Local News
Wife of UPS Pilot Fears the Worst Following Plane Crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
Louisville, KY — A woman has come forward expressing deep concern for her husband, a UPS pilot, who was scheduled to depart Louisville around the same time as the fatal crash of UPS Flight 2976 on Tuesday evening.
According to a message shared with a local news anchor, the woman said she has not heard from her husband since the incident and fears the worst.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the three crew members aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time.
The aircraft, operating as UPS Flight 2976, was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when it went down near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, igniting multiple fires and causing a partial collapse of a nearby building.
Emergency crews responded to the scene as flames engulfed several structures. Louisville Metro Police confirmed there are victims, though the number of casualties has not yet been specified.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for all locations within a five-mile radius of the airport as first responders worked to control the fires and conduct searches of affected buildings.
UPS confirmed that Flight 2976 was carrying three crew members at the time of the crash.
The company stated it is cooperating fully with federal investigators and is focused on contacting the families of those involved.
“We are working closely with authorities and will provide updates as more information becomes available,” a UPS spokesperson said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the crash, with the NTSB taking the lead and expected to release further details as the inquiry progresses.
Louisville’s UPS Worldport facility — the company’s largest air hub — is a critical component of global logistics operations, handling more than 300 flights daily and employing over 20,000 people in the region.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addressed the tragedy on social media, stating, “We are aware of a reported plane crash near Louisville International Airport.
First responders are on-site, and we will share more information as it becomes available. Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected.”
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash as the community awaits confirmation of the identities of those on board.
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.