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September 30, 2025.

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington looks on before the team's baseball game against the Houston Astros Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Ron Washington won’t return as Angels manager after 2 seasons cut short by health issues

Ron Washington will not return for a third season as the manager of the Los Angeles Angels. The team announced the move on Tuesday. Washington missed roughly half of the current season after undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery. The Angels said they will hire a new manager for 2026, which means interim manager Ray Montgomery also won’t get the job. The 73-year-old Washington was the oldest manager in the majors during his two seasons with the Angels, who hired him in November 2023. Los Angeles had the worst season in franchise history in 2024, going 63-99 after the free-agency departure of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

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President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump administration blames Democrats for shutdown in official government warnings as deadline nears

The Trump administration is using government communications to blame Democrats for a potential U.S. government shutdown. On Tuesday, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website displayed a message accusing “The Radical Left” of wanting a shutdown. It raised questions about possible Hatch Act violations, which limit partisan activities by federal employees. HUD officials pushed back on those claims, noting the banner did not refer to an election and did not mention any party or politician by name. Federal agencies have been urged to consider permanent staff reductions for programs not aligned with the president’s priorities. The approach is more aggressive than previous shutdowns, where non-essential workers were furloughed but returned once funding was restored.

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President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House before signing an executive order regarding childhood cancer and the use of AI, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump pulls nomination of E.J. Antoni to lead Bureau of Labor Statistics, AP source says

The White House is withdrawing the nomination of E.J. Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an AP source says. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the White House action, which hasn’t been publicly announced. Antoni’s nomination was an attempt by Trump to gain greater control over the federal agency responsible for producing key economic data, including the monthly jobs report and consumer price index, which is used to measure inflation. The White House has maintained that it wants accurate figures after a series of downward revisions to the jobs report, but Trump has maintained that the numbers were rigged to undermine him politically.

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This photo provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts on Feb. 26, 2025. (ICE via AP)

Iowa schools leader held by ICE steps down as he fights deportation

The public schools superintendent of Des Moines, Iowa, has resigned while challenging his deportation after being detained by immigration authorities. According to his lawyer, Ian Roberts believed his case was resolved. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained him last week, saying the Guyana native was living and working in the U.S. illegally. The school board had voted to put him on unpaid leave. Roberts said he submitted his resignation Tuesday to avoid causing a distraction for the school district. His lawyer cautioned that the “very complex case” will take time to investigate.

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President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump administration says Minnesota violates Title IX by allowing trans athletes in girls sports

President Donald Trump’s administration has accused Minnesota of violating federal law by allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services claim this breaches Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination. The agencies found that transgender athletes have participated in various girls sports, including skiing and lacrosse. The administration initiated this investigation after Trump issued an executive order in February. The Minnesota State High School League has stated it will follow state law, not the executive order. The federal agencies have given the state 10 days to comply or face enforcement action.

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A landslide on a coastal bluff is shown from an aerial view on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Hundreds of feet of coastal bluff in California fell toward the ocean in landslide-stricken town

A wealthy enclave in Southern California that has been threatened for years by worsening landslides faced more land movement this week, but it suffered minimal damage. Four backyards in Rancho Palos Verdes were damaged Saturday evening by significant soil movement from the sinking land, but there was no structural damage to homes and no injuries reported. City officials said the event was unrelated to the continual land movement known as the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, about 4 miles away, that has wreaked havoc on scores of multimillion-dollar homes perched over the Pacific Ocean. The movement’s cause is still under investigation.

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Journalist L. Vural Elibol receives medical assistance after being shoved by federal agents in immigration court on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

Federal agents grab and shove journalists outside NYC immigration court, sending one to hospital

Federal agents grabbed and shoved journalists in a hall outside a New York City immigration court, sending one to the hospital. The episode Tuesday at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan is the latest clash between authorities enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and members of the public seeking to observe their actions. According to video and witnesses, a photographer identified as L. Vural Elibol of the Turkish news agency Anadolu hit his head on the floor after agents pushed one journalist off an elevator and shoved another into Elibol, knocking him to the ground. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the agents’ actions, saying they were being “swarmed by agitators and members of the press, which obstructed operations.”

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University of South Florida names sole finalist for president amid closed-door selection process

Another Florida university has announced a sole finalist in the search for its next president. The search committee for the University of South Florida in Tampa named longtime academic Moez Limayem as the only contender for the post on Tuesday. Unlike other candidates nominated to lead Florida’s public universities in recent months, Limayem has not served as a Republican elected official. He is currently the president of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Limayem previously served as the dean of USF’s college of business for a decade. It’s not publicly known who else applied, because the selection of university presidents largely happens behind closed doors in Florida.

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Researchers turn human skin cells into eggs — but not yet usable ones

Oregon scientists used human skin cells to create fertilizable eggs, a step in the quest to develop lab-grown eggs or sperm to one day help people conceive. But the experiment resulted in abnormalities in chromosomes, prompting the Oregon Health & Science University team to caution it could take a decade of additional research before such a technique might be ready for trials in people. They are already working to improve the technique. The work was published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. It may offer lessons as scientists try to learn to create eggs and sperm for the infertile or to help same-sex couples have children genetically related to both partners.

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FILE - Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., listens before a hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means on Capitol Hill, March 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Rep. David Schweikert joins Trump-backed candidates in GOP primary for Arizona governor

Rep. David Schweikert is joining an already crowded field in the GOP primary for Arizona governor. The race includes two Donald Trump-backed candidates — lobbyist and housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson and House Freedom Caucus member Andy Biggs. Schweikert tells The Associated Press that he’s running in part because he can do more good leading Arizona than trying to work in a dysfunctional Congress. The GOP primary winner will likely face Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in the general election. Schweikert’s seat is one of the few that’s highly competitive, raising Democratic hopes of flipping the narrow GOP House majority next year.

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Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki- hits a home run during the fifth inning of Game 1 of a National League wild card baseball game against the San Diego Padres Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)

Suzuki and Kelly hit back-to-back homers as the Cubs top the Padres 3-1 in playoff opener

Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series. Chicago also got a perfect performance from its bullpen in the franchise’s first playoff win since the 2017 National League Championship Series. The Cubs were swept by Miami in the wild-card round in 2020 during their last postseason appearance. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is back at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon. The Padres finished with four hits in the opener.

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Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers are seen at a staging center for law enforcement on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)

New Orleans police official says crime is down after governor requests National Guard troops

A top New Orleans police official is welcoming the idea of working with federal troops deployed to Louisiana’s largest city. But New Orleans Police Department Assistant Superintendent Hans Ganthier pushed back on the suggestion that the city’s crime rate is up and says it’s unclear how the military would be used. Ganthier responded Tuesday to Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who is urging federal authorities to deploy up to 1,000 troops to the state. Landry’s request for federal troops contrasts with reactions from leaders in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, who have pushed back against President Donald Trump’s plan to expand troop deployments into U.S. cities.

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FILE - Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes looks on during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, FIle)

Dallas Wings fire Chris Koclanes after 10-34 record in his only season as coach

The Dallas Wings have fired coach Chris Koclanes after going 10-34 in his only season. That was with rookie star Paige Bueckers, who was named WNBA Rookie of the Year after being selected No. 1 overall in the draft. Koclanes had more than a decade of experience as an assistant coach in the WNBA and Division I women’s basketball when he was hired last December. Wings general manager Curt Miller says a change in leadership at this time was best for the organization. Koclanes worked with Miller in Connecticut on his staff from 2016-22 and helped the Sun reach the WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022.

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FILE - This March 16, 2015 photo shows a "now leasing" sign outside an apartment complex near Millville, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)

FTC sues Zillow and Redfin over deal it accuses of supressing competition in rental ads

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is suing Zillow and Redfin, accusing them of an illegal deal to suppress competition in online rental advertising. The FTC filed the lawsuit on Tuesday, alleging the agreement began in February when Zillow paid Redfin $100 million. The deal allegedly required Redfin to end contracts with advertising partners and stop competing ads for multifamily properties. The FTC claims this violates federal antitrust laws and could lead to higher prices and fewer choices. Zillow and Redfin, meanwhile, both argue that their partnership benefits renters.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the second inning of Game 1 of the American League Wild Card baseball playoff against the Cleveland Guardians series in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Tarik Skubal’s 14 strikeouts propel Tigers past Guardians in Game 1 of AL Wild Card Series

Tarik Skubal tied Detroit’s postseason record with 14 strikeouts and the Tigers beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Tuesday in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series. Will Vest got the final four outs for Detroit, surviving a tense ninth inning after Cleveland star Jose Ramírez got hung up between third base and home for the second out. The Tigers can advance to the AL Division Series for the second straight year with a win Wednesday. Detroit scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning when Zach McKinstry’s safety squeeze scored Riley Greene from third.

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FILE - A cotton picker moves through Chris Hopkins' cotton field, Dec. 6, 2024, near Lyons, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)

Georgia farmers will get $531M in Hurricane Helene aid, but the deal’s not done yet

Georgia farmers are still waiting for aid after Hurricane Helene, even as other states finalize agreements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Georgia officials announced $531 million for Georgia farmers on Tuesday. However, unlike South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, Georgia hasn’t completed an agreement on distributing the funds. Officials are still ironing out administrative details. The delays have frustrated farmers, who have faced financial stress and low crop prices. The September 2024 storm caused significant damage across several states, with Georgia’s poultry industry being a major target for additional aid.

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Panos Panay, senior vice president of devices and services at Amazon, speaks during an Amazon event in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Amazon unveils new generation of AI-powered Kindle and other devices

Online juggernaut Amazon Inc. unveiled its next generation of Kindle, Ring and Echo devices, among other gadgets, that are all powered by artificial intelligence and connected to Alexa+, its AI-infused personal assistant, which made its debut in February. The lineup, announced at a presentation and showcase in New York, includes new cameras for its Ring video monitoring device with a new AI facial recognition feature that allows users to register friends and family and notify them who is at the front door. Amazon’s effort to infuse more AI into its device line-up is part of technology’s latest craze as all the industry’s major players jockey to gain the upper hand.

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This undated image provided by the Horry County Jail shows Brandon Council. (Horry County Jail via AP)

South Carolina prosecutor seeks death penalty in murder case after Biden reduced sentence to life

A local prosecutor in South Carolina plans to seek the death penalty against a man whose federal death sentence for killing two bank employees was commuted to life in prison by President Joe Biden. Brandon Council was not in court Tuesday when prosecutors announced they would ask a jury for the death penalty if he is convicted of murder in state court. Biden reduced death sentences for 37 federal inmates, including Council, in December. This led Solicitor Jimmy Richardson to pursue new indictments against Council in August, opening the door to a state death penalty trial. Families and law enforcement have expressed anger over Biden’s decision.

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A Waymo vehicle drives past a No U-Turn sign in San Bruno, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

California police pull over a self-driving Waymo for an illegal U-turn, but they can’t ticket

Police in Northern California pulled over a self-driving Waymo taxi after it made an illegal U-turn. But without a driver behind the wheel, they could not issue a moving violation ticket. The San Bruno Police Department wrote up the weekend encounter in social media posts that have gone viral. Police said that their “citation books don’t have a box for ‘robot’.” State law requires moving violations be issued to drivers or operators. A new state law that kicks in next year will allow law enforcement to report moving violations to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Waymo is owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet.

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FILE - Actor Frances Fisher holds a sign that says "AI is not art" at a rally by striking writers and actors outside Paramount studios in Los Angeles on July 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

‘AI actor’ Tilly Norwood stirs outrage in Hollywood

Like thousands of actors, Tilly Norwood is looking for a Hollywood agent. But unlike most young performers aspiring to make it in the film industry, Tilly Norwood is an entirely artificial intelligence-made character. Norwood, dubbed Hollywood’s first “AI actor,” is the product of a company named Xicoia, which bills itself as the world’s first artificial intelligence talent studio. Since the Dutch producer and comedian Eline Van der Velden launched the digital character’s prospective career, Tilly Norwood has been all the talk in Hollywood. But not in a good way. Guilds, actors and filmmakers have met the Xicoia product with an immediate wave of backlash, protesting that AI should not have a starring role in the acting profession.

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FILE - Dr. George Smoot, professor of Physics at the University of California Berkeley, gestures during a media conference Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Nobel laureate George Smoot, who researched the universe’s origins at UC Berkeley, dies at 80

Nobel laureate Dr. George Smoot, who conducted groundbreaking research into the origins of the universe, has died. He was 80. The University of California, Berkeley, says Smoot died Sept. 18 in Paris of a heart attack. Along with John Mather of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Smoot won the 2006 Nobel Prize for physics for finding the background radiation that finally pinned down the Big Bang theory of the universe’s beginning. Smoot joined the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory soon after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970. Lab director Mike Witherell says Smoot “spent a distinguished career uncovering the secrets of the universe.”

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Shotsie Buck-Hayes sits beside defense attorney Edward Lavado in the General District Courtroom in during a preliminary hearing in Danville, Va., Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. He is charged with setting a city councilman on fire in July. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

Grand jury to hear case against man accused of setting Virginia city councilman on fire over affair

A judge finds that there is enough probable cause for a man charged with dousing a Virginia city councilman in gasoline and setting him on fire to have his case be sent to a grand jury. The 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes is charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding in the attack against Councilman Lee Vogler. Authorities in court said on Tuesday the motive for the July attack appeared to stem from a relationship between Vogler and Buck-Hayes’ wife. The wife filed for divorce from Buck-Hayes in the weeks leading up to the attack.

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New York Yankees' Cam Schlittler pitches during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Flamethrowers rule mound as right-hander average 4-seam fastball reaches 95 mph

Flamethrowers have dominated the mound in the major leagues this year. The average four-seam fastball among right-handed pitchers has reached 95 mph for the first time. According to MLB Statcast, average velocity has increased for seven straight seasons. Reliever Mason Miller, traded from Oakland to San Diego in July, reached 100 mph with a big league-high 422 pitches. A study released by MLB last December concluded that rising velocities and maximum effort are likely causes of the vast increase in pitcher injuries. Home runs rose to 1.16 per game, while stolen bases and strikeouts per team per game dropped.

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Equatorial Guinea Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

No. 2 US diplomat meets much-prosecuted West African leader after visa restrictions were eased

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has met with the heavily prosecuted vice president of Equatorial Guinea in Washington after the Trump administration approved a waiver of corruption sanctions. The State Department said Tuesday that Landau met with Teodoro “Teddy” Nguema Obiang a day earlier and “reaffirmed joint commitments to deepen commercial and economic ties, combat illegal immigration, and advance security cooperation.” Obiang is accused of pilfering his impoverished country’s resources to feed a lifestyle of luxury cars, mansions and superyachts. But he was given a temporary pass on U.S. corruption sanctions to travel to the U.N. General Assembly and a few U.S. cities.

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Little remained of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel the day after a former Marine opened fire and set the building ablaze in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)

Victims of Michigan church shooting include a grandfather who was a Navy veteran

One of four people killed in the attack on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Michigan is being remembered as a grandfather who adored his family. Friends say John Bond was among those who died Sunday when a former Marine smashed his truck into the church and began shooting. Friends said in a GoFundMe posting that Bond was a Navy veteran and well-known in the community. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims or the eight people who were wounded and expected to survive. Federal investigators remained on the scene Tuesday in Michigan’s Grand Blanc Township as heavy machinery began moving debris from the church.

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FILe - Then-Chief Baseball Officer of the Boston Red Sox Chaim Bloom talks with a reporter before the baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees Friday, June 16, 2023, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

Chaim Bloom takes over as president of baseball operations for the St. Louis Cardinals

Chaim Bloom says the St. Louis Cardinals will be sticking to their roots to get back to October baseball. Bloom has been in line since last year to become the organization’s president of baseball operations. He spoke to the media Tuesday as he takes over a team that finished the season 78-84, fourth in the NL Central and missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Bloom served as an advisor to the organization this season. He is taking over for John Mozeliak.

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A Brown University police vehicle parks near campus, in Providence, R.I., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi)

Lawsuit against Brown University sparks debate on campus police secrecy at private colleges

A new lawsuit against Brown University has sparked debate over the secrecy of law enforcement at private colleges. Unlike public institutions, private universities often don’t have to disclose arrest records or incident reports. This lack of transparency has been criticized by watchdog groups. The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island is challenging this practice, arguing that Brown’s police should comply with public records laws. Brown has filed a motion to dismiss the suit. Currently, only a few states require private college police departments to follow public records laws. The ACLU is representing journalists denied access to Brown’s arrest reports.

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Europe's Rory McIlroy celebrates after a putt on the fifth hole at Bethpage Black golf course during the Ryder Cup golf tournament, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Ryder Cup has been getting out of control for years. New York took to it a new level

Rory McIlroy took the most abuse from the New York fans at the Ryder Cup and at times he gave it back. It was loud. What made Bethpage Black stand out is that it was lewd. But this has been building. McIlroy once tried to get a fan removed for saying something nasty to him at Hazeltine in the 2016 Ryder Cup. He thinks golf should be held to a higher standard. But it won’t be easy getting fans on both sides to stop this recent practice of cheering bad shots right when they happen.

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Shoppers walk by a clothing store, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

US consumer confidence declines again as Americans fret over prices, job market

U.S. consumer confidence declined again in September as Americans’ pessimism over inflation and the weakening job market grew again. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell by 3.6 points to 94.2 in September, down from August’s 97.8. That’s a bigger drop than analysts were expecting and the lowest reading since April, when President Donald Trump rolled out his sweeping tariff policy. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market fell to 73.4, remaining well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. Consumers’ assessments of their current economic situation dipped by 7 points to 125.4.

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Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing that President Donald Trump's presidential library be built in a parking lot that is currently used by Miami-Dade College staff and faculty and is adjacent to the Freedom Tower, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Florida officials gift prime Miami real estate for Trump’s presidential library

Florida officials have agreed to set aside nearly three acres of prime real estate in downtown Miami for the future presidential library of President Donald Trump. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the members of the Florida Cabinet approved the move Tuesday. The Miami-Dade County property appraiser values this property now slated for Trump’s post-administration archives at more than $66 million. It’s in an iconic area, next to the historic Freedom Tower along a palm tree-lined stretch of Biscayne Boulevard, overlooking the bay. The land had been owned by Miami Dade College and used as a parking lot for employees.

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Scientists find ancient life-size animal rock carvings in the Saudi Arabian desert

Researchers have discovered life-size rock carvings of camels, gazelles and other animals in Saudi Arabia. The carvings date back around 12,000 years and many are over 6 feet tall. Scientists say they were created using a wedge-shaped rock to make sharp lines. Scientists weren’t sure if humans lived in the desert during this time period since conditions were dry and water was scarce. The art and tools show that people lived in the area about 2,000 years earlier than previously thought, though it’s not yet clear how they survived. The findings were published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

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Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, second from right, yells at officials as she is restrained by Lynx associate head coach Eric Thibault, center, and Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman, right, after being ejected after earning a second technical foul during the second half of Game 3 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series game against the Phoenix Mercury Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

WNBA fines Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve a record $15,000 for conduct and comments: AP Source

Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve has been fined $15,000 by the WNBA for her comments and conduct after her team’s Game 3 semifinal loss to the Phoenix Mercury, a person familiar with the penalty tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement was made. The fine is believed to be the biggest for an individual coach or player in league history. The WNBA doesn’t publicize the amount of fines. Additionally, Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White and Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon were fined $1,000 each for their public comments on WNBA officiating in which they defended Reeve.

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FILE - Guests ride on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, file)

Family’s attorney questions Universal’s response to roller coaster injuries after man’s death

Attorney Ben Crump has announced that multiple people have contacted the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man who died from blunt force injuries on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe on September 17, to share similar stories. Crump revealed that a woman reached out, claiming she lost consciousness and suffered neck and spine injuries shortly after the ride opened in May. Crump questioned Universal’s response to these reports. Universal stated that their internal findings showed the ride systems functioned normally. Crump is calling for greater government oversight of large corporations like Universal and Disney.

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A hiring sign is displayed at a post office in Schaumburg, Ill., Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

US job openings barely budged in August at 7.2 million

U.S. jobs openings were essentially unchanged million last month amid economic uncertainty arising from President Donald Trump’s trade policies and an impending government shutdown. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that job openings blipped up to 7.23 million from  7.21 million in July. Economists had forecast a drop to 7.1 million. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) showed that layoffs fell month. But so did the number of poeple quitting their jobs — which is a sign of confidence in their prospects of finding a better job. Job openings remain at healthy levels but have fallen steadily since peaking at a record 12.1 million in March 2022 as the U.S. economy roared back from COVID-19 lockdowns.

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FILE - Chat GPT app icon is seen on a smartphone screen, Aug. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, file)

OpenAI’s ChatGPT now lets users buy from Etsy, Shopify in push for chatbot shopping

OpenAI is transforming ChatGPT into a virtual merchant to boost online commerce revenue. Users can now buy directly from Etsy sellers through the chatbot and will soon be able to do the same with Shopify sellers. Competing with Amazon and Google for purchase fees could provide a new income stream for OpenAI, which hasn’t yet turned a profit. The company is collaborating with Stripe on technical standards for its “Instant Checkout” system. OpenAI says ChatGPT won’t favor specific items, considering factors like availability and price.

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President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives at the White House, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Groups press for release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump’s classified documents case

A First Amendment group and watchdog organization is pressing a federal appeals court to compel the release of a Justice Department special counsel’s report on the criminal investigation into President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Even though the case against Trump was dismissed last year, the volume of special counsel Jack Smith’s final report detailing his findings has remained under wraps because of an order from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. The case accused Trump of hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate and thwarting government efforts to retrieve them but Cannon threw out the charges, concluding Smith’s appointment was illegal.

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Europe's Rory McIlroy celebrates after a putt on the 15th hole during their singles match on the Bethpage Black golf course at the Ryder Cup golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Farmingdale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Winning a road Ryder Cup is only a big accomplishment for the Americans

Rory McIlroy always talked about winning a Ryder Cup on the road as being the biggest accomplishment in golf. That’s only for the Americans. Europe has won four of the last eight times on U.S. soil. Bethpage Black was easier than the 15-13 score indicates. What sets the Europeans apart is how much they play for their history. The Ryder Cup is in their blood. Luke Donald and other captains preach those who came before them and the responsibility of creating moments for others to follow. The Americans will have gone 34 years without a road win when they get to Ireland in 2027.

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FILE - President Donald J. Trump's name is printed on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the new coronavirus outbreak in San Antonio, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

US government is phasing out paper checks. Here’s what that means for you

The U.S. government is phasing out paper checks for most programs. The change starts Tuesday and affects recipients of benefits like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and tax refunds. Nearly 400,000 Social Security and SSI recipients still rely on paper checks. The director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says many of these people lack access to digital services. President Donald Trump’s Republican administration says electronic payments and collections will speed up processing and cut costs. The Social Security Administration says it will continue issuing paper checks if a beneficiary “has no other means to receive payment.”

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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) center, celebrates after the Dodgers clinched the National League West title against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game at Chase Field Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

MLB spending disparity on display in playoffs as $509 million Dodgers take on $121 million Reds

Baseball’s economic disparity is evident in the playoffs. The Los Angeles Dodgers have committed over $500 million in salaries and luxury tax this season. They face the Cincinnati Reds, who have a $121 million payroll. Six of the 12 postseason teams have payrolls of $200 million or more. The Dodgers lead with a $341.5 million payroll and nearly $168 million in luxury tax. The New York Mets, despite spending $428.8 million, didn’t make the playoffs. The Yankees, with the third-highest spend, face the Red Sox. Cleveland has the lowest payroll among playoff teams at $103.9 million.

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Bad Bunny performs during the final concert of his summer residency in his homeland at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)

Bad Bunny brings Puerto Rico to the world, from his landmark residency to the Super Bowl

Bad Bunny captivated audiences with his residency in Puerto Rico, inspiring patriotism and drawing half a million people to the island this summer. Bad Bunny’s performances highlighted Puerto Rico’s natural beauty and cultural history, featuring his hits and folkloric styles. Now, the artist known for his political activism is set to perform at the 2026 Super Bowl, marking a significant moment for Latino culture. His performance will be in Spanish, further proving that connecting with a U.S. and international audience does not require singing in English. Audiences should expect that Puerto Rican culture and pride will be on display during the show, which could range from 12-15 minutes.

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FILE- Christian musician Sean Feucht of California preaches to the crowd during a rally at the National Mall in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file)

Worship leader Sean Feucht mismanaged millions in ministry funds, former associates say

Worship leader Sean Feucht’s meteoric rise to prominence began in 2020 during the pandemic. His mask-free concerts defied public health rules and drew thousands, boosting his ministry’s revenue from $243,000 to $5 million. Now, several former associates are accusing him and his organization of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency and mistreatment of volunteers. His real estate acquisitions have raised questions not only among former associates, but also Christian watchdog groups. Feucht has dismissed these allegations as false and has questioned the credibility and ethics of those who have made these allegations.

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Bathroom vanities are on display at a store Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Prices for home remodeling outpaced inflation in the second quarter due to labor costs

The cost of home repair and remodeling is rising faster than inflation, according to a new report. Data analytics company Verisk’s Repair and Remodeling Index shows a 3.4% increase in the April-June quarter compared to last year, outpacing the 2.7% rise in inflation. The index tracks over 10,000 home improvement products. Labor costs, especially for labor-intensive projects like tile flooring and bathroom remodeling, are driving the increase. Nearly all categories saw cost hikes. Homeowner spending on maintenance rose in the first half of this year but is expected to slow in 2026 amid slower new home construction.

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FILE - Democrat Mikie Sherrill responds to questions during the first general election gubernatorial debate with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)

Democrats wary support may be sliding among typically loyal voters in New Jersey governor’s race

New Jersey’s contest for governor is seeing some groups that traditionally support Democrats, like union and Black leaders, raising concerns about prospects in November. New Jersey voters on Nov. 4 will decide an election that’s drawn intense interest from both major political parties and the White House. The New Jersey race and an election for Virginia governor will be seen as early signs of how voters feel about President Donald Trump and Republicans’ leadership. Trump hopes a victory in New Jersey from his Republican loyalist Jack Ciattarelli over Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill will send a resounding message to the nation that his GOP is as strong as ever.

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Kentucky has kicked people off food benefits using data that doesn’t tell the full story

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has brought hundreds of fraud cases in the last five years that are heavily reliant on transactional data with the goal of revoking people’s federal food benefits. Judges, lawyers and legal experts said in interviews with Kentucky Public Radio and in court documents that such evidence proves little. Kentucky has the second-highest number of what are called administrative disqualifications per capita in the country behind Florida, according to 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture data. The state rapidly escalated disqualifying people from benefits in the last decade.

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