US & World News

Los Angeles OKs One of Strictest Us Vaccination Mandates

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Los Angeles leaders have voted to enact one of the nation’s strictest vaccine mandates. The sweeping measure requires the shots for everyone entering bars, restaurants, nail salons, gyms, and even a Lakers game. The City Council on Wednesday voted 11-2 in favor of the ordinance. Supporters say it’s a way of preventing more COVID-19 surges. Critics…

Student Taken Into Custody Hours After Texas School Shooting

(Arlington Police Department via AP) ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Police in Texas have arrested a student suspected of opening fire during a fight at his Dallas-area high school, leaving four people injured. Police say 18-year-old Timothy George Simpkins fled from Timberview High School in Arlington and drove away in a 2018 silver Dodge Charger after the Wednesday morning shooting. Simpkins…

Texas High School on Lockdown Amid Reports of Shooting

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A Dallas-area school district said Wednesday that law enforcement was responding to reports of an “active shooter situation” at a high school. The Mansfield Independent School District said in a news release that Timberview High School was on lockdown Wednesday morning. The school is in Arlington, which is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. An…

J&J Seeks US Clearance for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses

WASHINGTON (AP) – Johnson & Johnson has asked U.S. regulators to allow booster shots of its COVID-19 vaccine as the U.S. government moves toward shoring up protection in more vaccinated Americans. J&J said Tuesday it filed data with the Food and Drug Administration on giving a booster dose between two to six months after vaccination. The U.S. government last month…

Biden Lifts Abortion Referral Ban on Family Planning Clinics

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration is reversing a ban on abortion referrals by federally funded family planning clinics. Monday’s action by the Department of Health and Human Services lifts a Trump-era restriction as political and legal battles over abortion grow sharper from Texas to the U.S. Supreme Court. Groups representing the clinics say they hope the…

After 40 Powerball Drawings, Will Someone Win $685M Jackpot?

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – After 40 drawings without a big Powerball winner, maybe the 41st attempt will be different. Thanks to nearly four months of futility, Monday’s Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $685 million, making it the eighth largest in U.S. lottery history. No one has won the game’s grand prize since June 5….

3 From Lindstrom, Minnesota Arrested in Jan. 6 Us Capitol Riot

LINDSTROM, Minn. (FOX 9) – The FBI in Minneapolis said agents have arrested three more Minnesotans on charges related to the Jan. 6 riot at the United States Capitol. Isaac Westbury, Robert Westbury, and Aaron James, all from Lindstrom, were arrested Monday morning. A total of eight Minnesotans have now been arrested for their roles in the Jan. 6 riot,…

Ex-Facebook Manager Alleges Social Network Fed Capitol Riot

(Robert Fortunato/CBS News/60 Minutes via AP) NEW YORK (AP) – Facebook prematurely turned off safeguards designed to thwart misinformation and rabble-rousing after Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in last year’s elections in a moneymaking move that a company whistleblower alleges contributed to the deadly Jan. 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol. The whistleblower, former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen, also…

Powerball Jackpot Rises to $635M Due To Ticket-Buying Surge

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The giant Powerball jackpot has grown even bigger, with officials raising the estimated payout to $635 million ahead of Saturday night’s drawing. The grand prize was raised Friday from an earlier estimate of $620 million, reflecting a surge in sales from players attracted by the potential payoff. While the jackpot increases, the…

Justice Kavanaugh Tests Positive for COVID, Has No Symptoms

The high court said in a press release Friday that Kavanaugh has no symptoms and has been fully vaccinated since January. Kavanaugh and all the other justices had a routine coronavirus test ahead of Friday’s ceremonial investiture for Justice Amy Coney Barrett. The court says Kavanaugh’s wife and daughters are also fully vaccinated, and they tested negative on Thursday. The…

Hyundai-Kia Recall: Turn Signal Can Flash in Wrong Direction

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling more than 550,000 cars and minivans in the U.S. because the turn signals can flash in the opposite direction of what the driver intended. The recall covers Hyundai’s Sonata midsize car from the 2015 through 2017 model years and Sonata gas-electric hybrids from 2016 and 2017. Kia’s Sedona minivan from 2015 through…

Facebook Exec Defends Policies Toward Teens on Instagram

WASHINGTON (AP) – Facing lawmakers’ outrage against Facebook over its handling of internal research on harm to teens from Instagram, a Facebook executive is telling Congress that the company is working to protect young people on its platforms. And she disputes the way a recent newspaper story describes what the research shows. Antigone Davis, Facebook’s head of global safety, was…

US Unemployment Claims Rise Third Straight Week to 362,000

WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose for the third straight week, a sign that the highly contagious delta variant may be slowing the job market’s recovery. The Labor Department said Thursday that claims were up by 11,000 last week to 362,000 the previous week. Since topping 900,000 in early January, applications have mostly fallen…

Judge Suspends Britney Spears’ Father From Conservatorship

(courtesy: The Associated Press) LOS ANGELES (AP) – A judge has suspended Britney Spears’ father from the conservatorship that has controlled the singer’s life and money for 13 years. Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny agreed Wednesday with a petition from Spears and her attorney that James Spears needs to give up his role as conservator. The move is a major…

Dollar Tree Breaks the $1 Barrier as Costs Take a Bite

(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) – Dollar Tree, the national chain of stores that promises everything for a buck, will begin introducing items on its shelves that will exceed $1. The company said this week that it’s responding to customer requests and said pushing the $1 barrier will allow for a better mix of products. “For decades, our…

St. Luke’s Employees Booster Up; Eligible Public Starts Tuesday

People over 65, adults with certain underlying medical health conditions, and those who work in environments with increased risk of COVID-19 are eligible for booster shots.

DULUTH, Minn.- Pfizer booster shots have begun going into the arms of healthcare workers in the Northland, as eligible members of the public start getting those shots Tuesday. “I think it’s really a great step, it’s gonna help with everything that’s coming this winter and it’s just gonna help keep our community that much safer,” said Kelly Zapp, St. Luke’s…

Facebook Puts Instagram for Kids on Hold After Pushback

(AP) – Instagram is putting a hold on the development of Instagram kids, geared towards children under 13, so it can address concerns about the vulnerability of younger users. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, wrote in a blog post on Monday that a delay will give the company time to “work with parents, experts, policymakers and regulators, to listen…

Texas Law Limits Medication Abortions as Near-Ban Remains

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday lauded another new abortion law that tightens limits on abortion-inducing medications, creating an additional layer of restrictions after a near-total ban on abortion in the state began this month. The new restrictions, which take effect in December, shrinks the window when doctors and clinics in Texas can give abortion-inducing medication…

FBI Issues Arrest Warrant for Brian Laundrie

(The Moab Police Department via AP) (FOX NEWS) – On Thursday evening FBI Denver posted on Twitter, “On September 22, 2021, the U.S. District Court of Wyoming issued a federal arrest warrant for Brian Christopher Laundrie pursuant to a Federal Grand Jury indictment related to Mr. Laundrie’s activities following the death of Gabrielle Petito.” On September 22, 2021, the U.S….

Police: Shooting at Tennessee Store Kills One, Injures 12; Shooter Dead

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A shooting at a Tennessee grocery store east of Memphis left one person dead and injured 12 others Thursday afternoon, and the shooter was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said the shooting broke out at a Kroger store in that suburban community about 30 miles east…

Target Trims Holiday Hiring Goals

NEW YORK (AP) – Target will hire fewer seasonal workers this year and will instead offer more hours to current employees. The move, announced Thursday, is in response to its permanent workers wanting more hours, the company said. About 100,000 seasonal workers will be hired nationwide, the company said Thursday, about 30,000 less than last year. Many of those workers…

‘Tiger King 2’ Is Coming to Netflix

The second season was filmed in 2020 and into part of 2021

(courtesy: Twitter/Netflix) (CNN) – Get ready all you cool cats and kittens, Netflix has announced: “Tiger King 2” is coming to the streaming service. The first season of the series, “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness,” was told over seven episodes. The second season was filmed in 2020 and into part of 2021. It’s not known which colorful characters from…

Biden Meeting With Democrats as $3.5T Plan Faces Party Split

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden plans to meet with Democrats from the House and Senate as Congress works to bridge party divisions over his big $3.5 trillion “build back better” agenda. The afternoon meeting Wednesday comes ahead of crucial voting deadlines. The House is to vote soon on the first part of Biden’s plan – a…

Beloved ‘Sex and the City’ Actor Willie Garson Dies at 57

(Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File) LOS ANGELES (AP) – Willie Garson, who played Stanford Blatch on TV’s “Sex and the City” and its movie sequels, has died at the age of 57. His son, Nathen Garson, announced his death on Tuesday but didn’t provide details. Garson portrayed Blatch, a talent agent and the best male friend to Sarah Jessica Parker’s…

In Edgy Washington, Police Outnumber Jan. 6 Protesters

The fence around the Capitol was put back up, the city police force was fully activated and Capitol Police requested assistance from the National Guard.

WASHINGTON (AP) – With Washington still on edge after the Jan. 6 insurrection, law enforcement bore down in large numbers on the Capitol over concerns that a rally in support of the jailed rioters would turn violent. It didn’t. The crowd Saturday was sparse, incidents few. The fence around the Capitol was put back up, the city police force was…

FDA Advisory Panel Rejects Widespread Pfizer Booster Shots

WASHINGTON (AP) – An influential federal advisory panel has rejected a plan to offer Pfizer booster shots against COVID-19 to most Americans. The vote Friday, 16-2, was a blow to the Biden administration’s plan to shore up people’s protection against the virus amid the highly contagious delta variant. Over several hours of discussion, members of the Food and Drug Administration…

US Unemployment Claims Rise After Hitting Pandemic Low

WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits moved up last week to 332,000 from a pandemic low, a sign that worsening COVID-19 infections may have slightly increased layoffs. Applications for jobless aid rose from 312,000 the week before, the Labor Department said Thursday. Jobless claims, which generally track the pace of layoffs, have fallen steadily for two…

‘SNL’ Alum Norm Macdonald Dead at 61

(Fox News) (FOX NEWS) – Norm Macdonald, known for his time on “Saturday Night Live,” has died, Fox News can confirm. He was 61 years old. According to Deadline, the comedian had been battling cancer for nine years. Macdonald’s longtime producing partner and friend Lori Jo Hoekstra was reportedly at his side when he passed. “He was most proud of…

Powerball Jackpot Grows to $432M After No One Wins Monday Drawing

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Fox 9) – Feeling lucky? The Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $432 million after no lucky winner claimed Monday night’s drawing. The winner, who must match numbers on five white balls (1-69) and the red Powerball (1-26), also has the option to claim a one-time lump sum payment of an estimated $313.5 million. The next drawing…

Taco Bell Wants Customers To Return Used Sauce Packets for Recycling

IRVINE, Calif. (Fox TV/Fox 9) – Taco Bell has an ambitious, potentially industry-altering idea, but they need help to pull it off. The restaurant chain is partnering with TerraCycle to launch a recycling program for its used sauce packets. Customers are asked to sign up for a TerraCycle account, completely fill a cardboard box or any recyclable container, download and…

Superior Fire, Police Remember Lives Lost, First Responders’ Ultimate Sacrifice on 9/11

343 New York firefighters were among those who perished. On Saturday in front of Superior Fire's headquarters, 343 flags waved in the wind at the cars passing by.

  SUPERIOR, Wis.- On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, first responders in Superior gathered to honor the lives lost, and ensure future generations never forget the ultimate sacrifice of the law enforcement and firefighters. At the sound of the bugle, the flag at U.W.S. lowers to half-staff. Members of the Superior Fire and…

Taliban: Women Can Study In Gender-Segregated Universities

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Women in Afghanistan can continue to study in universities, including at post-graduate levels, but classrooms will be gender-segregated and Islamic dress is compulsory, the Taliban government’s new higher education minister said Sunday. The announcement came as a Taliban official said Qatar’s foreign minister arrived in the Afghan capital of Kabul — the highest level visitor since…

US Marks 20 Years Since 9/11, in Shadow of Afghan War’s End

The commemoration at ground zero began with a tolling bell and a moment of silence, exactly 20 years after the start of the deadliest act of terror on U.S. soil.

NEW YORK (AP) – Americans are solemnly marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11, just weeks after the fraught end of the Afghanistan war that followed the terror attack. The commemoration at ground zero began with a tolling bell and a moment of silence, exactly 20 years after the start of the deadliest act of terror on U.S. soil. The milestone…

Sweeping New Vaccine Mandates for 100 Million Americans

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden is announcing sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery. The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to…

FDA Delays Decision on E-Cigarettes From Vaping Giant Juul

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal health officials have delayed a high-stakes decision on whether to permit bestselling vaping brand Juul to stay on the market. At the same time, the agency banned thousands of lesser-known electronic cigarettes and related products from store shelves. Parents, politicians, and anti-tobacco advocates have pressured the Food and Drug Administration for years to ban Juul’s high-nicotine…

United Airlines Lays Out Vaccination Rules for Employees

Airline's 67,000 employees have until Sept. 27 to get vaccinated

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) (FOX Business) – United Airlines says that more than half its employees who weren’t vaccinated last month have gotten their shots since the company announced that vaccines would be required. The airline’s 67,000 U.S.-based employees face a Sept. 27 deadline for getting vaccinated. United said Wednesday, however, that employees whose bids for exemptions based on…