Hawaiian, Alaska Airlines implement new ‘no-show’ policy

Hawaiian, Alaska Airlines implement a new ‘no-show’ policy. (Alaska Airlines)

Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines have rolled out a new no-show policy that began Thursday.

According to the airlines, travelers who now miss their flight without canceling in advance will forfeit the entire value of their ticket.

The no-show policy states that it applies to passengers who book a confirmed flight that was not cancelled before the departure time of their flight.

Hawaiian Airlines says for travelers to contact them before the flight departs if they think they are going to miss their plane. Doing so allows the traveler to receive the value of their ticket as credit to use on a future flight.

However, if travelers fail to cancel in time, all itinerary segments associated with the reservation will be automatically cancelled and the money and/or miles associated with the flight’s fare would also be forfeited, Alaska Airlines shared.

Additionally, passengers who booked non-refundable fares won’t be able to recover the cost or use miles spent if they’re marked as a no-show.

The airlines added that it’s best for passengers to contact them immediately to check on other possible options if they are at the airport and just missed their flight.

Remains found on trail identified as man who disappeared on hike nearly 6 months ago

Canadian Leo DuFour vanished after he came to the Adirondack Mountains to hike last November. (New York State Police)

Essex County, New York

New York authorities say the remains of a Canadian hiker who disappeared last November have been found in the Adirondack Mountains.

New York State Police said the remains were found by a hiking party along the Mt. Adams Trail on Allen Mountain over the weekend.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica positively identified the remains as Leo DuFour, who was 22 years old when he went missing.

DuFour had traveled to the area from Canada late last year to hike the challenging Mt. Allen Trail. Officials shared that the trail usually takes around 9 hours to complete.

Numerous law enforcement agencies and local hikers participated in the search for Dufour since the 22-year-old disappeared.

Crews said they had to pause the search at certain times due to unsafe weather conditions before resuming after snow receded across the Adirondack backcountry.

Walmart opens its first ‘store of the future’ with plans to build or convert 150 more

FILE — Walmart shared an image of one its new superstore locations. (Walmart)

Cypress, Texas

Walmart announced the grand opening of its newest supercenter in Texas last week.

Company representatives said it’s the retail giant’s first ground-up supercenter in four years and the first new-construction “store of the future” in the U.S.

“This milestone marks an exciting step forward in Walmart’s plan to build or convert more than 150 stores over the next several years as part of its long-term commitment to modernizing retail, expanding access to essential services and strengthening communities nationwide,” the company shared in a news release.

According to Walmart, the new supercenter is designed to make shopping faster, easier and more connected.

The Cypress Supercenter features a new store layout, expanded services with innovative technology.

Customers will see QR codes throughout the store that unlock digital tools, resources and offer instant access to more product options.

Some highlights of the new store include a full-service fuel station, a pharmacy with a drive-thru, express delivery and pick-up options and store-wide digital shelf labels.

“This store was built with the customer in mind. It’s part of a larger transformation happening across our stores as we reimagine what shopping looks like for the future. It shows what’s possible when innovation meets intention,” John Furner, president and Walmart CEO, said.

Walmart representatives said the Cypress Superstore is part of the company’s multi-million-dollar investment strategy to modernize retail, create high-quality jobs and enhance the shopping experience for customers across the country.

In addition to the Cypress location, Walmart said it plans to open new supercenters in Frisco, Texas, Melissa, Texas, Eagle Mountain, Utah, and Eastvale, California.

Neighborhood Markets will also debut in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Milton, Florida, and Pace, Florida, while stores in Mountain View, California, and East Windsor, New Jersey, will be converted into full supercenters.

“A new store means new opportunities,” Furner said. “Not only for associates starting or continuing a career, but for small businesses and service partners that will grow alongside the store.”

Missing boy found dead nearly 2 weeks after falling into river while fishing with family

Authorities say the body of 4-year-old Azriel Lopez has been recovered after he slipped and fell into a Massachusetts river while fishing with his mother and siblings.(Lopez-Fontanez family, WFXT via CNN)

Lowell, Mass.

Authorities in Massachusetts say a young boy who was swept away after falling into the Merrimack River last month has been found dead Friday morning.

According to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, an off-duty state trooper who was on the river in his personal boat found a body in the water near the Trull Brook Golf Course in Tewksbury.

Authorities confirmed that the body was that of 4-year-old Azriel Lopez.

The Massachusetts State Police marine unit and dive team responded to the scene along with Lowell and Methuen Police Departments and Massachusetts State Police detectives to help with the recovery.

Azriel went missing after he slipped and fell into the water while fishing with his mother and siblings in Lowell on April 19.

Multiple agencies responded, sparking an exhaustive search that spanned nearly two weeks.

The boy’s father and loved ones had previously joined first responders to help search the river for Azriel.

“Can’t describe how he feels. Super bad,” Joan Lopez Contreras said last month through Andrickson Melendez, a friend who interpreted for him, about how they were feeling.

First responders said they used boats, drones and ATVs when conducting searches for the missing boy.

According to officials, several people have been swept into the Merrimack River over the years, with most not surviving.

Foul play isn’t suspected in Azriel’s death, investigators noted.

Toby Keith’s ‘dream’ of running a horse in Kentucky Derby comes true year after his death

FILE — Kentucky Derby entrant Kentucky Derby entrant Render Judgement works out at Churchill Downs on Monday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Louisville, Ky.

A dream of a country music legend has come true a year after his death.

According to Toby Keith’s official page on Instagram, his horse, Render Judgement, will be racing in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

“It was Toby’s dream,” the post shared. “He worked so hard to finally have one there! Toby will have the best seat in the house to watch.”

The country singer-songwriter died last year at the age of 62 after battling stomach cancer.

Render Judgment is trained by Kenny McPeak and will be ridden by Julien Leparoux. He will break from post position No. 15 with morning line odds of 30-1.

The derby is scheduled for Saturday at Churchill Downs with a post time of 6:57 p.m. ET.