it's friday, january 31, 2025. this is "cbs news mornings." search for answers. new clues in the investigation into the d.c. midair disaster, as we learn about the lives lost and the heartbreak in the figure skating community.

and grilled on the hill. president trump's most controversial nominees face intense questioning as they make their case to secure key cabinet roles. we'll tell you about a potential key republican holdout. good morning. i'm michael george. the nation is mourning the 67 lives lost in the midair collision between a black hawk helicopter and a regional american airlines jet. sources tell cbs news at least 40 bodies have been recovered from the icy potomac river, and divers will be back in the water today to resume their search. also, the two black boxes from the plane were recovered, and investigators are hoping they might reveal some details as to what happened just seconds before the crash. natalie brand is live at ronald reagan airport in arlington, virginia, with the latest. natalie, good morning. >> reporter: hi, michael. the investigation still in its very early stages, of course. but since yesterday we've

learned that the american eagle crew on that flight was asked to change runways before landing, and then we've also learned that staffing inside the air-traffic control tower was not normal at the time of the crash. dive recovery efforts are expected to resume today in the potomac river for the victims of wednesday night's tragic midair collision between an american airlines jet and an army black hawk helicopter. investigators are also combing through the site collecting evidence. the national transportation safety board says it's analyzing the plane's two black boxes, final pieces in their search for answers. >> we want to make sure we get it right, we take our time, we involve a lot of people, a lot of parties. that's the best way to make sure we don't let tragedies like this happen again. >> reporter: at the time of the crash both aircraft were flying about 400 feet. military helicopters are supposed to stay below 200 feet. cbs news was also told one air

trafficker controller was managing airplane traffic and some planes when the collision happened, a task usually handled by two different people at that part of the day. >> as part of any investigation we look at the human, the machine, and the environment. >> reporter: this was the first major commercial plane crash in the united states in around 16 years. among those killed young figure skaters, their parents, and coaches returning from a competition and training camp. >> i couldn't believe it at first, but after reality sets in, it's tragic. >> reporter: memorials of flowers placed in their honor at ice rinks in northern virginia and boston. cbs news has also learned that the crew chief onboard the army helicopter was 29-year-old ryan o'hara who leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old son. pentagon defense officials are among those contributing to this investigation. the ntsb says it expects to have a preliminary report on what happened within 30 days,

michael. >> all right, natalie brand at reagan national, thanks. and among the victims of the american airlines crash figure skaters, family members, and coaches returning from a skate camp in wichita. beth trumono has that part of the story near boston where the skaters trained. >> reporter: the rink was empty at the skating club of boston after six members from this elite skating community were killed aboard the american airlines flight that crashed near washington, d.c. doug zeghibe is the ceo. >> our rink is eerily quiet. coaches are not coming in, kids are not coming in. i think everyone is mourning privately. >> reporter: the club is mourning the loss of 13-year-old jinna han, and 16-year-old spencer lane, two up-and-coming skaters. han's mother, and lane's mother

were also were on the plane along with their coaches. douglas lane lost his wife and his son. >> was just loved by everyone from the adults running the club to the smallest skaters to the people that are, you know, competing for a shot at the olympics. they all just adored him. >> reporter: their russian born coaches, shishkova, and naumov were married. they won the pairs title at the championship in 1994 and competed in the winter olympics twice. their son, maxim, a competitive figure skater for the u.s., not on the plane. >> they grew up in st. petersburg. they learned a traditional style of russian skating and training. that is something they brought here. >> reporter: nancy kerrigan, an alumna of the training facility in boston came here to lend her support. >> the main lesson i think you learn in skating is you get back up, keep on trying. and even when it's hard, you get back up. >> reporter: this is not the first time tragedy has struck this club. in 1961 the entire 18-member u.s. figure skating team was

killed after their plane crashed as it was landing in brussels. almost half the plane's passengers were members of the skating club of boston, according to the ceo. >> i'm right here. >> reporter: paul george was part of the club but was still competing at the junior level, so he was not on the plane. >> in 1961 i said that's the day the museb stopped, and the same has happened here again. >> reporter: the coach's son, maxim, was supposed to compete next weekend, but it's unclear if he will skate or if any other events or competitions will be postponed. in the meantime the club says it will be up to individual skaters to decide when they are comfortable to return to the ice. for cbs news, i'm breath tremano in norwood, massachusetts. turning now to capitol hill where three of president trump's most controversial nominees were questioned during their confirmation hearings. it included another day of grilling for trump's pick for health secretary, robert f. kennedy jr. meg oliver has more. >> reporter: the senate health committee's top republican says he's struggling with robert f. kennedy jr.'s nomination.

>> that's my dilemma, man. >> reporter: senator bill cassidy is a physician, and says he's concerned about kennedy's misleading arguments about vaccines. >> if you come out unequivocally vaccines are safe, it does not cause autism, that would have an incredible impact. >> reporter: but earlier kennedy said he'd first have to see the data. >> if you show me data, i will be the first person to assure the american people to tell them they need to take those vaccines. >> reporter: tulsi gabbard asked senators to confirm her as director of national intelligence and defended her position on russia. >> i want to make certain that in no way does russia get a pass in either your mind or your heart or in any policy recommendation you would make or not make. >> senator, i'm offended by the question because my sole focus, commitment, and responsibility is about our own nation. >> reporter: trump loyalist kash patel faced questions on his

nomination to lead the fbi. >> and i have never once advocated for political violence or violence against law enforcement. >> reporter: democrats called his statements about january 6th defendants disqualifying. >> i'm talking about his characterization of criminals who assaulted police officers as political prisoners. >> reporter: while his nominees make their case to congress, president trump returned to a campaign theme, instructing schools to promote a patriotic education. an swrek positive executive order threatens to withhold funding from schools that teach about gender ideology or critical race theory. meg oliver, cbs news, new york. overseas, israel freed 110 palestinian prisoners in exchange for three more israeli hostages released by hamas as part of the ongoing cease-fire agreement. hamas fighters led soldier agam berger into a stage before

handing her over to the red cross and back into israel where she had an emotional reunion with her parents. berger got a special reunion at the hospital with four soldiers who were released last week. they were all abducted together during the october 7th attack. and it was a very different chaotic scene in gaza as armed jihadists and hamas terrorists handed over freed thai farmer workers also abducted on october 7th. coming up efforts to save a truck driver trapped for days in japan. and later beyonce could ride off with more awards for cowboy carter. we'll have a grammys preview. allstate first. duke versus unc. what a storied rivalry? like you know to check your outfit first before meeting your girlfriend's family. that's a tough one to recover from steve. the disappointment on their faces says it all.

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he was communicating with rescuers at first, but he hasn't responded since dirt and rubble buried the vehicle a few hours later. key testimony in asap rocky's trial and a pipe attack at a minnesota school. those are some of the headlines we're following on "the morning newsstand." cbs minnesota says five people were arrested after a high school basketball player was assaulted with a pipe during a game. police say the 17-year-old boy was sitting on the bench moments after the game started tuesday when several people entered and hit him with a pipe. his injuries are not life threatening. a short while later officers stopped a vehicle and arrested the suspects near the school. officials say the attackers were not associated with either school playing in the game. and yahoo news says the man accusing asap rocky of shooting at him testified that despite his inconsistent story, the rapper did fire a gun. asap rocky pleaded not guilty to charges of shooting at his one time friend, asap relli on a hollywood street in 2021.

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(♪♪) premier protein. sweeten the journey. here's a look at today's forecast in some cities around the country. well, new york city is saying good-bye to the blue man group. after close to 18,000 shows and more than 82,000 gallons of paint, the cultural sensation that began at the astro place theater back in 1991 is taking its final curtain call on sunday.

but the show will go on in boston, vegas, and berlin, and a return gig is planned for orlando. the fda recalls an american classic, and president trump is set to decide on oil tariffs on two of the nation's biggest trading partners. carissa lawson has those stories in today's "moneywatch." >> stocks gained steam on thursday after a rocky start as investors worry about the potential impact of tariffs coming this weekend. the dow gained 168 points. the nasdaq added 49 points, the s&p 500 ended with a 31-point gain. meanwhile, president trump said he'll decide whether to exclude canadian and mexican oil imports from the 25% tariffs. he's vowed to impose on those countries products on saturday. mr. trump set the aturday deadline to push both countries into halting illegal migrants and shipments of illegal drugs crossing u.s. borders. the food and drug administration issued its most severe notice in a recall of more than 6,000 bags of lay's

potato chips because of undeclared milk, warning the product could cause death. the notice says the ingredient poses a risk to those with severe allergies. the snacks were reportedly only sold in washington state and oregon. so far there have been no reports of allergic reactions. how about a foot long sized oreo cookie to go along with that subway footlong sandwich? subway announced the new 5 inspiration which adds oreo pieces to chocolate cookie dough and tops it off with oreo cream and more crushed oreos. that's your "moneywatch" on this friday morning. i'm carissa lawson, cbs, new york. up next a music celebration. the huge stars that will be performing at the grammys this sunday. stars performing this sunday. so you wake up ready to go. uhh, hank! try mucinex nightshift and feel the difference.

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about tremfya®. here's a look at today's forecast in some cities around the country. swinging '60s it girl marianne faithful has died. the british singer was famously a girlfriend and muse to rolling stone's front man, mick jagger. faithful's hit song "as tears go by" was written by jagger and keith richards. she later fell on hard times but went onto have a successful cabaret career. marianne faithful was 78.

well, music uperstars will hit the red carp for the 67th annual grammy awards this sunday. expect to see performances from today's hottest stars and a fierce battle for album of the year. cbs' danya bacchus has a preview. >> reporter: it's set to be a showdown on music's night. the keen bee, beyonce holds the record for nominations. sunday for a fifth time she'll compete for a grammy she's never won, album of the year. >> i mean every year we say this could be the year for beyonce. >> reporter: jem aswad is variety's executive music editor. >> for a record like this to win i almost feel like it would be more on the merits of beyonce deserving and who beyonce is an as artist. >> reporter: to win she'll have to beat fellow grammy history maker taylor swift plus other top nominated artist like sabrina carper, billie eilish, charli xcx, and chappell roan.

>> i think charli xcx is going to get a lot of awards. she may not get the top ones. we've been saying around the office it's possible chappell roan could sweep. she has that level of popularity and cultural influence. >> reporter: the grammy awards show is hitting a different note this year. in light of the devastating wildfires in los angeles, the show will honor first responders and raise money for wildfire relief efforts. >> and really try and make this night for good. raise money, which we're going to do for three local causes, celebrate these firefighters and make sure that they are seen as the true heroes in the room rather than the musical heroes sitting at the tables. >> reporter: executive producer ben winston said we should expect special tributes featuring cynthia erivo, chris martin, john legend, and sheryl crow. >> then we've got a few big surprises of some megastars that are going to be performing that

i'm really excited about. >> reporter: benson boone, shakira, and teddy swims are a few of the artists scheduled to perform. trevor noah return as the host. danya bacchus, cbs news, los angeles. >> and don't forget the 67th annual grammy awards airs this sunday on cbs and streams on power mount plus. coming up on "cbs mornings," anthony mason talks to physicians impacted by the l.a. fires. to physicians impacted b l.a. fires. home. it's where we do the things we love with the people we love. celebrating, sharing—living. so why should aging mean we have to leave that in the past? what if we lived tomorrow in the same place as we did yesterday? what if we stayed home instead? with help, we can.

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i tried to quit smoking cigarettes probably hundreds of times over the years. two or three days into quitting again. i go get into a vehicle and guess what? there's a pack of cigarettes in there.

i mean, i've got the unlit cigarette in my hand and i said to myself, why do i even try to quit? when if i'm going to cave so easily every time. something clicked in my head that told me i can do this?

i'm not happy with the way that pg&e handled the wildfires. yeah. yeah. i totally, totally understand. we're adding a ton of sensors. as soon as something comes in contact with the power line, it'll turn off so that there's not a risk that it's gonna fall to the ground and start a fire. okay. and i want you to be able to feel the improvements. we've been able to reduce wildfire risk from our equipment by over 90%. that's something i want to believe.

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♪ welcome to "cbs mornings." i'm nate burleson. >> i'm vlad duthiers. >> i'm adriana diaz. >> tony is in washington covering the midair collision, and gayle is in los angeles with wildfire relief. here's today's "eye opener." it's your world in 90 seconds. >> investigators search through the wreckage i