Author: The Associated Press

7:30 PM On FOX 21: Biden, Trump In First 2024 Presidential Debate

ATLANTA (AP) — The first general election debate of the 2024 election season is here, and it’s a historic moment no matter what happens on stage. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are taking part in Thursday night’s debate in Atlanta. Not only is it the first-ever matchup between a sitting president and a former one, but it’s also the first debate…

Bucks Select AJ Johnson No. 23 Overall at 2024 NBA Draft

Johnson is a California native who played most recently for the Illawarra Hawks of Australia's National Basketball League.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks selected AJ Johnson in the first-round draft of the 2024 NBA draft. Johnson is a California native who played most recently for the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s National Basketball League. The 19-year-old Johnson is raw and will probably need time to work his way into an NBA rotation. The Bucks would love to see…

Wolves Confidently Take Terrence Shannon at No. 27 After Illinois Star Found Not Guilty in Rape Case

The 6-foot-6 Shannon, who turns 24 next month, can play both guard positions.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves did some extra digging into Terrence Shannon Jr. before the NBA draft. They found plenty of sources vouching for his character, bolstering their confidence in a dynamic player whose final season at Illinois was overshadowed by a rape charge he was recently exonerated of. “The off-court reputation is sterling. Talk to the coaches at…

Timberwolves Agree to Trade with Spurs to Get Rob Dillingham with 8th Overall Pick

The 6-foot-1, 164-pound Dillingham spent his only college season at Kentucky.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed on a trade with the San Antonio Spurs to get Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, the eighth overall pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday night. The Timberwolves will complete the deal by sending to the Spurs their unprotected 2031 first-round pick and make a 2030 swap that’s protected for the top pick, both…

Carleton and Collier Lead Minnesota to Commissioner’s Cup Title with 94-89 Win Over New York Liberty

The Lynx became the fourth different team to win the Cup in the event's four-year history.

NEW YORK (AP) — Bridget Carleton scored 23 points and Napheesa Collier added 21 to help the Minnesota Lynx win their first Commissioner’s Cup championship with a 94-89 victory over the New York Liberty on Tuesday night. The Lynx became the fourth different team to win the Cup in the event’s four-year history and continued the trend of the host…

Top Cats: Panthers Win Their 1st Stanley Cup, Top Oilers 2-1 in Game 7

There was no collapse. The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions for the first time, and they took about the hardest path possible to the title.

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — There was no collapse. The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions for the first time, and they took about the hardest path possible to the title. Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe scored goals, Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves and the Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 on Monday night in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup…

Ed Policy to Take Over as Packers President and CEO after Mark Murphy’s Retirement Next Summer

Policy, 53, joined the Packers as vice president and general counsel in August 2012 and was promoted to COO in January 2018.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers chief operating officer and general counsel Ed Policy will take over as the team’s president and CEO next year following the retirement of Mark Murphy. Policy, the son of former San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns president Carmen Policy, will assume the role when the NFL’s only publicly owned franchise holds its…

Midwest Flooding Collapses A Rail Bridge, Forces Evacuations And Kills At Least 1

(AP) — A railroad bridge collapsed during flooding in the Midwestern U.S. that has forced water rescues, led to evacuations, caused at least one death and brought additional misery during a vast and stubborn heat wave. The bridge connecting North Sioux City, South Dakota, with Sioux City, Iowa, collapsed into the Big Sioux River late Sunday, an emergency manager said….

78 Countries at Swiss Conference Agree Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity Must Be Basis of Any Peace

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that negotiations with Russia “can start tomorrow” as long as Putin withdraws troops from Ukrainian territory.

OBBÜRGEN, Switzerland (AP) — Nearly 80 countries called Sunday for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia’s two-year war, though some key developing nations at a Swiss conference did not join in. The way forward for diplomacy remains unclear. The joint communique capped a two-day conference marked by the absence of Russia, which was not invited. Many…

Biden Campaign and Jill Biden to Make Stop in Duluth Thursday, Extending Outreach to Older Voters

Biden campaign and Jill Biden launch outreach to older voters with bingo nights and pickleball games.

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Jill Biden is kicking off her husband’s outreach to older voters, an effort that will blend rallies and phone banks with social events like bingo nights and pickleball games. While President Joe Biden is in Italy attending the Group of Seven summit, the first lady will travel to four swing states to launch the Seniors…

Biden Calls For Solidarity With Ukraine At D-Day Anniversary Ceremony Near The Beaches Of Normandy

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France (AP) — President Joe Biden marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday by pledging “we will not walk away” from the defense of Ukraine and allow Russia to threaten more of Europe. “To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators, is simply unthinkable,” he said during a ceremony at the American cemetery in Normandy. “If we were to…

Wisconsin Attorney General Files Felony Charges Against Attorneys, Aide Who Worked For Trump In 2020

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul filed felony forgery charges Tuesday against two attorneys and an aide who helped submit paperwork falsely saying that former President Donald Trump had won the battleground state in 2020. The charges were filed against attorneys Kenneth Chesebro, 62, and Jim Troupis, 70, and former Trump aide Mike Roman, 51, who allegedly…

Prosecutors To Dismiss Charges Against Minnesota Trooper Who Shot Motorist Ricky Cobb

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors plan to dismiss murder and manslaughter charges against a white Minnesota state trooper who fatally shot Ricky Cobb II, a Black motorist, as Cobb tried to pull away from a traffic stop, saying the decision comes in response to recent statements from the trooper’s attorney and new analysis of video from the scene. Hennepin County Attorney Mary…

Vikings Reach Agreement with Jefferson on 4-Year Extension to Give Him NFL’s Richest Non-QB Contract

Star wide-receiver will be highest paid NFL player--who is not a quarterback.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Jefferson became the latest player to cash in on the league-wide push for elite pass catchers. Matching the historic start to his career, Jefferson will be paid — for now — like no one else at his position. The Minnesota Vikings and their superstar wide receiver agreed Monday to a four-year extension, the richest contract in…

Minneapolis Mass Shooting Suspect Identified

Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota law enforcement on Saturday identified the man who they believe fatally shot a Minneapolis officer in what police are calling an ambush. Minnesota Public Safety Department spokesperson Bonney Bowman named 35-year-old Mustafa Mohamed as the suspected shooter. He was later shot and killed by another responding officer. Minneapolis officer Jamal Mitchell was responding…

Donald Trump Tries To Turn His Guilty Verdict Into Campaign Fuel And Attacks Criminal Justice System

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump launched into attacks on the judge in his criminal trial and continued to undermine New York’s criminal justice system Friday as he tried to repackage his conviction on 34 felony charges as fuel, not an impediment, to his latest White House bid. Trump spoke to reporters at his namesake tower in Manhattan on Friday, his return…

Doncic’s 36 Points Spur Mavericks to NBA Finals with 124-103 Toppling of Timberwolves in Game 5

Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the third-seeded Wolves.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Luka Doncic had a 20-point first quarter on his way to 36 points for his high this postseason, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 on Thursday night to breeze through the Western Conference finals in five games. Kyrie Irving also scored 36 points for the Mavericks, who built a 29-point halftime lead on 61%…

Guilty: Trump Becomes First Former U.S. President Convicted Of Felony Crimes

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex. Jurors deliberated for 9.5 hours over two days before…

Minnesota Beats Boston 3-0, Wins Inaugural Walter Cup as Professional Women’s Hockey League champs

Former Bulldog Michela Cava made it 2-0 midway through the third period.

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup. Three nights after prematurely celebrating a would-be game-winner in double overtime that was waved off for goaltender interference, Minnesota finished the job…

Jury In Donald Trump’s Hush Money Case Asks To Rehear Testimony As Deliberations Get Underway

NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Donald Trump’s hush money trial asked to rehear testimony Wednesday less than four hours after beginning deliberations in the first criminal case against a former American president. The four requests included testimony related to a 2015 meeting at Trump Tower where a tabloid publisher agreed to identify negative stories about Trump so that they could…

Towns, Edwards Lift Wolves Over Mavs 105-100 to Avoid Sweep in West Finals

Karl-Anthony Towns finally found his rhythm, and the Timberwolves finally closed a game in the Western Conference finals.

DALLAS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns finally found his rhythm, and the Timberwolves finally closed a game in the Western Conference finals. Now they head back to Minnesota to see if they can make things even more interesting against Dallas. Towns scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half and the Wolves held off the Mavericks 105-100 on Tuesday…

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving Each Score 33 Points as Mavs Beat Wolves for 3-0 Lead in West Finals

No team in NBA playoff history has rallied from 3-0 down.

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic lunged for the ball after a steal by Anthony Edwards, knocking it far enough away to create a scramble and a jump ball the Dallas superstar won. The Mavericks made all the big plays again — on both ends of the court — and are a win away from their first trip to the NBA…

Muller Scores Late in 2nd OT, Lifting Boston Over Minnesota to Send PWHL Finals to Decisive Game 5

The final game is Wednesday in Boston.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Alina Muller scored 18:36 into the second overtime to give Boston a 1-0 win over Minnesota on Sunday night, sending the battle for the Walter Cup as the first Professional Women’s Hockey League champion to a fifth game. The final game is Wednesday in Boston. Theresa Schafzahl picked off a loose puck before she exited…

Biden Says Each Generation Has To ‘Earn’ Freedom, In Solemn Memorial Day Remarks

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden marked Memorial Day with a pledge that the United States would continue the work of the nation’s fallen toward creating a more perfect union, “for which they lived, and for which they died for.” Delivering remarks at a solemn remembrance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Biden said each generation must ensure the sacrifice of the country’s…

At Least 21 Dead In Memorial Day Weekend Storms That Devastated Several US States

(AP) — A series of powerful storms swept over the central and southern U.S. over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, killing at least 21 people and leaving a wide trail of destroyed homes, businesses and power outages. The destructive storms caused deaths in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky and were just north of an oppressive, early season heat wave setting records from…

Doncic Lifts Mavericks with Go-Ahead 3 with 3 Seconds Left to Top Wolves 109-108 for 2-0 Lead

Naz Reid went 7 for 9 from 3-point range for 23 points, but his last try at the buzzer rimmed in and out to send the Wolves to Dallas for Game 3 on Sunday in a big hole.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Luka Doncic hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with Rudy Gobert guarding him at the top of the key with 3 seconds left, posting his fifth triple-double of the playoffs to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 109-108 victory and a 2-0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals on Friday night. Doncic had 32 points,…

Minnesota Tops Boston 4-1, Grabs 2-1 Lead in Inaugural PWHL Championship Series

Minnesota will host Game 4 in the best-of-five series on Sunday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Michela Cava and Taylor Heise both had a goal and an assist to lead Minnesota to a 4-1 victory over Boston on Friday night, giving their team a 2-1 lead in the inaugural championship series of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Minnesota will host Game 4 in the best-of-five series on Sunday. Game 5, if…

Doncic Leads Strong Close by Mavericks for 108-105 Win Over Wolves in Game 1 of West Finals

The Mavericks might not be the favorites in yet another series, but they stole home-court advantage from the Minnesota Timberwolves with this promising start.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Luka Doncic led a strong finish for the Dallas Mavericks, swishing crucial shots down the stretch, drawing a couple of fouls and even playing strong defense. The Mavericks might not be the favorites in yet another series, but they stole home-court advantage from the Minnesota Timberwolves with this promising start. Doncic had 15 of his 33 points…

Jaques Scores Twice and Hensley Posts a Shutout as Minnesota Tops Boston 3-0 to Even PWHL Finals

Michela Cava and Sophie Jaques scored less than two minutes apart late in the first period.

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — Michela Cava and Sophie Jaques scored less than two minutes apart late in the first period and Minnesota beat Boston 3-0 on Tuesday night to even the PWHL championship series at a game apiece. Nicole Hensley made 20 saves in relief of Maddie Rooney, who was in net the previous five games, two of them shutouts….

Boasting the Top Defense in the NBA, Two Timberwolves Earn All-Defensive Honors

It was Gobert's seventh All-Defense pick, all of them as a member of the first team.

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama’s latest accolade was like none other. The San Antonio center has become the first player in NBA history to make the league’s All-Defensive first team as a rookie. The league announced the teams on Tuesday, and Wembanyama appeared on 98 of the 99 ballots cast. Defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert of Minnesota…

Biden Releasing 1 Million Barrels Of Gasoline From Northeast Reserve In Bid To Lower Prices At Pump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Tuesday that it is releasing 1 million barrels of gasoline from a Northeast reserve established after Superstorm Sandy in a bid to lower prices at the pump this summer. The sale, from storage sites in New Jersey and Maine, will be allocated in increments of 100,000 barrels at a time. The approach will…

Target To Lower Prices On Thousands Of Basic Items As Inflation Sends Customers Scrounging For Deals

(AP) — Target plans to cut prices on thousands of consumer basics this summer, from diapers to milk, as inflation cuts into household budgets and more Americans pay closer attention to their spending. The price cuts, already applied to 1,500 items, will eventually include 5,000 food, drink and essential household goods. Target and other retailers are increasingly catering to customers…

Iran’s president, foreign minister and others found dead at helicopter crash site

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and several other officials were found dead on Monday, hours after their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest, state media reported. The crash comes as the Middle East remains unsettled by the Israel-Hamas war, during which Raisi, who was 63, under Supreme…

Healey’s goal in 2nd period gives Boston 4-3 win in first game of PWHL championship series

The best-of-five series continues Tuesday

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — Jess Healey scored from the point late in the second period to lift Boston to a 4-3 win over Minnesota on Sunday night in the first game of the inaugural Walter Cup, the championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Championship. The best-of-five series continues Tuesday. Game 1 drew 4,508 fans. Healey, a defenseman who had…

Edwards leads Wolves back from 20-point deficit for 98-90 win over defending NBA champion Nuggets

The Timberwolves overcame a 15-point halftime deficit, the largest comeback in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history

DENVER (AP) — Anthony Edwards overcame a slow start and the Timberwolves roared back from a 20-point second-half deficit to eliminate the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets 98-90 in a Game 7 Minnesota masterpiece on Sunday night. The Timberwolves overcame a 15-point halftime deficit — the largest comeback in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history — behind Edwards, who…

Heise Scores 2 Goals as Minnesota Beats Toronto 4-1 to Advance to PWHL Finals

Minnesota will take on Boston in the six-team league's inaugural Walter Cup final. The best-of-five series opens Sunday in Boston.

TORONTO (AP) — Taylor Heise scored twice, including tiebreaking goal in the third period, as Minnesota beat Toronto 4-1 on Friday night to advance to the PWHL’s Walter Cup final. Denisa Krizova and Sophia Kunin also scored for Minnesota, which fell behind 2-0 in the series before winning three straight. Maddie Rooney stopped 27 shots. Minnesota will take on Boston…

Timberwolves Force Game 7 by Blowing Out Nuggets 115-70 Behind 27 Points from Anthony Edwards

The decisive game for a spot in the Western Conference finals is in Denver on Sunday night.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 27 points to pull the Minnesota Timberwolves out of their mid-series slump and deliver a flawless 115-70 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night to force a Game 7 in this roller-coaster playoff matchup. Jaden McDaniels pitched in 21 points and lockdown defense, and Mike Conley had 13 points in his return from…

Trump Will Stump In Minnesota, Traditionally Blue State He Insists He Can Win

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s planned campaign visit to Minnesota on Friday will mark his return to a traditionally Democratic state that he has long argued he could carry. Trump will take a break from his hush money trial in New York to speak at the Minnesota GOP’s annual Lincoln Reagan fundraising dinner. Tickets start at $500, ranging…

Biden Visits Wisconsin To Laud A New Microsoft Facility, Meet Voters — And Troll Trump

RACINE, Wisc. (AP) — President Joe Biden raced into yet another battleground state Wednesday, continuing to push a contrast with Donald Trump on economic policy as his own reelection campaign readies a new $14 million advertising blitz aimed in part at Black, Latino and Asian American voters. Biden traveled to Racine, Wisconsin, where he’ll highlight a decision by Microsoft to…

Rudy Gobert Wins Record-Tying 4th Defensive Player of the Year Award

It was the fifth time in the last 11 seasons that a French center won defensive player of the year.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- (AP) Rudy Gobert made some history. Victor Wembanyama nearly did. Gobert, the Minnesota center, was announced Tuesday as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for a record-tying fourth time — joining Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace. It was the fifth time in the last 11 seasons that a French center won defensive…

The Number Of Fish On US Overfishing List Reaches An All-Time Low, Mackerel And Snapper Recover

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The number of fish on the government’s overfishing list sunk to a new low last year in a sign of healthy U.S. fisheries, federal officials said. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released an updated analysis of American fisheries late last week via its annual “Status of the Stocks” report, which provides an assessment of the…

Minnesota Legislators Consider Constitutional Amendment To Protect Abortion And LGBTQ Rights

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Democrats have introduced far-reaching legislation to add abortion and LGBTQ rights to the state’s constitution in hopes of making it much harder for future lawmakers to repeal these and other rights in the future. The Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment was introduced last week and has its first legislative hearing Monday. It would be among…

Arrests Of Israel-Hamas War Protesters Exceed 2,300 As Police Clear More US Campus Encampments

NEW YORK (AP) — Police ordered pro-Palestinian protesters to abandon a tent encampment at New York University early Friday, following weeks of demonstrations and police crackdowns at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in more than 2,300 arrests. About a dozen protesters who refused police orders to leave were arrested and about 30 more left voluntarily, according to NYU spokesperson John Beckman….

Pacers Celebrate 1st Playoff Series Victory in a Decade, Beating Bucks 120-98 in Game 6

Indiana went 8-3 against the Bucks this season and handed Milwaukee its second straight first-round exit.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Obi Toppin scored 21 points, T.J. McConnell had 20 points and nine assists and the Indiana Pacers won a playoff series for the first time in a decade, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 120-98 in Game 6 on Thursday night. The Pacers will face the winner of the Philadelphia-New York series in the Eastern Conference semifinals. New York…

US Drug Control Agency Will Move To Reclassify Marijuana In A Historic Shift, AP Sources Say

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, The Associated Press has learned, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple effects across the country. The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and…

Police: 4 Officers Killed, 4 Wounded In Shootout At North Carolina Home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Four officers trying to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and four other officers were wounded in a shootout in North Carolina. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said the officers killed the suspect outside the Charlotte home Monday after he fired on them. Jennings says officers who rushed to…

Global Negotiations On A Treaty To End Plastic Pollution At Critical Phase In Canada

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — For the first time, negotiators from most of the world’s nations are discussing the text of what is supposed to become a global treaty to end plastic pollution. Delegates and observers at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution called it a welcome sign that talk has shifted from ideas to treaty language at this fourth of five…

Packers Take Arizona Offensive Tackle Jordan Morgan with 25th Overall Pick in NFL Draft

Morgan is the first offensive lineman the Packers have selected in the first round since they took Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod with the 32nd overall pick in 2011.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — As he developed into an offensive lineman capable of getting drafted in the first round, Jordan Morgan says he spent plenty of time watching former Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari. Now the former Arizona tackle may get a chance to fill Bakhtiari’s old spot on Green Bay’s offensive line. The Packers departed from…

Vikings Trade Up Twice in NFL Draft, They Take Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy, Alabama Edge Dallas Turner

McCarthy went 27-1 as a college starter and won last season's national championship with Michigan.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings took Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night, moving up one spot in a trade with the New York Jets to make sure they didn’t miss out on their most dire need. The Vikings then made a bigger jump later in the first round…