Latest news with #LehighValleyInternationalAirport
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AVP to receive more than $6 million in state funding
AVOCA, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — New state funding is cleared for takeoff, and it's landing in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is set to receive $6,200,000 in state grants. Polish American restaurant to open in the Poconos The money will be used to expand the terminal and upgrade the TSA screening area, all aimed at improving security and making passenger travel smoother. Similar funding is also headed to Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown for improvements there. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Forget Precheck: TSA adds invasive new security measure
Going through airport security has always been an invasive process. In the interest of "safety," something everyone wants, federal agents have an awful lot of power. On my recent trip from Orlando to Hartford, the experience was particularly unpleasant. After putting my carry-on through the scanner, I walked through the body scanning area on my inner thigh lit up and the TSA agent did an aggressive (and intimate) pat down of the area. It's easy to defend that in the interest of "safety," but it seemed excessive. What was also surprising is that before I walked through the scanner, I presented my Real ID (a passport card) to the TSA agent at the counter and stood in front of him in order to have my picture the time, I didn't think much of it, but in retrospect I realized that in addition to the more strict identification process, the photo was actually new. This new process has some people up in arms over whether it's an invasion of privacy or some sort of effort to track where citizens travel. The TSA has pushed back on that notion. The TSA has easy justification for anything it does. It can grab my groin because it's protecting the public good. It can confiscate a corkscrew it missed in my baggage dozens of times for the same reason. Most people will put up with anything under the guise that it's keeping them safer. That's how the TSA explained the addition of the photo-taking technology when it was introduced at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania. 'This technology enhances detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent IDs such as driver's licenses and passports at a checkpoint and it increases efficiency by automatically verifying a passenger's identification,' Gerardo Spero, TSA's federal security director for Pennsylvania and Delaware, said in the news release. 'We just want to ensure that you are who you say you are.' The new photo-taking machines are a new version of the agency's Credential Authentication Technology to verify the identity of travelers. The first generation of these units was designed to scan a traveler's photo identification and confirm the traveler's identity and flight details. More on travel: Low-cost airline to pull all Hawaii flights amid low demand Government issues new travel advisory on popular beach destination Another country just issued a new visa requirement for visitors The new CAT units, referred to as CAT-2, have the same capabilities but are also equipped with a camera that captures a real-time photo of the traveler. "CAT-2 compares the traveler's photo on the ID against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the CAT-2 confirms the match, a TSA officer verifies, and the traveler can proceed through the checkpoint, without ever exchanging a boarding pass. The photo is then deleted," according to the federal agency. Air travelers have some options when it comes to how they get screened. You can, for example, opt for a full-body pat-down if you don't want to (or can't) go through the body-scanning machine. For people with certain joint replacements or heart conditions, that may be an easier choice. 'Credential authentication plays an important role in passenger identity verification. It improves a TSA officer's ability to validate a traveler's photo identification while also identifying any inconsistencies associated with fraudulent travel documents," Spero said. The system also confirms the passenger's flight status by verifying that the individual is ticketed to fly out of an airport on that same who might not trust the federal government, don't have to have their picture taken. "Photos captured by CAT-2 units are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification," according to the TSA. "Travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial matching process can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process." This technology is not limited to airports. It has been used in newer cruise ports as well.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Small Plane Flips Over While Landing at Pennsylvania Airport: See the Dramatic Photo
A small plane overturned on its roof while landing at Lehigh Valley International Airport on Friday, April 18, per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) news release. The Piper PA-22 plane flipped over after landing at the Allentown, Penn., airport on Friday morning. According to FlightTracker, the plane had departed from Lehigh Valley International Airport at 10:29 a.m., before it landed at 10:36 a.m. local time. Only the pilot was on board. EMS evaluated him on the scene, and he did not sustain any injuries. Related: Dramatic Video Shows Delta Plane Crash Landing in Toronto and Bursting into Flames Before Flipping Upside Down The airport's aircraft rescue and firefighting personnel, mutual aid partners, responded to the scene alongside EMS, per Lehigh Valley Live. The aircraft was then removed from the runway by a crane. The crews removing the plane blocked one of the airport's two runways. It was removed before 1 p.m., per CBS News. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. A representative for Lehigh Valley International Airport did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information on Friday. Read the original article on People
CBS News
18-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Small plane crash blocks runway at Lehigh Valley International Airport
A runway at Lehigh Valley International Airport was blocked Friday after a small plane crashed. Images from Chopper 3 showed a truck with a crane lifting the aircraft upright and preparing to tow it away. We've reached out to local authorities for more information and to find out if anyone was injured.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CAPITOL ROUNDUP: PennDOT Secretary Carroll talks REAL ID
Apr. 5—WILKES-BARRE — At an event at the Lehigh Valley International Airport this week, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll joined the officials from the airport and the American Automobile Association (AAA), to remind Pennsylvanians of federal REAL ID enforcement starting May 7. Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification — such as a valid passport or military ID — to board a domestic commercial flight, and enter a military base or other federal facilities that require ID at the door. More than 2.6 million Pennsylvanians have gotten a REAL ID driver's license or ID card since they became available in the state in 2019. "Pennsylvanians have options available to apply for a REAL ID-compliant product — mailed to you when you apply at a driver license center — or issued over-the-counter at a REAL ID center," said Secretary Carroll. "With federal REAL ID enforcement beginning on May 7, your travel planning should include making sure you have proper ID to fly, especially if you have flights planned for the summer." Rep. Meuser co-sponsors legislation to impose maximum pressure on Iran U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week co-sponsored H.R. 2570 — the Maximum Pressure Act — to impose the toughest sanctions yet on Iran and cut off its ability to fund terrorism across the Middle East. Rep. Meuser said that for years, Iran has fueled instability by financially supporting terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. He said weak enforcement of existing sanctions has encouraged its aggression, leading to deadly events, including the Oct. 7, Hamas attack on Israel, which killed over a thousand victims, including Americans, and triggered further strikes on U.S. forces and commercial vessels. Rep. Meuser said the Maximum Pressure Act would codify President Trump's maximum-pressure strategy by strengthening sanctions and blocking Iranian funds used for terrorism. He said it authorizes the U.S. government to seize Iran's $6 billion ransom payment and redirect it to compensate American victims of terrorism. Rep. Meuser said the bill also expands rewards for capturing those responsible for the Oct. 7 attack, cracks down on Iran's missile and drone programs, blacklists all unsanctioned Iranian banks, and mandates a full investigation into Iranian intelligence activity within the United States. Additionally, Rep. Meuser said it requires a report on how past sanctions relief may have benefited terrorist groups backed by Iran and prevents future administrations from lifting these sanctions without congressional approval. Rep. Meuser said sanctions on Iranian oil have historically been a highly effective tool in limiting the regime's financial power. Rep. Meuser said strict sanctions reduced Iran's foreign reserves to just $4 billion. "The Maximum Pressure Act is a critical step in cutting off the Iranian regime's ability to bankroll its proxy terror networks, including Hamas and Hezbollah," Rep. Meuser said. "By codifying strong, enforceable sanctions, we're sending a clear message — the United States will not tolerate attacks on our allies, our service-members, or our interests. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2570 — to protect U.S. national security, support our allies in the Middle East, and prevent further Iranian aggression." H.R.2570 has been referred to several committees for further consideration. Saving Penn State Schuylkill: Roundtable presents data against potential closure Students, educators, employers and concerned citizens filled the John E. Morgan Auditorium at Penn State Schuylkill this week to share their strong opposition to Penn State's plan to potentially close the campus. Hosted by Sen. Dave Argall (R-Pottsville) and Reps. Tim Twardzik (R-123), Jamie Barton (R-124), JoAnne Stehr (R-107) and Dane Watro (R-Hazleton), the event described how Penn State Schuylkill has changed lives throughout Schuylkill County and beyond. Argall opened the hearing by noting that the goal was to provide Penn State with as much information as possible about Penn State Schuylkill's impact on the community to guide their final decision. During the first panel, Dr. Cory Scherer, the interim chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill, shared that despite the news of the potential closure, applications and acceptances have increased compared to last year. He also discussed how the significant wait to hear Penn State leadership's final decision has taken a serious toll on students, educators and administrators. The second panel featured elected officials and employers from Schuylkill County, who discussed how the campus has positively impacted local communities and the regional economy. Robert Carl, the president of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, discussed the success of Penn State Schuylkill's recently created nursing program, which serves as a direct workforce pipeline to local healthcare systems. He also referenced a report indicating that Penn State Schuylkill was a local anchor institution that contributed $33.9 million to Pennsylvania's economy. The final panel featured students, who shared their perspectives on how Penn State Schuylkill has changed their lives. Seth Hubler, a Penn State Schuylkill alumnus, discussed his Penn State Schuylkill experience, including traveling internationally, serving as the Student Body President, and participating in the co-op program. At the conclusion of the event, members of the public shared their stories about the value of the campus to Schuylkill County. Barton said, "If Penn State needed any evidence as to why this campus cannot close, this roundtable is all the proof needed. So many people are fighting to keep this campus open." Argall closed the hearing with a warning, saying, "I have supported Penn State's appropriation each and every year in my time in the House and the Senate. If they close this campus down, I will never support this funding again." Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
