Local News
Video shows moment UPS Cargo plane crashes in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jefferson County) — Dramatic video footage has surfaced showing the moment a UPS cargo aircraft, identified as Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, November 4, around 5:15 p.m. local time.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, operated by United Parcel Service (UPS), was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, when it went down near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, less than two miles from the airport.
The footage shows the aircraft descending rapidly before erupting in a massive explosion upon impact, igniting multiple fires and causing significant damage to several nearby buildings.
Emergency radio communications confirm the plane struck a commercial structure, resulting in a partial building collapse and widespread fire conditions.
Within minutes, the Louisville Fire Department escalated the response to a third alarm, requesting additional firefighting units, hazardous materials teams, and foam suppression trucks to battle the intense flames fueled by aviation fuel.
Crews began search-and-rescue operations inside the damaged building while evacuating nearby structures and securing power lines in the area.
Louisville Metro Police have confirmed that there are victims, though the number and identities have not yet been disclosed.
Aerial footage from local news outlets shows firefighters working amid heavy smoke and debris as large sections of the impacted buildings remain engulfed in flames.
In light of potential hazards from debris and toxic fumes, Louisville authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for all locations within a five-mile radius of the airport.
Residents and businesses are urged to stay indoors and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate safely.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departure.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation and release official updates as more information becomes available.
UPS released a brief statement confirming the incident, stating that the company is cooperating fully with authorities and that its “primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and the surrounding community.”
Emergency response teams remain on scene as investigators begin assessing the wreckage and gathering flight data to determine the cause of the crash.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. — A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas “TJ” Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting “pedophile protector” at the former president, an apparent reference to the administration’s handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told The Post. “But I am concerned about my job. I believe I’ve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.”
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is “a father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,” and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses “during this time of uncertainty.” Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabula’s actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.