Inside Edition

Overcrowded and understaffed-- that's what critics say has been the state of affairs at Washington’s Reagan National Airport -- and Wednesday night it turned deadly. But in the wake of the tragic crash between an army chopper and that American Airlines jet, we've learned of a number of near misses between helicopters and planes. And for family members of those lost, the grief is only beginning to set in. And among the losses are two 11-year-olds who became best friends doing what they loved most - competing in skating events. Plus, Health Secretary nominee RFK Jr. makes no bones about the fact that he was a heroin addict for 14 years. But questions are being raised about some small pouches he was popping in his mouth during his confirmation hearing. And gold medal Olympic track star Gabby Thomas is afraid she's being stalked. Thomas says a group of strange men has been following her when she travels, showing up at airports all over the country. And it turns out she's not the only star athlete saying she's being targeted.

Recovery teams have spent the day in the frigid waters outside Reagan National Airport, engaged in the grim activity of retrieving the 67 victims of last night's deadly collision between an army Blackhawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane. Among the victims, figure skaters returning from a training camp in Kansas. And according to The New York Times, a preliminary investigation into the crash shows the air traffic control tower was understaffed. The report says the controller handling helicopters was also directing commercial planes, jobs usually assigned to two separate people. Plus, the Blackhawk helicopter involved in the crash is known as the workhorse of the military. Powered by two turbine engines, it can climb 19-thousand feet and lift more than nine thousand pounds. Now, it's at the center of the first major crisis for the new Trump administration. And the crash was similar to the crash back in 1982 - when an Air Florida jet crashed into the Potomac in the middle of a very snowy day in January when the jet, weighed down by ice, couldn't get airborne and crashed into the 14th Street Bridge.  

A situation in Florida that's left everyone who hears about it shaking their heads. A high school principal and a teacher are facing criminal charges following a party at the principal's home. Cops broke up the party which investigators say featured booze, drugs and more than 100 kids. Ann Mercogliano spoke exclusively with the teacher who was arrested. Both the principal and teacher have pleaded not guilty. And the most controversial of President Trump's cabinet nominees was in front of a Senate Committee today: only 3 in 10 Americans think Robert Kennedy Jr. is a good pick for health and human services secretary. Today when he went to Capitol Hill, his wife actress Cheryl Hines was right there with him. Plus, it’s not uncommon in many places to see bears. 18 states report an increase in bear encounters. But this was not just an encounter. Les Trent reports on a man who was attacked by a bear that turned out to have rabies. And an all-out brawl at a town hall meeting, and somewhere in this melee is the mayor who reportedly lost her wig as fists were flying.  

Hammer throws are a regular event at track and field competitions - where athletes spin and release a metal ball attached to a steel wire. Now it's lead to tragedy when the ball went over the barrier and hit a dad in the stands. As Les Trent reports, he was killed while shielding his wife and son. And it was one of President Trump's first executive actions after returning to the White House - renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. But is it sticking? Plus, a mystery in Los Angeles, an image on Google Earth shows the word “help” scrawled out over and over in giant letters. But who did it? Jim Moret is at the shipping container yard where the cryptic message was etched into the dirt. And in Los Angeles, more than 16,000 structures have now been destroyed in the fires. For those whose homes are among them, they have lost virtually everything. But for one couple, there's a reason to celebrate. All because of a symbol of their love that was found in the ashes.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce celebrated the Chiefs going to the Super Bowl with a smooch right on the field. When the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in two weeks, Swifties now have extra reason to tune in, guaranteeing a ratings bonanza on Super Bowl Sunday. And what would Valentines Day be without roses? Well, that almost happened - thanks to a threatened trade war between the U.S. and Colombia, the South American country where the majority of our premium roses come from. However, after President Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all goods coming from Colombia, the crisis may now be averted. Plus, there are lots of celebrations in Los Angeles over the sky opening up and delivering a downpour of rain - ending an eight month long dry spell that has been a disaster for firefighters. However, there's now concern water is mixing with ash creating a dangerous toxic soup. And if you've bought eggs at the grocery store this weekend you may have had to dig deeper into your pockets. A spike in bird flu cases has led to a shortage of eggs, but we have some good news, there are lots of substitutes at your local super market! 

On his first official trip since returning to the White House, President Trump, along with First Lady Melania, headed to hurricane ravaged North Carolina and to Los Angeles to see the devastation of the wildfires first hand. The Trumps dressed appropriately for disaster zones, the president wore special boots while Melania wore a green parka jacket. And here's something else the president saw today - encampments in North Carolina filled with Americans now living in RVs and tents after losing their homes last September when Hurricane Helene struck. With record freezing temperatures hitting the state, they say they are freezing and need help. They also say they feel abandoned. Plus, for the people of Southern California, rain is finally expected in the forecast for the weekend. However, while Mother Nature will help extinguish the flames, there's now a new worry - landslides. Jim Moret has our report. And across the country, the once in a lifetime winter storm hitting the South East has brought snow to Atlanta. However, when one 10-year-old boy went sledding disaster struck. He's one of many not used to snow and the dangers that can happen, and his sled ended up flying off an embankment. 

The historic deep freeze along the Gulf Coast is causing total chaos out on the roads. A big problem is drivers not being used to snow and black ice. On one stretch of highway, troopers responded to more than 100 accidents. And all the collisions have also led to massive traffic jams with some stuck in their cars for 15 hours. And from ice to fire, as two new blazes break out in Los Angeles where high winds and low humidity are making things extra challenging today for firefighters. And it's been a debate, should the Oscars, scheduled for March 2nd be canceled? After a six-day delay, this morning the nominees were announced with the head of the Academy saying the show must go forward. Plus, President Trump has named a new director of the U.S. Secret Service and he may look familiar. He put himself in the line of fire the day of the assassination attempt, and the president says he trusts him because of his fearless courage.  And imagine looking at your doorbell camera and seeing a guy wearing a scary devil mask and it’s not even close to Halloween! That's what happened to a mom in Texas...as Les Trent reports, she and her neighbors are freaked out. 

President Trump is demanding an apology from the bishop who counseled him to "have mercy" on migrants and other groups targeted by the new administration. At 1:00AM the president took to social media and in a lengthy post he called the bishop's comments nasty and inappropriate. Now, the bishop is taking to the airwaves with her response. And it's an inauguration ball tradition: members of the military cutting in to dance with the president and vice president and their spouses. But how do they decide who gets the honor? Ann Mercogliano spoke exclusively with the sergeant who was chosen to dance with the first lady. Plus, polar vortex, Siberian express, whatever you want to call it - it's cold pretty much everywhere. In Florida and the Gulf Coast, here's a word you don’t get to use very much: snow! And at a time when weather is the lead story, scores of TV meteorologists are out of a job. One hundred of them who work for the same station group were all fired yesterday to be replaced by forecasters from the weather channel. They didn’t get much notice and their sadness about the move was on full display. 

The second presidency of Donald Trump ended its first night in a wave of glamour. The president and first lady attended three inaugural balls and there was this charming moment when members of the military cut in to dance with them. And, candidate Trump promised immediate change if elected - and today he made good on that with more than 1,000 Biden era appointees being shown the door. Plus, in his first hours as president, Trump also made good on his pledge to release those convicted of crimes connected with the January 6th Capitol riot. Outside the Washington jail where many are being held, it was a celebratory scene. And, with the cold wave that's gripping so much of the country, there are plenty of warnings about avoiding frostbite by covering exposed skin outside. There's also a risk for exposed skin indoors. As more and more people turn to space heaters to keep warm, doctors are seeing more and more of what's called "toasted skin." 

Donald Trump was sworn in as our 47th president, pledging to put America first every day he is in office. For the first time in four decades, the inauguration was indoors. President Trump says he made the call because of the frigid temperatures, and while it may have been much smaller in scale, the majesty of the Capitol Rotunda made up for it. And due to the freezing weather the president and first lady will attend an indoor rally instead of the traditional parade, and tonight they will dance at a number of inaugural balls. It all started off with the big “make America great again” victory rally featuring the president-elect and the Village People whose song, "YMCA" has been Trump's theme song on the campaign trail. Plus, President Trump promised a host of actions immediately after taking office - on immigration, closing the border with Mexico, and renaming the body of water to the west of Florida. Trump wants to call it “The Gulf of America.” And at least 15,000 structures have been destroyed in the LA fires, and today we're learning among the buildings that went up in flames are some banks where Jim Moret reports it seems the safe deposit boxes aren't always so safe.