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February 9, 2026.

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) is hugged by Kansas head coach Bill Self, right, as they celebrate after their team's upset over Arizona in an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

No. 9 Kansas beats top-ranked Arizona 82-78 for 8th straight win, back in contention in Big 12

February 9, 2026

The Kansas climb picked up more steam Monday night as the No. 9 Jayhawks knocked off top-ranked Arizona 82-78. Less than a month after falling out of The Associated Press Top 25, Kansas (19-5, 9-2 Big 12) has won eight in a row and clawed its way back into Big 12 title contention, trailing previously unbeaten Arizona (23-1, 10-1) by one game. Houston is currently in second, a half-game ahead of Kansas. Kansas trailed by as many as 11 points in the game and did not hold a lead until the clock read 9:32 in the second half. Four Jayhawks finished in double figures, led by Flory Bidunga and Council Jr, who scored 23 points apiece. Bidunga also grabbed 10 rebounds.

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St. John's head coach Rick Pitino receives an award from the Italian Heritage Society of Long Island before an NCAA college basketball game against Xavier, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Proud papa Rick Pitino gets another hard-fought milestone win against his ‘brilliant’ son

February 9, 2026

Rick Pitino has reached another milestone at the expense of his son. But two of his toughest wins lately have come against his own flesh and blood and nothing could make the Hall of Fame coach more proud. Zuby Ejiofor scored six of his 25 points in overtime and No. 17 St. John’s outlasted pesky Xavier 87-82 at Madison Square Garden for its 10th consecutive victory. With his 904th career win on the court, Pitino passed Roy Williams for third place in Division I history. It was Pitino’s second comeback victory in 17 days over his son, Richard, the first-year coach of the Musketeers. In the previous meeting, the elder Pitino earned his 900th win when the Johnnies rallied from 16 down at Xavier.

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Buddhist monks head to DC to finish a ‘Walk for Peace’ that captivated millions

February 9, 2026

A group of Buddhist monks is set to finally reach Washington, D.C., on foot, completing a trek from Texas that captivated the country. The monks say their aim is to promote mindfulness and finding inner peace. Their simple message has resonated in the U.S. as a welcome respite from conflict and political divisions. Thousands have gathered across the South to watch the monks. Millions more have followed them online. The monks plan to mark the last days of their ‘Walk for Peace’ with outdoor appearances at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday.

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Man convicted of killing a traveling salesman scheduled for 1st Florida execution of 2026

February 9, 2026

A man convicted of killing a traveling salesman during a 1989 robbery is set to become the first person executed in Florida this year. Sixty-four-year-old Ronald Palmer Heath is scheduled to receive a three-drug injection starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke. Heath was convicted in 1990 of first-degree murder in the killing of salesman Michael Sheridan. Last year, Florida carried out a record 19 executions, surpassing the previous record of eight set in 2014. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in a single year in 2025 than any other Florida governor since the death penalty’s reinstatement in 1976.

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Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., left, passes the ball away from North Carolina State forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Louisville’s Brown has record-setting game, passing Flagg’s ACC mark, tying Hall of Famer Unseld

February 9, 2026

Clearly aware he had a hot hand, Mikel Brown Jr. wanted to see what scoring heights he could reach before cooling off. The heralded Louisville guard ended up topping the Atlantic Coast Conference’s most recent freshman phenom and matching a Hall of Famer and Cardinals’ legend. Brown hit a career-best 10 3-pointers and scored 45 points to break Cooper Flagg’s ACC single-game scoring mark of 42 set last season as No. 24 Louisville routed N.C. State 118-77 on Monday night. His point total also tied Wes Unseld’s Louisville scoring mark set against Georgetown College on Dec. 1, 1967.

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Kansas guard Tre White dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

No. 9 Kansas beats top-ranked and previously undefeated Arizona 82-78

February 9, 2026

Flory Bidunga had a double-double and No. 9 Kansas defeated top-ranked and previously unbeaten Arizona 82-78 on Monday night. Arizona (23-1, 10-1 Big 12) entered Allen Fieldhouse with the second-longest winning streak in Division I men’s basketball. Bidunga scored 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field and added 10 rebounds. Melvin Council Jr. finished with 23 points. Bryson Tiller scored 18 points and Jamari McDowell added 10. Freshman guard Brayden Burries led Arizona with 25 points. Motiejus Krivas scored 14 and Ivan Kharchenkov  13.

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Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., right, attempts to get past North Carolina State guard Tre Holloman, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Brown scores 45, sets ACC frosh single-game scoring mark, ties Unseld’s record for No. 24 Cardinals

February 9, 2026

Mikel Brown Jr. had 10 3-pointers and scored an Atlantic Coast Conference freshman single-game record 45 points as No. 24 Louisville routed N.C. State 118-77 on Monday night. Ryan Conwell added 31 and the Cardinals (18-6, 8-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) shot 60% for the game. Brown eclipsed the previous ACC freshman record of 42 points, set last season by Duke’s Cooper Flagg. The 45 points also tied Hall of Famer Wes Unseld’s single-game Louisville scoring mark, set on Dec. 1, 1967, against Georgetown College.

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St. John's forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) drives toward the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Xavier, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Pitino climbs career wins list as No. 17 St. John’s fends off Xavier 87-82 in overtime

February 9, 2026

Zuby Ejiofor scored six of his 25 points in overtime and No. 17 St. John’s outlasted pesky Xavier 87-82 at Madison Square Garden for its 10th consecutive victory. With his 904th career win on the court, Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino passed Roy Williams for third place in Division I history behind Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim. It was Pitino’s second victory in 17 days over his son, Richard, the first-year coach of the Musketeers. In the previous meeting, the elder Pitino earned his 900th win when the Johnnies for an 88-83 victory at Xavier. Bryce Hopkins added 19 points for the Red Storm, who won for the 15th time in 17 games and tied No. 6 UConn atop the conference standings.

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Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, left, throws punches with Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, right, during a fight on the court in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Fight between Pistons and Hornets results in four players being ejected

February 9, 2026

A fight broke out between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter of Monday night’s game, and four players were ejected. Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were tossed, along with Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period  when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren turned around to get face-to-face with Diabate and the two appeared to butt heads. Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds.

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry watches action from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Injured Warriors star Stephen Curry to sit out All-Star Game with lingering right knee injury

February 9, 2026

Stephen Curry will sit out the All-Star Game in Los Angeles because of his troublesome right knee that sidelined the Golden State Warriors star for a fourth straight game against Memphis. Coach Steve Kerr announced before the game that Curry also wouldn’t play Wednesday at home against San Antonio and then would sit out the All-Star Game on Feb. 15 in hopes of a return for the Warriors after the break.

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FILE - The Saginaw passes construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting on the Detroit River connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Trump is threatening to block a new bridge between Detroit and Canada from opening

February 9, 2026

President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a new Canadian-built bridge across the Detroit River. Trump demanded on social media Monday that Canada turn over at least half of the bridge’s ownership. He also made other unspecified demands. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, expected to open in early 2026, was funded by Canada to ease congestion. Work began in 2018. Trump claims the U.S. would gain nothing from the bridge. The White House and the Canadian Embassy have not commented. Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have been rising, with ongoing trade disputes adding to the strain.

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Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak speaks during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Seattle at the team's facilities ahead of the NFL football NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Raiders officially hire Klint Kubiak head coach after his Super Bowl win with Seahawks

February 9, 2026

The Las Vegas Raiders announced Klint Kubiak as their head coach. Kubiak arrives fresh from a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks. He faces key decisions, including hiring offensive and defensive coordinators. He might consider bringing coaches from Seattle. Another challenge is addressing the situation with defensive end Maxx Crosby, who reportedly wants out. The Raiders have the top draft pick and significant salary-cap space, allowing them to upgrade their roster. Kubiak is the third coach in three seasons for the Raiders, who are seeking a return to their glory days.

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FILE - Border Patrol personnel deploy tear gas during a demonstration over the dozens detained in an operation by federal immigration authorities a day earlier, in Paramount, Calif., June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, File)

Judge blocks California’s ban on federal agents wearing masks but requires badges be clearly seen

February 9, 2026

A federal judge has blocked a California law from going into effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces but they will still be required to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number. Judge Christina Snyder issued the initial ruling Monday. The Trump administration filed a lawsuit in November challenging the laws, arguing that they would threaten the safety of officers. California became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings under a bill that was signed in September. Snyder wrote in her ruling the law discriminated against the federal government.

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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, left, applauds while seated alongside forward Jayson Tatum, who both did not play, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum will practice with G-League team on path to return

February 9, 2026

Boston All-Star Jayson Tatum took a big step toward returning from his torn Achilles tendon when he was assigned to practice with the Maine Celtics, the organization’s G-League team. The organization said he would immediately be recalled to the Boston Celtics and continue to rehab the injury he sustained in the Eastern Conference semifinals last spring. Tatum led the Celtics to their title in 2024 and had them on track for a repeat before the injury, which was expected to keep him out for about a year.

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FILE - Alabama center Charles Bediako (14) pulls down a rebound while guarded by Maryland guard Ian Martinez, left, during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., March 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Judge rules 7-foot center Charles Bediako is no longer eligible to play for Alabama

February 9, 2026

An Alabama circuit judge has denied Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the 7-foot center’s collegiate eligibility and his season with the Crimson Tide. County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet cited that Bediako “failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to the injunctive relief that he seeks,” according to court documents. Bediako was playing under a temporary restraining order that allowed the former NBA G League player to join Alabama in the middle of the season despite questions regarding his collegiate eligibility. NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a statement that he was glad the court “upheld the rules of our members.”

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FILE - U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Daryl Caudle, talks to selected journalists during his visit in Tokyo, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Mari Yamaguchi, File)

Navy leader wants to move faster and leaner instead of turning to aircraft carriers in crisis

February 9, 2026

The U.S. Navy’s top uniformed officer has introduced his vision for the Navy’s future, focusing on using smaller and newer assets instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers. Adm. Daryl Caudle’s strategy aims to create more flexible and tailored groups of ships and equipment. It comes as the Trump administration has moved aircraft carriers to crisis regions, often disrupting deployment plans and putting increasing strain on vessels and equipment that are already facing mounting maintenance issues. Caudle tells The Associated Press that the Navy’s presence in regions like the Caribbean can be leaner and better tailored to actual threats, using smaller combat ships, helicopters and drones instead of destroyers and aircraft carriers.

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US judges dismiss lawsuits accusing fantasy author Neil Gaiman of sexual assault in New Zealand

February 9, 2026

Federal judges have dismissed three lawsuits accusing British author Neil Gaiman of sexually assaulting his children’s nanny in New Zealand. Scarlett Pavlovich filed lawsuits against Gaiman and his wife, Amanda Palmer, in February 2025. She accused Gaiman of multiple assaults while she worked as their nanny in 2022. Judges in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York dismissed the cases, stating Pavlovich needed to pursue them in New Zealand. Gaiman denied the allegations, calling them meritless. His attorneys argued the claims were part of a plan to smear him. Pavlovich alleged violations of federal human trafficking laws.

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Gabbard’s office warns attorney against sharing classified complaint with Congress

February 9, 2026

The general counsel for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is warning the attorney for an anonymous government employee not to share a top-secret complaint about Gabbard directly with members of Congress. In a letter Monday, Gabbard’s legal office warned that the complaint contains many classified details and that sharing it improperly with lawmakers or their staffers could violate the law. An anonymous employee has alleged that Gabbard withheld classified material for political purposes, an accusation two inspectors general found didn’t appear to be credible. Democrats question why it took eight months to refer the report to select members of Congress as required. Gabbard has denied wrongdoing and said she did all she could to ensure the report reached Congress.

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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, center, watches as fly pupae are dyed and separated following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of a Domestic New World Screwworm Sterile Fly Production Facility to combat the northward spread of NWS and protect American livestock, in Edinburg, Texas, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The US has a new center in Texas to disperse sterile screwworm flies to block a parasite it spawns

February 9, 2026

The U.S. has opened its first center for dispersing sterile screwworm flies from U.S. soil in decades in southern Texas. The opening announced Monday is part of a larger effort to keep a flesh-eating parasite that the New World screwworm fly spawns from coming to the U.S. from Mexico and harming American cattle. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled the new facility about 15 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. It will allow the U.S. to disperse millions of sterile male flies on both sides of the border. The sterile males would mate with wild females and their eggs would not hatch into flesh-eating maggots.

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FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looks on during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Aug. 8, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)

Last 2 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault by Browns QB Deshaun Watson dismissed

February 9, 2026

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has had the final two of nearly 30 civil lawsuits against him dismissed. Court records show these lawsuits involved accusations of sexual misconduct from 27 women, mostly during massage appointments. The dismissals come just before the lawsuits were set to go to trial. Watson, who played for the Houston Texans at the time of the accusations, has denied any wrongdoing. Two Texas grand juries declined to indict him. Most lawsuits were settled in 2022. Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022 and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

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Bad Bunny performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show celebrated America – all of it – with a message of unity

February 9, 2026

Bad Bunny concluded his historic Super Bowl halftime performance with a few English-language words. He said “God Bless America” and then proceeded to list countries in the Americas including the United States and Canada. It seemed as though he was reminding his global audience that “America” makes up a number of countries in the Western Hemisphere. It was a poignant gesture for an artist whose performance was politicized the moment it was announced and labeled un-American by his detractors despite the fact that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. Experts say Bad Bunny’s performance was for all Americans all over the Americas. They say joy, resilience and community was at the forefront.

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Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac Dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Anna Fuder)

Tears and tough decisions: Clippers’ trade of Harden and Zubac took emotional toll

February 9, 2026

The Los Angeles Clippers lost their label as the NBA’s oldest team by trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac. It wasn’t their plan to unload two starters, but they got offers they couldn’t refuse. Lawrence Frank, the team’s president of basketball operation, says the moves aim to let the Clippers win now and build for the future. The Clippers acquired Darius Garland from the Cavs in exchange for Harden. There’s no timetable for his debut since he is recovering from residual soreness after left toe surgery. Frank says Garland’s other injury to his right big toe has healed.

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People wait outside Thomas S. Wootton High School for students in Rockville Md., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, after a person was shot inside the school. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Person is shot in a high school in Maryland and a suspect is in custody, police say

February 9, 2026

A person has been shot inside a high school in Maryland. Police have one person in custody related to the shooting. Police say there is no further threat to the public. Officers were dispatched Monday afternoon after reports of shots fired at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville. The campus remains on lockdown. An administrator at the school says police are on site and students are in classrooms. Rockville is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and the seat of Montgomery County, Maryland’s most populous.

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Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in London, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Jimmy Lai’s children look to Trump and other leaders to push China to free their father

February 9, 2026

The children of China critic Jimmy Lai say President Donald Trump’s possible visit to Beijing in April could be crucial for their father’s release. Sebastien Lai on Monday emphasized the urgency, due to his 78-year-old father’s deteriorating health. A Hong Kong court sentenced the pro-democracy former media mogul to 20 years in prison under a China-imposed national security law. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the sentence “unjust and tragic.” The case adds tension to U.S.-China relations as Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet this year. Lai’s son urges world leaders to pressure China for his father’s release.

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Bad Bunny performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show sparks global streaming surge, Apple Music data shows

February 9, 2026

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance has led to a massive surge in global listening. Apple Music reports that his show playlist became the most-played set list on the platform shortly after Sunday’s performance. On Monday, Bad Bunny dominated the Apple Music Daily Top 100 Global chart with 23 songs, including nine in the Top 25. His track “DtMF” reached No. 1. Six of the tracks returned to the Top 100 for the first time since at least February 2025. His album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” appeared on album charts in 155 countries, reaching No. 1 in 46. Shazam also saw a 400% increase in recognitions during and after the show.

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FILE - A security officer works inside of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) building headquarters, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Trump administration’s changes to the CFPB cost Americans $19B, a new report says

February 9, 2026

The Trump administration has significantly reduced the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s activities over the past year. Consumer advocates and Democrats now estimate this has cost Americans $19 billion in lost financial relief. The administration argues the bureau had become too large. Since the administration took control in February, few new investigations have been opened, and several enforcement actions have been dropped. The White House’s attempt to cut staff was blocked by courts, but Congress has already halved the bureau’s budget. Critics say the bureau is now on “life support,” with key consumer protections abandoned.

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FILE - Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) is interviewed after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, on Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

Attorney says Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. maintains his innocence while facing 5 felony charges

February 9, 2026

The attorney for Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. says Pearce “maintains his innocence” as he faces five felony charges following his arrest near Miami on Saturday night. Pearce’s charges include fleeing police after what Doral police said was a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Pearce was arrested after crashing his car. His charges include two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking. Pearce posted bond of $20,500 on Sunday. The charges could threaten Pearce’s future with the Falcons. Attorney Jacob Nunez says he is confident Pearce will continue “contributing positively” to the Falcons.

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Officials deny seeking quick end to asylum claims for the Minneapolis family of 5-year-old

February 9, 2026

Federal authorities have denied attempting to expedite an end to asylum claims for the family of a 5-year-old boy who was detained with his father during the immigration crackdown that has shaken the Minneapolis area. Images of Liam Conejo Ramos wearing a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack surrounded by immigration officers stirred outrage over the crackdown. Danielle Molliver, a lawyer for the boy and his father, told the New York Times that the government’s attempts to expedite the deportation proceedings “extraordinary” and possibly “retaliatory.” The government denied targeting the family, with Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin saying “these are regular removal proceedings.”

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Lit candles next to a sign from neighbors supporting the Guthrie family outside of Nancy Guthrie’s house in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Purported Nancy Guthrie ransom note deadline approaches as search enters a second week

February 9, 2026

Authorities investigating the apparent kidnapping of the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie have returned to the 84-year-old’s Arizona neighborhood several times over the weekend. There’s still no word on whether Nancy Guthrie is alive, and authorities say they have no suspects connected to the case. Her purported abductors sent ransom notes with a Monday deadline demanding money for her return. Savannah Guthrie says the family is prepared to pay. Investigators say they believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home against her will on Jan. 31, and there are growing concerns about her health because she needs daily medication.

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FILE - In this May 5, 2018, file photo, graduates at the University of Toledo commencement ceremony in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

What to know about student loan repayment plans and collections

February 9, 2026

It’s been a confusing time for people with student loans. Collections restarted, then were put on hold. At the same time, borrowers had to stay on top of changes to key forgiveness plans. Last year, the long-contested SAVE plan introduced by the Biden administration ended with a settlement agreement. President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” introduced new borrowing limits for graduates and raised challenges to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. While several changes for student loan borrowers will take effect this summer, other key questions remain unresolved.

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Ghislaine Maxwell declined to answer questions from a House committee, citing 5th Amendment rights

February 9, 2026

Lawmakers tried to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, but the former girlfriend and confidante of Jeffrey Epstein invoked her 5th Amendment rights to avoid answering questions that would be incriminating. Maxwell was questioned Monday during a video call to the federal prison camp in Texas where she’s serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. She’s come under new scrutiny as lawmakers try to investigate how Epstein, a well-connected financier, was able to sexually abuse underage girls for years. Maxwell has been seeking to have her conviction overturned, arguing that she was wrongfully convicted.

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FILE - CEO and Chairman of NASCAR Jim France, right, along with the Executive Vice President of NASCAR Lesa Kennedy announce the Landmark Award to Edsel Ford II the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Charlotte, N.C. Jan. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)

NASCAR emerges from federal antitrust lawsuit bruised but ready for its 78th season

February 9, 2026

The Michael Jordan-led federal antitrust lawsuit last year against NASCAR and its owners took a toll on the France family, which settled the case after eight days of harsh testimony. The family was portrayed as money-hoarding dictators who got rich while their teams bled money. That image contrasts with the personal experiences of many in the motorsports industry. Despite the controversy, NASCAR continues to thrive. Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy are leading the series into a new season that starts with the Daytona 500 on Sunday.

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FILE - The Pentagon, the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense, is seen from the air, Sept. 20, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, FIle)

US military boards sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after pursuit from the Caribbean

February 9, 2026

The U.S. military says it has boarded a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean. The Pentagon said Monday that American forces tracked the vessel from the Caribbean Sea. The Pentagon didn’t say whether the ship was connected to Venezuela, which faces oil sanctions and relies on a shadow fleet to smuggle crude. A co-founder of TankerTrackers.com says the ship departed the Venezuelan coast last month after U.S. forces captured then-President Nicolás Maduro. According to data transmitted from the ship Monday, the ship isn’t currently carrying oil. The Panamanian-flagged tanker is under U.S. sanctions related to the shipment of illicit Russian oil.

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As head of the actors guild, Sean Astin brings a little Rudy, a little Samwise, and a lot of fight

February 9, 2026

Sean Astin says he is happy to be at the head of the actors union at a vital moment. The 54-year-old actor from “The Lord of the Rings” films is the new president of the The actors union SAG-AFTRA. He’ll be leading the group as it begins contract talks with studios that last time led to a long strike. Astin says the union’s negotiators can’t give up any of the ground they earned during the 2023 strike, including higher wages and artificial intelligence protections. Astin says he intends to represent every member, from the biggest movie star to the most anonymous puppeteer.

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Sean Astin’s takes on the threat of AI, Fran Drescher and a ‘Goonies’ sequel

February 9, 2026

Quotes from SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin in an interview with The Associated Press. Astin, the newly elected head of the actors’ union, will be part of forthcoming negotiations with studios and streamers less than three years after the last strike. He says the thread of artificial intelligence has only become graver. He commends his predecessor Fran Drescher on her conflict resolution skills and says the rebranding of what was once the SAG Awards to the Actor Awards makes the point of the show more obvious. As for a “Goonies” sequel? Steven Spielberg is the decider.

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FILE - In this June 17, 2009, file photo, shoppers are reflected in the window as they walk past an Eddie Bauer store, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Eddie Bauer _ the 106-year-old label that pioneered outdoor sportswear _ files Chapter 11

February 9, 2026

The operator of roughly 180 Eddie Bauer stores across the U.S. and Canada has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Eddie Bauer LLC said Monday it had entered into a restructuring pact with its secured lenders  as it made the filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. The bankruptcy filing marks the third time in a matter of a little over two decades for the storied-but-now-tired brand that began as a Seattle fishing shop, later outfitted the first American to climb Mount Everest and made thousands of newfangled down jackets and sleeping bags for the military during World War I.

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Brittney Huschka Helps Make The Monument a Noteworthy Workplace

February 9, 2026

By: Kory Lanphear Photos: Bailey Sadowsky and submitted The Black Hills Stock Show, Lakota Nation Invitational, Black Hills Powwow: each event is a staple of Rapid City Culture. And they all take place at The Monument. Growing up in Glendive, Montana, Brittney Huschka’s first experience with the notion of a community was fairly typical. “I […]

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FILE - A pedestrian walks past a San Francisco Unified School District office building in San Francisco, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, file)

San Francisco public schoolteachers strike over wages and health benefits

February 9, 2026

Thousands of public schoolteachers in San Francisco have gone on strike for the first time in nearly 50 years. They are demanding higher wages, better health benefits and more resources for special needs students. The San Francisco Unified School District closed all 120 schools Monday and offered independent study to some of the district’s 50,000 students. The union is asking for a 9% raise over two years. The district is facing a $100 million deficit and countered with a 6% increase over three years. Negotiations have been ongoing for nearly a year without reaching a new contract.

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FILE - Photos of Brown University shooting victims MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, left, and Ella Cook, lay on a makeshift memorial outside the Engineering Research Center, Dec. 16, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

New video footage released from day of the fatal Brown University shooting

February 9, 2026

City officials have released new video footage from the day of the Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine others. News outlets across the country had been requesting body camera footage, audio clips and other public records shortly after the shooting took place in mid-December. The records were largely managed by the city of Providence, Rhode Island, which announced it would release files Monday. The city said it would redact graphic violence from any video or audio footage.

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FILE - Federal agents conduct immigration enforcement operations Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy, File)

Masks emerge as symbol of Trump’s ICE crackdown and a flashpoint in Congress

February 9, 2026

The images of masked federal officers has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations. Not in recent U.S. memory has an American policing operation so consistently masked its officers from the public. Whether to allow — or ban — the masks has emerged as a central question as Congress debates over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats want to ban masks as one of several proposals to rein in immigration operations. But many Republicans support the masks. The Department of Homeland Security believes the masks are important to safeguard employees from online harassment. Lawmakers face a Friday midnight funding deadline to avoid a partial agency shutdown.

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