Southwest Airlines announces when it plans to start assigned seating

FILE -- Southwest Airlines is starting to move away from the open seating model. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Southwest Airlines’ boarding process will be seeing some changes next year.

The airline shared on Thursday that its passengers will be able to book a reserved seat starting in late 2025 for flights in early 2026.

Southwest previously announced in July it would start moving away from the open seating model it has been known for over its 53 years of service.

CNN reports that the airline will also begin to offer premium seating for the first time, but that is going to push back the start of assigned seating because the planes will now have to be reconfigured.

Southwest CEO Robert Jordan said earlier this year that many of the airline’s passengers told them that they wanted to have an assigned seat.

According to Jordan, surveys showed that 80% of its customers and 86% of potential customers wanted the option of a seat assignment.

“I know there are going to be customers who say, ‘I want to stay with open seating.’ It’s a minority,” Jordan told CNBC.

Additionally, Southwest will still let passengers check two bags for free. Jordan said the airline has no immediate plans to end the bags-fly-free program.

‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ star Eduardo Xol dies at 58 after stabbing, reports say

FILE -- TV Personality Eduardo Xol arrives at the GLAAD Media Awards at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square in 2008. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

Palm Springs, Calif.

A reality TV personality has died more than a week after being stabbed in Southern California.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Eduardo Xol, 58 was pronounced dead last Friday at the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

People reports Xol was stabbed multiple times the week prior and called police for help from an area apartment on Sept. 10. He was taken to the hospital but ultimately died from his injuries.

Richard Joseph Gonzales was reportedly linked to the stabbing and is facing a murder charge.

Palm Springs police shared that Gonzales was taken into custody after initially telling them that he was the one assaulted the previous night, but investigators determined he was the actual suspect.

According to multiple reports, Xol and Gonzales had known each other but it wasn’t immediately clear what the nature of their relationship was.

Xol was a Los Angeles native and starred in several seasons of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” in the 2000s.

Truck driver and father of 3 wins $1M on lottery scratch-off

Everett, Mass.

A lucky lottery player in Massachusetts recently won a $1 million prize on a scratch-off ticket he bought from an area convenience store.

According to the Massachusetts State Lottery, Pedro Chacon, a truck driver and a father of three, won the top prize while playing the $1M Winning 7 instant ticket game.

Lottery officials said Chacon chose to receive his winnings in a one-time payment of $650,000.

Chacon says he plans on putting his winnings toward his children’s education.

The Fine Mart convenience store on Ferry Street in Everett will also receive a $10,000 bonus for its sale of the winning ticket.

FEMA accidentally sends news release declaring disaster for Cowboys after loss to Saints

New Orleans Saints defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates his reception during the second half of a football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 15, 2024 .(AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

The Dallas Cowboys’ blowout loss last week against the New Orleans Saints was reportedly called a federal disaster by a government agency, accidentally.

According to multiple reports, the Federal Emergency Management Agency accidentally sent out a news release declaring a major disaster for the state of Texas following the Saints’ dominating victory.

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance was available to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Saints, in the agency’s original news release.

Later, the disaster response team said their message was sent out by mistake and was supposed to be just used for training purposes.

The Saints handed the Cowboys their first loss of the season with a 44-19 win on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.

16-year-old dies in apparent lightning strike while riding his bike, reports say

Cameron Day, a junior at McArthur High School, suffered reported burn wounds to his chest and inner thighs. (GoFundMe)

Pembroke Pines, Fla.

A teenager in Florida has reportedly died in an apparent lightning strike.

WSVN reports that a 16-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday with burn wounds to his chest and inner thighs after lightning was seen in the area.

Pembroke Pines authorities reported that they found the teen lying in the grass in the rain on his bicycle and not moving.

He was taken to the Memorial Hospital Regional, but did not survive, reports said.

Loved ones identified him as Cameron Day, a junior at McArthur High School in the Hollywood area.

“She [Day’s mother] faces the unimaginable loss of her son, Cameron Day. Cameron was only 16 years old and in 11th grade,” friends and family shared. “He was a bright light and sweet soul who touched the lives of so many.”

There was reported stormy weather in South Florida on the day of the lightning strike.

Day’s friends and family said was in the school band.

“His passion for music, leadership, and unwavering love for his bandmates … McArthur’s Herd of Sound made him an integral part of their family,” loved ones shared. “He was a beloved son, brother, and friend — someone who brought joy and inspiration to everyone around him.”

Friends and family have started a GoFundMe to help the Day family with funeral expenses.