Author: The Associated Press

Army Special Operations Command Mourns 5 US Troops Killed In Helicopter Crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Army Special Operations Command on Monday identified the five Army aviation special operations forces killed when their helicopter crashed in the Eastern Mediterranean over the weekend, calling each a “national treasure” whose loss cut deeply. The military’s European Command said the UH-60 helicopter went down during an air refueling mission as part of military training. The five…

White House Releases Plan To Grow Radio Spectrum Access, With Possible Benefits For Internet, Drones

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday announced a strategy to potentially expand the availability of radio spectrum needed for cellphones, satellites, navigation, space travel and other emerging technologies. The increasingly digitized and mobile economy has put pressure on the available range of frequencies used for wireless communication. The spectrum is also vital for national security and responding to disasters. “We all…

Minnesota Supreme Court Dismisses ‘Insurrection Clause’ Challenge and Allows Trump on Primary Ballot

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will stay on the Minnesota primary ballot after the state supreme court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit seeking end his candidacy under a rarely-used constitutional provision that forbids those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. The Minnesota Supreme Court declined to become the first in history to use Section 3 of the 14th Amendment…

More Fruit Pouches For Kids Are Being Recalled Because Of Illnesses That Are Linked To Lead

(AP) — Federal health officials are expanding an investigation into potentially lead-tainted pouches of apple cinnamon fruit puree marketed for children amid reports of more illnesses and additional product recalls. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday it has received reports of seven illnesses in at least five states possibly linked to contaminated puree. Two new companies, Schnucks Markets of St. Louis and Weis…

Israeli Forces Cut Off North Gaza To Isolate Hamas As Palestinian Deaths Surpass 10,000

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli army severed northern Gaza from the rest of the besieged territory and pounded it with airstrikes Monday, preparing for an expected push by ground forces into the dense confines of Gaza City and an even bloodier phase of the month-old war. Already, the Palestinian death toll passed 10,000 people, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run…

Survivors Of Abusive Native American Boarding Schools To Share Experiences In Montana

Associated Press BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Survivors of government-backed Native American boarding schools and their descendants are expected to share their experiences Sunday as U.S. officials make a final stop in Montana on their yearlong tour to confront the institutions that regularly abused students to assimilate them into white society. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo in…

House Approves Nearly $14.5 Billion In Military Aid For Israel. Biden Vows To Veto The GOP Approach

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved a nearly $14.5 billion military aid package Thursday for Israel, a muscular U.S. response to the war with Hamas but also a partisan approach by new Speaker Mike Johnson that poses a direct challenge to Democrats and President Joe Biden. In a departure from norms, Johnson’s package required that the emergency aid be offset with cuts in government…

Former Memphis Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges In Tyre Nichols’ Death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A former Memphis police officer pleaded guilty Thursday in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols in exchange for prosecutors recommending a 15-year sentence, becoming the first of five officers charged in the case to admit guilt. Desmond Mills Jr. entered his plea during a hearing at the Memphis federal courthouse as part of a larger agreement under which…

Minnesota Justices Appear Skeptical That States Should Decide Trump’s Eligibility For The Ballot

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical Thursday that states have the authority to block former President Donald Trump from the ballot, with some suggesting that Congress is best positioned to decide whether his role in the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack should prevent him from running. Justices sharply questioned an attorney representing Minnesota voters who had sued to…

These Numbers Show The Staggering Toll Of The Israel-Hamas War

JERUSALEM (AP) — The latest Israel-Hamas war has quickly become the deadliest and most destructive of the five wars fought between the sides since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 from the Palestinian Authority. The fighting erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas carried out a bloody attack in southern Israel. Since then, Israel has relentlessly pounded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes that…

Vikings Get QB Joshua Dobbs in Deadline Deal with Cardinals in Fallout from Cousins Injury

Dobbs, who was a fourth-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2017 by Pittsburgh, will join his seventh team in seven seasons.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings agreed to acquire quarterback Joshua Dobbs in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals in the hours before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, adding another player with starting experience following the season-ending injury to Kirk Cousins. The deal was pending completion of a physical for Dobbs, who was acquired on Aug. 24 by the…

UN Agency In Gaza Says Urgent Cease-Fire Is A Matter Of Life And Death For Millions Of Palestinians

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees told a U.N. emergency meeting Monday “an immediate humanitarian cease-fire has become a matter of life and death for millions,” accusing Israel of “collective punishment” of Palestinians and the forced displacement of civilians. Philippe Lazzarini warned that a further breakdown of civil order after the agency’s warehouses were…

Vikings Confirm Cousins is Done for the Season with a Torn Achilles Tendon in a Devastating Blow

Cousins, who is on track to be a free agent next spring, has never missed a game in the NFL to injury.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Kirk Cousins has a torn right Achilles tendon that will end his season, the Minnesota Vikings announced on Monday after his first career injury put a somber tone on their three-game winning streak. The Vikings announced that the MRI exam on Cousins confirmed their initial fear of a tear after the 12th-year quarterback went down in…

On Day 2 Of Multistate Search For Mass Killing Suspect, Maine Residents Shelter Behind Locked Doors

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Police asked thousands of Maine residents to stay in their homes Friday as heavily armed local and federal law enforcement agents searched for a second day for an Army reservist who they say fatally shot 18 people at a bowling alley and a bar in the worst mass killing in state history. Nearly two days after the shooting, police have…

Rep. Dean Phillips Announces Primary Challenge To Biden, He Says Democrats Need To Focus On Future

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — For months, Dean Phillips has been calling for a Democratic primary challenge to President Joe Biden. He’s drawn no public interest from governors, lawmakers, and other would-be alternatives. The 54-year-old Minnesota congressman is finally entering the race himself, telling a Friday event outside New Hampshire’s statehouse, “I am today announcing my candidacy for the presidency of the…

Police Surround Home In Search Of Maine Mass Shooting Suspect

18 Dead in Maine, and Suspect Still Loose

AP   BY DAVID SHARP, ROBERT BUMSTED, HOLLY RAMER AND MICHAEL BALSAMO Updated 7:47 PM CDT, October 26, 2023 LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Heavily armed police surrounded a home Thursday as they searched for a U.S. Army reservist who authorities say killed 18 people and wounded 13 in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine. “You need to come outside now…

A Suspect In The Fatal Shooting Of 18 In Maine Is Still At Large, Residents Are Sheltering In Place

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Authorities searched forests, waterways and small towns Thursday for a U.S. Army reservist who they say killed 18 people and wounded 13 in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and a bar that sent panicked patrons scrambling under tables and behind bowling pins and gripped the entire state of Maine in fear. Schools, doctor’s offices and grocery stores closed…

Biden Condemns Retaliatory Attacks By Israeli Settlers Against Palestinians In The West Bank

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday spoke out against retaliatory attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. He also said he was redoubling his commitment to working on a two-state solution to end the decades-long Israel-Palestinian conflict. Biden said the attacks by “extremist settlers”…

Republican Mike Johnson Has Secured Enough Votes To Become House Speaker As Ballot Draws To A Close

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Mike Johnson easily secured enough votes to be elected House speaker on Wednesday, as Republicans were eagerly elevating the little-known conservative leader to the seat of U.S. power and ending for now the political chaos in their majority. With voting still underway, Johnson, of Louisiana, was picking up support from most all Republicans anxious to put the past…

Republicans Pick Tom Emmer As Their Nominee For Speaker As They Try For A Third Time To Fill The House’s Top Position

WASHINGTON (AP) — Three weeks now since the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, House Republicans are meeting privately Tuesday to try nominating a new House speaker to accomplish the seemingly impossible job of uniting a broken, bitter GOP majority and returning to the work of governing in Congress. In early round ballots the senior-most lawmaker, Rep. Tom Emmer, the GOP Whip, jumped out front…

World’s Oldest Dog Ever Dies In Portugal, Aged 31 (Or About 217 In Dog Years)

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — A 31-year-old dog in Portugal that had been ranked as the world’s oldest dog ever has died, his owner said Monday. The guard dog, called Bobi, died over the weekend in a veterinary hospital, Leonel Costa told The Associated Press. Bobi lived on a farm in the village of Conqueiros in Portugal with Costa and four cats. He…

Judge Fines Donald Trump $5,000 After Post Maligning Court Staffer Is Found On Campaign Website

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump was fined $5,000 on Friday after a disparaging social media post about a key court staffer in his New York civil fraud case lingered on his campaign website for weeks after the judge ordered it deleted. Judge Arthur Engoron avoided holding Trump in contempt, for now, but reserved the right to do…

Israel Evacuates Town Near Lebanese Border In Sign Of Impending Gaza Ground Assault

(AP) — Israel is bombarding Gaza and evacuating a sizable town near the Lebanese border in the latest sign of a potential ground invasion of Gaza that could trigger regional turmoil. Israel’s defense minister has ordered troops to prepare to see Gaza “from the inside,” hinting at a ground offensive aimed at crushing Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers. Aid shipments badly needed…

Gaza Awaits Humanitarian Aid, As Israel Tells Troops To ‘Be Ready’ For Ground Invasion

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes on Thursday, including in the south where Palestinians were told to take refuge, and the country’s defense minister told ground troops to “be ready” to invade, though he didn’t say when. Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals tried to stretch out ebbing medical supplies and fuel for generators, as authorities…

President Biden Wraps Up His Visit To Wartime Israel With A Warning Against Being ‘Consumed’ By Rage

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — President Joe Biden swept into wartime Israel for a 7 1/2-hour visit Wednesday that produced a heaping dose of support for the Israeli people, a deal to get limited humanitarian aid into Gaza from Egypt and a warning not to allow rage over the deadly Hamas attack to consume them. “I understand. Many Americans understand,” Biden said…

Jordan Loses Second Vote For Speaker

House of Representatives still without permanent Speaker.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Jim Jordan was again short the votes he needed in a second round of balloting for speaker on Wednesday, failing to convince his Republican detractors to support him to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy. Jordan lost 20 Republican votes in the first round of balloting Tuesday and lost more on Wednesday. Jim Jordan’s rapid rise has…

Blast Kills Hundreds At Gaza Hospital; Hamas And Israel Trade Blame, As Biden Heads To Mideast

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants. The health ministry said at least 500…

Republicans Reject Rep. Jim Jordan For House Speaker On The First Ballot, But More Voting Likely

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans rejected Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker on a first ballot Tuesday, as an unexpectedly numerous 20 holdouts denied the hard-charging ally of Donald Trump the GOP majority needed to seize the gavel. More voting is expected as Jordan works to shore up support to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy for the job. The House went into recess as the…

6-Year-Old Boy Is Buried And Mother Treated After Attack That Police Call An Anti-Muslim Hate Crime

CHICAGO (AP) — A 71-year-old Illinois landlord upset over the Israel-Hamas war attacked a Palestinian American woman with a knife when she proposed they “pray for peace” and killed her 6-year-old son, authorities said Monday. The details emerged as Joseph Czuba appeared in court on murder, attempted murder and hate crime charges while the boy’s Muslim family prepared to bury him in the…

Trump Has Narrow Gag Order Imposed On Him By Federal Judge Overseeing 2020 Election Subversion Case

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal judge overseeing the 2020 election subversion case against Donald Trump in Washington imposed a narrow gag order on him on Monday, barring the Republican former president from making statements targeting prosecutors, possible witnesses and the judge’s staff. The order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan is a milestone moment in the federal case that accuses Trump of illegally conspiring…

EU Leaders Will Meet To Deal With The Fallout In Europe From The Israel-Hamas War

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday as concern mounts that the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas could fuel inter-communal tensions in Europe and bring more refugees in search of sanctuary. The leaders will also attempt to restore some order after a series of social media messages, statements and visits by EU…

Israel Orders Unprecedented Evacuation Of 1 Million In Gaza As Possible Ground Offensive Looms

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s military told some 1 million Palestinians on Friday to evacuate northern Gaza and head to the southern part of the besieged territory, an unprecedented order applying to almost half the population ahead of an expected ground invasion against the ruling Hamas militant group. The U.N. warned that so many people fleeing en masse — with just a 24-hour…

The US Is Moving Quickly To Boost Israel’s Military. A Look At What Assistance It’s Providing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Within hours of the horrific attack by Hamas, the U.S. began moving warships and aircraft to the region to be ready to provide Israel with whatever it needs to respond. A second U.S. carrier strike group departs from Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday. Scores of aircraft are heading to U.S. military bases around the Middle East. And special operations…

$1.765 Billion Powerball Jackpot Goes To Lucky Lottery Player In California

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A player in California won a $1.765 billion Powerball jackpot Wednesday night, ending a long stretch without a winner of the top prize. The winning numbers were: 22, 24, 40, 52, 64 and the Powerball 10. The winning ticket was sold at Midway Market & Liquor in Frazier Park, according to the California Lottery. Phone calls Wednesday…

Abreu Homers Again to Power Astros Past Twins 3-2 and Into 7th Straight ALCS

Houston will host in-state rival Texas in Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — José Abreu homered for the third time in two games, a two-run rocket in the fourth inning that launched the Houston Astros to their seventh straight AL Championship Series appearance with a 3-2 win that eliminated the Minnesota Twins in Game 4 of their AL Division Series on Wednesday night. José Urquidy gave the playoff-tested Astros another…

As Strikes Devastate Gaza, Israel Forms Unity Government To Oversee War Sparked By Hamas Attack

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a leading opposition figure on Wednesday created a war-time Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge a stunning weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighborhoods and the territory’s only power plant ran out of fuel. The new war-time Cabinet establishes…

104-Year-Old Chicago Woman Dies Days After Making A Skydive That Could Put Her In The Record Books

(AP) — Dorothy Hoffner, a 104-year-old Chicago woman whose recent skydive could see her certified by Guinness World Records as the oldest person to ever jump from a plane, has died. Hoffner’s close friend, Joe Conant, said she was found dead Monday morning by staff at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community. Conant said Hoffner apparently died in her sleep…

Astros Hit 4 Homers, With a Pair by Abreu, to Rout Twins 9-1 and Take 2-1 ALDS Lead

Game 4 is at Target Field on Wednesday. If the Twins force Game 5, it would be in Houston on Friday.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — José Abreu hit a three-run homer for Houston in a four-run first inning against Sonny Gray and piled on with a two-run shot in the ninth, powering the Astros past the Minnesota Twins 9-1 on Tuesday for a 2-1 lead in their AL Division Series. Yordan Alvarez hit his fourth home run in three games and Alex…

Vikings to Put Justin Jefferson on Injured Reserve for Minimum 4-Game Absence, AP Source Confirms

The earliest Jefferson can return is November 12th against the New Orleans Saints.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings will place wide receiver Justin Jefferson on injured reserve, according to a person with knowledge of the decision, forcing the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year to miss at least the next four games because of a hamstring injury. The person confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday…

Powerball Jackpot Grows To $1.55 Billion For Monday; Cash Option Worth $679.8 Million

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $1.55 billion for Monday night’s drawing after no one matched the game’s six numbers for the giant prize Saturday. The $1.55 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with annual checks over 30 years. Most jackpot winners opt for cash, which…

What Is Indigenous Peoples Day? A Day Of Celebration, Protest And Reclaiming History

(AP) — From Alcatraz Island to a park in New York City, Native American people will celebrate their centuries-long history of resilience on Monday with ceremonies, dances and speeches. The events across the U.S. come two years after President Joe Biden officially commemorated Indigenous Peoples Day. An increasing number of states and cities have also recognized it — pivoting from a…

What To Know As Israel Declares War, Bombards Gaza Strip After Unprecedented Hamas Attack

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli government promised Monday to hunt down Hamas fighters and to punish the Gaza Strip following a surprise weekend attack killed more than 700 people in Israel, including at least 260 at a crowded music festival that became the scene of one of the country’s worst civilian massacres. A day after formally declaring war, Israel’s military worked to…

Auto Workers Stop Expanding Strikes Against Detroit Three After GM Makes Battery Plant Concession

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union said Friday it will not expand its strikes against Detroit’s three automakers after General Motors made a breakthrough concession on unionizing electric vehicle battery plants. Union President Shawn Fain told workers in a video appearance that additional plants could be added to the strikes later. The announcement of the pause in expanding the strikes…

US Adds Another Option For Fall COVID Vaccination With Updated Novavax Shots

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized another option for fall COVID-19 vaccination, updated shots made by Novavax. Updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna began rolling out last month, intended for adults and children as young as age 6 months. Now the Food and Drug Administration has added another choice –- reformulated Novavax shots open to anyone age 12 and…

Man With Handgun Seeking Governor Arrested In Wisconsin Capitol, Returns With Assault Rifle

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A man illegally brought a loaded handgun into the Wisconsin Capitol, demanding to see Gov. Tony Evers, and returned at night with an assault rifle after posting bail, a spokesperson for the state said Thursday. The man, who was shirtless and had a holstered handgun, approached the governor’s office on the first floor of the Capitol…

Diamondbacks Erase Early Deficit Again and Beat Brewers 5-2 to Sweep NL Wild Card Series

Attention in Milwaukee now turns to the future of Craig Counsell, who has managed the Brewers since 2015 and has guided them to five playoff appearances over the last six seasons.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Zac Gallen settled down after a shaky start and Arizona’s bullpen stepped up at the very end, helping the Diamondbacks sweep their NL Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers with a 5-2 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday night. Just two years after suffering through a 110-loss season, Arizona moved into the franchise’s first NL Division…

Twins Advance for 1st Time in 21 Years with 2-0 Win to Sweep Blue Jays Behind Gray, Correa

The Twins advanced — for the first time in 21 years — to play the defending World Series champion Astros. Game 1 of the best-of-five AL Division Series is in Houston on Saturday.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carlos Correa contributed an RBI single and a quick-twitch tag off a pickoff throw from Sonny Gray, and the Minnesota Twins swept the Toronto Blue Jays with a 2-0 win in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series on Wednesday. The Twins advanced — for the first time in 21 years — to play the defending…

What To Know About The Emergency Alert Test Hitting Your Cellphones And TVs

WASHINGTON (AP) — “THIS IS A TEST”: If you have a cellphone or are watching television Wednesday, that message will flash across your screen as the federal government tests its emergency alert system used to tell people about emergencies. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System sends out messages via the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts. The Emergency Alert System is a national…

At Least 4 Shot On Campus Of Morgan State University In Baltimore

(Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun via AP) BALTIMORE (AP) — At least four people were wounded, none critically, in a shooting at Morgan State University in Baltimore on Tuesday, according to authorities, who urged students to take shelter on the campus of the historically Black college. The Baltimore Police Department initially said officers were on the scene for an “active shooter…

Diamondbacks Hit Burnes Hard to Rally for 6-3 Victory Over Brewers in Wild Card Series Opener

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is Wednesday, and the Diamondbacks have ace Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly lined up after rookie Brandon Pfaadt lasted just 2 2/3 innings in the opener.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Gabriel Moreno homered against Corbin Burnes, helping Arizona erase an early three-run deficit and sending the Diamondbacks to a 6-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday night. The rally put Arizona in a prime position to advance. Game 2 of the best-of-three…