First, a breaking news update: Tropical Storm Hilary brought flooding and heavy rain to Southern California, deluging desert cities. Follow updates. |
Good morning. We're covering near-misses on airport runways, severe weather and the Women's World Cup. |
 | | La Guardia Airport.Desiree Rios/The New York Times |
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The U.S. has not had a fatal plane crash involving a commercial airline in more than 14 years — an incredible safety achievement. |
But the elaborate system that keeps planes from crashing is struggling. In recent years, air traffic controllers, who guide planes out of harm's way, have suffered a staff shortage. Out of 313 air traffic control facilities nationwide, just three as of May met staff targets set by the Federal Aviation Administration and the union representing controllers. |
Aviation officials worry the shortage is leading to close calls, in which planes nearly crash. There were at least 46 near misses involving commercial airlines last month, according to an investigation by my colleagues Sydney Ember and Emily Steel that published this morning. Those close calls are still a small fraction of the nearly 1.4 million flights in the U.S. each month, and it is not clear whether the rate is increasing. |
But any close call is dangerous, potentially leading to a fatal crash that breaks America's safety streak. As a spokesman for the F.A.A. said, "One close call is one too many." The agency's goal is to reduce the number of such near misses to zero. Staff shortages make that harder. |
"The controllers we've talked to take real pride in their job, and they work really hard to make sure these planes are safe," Emily told me. "But they're worried that the circumstances around their jobs could make them slip up and that those mistakes could be very dangerous." |
What is behind the shortage? Part of the problem goes back decades: In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan fired thousands of air traffic controllers who were on strike. The F.A.A. then hired new controllers. Many retired when they became eligible to do so 20 years later. And now, another 20 years later, another wave of controllers is retiring. |
Chronic disinvestment in government services is another cause. Over the past decade, the number of fully trained controllers has fallen 10 percent, while airport traffic has increased 5 percent. The F.A.A. has asked for more money to increase hiring. Even if the agency receives those funds, it will take time to hire new controllers and train them. |
In the meantime, the U.S. risks more close calls. Some in aviation worry it's only a matter of time before the overworked system fails to stop a deadly crash. |
"Aviation officials will say that we have the safest system in the world," Sydney said. "But underlying that success are risks and issues that deserve attention." |
 | | Filling sandbags in Long Beach, Calif., yesterday.Daniel Dreifuss for The New York Times |
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- Rain and wind in Los Angeles toppled trees, downed power lines and closed roads. Follow updates here, as California wakes up to assess the damage.
- This storm is an extraordinarily rare event for the state. Scientists will have to figure out whether it is influenced by human-made climate change.
- Hilary made landfall on Mexico's Baja California coast yesterday, causing floods and mudslides. In California, officials closed parks and beaches and canceled events.
- An earthquake — unrelated to the tropical storm — struck northwest of Los Angeles yesterday afternoon. No damage or injuries were reported.
- Track Hilary's path and see the latest forecast.
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Employers claim they'll hire workers without college degrees. But having one still matters, Ben Wildavsky writes. |
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 | | Haptic suits translate music into vibrations. |
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Psychedelics: Ecstasy is considered one of the safer illegal drugs. But there are risks. |
Lives Lived: Ron Cephas Jones was an admired actor in theater and on television, including on "This Is Us," for which he won two Emmy Awards by drawing on his youth of drug addiction and temporary homelessness. He died at 66. |
 | | The Spain team after winning the World Cup.Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press |
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Victory in disharmony: Spain overcame a squad revolt and a key injury to win the tournament, beating England, 1-0, in the final. |
Unpleasant reminder: The president of Spain's soccer federation kissed the forward Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the medals ceremony. Sexism has plagued Spanish women's soccer. |
Growth movement: The final brought out fans of all stripes and rallied girls in England and Spain to hit the field and play. |
Rock bottom: The worst division in M.L.B. history? Welcome to a weekend in the AL Central. |
Frustration: The golfer Scottie Scheffler's problem was on display yesterday — his putter. |
Recreating a bygone China: Over the past few decades, China's government razed rural houses to make way for the highways and high-rises that propelled the country's modernization. Now, a group of artists are creating miniature replicas of the homes, for both an older generation nostalgic for simpler times and a younger generation who never got to live them. "If we don't leave a record, those born after the 2000s won't have any impression of this," said Shen Peng, a miniaturist. |
 | | Sarah Anne Ward for The New York Times |
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Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. — German |
 | Editor: David Leonhardt Deputy Editor: Amy Fiscus News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti News Staff: Lyna Bentahar, Lauren Jackson, Sean Kawasaki-Culligan, Brent Lewis, German Lopez, Claire Moses, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Ashley Wu News Assistant: Lauren Hard Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch |
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