Author: The Associated Press

Twins Finalize Carlos Santana Contract, Sign Jay Jackson For More Bullpen Depth

The switch-hitting Santana and the Twins agreed to a deal last week, after the 37-year-old split last season with Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins finalized their $5.25 million, one-year contract with first baseman Carlos Santana and added to their bullpen Wednesday by signing right-hander Jay Jackson and claiming right-hander Zack Weiss off waivers. Jackson, a late bloomer who had a strong 2023 season with Toronto, got a $1.5 million, one-year contract. The switch-hitting Santana and the Twins agreed…

Missing Marine Corps Helicopter Carrying 5 Troops From Nevada To California Has Been Located

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A Marine Corps helicopter that had been missing with five troops aboard as an historic storm continued drenching California was found Wednesday morning in a mountainous area outside San Diego. The aircraft was located just after 9 a.m. by civil authorities near the mountain community of Pine Valley, about a 45-mile (72-kilometer) drive from San Diego but rescue…

Toby Keith, Country Singer-Songwriter, Dies At 62 After Stomach Cancer Diagnosis

(AP) — Toby Keith, a hit country crafter of pro-American anthems who both riled up critics and was loved by millions of fans, has died. He was 62. The “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” singer-songwriter, who had stomach cancer, died peacefully Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on the country singer’s website. “He fought his fight with grace and…

Jury Finds Michigan School Shooter’s Mother Jennifer Crumbley Guilty Of Manslaughter

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan jury convicted a school shooter’s mother of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday in a first-of-its-kind trial to determine whether she had any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021. Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley was grossly negligent when she failed to tell Oxford High School that the family had guns, including a 9 mm handgun that…

Carl Weathers, Linebacker-Turned-Actor Who Starred In ‘Rocky’ Movies And ‘The Mandalorian,’ Dies

NEW YORK (AP) — Carl Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, facing off against Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore,” has died. He was 76. Matt Luber, his manager, said Weathers died Thursday. His family issued a statement saying he died “peacefully…

Tesla Recalling Nearly 2.2M Vehicles For Software Update To Fix Warning Lights That Are Too Small

DETROIT (AP) — Tesla is recalling nearly all of the vehicles it has sold in the U.S. because some warning lights on the instrument panel are too small. The recall of nearly 2.2 million vehicles announced Friday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is a sign of stepped-up scrutiny of the electric vehicle maker. The agency also said it…

Warm Weather Forces Park Officials To Suspend Isle Royale Wolf Count For First Time In Decades

(AP) — A stretch of unusually warm weather has forced federal officials to suspend researchers’ annual wolf-moose count in Isle Royale National Park for the first time in more than six decades. Isle Royale is a 134,000-acre (54,200-hectare) island situated in far western Lake Superior between Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Canada. The park is a wildlife biologist’s dream…

Orioles Land Their Ace, Acquiring All-Star Right-Hander Corbin Burnes from Milwaukee

Burnes, who turned 29 in October, went 10-8 with a 3.39 ERA last year.

MILWAUKEE, Wis.- (AP) The Milwaukee Brewers traded All-Star right-hander Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night for left-hander DL Hall, infield prospect Joey Ortiz and a competitive balance draft pick. It’s a blockbuster for the Orioles, who had a quiet offseason but remained hopeful they could add more pitching as they prepare to defend their AL East championship….

Packers Hire Jeff Hafley Away From Boston College to Become Their Defensive Coordinator

Hafley went 22-26 at Boston College in four seasons.

GREEN BAY, Wis.- (AP) Jeff Hafley is leaving his job as Boston College’s head coach to become the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator. The Packers announced Wednesday night that Hafley will take over for Joe Barry, who was fired last week after three seasons as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator. Hafley went 22-26 at Boston College in four seasons, including a…

Mariners Get 2B Polanco From Twins in Trade for Pitchers DeSclafani, Topa and Prospects

Polanco came back from a knee injury to hit .255 with 14 home runs and a .789 OPS in 80 games for the Twins in 2023.

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners acquired second baseman Jorge Polanco from the Minnesota Twins on Monday for pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, two minor leaguers and cash. The prospects going to the Twins are outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez and pitcher Darren Bowen. The 33-year-old DeSclafani was traded to the Mariners earlier this month from San Francisco. He had a…

Man Who Stole ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers Allowed to Die at Home

Federal judge agrees to sentence of "time served."

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — A dying thief who confessed to stealing a pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz” because he wanted to pull off “one last score” was given no additional prison time at his sentencing hearing Monday. Terry Jon Martin, 76, stole the slippers in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in…

Voter Turnout In 2024 New Hampshire GOP Primary Eclipses Record

WASHINGTON (AP) — More people cast votes in Tuesday’s contest between former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley than in any previous presidential primary of either party in New Hampshire’s history. As of the latest vote tally on Wednesday afternoon, nearly 318,000 Granite State Republicans and independents cast votes in the first-in-the-nation primary, exceeding the previous record set in the 2020…

Minnesota Trooper Is Charged With Murder In Shooting Of Motorist Ricky Cobb II During A Traffic Stop

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota State Patrol trooper was charged with murder Wednesday in the shooting of motorist Ricky Cobb II after he refused to get out of his car during a July traffic stop. Trooper Ryan Londregan is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second degree manslaughter in the death of Cobb, a 33-year-old Black man, Hennepin County Attorney…

Doc Rivers is Finalizing a Deal to Take Over as the Bucks Coach, AP Source Says

Rivers has plenty of Milwaukee ties, as he played for Marquette from 1980-83 and his No. 31 jersey hangs from the Fiserv Forum rafters.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Doc Rivers is finalizing a deal to take over as the Milwaukee Bucks coach a day after the firing of Adrian Griffin, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Rivers and the Bucks were still negotiating on Wednesday, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity…

Joe Barry is Out as Packers Defensive Coordinator After Three Seasons

Green Bay ranked 10th in points allowed per game (20.6), 17th in yards allowed per game (335.1) and 23rd in yards allowed per play (5.4)

GREEN BAY, Wis.- (AP) Joe Barry is out as the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator after a turbulent third season on the job that ended with a loss in the NFC divisional round of the playoffs. “We want to thank Joe for his commitment and contributions to our success the past three seasons,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday in…

Rhys Hoskins and Brewers Agree to a $34 Million, 2-Year Contract, AP Source Says

The addition of Hoskins gives the Brewers another power bat for the middle of their lineup.

MILWAUKEE, Wis.- (AP) Rhys Hoskins and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a $34 million, two-year contract, filling the team’s opening at first base. A person familiar with the move confirmed it to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the deal was pending a physical. Milwaukee won the NL Central last year with a 92-70 record…

Adrian Beltré, Todd Helton and Joe Mauer Have Been Elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame

Mauer was elected on his first try, receiving 293 votes for 76.1%.

NEW YORK (AP) — Adrián Beltré, Todd Helton and Joe Mauer were elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday while Billy Wagner and Gary Sheffield fell short. Beltré was picked on 366 of 385 ballots in his first appearance for 95.1%. Helton, making his sixth ballot appearance, got 307 votes for 79.7%, 18 more than the needed 289 for…

Bucks Fire Coach Adrian Griffin After 43 Games Despite One of NBA’s Top Records, AP Source Says

Milwaukee is 30-13 to tie the Minnesota Timberwolves for the league’s second-best record. The Bucks are 3 1/2 games behind the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks have fired Adrian Griffin as coach after just 43 games despite having one of the league’s top records midway through the season, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the move. Milwaukee is…

Haley Hopes To Stop Trump’s March To Nomination In New Hampshire: ‘America Does Not Do Coronations’

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — As the last major challenger in Donald Trump’s way, Nikki Haley is hoping New Hampshire voters feel so strongly about keeping the former president away from the White House that they turn out to support her in large numbers. “America does not do coronations,” Haley said at a VFW hall in Franklin, joined by her daughter…

Wisconsin Republicans Introduce A Bill To Ban Abortions After 14 Weeks Of Pregnancy

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the Wisconsin Assembly quietly introduced a bill Friday that would call for a binding statewide referendum on whether abortion should be banned after 14 weeks of pregnancy. The GOP has scheduled a public hearing on the bill for Monday afternoon at the state Capitol. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is almost certain to veto…

2023 Was Slowest Year For US Home Sales In Nearly 30 Years As High Mortgage Rates Frustrated Buyers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes sank in 2023 to a nearly 30-year low, as sharply higher mortgage rates, rising prices and a persistently low level of homes on the market combined to push homeownership out of reach for many Americans. The National Association of Realtors said Friday that existing U.S. home sales totaled 4.09 million…

Trump Leads GOP Rightward March And Other Takeaways From The Iowa Caucuses

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s iron grip on the Republican Party has been clear since the day he announced he would make another run for the White House 14 months ago. It can be seen in the party’s ideological shift even further to the right on cultural issues and, especially, on immigration policy. Iowa Republicans were a clear reflection of that on…

MLK Jr. Holiday Celebrations Are Planned Across The Nation, But Winter Storm Is Limiting Some

ATLANTA (AP) — Communities across the nation celebrated the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday with events ranging from prayer services to parades, but a dangerously cold winter storm was limiting some planned activities. In Philadelphia, President Joe Biden marked the holiday by volunteering at Philabundance, a nonprofit food bank. He stuffed donation boxes with apples and struck up casual chatter…

Iowa Caucuses: What To Watch As Voters Weigh In On The Republican Campaign’s First Contest Of 2024

(AP) — As frigid temperatures scour the Midwest, the Republican presidential nominating process will officially start Monday with Iowa’s caucuses. The quadrennial contest has been unusually quiet this year, a mark of former President Donald Trump’s commanding lead in the race. An arctic blast dropping the state into subzero temperatures and dumping snow during the final days of the runup didn’t help, either. But there’s plenty…

Jordan Love and the Packers Pull a Wild-Card Stunner, Beating Dak Prescott and the Cowboys 48-32

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jordan Love threw for three touchdowns, Aaron Jones ran for three more, Darnell Savage returned an interception 64 yards for a score and the Green Bay Packers handed the Dallas Cowboys their first home loss since the 2022 opener in a 48-32 wild-card stunner Sunday. Romeo Doubs had a career-high 151 yards receiving a week after…

Patriots’ ‘Partnership’ with Bill Belichick Comes to an End after 24 Seasons, 6 Super Bowl Titles

The six-time NFL champion agreed to part ways as the coach of the Patriots, ending his 24-year tenure as the architect of the most decorated dynasty of the league’s Super Bowl era.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Bill Belichick had a vision of building the kind of sustained championship football team that had rarely been seen before in the NFL when he was hired by the New England Patriots. He walks away feeling like it was a job well done. The six-time NFL champion agreed to part ways as the coach of the…

Trump Returns to Court after Judge Receives Bomb Threat

NEW YORK (AP) — Barred from giving his own closing argument, Donald Trump took in his lawyer’s summation as a glowering, arms-folded spectator at the end of his New York civil fraud trial Thursday, hours after authorities responded to a bomb threat at the judge’s house. Police checked out the threat at Judge Arthur Engoron’s Long Island home, which came a day…

Wisconsin Republicans Unveil Medical Marijuana Bill After Evers Voices Support

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans on Monday unveiled a highly restricted plan to legalize medical marijuana in the state, a proposal years in the making that comes less than a week after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers voiced support for the idea. The bill would limit medical marijuana only to severely ill people with chronic diseases such as cancer and allow for…

The Plane That Suffered An Inflight Blowout Was Restricted Because Of Concern Over A Warning Light

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Boeing jetliner that suffered an inflight blowout over Oregon was not being used for flights to Hawaii after a warning light that could have indicated a pressurization problem lit up on three different flights. Alaska Airlines decided to restrict the aircraft from long flights over water so the plane “could return very quickly to an airport” if…

Hockey World Juniors Will Head to Minnesota in ’25-26 for Tournament’s 50th Edition

The 29 games in the 10-nation, 10-day tournament will be played at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, home of the NHL ’s Minnesota Wild, and Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, home of the University of Minnesota.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The 50th edition of the IIHF world junior championship will be played in Minnesota. USA Hockey announced Friday that the Twin Cities will host the 2025-26 tournament, just the seventh time the event is held in the U.S. Minneapolis and St. Paul previously hosted in 1981-82. The 29 games in the 10-nation, 10-day tournament will be played…

Former Timberwolves Guard Ricky Rubio Retires From NBA After 12 Seasons

The Timberwolves drafted Rubio in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He would play seven seasons in Minnesota.

CLEVELAND (AP) — With uncommon vision on the basketball court, Ricky Rubio could make a basic pass look extraordinary. A true playmaker. After stepping away from his playing career — and the Cleveland Cavaliers — this season to address mental health issues that he’s still working on, Rubio said Thursday that his NBA career is over after 12 seasons. The…

Police Say 17-Year-Old Killed A Sixth Grader And Wounded Five In Iowa School Shooting

PERRY, Iowa (AP) — Police said a sixth grader was killed and five other people were wounded by a 17-year-old suspect in the shooting Thursday at a small-town Iowa high school. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PERRY, Iowa (AP) — Multiple people were shot inside a small-town Iowa high school early Thursday, as students…

One Attack, Two Interpretations: Biden And Trump Both Make The Jan. 6 Riot A Political Rallying Cry

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will spend Saturday’s third anniversary of the Capitol riot by holding two campaign rallies in leadoff-voting Iowa in his bid to win back the White House. To mark the moment, President Joe Biden plans to visit a site near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on Friday where George Washington and the struggling Continental Army endured a tough winter during the American Revolution. Biden’s…

Nicole Hensley Makes 33 Saves and Minnesota Holds Off Boston 3-2 in PWHL Debut for Both Teams

Minnesota plays its home opener at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday against Montreal.

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — Taylor Heise and Sophia Kunin each scored less than eight minutes into the game, Nicole Hensley made 33 saves and Minnesota beat Boston 3-2 on Wednesday night in the Professional Women’s Hockey League debut for both franchises. Heise, the No. 1 overall pick, scored the first goal in Minnesota history — and the first league goal…

Vikings Will Start Nick Mullens at QB for Finale vs. Lions

The Vikings play at Detroit on Sunday, needing a win and three other NFC games to go their way to convert a postseason long shot.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings will start quarterback Nick Mullens in their final regular-season game, with their bid for the playoffs nearly exhausted by persistent problems at the vital position. Coach Kevin O’Connell announced his decision before practice on Wednesday. The Vikings play at Detroit on Sunday, needing a win and three other NFC games to go their way…

Russia And Ukraine Exchange Hundreds Of Prisoners Of War In Biggest Release So Far

(AP) — Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in the biggest single release of captives since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities said that 230 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home in the first exchange in almost five months. Russia’s Defense Ministry said that 248 Russian servicemen have been freed under the deal…

Harvard President Claudine Gay Resigns Amid Plagiarism Claims, Backlash From Antisemitism Testimony

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say unequivocally that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy. Gay is the second Ivy League president to resign in the past month following the congressional testimony — Liz Magill,…

Russia Fires 122 Missiles And 36 Drones In What Ukraine Calls The Biggest Aerial Barrage Of The War

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones against Ukrainian targets, officials said Friday, killing at least 27 civilians across the country in what an air force official called the biggest aerial barrage of the war. At least 144 people were injured and an unknown number were buried under rubble during the roughly 18-hour onslaught, Ukrainian officials said. A…

Vikings Turn to Jaren Hall Again in Latest Spin of QB Carousel

Hall is 8 for 10 for 101 yards passing and one sack plus four rushes for 10 yards this season.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have switched starting quarterbacks for the fourth time in nine weeks, handing the offense again to rookie Jaren Hall with two must-win games left for making the playoffs. Coach Kevin O’Connell announced Thursday that Hall will start Sunday against Green Bay, benching Nick Mullens after his six interceptions in two games doomed the…

Wisconsin University Chancellor Says He Was Fired For Producing And Appearing In Porn Videos

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow said Thursday that regents fired him because they were uncomfortable with him and his wife producing and appearing in pornographic videos. The regents voted unanimously during a hastily convened closed meeting Wednesday evening to fire Gow. After the vote, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman and regents President…

Sweden Moves Closer To NATO Membership

Turkey's parliamentary committee gave approval Tuesday.

The United Nations Security Council meets on North Korea, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, at U.N. headquarters. (AP) ANKARA, Turkey (AP)–The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee has given its consent to Sweden’s bid to join NATO. The move on Tuesday draws the previously nonaligned Nordic country closer to membership in the Western military alliance. Sweden’s accession protocol will now need to…

The Secret Life Of Gift Cards: Here’s What Happens To The Billions That Go Unspent Each Year

(AP) — Gift cards make great stocking stuffers — just as long as you don’t stuff them in a drawer and forget about them after the holidays. Americans are expected to spend nearly $30 billion on gift cards this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Restaurant gift cards are the most popular, making up one-third of those sales. Most of those…

Wisconsin Supreme Court Orders New Legislative Maps In Redistricting Case Brought By Democrats

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Republican-drawn legislative maps on Friday and ordered that new district boundary lines be drawn as Democrats had urged in a redistricting case they hope will weaken GOP majorities. The ruling comes less than a year before the 2024 election in a battleground state where four of the six past presidential elections have been decided…

Storied US Steel to be acquired for more than $14 billion by Nippon Steel

The Associated Press — U.S. Steel, the Pittsburgh steel producer that played a key role in the nation’s industrialization, is being acquired by Nippon Steel in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $14.1 billion. The transaction is worth about $14.9 billion when including the assumption of debt. The combined company will be among the top three steel-producing companies in the…

WI Man Gets 3 Years In Prison For Bomb Threat Against Governor In 2018

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man who made a bomb threat in 2018 that prompted a search of then-Gov. Scott Walker’s office in the state Capitol has been sentenced to three years in prison and two years of extended supervision, the state Department of Justice announced on Friday. Terrance Grissom, 53, was already serving time for making other threats…

Wisconsin Supreme Court Makes Interim State Court Director Permanent Despite Complaints

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court announced Thursday that the director of state courts job will be filled by the person who has been doing it since August, despite complaints that the hiring was illegal because she had been elected to serve as a Milwaukee County judge. Audrey Skwierawski took a leave from her job as a Milwaukee County circuit…

Supreme Court Will Hear A Case That Could Undo Capitol Riot Charge Against Hundreds, Including Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will hear an appeal that could upend hundreds of charges stemming from the Capitol riot, including against former President Donald Trump. The justices will review a charge of obstruction of an official proceeding that has been brought against more than 300 people. The charge refers to the disruption of Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential…

The Vikings Will Start Nick Mullens This Week in Their Latest Quarterback Shuffle

Mullens is the fourth different starter for the Vikings. They've never used that many in the same season before in franchise history.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) —In this unsettled season for the Minnesota Vikings, Nick Mullens is next up at quarterback. Coach Kevin O’Connell announced Tuesday that Mullens will start Saturday at Cincinnati after relieving an ineffective Joshua Dobbs last week and helping lead the Vikings to a 3-0 victory at Las Vegas. Mullens is the fourth different starter for the Vikings. They’ve…