The nation’s largest airlines are looking to rescind new consumer protection rules for travelers with disabilities, arguing in court filings that the U.S. Department of Transportation had exceeded its authority in enacting them. 

In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, the trade group Airlines for America and five carriers — American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United — argue that the mandate put in place last year by the Biden administration is unlawful. The 2024 rule made mishandling wheelchairs a violation of the federal Air Carrier Access Act.

American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United declined to comment, referring requests to Airlines for America, which issued a statement calling the new requirements unnecessary and an overreach. 

“Progress has been made in four key areas aimed at improving the travel experience for passengers with mobility aids — reducing instances of wheelchair mishandling, advancing employee training and education programs, forming passenger accessibility advisory groups and supporting research for onboard accessibility solutions,” it stated. 

The transportation department did not respond to a request for comment. 

In crafting the rule, Pete Buttigieg, the then secretary of transportation, worked with disability advocates including Samantha Jade Duran, whose wheelchair was damaged by an airline in 2017 when stored with luggage in the cargo hold. 

An estimated 5.5 million Americans use a wheelchair, and many face difficulties with air travel, according to the DOT. In 2023, 11,527 wheelchairs and scooters were mishandled by carriers required to report the incidents to the federal agency, it stated. 

Finalized in December, the rule requires that airlines offer annual training for workers who interact with disabled passengers, and that those with disabilities get prompt assistance during their travels. If a wheelchair is checked but is delayed, missing or damaged, the rule requires that passengers be told options including the right to file a claim or receive a loaner device. 

“For wheelchair and scooter users, like myself, our mobility equipment is our freedom and independence, which is why an estimated 1 in 10 disabled people do not fly because of fear of damage to their equipment,” Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, said in a statement at the time. 

Beyond challenging the protections for those with wheelchairs and other travelers with disabilities, airlines have also challenged a recent requirement that carriers disclose fees for checked bags and changing or canceling reservations, with that rule now on hold. 

American Airlines in October agreed to pay a record $50 million to settle DOT claims it failed to adequately and safely assist those who use wheelchairs on and off planes and had mishandled thousands of wheelchairs between 2019 and 2023. The airline did not admit to any of the violations.

American came under public fire after a 2023 video that showed crew members mishandling a passenger’s wheelchair, sending the mobility device hurtling down and off a ramp.

Murder charges are expected to be announced Thursday in the beating of Robert Brooks Sr. at Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement the officers involved are being arrested on murder charges. The details of the charges have not been released. 

“Robert Brooks should be alive today. The brutal attack on Mr. Brooks was sickening, and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved. Now, the perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder and State Police are making arrests,” the governor wrote. 

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick’s office had said a “noteworthy development” would be announced before a state judge Thursday afternoon, but did not provide any other details. Fitzpatrick previously said he would not comment on the investigation until a grand jury had acted. 

Fitzpatrick took over the case as special prosecutor after state Attorney General Letitia James recused herself over a potential conflict of interest, saying four of the officers under investigation were being represented by lawyers in her office in previous brutality lawsuits.

A news conference on the Brooks case is scheduled for 2 p.m. You can watch it live on CBS News New York in the video player above.

Beating of Robert Brooks Sr. caught on body camera

Body camera video released last month showed multiple corrections officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in Onondaga County punching Brooks while he was handcuffed on a medical examination table on Dec. 9, 2024. The officers were seen hitting Brooks in the chest with a shoe and lifting him up by his neck and then dropping him.

The 43-year-old died the next day. The county medical examiner’s office ruled his death was a homicide, caused by compression of the neck and multiple blunt trauma injuries. 

“I want them all to get prosecuted. It was murder, there’s no other word for it,” his son, Robert Brooks Jr., told CBS Mornings in an interview last month. “They murdered my father, they robbed him from me. He doesn’t get to come home.”

Brooks had served nine years of a 12-year prison sentence for stabbing his son’s mother. He was transferred to the prison from a nearby facility only hours before the beating. 

“He did the crime, and he was doing the time. He was coming home a reformed — that’s what prison is for, and that’s not what my father got. He got a death sentence,” Brooks Jr. said.

The family filed a civil rights lawsuit, alleging the prison used excessive force in a system that tolerates violence. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul visits Marcy Correctional Facility

Outcry over Brooks’ beating prompted Hochul to visit the correctional facility, which is located about 200 miles northwest of New York City, between Rome and Utica.

Hochul named a new superintendent to run the prison and vowed to expedite $400 million for new cameras at the facility. She also ordered the state to initiate firing proceedings for more than a dozen employees. 

“Today, as I stood in the room where Robert Brooks was killed, I was once again heartbroken by this unnecessary loss of life and further sickened to think of the actions of depraved individuals with no regard for human life,” the governor said in a statement after her visit. “Mr. Brooks and his family did not deserve this.”  

So far, 15 nurses and two officers have been suspended without pay, pending the investigation. At least one officer quit. 

Even before the Brooks case, employees at the medium-security prison had been accused of abuse.

A watchdog group reported “rampant abuse by staff” after interviewing people incarcerated there in October 2022. The Correctional Association of New York said it was told of physical assaults in locations without cameras, such as between the gates, in vans and in showers. A guard told one new arrival this was a “‘hands-on facility,’ we’re going to put hands on you if we don’t like what you’re doing,” the report said.

If you came into 2025 feeling the strain of debt, you weren’t alone. By the end of 2024, consumers carried a record $18.4 trillion in debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 

Credit cards were responsible for $1.2 trillion of debt, up from the $1.17 trillion owed in the third quarter of 2024. Overall, consumer credit card debt was even more sobering when you consider that the average card interest rate near the end of last year was close to 23%.

The prognosis for that debt doesn’t look any better next month, either, as multiple factors will make it even more difficult for you to pay down what you owe. With this in mind, taking control of your debt is critical, and this March may be the perfect time to do it, even if your debt holds steady instead of increasing, says Tyler Gray, managing director of SageOak Financial, a financial advisory firm. 

“In the long term … ‘the borrower is a slave to the lender,’ as the old proverb goes,” Gray says. “So, if consumers think, ‘I can just delay paying off my consumer debt until later,’ they should be cautious. Sometimes, today is better than tomorrow, and economic conditions can change in an instant.”

Looking for a solution for your debt? See how debt relief can help you now.

Why you should consider debt relief this March

Here are three timely reasons why you should strongly consider pursuing debt relief this March:

Interest rate cuts are paused (and will remain so in March)

The Federal Reserve typically meets often throughout the year to decide (among other things) interest rate adjustments. If the Fed raises interest rates or keeps them the same, there’s a good chance you won’t get any relief from your debt’s interest rates. Credit cards and HELOCs, for example, often have variable interest rates that rise and fall based on many factors, including decisions about the Fed’s benchmark rate. 

As we look to the Fed’s March meeting, economic experts and the Fed itself have indicated that there will likely be no changes to the Fed’s benchmark rate. That’s not great news for your debt. Any accounts you have with variable interest rates will likely keep your interest rate steady instead of lowering it (though other factors are involved beyond the Fed rate), which means it will be difficult for you to make improvements in your debt situation. Taking action to start a debt relief plan will empower you, then, even as interest rates remain the same or rise. 

Learn how to take control of your debt now. 

Your debt is growing thanks to rising inflation

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in early February that inflation rose in January, which means the overall cost of goods and services you buy increased. As prices on everyday items such as groceries and gas rise, it will become more difficult for you to pay your bills, let alone make any progress on your debt. 

Inflation’s recent rise and the likelihood that rates will stay the same indicates that this March will bring increased debt to consumers across the country. 

Debt relief can help you combat inflation by laying out a plan to repay your debt and free up money in your budget to cover the rising cost of necessities. 

“Almost any plan is better than no plan,” says Bobbi Rebell, a CFP and personal finance expert at CardRates.com. “Take a hard look at all of your debt, and the interest rates you are paying. Go through each one and see if there are options either for debt relief or to move that debt to something that allows you better terms like a lower interest rate or a more forgiving payment schedule so you can get back on track.”

You have tax debt to deal with, too

With tax season well underway, some consumers fear they may owe money that will inevitably add to their debt.

As consumers stare down a trying tax season, Logan Allec, a CPA and owner of tax relief company Choice Tax Relief, says facing your debt head-on is the best approach. 

“The main thing is to not bury your head in the sand,” Allec says. “In terms of prioritizing debt, I’d say that you should probably prioritize your tax debt since — unlike most other creditors — the IRS can garnish your wages and levy your bank account without needing a court order.”

If you’re facing a tax bill that you can’t pay, you don’t want to compound the issue by also having to deal with your other, non-tax debt. A debt relief strategy can help you gain control over the debt you owe and provide a clearer path to financial freedom, allowing you to focus on your tax debt next. 

The bottom line

Between stagnant interest rates, rising inflation and imminent tax bills, this March is shaping up to be a difficult month if you’re dealing with debt you can’t seem to pay down. With that in mind, it could be the right time for you to start a debt relief program that can help you gain control of your debt, reduce the amount of interest you’ll pay over time, and help you build a brighter financial future. 

We may be just a couple of months into the new year, but there has already been plenty of bad news about debt levels in the U.S., signaling that the issues we saw in late 2024 are continuing into 2025. For example, the latest Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit from the Federal Reserve, which was released earlier this month, showed that credit card debt has hit a new record nationwide and is now sitting at $1.21 trillion. 

That’s not the only debt issue Americans are facing, either. Total household debt has also reached a new record, and credit card payment delinquencies are climbing, indicating that more and more people are struggling to stay current on their debt payments. And, with interest rates still high, it’s only getting more expensive to carry certain types of debt. In turn, many people are now looking into debt relief to try and get a hold of the issue. 

Pursuing debt relief can be a smart move when you’re worried about keeping up with what you owe, but there are lots of options to choose from. Luckily, understanding which programs you qualify for can be the difference between getting back on track and falling deeper into financial trouble. So what does it take to qualify for debt relief in 2025? Below, we’ll detail what to know.

Explore the debt relief options available to you here.

How to qualify for debt relief in 2025

Whether you’re looking for a structured repayment plan, negotiating a settlement or considering bankruptcy, here’s how to qualify for debt relief this year:

Debt consolidation loans

A debt consolidation loan allows you to combine multiple debts into a single loan with a fixed interest rate and one monthly payment. Debt consolidation loans typically require a credit score of at least 620 to qualify, though you’ll get better rates with scores above 670. Lenders look for a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 50% and verifiable income that’s at least three times your monthly debt payments. You’ll typically need a consistent employment history of at least two years, but some lenders now offer specialized programs for self-employed individuals and gig workers that require 18 months of steady income rather than traditional employment.

Discuss your debt relief options with an expert today.

Debt consolidation programs

Unlike a standard consolidation loan, a debt consolidation program is typically offered through a debt relief company, which helps you secure a consolidation loan from a partner lender. These third-party programs have more flexible requirements than direct consolidation loans. Most companies require a minimum debt amount of a few thousand dollars and look for regular income that can cover reduced monthly payments. Credit scores could be as low as the 600 range (depending on the program), and only unsecured debts, like personal loans or credit card debt, can be consolidated. Government-backed student loans and secured debts like mortgages or car loans generally don’t qualify.

Credit card hardship programs

Credit card issuers sometimes offer hardship programs that can lower your interest rates, reduce monthly payments or temporarily pause payments if you’re facing financial issues. To qualify, you’ll generally need to demonstrate financial hardship through documentation like medical bills, job loss or significant income reduction. Most issuers require your account to be in good standing or no more than 90 days past due. Some companies now offer early hardship programs if you can show your income has dropped by 20% or more, even if you’re still current on payments.

Debt management plans

A debt management plan is a structured plan managed by a credit counseling agency. They negotiate with creditors to reduce interest rates and consolidate payments into one monthly installment. The main requirement to qualify is having enough income to cover a consolidated monthly payment that’s lower than your current obligations. There’s usually no minimum credit score requirement, but most programs require you to have at least $3,000 to $5,000 in unsecured debt.

Debt settlement

Debt settlement involves negotiating with creditors to pay off a portion of your total debt for less than what you owe. These programs are typically offered by debt relief companies, and while the requirements vary by program, to qualify, you typically need to be behind on payments, have at least $5,000 to $10,000 in unsecured debt and demonstrate an inability to repay the full amount. Credit scores aren’t a factor, but you should be prepared for a significant negative impact on your credit during the process.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal process that can eliminate or restructure debts, offering a fresh financial start. Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires passing a means test, showing your income is below your state’s median income for your household size. If you don’t qualify for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 requires regular income sufficient to make structured payments over three to five years. Both types require completion of credit counseling from an approved agency within 180 days before filing. You’ll also need to show you haven’t had a bankruptcy discharge in the past eight years for Chapter 7 or six years for Chapter 13.

The bottom line

Qualifying for debt relief can vary based on the option you’re considering, but will typically be based on factors like your financial situation, credit history and ability to repay. While some solutions, like consolidation loans, require good credit, others, like debt settlement, are designed for those experiencing severe financial hardship. The key to finding the right option is to assess your needs, research the solutions you can meet the requirements for and seek professional guidance if necessary. 

The Navy announced Thursday that Capt. Dave Snowden, who was in charge of the USS Harry S. Truman when the aircraft carrier collided with a merchant ship, has been fired. 

The carrier collided with the ship near the entrance of the Suez Canal last week, and Snowden was relieved of his command afterward, the Navy said in a statement.  

Snowden has been the skipper of the Truman since December 2023. 

The aircraft carrier was in transit from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea when the collision occurred. There were no injuries or flooding, according to a Navy spokesperson, but a photo released by the Navy showed extensive damage to the side of the carrier. 

The areas affected included the “exterior wall of two storage rooms and a maintenance space,” according to a statement from the Navy’s 6th Fleet. And outside the ship, there was damage to a “line handling space, the fantail, and the platform above one of the storage spaces.” 

Since Sunday, the Truman has been in Souda Bay, off the Greek island of Crete, for repairs. 

The commander of the Truman’s strike group, Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, said that the components of the carrier group remain operational. The strike group includes the carrier, three destroyers and one cruiser. 

“Our mission has not changed and we remain committed to responding to any challenge in this dynamic and global security environment,” Bailey said.

The carrier strike group has been deployed since September to both European waters as well as waters in the Middle East. Fighter jets from the carrier have participated in airstrikes, notably against the Houthis in December and then against an al Qaeda operative in Somalia earlier this month.