US & World News

Without the song, 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald' may have been largely forgotten

Without Gordon Lightfoot’s song, the Edmund Fitzgerald could have faded from memory along with the names of the roughly 6,500 other ships that went down in the Great Lakes before it. Lightfoot was inspired to write his ode to the Fitzgerald and the 29 men who died on board after reading the first Associated Press story about the wreck and a Nov. 24, 1975, article in Newsweek magazine. His song was released in August 1976, less than a year after the ship was lost. John Bacon, author of “The Gales of November,” says the song has made the Edmund Fitzgerald “by far the most famous Great Lakes shipwreck.”

Top photos of Halloween celebrated around the world

From a daytime techno underground rave in Ukraine and pumpkin carving in Romania to a bash hosted by the U.S. President and his wife at the White House, the U.S. Halloween tradition is celebrated around the world. This is a…

Bucks' Kevin Porter Jr. likely to miss a month after injuring his knee

Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to be out for a month after injuring the meniscus in his right knee while working his way back from a sprained left ankle. Porter hasn’t played since injuring his ankle in the first quarter of the Bucks’ season-opening win over the Washington Wizards. The Bucks announced Friday that Porter hurt his knee Thursday during his on-court, return-to-play training. The 25-year-old now will undergo what the Bucks described as a “minor orthopedic procedure” on his knee

'Where would America be without us?' A community of refugees is stunned by White House limits

In Minneapolis, where Somali refugees helped revitalize entire neighborhoods, the community was stunned by the presidential order capping annual refugee admissions at 7,500, the lowest number since the program began in 1980. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali community in the United States, roughly 87,000 people according to the latest census figures, most of whom live in the Minneapolis area. They have been coming to Minnesota, often as refugees, since the 1990s, drawn by generous social services and an ever-growing diaspora community. They have become increasingly prominent in the state. Somali-Americans have served on the Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils. They are in the state legislature. Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar represents part of the state in the U.S. House.

Disney pulls ABC, ESPN and more from YouTube TV as talks break down

YouTube TV viewers have lost access to Disney channels, including ABC and ESPN, after contract talks broke down. Other channels like the Disney Channel, FX, and Nat Geo have also disappeared. YouTube TV announced Thursday that Disney followed through on a threat to suspend its content during negotiations. YouTube claims Disney used the blackout threat to push for higher prices, benefiting its own streaming services like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. YouTube TV expressed disappointment and urged Disney to work towards a fair agreement. Subscribers will receive a $20 credit if Disney content remains unavailable for a long time.

Wisconsin becomes the 36th state to limit cellphones in schools

Wisconsin has become the 36th state to limit cellphones and other electronic devices in school. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed the bill Friday. The bill was passed with bipartisan support. It requires districts to prohibit phone use during class time. Evers signed it despite some opposition from some Democrats in the Legislature who said controlling gun violence should be a higher priority than banning cellphones. This school year alone, new restrictions on phone use in schools went into effect in 17 states and the District of Columbia.

SNAP has provided grocery help for 60-plus years; here's how it works

The SNAP program has been a major piece of the U.S. social safety network since it launched as the food stamp program in 1964. It’s been in the spotlight like never before since President Donald Trump’s administration announced in October that it would not fund benefits in November due to a government shutdown. The program serves low-income people. The money is loaded onto debit cards that can be used only for groceries and plants and seeds for gardens. Work requirements for the benefits are becoming more stringent and some states are about to start barring the purchase of soda and candy with the benefits.

Monkey escape in Mississippi gives a glimpse into the secretive world of animal research

The recent escape of several research monkeys after the truck carrying them overturned on a Mississippi interstate is the latest glimpse into the secretive world of animal research. The escape is one of three in the U.S. over the past four years. Three monkeys remain missing since the truck crashed on Tuesday along Interstate 59 in Mississippi, spilling crates labeled “live monkeys.” Five of the 21 Rhesus macaques were killed during the search. Authorities haven't disclosed the driver or company involved, or the monkeys' destination. Tulane University confirmed the monkeys had been housed at its research center, but said it did not own them.

Militia attack on hospital in Darfur came in waves, WHO says

The World Health Organization reports that gunmen who reportedly killed at least 460 people at a hospital in Sudan's Darfur region returned three times to the facility during their assault. The attack happened Tuesday, the same day the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group, captured the provincial capital after a long siege. Witnesses describe waves of violence, including house-to-house assaults and summary executions. The Rapid Support Forces deny the hospital killings, claiming they are caring for patients. Since the capture of El-Fasher, humanitarian access has been blocked, and many residents have fled. The U.N. migration agency estimates over 62,000 people have fled the area amid high insecurity.

Wisconsin judge puts on hold ruling that required citizenship check of voters

A Wisconsin judge has put on hold his order that requires elections officials to verify the citizenship of all 3.6 million registered voters in the battleground state before the next statewide election in February. It now appears unlikely that the case will be resolved before elections in February and April. It may remain in limbo beyond the 2026 midterm election. The state Justice Department, headed by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, sought the stay while the case is being appealed. The attorney for two citizens who brought the lawsuit did not object while several other legal issues are pending.

Trump declines to clarify if the US will conduct tests of its nuclear weapons

President Donald Trump has declined to say whether he plans to resume underground nuclear detonation tests. He had seemed to suggest that was a possibility in a social media post this week. The post raised concerns the U.S. would begin testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades. The president told reporters, “You’ll find out very soon” when he was asked about it. Trump said, “We’re going to do some testing” and “Other countries do it. If they’re going to do it, we’re going to." But he refused to offer more details. He spoke aboard Air Force One as he headed to Florida on Friday for the weekend.

Photos show Hurricane Melissa's impact on the Caribbean

People across the northern Caribbean tried to salvage waterlogged belongings, assess damage to their homes and find food and water as they dug out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa. Melissa slammed Jamaica on Tuesday as a catastrophic Category 5…

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