News

What to know about the recovery efforts in Alaska following ex-Typhoon Halong

The mass evacuation by military aircraft of hundreds of residents from Alaska villages ravaged by the remnants of Typhoon Halong is complete. Officials and local leaders are turning attention to trying to stabilize damaged infrastructure and housing where they can before the winter freeze sets in. The remnants of Halong battered parts of western Alaska, hitting especially hard the villages Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. The Alaska Federation of Natives at its recent gathering passed a resolution urging support of expansive, urgent and ongoing help for the region.

The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump’s ballroom

The White House has started tearing down part of the East Wing to build the ballroom President Donald Trump wants added to the building. Demolition started Monday. Dramatic photos showed construction equipment tearing into the East Wing façade and windows and other building parts in tatters on the ground. Some reporters watched from a nearby park. The Republican president has said he’s adding a 90,000-square-foot ballroom because the East Room, the largest room in the White House with an approximately 200-person capacity, is too small. Trump said last week that the ballroom will fit 999 people.

Minnesota Millionaire Raffle is back with 20,000 prizes

ROSEVILLE, Min. – Tickets for the Minnesota Lottery’s annual Minnesota Millionaire Raffle go on sale Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at approximately 5:00 a.m. For the first time, 20,000 prizes are up for grabs. There’s a new $20,000 prize tier. You odds of winning a prize are now 1 in 50.00. One million Raffle tickets will go on sale. Each ticket costs…

Business dealings listed within Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant arson case

Steven W Kastern Covering Surveillance Camera SUPERIOR, Wis. & SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – In the indictment of Steven and Kimberly Kastern for the fire at Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant, there were a number of business dealings mentioned.  The was a fire at the establishment on June 10, 2025. The couple were arrested on October 17, 2025 and were…

Disney+ and Hulu cancellations rose after ABC briefly pulled ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

Disney+ and Hulu subscription cancellations rose during the month that ABC briefly cancelled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” according to data from subscription analytics company Antenna. ABC pulled the show off the air for less than a week in September in the wake of criticism over his comments related the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Antenna estimates total cancellations in September were 4.1 million for Hulu and 3 million for Disney+. The “churn rate,” or the percentage of customers that cancel their subscriptions in a specific month, jumped from 5% in August to 10% in September for Hulu. That figure jumped 4% in August to 8% in September for Disney+.

One Tech Tip: How to prepare for outages that impact our online lives, from banking to chatting apps

An Amazon Web Services outage on Monday disrupted many online platforms, affecting banking services, chat apps, and more. These outages can be short-lived but stressful, especially for those moving money or working online. AWS is a major cloud provider, and experts stress the importance of diversifying online services and having backup plans. Keeping money in multiple accounts and having cash on hand can help during financial service disruptions. For communication, maintaining updated SMS contacts is wise. Storing work across multiple platforms can reduce headaches. Monitoring service updates and checking outage trackers can also be useful.

US man arrested in Scotland and convicted of rape gets at least 5 years in prison

A U.S. man authorities say faked his death and fled to the United Kingdom to avoid rape charges has been sentenced to at least five years in prison. It’s the first sentence of two recent rape convictions for Nicholas Rossi. District Judge Barry Lawrence sentenced Rossi to no less than five years and up to life in prison. He noted Utah has “indeterminate sentencing,” meaning the sentence is given in a range of years. Rossi goes by several aliases. His legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian. Authorities doubted an online obituary that claimed Rossi died in 2020. Rossi still awaits sentencing on a September conviction for raping a different woman in Utah around the same time in 2008.

Kevin Federline says his sons with Britney Spears are the reason for his new memoir

Britney Spears’ ex-husband Kevin Federline is telling his side of their time together in a new memoir being released Tuesday. Federline says in an interview with The Associated Press that he remained silent because of their two sons, but now that they’re adults he feels an obligation to tell the whole story. In the book he describes the media frenzy that came with their two-year marriage. He writes that Spears called her ex Justin Timberlake the night before their wedding. He writes that she frightened their sons with erratic behavior that sometimes tipped into abuse. Spears says Federline’s book is full of “white lies” aimed at making money.

US appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon troops though deployment blocked for now

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops, but he’s still barred from actually deploying those troops — at least for now. A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Another order prohibits Trump from sending any Guard troops to Oregon at all. The administration says it will now ask for that order to be dissolved. Oregon’s attorney general said he would ask a broader appeals court panel to reconsider the ruling.

Comey’s lawyers say case against him is driven by Trump’s ‘personal animus’ and must be thrown out

Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey are urging a judge to dismiss the case against him. In court papers Monday, they called it a vindictive prosecution motivated by “personal animus” and orchestrated by a White House determined to seek retribution against a perceived foe of President Donald Trump. The lawyers separately called for the indictment’s dismissal because of what they said was the illegitimate appointment of the U.S. attorney who filed the case days after being hastily named to the job by Trump. The double-barrel attack on the indictment, which accuses Comey of lying to Congress five years ago, represents the opening salvo in what is expected to be a protracted court fight ahead of a trial currently set for Jan. 5.

6th Avenue East Re-opens with Safety in Mind

DULUTH, Minn. — 6th avenue east is officially open now. The resurfacing project added vegetated medians, reduced the lanes to 3, updated crossings for ADA compliance, and replaced lead water service lines. These changes make walking and crossing 6th avenue much safer for pedestrians. According to the project webpage, 20% of Duluth’s Pedestrian deaths in the past ten years have…

Owner of Hog Wild BBQ covered surveillance camera prior to fire at the business: Indictment

Steven W Kastern Covering Surveillance Camera SUPERIOR, Wis. & SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – Surveillance video allegedly shows Steven W. Kastern taking steps to cover-up the alleged arson of the Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant on June 10, 2025. A DVR system in the office stored surveillance recordings from, “approximately 14 cameras throughout the establishment” was key in the indictment….

Appellate judges question moves to keep Alina Habba in place as top New Jersey prosecutor

Federal appeals court judges questioned the Trump administration’s maneuvers to keep the president’s former lawyer, Alina Habba, in place as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor. The three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sitting in Philadelphia didn’t immediately issue a ruling after the arguments. The hearing was attended in person by Habba, who sat in front of the judges during the proceeding. The hearing is the most recent development in President Donald Trump’s administration’s effort to keep his preferred candidate in the role of U.S. attorney for New Jersey, a powerful post that oversees criminal and civil law enforcement.

United States and Australia sign critical-minerals agreement as a way to counter China

President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have signed a critical-minerals deal at the White House. The United States is eyeing Australia’s rare-earth resources as China imposes stricter export rules on its critical minerals. Monday’s White House meeting comes after Beijing announced this month that foreign companies must get approval to export magnets with rare-earth materials from China. Trump administration officials say this gives China control over the tech supply chain. The two leaders also discussed a security pact with Australia, the U.S. and the United Kingdom that was signed during  Joe Biden’s Democratic administration. Trump noted that AUKUS was established “a while ago” but that the agreement now is “moving along very rapidly, very well.”

Louvre remains closed one day after jewel heist

The Louvre remained closed Monday after historic jewels were stolen in a daring daylight heist. Thieves used a basket lift to access the museum, smashed display cases, and fled with Napoleonic jewels. The theft occurred Sunday, just 30 minutes after the museum opened. French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged security failures. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez ordered a reassessment of security measures at cultural sites. Investigators are working on evidence, including motorcycles found at the scene. Culture Minister Rachida Dati said the heist lasted less than eight minutes and was highly efficient.

Government shutdown imperils dozens of Head Start preschool programs

Head Start programs that serve more than 58,000 of the nation’s neediest preschoolers are facing a cutoff of federal funding at the end of the month because of the government shutdown. That would leave many programs scrambling to figure out how to keep their doors open. The early education initiative relied upon by hundreds of thousands of families is funded almost entirely by the federal government, making it particularly vulnerable to funding disruptions. The programs are run by schools, local governments and nonprofits. They receive new grants annually and are not allowed to carry over unspent money.

Purdue’s Smith earns unanimous AP preseason All-America honors, joined by Texas Tech’s Toppin

Purdue guard Braden Smith has been named a unanimous preseason All-American by The Associated Press. He earned all 57 votes from a media panel. This recognition comes after Smith decided to return to Purdue for another shot at a national championship. Last season, he became the first player in NCAA history to achieve at least 550 points, 300 assists, 150 rebounds and 75 steals in a season. Smith is joined on the All-America team by Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa and Florida forward Alex Condon.

France’s former president Sarkozy will begin serving a 5-year prison sentence Tuesday

Nicolas Sarkozy is set to become the first former French president in living memory to be imprisoned. He begins a five-year sentence Tuesday in Paris’ La Santé prison. Convicted of criminal conspiracy for financing his 2007 campaign with Libyan funds, Sarkozy maintains his innocence. The Paris judge ruled he must start serving time without waiting for his appeal due to the seriousness of the offense. Sarkozy will likely be held in solitary confinement in the prison’s section for vulnerable inmates for security reasons.

Amazon cloud computing outage disrupts Snapchat, Ring and many other online services

LONDON (AP) — A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world early Monday, taking down dozens of online services, including social media site Snapchat, the Roblox and Fortnite video games and chat app Signal. About three hours after the outage began, Amazon Web Services said it was starting to recover from the problem. AWS provides behind-the-scenes…

What to know about Rodrigo Paz, the centrist who shot from obscurity to Bolivia’s presidency

Three months ago, Rodrigo Paz was a little-known Bolivian opposition senator with a famous father and a mixed reputation as mayor. Now he’s the first conservative to win a presidential election in the country in 20 years. To widespread surprise, the centrist Paz, 58, beat out his far more prominent right-wing opponent, former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, to clinch a victory in Bolivia’s presidential runoff on Sunday. He becomes Bolivia’s next head of state on Nov. 8. The centrist inherits an economy in shambles after 20 years of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism party, founded by charismatic former President Evo Morales.

Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns

  FILE – The Supreme Court in Washington, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said on Monday that it will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest firearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights. President Donald Trump’s administration asked the justices to revive…

2 injured in Aurora rollover

AURORA, Minn. — A serious single-vehicle rollover accident in St. Louis County left two injured. The crash sent a 38-year-old Eveleth man to the hospital and airlifted a 52-year-old Aurora woman to a hospital in Duluth. Officials say the crash happened around 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening in the 5800 block of Highway 100 south of Aurora. One of the victims…

UK royals and government face pressure to formally strip Prince Andrew of his titles

Prince Andrew has renounced his titles, including Duke of York, after discussions with King Charles III. But many critics say that is not enough. There is pressure on Buckingham Palace and the British government to formally strip Andrew of his titles and force him out of his luxurious home because of his ties with Jeffrey Epstein. Some politicians are calling for Parliament to formally remove his dukedom and for the king to strip Andrew of his right to be a prince, Meanwhile, Andrew faces more scrutiny as Virginia Giuffre’s memoir detailing allegations against him is released on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy says his meeting with Trump was ‘positive’ though he didn’t get the Tomahawk missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week was “positive,” highlighting what he sees as continued American interest in economic deals with Kyiv. Zelenskyy says Trump backed away from sending long-range missiles to Ukraine after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine hopes to buy Patriot air defense systems from American firms, using frozen Russian assets and partner assistance. Trump supports a freeze along the current front line, which Zelenskyy sees as positive. Zelenskyy also mentions U.S. interest in bilateral gas projects and other energy-related initiatives.

A mysterious airstrip built on a Yemeni island comes as Houthi rebels are increasingly squeezed

Satellite images reveal a new airstrip under construction on Yemen’s Zuqar Island in the Red Sea, likely by forces opposed to the country’s Houthi rebels. This airstrip adds to a network of offshore bases in a region crucial for international shipping. The Iran-backed Houthis have attacked over 100 ships in the area. The airstrip could enhance aerial surveillance over the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The United Arab Emirates, linked to similar projects, has not commented on the new airstrip. The construction coincides with increased efforts to intercept cargo bound for the Houthis, potentially aiding anti-Houthi forces in countering smuggling activities.

Guerrero hits 6th postseason homer and Blue Jays beat Mariners 6-2 to force Game 7 of ALCS

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his sixth home run this postseason, rookie Trey Yesavage struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings and the Toronto Blue Jays forced a Game 7 in the American League Championship Series by beating the Seattle Mariners 6-2. The series will be decided Monday night in Toronto, the second Game 7 in Blue Jays history. Toronto lost to Kansas City in the 1985 ALCS. Seattle, the only big league team without a pennant, will play in a Game 7 for the first time. The winner faces the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series beginning Friday. Addison Barger homered and drove in three early runs, and the Blue Jays turned three double plays behind Yesavage — two of them to escape bases-loaded jams.

Photo highlights from the U20 World Cup soccer final in Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — This photo gallery, curated by AP photo editors, highlights images from the U20 World Cup in Chile, where Morocco beat Argentina to win its first title. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer AP photography: https://apnews.com/photography Categories: US & World News

Sheriff: Arson Investigation at Hog Wild BBQ in Solon Springs Leads to Arrest of Owners

SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. — An arson investigation is underway after a June fire at Hog Wild BBQ & Smokehouse in Solon Springs.  And the suspects are the owners. On Friday, Douglas County Sheriff Matt Izzard told FOX 21 that Steven and Kimberly Kastern, the owners of How Wild, were arrested for the fire at their establishment.  Also on Friday, Dist….

Pumpkin Train Forced to Strike Vehicle at Duluth Crossing

DULUTH, Minn. — The North Shore Scenic Railroad’s (NSSR) last Pumpkin Train of the season got an unexpected delay Sunday after a driver ignored safety signals and ultimately got clipped by the train in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood, according to train officials. “Always assume that there is a train coming. Stop fully. Don’t go to a soft stop, stop fully. Look…

‘Dance TV’ Performs Halloween Edition at Zeitgeist in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The heat was on, the music was turned up and the competition was fierce Saturday night at Dance TV’s Halloween edition at Zeitgeist in downtown Duluth. Dance TV produces live theatrical productions that take you behind the scenes of a fictional hit television show, Dance TV. The audience serves as the live studio audience and is immersed…

Advice to feed babies peanuts early and often helped 60,000 kids avoid allergies, study finds

A study that upended medical practice by recommending feeding babies peanut products early to prevent allergies has had a big effect in the real world. About 60,000 children have avoided developing potentially life-threatening allergies after such guidance was first issued in 2015. A new study in the medical journal Pediatrics found that peanut allergies in children ages 0 to 3 declined by more than 27% after guidance was first issued, and by more than 40% after it was expanded in 2017. For decades, doctors had recommended delaying feeding children peanuts and other foods likely to trigger allergies until age 3.

Thousands Attend ‘No Kings’ Protests in Duluth, Cities Across Northland

NORTHLAND — Thousands of protesters gathered at rallies in the Northland Saturday for the “No Kings” demonstrations against what they see as the government turning into authoritarianism under President Donald Trump.   In Duluth, thousands filled the courtyard outside City Hall, the St. Louis County Courthouse and the Federal Building.  Click the video above to see an drone’s view.  Click the…

Haunted shack bringing fall screams

CARLTON, Minn. — The Haunted Shack is back for its 32nd season, to bring spooky activities to the Twin Ports. The haunted attraction is located on a working farm that is transformed each year to bring people from around the Midwest out for some fun. The festivities include the haunted shack, corn maze, haunted hay ride, petting zoo, and outdoor…

To hit back at the United States in their trade war, China borrows from the US playbook

China has expanded its export rules on rare earths, requiring foreign firms to get approval for exporting products containing even small amounts of China-originated materials. This move mirrors the U.S.’s foreign direct product rule, which restricts China’s access to certain U.S. technologies. Experts say China is adopting U.S. strategies in trade disputes. Since 2018, China has developed laws and policies to retaliate in trade conflicts, similar to U.S. practices. These include the Unreliable Entity List and the Anti-Foreign Sanction Law. While these tools help China counter U.S. actions, they also risk escalating tensions.

Jalen Hurts jump-starts the Eagles by passing for 326 yards and 3 TDs in a 28-22 win vs. Vikings

Jalen Hurts gave his lagging offense a jolt by throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns, Jalyx Hunt returned an interception for a score, and the Philadelphia Eagles rebounded from back-to-back losses by hanging on to beat the Minnesota Vikings 28-22 on Sunday. Hurts went 19 for 23 in the highlight-reel revival of the passing attack that helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl last season. He hit A.J. Brown for two touchdowns and DeVonta Smith for a career-high 183 receiving yards that included a 79-yard score. Carson Wentz was picked off twice on an erratic afternoon for the Vikings.

Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield meet again in a matchup of castoff QBs who found success with new teams

Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield were picked No. 1 overall in the NFL draft two years apart, had postseason success with their teams, got traded and revived their careers in new cities. They’ve become the standard for castoff quarterbacks. Goff and Mayfield go head-to-head Monday night when the Detroit Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a potential preview of the NFC championship game. There’s a lot of mutual respect between the two quarterbacks. Goff led the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl in the 2018 season — they lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

George Santos says he’s humbled but dismisses ‘pearl clutching’ critics

Freed from the prison where he had been serving time for ripping off his campaign donors, former U.S. Rep. George Santos says he’s humbled by his experience behind bars. But he says he’s also unconcerned about the “pearl clutching” of critics upset that President Donald Trump granted him clemency. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Santos said Sunday that if Trump “had pardoned Jesus Christ off the cross, he would have had critics.” Santos won office after inventing a bogus persona as a Wall Street dealmaker. He was serving a 7-year prison sentence for fraud and identity theft when Trump ordered him released him Friday.

AP Top 25 gets an overhaul behind No. 1 Ohio State; Vandy is a top-10 team for 1st time since 1947

Vanderbilt is now a top-10 team in college football for the first time since 1947. The Commodores’ rise comes after a weekend where nine teams in The Associated Predss Top 25 lost. Ohio State remains No. 1 for the eighth straight week after defeating Wisconsin 34-0. Four top-10 teams lost in the same week for the third time this season. Indiana is up to a program-record No. 2 and Texas A&M moved to No. 3 for its highest ranking since 1995. Alabama and Georgia also climbed. Vanderbilt is 6-1 and off to its best start since 1950.

Horror sequel ‘Black Phone 2’ dials up a No. 1 opening

Universal Pictures says Sunday that “Black Phone 2” has topped the North American box office with an estimated $26.5 million in ticket sales. The film starring Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames opened in 3,411 theaters and received positive reviews four years after the original became a sleeper success. It’s a much needed hit for Blumhouse after a string of dissapointments this year including “M3GAN 2.0.” The overall box office is up about 4% compared to last year, despite a slow October. “Black Phone 2” also earned $15.5 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to $42 million against a $30 million budget.

Limp Bizkit band members say bass player Sam Rivers has died

Limp Bizkit band members say bass player Sam Rivers died on Saturday. His bandmates are praising him as “pure magic” and “the soul in the sound.” Lead singer Fred Durst says Rivers’ musical gift is going to keep on giving. The 48-year-old Rivers had previously left the band in 2015 due to liver disease but rejoined three years later. Limp Bizkit is scheduled to tour Central and South America starting in late November. Limp Bizkit has roots in Jacksonville, Florida. It emerged in the late 1990s with a  sound that melds altenative rock, heavy metal and rap.

Thieves hit the Louvre again. Here’s a look at other famous heists in museums worldwide

Thieves reportedly stole nine pieces from the jewelry collection of Napoleon and the Empress in the Louvre, using a basket lift to reach the museum. The daring heist at the world’s most visited museum occurred Sunday morning as tourists were inside the Galerie d’Apollon. The Louvre has a long history of thefts and attempted robberies. The most famous came in 1911, when the Mona Lisa vanished from its frame. It was later recovered. Other famous heists worldwide occurred at Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Berlin’s Bode Museum, England’s Blenheim Palace and Dresden’s Green Vault.

Trump calls Colombia’s Petro an ‘illegal drug dealer’ and announces an end to US aid to the country

President Donald Trump says he’ll slash U.S. funding to Colombia because the country’s leader “does nothing to stop” drug production. In a social media post Sunday, Trump referred to Colombian President Gustavo Petro as “an illegal drug dealer” who is “low rated and very unpopular.” He warned that Petro “better close up” drug operations “or the United States will close them up for him, and it won’t be done nicely.”

Bolivia heads to the polls in a tight runoff as voters seek a president to lift them from crisis

Bolivia is about to swing to the right after almost two decades of being governed by the Movement Toward Socialism party. The question that voters must answer in Sunday’s presidential runoff is how far to the right and how fast. The two front-runners from the August election facing off in this second round are former right-wing president Jorge “Tuto ”Quiroga and centrist senator Rodrigo Paz. Both are conservative and business-friendly candidates. But they have different ideas about how to dig Bolivia out of its worst economic crisis in 40 years. The Andean nation is crippled by a shortage of U.S. dollars. Imports are scarce. Inflation has soared. And fuel lines paralyze the country.

South African rowers of color become first to compete at Charles, part of larger trend toward access

Five athletes are becoming the first from South Africa to compete in the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston as part of a crew comprised of all people of color. The event is part of a multinational effort to expand access to one of the most exclusive, elite sports. In recent years, diversity initiatives have expanded in rowing. The first all-Black women’s 8+ from the U.S. competed at the Charles in 2022. Lwazi-Tsebo Zwane, a 23—year-old from Germiston, South Africa, said he and his boatmates feel very aware of the fact that they are role models for younger rowers.

How Americans are feeling about their chances on the job market, according to an AP-NORC poll

Americans are increasingly worried about their ability to find a good job under President Donald Trump. That finding from an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs poll is a potential warning sign for the Republican president and his party as a promised economic boom is giving way to hiring freezes and higher prices. About half of U.S. adults are “not very confident” or are “not at all confident” they could find a good job if they wanted to. That’s up from 37% when the same question was asked two years ago. People also worried about high prices for groceries, housing and gasoline, and rising electricity bills.

The next major film studios could be in Nevada if some unions have their way

Trade unions in Nevada want the state to offer tax incentives to major film studios to bring more movie making to the Vegas area. They are pushing for lawmakers to pass a $95 million tax credit proposal as part of a planned special session. Major studios like Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. say they will build a production studio in the Vegas suburbs if the incentives are available. Nevada unions say it would bring badly needed jobs and attract more tourists to the state. Still, Nevada would have to compete with California and cities like Atlanta that already offer robust financial perks to movie studios.