WORK ON NUCLEAR SECURITY AND MORE

Image depicts the Omnilert system detecting a weapon. (Courtesy: Omnilert)

“The visual approach, which is quite new, offers some pretty interesting advantages when layered with other technologies,” Fraser said.

When speaking specifically about the tragedy in Nashville, Fraser said that the shooting took place “out of the field of view,” making it “impossible” for Omnilert to see the weapon and detect the threat.

In February 2023, the Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) board greenlit a $1 million contract with AI gun detection system, Omnilert, which is set to end on Nov. 30, 2025, according to local outlet WKRN.

Fraser told Fox Business that Omnilert’s systems are designed to work quickly, as with emergency situations “time is of the essence.”

“If it can see a weapon, it will typically detect it within less than a second and at that point the data regarding that potential detection is actually sent to human beings for verification.”

Omnilert system alert shown on a phone. (Courtesy: Omnilert)

US REPORTEDLY INVESTIGATING WHETHER CHINA’S DEEPSEEK USED RESTRICTED AI CHIPS

Once a threat is verified, Omnilert’s system can automatically activate other security tools, such as sounding alarms or locking doors. However, Fraser admits that no one system is perfect and that, in an ideal world, Omnilert would be combined with other safety measures.

The “bottom line,” Fraser says, is to use “multiple layers of defense.”

On its website, Omnilert spells out a possible layered approach to school safety. The list includes training for staff, onsite security, surveillance cameras, metal detectors and more, in addition to an AI-powered system.

According to Omnilert’s annual gun violence report, which was released earlier this month prior to the Antioch High School shooting, 2024 saw the second-highest number of K-12 school shooting incidents since 1966.

Example of how the AI-powered weapons detection system Omnilert finds a suspect with a gun.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Following the shooting, Fran Bush, a former Metro Nashville Public Schools board member, told the New York Post that she “knew this day was gonna happen.”

“I knew it was gonna happen just because it’s like a free open door, everybody coming in,” Bush added. She also said that she unsuccessfully pushed for the school district to bring in metal detectors.

In response to a Fox Business request for comment on the lack of metal detectors, MNPS Chief of Communications and Technology Sean Braisted said the school is working with Evolv to pilot a concealed weapon detection system.

February 1, 2025
American Airlines CEO says they are focusing on the needs of those involved in wake of midair collision

This is the first US plane crash since 2009.

A massive search and rescue effort is underway after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with an American Airlines jet at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on Wednesday evening.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom provided an update regarding flight 5342 before departing for Washington, D.C. early Thursday morning.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport (DCA) around 9 p.m. local time.

REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT CRASH: MILITARY BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER COLLIDES MIDAIR WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES JET

Emergency response units assess airplane wreckage in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport on January 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. ( Andrew Harnik/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Isom says the aircraft was operated by PSA airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, and departed from Wichita, Kansas. He went on to express his concern about the events taking place and that the company is now focusing on the needs of those involved, the first responders and their loved ones.

“Flight 5342 was under the command of 4 crew members and carried 60 passengers for a total of 64 people on board. We are actively working with local state and federal authorities on emergency response efforts and the American Airlines care team has been activated to assist our passengers and their families,” said Isom.

64 PEOPLE ON DOWNED AMERICAN AIRLINES JET, FIRST US COMMERCIAL PLANE CRASH SINCE 2009

A screenshot from an EarthCam appears to show the moment an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with an American Airlines jet at Reagan Washington National Airport. (Credit: EarthCam)

He also said he knows there are many questions and that although he can’t answer all of them at this time, they are working to get those questions answered, and he will continue to provide updates. He said that it is important they report accurate information because they owe that to everyone involved.

“We’re cooperating fully with the national transportation safety board in its investigation and will continue to provide all the information we can. Our cooperation is without pause, and we want to learn everything we can about today’s events. That work will take time, but anything we can do now, we’re doing and right now, that means focusing on taking care of all passengers and crew involved as well as their families. Members of our go team will be on their way to Washington D. C, and I’ll be heading there shortly as well,” he added.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Two rescue boats pull debris in the water after an air crash over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, on January 29, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, and it departed from Wichita, Kansas. There was no immediate word on casualties or the cause of the collision.

American Airlines has set up a special helpline that friends and family can call at 1 800 679 8215 if you believe you’ve had friends or family on board the flight.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

January 30, 2025
Duke’s Cooper Flagg described as ‘generational’ player after performance in win over Wake Forest

Cooper Flagg scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists playing 39 of 40 minutes in the Duke Blue Devils’ 63-56 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday.

Duke, the No. 2 team in the nation, improved to 17-2 and 9-0 against ACC opponents. It was Flagg who gave the Blue Devils the jolt they needed in the second half to inch away from Wake Forest. At one point, Flagg scored three times on a run of seven straight scoring possessions.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Duke’s Cooper Flagg blocks a shot by Wake Forest’s Juke Harris in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

On defense, Duke switched from man-to-man to zone to slow the Demon Deacons down with about eight minutes left in the game. Flagg admitted he never played zone before then. He finished with two blocks in the game.

Flagg’s legend is only growing ahead of his likely jump to the NBA. It’s a performance like the one against Wake Forest that only solidified him as a potential generational talent at the next level. It even left an indelible impression on Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes.

UCONN’S DAN HURLEY UNLOADS ON REFEREE WITH EPIC 1-LINER IN HUSKIES’ OVERTIME WIN: ‘DID I SAY THAT?’

Duke’s Cooper Flagg drives as Wake Forest’s Tre’Von Spillers defends in Winston-Salem, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

“Generational,” he said when asked to describe Flagg. “I’ll give you an example – their leading scorer last year was the first pick in the second round. This guy will be the first pick in the first round. Big difference.

“He’s a tough guy to guard. He’s got all the tools. The great thing about him… is his unselfishness. That he really wants other people to succeed.”

Flagg is averaging 19.5 points, 8 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season. Duke has 12 games left before the conference tournament begins.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer speaks to Cooper Flagg, left, and Kon Knueppel during the Wake Forest game, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Flagg and the Blue Devils are set for a game on Monday night against N.C. State.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 26, 2025