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January 5, 2026.

FILE - Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Fifth anniversary of Jan. 6 brings fresh division to the Capitol

On the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, there is no official event to memorialize what happened that day. Instead, President Donald Trump will meet privately with House Republicans at the Kennedy Center — which the president has rebranded to carry his own name — for a policy forum. Democrats will hold a hearing with witnesses to the violence that day and gather on the Capitol steps to mark the commemoration. It all carries echoes of the split screen five years ago when Trump sent his supporters to the Capitol to protest his 2020 election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden. The mob marched down Pennsylvania Avenue, battled police at the barricades and stormed inside, as lawmakers fled.

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Houston Rockets' Kevin Durant (7) celebrates after making a game-winning 3-point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Durant admits game-winner over Suns meant more because he was ‘kicked out’

Houston’s Kevin Durant said hitting the game-winner Monday night against the Phoenix Suns meant more because it came against his former team that he felt kicked him out. Durant scored 26 points and his 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds to go lifted the Rockets to the 100-97 victory. Asked if it meant more because it came against the the Suns, the 15-time All-Star didn’t hold back. “Most definitely,” he said. “A place that I didn’t want to leave. My first time — I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I will — to be kicked out of a place.”

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FILE - Embers blow down a street as the Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)

These numbers tell the story of the Los Angeles wildfires, one year later

A year after twin infernos devastated Los Angeles County, here are some key numbers that show how fast the disaster unfolded and the toll it left behind. On Jan 6, 2024, the weather was primed for severe wildfire danger, with wind gusts reaching 90 miles per hour. The Palisades Fire exploded in size within four hours, leading to evacuations. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire started on the other side of the county. In total, 31 lives were lost in the fires, and 16,255 structures were destroyed. Only eight homes have been rebuilt so far. The fires burned 59 square miles, roughly the size of the entire city of San Francisco.

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President Donald Trump listens to a question during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump and House Republicans are meeting to talk about their election-year agenda

President Donald Trump is meeting with House Republicans to align on their policy and political agenda at the start of a critical midterm election year. GOP lawmakers are hosting a daylong policy forum Tuesday at the Kennedy Center, which was recently renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center. Among the topics likely to be discussed are affordability issues and promotion of the GOP’s tax-and-border law. The meeting follows the Trump administration’s ouster of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, which has reignited debate about Trump’s powers over Congress to authorize the campaign against Venezuela. Republicans are also considering a second tax bill and addressing the possibility of a potential government shutdown.

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FILE - Flowers are placed around a welcome sign outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, May 25, 2022, to honor the victims killed in a shooting at the school. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Former Uvalde officer accused of not protecting students during 2022 shooting goes on trial

Prosecutors in Texas are set to begin laying out their case against a former police officer who was among the first on the scene of the horrific school shooting in Uvalde more than three years ago. Former Uvalde schools officer Adrian Gonzales is charged with failing to protect children during the attack after authorities waited more than an hour to confront the gunman. He’s one of two former law enforcement officers charged following the the attack that killed 19 students and two teachers. The officer’s attorney has said Gonzales tried to save children that day. Among those who may be called to testify are families of students killed in the attack.

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Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half of the FCS Championship NCAA college football game against Illinois State, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Montana State beats Illinois State in OT for 1st national title since 1984

Myles Sansted kicked the extra point in overtime as Montana State won its first national championship since 1984, beating Illinois State 35-34 Monday night in the Football Championship Subdivision title game. The Bobcats found a way to top a season that featured two wins over in-state rival Montana over a four-week span. Montana State found a way to top that with a thrilling finish in the first overtime in the 48 years of this title game. Justin Lamson tied with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Taco Dowler on fourth-and-10. Hunter Parsons blocked the extra point attempt after Tommy Rittenhouse gave Illinois State its only lead at 34-28 to open overtime.

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Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, right, drives past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

NBA-leading Thunder humbled in 124-97 home loss to struggling Hornets

Brandon Miller scored 28 points as the Charlotte Hornets stunned the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 124-97 on Monday night. Kon Knueppel added 23 points for the Hornets, who had lost three of four before handing Oklahoma City its worst loss of the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points for his 108th straight game with at least 20, the second-longest streak in NBA history. Oklahoma City took its second straight loss and second home defeat of the season.

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Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) celebrates after the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff quarterfinal game against Georgia in New Orleans, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Mathew Hinton)

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss plans to return, pending NCAA ruling on eligibility

Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss plans to return to school next season if the NCAA approves his request for an additional year of eligibility. Chambliss announced his decision three days before the Rebels play Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. Chambliss took a redshirt his first season at Ferris State and another due to medical reasons his second season there. Ole Miss filed a waiver request with the NCAA in November. Chambliss threw for over 3,600 yards and 21 touchdowns after taking over as the Rebel’s starter the third game of the season. Ole Miss plays Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, which doubles as a College Football Playoff semifinal.

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Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) throws a pass during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Bryce Underwood staying at Michigan for sophomore season under 1st-year coach Kyle Whittingham

Bryce Underwood is staying at Michigan for his sophomore season to play for first-year coach Kyle Whittingham. Underwood announced his decision Monday night. As the nation’s top-rated recruit, Underwood signed with the Wolverines under former coach Sherrone Moore and became the fourth true freshman to start at quarterback for Michigan. Underwood completed 60% of his throws for 2,428 yards with nine passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions, including three in the last 18 minutes of a 41-27 loss to Texas in the Citrus Bowl. He ran for 392 yards and six touchdowns, including 77 yards and a score against the Longhorns.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at the U.S. Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, for a closed-door briefing with top lawmakers after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and bring him to New York to face federal drug trafficking charges. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Rubio, Hegseth brief congressional leaders as questions mount over next steps in Venezuela

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials have briefed leaders in Congress on the striking military operation in Venezuela. The hours-long classified session behind closed doors Monday comes amid mounting concerns that President Donald Trump is embarking on a new era of U.S. expansionism without consulting Congress. Still, Republican leaders entered the closed-door session at the Capitol largely supportive of Trump’s decision to forcibly remove Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro from power, while Democrats emerged with more questions. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said after the briefing that he does not expect U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela.

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Play continues with the shot clock not working during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Clock and scoreboard malfunction delays Rockets vs. Suns game

Monday’s game between the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns was briefly delayed because of a malfunction of the clocks and scoreboard before play resumed without either working. The problems began early in the second quarter when the game clock, shot clock and scoreboard stopped working. The clock and shot clocks went blank and the scoreboard was frozen with the score at the end of the first quarter. After play resumed, the public address announcer periodically announced the time remaining on the clock, gave the time left on the shot clock early in the count and counted down when the shot clock got under 10. The clock and scoreboard began working with about four minutes left in the first half, and the shot clocks were restored for the start of the third quarter.

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A puck shot by Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (not shown) gets by New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin for a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Dec 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin leaves game against the Mammoth because of injury

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin left his team’s game against Utah midway through the first period with an apparent left leg injury. The team announced Shesterkin would not return because of what it called only a lower-body injury. Shesterkin’s leg bent awkwardly with his skate on the ice as he attempted to avoid contact with Mammoth forward JJ Peterka, who was on the edge of the crease. Peterka did not appear to make contact with Shesterkin, who lay down in the net in pain while he was attended to by a trainer. Shesterkin was helped off the ice by the trainer and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and did not put any weight on his left foot.

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FILE - This undated photo provided by the City of New Haven, Conn., shows Police Chief Karl Jacobson. (City of New Haven via AP,File)

New Haven police chief abruptly retires after theft allegations, mayor says

New Haven’s police chief has abruptly retired following allegations he stole money from a department account. Mayor Justin Elicker said Monday that Chief Karl Jacobson allegedly took money from an account designated for confidential informants. He said the chief admitted to the theft after three of his deputies confronted him over the financial irregularities. Jacobson served as chief for three years. He took over just weeks after a Black man was paralyzed in the back of a police van in an incident that roiled the city. Jacobsen didn’t immediately return an email seeking comment.

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President Donald Trump listens as he was speaking with reporters while in flight on Air Force One, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, as returning to Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

After Maduro capture, Trump’s tough talk evokes a return to the days of American imperialism

President Donald Trump hasn’t minced words about the larger message he’s trying to send the world with the U.S. military raid to capture Nicolás Maduro. “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again,” Trump declared shortly after the deposed Venezuelan leader and his wife were spirited away to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges. In the days since the audacious raid, the president and his team have only doubled down on this notion. It’s the kind of tough talk not heard since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when American presidents deployed the military for territorial and resource conquests.

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Canada forward Sam O'Reilly (23) celebrates with teammates after a power play goal against Finland during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Canada beats Finland 6-3 in 3rd-place game in world junior hockey championship

Sam O’Reilly scored twice, Gavin McKenna and Michael Hage each had four points and Canada beat Finland 6-3 on Monday in the third-place game in the world junior hockey championship. Czechia faced Sweden on Monday night in the first all-European final since 2016. On Sunday night, Czechia beat Canada 6-4, and Sweden edged Finland 4-3 in a shootout. McKenna had a goal and three assists, and Hage had four assists. Zayne Parekh had a goal and an assist to break the Canadian record for points by a defenseman with 13 on six goals and seven assists. Alex Pietrangelo had 12 in 2010.

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FILE - A certified medical assistant holds a syringe for a flu vaccine at a clinic in Seattle, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Here’s what to know about the unprecedented changes to child vaccine recommendations

U.S. health officials have made unprecedented changes to childhood vaccine recommendations, alarming pediatricians and other medical experts. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that all children get vaccinated against 11 diseases, down from 18 a year ago. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics plan to continue recommending the broader list. Insurance coverage for vaccines is expected to continue despite the changes.

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New signage, The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts, is unveiled on the Kennedy Center, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump may have his name on the building but it’s still the Kennedy Center to Congress

President Donald Trump may have his name on the building but it’s still the Kennedy Center to Congress. A bipartisan spending package released Monday by House Speaker Mike Johnson includes $32 million for operating expenses at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through Sept. 30, 2027. Trump made a series of leadership changes at the center after he took office. The Republican president’s handpicked board of trustees voted in December to add his name to Kennedy’s on the exterior of the building and the website, turning it into the Trump Kennedy Center for short.

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FILE - A North Atlantic right whale feeds on the surface of Cape Cod bay off the coast of Plymouth, Mass., March 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

A rare whale is having an encouraging season for births. Scientists warn it might still go extinct

One of the world’s rarest whale species is having more babies this year than in some recent seasons, but experts say many more young are needed to help stave off the possibility of extinction. The North Atlantic right whale numbers an estimated 384 animals and its population is slowly rising after several years of decline. Scientists say the whales have gained more than 7% of their 2020 population. The whales give birth off the southeastern United States every winter before migrating north to feed. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday that researchers have identified 15 calves this winter.

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The Louisiana National Guard, military police, and Louisiana law enforcement agencies patrol the French Quarter along Bourbon Street and intersecting streets as part of a National Guard deployment for New Year's celebrations in New Orleans, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Violent crime fell in 2025 for a third straight year in New Orleans, where Guard troops now patrol

New Orleans ended 2025 with its third year of declining violent crime rates even as armed National Guard troops patrolled the city’s streets on the orders of President Donald Trump. On Monday, New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick touted a significant decrease in murders, armed robberies, shootings and carjackings since 2022. The armed National Guard troops have been deployed around the city’s historic French Quarter for about a week. Local officials pushed back for months against the possibility of a Guard mission in New Orleans, pointing out that crime was already decreasing and that troops aren’t trained to arrest and jail people, much less investigate crimes and prosecute anyone. But Kirkpatrick says she supports the troops’ presence as a deterrent.

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FILE - Nathan Chasing Horse sits in court, Feb. 8, 2023, in North Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil, File)

‘Dances with Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse disrupts court week before sex abuse trial

“Dances with Wolves” actor Nathan Chasing Horse has been temporarily removed from court after disrupting proceedings with demands he be allowed to fire his attorney a week before his sexual abuse trial. A Las Vegas judge denied that motion Monday. The trial is set to proceed as scheduled on Jan. 12. He is accused of sexually abusing Native American women and girls in a case that has sent shock waves through Indian Country. Prosecutors allege he used his reputation as a medicine man to take advantage of people who came to him for healing.

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Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks during an event on prescription drug prices in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump officials bar Head Start providers from using ‘women’ and ‘race’ in grant applications

The Trump administration is telling Head Start providers to avoid dozens of terms in federal grant applications, including “race,” “belonging” and “pregnant people.” The directive could reshape the early education program. A coalition of organizations representing Head Start providers and parents said in court filings last month that the Department of Health and Human Services told a Head Start director in Wisconsin to cut those and over a dozen other terms from her application. President Donald Trump’s administration associates the terms with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which it has vowed to root out across the government.

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Rapid City Regional Airport donates $2,000 to Cornerstone Rescue Mission

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Regional Airport donated $2,000 to Cornerstone Rescue Mission through its ongoing “Empty Pockets = Full Plates” program, continuing a local partnership aimed at addressing food insecurity in Rapid City and the Black Hills. The program encourages passengers to donate spare change as they pass through the Transportation Security Administration […]

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FILE - Grammy Awards are displayed at the Grammy Museum Experience at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

A new Grammy category honors album covers, and the artists that make them

Five albums are nominated for best album cover at the 68th Grammy Awards. Previously included in the best album package category, it’s the first time covers have their own category in over 50 years. The nominees are Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Tyler, the Creator’s “Chromakopia,” Djo’s “The Crux,” Perfume Genius’s “Glory” and Wet Leg’s “Moisturizer.” The new category was designed to recognize the impact of covers in the digital age, when listeners more often encounter the images and not the physical packaging. Artists say that the award brings visibility to the work that goes into artists’ visual worlds.

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Michael Schumacher, Wisconsin author of biographies of Allen Ginsberg and Eric Clapton, dies at 75

Wisconsin author Michael Schumacher, who produced an array of works ranging from biographies of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and musician Eric Clapton to accounts of Great Lakes shipwrecks, has died at age 75. Schumacher’s daughter, Emily Schumacher, said her father passed away on Dec. 29. The writer spent most of his adult life in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He wrote dozens of books, including biographies of Coppola, Clapton, basketball great George Mikan and writer Allen Ginsberg. He also produced accounts of the sinking of the cargo ship Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior and a 1913 storm that claimed the lives of more than 250 sailors on the Great Lakes.

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Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield holds child during an announcement of the city's participation in Rx Kids program that provides cash to help expectant mothers, Monday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Corey Williams)

Detroit joining Michigan program that gives cash to expectant mothers for essentials

A Michigan program that provides cash to help expectant mothers cope with bills, expenses and the high cost of taking care of children is coming to Detroit. Mayor Mary Sheffield announced Monday that Michigan State University’s Rx Kids program is expected to open within the first 100 days of her taking office. Sheffield was elected in November and installed last week as Detroit’s first female mayor. The program gives a one-time allocation of $1,500 to expectant mothers during pregnancy. That’s followed by $500 per month during the child’s first six months after birth. Families are expected to use the money for essentials. Funding comes from various foundations and businesses. The city also will pitch in $500,000 annually over three years.

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Flowers are displayed at the NC Auto Racing Walk of Fame for Greg Biffle, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Mooresville, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

A deadly plane crash, a burning home and a tense trial add up in NASCAR’s offseason of heartbreak

The NASCAR community is reeling after a series of tragic events. A memorial service was held Sunday for Emma Biffle, the 14-year-old daughter of driver Greg Biffle, who died in a plane crash with six others, including her family. The crash occurred in December. This tragedy followed a difficult offseason, including a legal battle involving NASCAR and a devastating fire that killed Denny Hamlin’s father. Despite these challenges, the community remains tight-knit, supporting each other through crises. A public memorial for the crash victims is planned for Jan. 16.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks before President Donald Trump arrives at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

US-based multinational companies will be exempt from global tax deal

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has finalized a deal exempting U.S. multinational corporations from paying more corporate taxes overseas. Announced Monday, the agreement involves nearly 150 countries and aims to stop large companies from shifting profits to low-tax countries. The amended version excludes U.S.-based multinationals from the 15% global minimum tax after negotiations between the Trump administration and other members of the Group of Seven wealthy nations. The most recent version of the deal waters down a landmark 2021 agreement that set a minimum global corporate tax of 15%. Critics say the deal undermines efforts to prevent profit shifting to tax havens.

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Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) celebrates after the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff quarterfinal game against Georgia in New Orleans, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Mathew Hinton)

Miami’s Beck, Ole Miss’ Chambliss take different paths to College Football Playoff

Miami’s Carson Beck is the prototypical power-program quarterback, a former four-star prospect with a massive NIL portfolio who knows what it’s like to play on the big stage. Mississippi’s Trinidad Chambliss nearly gave up football, won a Division II national championship and has shined since being unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight. Their paths will converge in the desert at Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl with a spot in the national championship game on the line. Beck has been a perfect fit at Miami since transferring from Georgia, putting the Hurricanes in position for their first national championship since 2001. Chambliss won a Division II national championship at Ferris State before joining Ole Miss. He’s been superb since taking over as the starter.

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FILE = The Health and Human Services seal is seen before the news conference of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Hubert Humphrey Building Auditorium in Washington, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

After judge’s ruling, HHS authorized to resume sharing some Medicaid data with deportation officers

The nation’s health department can resume sharing the personal data of certain Medicaid enrollees with deportation officials. That’s after a ruling by a federal judge last week and comes as an earlier temporary order blocking the data sharing expires Monday. The decision marks a blow to states that had sued the administration over privacy concerns. The judge’s decision last week strictly limited the scope of data from the 22 plaintiff states that can be shared. For now it only allows the agency to hand over basic biographical information about immigrants residing in the United States illegally.

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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon walks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon fired following dismal third season that ended with 3-14 record

Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon was fired Monday following a dismal third season that started with high expectations but quickly collapsed thanks to injuries, embarrassing gaffes and a long string of losses that became increasingly noncompetitive. The final indignity came Sunday, when the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cardinals 37-20 after scoring the final 21 points. It was the team’s ninth straight loss and 14th setback in 15 games.

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Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor, left, and defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. react following the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Ohio State Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Miami’s defense has been airtight to fuel run to CFP semifinals. And now Ole Miss awaits

Miami’s biggest signing this season might be defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman from Minnesota. He was hired in January 2025 to fix a struggling defense. The Hurricanes are now allowing their fewest points per game since 2001, their last national championship season. They’ve given up only 9.7 points per game in a six-game winning streak. Miami faces Mississippi in a CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night. Hetherman’s philosophy, “excitement, swarm, violence,” has transformed the team. With standout players like Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, Miami’s defense is thriving.

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FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2018 file photo, a nurse prepares a flu shot at the Salvation Army in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Flu season surged in the US over the holiday and already rivals last winter’s harsh epidemic

U.S. flu infections are still surging, and health officials are calling it a severe season that is likely to get worse. New government data posted Monday shows that by some measures this season is already surpassing the flu epidemic of last winter. That was one of the harshest seasons in recent history. Forty-five states were reporting high or very high flu activity during the week of Christmas. That’s up from 30 states the week before. A new version of the flu virus — known as the subclade K variant — is accounting for many of the cases.

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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Raiders fire Pete Carroll after 3-14 season and will look for a new coach for third straight year

The Las Vegas Raiders have fired Pete Carroll after just one year. Carroll had high hopes for success, but the Raiders finished 3-14, including a 10-game losing streak. They ended the season with a win over Kansas City on Sunday. Owner Mark Davis and minority owner Tom Brady will work with general manager John Spytek to find a new coach. The team might look for an offensive-minded coach to work with a young quarterback. Carroll, 74, was the NFL’s oldest head coach and previously led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a news conference at the State Department, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

US expands list of countries whose citizens must pay up to $15,000 bonds to apply for visas

The Trump administration has added seven countries, including five in Africa, to the list of nations whose passport holders are required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for visas to enter the United States. Thirteen countries, all but two of them in Africa, are now on the list. It makes the process of obtaining a visa unaffordable for many but U.S. officials say it is an effective deterrent to prevent foreigners from overstaying their visas. The State Department last week quietly added Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Turkmenistan to the list. Those designations took effect on Jan. 1. It’s the latest effort by the Trump administration to tighten requirements for visa applicants.

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FILE - A sign is posted outside a water well indicates perchlorate contamination at a site in Rialto, Calif., March 28, 2005. (AP Photo/Ric Francis, File)

EPA says it will propose drinking water limit for perchlorate, but only because court ordered it

The Environmental Protection Agency says it will propose a drinking water limit for perchlorate, a chemical in certain explosives. But the agency said it doesn’t think a limit will provide a major public health benefit and it’s doing so only because a court ordered it. Perchlorate affects the function of the thyroid and can be particularly damaging to the development of infants. The agency first said the substance needed to be regulated in 2011, but reversed itself during the first Trump administration and said the substance was less threatening and to fewer people than once thought.

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The Golden Globes are this week. Here’s what to know about the first major show of awards season

The Golden Globes kick off Hollywood’s awards season on Sunday. This year’s 83rd edition of the show is hosted for the second year by comedian Nikki Glaser. It airs live at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS and streams live on Paramount+. Acting nominees include Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Emma Stone. “One Battle After Another” is the top nominee with nine and is an Oscar front-runner. “Sentimental Value,” “Sinners” and “Hamnet” are also nominated in top categories. Career achievement awards will go to Helen Mirren and Sarah Jessica Parker.

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FILE - Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., refutes efforts by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to intimidate him and other lawmakers after expressing concerns over U.S. military strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean, during a news conference at the Capitol, in Washington, Dec. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Hegseth censures Sen. Kelly after warning about following illegal orders

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that he is issuing a letter of censure to Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona over the lawmaker’s participation in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders. In November, Kelly and the other lawmakers — all veterans of the armed services and intelligence community — called on U.S. military members to uphold the Constitution and defy “illegal orders.” The 90-second video was first posted from Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s X account. In it, the six lawmakers speak directly to U.S. service members, whom Slotkin acknowledges are “under enormous stress and pressure right now.” Kelly’s office has no comment.

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FILE - Toronto Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly speaks during a World Series baseball media day, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)

Phillies hire Don Mattingly as bench coach, reuniting him with GM son Preston

The Philadelphia Phillies have hired Don Mattingly as a bench coach on Rob Thomson’s staff. Mattingly reunites with his son, Preston, who is Philadelphia’s general manager. He has spent the last 22 seasons on major league staffs, including three years with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mattingly, a former Yankees first baseman, was a six-time All-Star and 1985 AL MVP. He managed the Dodgers and Marlins, earning NL Manager of the Year in 2020. Mattingly replaces Mike Calitri, now the major league field coordinator.

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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski walks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Browns fire two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski after six seasons

The Cleveland Browns have fired coach Kevin Stefanski after six seasons. Stefanski is the fourth NFL coach fired this season, joining Tennessee’s Brian Callahan, the New York Giants’ Brian Daboll and Atlanta’s Raheem Morris. The Browns won their final two games to finish 5-12, including a 20-18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Stefanski, a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year, led Cleveland to playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023. He is the sixth coach fired since owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam bought the franchise in 2012. The Browns have struggled with a 73-139-1 regular-season record since 2013.

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FILE - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, June 12, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Walz, Democrats’ 2024 VP pick, drops bid for third term as Minnesota governor; Klobuchar considers

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is ending his bid for a third term as governor amid President Donald Trump’s relentless focus on a fraud investigation into child care programs in the state. Less than four months after announcing his reelection campaign, Walz said Monday he could no longer devote the energy necessary to win another term, even as he expressed confidence he could win. A person close to Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said she is considering running for governor. Around a dozen Republicans are already in the race.

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A replica plaque commemorating the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot stands outside the office of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

This Jan. 6 plaque was made to honor law enforcement. It’s nowhere to be found at the Capitol

Approaching the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, the official plaque honoring the police who defended democracy is nowhere to be found. It’s not on display at the Capitol, as is required by law. Its whereabouts are not publicly known, though it’s believed to be in storage. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to formally unveil the plaque. And the Trump administration’s Justice Department is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit asking that it be displayed. Instead, some 100 members of Congress, mostly Democrats, have mounted poster board-style replicas of the Jan. 6 plaque outside their office doors.

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FILE - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro places his hand over his hear while talking to high-ranking officers during a military ceremony on his inauguration day for a third term, in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

Maduro is set to make his first appearance in a US courtroom on drug trafficking charges

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to make his first appearance in an American courtroom. Maduro and his wife are expected to appear at noon Monday before a judge in New York. He is accused of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. The Trump administration used the criminal charges to justify capturing Maduro and removing him to U.S. soil. Maduro’s lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state. Venezuela’s new interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has demanded that the U.S. return Maduro, who long denied any involvement in drug trafficking.

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jabrill Peppers (40) reacts after Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop (33) missed a field goal attempt in the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Ravens have a long offseason to think about where to go next after stunning loss to Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens head into an uncertain offseason following a sloppy 26-24 loss to Pittsburgh in the regular season finale that cost the Ravens the AFC North title. Quarterback Lamar Jackson passed for 238 yards and three touchdowns but Baltimore’s defense wilted late against Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers. The Ravens finished a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations with a record of just 8-9. The club has several questions to answer in the offseason, including whether head coach John Harbaugh will return for a 19th season.

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