Court clears FAA rules on cellphones

WASHINGTON – Federal aviation officials acted within their authority in allowing airline passengers to use cellphone and other electronics during takeoffs and landings, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit threw out a lawsuit from the nation’s largest flight attendants union that challenged the 2013 decision.

The 60,000-member Association of Flight Attendants argued that small electronic devices could distract passengers from safety announcements and become dangerous projectiles. The union said the Federal Aviation Administration had changed an agency regulation without going through required legal steps.

Tropical storm heads toward Carolinas

MIAMI – A tropical storm warning was issued Friday for parts of North and South Carolina as Ana approached the U.S. coast, kicking up rough surf and rip currents ahead of what was forecast to be a rainy weekend.

The storm formed nearly a month before the Atlantic Hurricane season officially kicks off June 1. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Friday that Ana’s maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph and are forecast to strengthen during the next day or so.

Rain is a concern because the system is moving so slow and won’t clear out quickly.

Postal Service reports continuing losses

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Postal Service on Friday is reporting a net loss of $1.5 billion during the first three months of the year, noting that while more people are using its shipping and package services, it’s costly to do and revenue from other products have declined.

The Postal Service is an independent agency that receives no tax dollars for its day-to-day operations but is subject to congressional control.

Associated Press