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2024 was a historic year in US politics, with Donald Trump’s conviction and non-consecutive second term dominating headlines.
Yet, beyond the political sphere, the nation was captivated by extraordinary events, from dramatic aviation incidents to landmark legal battles.
Here’s a look back at some of the year’s most discussed non-political stories.
On January 5, chaos erupted aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 shortly after departing Portland International Airport.
A door plug detached mid-flight, prompting an emergency landing. Fortunately, the seats adjacent to the missing plug were unoccupied, and no one sustained serious injuries.
Investigations revealed that four essential bolts securing the door plug had not been installed.
Boeing admitted the fuselage required repairs prior to the flight, but miscommunication between maintenance teams led to the oversight.
The scandal forced Boeing to overhaul its leadership and safety protocols, with federal authorities imposing stricter production guidelines.
March 26 marked a grim day in Baltimore when a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse and claiming six lives.
The disaster disrupted access to the Port of Baltimore for weeks, as authorities worked to clear 50,000 tons of debris.
The operators of the ship later agreed to a $102 million settlement for federal response costs. Rebuilding the bridge, estimated at $1.7 to $1.9 billion, remains a monumental task for Maryland’s infrastructure.
In a rare legal case, Jennifer and James Crumbley were sentenced in April to 10–15 years in prison for their role in enabling their son Ethan Crumbley’s 2021 school shooting.
The couple was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after providing their son with the firearm used in the attack and ignoring warning signs.
Ethan Crumbley received a life sentence without parole for the tragedy that claimed four students’ lives at Oxford High School.
The legal saga surrounding the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins saw significant developments this year.
In July, Alec Baldwin’s charges were dismissed due to procedural violations.
However, armorer Hannah Gutierrez was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Gutierrez’s failure to adhere to firearm safety protocols was deemed a critical factor in the fatal shooting during the production of “Rust.”
Five individuals were charged in connection with actor Matthew Perry’s 2023 death from a ketamine overdose.
Key suspects include Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and supplier Erik Fleming, both of whom have pleaded guilty.
Two doctors implicated in the case face trials in 2025, with one suspect nicknamed “The Ketamine Queen” accused of providing the lethal batch of drugs.
A horrific school shooting in Georgia on September 4 left four people dead, including two teachers.
The accused, 14-year-old Colt Gray, allegedly used an AR-style rifle gifted to him by his father, Colin Gray.
Both father and son face legal proceedings, with investigators highlighting the father’s negligence in allowing firearm access.
The US faced devastating natural disasters this year, with Hurricanes Helene and Milton leaving widespread destruction.
Helene, a Category 4 storm, became the deadliest in North Carolina’s history, killing nearly 250 people across the Southeast in September.
Weeks later, Hurricane Milton struck as a Category 3 storm, causing additional fatalities and compounding recovery efforts.
Sean “Diddy” Combs shocked fans in September when he was arrested on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering.
Federal prosecutors accuse the music mogul of running an exploitative enterprise that used coercion and violence.
Combs has pleaded not guilty, with his trial set for 2025, alongside mounting civil lawsuits.
Erik and Lyle Menendez reignited public interest this year with new developments in their decades-long fight for freedom.
A Los Angeles DA recommended resentencing the brothers, making them eligible for parole based on their age and abuse claims at the time of their parents’ 1989 murders.
The brothers have also filed habeas corpus petitions and clemency requests, seeking release after serving more than 30 years in prison.
Seven years after the chilling murders of Abby Williams and Libby German, Richard Allen was sentenced to 130 years in prison this November.
Allen’s trial focused on his confessions and his presence on the trail where the two girls were killed.
The case drew nationwide attention, with authorities crediting a recording found on Libby’s phone for eventually identifying Allen as the suspect.
On December 4, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan.
The murder sparked a public outcry against the health insurance industry, with suspect Luigi Mangione arrested days later.
Authorities allege Mangione meticulously planned the assassination, leaving behind a notebook detailing his motives. He now faces federal charges that could result in the death penalty.
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