Who was Tyre Nichols, the Memphis man who died after being beaten by police?
At his funeral, Nichols was remembered as someone who had become a solid member of the Memphis community. Nichols moved from California to Tennessee where his mother and stepfather live during the COVID-19 pandemic and ended up staying there, living at his parents’ Memphis home. He eventually got a full-time job, his stepfather Rodney Wells said, with one of Memphis’ largest employers, FedEx. It was the same place his stepfather worked. Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, told CNN in an interview Friday that that was one of the things she will miss most about him.
wftv.comQ&A: FedEx founder, veteran Fred Smith offers unusual gift
Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx, believes that if you've done well, you should give back to the public interest. The 78-year-old Marine Corps veteran stepped down as FedEx's CEO last year, but remains its executive chairman. In December, the foundation announced Smith donated the film's proceeds, in part, to endow a new scholarship fund, the Brown Hudner Navy Scholarship Foundation, for the children of Navy service members pursuing studies in STEM. A: Everything that I did running FedEx came from my experience in the Marine Corps, not what I learned at Yale. So I always wanted to do something out of a sense of gratitude or a recognition of my shipmates in the Marine Corps.
wftv.comMore than 1M without power as massive winter storm wreaks havoc across U.S.
A massive winter storm has caused thousands of flight cancellations in the United States and left more than 1 million people without power, bringing wind-driven snow, ice and rain to more than half the country. According to PowerOutage.Us , a site that tracks utility outages, more than 1.2 million homes and businesses across the United States were without power Friday morning. According to the National Weather Service , more than 200 million Americans were under some form of winter weather advisory or warning on Friday — the most ever. Forecasters said bone-chilling air behind the storm system will cause temperatures to quickly plummet by 40-50 degrees in some places. In Buffalo, officials were bracing for what forecasters described as a “once-in-a-generation storm” because of heavy lake-effect snow, high wind gusts and the potential for extensive power outages.
wftv.comAthena Strand: Father of 7-year-old sues suspected killer, FedEx, contracting company
>> Read more trending newsAccording to court documents, Jacob Strand, the father of Athena Strand, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Wise County District Court in Decatur and lists Tanner Lynn Horner, FedEx and Big Topspin as the defendants, KTVT reported. Jacob Strand is seeking more than $1,000,000 in damages and a trial by jury, according to WFAA-TV. BREAKING: #AthenaStrand’s father has filed a lawsuit against @FedEx and the Dallas contractor who hired Tanner Horner to deliver packages for the company. (@wfaa) pic.twitter.com/ETFiXF94vL — Matt Howerton (@HowertonNews) December 14, 2022Horner is accused of kidnapping and then killing Athena Strand on Nov. 30. The lawsuit alleges that FedEx and Big Topspin, the contractor who hired Horner, were negligent and failed to properly supervise and investigate Horner’s past, KXAS-TV reported.
wftv.comFedEx driver strangled 7-year-old Texas girl after hitting her with van, warrant says
A FedEx driver accused of kidnapping and then killing a 7-year-old girl in Texas told authorities that he strangled her after accidentally hitting her with his van while making a delivery at her home, according to an arrest warrant. https://t.co/l5Vd9rIw19 pic.twitter.com/zeO9K71Vj2 — Wise County Messenger (@WCMessenger) December 8, 2022The arrest affidavit, which was released Thursday, stated that Horner panicked and put the girl in his van. Strand was talking to Horner and told him her name, according to The Associated Press. “(Horner) stated he attempted to break Athena’s neck to kill her,” the Messenger reported, citing the warrant. An FBI employee viewed the one-minute video clips and said he saw the driver had taken a girl who looked like Strand in his van, the affidavit stated.
wftv.comFedEx driver accused in girl's slaying dropped off her gift
The mother of a 7-year-old girl who authorities say was abducted and killed by a FedEx driver said she wanted everyone to know about the "amazing little girl" who would have received the Christmas present that driver dropped off the day she disappeared. “I was robbed of watching her grow up,” Maitlyn Gandy told those gathered at a Thursday news conference in Decatur, Texas. Tanner Lynn Horner, a 31-year-old FedEx delivery driver, confessed to killing Athena and told authorities where to find her body, Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin has said. The sheriff has said they knew early on that a delivery had been made at the girl’s home at about the same time that she disappeared. At a vigil Tuesday night in Paradise, many of the mourners gathered to remember Athena wore pink.
wftv.comBody of 7-year-old Texas girl found, FedEx driver arrested
PARADISE, Texas — (AP) — A 7-year-old Texas girl has been found dead, two days after being reported missing, and a FedEx delivery driver arrested in her death, authorities said. The body of Athena Strand was found Friday and Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, was arrested on kidnapping and murder charges after confessing to killing the girl and telling authorities where to find her body, according to Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin. Horner did not know the girl's family, according to Akin, who declined to discuss a motive for the crime. “We really can't get into the content of the confession, but I will say we have a confession” from Horner, Akin said. Her body was found near the town of Boyd, about 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) southeast of Paradise, a town of about 475 people, Akin said.
wftv.com7-year-old kidnapped, killed by delivery driver, sheriff says
WISE COUNTY, Texas — Authorities arrested a contract FedEx delivery driver on Friday after officials said he confessed to kidnapping and killing a 7-year-old girl reported missing on Wednesday. At a news conference late Friday, Akin said officials learned early in their investigation that a FedEx delivery was made around the time Athena went missing. He said authorities later got a tip to investigate the driver, identified as 31-year-old Tanner Lynn Horner. “(Investigators) were able to determine that the driver abducted Athena,” Akin said, adding that officials believe she was kidnapped close to the gate at the end of the family’s driveway. Authorities believe that Athena was killed about an hour after being abducted.
wftv.comConsumers could pay price if railroads, unions can't agree
The Retail Industry Leaders Association said a rail strike “would cause enormous disruption to the flow of goods nationwide,” although retail stores are well stocked for the crucial holiday shopping season. And commuters could be stranded if there is a strike because so many passenger railroads operate on tracks owned by the freight railroads. Those unions agreed to return to the bargaining table to try to hash out a new agreement before a new Dec. 5 strike deadline. Plus, the railroads say the unions have agreed over the years to forgo paid sick time in favor of higher pay and strong short-term disability benefits. “A national rail strike would severely impact the economy and the public.
wftv.comConsumers could pay price if railroads, unions can't agree
Consumers could quickly start seeing higher gas prices and shortages of some of their favorite groceries if railroads aren’t able to agree on contracts with al 12 of their unions ahead of next month’s deadline after the latest rejection vote Monday.
Carriers feeling cheery about on-time holiday deliveries
The nation’s major shipping companies are in the best shape to get holiday shoppers’ packages delivered on time since the start of the pandemic, suggesting a return to normalcy. Postal Service in 2020, when more than a third of Postal Service first-class mail was late by the time Christmas arrived. That boosts the Postal Service's daily package processing ability to 60 million, and staffing improvements allowed the Postal Service to reduce seasonal hiring by half. “Our customers and the American people should feel confident in the service we will provide for the holiday season,” he said. “Shopping, buying and shipping early continue to be important to avoid the busiest times of peak season,” said UPS spokesperson Jim Mayer.
wftv.comFedEx Freight announces ‘temporary’ furloughs ahead of holidays
FedEx Freight announced it would be furloughing some of its employees in the U.S. beginning in December. >> Read more trending newsFedEx Freight, the less-than-truckload arm of FedEx, said Saturday the furloughs would begin in December but did not say how many drivers would be impacted, FreightWaves reported. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for FedEx Freight described the furloughs as temporary and a necessary response to “current business conditions impacting volumes,” and said that some eligible employees will be offered permanent transfers to other FedEx locations with job openings. FedEx Freight employs approximately 45,000 people, FreightWaves reported. In its emailed statement, FedEx Freight said the company would maintain health benefits and offer other financial incentives for furloughed employees, and will bring back the employees as circumstances allow.
wftv.comColumbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day: What’s open, closed on Monday?
Monday is Columbus Day, and in more than 100 U.S. cities it is also Indigenous Peoples’ Day. >> Read more trending newsIn whatever way you mark the day, it is a federal holiday and that means some closings. Here’s what will be open and closed Monday. Stock Exchange: The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be operating. Government institutions: Federal offices will be closed Monday, as will most libraries and such agencies as the Department of Motor Vehicles.
wftv.comUS Sikh community traumatized by yet another mass shooting
Members of the Sikh community are feeling a collective trauma over the mass shooting in Indianapolis that killed eight people, including four Sikhs, and say more needs to be done to combat the bigotry, bias and violence they have suffered for decades in America.
Wall Street closing lower; bank stocks fall
Stocks were moving lower in the first hour of trading Friday, March 19, as bond yields continued to rise. Bank stocks fell after the Federal Reserve announced it would end some of its emergency measures put into place for the industry last year to help deal with the pandemic. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 234.33 points, or 0.7%, to 32,627.97, pulled lower by financial companies. Smaller company stocks also notched gains. Big bank stocks were particularly hurt, since the Fed's measures mostly apply to the nation's largest banks.
ATV driver who collided with FedEx truck in Deltona dies
DELTONA, Fla. – A 35-year-old man who had been hospitalized since early February after his ATV crashed into a FedEx truck died Saturday, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Joseph Sledge was critically injured Feb. 5 around 10 a.m. when deputies say Joseph Sledge was riding his ATV north on Courtland Boulevard toward South Dorchester Drive and the driver of a FedEx truck turned right onto South Dorchester Drive in the path of the ATV. AdDeputies said Sledge braked to avoid the collision but his ATV flipped, causing both the vehicle and the rider to hit the truck. The FedEx driver was uninjured. Sledge was transported to Central Florida Regional Hospital with serious injuries, where he died Saturday.
EXPLAINER: How have storms affected COVID-19 vaccinations?
People wait in line for the opening of a 24-hour, walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium at Temple University's Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Meanwhile, several states have complained about vaccination delays and have had to cancel appointments. Drug wholesaler McKesson, chosen by the federal government to distribute most COVID-19 vaccines, is handling shipments to hospitals and other medical providers. Moderna’s vaccine is shipped frozen, at minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit to 5 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 25 to minus 15 degrees Celsius). In Tennessee, the state’s health agency said distributors have been unable to pack and ship the COVID-19 vaccine this week due to the winter weather.
FedEx to cut up to 6,300 jobs in Europe over next 18 months
FedEx plans to cut up to 6,300 jobs in Europe after its acquisition of TNT Express. FedEx said Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, that the cuts will take place over 18 months and include express-delivery operations and back-office employees of TNT across the continent. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MEMPHIS, Tenn. – FedEx plans to cut up to 6,300 jobs in Europe as it completes the process of combining its own operation with that of a Dutch delivery company it bought in 2016. FedEx plans to downgrade an air-service hub in Liege, Belgium, to make Paris its sole primary hub. FedEx said Tuesday that it has successfully integrated FedEx and TNT information-technology systems and key parts of the air and ground networks.
Walmart adds at-home return service
All rights reserved)You don’t have to leave home to return your Walmart online purchases. The company announced Monday a new service to pick-up items from your house. The retail giant is teaming up with FedEx for the new return service. [TRENDING: How to see the rare ‘Christmas Star’ | $900 billion COVID relief bill details | How many Floridians have been vaccinated]The company is hoping it will give it an edge over its biggest rival Amazon. The option is free and will stay in place beyond the busy holiday shopping season.
Snow continues to fall on Northeast US, with vaccines in tow
A woman waits for a Long Island Rail Road train in the Queens borough of New York as snow falls at the start of an oncoming snow storm, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK – Snow continued to fall Thursday during a key period in the coronavirus pandemic, days after the start of the U.S. vaccination campaign and in the thick of a virus surge that has throngs of people seeking tests daily. Snow fell from northern Virginia to parts of New England on Wednesday. But we are on it and following it,” he told Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends.”The need for vaccines prompted New Jersey Gov. The National Weather Service reported that parts of Centre County were hit with as much as 13 inches (33 centimeters) of snow by Wednesday night.
'If not one thing, it's another': Northeast preps for storm
“Our theme today ought to be, ‘If it’s not one thing, it’s another,’” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said as he gave residents storm guidance that's new this year — mask up if you help your neighbors shovel. In New York City, officials braced for the biggest storm in about three years. But they are being told to secure outdoor furniture, remove heaters and take other steps to make way for plows. Gina Raimondo suspended the scheduling of coronavirus tests for Thursday and said some outdoor testing sites may close, though others will remain open.
AdventHealth Orlando workers begin receiving COVID-19 vaccine shots
ORLANDO, Fla. – As boxes of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived at AdventHealth Orlando via FedEx, AdventHealth said they have thousands of employees that have signed up to receive the vaccine Wednesday morning. Dr. Finkler said he expects this shipment of the vaccine to last them through next Tuesday. Dr. Finkler said he has personally reviewed the vaccine data and said he plans to get it. “Once this moves to an FDA approved vaccine, which we anticipate sometime in 2021, then we will require this, very similar to what we do with our flu vaccine policy,” Dr. Finkler said. The question was asked after a person is vaccinated, how long after receiving it can they be considered to have effective immunity?
SHIPPING DEADLINES: Send your gifts by these dates to make sure they arrive for the holidays
[MORE: These 3 apps will help you find the best holiday shopping deals, experts say | Doing a little online shopping? If you’re shipping gifts you want to arrive in time for Christmas, here are some recommended send-by dates for expected delivery by Dec. 25:USPS (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)Domestic Mail Class/Product Send-by Date USPS Retail Ground Service Dec. 15 First-Class Mail Service Dec. 18 Priority Mail Service Dec. 19 Priority Mail Express Service Dec. 23Click here for USPS holiday shipping dates for Alaska and Hawaii, military bases and overseas addresses. UPSShipping Option Send-by Date UPS Ground Dec. 15 UPS 3 Day Select Dec. 21 UPS 2nd Day Air Dec. 22 UPS Next Day Air Dec. 23Click here for more details on UPS holiday shipping. FedEx (U.S. to U.S.)Shipping Option Send-by Date FedEx SmartPost (certain exceptions apply) Dec. 9 FedEx Home Delivery Dec. 15 FedEx Ground Dec. 15 FedEx Express Saver Dec. 21 FedEx 3 Day Freight Dec. 21 FedEx 2 Day Dec. 22 FedEx 2 Day A.M. Dec. 22 FedEx 2 Day Freight Dec. 22 FedEx 1 Day Freight Dec. 23 FedEx Extra Hours Dec. 23 FedEx Standard Overnight Dec. 23 FedEx Priority Overnight Dec. 23 FedEx First Overnight Dec. 23 FedEx SameDay Dec. 25 FedEx SameDay City Priority Dec. 25 FedEx SameDay City Direct Dec. 25Click here to see last-day-to-ship dates if you’re planning to send gifts to Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico or other destinations. AmazonAmazon has not released its 2020 holiday shipping calendar, but last year, the company recommended buyers send products no later than Dec. 22 or Dec. 23 for a Dec. 25 arrival.
FedEx's profit jumps as business deliveries improved
NEW YORK – FedEx's profit jumped 67% in its latest quarter, as online shopping remained popular among customers avoiding stores and shipments between businesses improved. The delivery giant reported Tuesday that it earned $1.25 billion during the three months that ended Aug. 31, FedEx's fiscal first quarter. Many people are shopping online during the pandemic, which is helping some delivery companies. But delivery to homes is less profitable than those between businesses, and business deliveries slowed as the pandemic dragged on and some establishments remained shuttered. “While business demand improved in the first quarter, continued uncertainties cloud our ability to forecast full-year earnings,” said Alan B. Graf, Jr., FedEx's chief financial officer.
Brendon Todd takes 2-stroke lead with 65 at WGC in Memphis
Todd trailed defending champion Brooks Koepka after the first round by two strokes. Rickie Fowler closed with birdies on his final two holes for a 67 and 131 total just behind Todd. Koepka had the lead to himself at 10 under before falling apart on his back nine with a double bogey and two bogeys. Todd won back-to-back tournaments last November for his first win on tour since winning the Byron Nelson in 2014. That put Todd atop the leaderboard at 9 under, and his putter helped him birdie consecutive holes including the big putt on No.
Koepka matches career best round for lead at WGC in Memphis
The defending champ matched his career best with an 8-under 62 to take a two-stroke lead over Rickie Fowler and Brendon Todd after the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Then Fowler two-putted for bogey after putting his tee shot in the left rough on his final hole to finish at 64. He hit his tee shot on the par-3 No. ... Tee times for the second round were moved to Friday morning to avoid predicted thunderstorms. ... With no fans allowed at an event that has benefited St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital since 1970, St. Jude had to get creative to raise both money and attention for a hospital that never bills its patients.
Reports: Washington to shed 'Redskins' name Monday
FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, the Washington Redskins logo is seen on FedEx Field prior to an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Redskins in Landover, Md. Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson says Seattle-based Amazon will begin pulling Redskins team merchandise from its online marketplace. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)ASHBURN, Va. Washingtons NFL team will get rid of the name Redskins on Monday, according to multiple reports. USA Today, ESPN, The Washington Post, Washington Times and Sports Business Journal reported Sunday night that owner Dan Snyder is set to retire the name. That came in the aftermath of prominent sponsors FedEx, Nike, PepsiCo and Bank of America asking the team to change the name.
Trump criticizes Redskins, Indians for weighing name changes
FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2009 file photo, the Washington Redskins logo is shown on the field before the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Landover, Md. The Washington Redskins are undergoing what the team calls a thorough review of the nickname. FedEx on Thursday called for the team to change its name, and Nike appeared to remove all Redskins gear from its online store. Hours later, the Indians Major League Baseball team announced that they, too, will review their long-debated name. Trump had tweeted in 2013 that then-President Barack Obama should not be telling the Washington Redskins to change their name because our country has far bigger problems!
Native American groups ask NFL to force Redskins name change
WASHINGTON Several Native American leaders and organizations sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday calling for the league to force Redskins owner Dan Snyder to change the team name immediately. The letter obtained by The Associated Press is signed by 15 Native American advocates. It demands the team and the NFL cease the use of Native American names, imagery and logos with specific importance put on Washington, which last week launched a thorough review of its name. Last week, sponsors FedEx, PepsiCo, Nike and Bank of America said they requested the change, and several online stores removed the team's gear. That conversation renewed calls for Snyder to change the name called a dictionary defined racial slur by Native American advocates and experts.
Sponsor FedEx asks Redskins to change their name
WASHINGTON – The title sponsor of the Washington Redskins’ stadium wants the NFL team to change its name. “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name,“ FedEx said in a statement Thursday. The company paid the team $205 million in 1999 for the naming rights to FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The other 31 NFL teams were listed and a search for “Redskins” came up with no results. The team's lease at FedEx Field expires in 2027, and it is still talking to Washington, Virginia and Maryland about building a new stadium.
Redskins undergoing 'thorough review' of team name
WASHINGTON The Washington Redskins are undergoing a thorough review of their nickname. The team said Friday it has been talking to the NFL for weeks about the subject. In a statement, the team said recent events around the U.S. and feedback from the community prompted the formal review. FedEx, the title sponsor of the Redskins' stadium in Landover, Maryland, said Thursday, We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name. On Thursday night, Nike appeared to remove all Redskins gear from its online store. Washington mayor Muriel Bowser said recently the name was an obstacle to the team building a stadium in the District.
FedEx stores in Florida to provide free printing and mailing of reemployment assistance applications
Ron DeSantis said more than 100 FedEx storefronts in the state are providing free printing and mailing of reemployment assistance applications. Starting today, over 100 @FedEx storefronts throughout the state are providing free printing and mailing of reemployment assistance applications. Preprinted Re-employment Assistance Application Forms are available in English, Spanish, and Creole. Many people who have tried to apply for reemployment assistance had problems submitting applications to the Department of Economic Opportunity’s website. [RELATED: Florida unemployment paper applications now available]The DOE has spent more than $25 million the past couple of weeks to improve the computer and phone systems to collect the applications.
Don’t click link: FedEx warns against text scam alert for deliveries
Don’t click on that link. That’s what FedEx is telling consumers dealing with a text and email scam. The shipping retailer tweeted an alert Wednesday, referring to recent schemes in which people reported receiving texts and emails that appear to be from FedEx. The message alerts users that they have a package, then provides a link, but FedEx says the company is not sending the messages. FedEx advises, “Suspicious messages should be deleted without being opened.”FedEx also says people should report the emails and texts to abuse@fedex.com.
Want your package to arrive by Christmas 2019? A guide to all your shipping deadlines
Postal ServiceDec. 14: USPS Retail Ground shipments ✅Dec. 18: Alaska to mainland First-Class Mail ✅Dec. 19: Hawaii to mainland First-Class Mail and Priority Mail, also Alaska Priority Mail ✅*There’s still time for dates below! Dec. 20: First-Class Mail ServiceDec. 21: Priority Mail; Also deadline for Alaska and Hawaii to the mainland through Priority Mail ExpressDec. 23: Priority Mail ExpressTrying to send something overseas or to a member of the military? Click or tap here to check out the guide we followed from USPS, and to learn more about your mailing specifics and guidelines. FedExDec. 9: SmartPost ✅Dec. 16: Ground and home delivery ✅Dec. 19: Express Saver ✅*There’s still time for the dates below! As for Amazon deadlines, you’re likely looking at Dec. 22 or Dec. 23, depending on if you’re a Prime member, where you live and what you’re ordering.
Jackknifed FedEx semi closes SR 417 in Seminole County
OVIEDO, Fla. – A FedEx semi pulling two trailers loaded with packages jackknifed Monday morning in Seminole County, forcing officials to close State Road 417 near Oviedo. 417 at Aloma Avenue. Traffic was diverted off the toll road onto Aloma Avenue, but S.R. The FHP said Federico Aguirre-Moran, 58, of Orlando, was driving north on S.R. Charges are pending against Aguirre-Moran, the FHP said.