Baby on board: Paramedics help passenger give birth just before Delta flight lands

Please fasten your seatbelt, make sure your tray table is in an upright and locked position, and prepare for delivery.

Delta Flight Birth

A passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta gave birth to a healthy 5 1/2 pound (2.5 kg) girl just before the Boeing 737 landed at Portland International Airport in Oregon on Friday night. Two paramedics who happened to be on the flight assisted, borrowing blankets from other passengers and using a shoelace to tie off the umbilical cord.

Baby Brielle Renee Blair came in about two weeks ahead of schedule; the plane, about 20 minutes.

Her mom, Ashley Blair, who is from Tennessee, was flying to Oregon to be with her own mother for the birth, but didn't quite make it. She went into labor about half an hour from Portland.

One of the paramedics, Tina Fritz, told The Associated Press on Monday that she and the other paramedic, Kaarin Powell, were returning home after vacationing in the Dominican Republic. They had been helping a nurse attend to the medical needs of another passenger at the back of the plane when a flight attendant asked them to check on Blair.

They found Blair was indeed in labor and contractions were getting close. It was a full flight with 153 passengers on board — soon to be 154 — so they began moving the passengers next to Blair back to their seats to make room for the delivery.

They asked flight attendants for blankets and an obstetrical kit, a sterile set of medical tools used in emergency childbirth. Fritz said they had to improvise when neither was available.

They got blankets from other passengers and a shoestring from a flight attendant to tie off the umbilical cord. Powell tore out one of her own shoes laces to use as a tourniquet to start an IV.

Then, Fritz recalled, the mother yelled: “OK, it’s time. I got to push.”

As she was doing so, flight attendants told Fritz and Powell they needed to sit, because the plane was about to touch down.

“We’re like, ‘No! No!’” she said.

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Blair gave three “super, really good pushes, and the baby came out really quickly,” Fritz said. “It was nice.”

Powell cut the umbilical cord and sat down while holding the baby. Fritz sat down next to her, and the wheels hit the runway.

“Baby pinked up right away," Fritz said. "She was gorgeous. Mom was a rock star.”

After the plane began taxiing to the jetway, they handed the baby to Blair, and everyone celebrated by taking photos.

A responding crew from Portland Airport Fire & Rescue “found the mother and baby healthy, and the new family was transported to a local hospital for observation,” Port of Portland spokesperson Molly Prescott said in an email to The Associated Press.

In a statement, Delta said a doctor and two nurses assisted flight attendants, but Fritz said there was no doctor and the only nurse stayed with the first ailing passenger. Delta didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking clarification.

“We extend our sincere thanks to the crew and medical volunteers on board who stepped in to provide care to a customer onboard prior to landing in Portland. The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority, and we wish the new family all the best,” Delta said in the statement.

Blair didn’t return messages from the AP. Fritz, who has been keeping in touch with Blair since the birth, said she's been a little overwhelmed by all the attention.

“I feel like we’re friends now forever,” Fritz said.

Thiessen reported from Anchorage, Alaska.

byDaniel Coleman

in

April 28, 2026

Baby on board: Paramedics help passenger give birth just before Delta flight lands

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NCAA remains on track to expand to a 76-team March Madness bracket for next season

The NCAA is still deliberating expandingMarch Madnesson both the men's andwomen'ssides to 76 teams for next season — a much-expected development that's been in the works for years.

NCAA UConn Michigan Basketball

The NCAA released a brief statement Tuesday in the wake of an ESPN report that cited unnamed sources saying a decision to add eight teams to the bracket is a mere formality that's expected in May.

“Expanding the basketball tournaments would require approval from multiple NCAA committees, including the men’s and women’s basketball committees, and no final recommendations or decisions have been made at this time,” the statement said.

Earlier this month at the Final Four, NCAA President Charlie Baker said the committees would, in fact, return to discussing the expansion once this year's tournament was over.

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The tournaments have been at 68 teams since 2011, when four play-in games were added to the beginning of the first week of play. The new format would add eight more at-large teams and take eight more teams out of the main bracket for play-in games.

The expansion isn't expected to generate a lot more income because it will only add games early in the first week. The current TV deal runs through 2032 and could be tweaked slightly.

Regardless of finances, the expansion would give power conferences more chances to place teams in the bracket — a growing concern as those conferences seek more power and control over college sports in the era of name, image and likeness compensation and the transfer portal.

AP March Madness bracket:https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracketand coverage:https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

byDaniel Coleman

in

April 28, 2026

NCAA remains on track to expand to a 76-team March Madness bracket for next season

The NCAA is still deliberating expandingMarch Madnesson both the men's andwomen'ssides to 76 teams for next season — a much-exp...

Read More

How the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting and response unfolded

Early details on security at White House Correspondents' Dinner prior to shooting 05:59

Gunfire at the Washington Hilton Saturday nightabruptly halted the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Aman allegedly armed with two firearmsand knives breached a Secret Service checkpoint outside the ballroom. He was stopped by law enforcement before he could reach the dinner where President Trump and 2,600 guests had gathered. A Secret Service officer was hit by a round and protected by a bulletproof vest, authorities said.

Here is a moment-by-moment account of the events, according to authorities and eyewitness accounts. All times are eastern daylight time.

8:34:29 PM: Security checkpoint is breached

8:34:29 PM: Surveillance video shared by the president shows a person barreling at full tilt through a Secret Service metal detector, stunning a half dozen officers. A swarm of officers chase after. Just down a staircase, 2,600 WHCD guests dine on a salad appetizer in the…pic.twitter.com/cI3eVrV8A9

— CBS News (@CBSNews)April 26, 2026

A person barrels at full tilt through a Secret Service metal detector, stunning a half dozen officers nearby. He's sprinting so fast he nearly clips one officer in plainclothes, who draws a sidearm. A swarm of officers chase after him.

The security checkpoint is separated from the 30,000square-foot ballroom by a staircase. About 2,600 people are inside, one floor below, eating an appetizer course of bread and salad.

Security camera video of the breach is posted by Mr. Trump on Truth Social.

8:34:33 PM: Rapid fire of gunshots is heard

8:34:33 PM: A series of gunshots can be heard in the ballroom. On the dais where President Trump is seated, the gunshots are muted, if audible at all. For guests in the back of the venue, the sound and smell of gunpowder are unmistakable.pic.twitter.com/N22nvriLCd

— CBS News (@CBSNews)April 26, 2026

A series of rapid gunshots can be heard in the ballroom. On the dais where President Trump is seated, the gunshots are muted, if audible at all. Some think a member of the waitstaff had dropped serving trays. For guests in the back of the venue, closer to the incident, the sound and smell of gunpowder are unmistakable.

At the time shots were fired, mentalist Oz Pearlman, the entertainer for the evening, can be seen at the head table performing a trick for Mr. Trump, first lady Melania Trump, press secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang.

Pearlman later confirms to CBS News he was trying to guess the name of Leavitt's unborn daughter who is due next week.

It takes more than 20 seconds for the president to be whisked off stage by his security detail.

Around 8:34:35 PM: Guests take cover

8:34:35 PM: Guests at the back of the ballroom take cover on the floor and under tables. Some shoot video on their phones of the unfolding scene.pic.twitter.com/gTW6eXvMhE

— CBS News (@CBSNews)April 26, 2026

Guests in the raised seating area at the back of the ballroom begin to take cover on the floor and under tables. Some take out their phones to shoot video of the unfolding scene.

Around 8:34:40 PM: Security rushes in

8:34:40 PM: Security officers rush up the center aisle, climbing over chairs and fanning out across the ballroom to their protectees.pic.twitter.com/f1KfRfKj86

— CBS News (@CBSNews)April 26, 2026

Moments after the shots, security officers rush up the center aisle, climbing over chairs and fanning out to their protectees. Some Cabinet members and members of Congress are crouched under tables.

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8:34:45 PM: Trump is evacuated

8:34:45 PM: Secret Service agents run on stage 12 seconds after shots are fired. VP Vance is quickly escorted offstage. An agent blocks President Trump with his body, but it takes several seconds for POTUS and FLOTUS to take cover. POTUS is escorted offstage 20 seconds after the…pic.twitter.com/jO1JLjRiLb

— CBS News (@CBSNews)April 26, 2026

Secret Service agents run on stage. An agent grabs Vice President Vance – who is still seated at the head table – by the shoulders, and pulls him out of his chair. He is escorted offstage within four seconds, while the president is still on stage.

Across the stage, a Secret Service agent stands in front of Mr. Trump, blocking him from view. Mr. Trump remains seated, the first lady visible next to him, while Pearlman stands behind them holding a paper from his trick.

At the same moment Vance exits the stage, the first lady starts to lower herself to the floor, and four seconds later President Trump starts to get out of his chair after agents yell to "stay down."

Leavitt and others seated at the head table get on the ground. Two Secret Service agents pull Mr. Trump up and start to escort him offstage. After taking several steps, Mr. Trump is lowered to the ground and covered by four agents. Leavitt exits the stage at a crouch. Mr. Trump then stands back up, and he and the first lady are escorted offstage by Secret Service. Mr. Trump exits the stage 20 seconds after Vice President Vance.

8:35:47 PM: Security sweeps continue

8:35:47 PM: Armed law enforcement occupy a stairwell at the rear of the ballroom. An agent shouts: "Is anyone in the kitchen?" Behind swinging doors, kitchen staff are lined up with arms raised as agents with guns drawn clear the area.pic.twitter.com/fY7JeaG3Wk

— CBS News (@CBSNews)April 26, 2026

Law enforcement with guns drawn occupy a stairwell at the rear of the ballroom. An agent shouts: "Is anyone in the kitchen? Is anybody in the kitchen?" Behind a swinging set of doors a nervous kitchen staff is lined up and stands with arms raised as agents, weapons drawn, clear the area.

8:37 PM: Administration officials escorted out

8:37 PM: Security details start removing administration officials from the ballroom as dinner attendees continue to take cover under their tables. Among those escorted out are Treasury Sec. Bessent, Defense Sec. Hegseth, Acting AG Blanche, and House Majority Leader Scalise.pic.twitter.com/wjqzJZReuW

— CBS News (@CBSNews)April 26, 2026

Security details start moving dignitaries from the ballroom.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche are escorted out as dinner attendees continue to take cover under their tables. A Capitol Police detail hustles House Majority Leader Steve Scalise through the room.

9:17 PM: Trump posts on social media

9:17 PM: President Trump posts on Truth Social that the shooter has been apprehended and that he “recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.”pic.twitter.com/OLfrLiCjkN

— CBS News (@CBSNews)April 26, 2026

Mr. Trump posts on Truth Social that the shooter has been apprehended and that he "recommended that we 'LET THE SHOW GO ON' but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement." He adds: "Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we'll just, plain, have to do it again."

9:39:12 PM: "We run to a crisis, not from it"

9:39:12 PM: WHCA President Weijia Jiang returns to the podium to announce that the dinner has been canceled. She adds that President Trump insists the dinner be rescheduled in the next 30 days.pic.twitter.com/abqwTQksUD

— CBS News (@CBSNews)April 26, 2026

Jiang returns to the podium to announce the dinner will not go on as scheduled. She adds that the president insists the dinner be rescheduled in the next 30 days.

"I said earlier tonight that journalism is a public service, because when there is an emergency, we run to the crisis, not away from it," Jiang says to the room full of reporters. "And on a night when we are thinking about the freedoms in the First Amendment, we must also think about how fragile they are."

byDaniel Coleman

in

April 28, 2026

How the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting and response unfolded

Early details on security at White House Correspondents' Dinner prior to shooting 05:59 Gunfire at the Washington Hilton Satu...

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Athletics activate Brent Rooker after All-Star missed 14 games with oblique strain

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Athletics activatedBrent Rooker off the 10-day injured listSunday and put the two-time All-Star in the cleanup spot as the designated hitter against Texas after he missed 14 games with a right oblique strain.

Rooker was injuredfouling off a changeup in a 1-0 victory at the New York Yankees on April 9. The 31-year-old's absence ended a streak of 213 consecutive games played.

The Athletics designated infielder Andy Ibáñez for assignment to make room for Rooker on the roster.

Rooker was hitting .146 (6 for 41) with two home runs, six walks and eight RBIs before the injury.

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Last season, he hit .262 with 30 homers and 89 RBIs and earned his second All-Star selection. He also took part in the Home Run Derby.

Ibáñez was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers in February and made the opening day roster. He was 2 for 17 in 11 games. The A's have seven days to trade, waive or send the 33-year-old to the minor leagues.

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/MLB

byDaniel Coleman

in

April 27, 2026

Athletics activate Brent Rooker after All-Star missed 14 games with oblique strain

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Athletics activatedBrent Rooker off the 10-day injured listSunday and put the two-time All-Star in the clea...

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Sean McVay explains 'grumpy' demeanor after Rams' Ty Simpson pick

Friday night's all right for smiling, at least according to Sean McVay.

A day after theLos Angeles Ramshead coach raised some eyebrows with his body language and demeanor during his post-draft media availability, McVay seemed to be sunshine and rainbows on Friday.

"What do you guys think, am I angry right now?,"McVay said with a smile and a laughas he took the podium during the Rams' post-draft press conference.

The head coach explained his seemingly "grumpy" demeanor in the aftermath of thesurprising selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, saying "normal life" got in the way.

"There were other things that had nothing to do with that (the selection of Ty Simpson), that's normal life,"McVay said."The main thing was, I couldn't be more excited about being able to add him, but also understanding of, how much I love Matthew Stafford, how respectful you want to always be to just the way things can be interpreted.

"And, so, the demeanor would have been stoic by nature, because you are excited, but by no means, it is Matthew's football team, and we are excited to add Ty."

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1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford - Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)

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No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983

McVay added that Simpson's time to ascend to the QB1 spot would only come on "Stafford's terms," and that all decisions that McVay and general manager Les Snead make come in "lockstep," and "collective and collaborative."

To that end, the Rams and Stafford are reportedly talking through a new contract, which could delay Simpson's debut as the team's signal caller.

More:Rams decision to draft Ty Simpson makes sense. Here's why | Opinion

That, coupled with Stafford's dominance in 2025 resulting in winning the league's MVP award, made the Simpson pick puzzling to some analysts, fans and experts, even before McVay'stense conference stoked flames.

For now, all's good in Hollywood, according to McVay, and the Rams are clearly welcoming the sequel to Matthew Stafford.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sean McVay has an explanation for 'grumpy' reaction at press conference

byDaniel Coleman

in

April 27, 2026

Sean McVay explains 'grumpy' demeanor after Rams' Ty Simpson pick

Friday night's all right for smiling, at least according to Sean McVay. A day after theLos Angeles Ramshead coach raised some...

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