Thanksgiving Archives

Democratic lawmakers from Connecticut report Thanksgiving bomb threats against their homes

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — At least five Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut have been targeted by bomb threats on their homes. Reps. Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Jahana Hayes all reported that they received the threats Thursday. No evidence of a bomb was found by police on their properties. This comes a day after a number of President-elect Donald Trump ’s most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees were targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks.” The FBI is investigating.… Continue Reading

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Big balloons, wet weather and 21 protesters arrested

NEW YORK (AP) — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marched, soared and roared into its second century as a holiday fixture despite a drenching rain and a brief disruption from pro-Palestinian demonstrators.… Continue Reading

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off a century after its first trip through Manhattan

NEW YORK (AP) — A century after the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the annual holiday tradition kicks off Thursday in New York City with new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, zoo and pasta-themed floats, performances from Jennifer Hudson and Idina Menzel, and more. This year’s parade features 17 giant, helium-filled character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, award-winning singers and actors, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty. The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and ends 2.5 miles away around noon at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, which serves as a stage and backdrop for performances.… Continue Reading

What stores are open on Thanksgiving? Not many since most stay closed to prepare for Black Friday

WASHINGTON (AP) — With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season, Americans will again be consumed with the annual trifecta of turkey, travel and transactions — lots of them. Most national grocery store chains are open on Thursday for last-minute needs, although many close early. Most big U.S. retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Day, either giving their staffs the day off or preparing for Black Friday. Many will open early on the day after Thanksgiving, which is typically the biggest shopping day of the year but has lost some of its frantic energy as more customers look for gifts online.… Continue Reading

Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have gone on strike during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage in North Carolina that started Monday morning. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. Airport officials say this holiday travel season is expected to be the busiest on record. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season.… Continue Reading

Joe Biden begins final White House holiday season with turkey pardons for ‘Peach’ and ‘Blossom’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has kicked off his final holiday season at the White House, issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in Minnesota. The president welcomed 2,500 guests under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom.” He also sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency. Later Monday, first lady Jill Biden will receive delivery of the official White House Christmas tree. And the Bidens will travel to New York to help serve a holiday meal at a Coast Guard station.… Continue Reading

‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’: How the TSA plans to handle record air travel

DALLAS (AP) — The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday — most of them by car. Thanksgiving Day falling so late this year has altered traditional travel patterns. At airports, the Transportation Security Administration says it could screen a record number of U.S. air travelers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration says a shortage of air traffic controllers could cause flight delays. Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport went on strike. Transportation analytics company INRIX says roads could be congested on Monday with both commuters and returning holiday travelers.… Continue Reading

From Maui to the Caribbean, college hoops’ Thanksgiving tournaments a beloved part of the sport

College basketball is ready for its Thanksgiving Week closeup. The schedule is full of early season tournaments that could create buzzworthy marquee matchups. And many of those come in warm-weather locations. The Maui Invitational in Hawaii turns 40 years old this year. It opens Monday with a field that includes two-time reigning national champion and second ranked UConn. The Battle 4 Atlantis men’s tournament in the Bahamas opens Wednesday. It has a field topped by No. 3 Gonzaga. There are also multiple women’s events in the Bahamas featuring ranked teams, including the fourth Atlantis women’s tournament.… Continue Reading

Charlotte airport workers voting on whether to strike during busy Thanksgiving travel week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are voting on whether to go on a 24-hour strike around Thanksgiving amid complaints about low wages and poor working conditions. The vote is being taken by employees of two airport contractors who provide cabin cleaning services, trash removal and other services. The airport expects over 1 million passengers to depart from it the weekend before the holiday. The date of the proposed strike has not been announced.… Continue Reading