Joel Rose
@joelrose.bsky.social
Reporter covering transportation and more for NPR News. Late adopter. Got something to tell me? jrose@npr.org, Signal: joelrose.42
The Transportation Secretary says air traffic controllers will get paid promptly as the government reopens.
But some controllers have not forgotten the last shutdown in 2019, when they had to sue to get paid in full for overtime.
www.npr.org/2025/11/13/n...
But some controllers have not forgotten the last shutdown in 2019, when they had to sue to get paid in full for overtime.
www.npr.org/2025/11/13/n...
Air traffic controllers promised fast shutdown pay, but they've been told that before
The Transportation Secretary says air traffic controllers will be paid promptly as the government reopens. But after the last shutdown, in 2019, some controllers sued to get paid in full for overtime.
www.npr.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The Transportation Secretary says air traffic controllers will get paid promptly as the government reopens.
But some controllers have not forgotten the last shutdown in 2019, when they had to sue to get paid in full for overtime.
www.npr.org/2025/11/13/n...
But some controllers have not forgotten the last shutdown in 2019, when they had to sue to get paid in full for overtime.
www.npr.org/2025/11/13/n...
Making the bus free for riders is one of the bold proposals that helped Zohran Mamdani win the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City.
But not everyone is on board. Even some transit advocates have their doubts.
www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
But not everyone is on board. Even some transit advocates have their doubts.
www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
Should the bus be free? Transit advocates are divided
"Free buses" is one of the big ideas that helped Zohran Mamdani win the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City. But the track record in cities that have stopped collecting fares is mixed.
www.npr.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Making the bus free for riders is one of the bold proposals that helped Zohran Mamdani win the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City.
But not everyone is on board. Even some transit advocates have their doubts.
www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
But not everyone is on board. Even some transit advocates have their doubts.
www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
The leaders of California’s ambitious high-speed rail project say they have a viable plan to reach the state's major population centers.
But the project that critics call a "train to nowhere" faces an uncertain future with billions in federal funding tied up in court.
www.npr.org/2025/09/03/n...
But the project that critics call a "train to nowhere" faces an uncertain future with billions in federal funding tied up in court.
www.npr.org/2025/09/03/n...
With federal money in doubt, California's high-speed train seeks a new path forward
The leaders of California's high-speed rail project say they've learned from past mistakes. But the troubled megaproject faces an uncertain future with $4 billion in federal funding tied up in court.
www.npr.org
September 3, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The leaders of California’s ambitious high-speed rail project say they have a viable plan to reach the state's major population centers.
But the project that critics call a "train to nowhere" faces an uncertain future with billions in federal funding tied up in court.
www.npr.org/2025/09/03/n...
But the project that critics call a "train to nowhere" faces an uncertain future with billions in federal funding tied up in court.
www.npr.org/2025/09/03/n...
Hundreds of United Airlines flights were disrupted as the carrier grappled with a major computer system outage.
www.npr.org/2025/08/06/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/06/n...
United Airlines flights grounded nationwide because of computer problems
Hundreds of United Airlines flights were disrupted on Wednesday evening as the carrier grappled with a major computer system outage. The airline requested ground stops at its major hubs in the U.S.
www.npr.org
August 7, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Hundreds of United Airlines flights were disrupted as the carrier grappled with a major computer system outage.
www.npr.org/2025/08/06/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/06/n...
Hundreds of United Airlines flights were disrupted on Wednesday evening as the carrier grappled with a major computer system outage.
“Due to a technology issue, we are holding United mainline flights at their departure airports,” the airline said in a statement.
“Due to a technology issue, we are holding United mainline flights at their departure airports,” the airline said in a statement.
August 7, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Hundreds of United Airlines flights were disrupted on Wednesday evening as the carrier grappled with a major computer system outage.
“Due to a technology issue, we are holding United mainline flights at their departure airports,” the airline said in a statement.
“Due to a technology issue, we are holding United mainline flights at their departure airports,” the airline said in a statement.
Reposted by Joel Rose
Former and current U.S. air traffic controllers say the Trump administration's focus on new equipment doesn't address problems like grueling schedules and stagnating pay that are hurting morale.
Air traffic controllers say a push to modernize equipment won't fix deeper problems
Former and current U.S. air traffic controllers say the Trump administration's focus on new equipment doesn't address problems like grueling schedules and stagnating pay that are hurting morale.
n.pr
July 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Former and current U.S. air traffic controllers say the Trump administration's focus on new equipment doesn't address problems like grueling schedules and stagnating pay that are hurting morale.
We talked to five current and former U.S. air traffic controllers about what it's like to do this crucial job right now.
Here's what they told us.
www.npr.org/2025/07/17/n...
Here's what they told us.
www.npr.org/2025/07/17/n...
Air traffic controllers say a push to modernize equipment won't fix deeper problems
Former and current U.S. air traffic controllers say the Trump administration's focus on new equipment doesn't address problems like grueling schedules and stagnating pay that are hurting morale.
www.npr.org
July 17, 2025 at 12:36 PM
We talked to five current and former U.S. air traffic controllers about what it's like to do this crucial job right now.
Here's what they told us.
www.npr.org/2025/07/17/n...
Here's what they told us.
www.npr.org/2025/07/17/n...
With record numbers of Americans expected to fly this week, I revisited Newark Liberty International Airport to find out how things are going after its recent problems.
www.npr.org/2025/07/03/n...
www.npr.org/2025/07/03/n...
We flew to Newark to find out if the airport is recovering from its recent struggles
Record numbers of Americans are expected to fly around the July Fourth holiday, posing a big test for America's fragile air travel system — and for Newark Liberty International Airport in particular.
www.npr.org
July 3, 2025 at 12:48 PM
With record numbers of Americans expected to fly this week, I revisited Newark Liberty International Airport to find out how things are going after its recent problems.
www.npr.org/2025/07/03/n...
www.npr.org/2025/07/03/n...
The U.S. needs thousands of additional air traffic controllers, but training them can take years.
We visited one school that’s trying to get controllers on the job faster.
www.npr.org/2025/06/19/n...
We visited one school that’s trying to get controllers on the job faster.
www.npr.org/2025/06/19/n...
Inside a school that's working to fix the U.S. shortage of air traffic controllers
Facing a severe shortage, the FAA is racing to hire thousands of air traffic controllers. But training them can take years. We visit a school in Florida that's trying to get them on the job faster.
www.npr.org
June 19, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The U.S. needs thousands of additional air traffic controllers, but training them can take years.
We visited one school that’s trying to get controllers on the job faster.
www.npr.org/2025/06/19/n...
We visited one school that’s trying to get controllers on the job faster.
www.npr.org/2025/06/19/n...
"It was like disbelief. And then it was just like fury, honestly, like how could they have us working this?"
A Newark air traffic controller talks about how it felt to lose radar and communication systems during a shift.
www.npr.org/2025/05/22/g...
A Newark air traffic controller talks about how it felt to lose radar and communication systems during a shift.
www.npr.org/2025/05/22/g...
A Newark air traffic controller on how it felt when systems went dark
An air traffic controller who works the airspace around Newark, N.J. speaks out about what it was like to lose radar and communication systems during a shift, and how the situation got to be so bad.
www.npr.org
May 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
"It was like disbelief. And then it was just like fury, honestly, like how could they have us working this?"
A Newark air traffic controller talks about how it felt to lose radar and communication systems during a shift.
www.npr.org/2025/05/22/g...
A Newark air traffic controller talks about how it felt to lose radar and communication systems during a shift.
www.npr.org/2025/05/22/g...
Reposted by Joel Rose
"This was an illegal act," U.S. Federal District Judge Paula Xinis told DOJ lawyers at a hearing about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador.
She ordered DOJ to bring back Abrego Garcia to the U.S. by 11:59 p.m. Monday. www.npr.org/2025/04/04/n... w/ @joelrose.bsky.social
She ordered DOJ to bring back Abrego Garcia to the U.S. by 11:59 p.m. Monday. www.npr.org/2025/04/04/n... w/ @joelrose.bsky.social
Judge orders the Trump administration to return man who was mistakenly deported
A federal judge in Maryland Friday ordered the Trump administration to take immediate steps to return a Maryland man who was deported to a Salvadoran mega-prison by mistake, setting up another high-st...
www.npr.org
April 4, 2025 at 7:49 PM
"This was an illegal act," U.S. Federal District Judge Paula Xinis told DOJ lawyers at a hearing about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador.
She ordered DOJ to bring back Abrego Garcia to the U.S. by 11:59 p.m. Monday. www.npr.org/2025/04/04/n... w/ @joelrose.bsky.social
She ordered DOJ to bring back Abrego Garcia to the U.S. by 11:59 p.m. Monday. www.npr.org/2025/04/04/n... w/ @joelrose.bsky.social
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return a man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, setting up another high-stakes clash between the White House and the courts.
www.npr.org/2025/04/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/04/04/n...
Judge orders the Trump administration to return man who was mistakenly deported
A federal judge in Maryland Friday ordered the Trump administration to take immediate steps to return a Maryland man who was deported to a Salvadoran mega-prison by mistake, setting up another high-st...
www.npr.org
April 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return a man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, setting up another high-stakes clash between the White House and the courts.
www.npr.org/2025/04/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/04/04/n...
The Trump administration's immigration crackdown plays into widespread misperceptions about migrants and crime, as critics worry about "the tail wagging the dog."
My latest for NPR
www.npr.org/2025/02/27/n...
My latest for NPR
www.npr.org/2025/02/27/n...
How Trump's crackdown plays into misperceptions about immigrants and crime
The White House portrays its immigration crackdown as a success. Critics say the administration is trying to look tough for the cameras, and worry about the "tail wagging the dog."
www.npr.org
February 27, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The Trump administration's immigration crackdown plays into widespread misperceptions about migrants and crime, as critics worry about "the tail wagging the dog."
My latest for NPR
www.npr.org/2025/02/27/n...
My latest for NPR
www.npr.org/2025/02/27/n...
A commercial airplane collided in midair with a Blackhawk helicopter as the jet was approaching a runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.
It could be the most significant disaster in U.S. airspace in at least 15 years.
www.npr.org/2025/01/29/g...
It could be the most significant disaster in U.S. airspace in at least 15 years.
www.npr.org/2025/01/29/g...
American Airlines plane, Blackhawk helicopter collide midair near D.C.-area airport
Radar tracking sites show the passenger jet appears to have fallen into the frigid Potomac River. Officials at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport say all takeoffs and landings were halted.
www.npr.org
January 30, 2025 at 3:50 AM
A commercial airplane collided in midair with a Blackhawk helicopter as the jet was approaching a runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.
It could be the most significant disaster in U.S. airspace in at least 15 years.
www.npr.org/2025/01/29/g...
It could be the most significant disaster in U.S. airspace in at least 15 years.
www.npr.org/2025/01/29/g...
ICE says it's focusing on the worst threats to public safety.
But President Trump's crackdown is changing how many immigrants and mixed-status families go about their daily lives in places like Waukegan, IL, near Chicago.
www.npr.org/2025/01/27/n...
But President Trump's crackdown is changing how many immigrants and mixed-status families go about their daily lives in places like Waukegan, IL, near Chicago.
www.npr.org/2025/01/27/n...
Immigration raids have begun. For immigrant and mixed-status families, everyday life has changed.
The Trump administration has said the raids will focus on criminals who are a public threat. But immigrant communities across the board are bracing, and changing their routines.
www.npr.org
January 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
ICE says it's focusing on the worst threats to public safety.
But President Trump's crackdown is changing how many immigrants and mixed-status families go about their daily lives in places like Waukegan, IL, near Chicago.
www.npr.org/2025/01/27/n...
But President Trump's crackdown is changing how many immigrants and mixed-status families go about their daily lives in places like Waukegan, IL, near Chicago.
www.npr.org/2025/01/27/n...
Former acting ICE director John Sandweg was skeptical that President Trump could deliver on his campaign promise of mass deportations.
But after looking at Trump's first round of executive orders and actions, his thinking has changed.
www.npr.org/2025/01/27/n...
But after looking at Trump's first round of executive orders and actions, his thinking has changed.
www.npr.org/2025/01/27/n...
Trump's immigration orders are a blueprint for sweeping policy changes
President Trump began his immigration crackdown with a flurry of executive orders. Immigration experts say they lay out how he hopes to transform enforcement at the southern U.S. border and beyond.
www.npr.org
January 27, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Former acting ICE director John Sandweg was skeptical that President Trump could deliver on his campaign promise of mass deportations.
But after looking at Trump's first round of executive orders and actions, his thinking has changed.
www.npr.org/2025/01/27/n...
But after looking at Trump's first round of executive orders and actions, his thinking has changed.
www.npr.org/2025/01/27/n...
Reposted by Joel Rose
The CBP One app has provided nearly 900,000 people with asylum appointments since January 2023, contributing to a drop in illegal border crossings.
Migrants left in despair at the border as asylum system shuts down
The CBP One app has provided nearly 900,000 people with asylum appointments since January 2023, contributing to a drop in illegal border crossings.
www.npr.org
January 21, 2025 at 12:31 AM
The CBP One app has provided nearly 900,000 people with asylum appointments since January 2023, contributing to a drop in illegal border crossings.
A dispatch from the border as the Trump administration shut down the CBP One app on its first day in office.
www.npr.org/2025/01/20/g...
www.npr.org/2025/01/20/g...
Migrants left in despair at the border as asylum system shuts down
The CBP One app has provided nearly 900,000 people with asylum appointments since January 2023, contributing to a drop in illegal border crossings.
www.npr.org
January 21, 2025 at 7:16 PM
A dispatch from the border as the Trump administration shut down the CBP One app on its first day in office.
www.npr.org/2025/01/20/g...
www.npr.org/2025/01/20/g...
The day after President Trump signed an executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship, a group of 18 Democratic state attorneys general joined the legal fight to block the move, describing it as unconstitutional.
www.npr.org/2025/01/21/g...
www.npr.org/2025/01/21/g...
Democratic AGs sue over Trump's order to end birthright citizenship
A group of 18 state attorneys general signed on to a lawsuit filed Tuesday seeking to block the administration's move, describing it as unconstitutional.
www.npr.org
January 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The day after President Trump signed an executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship, a group of 18 Democratic state attorneys general joined the legal fight to block the move, describing it as unconstitutional.
www.npr.org/2025/01/21/g...
www.npr.org/2025/01/21/g...
President Trump laid out the first steps in an ambitious agenda that could reshape border security and immigration policy in the U.S. for years to come.
But it is sure to face logistical and legal challenges.
www.npr.org/live-updates...
But it is sure to face logistical and legal challenges.
www.npr.org/live-updates...
Inauguration Day 2025: Trump addresses supporters; Biden bids farewell
Live updates on Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration.
www.npr.org
January 20, 2025 at 8:03 PM
President Trump laid out the first steps in an ambitious agenda that could reshape border security and immigration policy in the U.S. for years to come.
But it is sure to face logistical and legal challenges.
www.npr.org/live-updates...
But it is sure to face logistical and legal challenges.
www.npr.org/live-updates...
Some personal news:
I’m back on the immigration beat, which I covered during the first Trump administration, for a temporary assignment.
I’m back on the immigration beat, which I covered during the first Trump administration, for a temporary assignment.
January 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Some personal news:
I’m back on the immigration beat, which I covered during the first Trump administration, for a temporary assignment.
I’m back on the immigration beat, which I covered during the first Trump administration, for a temporary assignment.
Sean Duffy, President-elect Trump's pick for transportation secretary, was asked at his confirmation hearing about ongoing investigations into Tesla and its Full Self-Driving mode.
January 16, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Sean Duffy, President-elect Trump's pick for transportation secretary, was asked at his confirmation hearing about ongoing investigations into Tesla and its Full Self-Driving mode.
While some of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees faced sharp questioning this week, Sean Duffy received a friendly welcome in his confirmation hearing to be secretary of transportation.
www.npr.org/2025/01/15/n...
www.npr.org/2025/01/15/n...
Trump's Cabinet pick for secretary of transportation is Sean Duffy. Here's what to know
While some of President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees faced sharp questioning this week, Sean Duffy received a friendly welcome in his confirmation hearing to be secretary of transportation.
www.npr.org
January 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
While some of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees faced sharp questioning this week, Sean Duffy received a friendly welcome in his confirmation hearing to be secretary of transportation.
www.npr.org/2025/01/15/n...
www.npr.org/2025/01/15/n...
We obtained police records from a fatal crash involving a Tesla and a motorcycle outside Seattle.
Some of the details are new.
But the narrative they suggest — a driver who’s not paying attention to the road — is one Tesla’s critics say they’ve seen many times.
1/5
www.npr.org/2025/01/15/n...
Some of the details are new.
But the narrative they suggest — a driver who’s not paying attention to the road — is one Tesla’s critics say they’ve seen many times.
1/5
www.npr.org/2025/01/15/n...
Safety advocates fear Tesla will face less accountability for car crashes under Trump
With Tesla CEO Elon Musk backing President-elect Donald Trump, safety advocates fear the incoming administration is poised to scrap a federal crash reporting requirement that Tesla calls unfair.
www.npr.org
January 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
We obtained police records from a fatal crash involving a Tesla and a motorcycle outside Seattle.
Some of the details are new.
But the narrative they suggest — a driver who’s not paying attention to the road — is one Tesla’s critics say they’ve seen many times.
1/5
www.npr.org/2025/01/15/n...
Some of the details are new.
But the narrative they suggest — a driver who’s not paying attention to the road — is one Tesla’s critics say they’ve seen many times.
1/5
www.npr.org/2025/01/15/n...
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Whitaker, will resign on Jan. 20.
His time as FAA administrator has been dominated by Boeing, as he led the agency's response to major quality and safety problems at the aerospace giant and its suppliers.
www.npr.org/2024/12/12/n...
His time as FAA administrator has been dominated by Boeing, as he led the agency's response to major quality and safety problems at the aerospace giant and its suppliers.
www.npr.org/2024/12/12/n...
FAA chief Mike Whitaker announces that he will step down in January
Mike Whitaker says he will step down as head of the Federal Aviation Administration on Jan. 20. It's not unusual for FAA administrators to resign at the change of administration, though some have stayed longer.
www.npr.org
December 12, 2024 at 5:43 PM
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Whitaker, will resign on Jan. 20.
His time as FAA administrator has been dominated by Boeing, as he led the agency's response to major quality and safety problems at the aerospace giant and its suppliers.
www.npr.org/2024/12/12/n...
His time as FAA administrator has been dominated by Boeing, as he led the agency's response to major quality and safety problems at the aerospace giant and its suppliers.
www.npr.org/2024/12/12/n...