Latest news with #Duffy
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Air traffic controller says its ‘safe to fly' but ‘avoid Newark'
Veteran air traffic controller Jonathan Stewart affirmed to the public during a recent television appearance that it is 'safe to fly,' but added that he would avoid the embattled Newark Liberty International Airport. 'It's safe to fly. I would probably avoid Newark until something else is done,' Stewart, a supervisory air traffic controller, said during his Friday night appearance on NewsNation's 'Elizabeth Vargas Reports.' Stewart's remarks come as the New Jersey airport has dealt with communication blackouts and ongoing staff shortages, prompting concerns from travelers and public officials. The airport, one of the largest near New York City, had at least two radar outages this month, shining a spotlight on outdated technology, and has a deficit of air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this week that 16 new air traffic controllers were placed in training to boost staffing figures. The workers were moved to the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), where Newark airport's operations are situated. Additionally, he said a new runway would be opened at the airport soon to combat congestion. 'The concrete has been laid. I think they're just striping. They are just striping right now,' Duffy told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday. 'We have a target date of June 15 of bringing the runway online.' The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said earlier this month it would slash the number of flights coming in and taking off from Newark to help reduce congestion and prevent delays. Until the construction of Runway 4-Left/22-Right is completed, the number of arrivals and departures will be limited to 28 per hour. President Trump and Duffy have vowed to overhaul the FAA, including launching a new program to promote the recruitment and retention of air traffic controllers and investing in more modern technology. Stewart outlined the stress and the responsibilities that air traffic controllers deal with daily while on the job and detailed a near incident on May 4 where two planes nearly collided. 'So, what led to that incident was basically fatigue in general, and that was due to a lack of staffing,' the air traffic controller said on Friday. 'I was using a combination of non-radar and radar rules, which is a completely different way of doing things than I'm used to doing normally.' Stewart noted that because he knew the radar would eventually go out — though he did not know the exact timing — he started writing down planes' flight data and call signs 'It's like knowing you're going to get into a car wreck. You just don't know when, so you better keep your seatbelt on just to, you know, be safe,' Steward told host Elizabeth Vargas. The air traffic controller said the FAA does not need more managers, but more leadership from the 'top.' 'So, there's an old saying to the military, which is, 'lead, follow or get out of the way.'' Stewart said. 'So, somebody needs to do something.' His words come after Duffy also admitted that he once changed his wife's ticket to avoid Newark — citing delays, not safety issues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Air traffic controller says its ‘safe to fly' but ‘avoid Newark'
Veteran air traffic controller Jonathan Stewart affirmed to the public during a recent television appearance that it is 'safe to fly,' but added that he would avoid the embattled Newark Liberty International Airport. 'It's safe to fly. I would probably avoid Newark until something else is done,' Stewart, a supervisory air traffic controller, said during his Friday night appearance on NewsNation's 'Elizabeth Vargas Reports.' Stewart's remarks come as the New Jersey airport has dealt with communication blackouts and ongoing staff shortages, prompting concerns from travelers and public officials. The airport, one of the largest near New York City, had at least two radar outages this month, shining a spotlight on outdated technology, and has a deficit of air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this week that 16 new air traffic controllers were placed in training to boost staffing figures. The workers were moved to the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), where Newark airport's operations are situated. Additionally, he said a new runway would be opened at the airport soon to combat congestion. 'The concrete has been laid. I think they're just striping. They are just striping right now,' Duffy told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday. 'We have a target date of June 15 of bringing the runway online.' The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said earlier this month it would slash the number of flights coming in and taking off from Newark to help reduce congestion and prevent delays. Until the construction of Runway 4-Left/22-Right is completed, the number of arrivals and departures will be limited to 28 per hour. President Trump and Duffy have vowed to overhaul the FAA, including launching a new program to promote the recruitment and retention of air traffic controllers and investing in more modern technology. Stewart outlined the stress and the responsibilities that air traffic controllers deal with daily while on the job and detailed a near incident on May 4 where two planes nearly collided. 'So, what led to that incident was basically fatigue in general, and that was due to a lack of staffing,' the air traffic controller said on Friday. 'I was using a combination of non-radar and radar rules, which is a completely different way of doing things than I'm used to doing normally.' Stewart noted that because he knew the radar would eventually go out — though he did not know the exact timing — he started writing down planes' flight data and call signs 'It's like knowing you're going to get into a car wreck. You just don't know when, so you better keep your seatbelt on just to, you know, be safe,' Steward told host Elizabeth Vargas. The air traffic controller said the FAA does not need more managers, but more leadership from the 'top.' 'So, there's an old saying to the military, which is, 'lead, follow or get out of the way.'' Stewart said. 'So, somebody needs to do something.' His words come after Duffy also admitted that he once changed his wife's ticket to avoid Newark — citing delays, not safety issues.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Monaghan's Jennifer Duffy relishing derby date with Cavan
While most footballers are elevated to senior inter-county status in relatively low-key affairs, the polar opposite was the case for Monaghan's Jennifer Duffy back in 2019. In the same year, the O'Neill Shamrocks star was part of an impressive Monaghan side that made it all the way to an All-Ireland minor final. Having overcome a Meath team that was spearheaded by her future DCU Dóchas Eireann team-mate Emma Duggan at the penultimate phase of the competition, Duffy lined out at left corner-back when the Oriel County lost out to Cork in a top-tier underage decider held at Glenisk O'Connor Park in Tullamore. A mere 13 days on from this 4-11 to 1-08 reversal at the hands of the Leesiders, Duffy was drafted straight into the Monaghan starting line-up for their crunch TG4 All-Ireland SFC relegation play-off against Westmeath in Dunleer. Her minor colleagues Maeve Monaghan and Hannah Sherlock also appeared as substitutes in this game and with Duffy being one of three players to rattle the net in a 3-18 to 1-10 victory, it was a memorable introduction to the highest level of ladies football. "That was actually our first game and they were like 'right, you're going in midfield' and I was like 'oh, OK!' We were kind of held off until the end of that year. We had been so successful [with the minors], we said we'd focus on that first. In fairness, the senior management was very good to us," Duffy explained. "They said 'come in when you can, we just want to bring you into the camp for the next year or so'. A few of us stepped up that day. When you're that young, you're a bit naive to what is going on. You're happy enough to go in and play. I don't think at the time I knew how much the game meant. "Especially the older girls, there was no way they were going to be relegated. When I think back now, I think there was so much power put into that day, that girls were just like 'we need to win this'. When I was young, you look up to Cora Courtney and when she tells you to do something, you do it. That is just the way it went." Duffy's exploits across both those Monaghan sides in 2019 offered an early indication of her versatility and she has continued to showcase an incredible ability to look comfortable in practically every position on a football pitch. Regularly used at full-back, centre half-back or midfield in recent times, Duffy has added another string to her bow in 2025. Despite donning the number six jersey for their TG4 Ulster intermediate football championship semi-final against Cavan in Smithboro at the beginning of this month, Duffy was actually stationed on the edge of the square and helped herself to an excellent haul of 2-02. Even though she was handed a similar role in a round five triumph over Clare in their Lidl National Football League Division 2 campaign earlier this year – she contributed a personal tally of 2-01 on that occasion – Cavan were somewhat surprised to see Duffy being deployed as the fulcrum of the Monaghan attack in this game. "It was something in the league that I was just carrying an injury and they literally said 'right, we'll put you inside'. It kind of worked. I'd say Cavan didn't really expect me to be inside. "They actually have our ex-goalie coach in with them. I was full-back when he was over us and now I'm full-forward. It probably was a bit of a shock to their system. They didn't really know that I was going to be in there, but I play there for club. So it's just playing there for county now too." Cavan will have to contend with Duffy's attacking prowess once again on Sunday afternoon when Monaghan renew acquaintances with their interprovincial rivals in the opening round of the TG4 All-Ireland intermediate football championship. Their Group 3 clash at St Tiernach's Park in Clones (throw-in 1.30pm) is part of a double-header with the men's clash between Monaghan and Clare. Given she expects their opponents to have a vocal following behind them in the wake of winning Division 3 of the Lidl National Football League and the TG4 Ulster intermediate football championship, Duffy is hopeful the Monaghan public will come out to support her team. "Cavan always have a good crowd with them, especially now. When teams are winning, you'll always have plenty of support to back them up. Every time we play them it is a derby, so you know you're going to get a good battle. "Even people getting in early for the men's game, they'll get the end of our game. It might actually start people to think 'oh, maybe we'll start supporting them'. It has nearly pushed us to be giving an even better performance, now that you know there is going to be a bigger crowd there." Since graduating from DCU, Duffy has been working steadily as a teacher at her own alma mater – Our Lady's Secondary School Castleblayney. This has effectively seen her coming full circle as during her time as a primary school student, one of her teachers was former Monaghan stalwart Nicola Fahy. She lined out for Monaghan at centre half-back in their TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship final defeat to Cork in Croke Park in 2011, when a young Duffy watched on in awe from the stands at GAA HQ. Fast forward nine years to an All-Ireland SFC campaign that was played in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and Duffy found herself lining out in defence alongside Fahy in championship games against Tipperary and Galway. "My school actually took us to the 2011 final. Nicola Fahy would have taught in my school. I definitely would have followed them the whole way up. Watched all the girls and getting that chance to actually play with them," Duffy added. "She [Fahy] was a primary school teacher and she would have taught me in school, so it was nearly nostalgic of thinking I was actually getting to play with her then come that late stage."
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jennifer Duffy and Monaghan on revenge mission against Cavan in All-Ireland intermediate championship after league loss
JENNIFER DUFFY continues to look forward despite defeat the last time she faced Cavan. And tomorrow, the Monaghan ace has the chance to gain revenge when the Ulster neighbours square off in Group 3 of the TG4 All-Ireland intermediate football championship . Regularly used at full-back, centre-back or midfield previously, Duffy has added another string to her bow in 2025. Despite donning the No 6 jersey for the Farney's TG4 Ulster IFC semi-final against Cavan in Smithborough at the beginning of the month, she was actually stationed on the edge of the square and helped herself to an excellent haul of 2-2. Even though the O'Neill Shamrocks star was handed a similar role in a win over Clare in the NFL Division 2 campaign earlier this year — when she bagged 2-1 — Cavan were surprised to see Duffy being deployed as the fulcrum of the Monaghan attack. But Duffy explained: 'It was something in the league that I was just carrying an injury and they literally said, 'Right, we'll put you inside'. It kind of worked. I'd say Cavan didn't really expect me to be inside. Read More on LGFA 'They actually have our ex-goalie coach in with them. I was full-back when he was over us and now I'm full-forward. It probably was a bit of a shock to their system. 'They didn't really know that I was going to be in there, but I play there for club.' Despite Duffy's haul, the Breffni ladies won that day on a score of 2-15 to 3-8. But they will have to contend with Duffy's attacking prowess again in the sides' championship opener in Clones tomorrow, a curtain-raiser to the men's All-Ireland group-stage clash of Monaghan and Clare. Most read in GAA Football Given she expects their opponents to have a vocal following after winning Division 3 and the Ulster intermediate championship, Duffy is hopeful the Monaghan public will come out to support her team. She added: 'Cavan always have a good crowd with them, especially now. When teams are winning, you'll always have plenty of support to back them up. Every time we play them it is a derby, so you know you're going to get a good battle. Young Kerry LGFA fan steals the show with sign during All-Ireland final win over Galway 'Even people getting in early for the men's game, they'll get the end of our game. 'It might actually start people to think, 'Oh, maybe we'll start supporting them'. It has nearly pushed us to be giving an even better performance, now that you know there is going to be a bigger crowd there.' Duffy's hopes of evening the score with Cavan should be boosted by the fact she has always been seen as a big-game player — while most footballers are elevated to senior inter-county status in relatively low-key affairs, the polar opposite was the case for her in 2019. In the same year, she was part of an impressive Monaghan side that made it all the way to an All-Ireland minor 'A' championship final. Having already overcome a Meath team spearheaded by future double senior All-winner Emma Duggan, Duffy lined out at left corner-back when the Farney lost out to A mere 13 days on, she was drafted straight into the Monaghan senior starting line-up for their crunch TG4 All-Ireland SFC relegation play-off against And with Duffy being one of three players to rattle the net in a 3-18 to 1-10 victory led by Louise Kerley and Cora Courtney, it was a memorable introduction to the highest level of ladies football. STEPPING UP She recalled: 'They were like, 'Right, you're going in midfield', and I was like, 'Oh, OK.' 'A few of us stepped up that day. When you're that young, you're a bit naive to what is going on. You're happy enough to go in and play. I don't think at the time I knew how much the game meant. 'The older girls, there was no way they were going to be relegated. When I think back now, I think there was so much power put into that day, that the girls were just like, 'We need to win this'. 'When I was young, you look up to Cora Courtney and when she tells you to do something, you do it.' Since then, Duffy has always been learning — and now she is always teaching as well, and hoping to inspire others in the same way she was. Since graduating from DCU, Duffy has been working steadily as a teacher at her own alma mater, Our Lady's Secondary School , Castleblayney. Fourteen years ago, she was in teachers , Nicola Fahy, play in Monaghan's TG4 All-Ireland SFC final defeat to Cork. In 2020, the duo would line up together in defence in championship games against Tipperary and Duffy smiled: 'She would have taught me in school, so it was nearly nostalgic thinking I was actually getting to play with her then come that late stage.' 1 Jennifer Duffy in action for Monaghan Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Politico
3 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Trump allies urge crackdown on Cabinet secretaries meddling in GOP primaries
MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. — President Donald Trump's allies are fuming at Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for getting involved in Michigan's Senate primary, a race that now threatens to divide Republicans. Duffy is headlining a planned June 4 fundraiser for Rep. Bill Huizenga, according to an invitation obtained by POLITICO — a move that puts Duffy at odds with the National Republican Senatorial Committee and 2024 Trump co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita. Duffy has also been advising Huizenga, according to a person familiar with the race. Duffy, according to the two people close to Trump, never cleared his political engagement with the White House political shop, and has now drawn the ire of Trump's top political hands. The transportation secretary's move to fundraise for Huizenga has now prompted threats of a crackdown on Cabinet secretaries' political activities ahead of the midterms, POLITICO has learned. 'He did not ask for it to be approved,' a person close to Trump and granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive political matter told POLITICO of Duffy's decision. 'It would not have been approved. They are old friends and it's technically for the House so not going to embarrass him by standing it down, but the fact is administration officials are not free agents politically, even in their spare time. You never get ahead of the President.' Huizenga has told others that a second Cabinet official could fundraise for him but they're settling on a date. One of the people familiar with Trump's thinking said they would not allow that to happen. The White House declined to comment. A spokesperson for Duffy did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Rogers declined to comment.
