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February 18, 2026.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), from left, Economic Club of Washington Chairman David Rubenstein, and Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., vice chair of the NGA participate in a panel discussion during a conference at the Economic Club of Washington Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Governors arrive in Washington eager to push past Trump’s partisan grip

Governors are arriving in Washington for an annual gathering that has traditionally been a show of bipartisanship. But President Donald Trump has disrupted norms by not inviting all governors to meetings at the White House. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, joined Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, both Republicans, in opening this year’s National Governors Association on a panel where they emphasized bipartisanship regardless of Trump’s actions. The break with tradition reflects Trump’s broader approach in his second term. He has taken a confrontational stance toward some state leaders, withholding federal funds from states that draw his ire and deploying federal troops to cities over the objections of local officials.

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Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., vice chair of the National Governors Association, responds to a question by Economic Club of Washington Chairman David Rubenstein at the Economic Club of WashingtonWednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Gov. Wes Moore on Trump: ‘I pray for him and I just feel bad for him’

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is pushing back on President Donald Trump while trying to rally Democrats in his state around a mid-decade redistricting fight. On Wednesday, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries visited Annapolis as Moore pushed state lawmakers for a straight vote on new maps. Moore says Trump prompted the issue by urging states to redraw districts. Trump, meanwhile, has been stepping up attacks on Moore, blocking him from a White House dinner and blaming him for a Potomac River sewage spill. Moore notes the sewage pipe sits in Washington, D.C., on federal land.

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Feral chickens wander around near downtown Honolulu on April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher)

Hawaii residents sick of early crowing and aggressive pecking could be allowed to kill wild chickens

Hawaii lawmakers are weighing tougher ways to deal with feral chickens, as residents complain about noise, mess, and growing flocks. Residents and lawmakers describe neighborhoods in Honolulu where roosters crow at 3 a.m. and birds dig up yards. A bill would let residents kill chickens. Others label them a controllable pest on public land. Another measure fines people who feed or release them. Some animal advocates are pushing back. Honolulu offers a program to trap chickens on private property, but it costs money and complaints about feral chickens keep rising.

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This 2024 booking photo provided by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in Moorhead, Minn., shows Cory Allen McKay, who has several felony convictions for violent offenses. (Clay County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

As political pressure prompts exodus of Minnesota prosecutors, some defendants catch a break

The federal prosecutor’s office in Minnesota has been gutted by a wave of career officials resigning or retiring over objections to Trump administration directives. Because of the turmoil, 12-time convicted felon Cory Allen McKay caught a break. He was scheduled to stand trial next month on methamphetamine trafficking charges that could have locked him up for 25 years. Instead, he walked free after the prosecutor on his case retired. The diminished U.S. Attorney’s Office has been forced to dismiss some cases, kill others before charges are filed and seek plea agreements and delays. Local officials worry the office will be unable to bring charges against some of the state’s most serious offenders.

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President Donald Trump gestures during a Black History Month event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Trump heads to Georgia, a target of his election falsehoods, as Republicans look for midterm boost

President Donald Trump is weighing military action against Iran, leading an immigration crackdown, and teasing a federal takeover of state elections. But on Thursday, White House insists he will focus on the economy when he visits battleground Georgia. The trip aims to boost the Republican president’s political standing heading into the high-stakes midterm elections. The White House has long said the president would focus more on the economy, but recent months have been dominated by his immigration crackdown, global conflicts and his interest in nationalizing state elections, among other issues. Trump’s visit comes less than a month after federal agents seized voting records and ballots from Fulton County, home to the state’s largest concentration of Democrats.

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FILE - President Donald Trump's name is seen on the U.S. Institute of Peace building, Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Trump gathers members of Board of Peace for first meeting, with some US allies wary of new body

President Donald Trump is gathering with representatives from more than two dozen countries that have joined his Board of Peace —and several others that have opted not to. Thursday’s inaugural meeting will focus on reconstruction for a war-battered Gaza. But ahead of the gathering, the Gaza ceasefire deal remains fragile and Trump’s expanded vision for the board has triggered fears that he’s looking to create a rival to the United Nations. A senior Trump administration official said more than 40 countries and the European Union have confirmed they will send officials. Germany, Italy, Norway and Switzerland are among more than a dozen countries that have not joined the board but are expected to attend.

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Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Darius Acuff Jr. scores 49 points against Alabama and nearly delivers in OT for Arkansas

Darius Acuff Jr. nearly delivered No. 20 Arkansas a stunning victory in double overtime on a night when the Razorbacks were down to a seven-man rotation against 25th-ranked Alabama. Acuff scored 49 points — the second most in college basketball this season — and carried Arkansas much of the night in 117-115 loss at Alabama. He made 16 of 27 shots, including 6 of 1o from 3-point range, and added five rebounds and five assists. He played all 50 minutes for coach John Calipari’s injury-depleted squad and had two decent looks at game-winners. He missed jump shots at the end of each overtime period.

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Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis tries to save a lose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Kings’ Sabonis, LaVine out for rest of season after surgeries

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis and guard Zach LaVine will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgeries Wednesday. Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, averaged 15.8 points and a team-leading 11.4 rebounds in 19 games this season. He was used sparingly since suffering a meniscus tear in November, playing in seven of Sacramento’s final eight games in January and appearing in only one game in February. Sabonis, 29, had surgery in Los Angeles and will begin rehabilitation soon. The team said he will be re-evaluated prior to the start of training camp. LaVine had surgery to repair a tendon on his right pinky finger. The 30-year-old guard He averaged 19.2 points in 39 games.

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FILE - A Drug Enforcement Administration agent listens as President Donald Trump speaks with members of law enforcement and National Guard soldiers Aug. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Inside the bribery plot that led to a DEA supervisor’s downfall in the Dominican Republic

Federal investigators say a veteran agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration took cash to push fraudulent visa applications through the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. According to a federal affidavit unsealed Wednesday, agent Meliton Cordero worked with a local music promoter who claimed he could shorten the long visa wait for a $10,000 fee. Undercover sources helped investigators document payments and messages that linked Cordero to the scheme. Cordero’s arrest last week in Washington as part of the ongoing investigation prompted the Trump administration to abruptly shutter the DEA’s office in the Caribbean nation over what it said was a “disgusting and disgraceful violation of public trust.”

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FILE - Carlos Eduardo Espina speaks during the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Democrats recruit popular content creators in new strategy to win back Latino voters

Democrats are playing catch-up in having online influencers and content creators promote their candidates and priorities. A new strategy being rolled out ahead of the Texas primary by the party’s Congressional Hispanic Caucus is intended to be one answer. The party is recruiting local content creators and podcasters in hopes that it will help attract Latino and younger voters to their candidates. Democratic candidates and influencers gathered recently at an event in Houston to launch the effort, although it’s not clear when or how widely it will spread. Online influencers were key to Republicans’ success in attracting younger voters and voters of color during the 2024 elections.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves as he departs at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

Rubio plans to update Netanyahu on US-Iran talks in Israel next week, officials say

Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to travel to Israel next week to update Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. That’s according to two Trump administration officials who spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity. The U.S. and Iran have held two rounds of recent indirect talks over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. Netanyahu visited the White House last week. Trump is weighing whether to take military action against Tehran as the administration surges military resources to the region. Besides a second aircraft carrier, open-source analysts say those assets include U.S. fighter jets, fuel tankers and cargo planes.

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FILE - The New Yorker Hotel, center, is seen in New York, Nov. 8, 2013. A man who succeeded in using a New York City housing law to live rent-free in the iconic hotel has been charged with fraud after he claimed to own it. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File)

Man who lived rent-free in New Yorker Hotel, then claimed to own it, pleads guilty to fraud charge

A New York City man who claimed to own a storied Manhattan hotel has pleaded guilty to fraud. Mickey Barreto entered the plea Wednesday, admitting that he forged property records in an effort to take ownership of the New Yorker Hotel. Barreto had lived for years in the hotel without paying rent after invoking an obscure tenant protection. Prosecutors said he then went a step further, uploading a fake deed in an effort to take control of the entire property. As part of the plea, Barreto was sentenced to a six-month prison sentence that he has already served, along with five years of probation.

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FILE - An Ebay app logo is shown on a mobile phone, July 11, 2019, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Online seller eBay to buy secondhand fashion marketplace Depop from Etsy for $1.2B in cash

Online seller eBay wants a bigger share of the Gen Z market. The online seller has agreed to purchase secondhand fashion marketplace Depop from Etsy for about $1.2 billion in cash, the companies said Wednesday. The deal comes at a time when used clothing has become increasingly popular, sought out by shoppers searching for unique items that cost less than new ones and keep the old stuff from heading to the landfill. EBay’s CEO Jamie Ianonne says the acquisition is an opportunity to capture a younger demographic.

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Air Force One lands at the airport in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Arnd Wiegmann)

Air Force One will be painted red, white and blue as Trump has hinted, US military says

The U.S. military says a red, white and blue color scheme championed by President Donald Trump will become the new look for Air Force One. The Air Force said Thursday that a “red, white, gold and dark blue paint scheme” will be used for the updated jet that is slated to serve as Air Force One as well as other, smaller jets that routinely fly other top government officials. The military released a rendering of the new look that matches an airplane model that has been seen in the Oval Office for meetings with foreign leaders.

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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball shoots a jump shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball not injured after 2-car crash in downtown Charlotte, AP source says

According to a person familiar with the situation, Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball was not injured after being involved in a two-car crash in downtown Charlotte on Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details of the accident. A police report was not immediately made available. Ball appeared to be driving through an intersection when his camoflauge-colored, custom-made Hummer collided with another vehicle shortly before 5 p.m., according video obtained by WSOC-TV in Charlotte. The station later aired video of Ball, wearing an aqua-colored Hornets hoodie, getting out his truck and into another car before being driven away.

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FILE - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Nov. 23, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Lawsuit alleges Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice physically assaulted former girlfriend

The former girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice alleges in a lawsuit filed this week that he physically assaulted her multiple times over a year-and-a-half, causing injuries that included bleeding and bruising. The lawsuit filed Monday in Dallas County by Dacoda Jones comes after she made domestic violence allegations in a series of social media posts last month. She is seeking over $1 million in the lawsuit, which says the assaults happened at their homes in Dallas and suburban Kansas City. The lawsuit says Rice strangled Jones in December 2023 after an “escalation in violent behavior” and then continued to assault her over the course of their relationship, through July 2025.

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Rory McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, hits toward the second fairway at Pebble Beach Golf Links during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Riviera has a long history and a long par 3 for Genesis Invitational

Riviera has a long history as it celebrates 100 years. It also has a very long par 3. The Genesis Invitational returns to the fabled course a year after moving because of the devastating wildfires in Pacific Palisades. New for this signature event is a tee box on the par-3 fourth hole that now measures 273 yards. That makes it the longest par 3 on the PGA Tour among regular stops. Rory McIlroy calls it a horrible change. McIlroy also is aware of the rich history at Riviera, which is why he would like to add that to courses he has won.

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U2’s new music honors Renee Good and draws inspiration from world events

U2 releases a new EP that uses fresh songs to push for peace and unity, led by a tribute to Renee Good. On Wednesday, the band drops the six-track project “U2 – Days of Ash.” The opening song, “American Obituary,” honors Good, who died Jan. 7 in Minneapolis during an encounter with a federal agent. Good’s partner says Renee lived kindness and believed everyone deserved dignity. U2 says the EP responds to current events. The songs mention Ukraine, the Middle East, and U.S. immigration. The release is U2’s first new original collection since 2017.

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Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid celebrates after scoring and drawing a foul during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Embiid is hurt again for the 76ers and will miss game vs. Atlanta due to a sore right shin

Joel Embiid reported soreness in his right shin over the All-Star break and will miss the 76ers’ game against Atlanta on Thursday night. The Sixers said Embiid experienced the soreness while participating in a right knee injury management program over the break. Embiid consulted with doctors and has received daily treatment, while progressing through on-court work and strength and conditioning. Embiid will be evaluated again ahead of the Sixers’ back-to-back road games, Saturday at New Orleans and Sunday at Minnesota.

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Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett speaks to reporters at the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WH adviser Hassett urges ‘discipline’ for Fed economists over tariff study

President Donald Trump’s top economist on Wednesday urged that Federal Reserve economists be punished for research last week that showed American companies and consumers paying for nearly all the new tariffs imposed by the White House last year. Hassett’s comments represent the latest attack from the Trump administration on the Fed, which has traditionally been independent of day-to-day politics. It also suggests the White House remains sensitive to concerns about rising costs for groceries, housing, and big-ticket items such as furniture and cars, as surveys show Americans remain disgruntled about the economy.

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Dr. Marty Makary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration speaks at an event on addiction recovery in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington, as Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum listen. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

FDA will drop two-study requirement for new drug approvals, aiming to speed access

The Food and Drug Administration plans to drop its longtime standard of requiring two rigorous studies for new drug approvals. The change announced Wednesday is the latest move by Trump administration officials vowing to speed up the availability of medical products. Since the 1960s, the FDA has generally required that new drugs be shown safe and effective in two trials. The standard helped ensure that results from the a single study didn’t occur by accident or a statistical fluke. But FDA leaders say drug development and research have become far more precise and predictable in recent decades, increasing the reliability of results. The officials predict a boom in drug development as a result of the change.

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President Donald Trump speaks as White House pardon czar Alice Johnson listens during a Black History Month event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Trump, weeks after backlash over racist post, hosts Black History Month reception

President Donald Trump has hosted a White House reception for Black History Month, less than two weeks after he sparked a bipartisan outcry by posting a racist video on social media that depicted former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle. Trump on Wednesday didn’t reference the video, which he has said he won’t apologize for posting, though he deleted it the same day after widespread backlash. At the White House reception, Trump name-checked prominent Black Americans among his supporters, including boxer Mike Tyson, whom Trump praised for defending him against accusations of racism, and rapper Nicki Minaj, whose skin he praised as “so beautiful” while commenting on how long her fingernails were.

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FILE - Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb motions to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas, Nov. 3, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Green Bay’s Doug Gottlieb gets 1-game suspension from Horizon League after criticizing officiating

Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb received a one-game suspension from the Horizon League for comments he made criticizing the officiating after a 75-72 loss to Milwaukee last Sunday. Gottlieb had slammed the table at one point in his postgame news conference while complaining about what he perceived as inconsistency in the officiating. Video of his news conference garnered attention on social media. The suspension will take effect for Friday when Green Bay visits Oakland. Gottlieb issued a statement Wednesday apologizing for his comments.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Mamdani reboots homeless encampment sweeps in New York City

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has resumed the practice of clearing out homeless encampments, saying he has retooled the process. The Democratic mayor on Wednesday said the city’s homeless services department would lead the effort rather than having police handle the removal of encampments. The decision came as at least 19 people have died outside over several days of brutal cold in the city. The mayor’s office says there’s no evidence anyone who died had been living in encampments. Mamdani had paused the previous mayor’s encampment sweeping policy days after he took office, saying that approach didn’t do enough to get people into housing.

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National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya attends an event with first lady Melania Trump at The Children's Inn in Bethesda, Md., Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

NIH’s Bhattacharya will also run the CDC while Trump administration looks for a permanent director

The director of the National Institutes of Health is also taking over as acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to an administration official. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya will become the third CDC leader during President Donald Trump’s second term, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the appointment hadn’t been made public. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired CDC Director Susan Monarez last summer after a vaccine disagreement. Deputy Health Secretary Jim O’Neill had served as acting director until last week.

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Gryphon Orfanos, who in the past worked on the fishing vessel "Lily Jean", stands on the pier of the homeport of the fishing boat that went missing with seven onboard, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Gloucester, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Authorities are using deep-sea tech to try find the sunken fishing boat off Massachusetts

A coalition of authorities is deploying technology to try to locate the wreck of a fishing boat that sank last month off Massachusetts, killing all seven aboard. Winter weather and sea conditions have thus far slowed their efforts. The 72-foot vessel Lily Jean was returning to port early Jan. 30 to repair fishing gear when it sank in frigid Atlantic waters off the historic fishing port of Gloucester. Officials say Wednesday that multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Massachusetts Environmental Police, are cooperating to try to find the wreck of the ship and potentially recover the bodies of the deceased.

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The Supreme Court is photographed, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Jury to get tax-evasion case against Supreme Court lawyer who became high-stakes poker player

A trial is drawing to a close for the tax-evasion case against a prominent Supreme Court lawyer accused of failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars in winnings from ultra-high-stakes poker games. A federal jury in Maryland on Wednesday has heard attorneys’ closing arguments for the government’s case against attorney Tom Goldstein, who published a popular blog about the nation’s highest court. In closing arguments, a prosecutor said Goldstein willfully cheated on his taxes. One of Goldstein’s attorneys said the government rushed to judgment and failed to adequately investigate. Goldstein was part of the legal team that represented Democrat Al Gore in the Supreme Court litigation over the 2000 election.

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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at the Federal Reserve Board Building in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Fed minutes: Lower inflation needed before many officials will support rate cuts

Many Federal Reserve officials want to see inflation fall further before they would support additional interest rate cuts this year, particularly if the job market continues to stabilize, minutes of last month’s meeting show. The minutes underscored the deeply divided nature of the committee, with several camps emerging: “Several” officials said additional cuts will “likely be appropriate” if inflation continues to decline. But “some” officials favored keeping rates unchanged “for some time,” suggesting a longer pause. And “several” officials said they could have supported language in the statement issued after the meeting that would signal the next move by the Fed could be either a cut or a rate hike, if inflation remains above their 2% target.

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FILE - Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark answers a question during a news conference in New York on March 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

No. 2 baseball union official Bruce Meyer shaken by events that led to Clark’s resignation

The baseball players’ union says it stays on course for tough labor talks after leader Tony Clark resigned. Deputy executive director Bruce Meyer says he feels shaken by the last few days. He says the union asked Clark to step down after an outside lawyer found evidence of an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who works for the union. Clark did not comment. The union says a decision on on a successor could occur later Wednesday. Meyer says he continues to lead bargaining. He says MLB plans to push for a salary cap, and the union opposes it.

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Jesse Jackson, Jr. stands near a picture of his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, during a news conference outside the family home Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

The children of late civil rights leader Jesse Jackson honor his legacy a day after his death

Jesse Jackson’s children remember his civil rights legacy and describe him as a devoted father after his death at home. Jackson died on Tuesday in Chicago of a rare neurological disorder. Five of his children spoke outside his home on Wednesday, sharing prayerful memories and calling him a public servant and spiritual leader. They also recalled his early work alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and his role in major voting rights efforts. The family says funeral plans will be released later Wednesday. They say services start next week in Chicago with Jackson lying in repose at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters.

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Arts Council Announces Leadership Changes at The Dahl

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Rapid City Arts Council has announced departmental leadership changes at the Dahl Arts Center in downtown Rapid City, marking a new chapter for the longstanding Black Hills arts organization. Noah Geiger, who has served as Gallery Director and Curator since 2023, will transition into the role of Facility Manager and […]

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FILE - Industrial development is seen along the Mobile River near Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett, File)

Following Trump’s lead, some GOP states seek to limit environmental regulations

Some Republican legislators are pushing to limit state environmental regulations. Alabama lawmakers approved legislation Tuesday limiting state agencies from adopting pollution rules stricter than federal standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. It follows efforts by the Trump administration to roll back rules at the agency. The Alabama measure would allow new state pollution limits only if there is a direct link between exposure and bodily harm. Supporters say the bill reduces regulatory burdens and aligns with President Donald Trump’s deregulatory agenda. Environmental groups and Democrats say the bill prioritizes industry over public health. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving stands on the court during a time ou in the second half of an NBA basketball game againt the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Kyrie Irving won’t play this season for the Mavericks as he continues recovery from knee injury

Kyrie Irving won’t play this season as the star guard for the Dallas Mavericks continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained almost a year ago. The nine-time All-Star and the team made the announcement two days before the Mavericks return from the All-Star break. Dallas is on a nine-game losing streak, its longest in 28 years, and out of playoff contention. Irving tore the ACL in his left knee on March 3. This will be the first time in his 15-year career that he has missed an entire season.

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A movie that takes liberties with ‘Wuthering Heights’? Scholars are OK with that

Emerald Fennell’s new “Wuthering Heights” sparked a familiar fight about book adaptations, but some Brontë experts say it still works. Last weekend, the film led the box office in North America despite mostly negative reviews. Experts and fans debated big choices, like casting Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff and Margot Robbie as a blond Cathy. Scholar Claire O’Callaghan says Robbie captured Cathy’s spoiled side well. Writer Lucasta Miller says it makes no sense to demand strict fidelity. She calls the film stylized and fairy-tale like. Experts also argue the novel is too complex for a two-hour film.

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‘Ridiculous’ plan developed at Florida zoo saves wild rhino’s eyesight in Africa

Animal behaviorists partnering with the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in Florida traveled to Africa in August to help an endangered white rhino with a life-threatening, parasitic eye infection. Zoo CEO and President Margo McKnight was visiting the area last year when Imvelo Safari Lodges managing director Mark Butcher told her a health scare with a male rhino named Thuza could jeopardize the future of the program. Thad and Angi Lacinak, founders of Precision Behavior, traveled to Zimbabwe to work up a plan to administer eyedrops to the rhino. They developed a plan based on lessons learned at Palm Beach Zoo, where animals are taught to voluntarily participate in their own care.

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FILE - A sign marks an entrance to a Moderna building in Cambridge, Mass., May 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)

Moderna says the FDA will consider its new flu shot after resolving a public dispute

Vaccine maker Moderna says the Food and Drug Administration will decide whether to approve its new flu shot for older adults after all. Moderna announced the change Wednesday, about a week after revealing the FDA was refusing the review the new mRNA shot. The dispute centered over how the experimental vaccine was compared with today’s shots. Moderna says it’s now seeking full approval for adults age 50 to 64 and what’s called accelerated approval for people 65 and older. The FDA is targeting a decision on the application by Aug. 5. Moderna hopes to make the vaccine available later this year.

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A rare Paul McCartney and Wings trove heads to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this summer

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has a new summer exhibit that spotlights Paul McCartney and Wings with rare items from his personal archive. The museum said Wednesday the show includes instruments, outfits, handwritten lyrics, unseen photos, and tour memorabilia. It tracks McCartney’s path from his first solo album in 1970 through Wings forming in 1971 and breaking up in 1981. The exhibit opens May 15 in Cleveland. McCartney has entered the Hall twice, with the Beatles and as a solo artist. Tickets are on sale now. The announcement comes as new McCartney films and a documentary also draw attention.

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FILE - Birds fly near the U.S. Capitol during sunrise, Feb. 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner, File)

Many Democrats are still down on the Democrats, a new AP-NORC poll finds

Democratic candidates have notched a series of wins in recent special elections — but a new AP-NORC poll finds views of the Democratic Party among rank-and-file Democrats have not bounced back since President Donald Trump’s victory in 2024. Democrats’ favorability among the party’s rank-and-file plummeted after the 2024 election. The latest measure of how Democrats view their party hasn’t improved since then. The midterm elections are still many months away, and lackluster favorability doesn’t spell electoral doom. Other factors could benefit Democrats this year, including broadly negative views of Trump and other Republicans. But the lack of enthusiasm could be a longer-term problem for the party.

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Texas Tech forward JT Toppin (15) gets helped off the court after getting injured against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. Toppin did not return to the game. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Texas Tech star JT Toppin injures lower right leg in loss to Arizona State

Texas Tech star JT Toppin was doing his usual work in the paint, pouring in buckets and grabbing rebounds against Arizona State in a tough road environment. Then late in the second half, the junior forward went down in a heap, holding his right leg. The 13th-ranked Red Raiders can recover from their 72-67 loss to the Sun Devils, but it’s going to be much harder if the 6-foot-9 Toppin is out for an extended period. Toppin came in averaging 21.9 points per game. Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said Toppin injured his lower leg with 6:03 remaining, but wasn’t sure about the severity.

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