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February 4, 2026.

Portland forward Cameron Williams celebrates his team's win over Gonzaga following an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Portland upsets No. 6 Gonzaga 87-80 to snap Bulldogs’ 15-game winning streak

February 4, 2026

Joel Foxwell scored 27 points and Portland upset No. 6 Gonzaga 87-80, giving the Pilots their first victory over a top-10 team and snapping the Bulldogs’ 15-game winning streak. Portland also ended a 20-game Gonzaga winning streak in the series. The Pilots had not defeated the Bulldogs since an 82-73 triumph in Portland on Jan. 9, 2014. James O’Donnell added 16 points for the Pilots, who snapped a three-game losing streak with a stunning performance. They were a 21 1/2-point underdog, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Graham Ike had 24 points and 10 rebounds for Gonzaga, which had won 14 straight conference games. Gonzaga’s only previous loss this season came on Dec. 10 against then-No. 7 Michigan in Las Vegas.

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A Pre-K 4 SA student walks a beam on the playground, Oct. 9, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Kindergarten readiness varies widely by income, new data shows. Cities are stepping in to help

February 4, 2026

San Antonio offers a free preschool program for infants and toddlers, helping set them up for success in elementary school. The program called Pre-K 4 SA focuses on low-income families, providing 2,000 preschool seats, 80% of which are free. It uses a “whole child” approach, developing socioemotional and motor skills. The program also offers services like healthy cooking classes and free bus transportation to support family stability. Despite its success, demand is high, with over 1,600 families on the waitlist. Other cities, like Denver, offer financial assistance to expand access to high-quality preschool programs.

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, center, talks to Atlanta Hawks forwards Corey Kispert, left, and Kristaps Porzingis, right, after an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Warriors agree to send Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield to Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis, AP source says

February 4, 2026

The Golden State Warriors have found their dependable big man by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from Atlanta and have granted forward Jonathan Kuminga his wish to be traded. The Warriors also agreed to deal guard Buddy Hield to the Hawks, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been approved by the league. Kuminga sat out his fifth straight game in Tuesday’s 113-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers because of a bone bruise in his left knee. He had recently fallen out of the Warriors’ rotation.

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Former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. speaks during an event where he was endorsed by the Southland Minister Alliance as a candidate for his old congressional seat after more than a decade out of office, Oct. 15, 2025, at Victory Christian International Ministries in Park Forest, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Jesse Jackson Jr. pitches redemption in bid for old House seat years after campaign fraud conviction

February 4, 2026

Jesse Jackson Jr. has launched a spirited primary bid for his old U.S. House seat. The Chicago Democrat says his perspective after serving prison time for campaign fraud makes him an ideal candidate at a time when voters have accepted other politicians — namely a president — with criminal pasts. The theme of redemption is woven through his comeback attempt in the largely Black and Democratic district. He’s telling stories about incarceration, re-entry and caring for his ailing dad, the Rev. Jesse Jackson. But the efforts haven’t been without scrutiny from other March primary candidates who say the district needs change.

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Vice President JD Vance waves as he and second lady Usha Vance board Air Force Two to travel to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, from Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 4, 2026. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool via AP)

Vance heads overseas for the Winter Olympics. Then he’ll stop in Armenia and Azerbaijan

February 4, 2026

Vice President JD Vance is heading overseas to lead President Donald Trump’s delegation to the 2026 Winter Olympics. Afterward, Vance plans stops in Armenia and Azerbaijan in a show of support for an agreement the two nations signed at the White House last year aimed at ending decades of conflict between them. On the weeklong trip, Vance will be fulfilling two traditional roles for American vice presidents: representing the U.S. at a ceremonial function, and advancing U.S. foreign policy aims.

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FILE - New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill waves during her inauguration ceremony in Newark, N.J., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

New Jersey Democrats pick from crowded field in special election for Sherrill’s US House seat

February 4, 2026

New Jersey Democratic voters are picking their party’s candidate to fill a U.S. House seat opened up by Mikie Sherrill’s gubernatorial victory. A crowded field of candidates are seeking the nomination in Thursday’s special election. They include former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski; Brendan Gill, an elected commissioner in Essex County; Analilia Mejia, a onetime head of the Working Families Alliance in the state; and Tahesha Way, who served as lieutenant governor and secretary of state for two terms until last month. Sherrill vacated the seat after she won the governorship last year, opening up the competitive Democratic primary. In the Republican race, Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway is unopposed.

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A view of Levi's Stadium ahead of Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, in Santa Clara. Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Bad Bunny to discuss Super Bowl halftime performance fresh off big Grammy win

February 4, 2026

Bad Bunny is expected to perform solely in Spanish during the Super Bowl halftime show, highlighting Latin identity at America’s most-watched event. On Thursday, the Grammy winner might reveal more details during an interview in San Francisco. The interview will be broadcast on Apple Music and social media. Bad Bunny recently won Album of the Year at the Grammys, marking the first time an all Spanish-language album took the top prize. The Super Bowl will be held Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The Seattle Seahawks will face the New England Patriots.

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New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Knicks outlast Nuggets 134-127 in 2 OTs for their eighth straight victory as Brunson scores 42

February 4, 2026

Jalen Brunson had 42 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and the New York Knicks outlasted the Denver Nuggets 134-127 in two overtimes for their eighth straight victory. Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 12 rebounds Wednesday night while playing with a bandage over his right eye after he was bloodied in a head-to-head collision in the first quarter. He fouled out in the first overtime, but Brunson took over with 10 points in the second overtime. Jamal Murray scored 39 points for the Nuggets, while Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in his first triple-double since returning from a knee injury last week.

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FILE - Law enforcement officers look out from a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility Oct. 21, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

ICE agents can’t make warrantless arrests in Oregon unless there’s a risk of escape, US judge rules

February 4, 2026

A judge says U.S. immigration agents in Oregon must stop arresting people without warrants unless they are likely to escape. U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai issued the preliminary injunction Wednesday. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by a nonprofit law firm representing a man who was detained by immigration officers without a warrant despite having a valid work permit. In a memo last week the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement emphasized that agents should not make arrests without an administrative arrest warrant issued by a supervisor unless they develop probable cause to believe the person is likely to escape from the scene.

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FILE - Montana coach Bobby Hauck talks Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, about the team's NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title game against top-rated South Dakota State in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Hawkins,File)

Montana’s Hauck says he’s retiring because he doesn’t like dealing with the changes in college game

February 4, 2026

Montana football coach Bobby Hauck has announced his retirement effective immediately. The Big Sky Conference’s all-time wins leader said he doesn’t enjoy his job anymore because of the direction college football has taken in recent years. Bobby Kennedy, who finished his first season as receivers coach, will succeed Hauck. The 61-year-old Hauck had two stints totaling 14 years with the Grizzlies and led the team to eight Big Sky championships, 13 playoff appearances and four national championship games. The 2025 team was 13-2 and reached the national semifinals.

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Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

On Capitol Hill, Treasury Secretary Bessent’s testimony descends into insults and shouting matches

February 4, 2026

A hearing with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent turned chaotic Wednesday as Democratic lawmakers clashed with him over fiscal policy and Trump family conflicts. The hearing of the House Financial Services Committee featured fiery exchanges and insults from Bessent. Texas Rep. Sylvia Garcia snapped at Bessent for demeaning comments, while Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch expressed frustration with his interruptions. California Rep. Maxine Waters asked if someone could “shut him up.” Experts say it was an unusual level of combativeness for a treasury secretary, whose role typically avoids political theater. Bessent is set to appear before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday.

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FILE - Flowers are left in remembrance of those wounded in a shooting at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colo., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Colleen Slevin, File)

Parents of Colorado school shooter won’t face gun charges, sheriff’s office says

February 4, 2026

Authorities say the parents of a 16-year-old boy who wounded two students at a Colorado high school with an old revolver won’t be charged. Investigators looked at whether the parents of Desmond Holly, who killed himself after opening fire, could possibly be charged with allowing access to the gun. But they decided there wasn’t enough evidence for that. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the family’s lawyer said the gun was kept in a locked gun safe. The lawyer says the family believes Holly took the gun while they were cleaning other guns kept in the safe. Authorities say they believe Holly randomly shot at students at Evergreen High School west of Denver on Sept. 10.

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FILE - An aerial view shows houses being rebuilt on cleared lots months after the Palisades Fire, Dec. 5, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

EPA chief outlines Trump’s plan to speed up the rebuilding of homes after LA wildfires

February 4, 2026

Federal officials have traveled to Los Angeles to outline President Donald Trump’s plan to override state and local rules and speed up the permitting process for rebuilding tens of thousands of homes destroyed by last year’s wildfires. Trump recently signed an executive order that would let federal loan recipients “self-certify” that they meet all state and local building requirements if their permits aren’t approved within 60 days. State and local officials maintain that permits are already being approved in a timely manner. They question whether the Trump administration can legally take over the permitting process and question how the new process is supposed to work.

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Texas A&M professor files lawsuit after firing over gender identity lesson

February 4, 2026

A Texas A&M University professor who was fired last year after a controversy over a classroom video that showed a student objecting to a children’s literature lesson about gender identity has sued the school. Melissa McCoul is alleging the university violated her rights by bowing to political pressure calling for her ouster. Republican lawmakers, including Gov. Greg Abbott, had called for McCoul’s termination after seeing the video. The video showed a student questioning whether the class discussion last July was legal under President Donald Trump’s executive order on gender. A Texas A&M University System spokesperson says the school will “vigorously defend” itself against the lawsuit.

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Chinese national who exposed rights abuses is freed from US detention after being granted asylum

February 4, 2026

Guan Heng, a Chinese asylum seeker who exposed human rights abuses in his homeland, has been released after more than five months in federal detention.  Guan said Wednesday he was “in a great mood” after being released and reunited with his mother the day before. It was a rare successful outcome for an asylum seeker since President Donald Trump returned to office and launched his mass immigration enforcement operation.He was granted asylum last week, but his release was delayed because the Department of Homeland Security said it reserved the right to appeal. DHS, which has 30 days to appeal the court’s Jan. 28 ruling, did not immediately respond to a request to confirm if it has decided not to appeal.

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FILE - The Nike logo appears above the post where it trades on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, March 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Nike faces federal probe over allegations of ‘DEI-related’ discrimination against white workers

February 4, 2026

The federal agency for protecting workers’ civil rights revealed Wednesday that it is investigating sportswear giant Nike for allegedly discriminating against white employees through its diversity policies. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission disclosed the investigation in a motion filed in Missouri federal court demanding that Nike fully comply with a subpoena for information. Nike said in a statement that it has sought to fully comply with the EEOC and called the subpoena a surprising escalation.

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CIA Director John Ratcliffe, seated at center, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, standing in back, listen during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

CIA ends publication of its popular World Factbook reference tool

February 4, 2026

The CIA is ending the publication of its popular World Factbook reference manual. The agency announced the decision Wednesday but gave no reason for it. It comes as CIA Director John Ratcliffe has promised to return the agency’s focus to its core missions. First launched more than 60 years ago as a classified reference manual for CIA officers, the Factbook went on to be a reference manual cited by journalists, trivia experts and college essayists alike. A message seeking comment from the CIA about the decision to end publication of the Factbook was not immediately returned.

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A sign for the Washington Post is seen at the company's offices, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The Washington Post’s sports section was a gold standard, all the way to the end

February 4, 2026

The Washington Post has eliminated its sports section while laying off a third of its staff. For decades, the Post treated sports as a vital part of life in the District of Columbia, and some of the biggest names in sports writing either got their start at the Post or spent decades there. Before they became TV stars on “Pardon The Interruption” at ESPN, Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser were D.C. institutions at the Post. Christine Brennan and Sally Jenkins received career achievement awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors. And in recent years, reporting by the Post contributed to the downfall of Commanders owner Dan Snyder.

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A document that was included in the U.S. Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, photographed Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, shows a diagram prepared by the FBI attempting to chart the network of Epstein's victims and the timeline of their alleged abuse. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

Epstein files rife with uncensored nudes and victims’ names, despite redaction efforts

February 4, 2026

Nude photos. The names and faces of sexual abuse victims. Bank account and Social Security numbers in full view. All of these things appeared in the mountain of documents released publicly by the U.S. Justice Department as part of its effort to comply with a law requiring it to open its investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein. A review by The Associated Press and other news organizations has found countless examples of sloppy, inconsistent or nonexistent redactions that have revealed sensitive private information. Lawyers for some of the accusers have called on the Justice Department to temporarily take down the information. The Justice Department says it is taking down all inadvertently disclosed private information it’s been made aware of.

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Trump taking steps toward installing a Columbus statue near the White House

February 4, 2026

President Donald Trump is taking steps toward installing a statue of Christopher Columbus near the White House. The statue, previously tossed into Baltimore’s harbor during protests, is owned by the Italian American Organizations United. The group signed an agreement Wednesday to loan it to the federal government. Maryland lobbyist John Pica confirmed the plan, noting the statue’s restoration. Trump’s spokesman declined to comment on plans for the statue but called Columbus a hero. The statue is a replicae of one that was toppled in 2020 amid protests against racism and pulled from Baltimore’s harbor. Trump dismisses criticism of Columbus, aiming to reshape historical narratives as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

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FILE - New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin (10) waits for a face-off during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker, File)

LA Kings acquire high-scoring Artemi Panarin in a trade with the New York Rangers

February 4, 2026

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired Artemi Panarin in a trade with the New York Rangers. The Kings are sending a conditional third-round pick and prospect Liam Greentree to the Rangers for the 34-year-old winger. The Rangers retain half of Panarin’s $11.6 million salary cap hit. The move takes the best player available off the market more than a month before the March 6 trade deadline. Panarin led the Rangers in scoring every season since signing with them as a free agent in 2019.

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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, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Tarik Skubal goes to arbitration with Tigers, asking for record $32 million instead of $19 million

February 4, 2026

Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is in a record-setting salary arbitration hearing. The left-hander is asking for $32 million, while the Detroit Tigers are offering $19 million. A two-time All-Star, the 29-year-old Skubal is 54-37 with a 3.08 ERA in six major league seasons. A decision is expected Thursday. Skubal will be eligible for free agency after the World Series. He was 13-6 with an AL-best 2.21 ERA last year. Players have won both decisions so far, Kyle Bradish and Yainer Diaz. Seven more players are scheduled for hearings through Feb. 13.

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Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) drives to the basket as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Hornets bringing Coby White back home to North Carolina in trade with Bulls, AP source says

February 4, 2026

The Charlotte Hornets are bringing Coby White back home to North Carolina, where he is the state’s career high school scoring leader and played for the Tar Heels. The Hornets agreed to acquire White from the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had yet to be approved by the league. ESPN reported that the Hornets are also getting Mike Conley Jr. in the deal, while the Bulls will get Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng and three of Charlotte’s second-round draft picks.

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FILE - A monitor shows an artery during a catheterization lab heart procedure in Burlington, Vt., Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

Experimental cholesterol-lowering pill may offer new option for millions

February 4, 2026

A new kind of pill sharply reduced cholesterol in people at high risk of heart attacks despite taking statins. It’s still experimental but new research published Wednesday suggests Merck’s pill could eventually offer an easier-to-use option for millions. Statins are the mainstay cholesterol-lowering treatment but many need additional drugs, too. Merck is expected to seek approval to sell the new pill, called enlicitide, this year. It blocks cholesterol in a way that today can be done only with injected medicines.

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First lady Melania Trump meets with freed American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel at the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Melania Trump meets with freed American-Israeli hostage whose story she features in her new film

February 4, 2026

Melania Trump has met at the White House with a freed American-Israeli hostage whose plight she featured in her new documentary. Keith Siegel was held for 484 days until being released last year under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire shortly after Donald Trump began his second term as president. Melania Trump on Wednesday recounted the emotional meeting she had with his wife in January 2025, a scene that she noted “was captured on camera and available to see in my film, ‘Melania.’” Asked by a reporter if it was appropriate for her to use an official White House event to promote her documentary, the first lady said she wasn’t doing that.

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FILE - The logo for Alphabet appears on a screen at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York, Feb. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Google’s quarterly results paint a picture of an internet powerhouse getting stronger in AI age

February 4, 2026

Google’s latest quarterly report provided further evidence that its internet empire is withstanding an artificial intelligence shakeup that’s turning into another potential boon for the company. The numbers released Wednesday marked the third consecutive quarter that Google has boosted its digital ad sales by more than 10% from the previous year while also posting revenue gains of more than 30% in its division that powers data centers for AI services. That growth during the October-December period propelled Google’s corporate parent Alphabet Inc. well past the earnings forecasts of stock market analysts.

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FILE - Pat Mahomes, father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, arrives to Mile High Stadium prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Oct. 1, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

Patrick Mahomes’ father arrested after authorities say he violated DWI probation

February 4, 2026

The father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been arrested in Texas after authorities said he violated his probation from a conviction for driving while intoxicated. Authorities say Patrick “Pat” Mahomes Sr. was arrested Tuesday during a meeting with his probation officer after a warrant was obtained for a probation violation. He remained jailed in Tyler on Wednesday. The elder Mahomes pleaded guilty in August 2024 to a DWI charge and was sentenced to five years probation. According to a probation violation report, he had a high alcohol reading on his ankle monitor on Jan. 1. His attorney did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

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FILE - President Barack Obama, right, presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind., during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Nov. 24, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Former Indiana Rep. Lee Hamilton, leader of Sept. 11 panel, dies

February 4, 2026

Former Rep. Lee Hamilton, a crewcut-wearing Indiana Democrat who was a leading foreign affairs voice during three decades in Congress, has died. His son Doug Hamilton said the former congressman died peacefully in his home in Bloomington, Indiana, at the age of 94. Hamilton led a congressional probe of the Reagan administration’s Iran-Contra affair and later helped oversee investigations of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. And he was at the forefront of congressional opposition to the 1991 Persian Gulf War waged by President George H.W. Bush. He decided against seeking reelection in 1998.

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FILE - A SpaceX logo is displayed on a building, May 26, 2020, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Musk vows to put data centers in space and run them on solar power but experts have their doubts

February 4, 2026

Elon Musk is bringing the same revolutionary thinking that helped him upend the car industry to the data center business with promises this week to put up to a million new satellites in the sky. But it won’t be easy. Experts say it’s not clear how Musk will keep these orbiting AI supercomputers from overheating, fix glitches on gear in the sky, and stop space debris from punching a hole in his ambitious plans. To help him reach his goals, Musk combined SpaceX with his AI business on Monday and is planning massive IPO later in the year.

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Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) drives to the basket while guarded by Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

Wizards acquiring Anthony Davis from Mavericks in 8-player trade, AP source says

February 4, 2026

A person with knowledge of the deal says the Washington Wizards are acquiring Anthony Davis in an eight-player trade with the Mavericks that includes draft picks for Dallas. The move is a signal the Mavericks are moving on from the widely criticized trade that sent superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package headlined by Davis last year. The Wizards are sending Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley III to the Mavericks along with two first-round draft picks and three second-rounders. Washington gets Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum.

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Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (20) moves the ball as Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

76ers send former promising prospect Jared McCain to Thunder for four draft picks, AP source says

February 4, 2026

The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2026 first-round draft pick and three second-round picks. The trade details came from a person familiar with the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been made official. The 21-year-old McCain was the 16th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He averaged 6.6 points in 37 games this season. McCain had a promising start last season before a knee injury. He averaged 15.3 points in 23 games and was a fan favorite, partly due to his TikTok fame.

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Firefighters with the Norwalk Fire department hoist a swan up a ladder on a stretcher after freeing it from the ice on the Norwalk River, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 in Norwalk, Conn. (Norwalk Fire Department via AP)

Firefighters rescue swan stuck in frozen Connecticut river

February 4, 2026

Firefighters came to the rescue of a swan found stuck in a frozen Connecticut river this week. Norwalk Fire Department crews donned cold-water rescue suits and used ropes to carefully go out on the ice-covered Norwalk River on Tuesday. They soon found the swan’s feet were frozen into the ice, and it took them about 30 minutes to free the bird and bring it to shore. It’s not clear how long the swan may have been stuck before it was discovered, and firefighters initially were concerned the bird had died. But as they approached, they noticed movement and quickly became optimistic about their rescue effort.

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An person is detained by federal agents on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

Government lawyer yanked from immigration detail in Minnesota after telling judge ‘this job sucks’

February 4, 2026

A government lawyer who told a judge that her job “sucks” during a court hearing stemming from the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota has been removed from her Justice Department post. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. The person said Julie Le had been working for the Justice Department on a detail from another government agency, but the U.S. attorney in Minnesota ended her detail after her comments in court on Tuesday. A hearing transcript says Le told U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell that she wishes he could hold her in contempt of court so she could get “a full 24 hours of sleep.”

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FILE - Speaker of the New York City Council Adrienne Adams speaks during the New York City Mayoral Candidates Forum at Medgar Evers College, April 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

New York governor picks a new running mate, as her current No. 2 moves to unseat her

February 4, 2026

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a new reelection running mate — as her current lieutenant governor has launched an increasingly caustic primary challenge to unseat her. Hochul, a moderate Democrat, named Adrienne Adams, the former speaker of the New York City Council and mayoral candidate, as her replacement lieutenant governor pick on Wednesday, formally ditching incumbent Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. The selection of Adams could help Hochul, who is from Buffalo, bolster her downstate credibility and potentially garner support among working class Black voters in the city at a time when Delgado is angling to win over progressives.

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Detroit Tigers catcher Bill Freehan and pitcher Mickey Lolich off his feet as he screams with joy, after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 in the final game of the World Series on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 1968 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Joining the celebration is Norm Cash (25). Lolich became the twelfth pitcher to win three games in the World Series. (AP Photo)

Mickey Lolich, hero of the 1968 World Series for the Detroit Tigers, dies at 85

February 4, 2026

Mickey Lolich, who had three complete-game victories for the Detroit Tigers in the 1968 World Series, has died. Lolich was the last Major League Baseball pitcher to achieve that feat. Denny McLain was the star of Detroit’s pitching staff in ’68, winning 31 regular-season games. But Lolich was the Most Valuable Player of the Series, with a ERA of 1.67 and a Game 7 road victory over Bob Gibson and the St. Louis Cardinals. Bill Freehan threw off his catcher’s mask and caught a foul pop-up by Tim McCarver for the final out. Lolich jumped into Freehan’s arms, an iconic image of Detroit’s championship season. The Tigers say Lolich’s wife told them that he died Wednesday in hospice care. Mickey Lolich was 85.

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, left, greets Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald during the NFL Super Bowl Opening Night, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. ahead of the Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Pro Picks: Seahawks will edge Patriots to win their second Super Bowl

February 4, 2026

Sam Darnold has been traded, discarded and labeled a bust. Now, it’ll take an upset for him not to be called a Super Bowl champion. Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks (16-3) are 4 1/2-point favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook against Drake Maye and the New England Patriots (17-3) on Sunday. It’s a matchup that features two of the NFL’s most balanced teams who have taken different routes to get here. The Seahawks earned a first-round bye and then dominated the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 to reach the NFC championship game. Behind a spectacular game from Darnold, they beat the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 to advance to their fourth Super Bowl.

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FILE- Voting booths are set up at a polling place in Newtown, Pa, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

How Americans’ top concerns compare to more than 100 other countries, according to Gallup

February 4, 2026

New international polling from Gallup shows that Americans are exceptionally anxious about their political system. About one-third of Americans rated politics and governance as the top issue facing their nation, behind only Taiwan — which faces the prospect of an invasion from China — and Slovenia. The economy and jobs are also far more likely to be among Americans’ top issues than the vast majority of more than 100 countries surveyed by the Gallup organization, with younger Americans much likelier to say this is a worry. It’s the latest of a wide range of surveys showing international and American anxiety about the economy and democratic governance. Economic anxiety is closely linked to the health of democratic systems, according to experts.

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FILE - Emme Maribel Muñiz, daughter of singer Jennifer Lopez, performs with other children by a cage during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game in Miami Gardens, Fla, on Feb. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)

How Super Bowl halftime moments became flashpoints from the ‘wardrobe malfunction’ to caged kids

February 4, 2026

The Super Bowl halftime show, lasting about 13 minutes, has sparked decades of conversation. Iconic moments include Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s “wardrobe malfunction” and Beyoncé’s “Formation” performance, which highlighted Black history and identity. These moments aren’t just flashpoints; they amplify visibility and invite interpretation. As Bad Bunny prepares to perform, the focus is on Latin identity and potential social commentary. Past shows have tested NFL boundaries, like Jennifer Lopez’s immigration critique and Eminem’s tribute to Colin Kaepernick.

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Pat Dinkins

February 4, 2026

Pat Dinkins, 86, of Bison, SD passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026.  Service of Remembrance for Pat will be

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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye celebrates with the trophy after the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Two high NFL draft picks, two different paths: Maye and Darnold will face off in Super Bowl

February 4, 2026

Drake Maye and Sam Darnold came into the NFL in similar fashion as No. 3 overall picks tasked with being franchise quarterbacks for struggling franchises. Their paths to the Super Bowl couldn’t be much different. Maye is looking to join Peyton and Eli Manning as the only quarterbacks selected in the top nine of the last 36 drafts to win a Super Bowl with the team he debuted with as a pro. Darnold could become the first starting quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl after previously playing for four other franchises.

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FILE-This photo combo shows from left, John Green and Hank Green. (AP Photo/File)

Hank and John Green’s studio becomes a nonprofit as they aim to make ‘trustworthy content’ online

February 4, 2026

Author-vloggers Hank and John Green are turning their educational media company Complexly into a nonprofit. The multihyphenate brothers garner millions of views on popular shows such as Crash Course that explain common classroom subjects in engaging ways. The change is intended to ensure viewers have access to engaging, fact-based content that can compete free of advertisers’ interests in the attention economy. And the move comes as John says, “there’s never been more information and yet there’s never been less information that you feel you can trust.” He hopes that making Complexly a “public good” will help the production studio make more trustworthy content.

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A "For Rent" sign for apartment displays outside apartment building during a cold day in Chicago, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Renters use ‘rent now, pay later’ services to manage monthly payments, but fees raise concerns

February 4, 2026

Renters facing high costs are turning to “rent now, pay later” services like Flex, Livble, and Affirm. These services let renters split rent payments, which they say will help them manage cash flow. However, consumer advocates warn the products often act like short-term loans with high fees, sometimes leading to triple-digit interest rates. Kellen Johnson used Flex to split his $1,850 monthly rent into two payments when he worked as an independently contracted delivery person for Amazon. He paid over $33 monthly in fees. Critics argue these services don’t solve the issue of affordability in the rental market and may lead to higher rents.

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AP Decision Notes: What to expect in New Jersey’s special congressional primary

February 4, 2026

Voters in northern New Jersey will select nominees in a special congressional primary to replace Democrat Mikie Sherrill in the U.S. House now that she’s governor. The winner of the 11-candidate Democratic primary on Thursday will advance to the April 16 special election. The Republican primary is uncontested. The Democratic-leaning 11th Congressional District could further narrow the 218-214 Republican majority in the House. Two previously Republican-held seats in Georgia and California are also vacant. Sherrill was elected governor in November and was sworn in last month.

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President Donald Trump smiles after signing a spending bill that ends a partial shutdown of the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

What Democrats are demanding in the fight over Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding

February 4, 2026

A bipartisan agreement on new restrictions for federal immigration operations in the next two weeks will be exceedingly difficult despite rare negotiations between Democrats and President Donald Trump. Congress is discussing potential new rules for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other officers who are conducting immigration arrests after the deaths of two Minneapolis protesters in January. The negotiations come during some bipartisan sentiment that Congress should step in to de-escalate tensions that have rocked Minnesota and other states. But it’s unclear if the president or enough congressional Republicans will agree to any of the Democrats’ larger demands.

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Super Bowl LX ads feature AI, weight-loss drugs and celebs from George Clooney to Kendall Jenner

February 4, 2026

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, the battle off the field for advertisers to win over 120 million-plus viewers will be just as heated as the rivalry on the field. Dozens of advertisers are pulling out all the stops for Super Bowl 60. They are hoping that audiences tuning in will remember their brand names as they stuff their ads with celebrities ranging from Kendall Jenner (Fanatics Sportsbook) to George Clooney (Grubhub), and tried-and-true ad icons like the Budweiser Clydesdales. This year’s trends include health and telehealth companies advertising weight loss drugs and advertisers showcasing AI.

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