FAA chief promises "more boots on the ground" to track Boeing
CBSN
The Federal Aviation Administration will step up inspections of aircraft manufacturer Boeing, the agency's top official told lawmakers Tuesday.
FAA chief Mike Whitaker's appearance before a House panel comes a month after a door panel blew out of a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet while flying, raising concerns about Boeing's manufacturing process and the agency's oversight of the plane maker.
"We will have more boots on the ground closely scrutinizing and monitoring production and manufacturing activities," Whitaker told the aviation subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "Boeing employees are encouraged to use our hotline to report any safety concerns."

As the Trump administration continues to prepare military options for strikes in Iran, U.S. allies in the Mideast, including Turkey, Oman and Qatar, are attempting to head off that possibility by brokering diplomatic talks, multiple regional officials told CBS News. Camilla Schick and Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.

Another winter storm may be headed toward the East Coast of the United States this weekend, on the heels of a powerful and deadly system that blanketed huge swaths of the country in snow and ice. The effects of that original storm have lingered for many areas in its path, and will likely remain as repeated bouts of Arctic air plunge downward from Canada and drive temperatures below freezing. Nikki Nolan contributed to this report. In:











