By Chris Isidore, CNN

(CNN) — Spirit Airlines isn’t the only discount carrier seeking federal help to endure the current spike in jet fuel prices. An association of discount carriers is also seeking $2.5 billion in assistance.

The Association of Value Airlines, the trade group for smaller airlines like Spirit as well as Frontier, Allegiant and Breeze, has been talking to members of Congress about the request, according to executive director Jonathon Freye. The group says the federal money would help keep fares lower throughout the entire industry.

“The market dominance of the country’s biggest airlines has never been greater, and smaller value airlines are disproportionately impacted by higher fuel prices,” the group said in a statement Monday. “Value airlines play a critical role in the affordability and accessibility of air travel.”

The $2.5 billion request is separate from the $500 million federal bailout being discussed to keep Spirit Airlines from halting operations. Spirit, which has struggled to make money since the Covid pandemic, is going through its second bankruptcy court proceedings.

While Spirit’s assistance could come any day now, the broader request from the Association of Value Airlines will need approval from Congress.

“I don’t have that money,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters Monday when asked about the request for $2.5 billion in assistance.

President Donald Trump last week signaled his approval for the $500 million federal bailout for Spirit. But the deal also needs support of its creditors, and only two of Spirit’s three creditor groups have agreed to the package, according to a source familiar with negotiations.

Spirit’s financial troubles have worsened with the rising cost of jet fuel prices due to the war in Iran. While it’s a big expense for all airlines, discount carriers have been hit particularly hard.

That’s because discount carriers can’t raise fares as much as other airlines to cover costs, according to Association of Value Airlines’ Freye.

“We serve customers who are often times booking discretionary travel and might be more price sensitive,” he said. “It’s difficult for us to raise fares given who our customers are.”

Smaller airlines, such as Spirit, help keep overall US fares lower by forcing major airlines to offer a certain number of seats at no-frills “basic economy” prices.

Major airlines, including Delta, United, American and Southwest, have told investors in recent weeks that bookings remain strong. That means they plan to recapture the increased cost of fuel through higher fares and fees, such as baggage fees.

United said passengers are now paying 20% more for every mile flown on the airline compared to last year. Southwest said there have been five fare hikes across the industry since the start of the year.

The Association of Value Airlines also asked Congress to pause passenger taxes and fees paid on every airline ticket. That would likely allow airlines to collect more money without driving up costs for passengers.

But Airlines for America, the broader trade group representing most of the US industry, is not seeking bailout. And the major carriers, who have more clout in Washington, would likely fight any measure that benefits the discount carriers because those airlines put pressure on their own fares.

Last week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby made it clear that he

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By Hannah Rabinowitz, Kristen Holmes, Holmes Lybrand, CNN

(CNN) — Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Tuesday over a photo of seashells officials said threatened President Donald Trump, marking the administration’s second attempt to prosecute one of his largest political opponents, three sources first told CNN.

Trump has long pressed for his political adversaries to face charges, including the former FBI director he sees as a key leader in the perceived effort to “weaponize” justice system against him.

Last May, Comey posted a photo on social media of shells on a beach writing out the numbers “86 47,” which critics said referred to taking out or killing Trump.

When used as slang, the number 86 can refer to getting rid of or tossing something out. Trump is currently the 47th president. Comey posted the photo of the shells, writing in the caption “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”

Almost immediately following his post, Republicans and administration officials went full bore in their criticism of Comey at the time, with then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announcing Comey would be investigated by the Secret Service over what she said was a call “for the assassination” of Trump.

The Secret Service brought Comey in for an hours-long interview with agents in Washington, DC, an uncommon step by the agency over a non-specific threat. Comey told investigators he saw the shells on a beach in North Carolina.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told Fox News following Comey’s post that the former director should be “put behind bars for this” and that she was “very concerned” for Trump’s life.

Comey removed the post the same day, writing on social media that he assumed the shells represented “a political message” but “didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence.”

“It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down,” he wrote.

Legal and security experts have told CNN such a case against Comey may be fruitless, especially given the country’s free speech protections.

A second indictment

The case against Comey marks a newly reinvigorated effort by Trump’s Justice Department to convict the former director, who became a staunch critic of the president following his firing by Trump in 2017 over the Russia-meddling investigation.

In September of last year, the Justice Department first brought charges against Comey, accusing him of lying to Congress over leaks to the press. The case was dismissed late last year by a federal judge who found that the interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia had been improperly appointed, having skirted approval from the Senate.

Comey’s attorneys declined to comment for this story.

The effort appears to have been reinvigorated by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who has picked up the pace in bringing cases that the president has publicly jockeyed for since he was tapped for the role.

The former director fell out of favor with Trump before he was first elected president, as Comey’s agency investigated the Trump campaign and ties to Russia. Comey was fired in the months after the inauguration.

Since his firing, Comey has become an ardent critic of Trump and key enemy of Republican’s in the Wh

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club will open its 2026 season on Sunday, May 3, kicking off another summer of its signature “Polo in Paradise” series on the Central Coast.

The season runs through October and will feature weekend matches, tournament play, and a range of social events, drawing international players alongside local spectators and visitors. Organizers say the schedule will include multiple tournament series throughout the summer, with matches held Fridays and Sundays.

Sunday polo remains a highlight of the season, with gates opening at noon and matches beginning in the afternoon, while Friday matches offer a more casual, happy hour-style experience.

Club officials say tickets are available now at their official website, with options ranging from general admission to premium seating.

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