Travis Schlepp
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Writer, reporter, 2007 Pontiac Vibe owner. Editor-in-chief @rabblenewsonX; Formerly of @ktla @newschannel312 @dodgersnation
Articles by Travis Schlepp
Burbank officially opens new terminal
Travelers in Southern California can now fly out of a brand-new facility in the Los Angeles area following the official opening Tuesday of a modernized Hollywood Burbank Airport. Airport officials say the project marks the first time in decades that a new commercial airport terminal has been built from the ground up in the Los Angeles area.
Dozens of California transit agencies offer free rides in observance of Clean Air Day
Public transit agencies across California offered free rides and other perks on Wednesday, as the state observed California Clean Air Day. The annual event is organized by the Coalition for Clean Air, and is meant to encourage individual action to reduce air pollution and protect public health. Organizers say it’s the largest clean air event in the state, and more than 3,200 individual Californians pledged to take clean air action, according to the organization’s 2026 pledge tracker.
Holland America Line expands cruise line fleet to 12
Holland America Line is growing. The luxury cruise line announced Tuesday it was expanding its cruise ship fleet to 12 with the addition of a Vista Class vessel named Arcadia. The new ship will join Holland America Line in a transfer from P&O Cruises, a fellow British subsidiary of Carnival.
2 planes have minor collision on LAX tarmac
The Federal Aviation Administration is monitoring a minor collision involving two commercial jets at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, Oct. 6. According to a statement from the FAA, a Tokyo-bound Delta Air Lines flight was getting ready to take off when the left wing tip of the Airbus A350-900 clipped another jet. That other jet was described as Air Canada Flight 785, a Boeing 777-200LR that was at LAX after flying from Toronto earlier in the morning.
Metrolink’s new higher fares are now in effect
Southern California passenger rail system Metrolink has officially increased its fares for the first time in more than a decade. The fare increases went into effect on Monday, Oct. 5, with the cost of a one-way ticket rising by an average of 14%. Nearly 80% of one-way tickets saw an increase of up to $1, and a very small portion raised by more than $2, Metrolink officials said.
How to get to Dodger Stadium for free with the Stadium Express
This article is written in partnership with DodgersDynasty.com Parking at Dodger Stadium is expensive—especially during the playoffs. But did you know you can get a ride to Dodger Stadium on game days for free? Baseball fans heading to Chavez Ravine can skip stadium traffic and parking fees through LA Metro’s Stadium Express bus service. Taking the Stadium Express is entirely free for anyone with a ticket, and can end up providing huge savings for fans.
Fuel prices send airfare up 39%—airlines think travelers will pick up the tab
Recent data shows that jet fuel prices are up more than 100% since this time last year, and the impact has been most pronounced in recent months following escalating conflicts in the Middle East, including between the U.S. and Iran. According to Eurocontrol, an international organization that deals with air traffic management across Europe, the price of jet fuel is 71% higher now than the days before the U.S. began its aggressive military campaign in Iran.
LA’s subway system could have major delays through remainder of the year
Late night commuters and weekend riders across Los Angeles will need to leave extra time for their trips as LA Metro begins a monthslong maintenance program that will reduce much of its subway system to single tracks. According to LA Metro, essential system upgrades and construction projects will slow train traffic across its B and D lines every weeknight and throughout entire weekends until early next year.
Spirit Airlines given OK to sell remaining aircraft fleet
The dismantling of Spirit Airlines continues as the airline received approval from bankruptcy court to sell its 27 remaining aircraft for about $668 million. A bankruptcy court judge approved the transaction last week, clearing the way for the aircraft to be sold to two companies in separate transactions.
LA Metro B Line stations to close for long weekend
System maintenance will force the closure of two subway stations in Los Angeles early next month. According to fliers placed at LA Metro stations, weekend riders along Vermont Avenue will need to navigate closures and temporary bus shuttles on the Metro B Line. The closures will begin Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m., and will remain in place through 2 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5.
What the Brightline bankruptcy means for current riders and Las Vegas plans
Trouble is brewing for one of America’s fastest train services after Brightline announced it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Brightline Florida officials announced Friday that its parent companies were filing for bankruptcy protection as part of a prearranged financial restructuring aimed at easing a $4.3 billion debt load. Under the deal, Brightline’s main financial backers are putting up $490 million in new loans to help clear the business’s debts.
Waymo will pay riders who use public transit
The autonomous taxi service Waymo says it will begin paying riders a small bonus if they take public transit the same day they grab a Waymo ride. Waymo’s Transit Rewards program will give certain riders $2.85 in credit when they connect with public transit within two hours of riding in one of its driverless vehicles.
LAX People Mover won’t open this year—will it ever?
The Automated People Mover at Los Angeles International Airport has been delayed once again, pushing its earliest operational date until 2027. The latest timeline shows the project could be operational by Jan. 6, 2027, at the earliest. The LAX People Mover, aka Skylink, was originally slated to open in 2023, but has been delayed repeatedly on a semi-regular basis as the operator/construction firm dukes it out with the Los Angeles airport authority in court over costs and change orders.
Delta expands international service with new routes to Tokyo, Paris and Riyadh
Delta Air Lines international flights are expanding across three continents with new long-haul connections to Japan, France and Saudi Arabia starting later this year and continuing into spring 2027. Delta is launching direct service connecting Atlanta to Riyadh, Seattle to Tokyo-Narita, and Austin to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, company officials announced in recent weeks.
LA Metro will pay you $600 to park your car—here’s how the program works
LA Metro’s recently announced pilot program to pay Angelenos to keep their cars parked is moving forward with a selected field of program participants. Last week, chosen participants were given more clarity about the program, its length, its rules and the maximum payout they could receive. The One Car Challenge is a county-wide initiative that is meant to reward residents for using public transit or other transportation options, while giving LA Metro some useful data.
Burbank airport’s upgraded terminal nears opening date—what to expect
In less than a month, passengers will have an upgraded and improved traveling experience when flying out of the greater Los Angeles area. The Hollywood Burbank Airport is scheduled to open its brand new terminal on Oct.13, 2026. But on Saturday, airport staff, alongside local authorities, held a passenger trial to test readiness and provide a preview for local media members. The new Burbank terminal will solve a lot of issues currently found at the historic, albeit dated, primary airport terminal.
Dangerous ‘laser strikes’ on aircraft down for 3rd straight year, but hundreds still reported
The Federal Aviation Administration says the number of dangerous and illegal laser strikes on aircraft has declined for the third consecutive year, but the numbers remain much higher than acceptable. On Thursday, the FAA released a new laser strike report, which provides the total number of reported incidents over the past six months. In total, the FAA has logged 4,470 laser strikes from January to July 2026, a 24% decrease from the same time frame during the previous year, officials said.
Amtrak’s new upgraded trains coming to Pacific Northwest route this month
One of Amtrak’s most beloved scenic routes will be the first in the nation to receive new Airo trainsets later this month. On Thursday, Amtrak announced that its Cascades route will receive the first of the new fleet of Airo trainsets beginning Sept. 30, giving riders in the Pacific Northwest the exclusive opportunity to experience the much-anticipated new trains.
Universal Studios Hollywood officially debuts ‘Fast & Furious’ roller coaster
The wait is over: Universal Studios Hollywood guests can finally ride the theme park’s high-speed outdoor roller coaster themed after the “Fast & Furious” film franchise. On Wednesday, Universal Studios opened “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” to the greater public after several weeks of testing and a soft opening over the summer. The new, high-speed thrill ride is—fittingly—the fastest ride across Universal’s theme parks division, and the first outdoor roller coaster at the Los Angeles location.
Hyatt swaps loyalty partnership from American Airlines to Delta
Travelers trying to squeeze extra perks out of their hotel stays will soon have to switch up their reward strategies, as the Hyatt loyalty program is cutting ties with American Airlines to launch a new arrangement with Delta. The sudden realignment ends a longstanding relationship between Hyatt and American Airlines that began all the way back in 2019.
Stagecoach announces 2027 festival lineup
The 2027 Stagecoach music festival lineup has dropped. The three-day music festival will bring together dozens of mainstream country performers, pop crossovers and a long-awaited country duo reunion to the Southern California desert next spring. The annual event, promoted as “California’s country music festival,” is scheduled for April 23-25, 2027, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California—about 125 miles east of Los Angeles.
Dolly Parton hotel and museum to open in Nashville following her death
A new hotel and museum celebrating the life of country music icon Dolly Parton will officially debut in Nashville later this month, a little more than a month after the singer’s death. Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, created in partnership with Herschend and Dolly Parton Productions, will open their doors to fans in a joint opening later on Sept. 29.
Claims of LA Metro hack ‘unsubstantiated,’ officials say
Officials for LA Metro say claims that its systems were hacked and data had been leaked onto the dark web by a notorious ransomware gang are unsubstantiated. LA Metro released a statement on Thursday, reasserting that data protection and security of its system remain a “top priority,” and said it would continue to monitor for any potential unauthorized data leaks. “Recent web postings claim that some Metro data is available on the dark web.
BART crime rate plummeted after agency installed newer fare gates
Officials for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) say crimes committed against its riders have plummeted since it began installing newer fare gates designed to make it harder for people to board without paying. According to data provided by BART, the number of crimes committed against riders per million trips fell by more than two-thirds (67%) between the end of 2024 and the latest operational quarter.
Another hacker group claims to have breached LA Metro
For the second time in under a year, LA Metro appears to have fallen victim to an online hacker group. According to reporting from Cybernews.com, the online hacker group “The Gentleman” has listed Los Angeles County’s transit and transportation agency on its leak site hosted on the darknet.
Southern California’s Metrolink raising fares for first time in over a decade
Metrolink is raising prices on certain tickets beginning next month. The Southern California passenger railroad said it would be increasing fares on select tickets and passes for the first time in 13 years. Metrolink says it will raise the price of one-way tickets and its SoCal Day Pass with the new prices going into effect on Oct. 5, 2026. The price increase was approved by the Metrolink board back in June. The cost of a one-way ticket will increase by an average of 14%, officials said.
Los Angeles mayoral candidate vows to ride public transit, appoint other riders to Metro board
If chosen to be the next mayor of Los Angeles, Nithya Raman vows to utilize public transit and use her allotted appointments to put other transit riders on the LA Metro board. Participating in a mayoral forum with local radio and digital website LAist, Raman laid out her plan for a revamped LA Metro board that is comprised of actual public transit users—including herself.
These 3 cities are being targeted by out-of-state renters fleeing more expensive markets
Renters living in high-cost cities are looking at other metro areas where their money might go farther. New data shared by real estate platform Zillow shows that out-of-state renters have set their sights on more affordable areas, particularly three large cities that aren’t usually at the top of lists for relocation.
Norwegian Cruise Line opens massive waterpark on a private island in the Bahamas
Norwegian Cruise Line is opening a six-acre waterpark located on a private island in Bahamas that features 170-foot slide towers and simulated cliff jumps. Norwegian will open the Great Tides Waterpark on the cruise line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay. The company held a preview event on Tuesday to welcome a select few to the private island, which has been a restricted destination for the cruise line’s passengers since 1977.
Major track projects will derail Metrolink, Amtrak service across Southern California this month
Some Metrolink and Amtrak service will be suspended for a weekend later this month as crews perform major track projects across the local railroad system both north and south of Los Angeles. The outage is scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, and will affect Metrolink’s Ventura County, Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines, as well as the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, with no service between San Diego and San Luis Obispo.
JetBlue unveils its new first-class seats and amenities
JetBlue is officially venturing into the world of first-class flying. The New York-based budget airline has released new images and details about its overhauled seat configurations on many domestic routes, which will now include a traditional first-class section for the first time. The carrier unveiled its BlueFirst product Tuesday, targeting domestic flights that do not feature its premium lie-flat Mint cabin.
New California bill aims to cut more red tape for High-Speed Rail construction
A bill to streamline a confusing and frustrating process related to construction of the California High-Speed Rail has advanced through the state legislature and awaits the signature of Gov. Gavin Newsom. Senate Bill 1425 gives the California High-Speed Rail Authority clearly defined authority to manage and permit encroachments throughout the project’s rights-of-way, ending a hoop-jumpic bureaucratic process that has previously stalled construction.
Universal Studios Hollywood announces opening date for Fast and Furious roller coaster
The much anticipated opening date for Universal Studios Hollywood’s new outdoor high-speed roller coaster themed after the “Fast & Furious” movie franchise has been announced. will open Sept. 16 at Universal Studios Hollywood. The attraction, titled “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift,” will open Sept. 16, theme park officials announced.
Chicago wants to build 15-minute express train from downtown to O’Hare Airport
Plans have been revealed for a proposed fast-track train option to connect downtown Chicago with O’Hare International Airport via battery-powered trains running on shared tracks. The O’Hare Flyer is a proposed passenger train that developers say will be capable of connecting travelers between downtown and the airport in approximately 15 minutes. The project is a private endeavor (aren’t they all) with plans to be built without government subsidies or funding.
TSA bomb-sniffing dog named agency’s ‘cutest canine’ for 2026
A bomb-sniffing dog stationed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has been named by the Transportation Security Administration as this year’s “Cutest Canine.” A 3-year-old German shorthaired pointer named Bolt was crowned the agency’s top dog following a nationwide social media contest. Bolt beat out 84 other TSA canines across the country to win the honor.
Transit worker fatigue is national concern as San Francisco crash makes headlines
Extreme fatigue is believed to have played a major role in a California train crash earlier this summer. Happening on the San Francisco Municipal Railway, aka Muni, viral video shared to social media showed the operator of a light-rail train appearing to fall asleep just seconds before crashing into the back of another train. The crash happened on the morning of July 31 in the Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco along the L Taraval line, officials confirm to Rabble News.
Transit, parking improvements at Disneyland are officially underway
Disneyland crews officially broke ground on a multiyear transit and parking improvement project that will add thousands of new parking spaces and dedicated shuttle areas as the park continues its planned expansion.
Movie theater chain’s ‘Bring Your Own Bucket’ event returns next month
A national movie theater chain is bringing back its popular social-media friendly promotion that invites customers to bring their own bucket to load up on obscene amounts of popcorn. Cinemark announced Friday that the “Bring Your Own Bucket” event will return to hundreds of its theaters across the country for one day only. On Sunday, Sept. 6, customers can pop in to any Cinemark Theater and fill up any bucket (or vague facsimile of a bucket) for only $5.
Record 16,000 new hotel projects are in the works globally, led by U.S. and China
Developers worldwide have pushed hotel construction plans to unprecedented levels, though the actual rate of new property openings is expected to remain relatively flat through the end of the decade. According to a report published by industry trade publication Lodging Magazine, and compiled by real estate research firm Lodging Econometrics, the global hotel construction pipeline reached a new all-time high of nearly 16,000 projects.
L.A. mayoral candidate vows to investigate LAX People Mover, ensure contractor blocked from future projects
If elected as the next mayor of Los Angeles, Nithya Raman says she will get to the bottom of the over-budget and long-overdue automated people mover project at Los Angeles International Airport, and ensure the contractor hired to build it is never awarded more work from the city.
California bill would speed up some transit projects by bypassing strict environmental law
A California bill meant to streamline the environmental review process for some large-scale urban transit projects has passed through the State Legislature and now awaits the signature of Gov. Gavin Newsom. Senate Bill 1375 creates a targeted exemption for qualifying intermodal rail stations to bypass the state’s strict primary environmental law: California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). According to the bill’s author, Democrat State Sen.
Hybrid-electric planes complete short-distance test flights in FAA pilot program
Experimental hybrid-electric planes have conducted short-distance test flights to demonstrate their viability to connect small airports to larger ones, as the Federal Aviation Administration looks to tap into new technologies to solve travel connectivity gaps. According to a release Tuesday from the FAA, hybrid-electric plane company Electra conducted test flights between Manassas, Virginia and Philadelphia, while making stops at several small airports.
Spirit Airlines customer service, operations data purchased for $10 million
A massive cache of corporate and customer service data from now-defunct Spirit Airlines has been sold for $10 million. According to multiple reports, the buyer was Google, which outbid other tech companies for the Spirit Airlines data in liquidation court. A representative from Google confirmed the purchase to Rabble News and said the purpose of the big spend is to use the data for improving its products and training its Artificial Intelligence systems.
Historic roller coaster reopens at Knott’s Berry Farm after multiyear overhaul
The historic MonteZOOMa roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California is returning after a multiyear overhaul and rebranding. Credited as the world’s first flywheel-launched attraction, the roller coaster reopened Saturday under the name MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress. Knott’s Berry Farm is located in Buena Park, California, about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Feds award Amtrak billions for new trains and Midwest infrastructure
Amtrak will receive billions in federal grants to replace aging train fleets and overhaul its primary Midwest maintenance hub. The funding from the Federal Railroad Administration is part of a broader effort to address Amtrak’s long-standing infrastructure needs.
Newark airport’s outdated radar tech gets upgrade
A 30-year-old radar system at Newark International Airport has officially been replaced with a new one that will allow for improved tracking and guidance during any and all weather conditions. The Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week it had replaced Newark’s older radar system with new Surface Movement Radar Model-4 technology, the fifth airport in the country to receive the upgrade.
Princess Cruises begins sales for 2028 Alaska season
Princess Cruises has begun selling spots for its upcoming 2028 sailing season in Alaska, which the cruise line says will feature 185 departures aboard eight different ships and 14 unique itineraries. Among the ships available for reservations in 2028 is Princess Cruises’ newest and most luxurious cruise ship to date, the Sphere-class Star Princess. Read more about the Star Princess here Other ships include the Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess and Royal Princess, officials said.
Interactive website turns active Amtrak routes into jazz arrangements
There’s undeniably something melodic about riding a train from point A to point B across the boundless terrain of the American landscape. Now, thanks to a new interactive website from Amtrak, there’s a real, actual soundtrack to America’s passenger railroad. On Monday, Amtrak unveiled a new interactive experience called Train Jazz, a musical project made in partnership with the railroad and luggage brand Away.
‘Obsession’ debuting at Halloween Horror Nights as ‘Terrifier’ hijacks Studio Tour
Universal Studios Hollywood has rounded out its terrifying lineup of attractions at its annual Halloween Horror Nights, including the debut of the terrifying main character from the record-shattering horror film “Obsession,” and a new Terror Tram attraction based off a cult-classic slasher franchise.
Avelo Airlines surpasses 10 million customer milestone
Avelo Airlines says it has surpassed a major milestone, flying its 10 millionth customer. The low-cost carrier said it reached the milestone just five years after launching under its current banner in April 2021, becoming the first new U.S. carrier in nearly 15 years at the time.
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