Typically, being a top-25 team in the nation makes your home games a hot ticket, but that doesn't seem to be the case for the Houston Cougars.

In fact, not even special space-themed helmets could put butts in seats on Saturday when the UCF Knights came to town.

The 3-1 Cougars entered the week ranked No. 20 and had to face a UCF team coming off a solid win over TCU. On top of that, Houston brought out special space-themed helmets.

UCF KNIGHTS UNVEIL INCREDIBLY ON-BRAND HELMET SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH WALT DISNEY WORLD

Fitting, since both Houston and Orlando have major ties to the U.S. space program.

UCF has been doing this for a decade, but it's still cool.

But it was going to take more than that to get fans to fork over their hard-earned money. TDECU Stadium was so empty, a tumbleweed could have blown across one of the end zones.

Not a stellar look, but ticket sales don't add points.

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The first half was all UCF, with the Knights taking a 10-0 lead to the locker room at halftime, helped by the fact that the Cougars had several drives stall out in the red zone.

The Knights added another touchdown in the third quarter, but things changed once Houston found their running game.

QB Conner Weigman delivered three rushing touchdowns in the second half for 21 unanswered points that put the Cougars on top, and that's where they stayed to win this one 24-17.

The win brings Houston to 1-1 in conference play and keeps their hopes of contending in the Big 12 alive.

Next week, the Cougars will hit the road to take on Kansas State. If that goes well, perhaps more fans will be in the seats when Oklahoma State comes to town the following week.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I don't believe there has ever been a fanbase more vilified and slandered than Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark fans. The fanbase has been labeled as hateful by the media, opposing players and even A'ja Wilson's mom. Some media and fans, including Aces fans I spoke with outside the arena for Game 2 of the First Round of the WNBA Playoffs between the Aces and Fever, went as far as calling Fever fans "racist."

This isn't just a talking point this season, either. This has been happening since Caitlin Clark was the No. 1 overall pick three seasons ago. As many of our writers have pointed out, there is a clear disdain for the Fever fan base. Our speculation is that media, players and other fan bases cannot stomach the idea that millions of new fans don't believe and vote the way they do. All that to say, Indiana Fever General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Amber Cox, who Fever fans have been calling to take a stern stance against the unfounded claims and divisive rhetoric spewed toward the Fever faithful, addressed the "attacks on the fanbase" in her season-ending press conference on Saturday.

ACES' FANS SPEW UNFOUNDED CLAIMS THAT FEVER FANS ARE 'RACIST' WHILE DEFENDING A'JA WILSON

After speaking to the media for over 15 minutes about her assessment of the season, including what she believed worked well, what didn't, improvements to the roster that need to be made, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell's historic season and everything in-between, she then read a prepared statement.

"I have one more thing I wanted to address," Cox started. "I just wanted to thank our Fever fan base for all of the support they continue to give us not only at home but on the road."

She then stated boldly, "We have the best fans in the league," and discussed the unique mix of diversity both in cultural and ethnic background due to fans traveling from all "all 50 states" as well as "57 countries."

After pointing out that the team delivered 14 of the top 15 WNBA broadcasts this season, some of which broke viewership records, with the only broadcast not in the top 15 being the WNBA All-Star game which featured three Fever players as starters (Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston), she lowered the boom.

"The attacks on our fan base have no basis in reality, and they need to stop, especially from members of the media," Cox stated while looking toward the press room, making clear she wasn’t specifically addressing the reporters in attendance.

"I'm talking about media that have never been to Gainbridge Fieldhouse," she continued. "Every organization throughout the league and every organization throughout professional sports, all the way down to youth rec leagues, have to deal with occasional bad behavior from spectators."

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She then provided facts that are irrefutable to the media, players and others that have mischaracterized and maliciously mislabeled the Fever fan base by stating, "We did not have one fan, pointed out by a player, who violated the WNBA Code of Conduct this season. Not one fan was removed from a game."

You have to remember that A’ja Wilson wasn’t the only player who tried to have a fan unfairly ejected this season. Earlier in the year, Aces point guard Jackie Young attempted to have two white male Fever fans removed from a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during an early-August matchup. Just like the Fever fan whom Wilson approached and verbally berated for simply pointing at her, the two men were found by security to have broken no rules.

In both cases, the Amazon Prime broadcast condemned the fans’ actions without knowing the facts. To the broadcast crews, the fans were guilty until proven innocent, helping perpetuate the unfounded label that Fever fans were hateful, unruly and even discriminatory.

Before I move on to some of Cox's final comments, Fever fans were also condemned for "monkey noises" made towards Angel Reese in the 2025 season. Those accusations were proven to be false. They were egregious lies meant to characterize a fanbase as racist. Even the WNBA came out with a public statement regarding the investigation that stated "The WNBA strongly condemns racism," which I felt brought some sort of validity to the accusation, whether they meant to or not. It was unhelpful for the Fever fan base, and the league as a whole. It was a witch hunt, plain and simple.

Cox continued saying, "We take this really seriously and that is backed up by our security stats and the lived experience of countless fans, who we host at every game."

"Our fans love this team. They're gonna cheer, they're gonna boo, and sometimes, they might point," Cox said, poking fun at the Game 2 incident involving the fan with whom the Aces forward took issue.

"Fever games have always been about inclusivity. Sports are the ultimate unifier," Cox said.

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After she stated that she wants "everyone to be a fan of the Fever" and wrapped up her prepared statement with a "Go Fever," she allowed one more question from the media to clarify the statements she just made.

"I think there have been, obviously, during our playoff series, some narratives around our fan base that are frankly not true and I thought it was important to say that no one has ever violated that fan code of conduct."

Cox's final comments included a glowing review of the fans, saying, "We have a great fan base. Night in and night out, I walked out and there's 17,000 people cheering us on and they're spending hard-earned money to come here. There are little kids — boys and girls who are being inspired by our team."

Cox's final point made it clear: "To be characterized in such a broad stroke is not fair."

About dang time.

This fan base has become a force to be reckoned with across the league because of its sheer size and passion. It’s also the reason Fever opponents are playing in NBA arenas whenever Clark and her teammates come to town. As Cox said, these fans are dedicated and spend their hard-earned money — sometimes enormous amounts of it — to see the team.

Clark has inspired fans across the country and around the globe while establishing herself as a must-watch athlete. Sophie Cunningham has become a megastar by boldly stating that men have no business competing in women’s sports — all while shooting the lights out from beyond the 3-point arc. Kelsey Mitchell had a historic season, setting a record by scoring 20 or more points in consecutive games and emerging as a bona fide MVP candidate.

The Fever aren't some sideshow. They are the show. They are a driver for economic and cultural change within the WNBA. That's clear.

While I wish this rebuke came sooner, and I wish Cox would have named names, this was much-needed. Whoever the next commissioner is needs to crack down on the divisive rhetoric. They need to build bridges and put the hammer down on the left-wing political activism and activists, who are cancerous to the league's growth and sustainability.

Daily creatine supplementation could help middle-aged and older adults preserve lean muscle mass, gain strength and support cognitive function, whether it's paired with exercise or not, according to a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

The 12-week study, conducted by researchers at Texas A&M University’s Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, evaluated 64 men and women ages 45 to 65.

Participants were divided into non-exercise and exercise-plus-diet groups, then randomly assigned to take either 10 grams of creatine monohydrate per day — administered in two 5-gram doses — or a placebo.

ONE MUSCLE PROTEIN MAY HOLD THE KEY TO STAYING STRONGER AS YOU AGE, STUDY FINDS

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that helps cells regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy source for cellular activity in both muscle and brain tissue, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Creatine monohydrate is a dietary supplement that helps muscles produce quick energy during activities like strength training.

Adults naturally lose muscle mass and strength as they age, a condition known as sarcopenia. While dieting can accelerate that muscle loss, the new study found that creatine monohydrate helped counter the effect.

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Adding creatine to an exercise and diet intervention resulted in greater reductions in body fat percentage, better preservation of lean body mass, and marked improvements in upper- and lower-body strength compared to a placebo.

Even among participants who did not engage in exercise or dietary changes, daily creatine supplementation increased lean tissue mass and improved muscular strength and endurance, according to the study.

"The fact that you can increase lean muscle mass even without exercise is remarkable, especially as we age," New York-based fitness coach Jacob Zemer told Fox News Digital. "Between the physical and mental benefits, most people should be considering creatine supplementation."

The expert, who was not involved in the study, noted that even participants who did not exercise saw an increase in their bench press and leg press.

Zemer said the findings suggest creatine may help build actual muscle tissue that generates strength, rather than simply increasing the amount of water stored in muscle cells.

Beyond physical performance, the researchers found that the 10-gram daily dose of creatine supported improvements in select tests of memory and cognitive processing.

"My main takeaway from the study is that the benefits of creatine extend far beyond just athletes and bodybuilders," Zemer said. "Creatine continues to be the most scientifically studied and validated supplement on the market."

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However, the trainer emphasized that supplementation should not replace regular physical activity.

"Just because you can increase lean muscle mass by taking creatine without exercise does not mean that it is optimal or a replacement for exercise," Zemer cautioned.

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"The benefits of exercise will always supersede those of creatine alone, and when the two are combined, they are both enhanced."

The study authors noted several limitations to their findings.

Participants chose whether to join the exercise or non-exercise groups before being randomly assigned to receive either creatine or a placebo, which could have introduced lifestyle differences between the groups.

Additionally, because the study lasted just 12 weeks and included only healthy adults, researchers don't yet know whether the benefits would be long-term or whether they would apply to people with serious metabolic or neurological conditions.

For those considering taking creatine, Zemer advised consulting a healthcare professional to determine whether it's right for them, then choosing a reputable brand, staying hydrated and taking it consistently.

"Recommended minimum dosages for creatine are typically 3 grams for women and 5 grams for men," he said. "This study used higher dosages. Creatine is about consistency rather than when you take it, so find a time you can consistently take it daily."

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According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, creatine is generally considered safe for healthy adults, although some people may experience bloating, stomach discomfort or water retention.

Experts recommend talking with a healthcare provider before beginning supplementation, particularly for those with kidney disease or other chronic health conditions.

Jayden Daniels' journey through his elbow dislocation 11 days ago has been a rollercoaster ride, especially if you saw how the injury happened, and the concern that it ended his season prematurely. But we've reached the point where the Washington Commanders quarterback is talking to the media again and even suggesting he might play on Sunday.

Daniels, in London with his teammates for the game against the Indianapolis Colts, faced reporters for the first time since his injury on Sept. 20 and was almost immediately asked if he could play this week.

"It feels good," Daniels said of his left elbow, which was also dislocated last season. "Feels good to be back and, you know, taking it day by day."

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS FACE SEASON-DEFINING CRISIS AS JAYDEN DANIELS SUFFERS ANOTHER SERIOUS ELBOW INJURY

Daniels has practiced the past two days to varying degrees. Is he surprised that he's been able to get back on the field this soon?

"What you think?" Daniels playfully responded to the question. "I'm not surprised. No, everything I went through, you know, everybody said, I'd be good to go if I'm able to go out there on Sunday, but again, just taking it day by day."

So, um, the money question: Is he indeed playing on Sunday?

Daniels smiled.

" Just taking the day by day," he replied.

COMMANDERS PLAYERS PUSH BACK ON THE NARRATIVE THEY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT JAYDEN DANIELS INJURY

Looking for a no, in that response. Not there.

In fact, a source close to Daniels told OutKick that while he is "not pushing coaches" to play on Sunday, that is exactly what he wants to do.

But it's not ultimately his decision. Coach Dan Quinn on Wednesday said the team wants to gauge how Daniels looks in practices this week before making a final decision on whether to start backup Marcus Mariota or return Daniels to the lineup.

"As we're working through the week, he'll get more [repetitions in practice]," Quinn said. "It's part of our return-to-play process where guys do individual, that kind of limited portion, then some of the team reps and then more.

"As we get into Thursday and Friday, we'll see what that load looks like. And by Friday, we'll have a definite determination of where we're at."

Looking for the part where Quinn says Daniels is out. Not there.

It does not take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that while in London, the Commanders are sounding almost hopeful about their starting quarterback's status. And part of that is leaving the door ajar for his return this week.

This is a bit surprising because in the days after the elbow injury, there was a real possibility Daniels could require surgery and be out the remainder of the season.

Then Daniels met with multiple medical experts and decided wearing a brace, while affecting the functionality to his non-throwing arm, would be acceptable. His return to play is not a pain tolerance issue.

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So, Daniels decided to return – be that this week or the next, barring a setback.

"I love football. I play football," Daniels said in explaining his reason for returning. "I mean, I get paid to play football, so, I went to my teammates and stuff like that to see that everybody's hurting. Something's wrong with everybody on this team.

"So, I just feel like just for me, just being a leader, being a guy, just going out there and, give it my shot to go out there and play and obviously protect myself, you know, stuff like that.

"But, you know, I just love football. I have a passion for it."

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"The lieutenant governor [Peggy Flanagan], even as we sit here today, continues to take absolutely no accountability for any of the fraud issues, and she continues to blame the governor. And I'm going to be honest: It's p---ing me off."

The above quote is not from a Republican, but from Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in July when she was running in the Minnesota Senate primary against Peggy Flanagan. While harsh words are often lightly thrown in primary battles, in this case, one must ask: Where is the lie?

While Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Colorado’s House candidate Milot Kiros have snagged headlines for their far-left views, Flanagan has been able to hide a bit.

However, the tightening race in Minnesota, as shown both through on-the-ground reporting and in polling, is putting Democrats everywhere in an awkward position because they had thought Flanagan’s leftist lunacy would float under the radar this cycle.

Well, not anymore.

DAVID MARCUS: IN DEEP BLUE MINNESOTA A RED DAWN MAY BE RISING AHEAD OF THE MIDTERMS

Now that the Gopher State is firmly in the political spotlight, voters will be reminded, for example, of Flanagan wearing a T-shirt that says "Protect Trans Kids" on it, with a picture of a large Bowie knife — which can only be rationally read as a threat of physical violence.

We know what the shirt means because not just threats, but also acts of physical violence by, or in defense of, members of the trans community have become commonplace in our society. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is threatened constantly for simply believing that men cannot become women.

Trans-related mass shootings have become a norm.

Progressive protests and internet forums echo with terms like "Kill All TERFS (Trans Excluding Radical Feminists)," and instead of trying to calm tensions, Flanagan’s answer is to pour gasoline on the rhetorical fire with death threats while insisting that men belong in women’s sports.

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On the economy, Flanagan also flails to the far left, favoring a $17 national minimum wage that would crush many small businesses, not just in Minnesota, but across America, and "Medicare-for-all" that would take away the private insurance of every citizen.

When it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion, Flanagan is exactly where you would expect her to be, just to the left of Chairman Mao, saying in 2023, "We remain committed to centering the people most impacted by disparities based on race, geography, and economic status… We will continue working to engage and empower those who have been historically left out of government."

Among the farcical programs created by this unhinged rubric was Minnesota’s marijuana legalization efforts that gave loans, often forgivable, to people based on "special equity status," to open dispensaries — many of which have now failed and closed.

Truly, only government leftists could foul up selling weed, something mastered by the stoners we all knew in high school.

Of course, this emphasis on "special equity" and DEI also lies at the root of Flanagan’s massive Somali fraud scandal, where whistleblowers were ignored as hundreds of millions, at least, were pilfered because Peggy was uncomfortable criticizing Somalis.

To make matters worse, some of the alleged fraudsters appear to be inside Flanagan’s inner circle, including Nimco Ahmed, with whom Flanagan recently appeared in full hijab, no less, whose autism center is now under investigation.

For her part, Flanagan’s opponent, Republican Michele Tafoya, is offering Minnesotans a centrist and moderate version of the GOP with stances such as supporting abortion rights, even angering more traditional conservatives.

Tafoya has taken her middle-of-the-road message on a media blitz in recent weeks. One half expects her to be interviewed on Prairie Home Companion, while Flanagan has all but been in hiding, entertaining only the most comfortable and coddling interviews possible.

Notwithstanding the fact that early voting has already begun in Minnesota, a month is too long for Flanagan to pull a Biden-esque hide-in-the-basement strategy, especially as Tafoya’s national profile is only growing stronger.

To date, Flanagan has not agreed to debate the eager Tafoya, presumably for all the reasons, reflecting her failed record. But at this point, refusing to take on her opponent face-to-face might play worse than any embarrassment the event itself might cause.

The Democrats have a Peggy Flanagan problem. They really, really, really don’t want her and her bizarre brand of progressivism on the Sunday shows, but at this point, they may have no choice.

Meanwhile, for Michele Tafoya and Minnesotans, what once looked like a long shot is now very close to even money.

FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration is seeking to disrupt with a sweeping set of sanctions a sprawling Sinaloa cartel network accused of corrupting Mexican officials just across the U.S. border.

Los Mayos, a powerful faction of the Sinaloa cartel, and its U.S.-born leader are accused of funneling fentanyl and drug money through California and hiring hitmen to kill rivals on American soil.

The Treasury Department, according to material exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital ahead of their public release on Tuesday, will sanction 21 individuals and 25 entities in a crackdown against Los Mayos and their alleged illegal activity within U.S. borders.

The targets of the sanctions include Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as "Mayito Flaco," a dual U.S.-Mexican citizen born in Anaheim, California, whom Treasury describes as the "undisputed head" of Los Mayos.

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The action lays out how one of Mexico’s most powerful cartel factions allegedly maintains its grip on two critical trafficking corridors along the U.S. border — through political and police corruption, money laundering and violence that Treasury says has extended into Southern California.

It also exposes what Treasury describes as deep cartel penetration of government and law enforcement in Baja California, the Mexican state bordering California.

The Treasury says Sinaloa-linked "narco-corruption has reached the highest levels" of the state government, alleging that the ex-husband of Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda used his political influence to protect cartel operations and that a former Mexicali public security chief accepted bribes to allow the cartel to exert control over municipal police.

The allegations shed new light on a controversy that erupted last year when the U.S. revoked the visas of both Ávila and her then-husband, Carlos Torres Torres.

The State Department revoked Torres’ U.S. visa in May 2025 over what Treasury now describes as his "cartel affiliation and work on behalf of the Sinaloa cartel." Olmeda’s U.S. visa was also revoked around the same time, though U.S. officials did not publicly disclose a reason for the action against her.

The Department of War also played a role in the effort through Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel, which works with federal law enforcement, intelligence agencies and Treasury to identify cartel financial and facilitation networks.

"These sanctions reflect the impact of sustained interagency collaboration and intelligence fusion in identifying and disrupting the networks that enable violent transnational cartels," Brig. Gen. Maurizio Calabrese, director of JIATF-Counter Cartel, told Fox News Digital.

Calabrese said the task force contributed analysis and operational insight on cartel-linked financial and facilitation networks to support the broader effort behind the sanctions.

POTENTIAL SECURITY THREAT PROMPTS US TRAVEL SUSPENSION FOR BORDER CITY ON ALERT

Treasury also alleges the cartel’s reach extended directly into California.

Lorenzo Castillo Maldonado, an associate in Mayito Flaco’s network, allegedly hired hitmen on the cartel leader’s orders to kill rival cartel members in Southern California. Another part of the network allegedly worked with complicit Southern California money exchanges to collect bulk cash from U.S. drug sales and move the proceeds back to Mexico.

The sanctions are aimed in part at disrupting Los Mayos’ grip on the Tijuana and Mexicali "plazas," strategic corridors Treasury says the cartel uses to move fentanyl and other narcotics into the U.S.

"Today’s action underscores that no cartel kingpin, corrupt Mexican government official, or financial facilitator is beyond the reach of Treasury’s authorities," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "Our message is clear: the Trump administration will identify and disrupt any cartel actor who threatens our security or the integrity of our financial system."

The designations effectively cut the targets off from the U.S. financial system, blocking property and assets under U.S. jurisdiction and generally barring Americans from doing business with them. Foreign financial institutions that knowingly facilitate significant transactions for sanctioned individuals could also face U.S. sanctions.

At the center of Tuesday’s action is Mayito Flaco, who Treasury says has emerged as the undisputed leader of Los Mayos following the July 2024 arrest of his father, longtime Sinaloa cartel kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia.

SINALOA CARTEL BOSS 'EL MAYO' SENTENCED TO LIFE, ORDERED TO PAY $15B IN DRUG TRAFFICKING PROFITS

El Mayo’s arrest set off a violent struggle between Los Mayos and Los Chapitos, the Sinaloa faction led by sons of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Treasury says the two factions remain locked in a costly internal war that has forced both sides to rebuild their leadership and alliances.

Mayito Flaco, 44, was born in Anaheim in 1982 and later filed a U.S. name change to Fernando Sicairos Aispuro, according to Treasury. He was federally indicted in California in 2014 on drug trafficking and money laundering charges and remains a fugitive in Mexico.

The Treasury says he now commands Los Mayos’ drug trafficking, murder, extortion, corruption and kidnapping operations.

The sanctions also target Torres’ brother, Luis Alfonso Torres Torres, whom Treasury accuses of collecting bribes and laundering illicit funds through companies and political campaigns.

Former Mexicali Public Security Director Pedro Ariel Mendivil Garcia is also being sanctioned. The Treasury alleges Mendivil accepted bribes from Los Rusos leader Juan Jose Ponce Felix, known as "El Ruso," in exchange for allowing the cartel to exert control over municipal police, facilitate drug trafficking and carry out enforcement operations.

A Boston-bound Delta Air Lines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Portugal, disrupting travel plans for more than 280 passengers.

The flight on Sunday from Barcelona, Spain, to Boston, Massachusetts, was diverted to Porto after smoke was detected in the cabin.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that 14 passengers required medical attention after the plane landed, citing Portugal's civil protection service.

PROBE UNDERWAY AS 7 FLIGHT ATTENDANTS SICKENED BY BAFFLING ODOR ON MAJOR AIRLINE

Of the 14 passengers, four were taken to local hospitals for smoke inhalation and were reportedly only "lightly" affected, the news agency said.

A Delta spokesperson confirmed the Sept. 27 incident to Fox News Digital but did not comment on the hospitalization reports.

The diversion was due to a "reported mechanical issue," the official said.

"The flight landed safely, and we apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels as we work to get them to Boston as safely and quickly as possible," the spokesperson added.

CO-PILOT BECOMES SICK MIDAIR AS CREW ILLNESS REPORTS EMERGE AFTER OVERNIGHT LAYOVER

Delta Air Lines said it was working to rebook customers on alternative flights to their final destinations.

The Airbus A330-300 carried 13 crew members and 283 customers.

The air in aircraft cabins "is as good as or better than the air found in offices and homes," according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

"In rare instances, mechanical issues such as failures of an engine oil seal or recirculation fan bearings can cause fumes to enter the cabin," the FAA notes on its website.

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"Airlines are required to report these incidents to the FAA. The FAA investigates the causes and makes sure they’re fixed before the aircraft returns to service."

All airlines are required "to supply clean air to both passengers and crew members," the FAA added. 

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"Airplanes must be designed to provide the equivalent of 0.55 pounds of fresh air per minute per occupant, a ventilation rate that is consistent with other public environments," the agency's website states.

Other flights have made headlines in recent months after unexpected incidents prompted crews to return to airports or alter their routes.

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Earlier this year, a Cape Air flight bound for Boston was forced to return to Nantucket, Massachusetts, shortly after takeoff when the upper section of its main cabin door partially opened mid-flight.

More recently, a Delta Air Lines flight bound for Orlando returned to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport minutes after takeoff due to a reported medical issue involving a pilot.

The Aug. 31 flight, which carried 178 passengers and seven crew members, landed safely before Delta arranged for a new crew to continue the trip to Orlando.