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December 11, 2025.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) makes a touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Pitts’ performance is most productive by NFL tight end since 1996, helps Falcons beat Bucs

December 11, 2025

Catch by catch, Kyle Pitts Sr. put the mistake-prone Atlanta Falcons on his back and carried them to a thrilling comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thursday night got even better for the fifth-year pro when the former University of Florida star learned the 11-reception, 166-yard, three-touchdown performance that keyed the 29-28 win was the most productive game by an NFL tight end in nearly three decades. The previous tight end to finish with at least 10 catches, 150 yards receiving and three touchdowns in a game was Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in 1996. The 25-year-old Pitts noted he wasn’t even born yet back then.

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A doll representing the baby Jesus is zip-tied in the Nativity scene outside of Lake Street Church of Evanston, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Church nativity scenes add zip ties, gas masks and ICE to protest immigration raids

December 11, 2025

Nativity scenes at some churches are sparking fierce debates. At Lake Street Church in Evanston, Illinois, the baby Jesus lies with zip-tied wrists in the kind of emergency blankets given ICE detainees. At St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts, the manger sits empty, beneath a sign reading “ICE was here.” Supporters say Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees, comparing them to immigrant communities facing federal raids. Critics call the displays political and sacrilegious. The controversy has drawn visitors, protests, and heightened church scrutiny. But supporters say the Bible is on their side.

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Jonathan Escalante stands over the broken window of his mother's car, which was shattered by federal immigration agents who took her away, during a federal immigration crackdown in Kenner, La., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Immigration crackdown leaves teens to care for siblings after parents get detained

December 11, 2025

An immigration crackdown in Louisiana has forced some teenagers to grow up fast after their parents were arrested by federal agents. The effort unfolded in a Hispanic enclave outside New Orleans and took away family caretakers and breadwinners, leaving children to care for their siblings. Jonathan Escalante is an 18-year-old U.S. citizen whose mother was detained. He’s now looking after his 9-year-old sister, who has a physical disability. Escalante is trying to access his mother’s bank account, locate his sister’s medical records and doctors, and figure out how to pay bills in his mother’s name.

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FILE - People protest outside the White House in Washington, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Lawmakers urge Education Department to add nursing to ‘professional’ programs list amid uproar

December 11, 2025

A bipartisan group in Congress is urging the Education Department to add nursing to a list of college programs that are considered “professional.” The Trump administration’s new list of professional programs includes medicine, law and theology but leaves out nursing and some other fields that industry groups had asked to be included. The “professional” label would allow students to borrow larger amounts of federal loans to pursue graduate degrees in those fields. Lawmakers argue that the administration proposal would make it harder for students to pay for expensive but high-demand programs, like those for nurse anesthetists.

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FILE - This Wisconsin State Capitol is seen on Dec. 31, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

New judicial panels to hear Wisconsin redistricting lawsuits for the first time

December 11, 2025

Two lawsuits seeking to redraw Wisconsin’s congressional districts are scheduled to be discussed in court as a pair of three-judge panels never-before-used in the state meet for the first time. The Wisconsin Supreme Court last month ordered that the redistricting cases first by heard by the three-judge panels, employing a process created by Republicans in 2011 but never utilized. Friday’s hearings was to determine a schedule for moving forward in both cases. Any decisions of those panels can be appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which is controlled 4-3 by liberal justices. Republicans hold six of the state’s eight congressional seats.

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Ryan Crosswell, a former federal prosecutor who quit the Department of Justice in protest, speaks at a campaign event for his run for Congress, Dec. 4, 2025, in Allentown, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Ryan Crosswell quit Trump’s DOJ. Now his resignation letter is part of his stump speech for Congress

December 11, 2025

Ryan Crosswell, a former federal prosecutor, is running for Congress after resigning when the Trump administration dropped corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. He aims to unseat Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania. Crosswell’s campaign focuses on his law enforcement background and concerns about Trump’s influence on the justice system. Supporters at a recent event applauded his stance against perceived abuses of power. While Democrats generally focus on economic issues, Crosswell believes corruption is also a key concern. He argues that a corrupt government can impact everyday economic issues.

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President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump led Republicans to power in 2024. But 2026 could be a different story

December 11, 2025

President Donald Trump has successfully harnessed voter anxiety over the economy, immigration and crime to retake the White House. However, Republicans face challenges replicating that success. With Trump off the ballot, the GOP has lost several elections recently, including a historic Miami mayor’s race and a special election in Georgia. Concerns grow as Trump’s approval on key issues declines. Republicans are uneasy about repeating the dynamics of Trump’s first midterm, where Democrats gained 40 seats. Despite the challenges, Trump remains confident about the party’s prospects, but the GOP’s messaging struggles continue.

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Former Chinese official Li Chuanliang walks between buildings in the Mayflower Church community, in Midland, Texas, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

A Chinese whistleblower now living in the US is being hunted by Beijing with help from US tech

December 11, 2025

Retired Chinese official Li Chuanliang fled to the U.S. seeking asylum, fearing persecution from the Chinese government. He was warned not to return to China after being accused of corruption. Li claims he is targeted for criticizing the government. The Associated Press reports that China uses surveillance technology to track and intimidate officials and dissidents abroad. This technology, often originating from U.S. companies, has been used to monitor Li and his family. Beijing’s operations, known as “Fox Hunt” and “Sky Net,” aim to bring back fugitives.

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) celebrates his touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Kirk Cousins leads Falcons to 29-28 comeback victory over the reeling Buccaneers

December 11, 2025

The Atlanta Falcons have rallied for a 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes to Kyle Pitts Sr., and Zane Gonzalez kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired. Facing a third-and-28 on the Falcons’ final drive, Cousins completed passes of 14 yards to Pitts and 20 yards on fourth-and-14 to David Sills V to set up Gonzalez. The Falcons overcame a franchise-record 19 penalties and a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit. Caker Mayfield threw a crucial interception in the fourth quarter as the Buccaneers lost for the fifth time in six games to fall a half-game behind Carolina in the NFC South.

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Damage is seen at the scene of a gas explosion in Hayward, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Gas explosion in San Francisco Bay Area damages homes, 6 taken to hospitals

December 11, 2025

Fire officials say six people have been taken to hospitals after a gas explosion started a major fire in a San Francisco Bay Area suburb. The explosion in the Hayward area obliterated at least one home and sent heavy smoke into the air. Video shows a home sitting under a blue sky before it suddenly exploded, sending wood and debris skyward. A spokesperson for Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said construction workers damaged an underground gas line around 7:35 a.m. Thursday. The utility stopped the gas flow at 9:25 a.m. The explosion occurred shortly afterward.

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Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables celebrates with linebacker Kip Lewis (10) after defeating LSU during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

Brent Venables’ aggressive defense gives Oklahoma a different look than past Sooners playoff teams

December 11, 2025

Brent Venables has transformed the Oklahoma Sooners into a defensive powerhouse. The eighth-ranked Sooners lead the nation in tackles for loss and are tied for the lead in sacks. Venables took over defensive play calling this season, turning the team around after a 6-7 record last year. Oklahoma ranks high in rushing, scoring, and total defense. Defensive stars like R Mason Thomas and Taylor Wein have been key contributors. Venables credits the players’ determination and the cohesive coaching staff for the success. The Sooners face No. 11 Alabama in the playoffs next Friday.

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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Zion Grady celebrates after the team's win against Michigan in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Some athletic directors are open to collective bargaining agreements for college athletes

December 11, 2025

Some athletic directors are starting to believe that collective bargaining agreements might be coming to college sports. The NCAA and its member schools have long said such labor deals are financially unfeasible. But with Congress failing to act on a key piece of legislation on Dec. 4, there was a growing sense of frustration among college sports executives who met this week at Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, a group of state attorneys general are urging their schools not to sign an agreement sent out by the newly created College Sports Commission that would set the guidelines for new rules to pay players.

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FILE - Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers works the floor against the Indiana Fever during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Aug. 1, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese bring a youth movement to USA Basketball camp

December 11, 2025

There’s a youth movement at USA Basketball camp this weekend with young WNBA players Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese making their debuts with the senior national team. They’ve been competing against each other in college and the WNBA over the past few years and Bueckers was happy to have them as teammates again. Many of the young players had competed together for the U.S. on American youth teams.

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FILE - The Rev. T. Sheri Dickerson, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter in Oklahoma City, speaks during a rally outside the Stillwater Police Department in Stillwater, Okla., June 3, 2020, to protest the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Oklahoma Black Lives Matter leader indicted for fraud, money laundering

December 11, 2025

The longtime leader of the Black Lives Matter movement in Oklahoma City has been indicted for fraud and money laundering. Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that 52-year-old Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson was indicted on 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. Prosecutors allege she used millions of dollars in grants on personal expenses like trips, groceries and personal property in her name. Phone and email messages left Thursday with Dickerson were not immediately returned. Court records don’t indicate whether she has retained an attorney. In a live video posted on her Facebook page, Dickerson said she was not in custody and was “fine.”

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President Donald Trump speaks at Mount Airy Casino Resort, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

House votes to nullify Trump order and restore bargaining rights for federal workers

December 11, 2025

The House voted to repeal President Donald Trump’s executive order from earlier this year that aimed to remove collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees. Nearly two dozen Republicans joined all Democrats who voted in backing the bill in a break from the president. The bill reached the floor for a vote through a bipartisan move that bypassed GOP leadership. The executive order, issued in March by Trump, aimed to end collective bargaining with federal labor unions in agencies with national security missions across the federal government. The House vote Thursday was praised by the president of AFL-CIO, the biggest labor federation in the U.S.

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President Nicolas Maduro addresses supporters during a rally marking the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Ines, which took place during Venezuela's 19th-century Federal War, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

US sanctions Venezuelan President Maduro’s 3 nephews as pressure campaign ratchets up

December 11, 2025

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on three nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The move is the latest by President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Venezuela to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. The sanctions, announced Thursday, target Franqui Flores, Carlos Flores and Efrain Campo, blocking their access to U.S. property and financial assets. The penalties also prevent U.S. companies and citizens from doing business with them. This follows the U.S. seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast. The U.S. has also conducted deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, killing at least 87 people since early September.

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FILE - In this undated photo, provided by the United States Geological Survey, permafrost forms a grid-like pattern in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, managed by the Bureau of Land Management on Alaska's North Slope. (David W. Houseknecht/United States Geological Survey via AP, File)

Lawsuit challenges the approval of an exploratory drilling program in Alaska petroleum reserve

December 11, 2025

A new lawsuit seeks to overturn the recent approval of an exploratory drilling program in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. It alleges that the program was improperly analyzed by the federal government and could harm caribou and important habitat areas. The lawsuit was filed Thursday by two conservation groups and Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic against the Department of the Interior and other defendants. It challenges a program proposed by ConocoPhillips Alaska that includes plans to drill four exploration wells. An Interior Department spokesperson says the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

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FILE - A sign for the Capital City Country Club is seen, Oct. 22, 2025 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Kate Payne, File)

Florida’s capital city approves plan to sell golf course built on slaves’ graves, despite outcry

December 11, 2025

Local officials in Florida’s capital city have voted to sell a city-owned golf course built on top of the graves of enslaved people to a once-segregated country club. The Tallahassee City Commission voted 3 to 2 to approve the deal Wednesday, despite vocal opposition from local residents and historians. The deal has reopened painful wounds from Tallahassee’s segregated past. Local activists have questioned the city’s yearslong delay in building a commemorative site to protect the unmarked graves. Others questioned the $1.255 million price tag for the 178-acre golf course, given its development potential.

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Family of Chicago officer slain by partner on duty files lawsuit against city, shooter

December 11, 2025

The family of a Chicago police officer who was fatally shot by her partner while on duty has filed a lawsuit contending the Chicago Police Department did not heed warnings about the officer who fired the shot. The family of Krystal Rivera filed the lawsuit Thursday. It names as defendants the city and Carlos Baker, the police officer who shot Rivera on June 5 while they were pursuing a suspect. Rivera and Baker had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship but Rivera complained to supervisors she feared for her safety with Baker as her police partner. The Chicago Police Department, which was not named in the suit, declined comment.

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FILE - A sign is displayed outside the Internal Revenue Service building May 4, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

How the IRS’ crime-fighting force took on immigration and other issues in 2025

December 11, 2025

The IRS Criminal Investigations unit is doing more than just cracking down on tax evaders. This year, its agents were deployed to help with immigration enforcement as well as National Guard deployments in two Democratic-led cities. IRS Criminal Investigations Chief Guy Ficco spoke to The Associated Press about the agency’s work. He described his workforce as “resilient” despite a 10% cut to personnel in 2025. The agency has shifted resources from tax evasion to other tasks.

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FILE - Michigan acting head coach Sherrone Moore reacts to a video replay during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)

Sherrone Moore was a once-promising coach until a sudden and stunning fall from grace at Michigan

December 11, 2025

Sherrone Moore was once a promising young leader. He was a rare Black head coach at the top of the sport — a rugged lineman at Oklahoma who climbed the ranks to Michigan, the winningest program in college football. His downfall has been even more stunning. The 39-year-old Moore was fired and arrested hours apart on Wednesday, and remained jailed with an arraignment expected Friday as police investigate an alleged assault. His firing was related to what the school called an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Moore has been through a lot in his career, but scandal abounds.

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FILE - Director Carl Rinsch poses for photographers during a news conference to promote his 3-D film "47 RONIN" in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, File)

Director convicted of scamming $11M from Netflix and going on lavish spending spree

December 11, 2025

A Hollywood director has been convicted on charges that he scammed Netflix out of $11 million for a show that never materialized, while he instead used the cash for lavish purchases that included several Rolls-Royces, a Ferrari and about $1 million in mattresses and luxury bedding. Carl Erik Rinsch, best known for directing the film “47 Ronin,” was convicted of wire fraud, money laundering and other charges on Thursday. His attorney disagreed with the verdict and said it could set a dangerous precedent for artists. Prosecutors said Rinsch swindled Netflix for a show he never completed and instead used the streaming giant’s money to benefit himself.

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FILE - Pages from the U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance website healthcare.gov are seen on a computer screen in New York, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

The Senate voted down dueling health proposals. Here’s what’s at stake for Americans

December 11, 2025

Hopes for solving a major health insurance issue are fading in Washington. The Senate on Thursday rejected two bills that would have addressed expiring COVID-era subsidies. Affordable Care Act subsidies will end in three weeks, more than doubling the premiums for many with health coverage through the 2010 law known as “Obamacare.” The issue is crucial as affordability concerns grow heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Pocketbook concerns, including health costs, are expected to be top issues for voters. More than 24 million people have health insurance through the ACA.

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This image from video posted on Attorney General Pam Bondi's X account, and partially redacted by the source, shows an oil tanker being seized by U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (U.S. Attorney General's Office/X via AP)

US seizure of rogue oil tanker off Venezuela signals new crackdown on shadow fleet

December 11, 2025

The recent seizure of an oil tanker known as Skipper by the U.S. off the coast of Venezuela marks a dramatic escalation of President Donald Trump’s campaign to choke off Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s access to oil revenues. The tanker is part of the illicit “shadow fleet” that global energy powers, including Venezuela, Iran and Russia, use to sidestep U.S. sanctions. Analysts say the operation could signal a broader U.S. campaign to clamp down on fuel smuggling. The move also threatens Maduro’s economic lifeline, although experts warn a broader blockade could roil global markets and raise U.S. gasoline prices.

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Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, joins activists demonstrating against the policies and conduct of President Donald Trump where he hints the possibility of bringing articles of impeachment against as he did in 2017, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

House squashes second attempt to impeach Trump from Rep. Al Green

December 11, 2025

The House has voted to dismiss an effort to impeach President Donald Trump. The impeachment resolution brought by Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas failed in a 237-140 vote with 47 Democrats voting present. The result was expected, but the resolution garnered more Democratic support compared to an similar measure that Green brought in June. Democratic leaders declined to formally oppose it, instead voting “present.” Republicans have begun to warn that Democrats are determined to impeach Trump a third time if they win the majority next year. They dismissed Thursday’s vote as a distraction.

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FILE - New York Attorney General, Letitia James, speaks after pleading not guilty outside the United States District Court Oct. 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark, File)

Justice Department again fails to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, AP source says

December 11, 2025

A grand jury has declined for a second time to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, refusing to resurrect a mortgage fraud prosecution encouraged by President Donald Trump, according to a person familiar with the matter. It’s a another major blow to the Justice Department after the dismissal of earlier charges against James and another longtime Trump foe, former FBI Director James Comey, in a stunning rebuke of the Trump administration’s efforts to prosecute the president’s political opponents. James says the case is politically motivated and has denied any wrongdoing.

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Man ordered held on $1M bond in shooting that killed teen at Kentucky State University

December 11, 2025

A judge has set a $1 million cash bond for the father of two Kentucky State University students in a campus shooting. Police say 48-year-old Jacob Lee Bard shot two students at a residence hall on Tuesday. The attack killed 19-year-old De’Jon Fox and critically injured another student. Bard has been charged with murder and first-degree assault. His attorney entered a not guilty plea for him Thursday. Police have not released a motive for the attack. Bard’s attorney, Mark Hall, told the judge that “there is so much more to this story” and that Bard has “significant defenses” in the shooting. Bard faces a preliminary hearing on Dec. 16.

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Bailey Konst Joins First Interstate Bank as Commercial Relationship Manager

December 11, 2025

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Dec. 8, 2025 — First Interstate Bank has hired Bailey Konst as a Commercial Relationship Manager, strengthening its business banking team in the Rapid City region. Konst will focus on developing new commercial relationships while supporting existing clients across western South Dakota. Her role includes helping local businesses access financial tools […]

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FILE - Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, left, talks with head coach Sherrone Moore, right, before an NCAA college football spring game in Ann Arbor, Mich., April 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, file)

Sherrone Moore’s firing leaves Michigan and its troubled football program scrambling to find a coach

December 11, 2025

Sherrone Moore spent the night in jail awaiting arraignment while college football’s winningest school suddenly started searching for a new coach to lead the Wolverines. Michigan has quite a mess on its hands. The NCAA put the program on probation less than four months ago, stemming from a sign-stealing scandal, and athletic director Warde Manuel has said penalties will cost the department more than $30 million. And now, the Wolverines are scrambling to find a new leader for the shaken football team. The move leaves Michigan looking for a third coach in four years.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent listens as President Donald Trump talks after meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Treasury Secretary Bessent calls for looser regulations for the U.S. financial system

December 11, 2025

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is proposing changes to the Financial Stability Oversight Council. It’s a body that was created after the 2008 global financial crisis to prevent future economic meltdowns. Bessent is advocating for looser regulations. In a letter released Thursday, Bessent says efforts to safeguard the financial system have often resulted in burdensome regulations. He said the Trump administration is changing that approach. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said reducing regulations would create too much risk.

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Michael Jordan, left, shakes hands with NASCAR attorney Lawrence Buterman as NASCAR chairman Jim France, center, looks away, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, outside the federal courthouse in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)

NASCAR settles federal antitrust case, gives all its teams the permanent charters they wanted

December 11, 2025

NASCAR has settled an antitrust lawsuit with two race teams, including one co-owned by Michael Jordan. The settlement was announced Thursday after a delay on the ninth day of the trial. The lawsuit was filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports last year after they refused to sign new charter agreements presented by NASCAR. The teams raced uncharted for most of 2025. The case highlighted family ties in motorsports, with emotional testimonies from figures like Denny Hamlin and Jordan. NASCAR’s chairman, Jim France, defended the temporary nature of charters, citing core principles from his family.

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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Steelers LB TJ Watt hospitalized after experiencing discomfort in his lungs

December 11, 2025

Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt is in the hospital after experiencing lung discomfort. Team spokesman Burt Lauten says Watt reported the issue to the club’s medical staff on Wednesday and was sent to the hospital on Thursday. Watt’s status for Monday night’s game against Miami is uncertain. The 30-year-old has started 56 straight regular-season games for Pittsburgh. Watt has led the NFL in sacks three times in his nine seasons with the Steelers. In 2021, he tied a league record with 22 and a half sacks.

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FILE - Michigan State and Northeastern tipoff at Matthews Arena during the first half of a college basketball game in Boston, Dec. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

Boston’s Matthews Arena to close after 100-plus years of hockey, hoops and even the Sultan of Swat

December 11, 2025

Matthews Arena will be closing its doors this week after more than a century of hosting the biggest names in sports but also politics, music and culture. Now owned by Northeastern University, the 115-year-old barn will say goodbye when the Huskies play Beanpot rival Boston University in hockey on Saturday night. That will end an era for the building that opened as Boston Arena on April 16, 1910, served as the original home of the Boston Bruins, and also gave birth to the Celtics’ iconic parquet floor. Along the way it also hosted presidents and concerts.

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FILE - James Rich maneuvers a bulging net full of northern shrimp caught in the Gulf of Maine, Jan. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

New England’s shrimp fishery to shut down for the long haul after years of decline

December 11, 2025

Fishing regulators are extending a shutdown for New England’s historic shrimp fishing business, effectively shuttering an industry that fell victim to warming oceans. The sweet pink shrimp were once a winter delicacy. Maine fishermen used to catch millions of pounds of shrimp, but the business has been under a fishing moratorium since 2014. Scientists say rising temperatures have created an inhospitable environment for the shrimp, and their population is too low to fish sustainably. An arm of the regulatory Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted on Thursday to shut down the fishery for at least another three years.

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US to play Senegal on May 31 in pre-World Cup friendly in North Carolina

December 11, 2025

The United States will play Senegal in a friendly on May 31 at Charlotte, North Carolina, in the Americans’ next-to-last game before their World Cup opener. The U.S. has four games remaining before co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico and Canada. The 14th-ranked Americans play No. 8 Belgium on March 28 and sixth-ranked Portugal three days later, both at Atlanta. After meeting 19th-ranked Senegal, the U.S. faces No. 9 Germany on June 6 at Chicago. This will be the first meeting between the Americans and Senegal. At the World Cup, the U.S. opens Group D against No. 39 Paraguay on June 12 at Inglewood, California.

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Phil Hallman, a University of Michigan film studies librarian, holds a photo of actor Kevin Costner, Nov. 24, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Mike Householder)

‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ rarities are in Lawrence Kasdan’s university archive

December 11, 2025

Documents that detail Lawrence Kasdan’s career have been donated to the University of Michigan, the writer and director’s alma mater. Archivists are about a quarter of the way through cataloging the 150-plus boxes of material. Included are scripts, photographs, audio recordings, call sheets, props and more. One rarity is pictures of Kevin Costner on the set of the 1983 film “The Big Chill,” before his scene was famously cut. Kasdan also wrote “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and a number of “Star Wars” films. Kasdan directed “Wyatt Earp” and “Body Heat.” The 76-year-old’s papers join those of fellow filmmakers Orson Welles, Robert Altman and Jonathan Demme at the Ann Arbor school.

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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)

US jobless benefit applications jump to 236,000 last week as concerns about labor market persist

December 11, 2025

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits jumped last week, but remain in the same historically healthy range of the past few years despite growing concern over the health of the labor market. U.S. jobless claim applications for the week ending Dec. 6 climbed by 44,000 to 236,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as a proxy for layoffs. Despite what on the surface appears to be a historically healthy job market, the Federal Reserve trimmed its benchmark lending rate by a quarter-point on Wednesday out of concern that the job market is weaker than it appears.

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AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Tramell Tillman, the ‘Severance’ star who is very much connecting

December 11, 2025

Tramell Tillman has had a remarkable 2025, becoming a force in the entertainment world and winning a spot as one of The Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025. Known for his role in “Severance,” Tillman made Emmy history as the first Black man to win for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series. He also starred alongside Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.” Tillman, originally aspiring to be a storm chaser, has embraced his newfound fame. He admires versatile performers like Hugh Jackman and Donald Glover and aims to expand his storytelling. Tillman will appear in upcoming films, continuing his impressive journey in acting.

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AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Chase Sui Wonders’ Harvard astrophysics detour led her to Hollywood

December 11, 2025

Chase Sui Wonders always thought she was “kind of funny,” but it was officially confirmed after booking “The Studio” after just one audition. It’s been an eventful year for the AP Breakthrough Entertainer who plays the hyper ambitious, cutthroat assistant-turned-creative executive Quinn Hackett on the Emmy-winning comedy. But a Hollywood career nearly didn’t happen for the magna cum laude graduate who switched her major at Harvard from astrophysics to film studies after being “humbled” by quickly falling behind. The 29-year old has several projects in the works including “I Want Your Sex” starring Olivia Wilde and A24’s horror thriller “October.”

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AP Breakthrough Entertainer: Danny Ramirez’s entrance into Hollywood began on the soccer field

December 11, 2025

Danny Ramirez’s acting career began unexpectedly on a soccer field. Now, he’s earned a spot as one of The Associated Press’s Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025. Known for his roles in “Captain America: Brave New World,” “The Last of Us” and more, Ramirez first began acting while sidelined with a sprained ankle when a production assistant invited him to be an extra in Mira Nair’s film “The Reluctant Fundamentalist.” Seeing actor Riz Ahmed portraying a soccer player on set inspired Ramirez. He’s set to produce, write, direct and star in his directorial debut “Baton,” and other upcoming projects.

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(AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin)

Office holiday parties can be dreadful for introverts and people with social anxiety

December 11, 2025

Navigating holiday parties can be tough for introverts and people who are shy or have social anxiety. Many of them find mingling at parties draining or a source of uncomfortable emotions. The internal debate about whether or not to attend large get-togethers can get especially intense during the holiday season. Office parties where people drink alcohol may make usually clear professional boundaries murkier. Experts say dressing comfortably, arriving right on time and planning talking points in advance can make conversations feel less awkward. Avoid divisive topics and keep things light. Take breaks and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s OK to stay a short time.

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A sign for Time magazine is displayed outside the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Donald King)

Time magazine names ‘Architects of AI’ as its person of the year for 2025

December 11, 2025

The “Architects of AI” were named Time magazine’s person of the year for 2025. The magazine on Thursday cited 2025 as the year when the potential of artificial intelligence “roared into view” with no turning back. AI was a leading contender for the top slot, according to prediction markets, along with tech CEOs Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Sam Altman of OpenAI. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope whose election this year followed the death of Pope Francis, was also considered a contender, with President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani topping lists as well.

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FILE - New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts during a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash, File)

Mets front office taking heat with fan favorites Alonso, Díaz and Nimmo headed out of town

December 11, 2025

Brandon Nimmo went first. Then it was Edwin Díaz and Pete Alonso on back-to-back days at baseball’s winter meetings. Three fan favorites headed out the door in 2 1/2 weeks — a powerful gut punch to angry New York Mets fans wondering what on earth the front office is thinking. As the club embarks on a major makeover, suffice to say owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns are not the most popular couple in Queens right now. Stearns says there is work to do, but there are many good players available and he’s confident the Mets will like their team when opening day arrives.

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U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at a news conference at Harry Reid International Airport, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

Homeland Security Secretary Noem faces scrutiny over immigration policies at a House hearing

December 11, 2025

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is expected to face tough questions from Democrats over the Republican administration’s immigration policies at a House hearing. Noem heads the agency central to President Donald Trump’s mass deportations agenda. Immigration enforcement operations have become more contentious since Noem last appeared in Congress in May. The number of people in immigration detention has skyrocketed. Democrats accuse immigration enforcement agents of erroneously detaining American citizens. Noem appears Thursday at the House Committee on Homeland Security to discuss “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland.” Noem’s appearance comes as a federal judge investigates whether she should face a contempt charge over flights carrying migrants to El Salvador.

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In Memoriam

Doreen Ann Clark | 12/11/2025

December 11, 2025

View The Obituary For Doreen Ann Clark. Please join us in Loving, Sharing and Memorializing Doreen Ann Clark on this permanent online memorial presented by Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

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President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion with business leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump’s handling of the economy is at its lowest point in AP-NORC polling

December 11, 2025

A new AP-NORC poll finds President Donald Trump’s approval on the economy has fallen substantially since he reentered the White House. It’s a warning about how Americans are evaluating the Republican president’s performance as the year draws to a close. The survey finds only 31% of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling the economy. That’s down from 40% in March and marks the lowest economic approval he’s registered in his first or second term. Trump’s approval also has slipped on other issues that were strengths for him at the beginning of this term, including immigration and crime. Trump’s overall job approval hasn’t fallen as steeply.

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A person shops for produce at a market in San Francisco on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Tariffs have cost U.S. households $1,200 each since Trump returned to the White House, Democrats say

December 11, 2025

Sweeping taxes on imports have cost the average American household nearly $1,200 since Donald Trump returned to the White House this year, according to calculations by Democrats on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee. Using Treasury Department numbers on revenue from tariffs and Goldman Sachs estimates of who ends up paying for them, the Democrats’ report Thursday found that American consumers’ share of the bill came to nearly $159 billion — or $1,198 per household — from February through November.

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Joel Brennan, former top Evers aide, joins crowded 2026 Wisconsin governor race

December 11, 2025

A former top official in Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ administration is running to succeed the two-term Democrat. Joel Brennan launched his campaign Thursday, joining a crowded primary field for the 2026 election. Brennan told The Associated Press that he would be a governor who both fights President Donald Trump’s “chaos and dysfunction” and works across the aisle with Republicans in the state. He said he wants to build relationships with both Democrats and Republicans to “roll up our sleeves and work together.” Wisconsin is a politically divided state that went for Trump in 2016 and 2024 and President Joe Biden in 2020.

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The Los Angeles Rams Mariachi Band performs before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

How the Mariachi Rams band turned the NFL game day into a personal Los Angeles soundtrack

December 11, 2025

The Mariachi Rams are reshaping NFL game day by blending traditional Mexican music with Los Angeles’ hip-hop and rock influences. Crystal Hernández, the only woman in the NFL’s first official mariachi band, is the daughter of José Hernández, the Grammy-nominated artist who founded the ensemble in 2019. The 10-person ensemble plays classic mariachi and reimagined pop and hip-hop anthems. Members balance careers in education, banking and more during the week. Their presence has become integral to the Rams’ game-day rhythm, reflecting the city’s culture and expanding the NFL’s cultural connections.

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