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December 9, 2025.

BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) makes the game winning shot against Clemson guard Efrem Johnson (4) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Wright hits winning 3 at buzzer and Dybantsa scores 28 as No. 10 BYU rallies past Clemson 67-64

December 9, 2025

Robert Wright III made a 3-pointer as time expired after AJ Dybantsa scored 22 of his season-high 28 points in the second half, and No. 10 BYU stormed back from a 22-point deficit to beat Clemson 67-64 in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. The Cougars lost a six-point lead in the final 70 seconds but completed the comeback when Wright took an inbounds pass from Mihailo Boskovic and sank a long 3 from the right side. Clemson scored the last 21 points of the first half to build a 43-22 cushion at halftime. But after trailing 44-22 with 18 1/2 minutes remaining, BYU pulled off the largest second-half comeback in school history.

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Son arrested after Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes is stabbed to death at California home

December 9, 2025

Authorities say Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes was stabbed to death at his home in Santa Monica, California, and his son was arrested on suspicion of murder. Police say officers responding to a 911 call Monday night found the 71-year-old Sykes with critical stab wounds. He died at the scene. The victim’s 31-year-old son was arrested at the home. Police recovered a weapon and the investigation is ongoing Tuesday. Sykes was nominated for best classical album at the 2010 Grammy Awards for “Bernstein: Mass,” in which he performed the Celebrant role.

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UConn guard Solo Ball (1) drives to the basket against Florida guard CJ Ingram II (11) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Ball scores 19 points as No. 5 UConn beats No. 18 Florida 77-73 in Jimmy V Classic

December 9, 2025

Solo Ball scored 19 points and No. 5 UConn earned its fourth victory over a ranked opponent already this season, beating No. 18 Florida 77-73 in the Jimmy V Classic. Alex Karaban added 13 points and Tarris Reed Jr. had 12 points and five rebounds in his return from a lingering ankle injury that caused him to miss the previous two games. Malachi Smith handed out nine assists as the Huskies shot 50% from the field in a matchup of power programs that have combined to win the past three NCAA titles. Xaivian Lee led the defending champion Gators with 19 points. Thomas Haugh added 18 and Alex Condon finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.

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Families leave CentroNia at the end of the school day in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump’s crackdown on immigration is taking a toll on child care workers

December 9, 2025

President Donald Trump’s push for the largest mass deportation in history has had an outsized impact on the child care field, which is heavily reliant on immigrants and already strained by a worker shortage. Immigrant child care workers and preschool teachers, the majority of whom are working and living in the U.S. legally, say they are wracked by anxiety over possible encounters with ICE officials. Some have left the field, and others have been forced out by changes to immigration policy. About one-fifth of the child care workforce is Latino, and one-fifth were born outside the United States.

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FILE - The Supreme Court facade is seen in Washington, Nov. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Supreme Court hears Alabama’s appeal to execute a man found to be intellectually disabled

December 9, 2025

The Supreme Court is taking up an appeal from Alabama, which wants to put to death a man who lower federal courts found is intellectually disabled and shielded from execution. The justices are hearing arguments Wednesday in a case that could make it harder for convicted murderers to show their lives should be spared because they are intellectually disabled. The Supreme Court prohibited execution of intellectually disabled people in a landmark ruling in 2002. Joseph Clifton Smith, 55, has been on death row roughly half his life after his conviction for beating a man to death in 1997. The issue in Smith’s case is what happens in borderline cases of intellectual disability.

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, speaks to reporters after announcing her run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

2 Democrats, 2 strategies: Texas Senate race shows party split on Trump-focus in midterm elections

December 9, 2025

In Texas, Democratic candidates Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico have launched their Senate campaigns with contrasting strategies. Crockett takes direct aim at former President Donald Trump, using his insults to energize her campaign. Talarico, on the other hand, is emphasizing economic divides rather than political ones. This split highlights a broader divide among Democrats over how much to center Trump in their campaigns. Meanwhile, Republicans remain united in their strategy, using Trump to energize their base. They believe his influence is crucial for voter turnout, especially in midterm elections.

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President Donald Trump arrives for a signing ceremony with Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Two of Trump’s peace deals at risk as fighting surges in Congo and at Cambodia-Thailand border

December 9, 2025

At least two of several agreements aimed at ending global conflicts that President Donald Trump has hailed as evidence of his negotiating prowess are in trouble and at risk of collapsing. Less than a week after Congo and Rwanda signed a deal in Trump’s presence in Washington and less than two months after he witnessed Cambodia and Thailand sign a pact in Malaysia, fighting has surged in both places. The developments have caused international alarm, which on Tuesday resulted in statements from concerned countries and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The statements urged the combatants to live up to their commitments in the deals that Trump has touted.

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Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) deflects a pass by Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell, left, during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Bane scores 37 to lead the Magic past the Heat 117-108 in the NBA Cup quarterfinals

December 9, 2025

Desmond Bane matched his season high with 37 points and the Orlando Magic reached the semifinals of the NBA Cup with a 117-108 win over the Miami Heat. Jalen Suggs scored 20 points and Paolo Banchero added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Magic, who will play New York or Toronto on Saturday in the semifinal round at Las Vegas. Norman Powell led Miami with 21 points. Tyler Herro added 20 and Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins added 19 each for the Heat, who have lost three times in Orlando this season.

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Shooting at Kentucky State University leaves 1 dead, 1 hurt and a suspect in custody, officials say

December 9, 2025

Police in Frankfort, Kentucky, say a shooting at Kentucky State University has left one student dead and another in critical condition. Police also said Tuesday a suspect who is not a student at the university has been arrested. Officials said Jacob Lee Bard was booked into jail on murder and first-degree assault charges. It was not immediately clear if he has a lawyer. Classes and campus activities have been canceled for the rest of the week. Video showed multiple police vehicles outside a cluster of dormitories and crime scene tape in a courtyard. Gov. Andy Beshear says the shooting appears to be an isolated incident. Kentucky State is a public historically Black university with about 2,200 students.

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Vermont rescue team sees increase of calls as social media lures skiers into danger

December 9, 2025

Stowe Mountain Rescue in Vermont has noticed a troubling trend among skiers. Influenced by social media, inexperienced skiers are venturing out of bounds, getting lost and needing rescue. The team last month responded to a 911 call from two 19-year-olds lost on Mount Mansfield. They had followed social media videos to ski in the backcountry. The rescue chief says these skiers are often unprepared and lack spatial awareness. Stowe Mountain Rescue now handles about eight missions per season, up from around three about five years ago. The team plans to create social media posts to promote safe skiing practices.

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Florida executes a man convicted of killing a woman during a 1989 home invasion

December 9, 2025

A man convicted of killing a woman during a home invasion robbery has been executed in Florida. Mark Allen Geralds received a lethal injection Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison near Starke. He was sentenced to death for the fatal stabbing of Tressa Pettibone at her Panama City home on Feb. 1, 1989.  A statement from her family described her as “a wonderful person” who was dearly loved by many. Geralds was a carpenter who had previously done remodeling work at the home. Florida has put more people to death than any other state this year, with 18 executions to date in 2025 and one more planned next week.

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Activists confronted a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the largely Somali neighborhood of Cedar-Riverside in Minneapolis, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)

Federal agents use pepper spray on crowd in Somali neighborhood of Minneapolis amid Trump crackdown

December 9, 2025

Federal agents have used pepper spray to disperse a crowd in a heavily Somali neighborhood in Minneapolis. This happened Tuesday during a identification checks amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on the community. City Council Member Jamal Osman is a Somali American who witnessed the confrontation. The community has been on edge since President Trump announced the end of Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in the state. It’s unclear how many have been detained or asked for documents. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials says no arrests were made Tuesday but provided no further details.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens during news conference with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

US military flies 2 fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela as scrutiny grows

December 9, 2025

The U.S. military has flown a pair of fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela in what appears to be the closest American warplanes have come to the South American country’s airspace since the start of the Trump administration’s pressure campaign. Public flight tracking websites showed a pair of U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jets fly over the Gulf on Tuesday. A U.S. defense official speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed that the jets conducted a “routine training flight” and said they stayed in international airspace. The flights are the latest action by the U.S. military in the region. Deadly strikes on alleged drug boats are drawing new scrutiny from lawmakers.

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Greg Amsinger, MLB Network host, announces that the Chicago White Sox will have the number one pick in draft during a broadcast at the Major League Baseball's winter meetings, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

White Sox win MLB draft lottery and have top pick for first time since taking Harold Baines in 1977

December 9, 2025

The Chicago White Sox have won Major League Baseball’s amateur draft lottery. They will have the top selection for the first time since taking Harold Baines in 1977. Coming off a 102-loss season, Chicago had the highest odds to win the weighted lottery at 27.73%. The White Sox will have the No. 1 selection for the third time. Baines became a six-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. Chicago selected first baseman Danny Goodwin in 1971, and he played in parts of seven major league seasons. UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is currently projected as the top pick.

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Judge orders Georgia to continue hormone therapy for transgender inmates

December 9, 2025

A federal judge has ordered Georgia’s prison system to provide hormone therapy for transgender inmates. U.S. District Judge Victoria Marie Calvert says that a state law denying such care violates the constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment. She is ordering the state to maintain hormone therapy for inmates already receiving it and to start treatment for those diagnosed as needing it. The state plans to appeal. The case challenges a Georgia law passed earlier this year banning state funding for certain gender-affirming treatments. Supporters say the state shouldn’t have to pay. Georgia began providing hormone therapy in 2016 after a previous lawsuit.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., joined at left by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters after a closed-door meeting with fellow Republicans, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate heads toward dueling partisan votes on health care, with each likely to fail

December 9, 2025

The Senate is heading toward dueling partisan votes on health care this week. Republicans said Tuesday that they had united around a plan, for now, that would allow COVID-era health care subsidies to expire and would replace them with new savings accounts. A Democratic bill would extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years. Neither plan has the bipartisan support needed for passage. With Republicans and Democrats unable to agree or even negotiate with each other, millions of people could see increases in their premium payments when the tax credits expire in January.

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FILE - Jim Troupis reads a statement after his court appearance outside a Dane County courtroom Dec. 12, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Wisconsin judge refuses to step aside as requested by former Trump attorney

December 9, 2025

A Wisconsin judge on Tuesday refused to step aside as requested by President Donald Trump’s former attorney who faces felony forgery case related to the 2020 election  in the battleground state. The judge also refused to cancel a Monday preliminary hearing for Trump’s former attorney, who also previously worked as a judge in the same county where he is being prosecuted, and two other former Trump associates. The three former Trump aides face 11 felony charges each in relation to their roles in the 2020 fake elector scheme. They are: Jim Troupis, who was Trump’s attorney in Wisconsin in the 2020 election; Kenneth Chesebro, an attorney who advised the campaign; and Mike Roman, Trump’s director of Election Day operations in 2020.

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FILE - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration building is seen behind FDA logos at a bus stop on the agency's campus in Silver Spring, Md., Aug. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

FDA opens safety review of injectable RSV drugs approved for babies and toddlers

December 9, 2025

Federal health officials are reviewing the safety of two injectable drugs used to protect babies and toddlers from the RSV virus. The drugs from Merck and Sanofi are not vaccines. But officials under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have recently been scrutinizing a number of childhood shots. A spokesperson for Kennedy said the FDA will evaluate the latest data and consider updating labeling on the drugs. RSV typically causes mild symptoms in healthy adults, but it can be life-threatening for the very young and old. In recent years, federal advisers have recommended the RSV shots for babies and toddlers facing their first RSV season.

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FILE - The OpenAI logo is seen displayed on a cell phone in front of an image on a computer screen generated by ChatGPT's Dall-E text-to-image model, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file)

OpenAI names Slack CEO Dresser as first chief of revenue as ChatGPT maker aims to make a profit

December 9, 2025

OpenAI has appointed Slack CEO Denise Dresser as its first chief of revenue. Dresser will oversee global revenue strategy and help businesses integrate AI into daily operations. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently emphasized improving ChatGPT, which now has over 800 million weekly users. Despite its success, OpenAI faces competition from companies like Google and concerns about profitability. The company earns money from premium ChatGPT subscriptions but hasn’t ventured into advertising. Altman had recently announced delays in developing new products like AI agents and a personal assistant.

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FILE - Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout celebrates after his solo home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game, Sept. 28, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij, File)

Mike Trout remains in the mix for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but questions linger

December 9, 2025

Mike Trout, the cornerstone of Team USA’s 2023 World Baseball Classic run, is still under consideration as the roster for the 2026 tournament takes shape. Manager Mark DeRosa said Tuesday that Trout is “in the mix” for one of the final spots, assuming he’s healthy and comfortable with his role. The two-time American League MVP remains in a complicated place for Team USA, which is scheduled to play its first game of the tournament March 6 against Brazil in Houston. A bruised left knee sent him to the injured list in May. It’s the same knee that required meniscus surgery in 2024.

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FILE - Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

A.J. Hinch has mastered the art of sidestepping questions about Tarik Skubal

December 9, 2025

A.J. Hinch has mastered the art of smiling and sidestepping the one question he keeps hearing at the MLB winter meetings. The Detroit Tigers manager has no interest in discussing the possibility of losing his ace, Tarik Skubal, this winter. Instead, Hinch wants to talk about Skubal’s chance to chase another Cy Young Award. Skubal is entering his final season under team control, and the Tigers have not dismissed the possibility of a trade. The left-hander’s agent, Scott Boras, said he is open to listening to extension offers from Detroit, but also painted a bleak picture of the club without its ace.

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FILE - Former FBI Director James Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, June 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Justice Department challenges court order limiting access to evidence in Comey investigation

December 9, 2025

The Justice Department has challenged a court order that complicated efforts to seek a new indictment against former FBI Director James Comey by making a trove of evidence off-limits to prosecutors. An order issued over the weekend by a federal judge in Washington barred the Justice Department at least temporarily from accessing computer files belonging to Daniel Richman, a close Comey friend and Columbia University law professor who prosecutors see as a central player in any potential case against the former FBI director. Prosecutors moved Tuesday to quash that order, calling Richman’s request for the return of his files a “strategic tool to obstruct the investigation and potential prosecution.”

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Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk reads from a prepared statement following a court hearing outside the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Leah Willingham)

Turkish student who criticized Israel can resume research at Tufts after visa revoked, judge rules

December 9, 2025

A federal judge has allowed a Tufts University student from Turkey to resume research and teaching while she challenges her arrest and detention by the Trump administration. Rümeysa Öztürk, a PhD student, was detained for six weeks in Louisiana after coauthoring an op-ed criticizing her university’s response to Israel and the war in Gaza. Her arrest in March was part of a wave of immigration enforcement targeting foreign-born students involved in pro-Palestinian advocacy. Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper in Boston ruled Monday that the termination of her student record was likely “arbitrary and capricious.” Öztürk plans to graduate next year.

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FILE - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a taping of FOX News Channel's Special Report with Bret Baier at the Washington bureau of FOX News, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)

Illinois law protects immigrants from arrest near courthouses, hospitals or colleges

December 9, 2025

Illinois has a new law shielding immigrants from federal enforcement near courthouses, hospitals, university campuses, and day cares. Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker signed the law on Tuesday, and it takes effect immediately. Critics argue the law may be overturned by courts. It provides legal steps for those whose rights were violated during the Trump administration’s recent immigration crackdown in the Chicago area. The law includes $10,000 in damages for unlawful arrests while attempting to attend a court proceeding. More than 4,000 people were arrested in the recent immigration crackdown. Data from early September through mid-October showed only 15% of those arrested had criminal records.

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Frederick Green, 20, of The Bronx borough of New York, charged with attempted murder in the shooting of New York Jets' player Kris Boyd, is escorted from the Midtown South Police Precinct, in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Bronx man charged in shooting of New York Jets’ Kris Boyd

December 9, 2025

A 20-year-old Bronx man has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of New York Jets’ player Kris Boyd. The New York Police Department on Tuesday announced Frederick Green has been charged in the shooting. He is set to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. It was not immediately clear if Green has an attorney. He also faces additional charges of assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Boyd was shot in the abdomen just after 2 a.m. on Nov. 16 in midtown Manhattan. He was hospitalized after the shooting but a few weeks later visited the Jets’ facility, surprising teammates and attending a special teams meeting.

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Piles of trash fill the ditch across a construction site in the Trinity Gardens neighborhood in northwest Houston, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi )

DOJ ends monitoring of illegal dumping in Houston in retreat from environmental justice

December 9, 2025

The U.S. Justice Department has withdrawn from an agreement with Houston to curb illegal dumping in Black and Latino neighborhoods. The move is part of the Trump administration’s dismantling of environmental justice initiatives around the country. Federal authorities quietly ended the monitoring this year along with a similar settlement in Alabama. The Houston agreement aimed to address illegal dumping of trash and waste in certain neighborhoods. It included federal monitoring and community outreach. Critics say the decision is short-sighted and neglects affected communities. Environmental justice advocates argue that President Donald Trump’s administration doesn’t understand the impact on these communities.

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Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave $7.1 billion to nonprofits in 2025, a major increase

December 9, 2025

The author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott revealed $7.1 billion in donations to nonprofits in 2025 Tuesday, marking a significant increase in her annual giving from recent years. Scott acknowledged donating $2.6 billion in 2024 and $2.1 billion in 2023. The gifts this year bring her total giving since 2019 to $26.3 billion. Scott acknowledged the donations in an essay on her website. Scott’s donations have captured the attention of nonprofits and other charitable funders because they come with no strings attached and are often very large compared to the annual budgets of the recipient organizations

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FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference Aug. 12, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Florida’s CAIR vows lawsuit against DeSantis over ‘foreign terrorist’ label

December 9, 2025

Gov. Ron DeSantis has labeled the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization.” Leaders of CAIR’s Florida chapter announced on Tuesday that they plan to file a First Amendment lawsuit, arguing the state lacks legal grounds for the designation. Hiba Rahim, the chapter’s deputy executive director, criticized the order as an attack based on conspiracy theories. DeSantis, speaking in North Miami Beach, stood by his decision and welcomed the lawsuit. The order also targets the Muslim Brotherhood and prevents state agencies from engaging with these groups. CAIR plans to challenge the order in court.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens during news conference with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Congressional lawmakers hear from Navy admiral overseeing boat strikes

December 9, 2025

The U.S. Navy admiral who is retiring early from command of the campaign to destroy vessels allegedly carrying drugs near Venezuela is speaking to key lawmakers. Congress is seeking more answers on President Donald Trump’s mission, which, in one instance, killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a boat strike. Adm. Alvin Holsey spoke Tuesday about the military campaign with the GOP chairs and ranking Democrats of the Senate Armed Services Committee. It represents another step by lawmakers to demand an accounting from the Department of Defense on the threats against Venezuela and the legal basis for the boat strikes.

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David Beckham poses with the MLS Cup trophy with Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

It’s Messi. Repeat, Messi. The Inter Miami star is MLS’ first back-to-back MVP winner

December 9, 2025

Lionel Messi has become the first back-to-back MVP in Major League Soccer history. The 38-year-old Argentine star was announced Tuesday as this year’s winner of the league’s top individual honor. This achievement adds to Messi’s long list of career accomplishments. He scored 29 goals and made 19 assists during the regular season and led Inter Miami to its first MLS Cup title. Messi joins Preki as the only two-time MVP in MLS history. Inter Miami’s value has soared since Messi’s arrival, and he recently signed a three-year extension with the team.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens during an event at the State Department, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

What to know about the massive defense bill that seeks release of boat strike videos and more

December 9, 2025

The House is expected to vote this week on a bill authorizing $900 billion for military programs. It includes boosting pay for service members, cutting Pentagon diversity efforts and requiring footage to be released of forces blowing up alleged drug boats. The National Defense Authorization Act is traditionally a strong bipartisan bill that lays out the nation’s defense policies. But it’s coming up for a vote as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting scrutiny over the boat strikes. It also reasserts a U.S. commitment to Europe following intense criticism of allies in President Donald Trump’s recently released national security strategy.

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FILE - Former Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers watches warmups before an NFL football game between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos, Dec. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

Colts sign 44-year-old Philip Rivers to practice squad with 2 quarterbacks injured, AP source says

December 9, 2025

The Indianapolis Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers to the practice, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not yet made an official announcement. Rivers took his last NFL snap with the Colts in a playoff loss following the 2020 season. He announced his retirement in January 2021. The move comes less than 24 hours after Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed Indy’s starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, would miss the rest of this season with a torn right Achilles tendon and that backup Riley Leonard injured his right knee.

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FILE - Fani Willis, district attorney of Fulton County, speaks during an interview, Oct. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Fani Willis to face Georgia Senate questions about Trump prosecution, despite legal disputes

December 9, 2025

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is set to testify on Dec. 17 before a special Georgia Senate committee. The committee is examining her prosecution of Donald Trump over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia. On Tuesday, lawyers argued before the Georgia Supreme Court about whether a 2024 subpoena can still compel her testimony. But Willis has agreed to testify under a 2025 subpoena issued after legislators passed a new law that fortified subpoena powers. The committee has focused on Willis’ hiring of special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Willis was removed from the case after an appeals court cited an appearance of impropriety because of a personal relationship between Willis and Wade.

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FILE - Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber connects for a double during the first inning in Game 4 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oct. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Schwarber going back to Philadelphia on a $150 million, five-year contract, according to reports

December 9, 2025

Kyle Schwarber is going back to Philadelphia. Multiple outlets are reporting that Schwarber has agreed to a $150 million, five-year contract with the Phillies. ESPN was the first to report on the deal, citing unidentified sources. Schwarber’s contract with Philadelphia could lead to more activity at baseball’s winter meetings as his other suitors execute their alternative plans. Schwarber is coming off a terrific season with the Phillies, setting career highs with an NL-best 56 homers and a major league-high 132 RBIs.

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Eileen Raforth

December 9, 2025

Eileen peacefully passed away on October 27, 2025 with her family around her.       She was born on January 22,

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John Raforth

December 9, 2025

John was born at home to Wilhelmina (Minnie Schultz) and John Frederick Raforth on their farm near Fairfax, Minnesota on

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FILE - Women displaced from El-Fasher stand in line to receive food aid at the newly established El-Afadh camp in Al Dabbah, in Sudan's Northern State, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File)

US sanctions network recruiting Colombian fighters for Sudanese paramilitary

December 9, 2025

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on four people and four firms for allegedly recruiting former Colombian military members to train soldiers for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces. The group has been at war with the Sudanese military since April 2023 and faces accusations of war crimes. On Tuesday, the sanctions targeted a former military leader and his wife, along with staffing agencies. The U.N. reports the conflict has killed 40,000 people and displaced over 14 million, creating a severe humanitarian crisis. The U.S. government accuses the RSF of genocide in Darfur.

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More people crowdfunded for essential needs like food and housing in 2025, according to GoFundMe

December 9, 2025

More people are turning to GoFundMe for help with basic needs such as housing and food. The crowdfunding platform’s annual report, released Tuesday, shows a 20% increase in fundraisers for essentials. This follows a quadruple increase in that same category last year.  The “Year in Help” report also shows that “monthly bills” were the second fastest-growing category in 2025. The report comes amid weakened wage growth and low consumer confidence in the United States. GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan says people around the world are struggling with the rising cost of living. But he adds that “people do step up and support folks in those situations.”

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Ketel Thorstenson Announces Merger With Wyoming Firm, Expanding Black Hills Regional Footprint

December 9, 2025

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Ketel Thorstenson, LLP, the largest accounting firm in the Black Hills, will merge with Casper-based Grooms & Harkins, P.C., in a strategic partnership set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The move expands KT’s service reach across South Dakota and Wyoming while strengthening both firms’ longstanding presence in the region. KT […]

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FILE - Applicants line up at a job fair at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City N.J., on April 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)

U.S. job openings barely budged in October, coming in just below 7.7 million

December 9, 2025

U.S. job openings barely budged in October, coming in at 7.7 million amid uncertainty over the direction of the American economy. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that employers posted 7.67 million vacancies in October, close to September’s 7.66 million. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) also showed that the layoffs rose and number of people quitting their jobs — a sign of confidence in the labor market — fell in October. Job openings have come down steadily since peaking at a record 12.1 million in March 2022, when the economy was roaring back from COVID-19 lockdowns.

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Raul Malo, the soulful tenor and frontman of The Mavericks, has died at age 60

December 9, 2025

Raul Malo, the soulful tenor and frontman of The Mavericks, has died at age 60. He was battling colon cancer and later leptomeningeal disease, a rare complication when cancer spreads to membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Malo co-founded The Mavericks in 1989, blending genres like alt-country, Americana, and Latin. The band won a Grammy and multiple awards. Malo also released solo albums and collaborated with others. He urged fans to prioritize

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FILE - A meteor streaks over an Orthodox church during the annual Geminid meteor shower near the village of Zagorie, some 110 kms. (69 miles) west of Minsk, Belarus, Dec. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File)

How to watch one of the year’s best meteor showers, the Geminids

December 9, 2025

It’s time for the Geminid meteor shower, one of the strongest of the year. The Geminids peak this weekend and are visible through mid-December. The fireballs tend to be yellow in color and can be seen across the globe, but the best viewing happens in the Northern Hemisphere. Meteor showers appear when fast-moving space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, leaving behind fiery tails. To enjoy the show, venture away from city lights and avoid looking at your phone. The meteors will appear as tiny glows streaking across the sky.

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Kaci LaFon, left, appears with her husband Collin LaFon at their home in Trussville, Ala., on on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

A unique app is changing the dating game for disabled and chronically ill people

December 9, 2025

A unique app is changing the dating game for disabled and chronically ill people. Dateability was created by sisters Jacqueline and Alexa Child. It was inspired by Jacqueline’s own experiences with disability. The app now has about 40,000 users, including nondisabled people with connections to the community. Users appreciate the understanding and acceptance they find, unlike on mainstream dating apps. More than 70 million U.S. adults reported having a disability in 2022. That’s according to the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dateability has grown 10-fold in the last year. It has expanded to Canada, Mexico and the U.K.

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Nicaraguans sing in praise of the Virgin Mary at one of dozens of open-air altars set up near St. John Bosco Catholic Church in celebration of the Dec. 8 feast of the Immaculate Conception, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Nicaraguans celebrate Virgin Mary in Miami despite fears at home and in US

December 9, 2025

Hundreds of Nicaraguans caroled the Virgin Mary at flower-and-light-filled altars set up in church parking lots as well as the back of vehicles on the streets of Miami to mark the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The exuberant early December celebration called “gritería” is especially poignant this year during the ongoing crackdowns on religion groups in Nicaragua as well as on immigrant communities in the United States. Many of the people who set up altars, and those who visited, say they did so as a promise to the Virgin, to express gratitude or to ask for protection both in the United States and for their families in Nicaragua.

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani shares a laugh with his translator during an interview with The Associated Press in Pasadena, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Shohei Ohtani is the AP’s Male Athlete of the Year for record-tying 4th time

December 9, 2025

Shohei Ohtani has won The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the fourth time, tying with Lance Armstrong, LeBron James and Tiger Woods for most among male honorees. Ohtani received 29 of 47 votes in balloting among sports journalists from the AP and its members. The AP award has been given out since 1931. The Japanese baseball superstar’s two-way dominance culminated in a repeat World Series title for his Los Angeles Dodgers. Among Ohtani’s goals for 2026 are staying healthy so he can play in every game and to keep working on his English-speaking skills so he bridge the gap with his U.S. fans.

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Michael Jordan arrives in the Western District of North Carolina on Monday Dec 1, 2025 for the start of the antitrust trial between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)

Michael Jordan’s legal team races against time in antitrust trial against NASCAR

December 9, 2025

Michael Jordan’s attorneys are under pressure to wrap up their case in the federal antitrust trial against NASCAR. The trial, which began last week, has seen slow progress, prompting the judge to urge both sides to speed up. On Monday, an economist testified that NASCAR owes $364.7 million to 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in a revenue-sharing dispute. The economist claims NASCAR used anticompetitive practices, shorting teams over a billion dollars from 2021 to 2024. NASCAR disputes these findings and plans to present its own expert witnesses. The trial highlights ongoing tensions over NASCAR’s charter agreement.

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Georgia O’Keeffe’s views of the New Mexico desert will be preserved with conservation plan

December 9, 2025

A new conservation plan would preserve pristine desert vistas beside the longtime home of 20th century painter Georgia O’Keeffe and ensure visitors continued access to a spiritual retreat, along with winter pasture for livestock. The state of New Mexico is underwriting the conservation agreement in a partnership including the charitable arm of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The view from the protected rangeland should be familiar to even casual O’Keeffe afficionados — including desert washes, sandstone bluffs and the distant mountain silhouette of Cerro Pedernal. The agreement would preserve access for film productions and small herds of cattle for winter pasture.

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FILE - A seal is seen before Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell walks out to speak during a news conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Federal Reserve Board Building in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Federal Reserve set to cut rate but may signal a pause to come

December 9, 2025

The Federal Reserve faces an unusually contentious meeting this week that will test Chair Jerome Powell’s ability to corral the necessary support from fellow policymakers for a third straight interest rate cut. The Fed’s 19-member rate-setting committee is sharply divided over whether to lower borrowing costs again. The divisions have been exacerbated by the convoluted nature of the economy. Inflation remains elevated, which would typically lead the Fed to keep its key rate unchanged, while hiring is weak and the unemployment rate has risen, which often leads to rate cuts. The debate could be a preview of where the Fed is headed after Powell’s term as chair ends in April.

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