The deadly American Airlines crashat DCA Wednesday evening is reupping long-held concerns about overcrowding at the airport and understaffing among air traffic controllers.
The big picture: Just last year, Congress added more long-haul flights to DCA despite fears they would jeopardize safety. The airport saw at least two near-misses in 2024.
For some of us in aviation, last night's midair collision just a few hundred feet over our nation's capital was a simmering fear made real in tragic fashion.
The big picture: Aviation safety experts have been warning that air traffic controllers are overloaded and overworked, and that the airspace is increasingly busy with record travel — a combination fueling a grim sense that it was only a matter of time.
The deadly midair collision near Reagan National Airport outside D.C. Wednesday marks the deadliest air carrier crash in the U.S. since November 2001, when a passenger jet crashed in Queens, New York killing 265. Another 265 were killed in airplane crashes during the 9/11 terror attacks.
The big picture: Fatal crashes of commercial aircraft in the U.S. have become uncommon in the 21st century, as regulations have increased, technology has advanced and safety measures and controls have improved.
The Justice Department on Thursday sued to block Hewlett Packard Enterprise from buying Juniper Networks for $14 billion.
Why it matters: This is the first antitrust case filed by the Trump administration, even though most of the investigation was carried out under President Biden.
President Trump and his allies are blaming diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for contributing to the tragic plane crash outside of D.C. Wednesday night, without providing any evidence of a link between the two.
Why it matters: Trump repeatedly cited DEI policies, a favorite boogeyman, at the Federal Aviation Administration as having some role in the plane collision during White House remarks. He also blamed Democrats who advanced inclusive workplace policies.
President Trump after briefly offering condolences and sharing plans to investigate a deadly plane collision outside D.C., took partisan hits against former presidents Obama and Biden.
The big picture: Trump said the White House had "strong opinions" on the collision, railed against his political opponents and blasted the FAA's diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Amy Call Well oversees all communications, marketing and branding for one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the world, EY.
Why it matters: The firm is going through a transformation, withJanet Truncale becoming global chair and CEO last year and having recently launched a major update to "modernize and refresh" the EY brand, Well told Axios.
If it's hard to be a CEO right now, then that difficulty is sure to extend to those who advise them.
Why it matters: Only 17% of CEOs feel their communications and public affairs functions are "very equipped" to keep pace with rapid economic, geopolitical and cultural changes, a new report from The Weber Shandwick Collective found.
General Catalyst has reached out to several large organizations about buying a stake in its holding company, as it continues to expand beyond its venture capital roots, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: GC is one of the startup world's most active investors, with $32 billion in assets under management. Portfolio companies have included Airbnb, Anduril, and Stripe.
The European Central Bank slashed interest rates by a quarter point on Thursday, a widely expected move that marks the fifth time in the last year officials have lowered borrowing costs.
Why it matters: The euro area is struggling with political dysfunction in Germany and France that is holding back activity, while the effect of still-high interest rates weighs on the broader economy.
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.3% annualized rate in the final three months of 2024, the Commerce Department said on Thursday — closing out a year of strong growth.
Why it matters: Despite some lost momentum at the end of the year, President Trump still inherits an economy expanding at a healthy clip, even as interest rates and inflation remain elevated.
An American Airlines regional passenger jet carrying 64 people collidedwith a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in midair near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday night, officials said, citing preliminary reports.
The latest: Emergency respondents were now "switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation," D.C. Fire and EMS Department chief John Donnelly said at a press briefing Thursday morning.
The financial services industry is very excited about the prospect that the Trump administration will go on a massive deregulation spree.
Why it matters: Financial services is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world, where compliance costs can soar into the billions of dollars and where getting innovations approved can take years.
With a typical buyout, a company offers workers money and maybe some benefits, and in exchange they quit. It's a gentler way to reduce headcount, and things typically go fairly smoothly.
Why it matters: Smooth is not the word for what's happened to the federal workforce over the past day and a half, not that things were going great before that either.
Pro-crypto PAC Fairshake, and its affiliated organizations, are ready for the 2026 midterm congressional elections with $116 million in cash on hand, the group announced Thursday.
Why it matters: Fairshake turned heads on both sides of the aisle in 2024 by assembling a campaign war chest of $169 million.
A Will Ferrell comedy, a star-studded White House conspiracy thriller and a comic book-style series about a beloved wall-crawler are among the top new titles this week on Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix and Disney+.
The intrigue: Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon star in this comedy about bridal parties who clash when two weddings are accidentally booked at the same venue on the same day.
A workforce discombobulated by chaotic recent events receives an email with the subject line "Fork in the Road." Inside, a deadline to quit or commit to the new mission.
Why it matters: If Musk's takeover of Washington is anything like his takeover of Twitter, federal workers — and Americans more generally — had better buckle up. His "slash first, ask questions later" management style has already been reflected in some of President Trump's biggest moves.
Rescue teams were combing the Potomac River after a plane carrying 64 people and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter collided near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday night.
The big picture: Both the American Airlines regional jet that was flying from Wichita, Kansas, to D.C. and the helicopter carrying three people while on a training exercise were in the river, officials said.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is aiming to be the first Republican in decades to sponsor major, pro-union labor reform, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: GOP leaders see an opportunity for a new, working-class coalition, which includes more union outreach. It's a major shift, and fault lines are already forming over President Trump's pro-labor Cabinet nominee, former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
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