Spirit Airlines abruptly stopped flying after failing to overcome soaring fuel costs, stiff competition and heavy debt. The budget carrier, known for its yellow planes, exhausted cash after two bankruptcy filings within two years. A last-ditch $500 million rescue fell apart when bondholders rejected the terms. Travelers were stranded at airports with little notice; some final flights arrived and crews received farewells from air traffic controllers. At its peak Spirit employed about 17,000 people.
The Transportation Department said several major airlines temporarily offered capped or discounted fares to help stranded passengers, and some carriers opened spare seats and held hiring interviews for former Spirit employees. Those relief fares are limited and travelers were urged to rebook quickly.
Gasoline prices have jumped amid the conflict tied to Iran. The national average for regular unleaded reached about $4.43 a gallon, with some regions seeing increases of more than $1.40. Midwestern states have been hit especially hard, with places like Ohio, Indiana and Michigan seeing roughly a $1 rise in a single week. The White House pointed to global disruptions, including restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz and rising jet-fuel costs, while critics blamed past regulatory and market decisions. President Trump said prices should drop once the war ends and criticized some diplomatic steps, calling U.S. naval blockade actions pirate operations.
The U.S.-imposed blockade in and around the Strait of Hormuz has sharply reduced commercial shipping. U.S. forces have seized Iranian vessels and turned back ships thought to be linked to Iran, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has carried out numerous attacks and seizures of commercial craft. Thousands of mariners remain stuck at sea, rationing supplies as they wait for a resolution; at least 10 merchant mariners have been reported killed and tens of thousands of seafarers are affected by the standoff.
In legal and political news, an emergency request was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to restore mail access to the abortion pill mifepristone after a lower court limited its distribution. Separately, mid-decade redistricting battles accelerated after the Supreme Court found a Louisiana congressional map to be an unconstitutional race-based gerrymander. The ruling prompted several Southern states to redraw or scramble maps ahead of upcoming elections, raising concerns about shifts in congressional representation and potential gains for Republicans. State officials say minority representation will be preserved; Democrats promise legal challenges and are watching other states for potential map changes.
Severe weather moved through the Gulf Coast, bringing heavy rain and storms that caused slick roadways and crashes around Houston. Another storm system threatened the Midwest and Plains, with thunderstorms possible into Tuesday.
In the Pacific, scientists are watching an unusually large marine heat wave stretching roughly 1,500 miles from California to Mexico. Ocean temperatures in some areas are 4 to 8 degrees above normal. Researchers warn the heat could persist for months, increase harmful algal blooms, damage marine ecosystems and amplify extreme weather if an El Niño pattern develops, potentially contributing to a stormy summer.
Wildlife and science stories included the release of a humpback whale nicknamed Timmy off Germany after capture and transport following unsuccessful attempts to guide it back to deeper water. In California, an orphaned mountain lion cub called Crimson, found at about three weeks old in the Santa Monica Mountains and missing toes on one hind foot, is under care at the Oakland zoo. The zoo highlighted rescue and rehabilitation for animals that cannot be returned to the wild.
Other weekend items: Golden Tempo won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, becoming the first Derby winner trained by a woman. The British royal family released a new photo of Princess Charlotte for her 11th birthday, taken during a family Easter trip, and shared video of her playing on the beach with the family dogs. Weekend coverage also included rescue stories, human-interest features and national news roundups.
CBS Weekend News, produced in New York, reported these items and more with correspondents at airports, regional field bureaus, the White House and international desks. The broadcast included regular weather updates, environmental reporting on the marine heat wave, animal rescue pieces and human-interest segments.