Author: The Associated Press

Michigan School Shooter’s Parents Sentenced To At Least 10 Years In Prison

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A judge sentenced the parents of a Michigan school shooter to at least 10 years in prison Tuesday for failing to take steps that could have prevented a “runaway train” — the killing of four students in 2021. Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting. They were found guilty of…

Trump Declines To Endorse A National Abortion Ban, He Says Limits Should Be Left To The States

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump said he believes abortion limits should be left to the states, in a video released Monday declining to endorse a national ban after months of mixed messages and speculation. “Many people have asked me what my position is on abortion and abortion rights,” Trump said in the video posted on his Truth Social site. “My view…

Huge Crowds Await A Total Solar Eclipse In North America

MESQUITE, Texas (AP) — Millions of spectators along a narrow corridor stretching from Mexico to the U.S. to Canada eagerly awaited Monday’s celestial sensation — a total eclipse of the sun — even as forecasters called for clouds. The best weather was expected at the tail end of the eclipse in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, as well as New Brunswick and Newfoundland…

President Joe Biden Will Unveil His New Plan To Give Student Loan Relief To Many New Borrowers

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will announce his latest effort to broaden student loan relief next week for new categories of borrowers, according to three people familiar with the plans, nearly a year after the Supreme Court foiled his administration’s first attempt to cancel debt for millions who attended college. Biden will detail the plan Monday in Madison, Wisconsin, where the…

What To Know About Next Week’s Total Solar Eclipse In The US, Mexico And Canada

(AP) — North America is on the verge of another masking of the sun. Monday’s total solar eclipse will make landfall along Mexico’s Pacific coast and cross into Texas and 14 other U.S. states, before exiting over Canada. It will last almost twice as long, with an even wider audience, than the total solar eclipse that stretched coast-to-coast in the…

Tanner Bibee, Guardians Relievers Strike Out 15 in a 4-2 Victory Over the Twins

Twins starter Pablo López (1-1) gave up four runs — three earned — in 5 2/3 innings.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tanner Bibee and the Cleveland bullpen had 15 strikeouts to put the clamps on Minnesota’s bats, Steven Kwan had three hits and the Guardians spoiled the Twins’ home opener with a 4-2 victory Thursday. Bibee (1-0) matched his career high with nine strikeouts, allowing one run over 5 1/3 innings. Four relievers followed, with Emmanuel Clase working…

In Swing-State Wisconsin, Democrat Hustles To Keep Key Senate Seat Against Trump-Backed Millionaire

NEW GLARUS, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, whose “go everywhere” 2018 campaign strategy became a model for how to win in battleground Wisconsin, knows her road to victory this year against a multimillionaire Republican supporter of former President Donald Trump goes through places like New Glarus. The bucolic village of 2,200, founded by Swiss immigrants and famous for its Spotted…

What To Know About The Latest Bird Flu Outbreak In The US

(AP) — A poultry facility in Michigan and egg producer in Texas both reported outbreaks of avian flu this week. The latest developments on the virus also include infected dairy cows and the first known instance of a human catching bird flu from a mammal. Although health officials say the risk to the public remains low, there is rising concern, emerging in part from news…

Brewers’ Chourio Hits 1st Career Homer, but Twins Rally for 7-3 Victory

Ryan Jeffers hit a tiebreaking three-run drive to cap a five-run seventh inning.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jackson Chourios became the youngest player in six years to hit a home run but it wasn’t enough for the Milwaukee Brewers, who lost to the Minnesota Twins 7-3 on Wednesday as Ryan Jeffers hit a tiebreaking three-run drive to cap a five-run seventh inning. Rhys Hoskins also went deep for the Brewers, who lost their first…

The Buffalo Bills Agree to Trade Top Receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans

Diggs and the Texans are set to visit the Vikings this upcoming season.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills are trading their top receiving threat, Stefon Diggs, to the Houston Texans in a deal that was agreed to on Wednesday. In announcing the trade, the Bills acquired the Texans’ second-round pick in the 2025 draft, which Houston acquired in a trade with Minnesota. Houston also acquired Buffalo’s sixth-round pick in this…

Chourio Hits RBI Single in First Home Plate Appearance, Brewers Beat Twins 3-2 and Improve to 4-0

Milwaukee is 4-0 for the fourth time after winning its first 13 games in 1987 and its first five in 1978 and 2006.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jackson Chourio singled in a run in his first American Family Field plate appearance, Christian Yelich homered and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Tuesday to open a season with four straight wins for the first time since 2006. Chourio stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the third inning after consecutive…

Brewers Beat Mets 3-1 Behind Yelich and Peralta as Tempers Flare in Season Opener

Touted prospect Jackson Chourio had a terrific major league debut for the Brewers, getting his first hit and driving in a run.

NEW YORK (AP) — Christian Yelich homered, Freddy Peralta pitched six splendid innings and the Milwaukee Brewers threw a one-hitter to beat the New York Mets 3-1 in their contentious season opener Friday. Tempers flared at Citi Field when Brewers newcomer Rhys Hoskins — a Mets nemesis during his days with the NL East rival Phillies — slid hard into…

Lopez Shuts Down Royals as Twins Begin Defense of AL Central Title with 4-1 Win

After taking Friday off, the Twins send RHP Joe Ryan to the mound against Royals RHP Seth Lugo on Saturday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pablo Lopez admitted to feeling some anxiety when the Twins ace stepped on the mound to face the Royals on opening day. It didn’t calm him down any when Maikel Garcia homered off him three pitches later. The All-Star right-hander eventually managed to get his nerves under control, holding Kansas City to just three more…

Packers Sign Former Vikings Kicker Greg Joseph to Provide Competition for Anders Carlson

Joseph has been the Vikings’ main kicker since 2021.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Veteran kicker Greg Joseph has signed with the Green Bay Packers after spending the past three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers announced the Joseph signing on Thursday. His arrival provides competition for Anders Carlson, who struggled with consistency as a rookie kicker last season. Joseph, 29, went 24 of 30 on field-goal attempts…

Glen Taylor Says the T-Wolves are No Longer for Sale, Lore and A-Rod Say it’s Seller Remorse

Forbes valued the Timberwolves at $2.5 billion in its latest projections for NBA clubs published at the beginning of the season.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The ownership transfer of the Minnesota Timberwolves slammed to a halt when Glen Taylor declared on Thursday he won’t take the final step of his drawn-out $1.5 billion deal to hand Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez the majority stake because they didn’t meet all of the deadlines in the sale conditions. Lore and Rodriguez, who agreed to…

Phillies-Braves and Brewers-Mets Openers Postponed a Day to Friday Due to Rainy Forecast

With wet weather expected much of Thursday in Queens, the Mets announced Wednesday the game was pushed back to Friday at 1:40 p.m.

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball openers in New York and Philadelphia were postponed a day until Friday because of rainy forecasts in both cities. Pete Alonso and the New York Mets were scheduled to host the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon, a day featuring the first full slate of major league games this year. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San…

Biden Administration Will Lend $1.5B To Restart Michigan Nuclear Power Plant, A First In The US

(AP) — The federal government will provide a $1.5 billion loan to restart a nuclear power plant in southwestern Michigan, officials announced Wednesday. Holtec International acquired the 800-megawatt Palisades plant in 2022 with plans to dismantle it. But now the emphasis is on restarting it by late 2025, following support from the state of Michigan and the Biden administration. Gov. Gretchen…

Six Missing After Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse When Struck By Ship

BALTIMORE (AP) —BALTIMORE (AP) — A container ship lost power and rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing the span to buckle into the river below and plunging a construction crew and several vehicles into the dangerously cold waters. Rescuers pulled out two people, but six others were missing. The ship’s crew issued a mayday call moments…

Court Agrees To Block Collection Of Trump’s Massive Civil Fraud Judgment If He Puts Up $175M

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York appeals court on Monday agreed to hold off collection of former President Donald Trump’s more than $454 million civil fraud judgment — if he puts up $175 million within 10 days. If he does, it will stop the clock on collection and prevent the state from seizing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s assets while he appeals….

Kate, Princess Of Wales, Says She Has Cancer And Is Undergoing Chemotherapy

LONDON (AP) — Kate, the Princess of Wales, said Friday she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Her condition was disclosed in a video message recorded on Wednesday and broadcast Friday, coming after weeks of speculation on social media about her whereabouts and health since she was hospitalized in January for unspecified abdominal surgery. Kate asked for “time, space and privacy” while…

Justice Department Sues Apple, Alleging It Illegally Monopolized The Smartphone Market

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Thursday announced a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of engineering an illegal monopoly in smartphones that boxes out competitors, stifles innovation and keeps prices artificially high. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Jersey, alleges that Apple has monopoly power in the smartphone market and leverages control over the iPhone to…

The Spring Equinox Is Here. What Does That Mean?

(AP) — Spring is here — officially, at least. The vernal equinox arrives on Tuesday, marking the start of the spring season for the Northern Hemisphere. But what does that actually mean? Here’s what to know about how we split up the year using the Earth’s orbit. What is the equinox? As the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at…

Crafts Retailer Joann Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy As Consumers Cut Back On Pandemic-Era Hobbies

NEW YORK (AP) — Fabric and crafts retailer Joann has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, as consumers continue to cut back on discretionary spending and some pandemic-era hobbies. In a Monday statement, the Hudson, Ohio-based company said that it expected to emerge from bankruptcy as early as the end of next month. Following this process, Joann will likely become…

Wisconsin Voters To Decide On Banning Private Money To Help Fund Elections

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin voters are set to decide next month whether to make it unconstitutional to accept private grant money to help administer state elections, one of two Republican-backed ballot measures that Democrats say are meant to make it harder to conduct elections in the presidential battleground state. The constitutional amendments on the state’s April 2 ballot also include a…

A Supreme Court Ruling In A Social Media Case Could Set Standards For Free Speech In The Digital Age

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a busy term that could set standards for free speech in the digital age, the Supreme Court on Monday is taking up a dispute between Republican-led states and the Biden administration over how far the federal government can go to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security. The justices are hearing arguments in a lawsuit filed by…

Second Man Charged in Connection With 2005 Theft of Ruby Slippers Worn in ‘The Wizard of Oz’

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A second man has been charged in connection with the 2005 theft of a pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz,” according to an indictment made public Sunday. Jerry Hal Saliterman, 76, of Crystal, Minnesota, was charged with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering. He did not…

Vikings Acquire Extra 1st-Round Pick at No. 23 from Texans in Trade for Pair of 2nd-Rounders

The Vikings now have the 11th and 23rd overall selections.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings acquired Houston’s first-round pick in a pre- draft trade Friday, giving them the 11th and 23rd overall selections as potential capital toward their next franchise quarterback. The Vikings sent their second-round pick and one of their sixth-round picks for this year and their second-round pick in 2025 to the Texans in exchange for…

In A First, Vice President Harris Visits Minnesota Abortion Clinic To Blast ‘Immoral’ Restrictions

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris visited a Planned Parenthood clinic on Thursday, marking what her office said was the first time a president or vice president has toured a facility that performs abortions, as the White House escalates its defense of reproductive rights in this year’s election. “Right now, in our country, we are facing a very serious…

Woman Charged With Buying Guns Used In Minnesota Standoff That Killed 3 First Responders

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal authorities say a woman has been charged with illegally buying guns used in the killings of three Minnesota first responders in a standoff at a home in the Minneapolis suburb of Burnsville, where seven children were inside. Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40, were slain during the standoff. Their memorial…

Dollar Tree To Close Nearly 1,000 Stores, Posts Surprise Fourth Quarter Loss

(AP) — Dollar Tree swung to a surprise fourth-quarter loss and will close nearly 1,000 stores after the discount retailer slashed the value of a rival chain it acquired almost a decade ago. Dollar Tree plans to close about 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of this year and 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores over…

House Passes A Bill That Could Lead To A TikTok Ban If Chinese Owner Refuses To Sell

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn’t sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company’s current ownership structure is a national security threat. The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are unclear….

Texans Agree on $49 Million Deal with Former Vikings Star Pass Rusher Danielle Hunter, AP Source Says

Hunter had a career-best 16 1/2 sacks last season for Minnesota. He’s reached double digits in sacks five times in eight years.

HOUSTON, Texas.- The Houston Texans have agreed with four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter on a $49 million, two-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t become official until the new league year begins Wednesday, said Hunter is getting $48 million guaranteed….

Vikings Agree to Deals with Ex-Rival RB Jones and QB Darnold as Sub for Cousins, AP Sources Say

The Vikings also released defensive lineman Dean Lowry, who started four games and finished the season on injured reserve.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings stayed aggressive in free agency Tuesday by adding former Green Bay running back Aaron Jones and 2018 third overall draft pick Sam Darnold as a temporary replacement at quarterback for Kirk Cousins. Jones, who was released Monday by the Packers after they landed 2022 All-Pro Josh Jacobs, gets a one-year, $7 million contract with…

Biden And Trump Could Clinch Nominations In Tuesday’s Contests, Ushering In General Election

NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Biden and Donald Trump hope to clinch their parties’ presidential nominations with dominant victories in a slate of state primaries on Tuesday as the 2024 fight for the White House moves into a new phase. Neither Biden, a Democrat, nor Trump, a Republican, faces significant opposition in primary contests across Georgia, Washington state, Mississippi and Hawaii. The only question…

Vikings Shore Up Post-Cousins Defense by Striking Deals with Greenard, Van Ginkel, Cashman

Greenard and Cashman left the Houston Texans. Van Ginkel departed the Miami Dolphins.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings said goodbye to quarterback Kirk Cousins and quickly began building up their depleted defense as the free agent negotiation window opened Monday in the NFL, agreeing to contracts with edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman. Greenard will get a four-year, $76 million deal with $42 million guaranteed,…

Packers Agree to Free Agent Deals with Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney, AP Sources Say

The team also released running back Aaron Jones and offensive tackle David Bakhtiari.

GREEN BAY, Wis.- (AP) The Green Bay Packers got off to a busy start in free agency, agreeing to deals with running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney, and releasing longtime running back Aaron Jones. Two people familiar with the deals said Monday that the Packers will sign Jacobs and McKinney at the start of the new league year…

Cousins Agrees to 4-Year Contract with Falcons, Leaving Vikings to Look for New QB

Cousins had a 103.8 passer rating in eight games for the Vikings last season that was still the third best in the league despite the lost time.

EAGAN, Minn.- (AP) Kirk Cousins is leaving Minnesota for Atlanta, landing another big contract with a well-timed foray into free agency. Cousins agreed Monday to a four-year deal with the Falcons, his agent Mike McCartney announced on social media. Atlanta had a glaring need at quarterback after cycling through Tyler Heinicke and Desmond Ridder last season, and Cousins’ wife, Julie,…

Biden Uses Feisty State of the Union to Contrast with Trump, Sell Voters on Second Term

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden turned his State of the Union speech Thursday night into an animated argument for a second term as he laced into GOP front-runner Donald Trump for espousing “resentment, revenge and retribution” and jeopardizing freedom at home and abroad. Over and over, Biden delivered broadsides at “my predecessor” without mentioning Trump by name,…

Sweden Officially Joins NATO, Ending Decades Of Post-World War II Neutrality

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality and centuries of broader non-alignment with major powers as security concerns in Europe have spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. President Joe Biden congratulated Sweden on its admission and said it was a sign that Russian President Vladimir…

Biden Will Announce A Plan For A Temporary Port On Gaza’s Coast To Increase Flow Of Humanitarian Aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will announce a plan in his State of the Union address Thursday for the U.S. military to help establish a temporary port on the Gaza coast, increasing the flow of humanitarian aid for the beleaguered territory during the Israel-Hamas war, according to administration officials. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview…

Nikki Haley Suspends Campaign; Leaves Donald Trump Last Major Republican Candidate

NEW YORK (AP) — Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign on Wednesday after being soundly defeated across the country on Super Tuesday, leaving Donald Trump as the last remaining major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination. Haley didn’t endorse the former president in a speech in Charleston, South Carolina. Instead, she challenged him to win the support of the moderate…

Coast-To-Coast Super Tuesday Contests Poised To Move Biden And Trump Closer To November Rematch

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are poised to move much closer to winning their parties’ nominations Tuesday during the biggest day of the primary campaign, setting up a historic rematch that many voters would rather not endure. Super Tuesday elections are being held in 16 states and one territory — from Alaska and California to Vermont and Virginia. Hundreds…

Facebook, Instagram, Messenger And Threads Down In Widespread Outage

(AP) — Users of Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Messenger platforms are experiencing login issues in what appears to be a widespread outage. Internet traffic observer Down Detector is reporting vast outages on several Meta platforms Tuesday. The problems are being reported across the world, suggesting that the outage could be global. London-based internet monitoring firm Netblocks said on X that…

What To Know About Super Tuesday And Why It Matters

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s almost Super Tuesday when voters in 16 states and one territory will cast their ballots in the 2024 presidential primaries. Here’s why the day matters — and why it looks a little different this year. What is Super Tuesday? It’s traditionally the biggest day nationwide for primary elections and caucuses before the actual Election Day in November. Until now,…

Supreme Court restores Trump to ballot, rejecting state attempts to ban him over Capitol attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday restored Donald Trump to 2024 presidential primary ballots, rejecting state attempts to hold the Republican former president accountable for the Capitol riot. The justices ruled a day before the Super Tuesday primaries that states cannot invoke a post-Civil War constitutional provision to keep presidential candidates from appearing on ballots. That power resides with Congress, the court…

Biden Approves Military Air Drops Of Aid Into Gaza After Chaotic Encounter Left More Than 100 Dead

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that the U.S. will begin air-dropping humanitarian assistance into Gaza, a day after more than 100 Palestinians were killed during a chaotic encounter with Israeli troops. The president announced the move after at least 115 Palestinians were killed and more than 750 others were injured, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, on…

McConnell Will Step Down As The Senate Republican Leader In November After A Record Run In The Job

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history who maintained his power in the face of dramatic convulsions in the Republican Party for almost two decades, will step down from that position in November. McConnell, who turned 82 last week, announced his decision Wednesday in the well of the Senate, the chamber where he looked in awe from its back…

Thousands Expected At Memorial Service For 3 Slain Minnesota First Responders

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Thousands of law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics are expected to pack a Minnesota church on Wednesday for a memorial service for three first responders who were gunned down while responding to a report of a domestic incident at a home with seven children inside. The Minneapolis suburb of Burnsville has been in mourning in the week and a…

Biden, Trump Win Michigan Primaries

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump won the Michigan primaries on Tuesday, further solidifying the all-but-certain rematch between the two men. Biden defeated Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, his one significant opponent left in the Democratic primary. But Democrats were also closely watching the results of the “uncommitted” vote, as Michigan has become the epicenter…