Capt. ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ pilot, announces Alzheimer’s diagnosis

FILE - In this June 11, 2011 photo, former Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger talks to the media in front of the US Airways flight 1549 aircraft at the Carolina Aviation Museum in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Retired pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger says he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Sullenberger made the announcement on Tuesday.

“I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is an early stage. For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well, but I am at the beginning of this long journey,” he shared in a statement.

Sullenberger grabbed headlines in January 2009 as the US Airways captain who managed to land a plane full of people in the Hudson River without a loss of life despite the aircraft losing thrust in both engines.

The acclaimed event became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson” and went on to be the subject of the movie “Sully” with Tom Hanks playing the role of Sullenberger.

But this week’s focus is on the former pilot’s health.

The 75-year-old said that by sharing his story, he hopes that other families dealing with the disease don’t have to hide from it but that they too could take a step forward.

“Over the years, when people would ask about the successful outcome of Flight 1549, I would say that ‘courage can be contagious,’ and on that day it helped everyone band together to get everyone off that airplane successfully,“ Sullenberger shared. ”Now we need that courage to battle this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together.”

Sullenberger, who has also served in the U.S. Air Force, says he is working with Dr. Gil Rabinovici at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco regarding his diagnosis.

“This new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service,” the retired commercial airline pilot said. “Though it may impact my memory of the past, this diagnosis will not prevent me from looking forward to and appreciating our future.”

According to the Cleveland Clinic, an estimated 7 million Americans and over 55 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Sullenberger said he will take on the disease with his family by his side while giving hope to others.

“So many people told us after Flight 1549 that the outcome gave them hope. Lorrie, my incredible partner of 37 years, says we can all use a little of that hope right now,” Sullenberger shared.

Video shows mother ape taking in a baby robin when it found its way into her zoo enclosure

BioPark’s resident siamang, Eve, had the opportunity to show off her maternal instincts. (ABQ BioPark)

Albuquerque, N.M.

A New Mexico zoo is highlighting one of its siamangs, named Eve, after she took in a baby robin that found its way into her habitat.

ABQ BioPark shared the cute video last month of the two interacting.

Megan Agena, a member of the zoo’s primate care team, said Eve’s maternal instincts kicked in while taking in the bird.

“She was grooming it, attempting to nurse it, and every time it would make a noise, she would try her best to comfort it,” Agena shared in the video.

According to the animal care team, Eve was a protective mother while caring for the baby bird, who was eventually taken into the team’s care and reunited with its family.

“Thanks to Megan and Eve’s teamwork, the bird was reunited with its mom safe and sound soon after,” ABQ BioPark wrote in a press release.

Agena noted it’s uncommon to see this type of behavior between different species, but Eve has been the most independent and gentle of the siamangs who call the zoo home.

Siamangs are a member of the ape family. Wildlife experts say they have slender bodies and lightweight bones that help them swing, making them well-suited for life among the forest treetops.

10-year-old stabs Dollar Tree employee multiple times during attempted robbery, police say

FILE -- Dollar Tree sign. (MGN, Mike Mozart / CC BY 2.0)

Dauphin County, Pa.

Pennsylvania authorities say a 10-year-old boy is facing charges after stabbing a Dollar Tree employee while attempting to rob the store.

According to the Swatara Township Police Department, the child was taken into custody after officers responded to an armed robbery call from an area Dollar Tree on Monday evening.

Police said when officers arrived at the store, the 10-year-old was already being detained by store employees.

Authorities said the boy had walked into the store with a fixed-blade knife and threatened an employee to give him money.

Police noted that the workers came to the defense of the female employee and they were able to subdue the child. But during the struggle, he ended up stabbing one of the employees multiple times.

The worker required medical treatment, police said.

The boy was booked on charges that include robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Popular convenience store chain expanding Footprint with 15 new locations

FILE — Fans waited for Arizona's first Buc-ee's location to open for business this week. (Arizona’s Family)

Buc-ee’s appears to be looking at expanding its national footprint with more than a dozen planned new locations.

The Texas-based convenience store chain, known for its massive travel centers and expansive selection of snacks and merchandise, has listed 15 new store locations expected to open over the next five years.

According to the company’s website under inquiries, Buc-ee’s plans to open new stores in San Marcos, Texas; Benton, Arkansas; and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this year.

Those locations would join the latest Buc-ee’s to open as the travel center chain opened its first Arizona location this week in Goodyear.

Thousands of customers attended the opening ceremony on Monday, while hundreds of people were seen lining up even hours before the store officially opened its doors.

The Goodyear travel center is said to be nearly 75,000 square feet of space, featuring 120 fuel pumps, and, of course, with its lovable beaver mascot and hot food on display.

Future locations listed include Kansas City, Kansas, St Lucie, Florida, and Lafayette, Louisiana, with those to open within the next couple of years.

The chain currently operates more than 50 locations in about a dozen states. It has been awarded the best restrooms in the country for convenience stores and boasts the record for the largest gas station in the world at its Sevierville, Tennessee, location.

Boy, 13, gets out of Disneyland ride, goes down 50-foot drop in reported mishap

FILE -- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened in the newly renamed Bayou Country at Disneyland Park in 2024. (Disney)

Anaheim, Calif.

A 13-year-old boy reportedly had to be sent to the hospital after he got out of a log ride at Disneyland and went down a 50-foot drop on his own.

According to multiple outlets, the reported mishap occurred on Sunday evening on one of the park’s most popular rides, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The teen was said to have exited the log ride before it was over, with witnesses saying the boy then slid down the last drop of the ride.

According to Disney, the water ride ends with a dramatic 50-foot drop.

The boy allegedly suffered cuts and scrapes, which were described as minor. He was taken for evaluation as a precaution at a local hospital, according to a shared statement from the park.

The ride was reportedly inspected by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health and was cleared to reopen.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened in November 2024, replacing the water ride’s Splash Mountain theme.