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February 26, 2026.

Saw Ba Mya James, an ethnic Karen refugee from Myanmar, stands for a portrait in St. Paul, Minn., on Jan. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jack Brook)

The Trump administration is detaining and questioning refugees already admitted to the US

February 26, 2026

In a break from tradition, refugees admitted to the United States after extensive interviews and vetting are being detained and questioned again. The US Department of Homeland Security said in November that the Biden administration’s evaluation of roughly 200,000 refugees was inadequate. DHS says it is reviewing cases, starting with about 5,600 refugees who settled in Minnesota. Some have been handcuffed, shackled and flown to Texas for questioning. After being released, they have had to find their own way home. One was asked to sign documents saying that she would voluntarily leave the US. She refused as part of a larger legal fight.

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FILE - Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin smiles as she walks into Marshall Metro high school to vote in Chicago, March 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

AIPAC faces test of its power in Illinois primary as Democrats debate future of Israel relationship

February 26, 2026

A crowded Democratic primary in Illinois is shaping up as the next test for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a powerful advocacy organization that has stirred anger and frustration while exacerbating tensions over the war in Gaza. The aggressive spending comes after AIPAC put $2 million into a recent Democratic primary for a special election in New Jersey, an effort that’s widely considered to have backfired. AIPAC targeted Tom Malinowski, a former congressman who narrowly lost to progressive candidate Analilia Mejia — who is outspoken in her criticism of Israel.

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, walk out of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, to travel to the U.S. Capitol where he will deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Trump heads to Texas, where 3 friends are battling it out in the Senate Republican primary

February 26, 2026

President Donald Trump heads to Texas on Friday, his first trip after his State of the Union address. He’s planning to talk about his energy and economic policies. But the red-hot Senate Republican primary race may overshadow his message. The vote happens on Tuesday, and all three candidates in the competitive race plan to be at Trump’s event. Sen. John Cornyn is fighting for a fifth term. He’s being challenged by state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. All three are highlighting their ties to Trump. But he hasn’t endorsed anybody in the race, saying he supports all of them.

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FILE - A mobile screen is reflected on a fan's sunglasses as she plays "Pokemon Go" in Hong Kong, on July 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

30 years after Pokémon’s release, fans are still trying to collect them all

February 26, 2026

In the years “Pokémon Red” and “Pokémon Green” were released in 1996 for Nintendo Game Boy in Japan, marking the debut of Pokémon, the franchise has taken over the globe with its animated shows, mobile games and highly coveted trading cards. Friday marks the 30th year anniversary of Pokémon as its popularity continues into the next generation with fans young and old. Avid collectors may buy and sell cards for thousands of dollars each, with the fervor leading to a string of break-ins at card shops in California. Fans say they have found community around the game.

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FILE - The WNBA logo is seen near a hoop before an WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena, May 14, 2019, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

WNBA union plans to survey players with agents seeking input in process, AP source says

February 26, 2026

Leaders of the WNBA players’ union had a meeting with players this week and will send out a survey to their members to get feedback on the league’s latest contract proposal. That’s according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. In a letter to union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson that was obtained by the AP, 10 prominent WNBA player agents offered to help the union with the survey. The league and the players have been unable to reach a new collective bargaining agreement since the union opted out of the previous deal, which expired last year.

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New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes is honored along with other Olympic hockey players present before an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Olympic hero Jack Hughes keeps waiting for life to return to normal. It didn’t happen in Pittsburgh

February 26, 2026

Jack Hughes is still riding the emotional wave from his overtime goal that won Olympic gold for the United States. The New Jersey Devils forward received a long and loud roar of approval from fans in Pittsburgh ahead of a road game against the Penguins. Hughes said he thought he might be recognized in some way, but was caught off guard by the length of ovation. The 24-year-old said he’s welcoming the routine of returning to the grind of an NHL season even with the Devils slumping as the stretch run nears.

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Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel shoots a 3-point shot against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Hornets’ Kon Knueppel breaks NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a season in just 59 games

February 26, 2026

Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel has reached yet another milestone in a remarkable rookie season for the No. 4 overall pick from Duke. The Hornets swingman broke Keegan Murray’s NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers. Knueppel connected on five 3s in the first half and then broke the record in the third quarter. He finished with eight 3s on 12 attempts to get to 209 for the season as the Hornets beat the Pacers 133-109. It took Murray 80 games in 2022-23 to establish the record. Knueppel needed just 59 to surpass it.

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Adam Scott, from Australia, left, shakes hands with Ryan Gerard after finishing the first round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Opening round at the Cognizant Classic features bird feathers, shots from the mud and hole-outs

February 26, 2026

There were some weird shots in Thursday’s opening round at the Cognizant Classic. Ryan Gerard appeared to clip a bird with his tee shot on a par 3 — and still hit the green for a routine par. Meanwhile, David Ford had a lot of adventures. He tried to hit two shots from the mud near the water adjacent to the 17th green, and both rolled back to his feet. He ended up taking a drop and making a quadruple-bogey 7. Ford later eagled two holes in a row and holed a bunker shot for par on the next hole.

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UConn forward Sarah Strong, left, talks with UConn guard Azzi Fudd, right, before tip off in an NCAA college basketball game against Georgetown, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong lead UConn to 46th straight win and another 30-win season

February 26, 2026

Azzi Fudd had 24 points and four steals in her final regular-season home game and Sarah Strong added 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as top-ranked UConn cruised to an 84-52 win over visiting Georgetown to extend its winning streak to 46 games.Ashlynn Shade had 12 points, Kayleigh Heckel had 11 points and Blanca Quinonez finished with 10 points as the Huskies are 30-0 for the 10th time in program history. It was also the 29th 30-win season for UConn. The Huskies were presented with the Big East regular-season trophy following the game.Summer Davis led Georgetown (14-16, 6-13) with 12 points. Khadee Hession added 11 points.

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Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) celebrates after dunking during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)

Hawks plan a Magic City tribute night with lemon pepper wings, T.I. and merch

February 26, 2026

The Atlanta Hawks are turning a home game into a tribute to Magic City, the city’s famous adult entertainment club. Organizers plan food, music, and special merchandise built around the club’s brand. On March 16, the Hawks play the Orlando Magic, which fits the theme. Hawks owner Jami Gertz says the night matters to her after producing a STARZ docuseries about the club. Atlanta rapper T.I. performs at halftime. The team also hosts a live pregame podcast recording about Magic City’s influence. Magic City serves lemon pepper wings, including a version linked to Lou Williams.

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FILE - People wait to cast their ballot at the Horatio Williams Foundation in downtown Detroit, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun,File)

Republican voter ID bill stalls in Senate despite Trump demands

February 26, 2026

Election-year legislation to impose strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements on voting appears stalled in the Senate, for now, despite President Donald Trump’s call in his State of the Union speech that Republicans in Congress pass the bill “before anything else.” Trump’s push for the bill, backed by House conservatives and his most loyal supporters ahead of the midterm elections, has put new pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune as he tries to navigate an effort from inside and outside Congress to bypass normal Senate procedure. Thune has said he supports the legislation and that his GOP conference is still discussing how to pass it.

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File - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks to supporters during an event at the Miraflores Presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix,File)

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asks judge to toss out indictment against him

February 26, 2026

The lawyer for deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has asked a judge to toss out the indictment against his client on the grounds that the United States has violated his rights to defend himself by blocking funds to pay his legal costs. Attorney Barry Pollack filed papers in Manhattan federal court late Thursday, saying the U.S. government has violated his client’s due process rights by blocking funds to defend him that should come from the Venezuelan government. Maduro and his wife have been in custody in New York since they were seized from their Venezuelan home in early January in a stealth nighttime U.S. military operation. They’ve pleaded not guilty.

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Mom of a preemie crochets colorful yarn octopi for tiny tots at Detroit hospital NICU

February 26, 2026

A Michigan mother is making and collecting soft, yarn toys that are being donated to the neonatal intensive care unit at a Detroit hospital. Joelle Haley already has crocheted about 20 colorful small amigurumi octopi. They are then used at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at DMC Hutzel Women’s Hospital. All told, about 175 of the soft, tentacled toys have or will be donated. Haley’s son Kieran was born two days after Christmas and spent time in the NICU. The octopi give babies an alternative to grabbing and pulling tubes and wire connecting them to life-saving equipment. Haley and hospital staff say they also bring a sense of calm to worried parents.

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Oregon jury orders PacifiCorp to pay $305M to wildfire victims in latest class-action verdict

February 26, 2026

An Oregon jury has ordered PacifiCorp to pay $305 million to 16 victims of the state’s devastating 2020 wildfires. The amounts awarded Wednesday were to victims of the Santiam Canyon fire. PacifiCorp called the verdict irresponsible. The verdict is the latest in a class-action lawsuit that includes thousands of members. PacifiCorp has now been ordered by juries to pay over $1 billion in damages to members of the class. The verdicts stem from a 2023 trial in which a jury found the utility liable for negligently failing to cut power despite warnings from top fire officials. PacifiCorp’s appeal of the case is still making its way through state court.

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FILE 0 In this Friday Sept. 28, 2018 photo, the Greenpeace flagship the Rainbow Warrior is docked in Wellington, New Zealand. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

What to know about Greenpeace and the oil pipeline lawsuit that threatens its future

February 26, 2026

Greenpeace is in a fight for its life in North Dakota, where lawsuits threatens the environmental group’s future with a judgment of hundreds of a millions of dollars in damages awarded to a pipeline company. A judge has said he will sign an order requiring Greenpeace USA, Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund Inc. to pay an expected $345 million to Energy Transfer. The pipeline company brought the lawsuit in connection with protests and disruptions of the Dakota Access oil pipeline’s construction in 2016 and 2017.

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FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws before the start of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 21, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

Colts give injury-plagued QB Anthony Richardson permission to seek trade, AP source says

February 26, 2026

The Indianapolis Colts have given quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to find a trade partner, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person requested anonymity because no formal announcement is expected. Indy believed Richardson could become its long-time franchise quarterback when it drafted him with the No. 4 overall selection in 2023, but nothing has gone according to plan for the Colts — or the injury-plagued former Florida star. The news came two days after Colts general manager Chris Ballard told local reporters he still believed Richardson could succeed in Indianapolis.

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FILE - The Warner Bros. water tower is seen at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Warner Bros. Discovery deems Paramount’s takeover bid superior to Netflix deal

February 26, 2026

Warner Bros. Discovery has determined that Paramount’s latest takeover offer constitues a superior deal to the streaming and studio agreement it struck with Netflix, marking a stark shift in momentum in the fight for the storied Hollywood giant. The owner of HBO Max, DC Studios and popular titles like “Harry Potter” had backed Netflix’s proposal for months. But after Skydance-owned Paramount upped its rival bid for the entire company to $31 per share, in addition to other revisions, Warner’s board changed its tone. Netflix now has four business days to try and match Paramount’s proposal to further revise its offer.

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FILE - The Food and Drug Administration seal is seen at the Hubert Humphrey Building Auditorium in Washington, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

FDA to offer bonus payments to staffers who complete speedy drug reviews

February 26, 2026

The head of the Food and Drug Administration plans to start offering bonus payments to agency drug reviewers who complete their work ahead of the schedule. The pilot program was announced internally to staff on Thursday by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. It’s the latest in a flurry of changes and initiatives at the agency intended to speed up drug reviews. Makary said the first of the bonus payments would be delivered around August. For decades the FDA has had timelines and metrics for completing drug reviews. But the agency has never paid staffers directly for meeting or exceeding those goals.

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New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a news conference in Morningside Heights, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Mamdani pitches Trump on housing with mock newspaper in latest White House visit

February 26, 2026

President Donald Trump has met with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House to talk about big federal housing investments. Mamdani on Thursday presented Trump with a mock New York Daily News cover that reads “Trump to City: Let’s Build.” His team says the goal is to show Trump the positive headlines a deal could generate. Mamdani’s office did not detail the housing plan, but his spokesperson says Trump responded with enthusiasm. Mamdani also asked Trump to release a detained Columbia student. He said Trump told him the student would be released.

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FILE - The company logo is shown on a FedEx delivery van, Sept. 13, 2023, in downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

FedEx says it will return to customers any refunds it gets back from Trump’s illegal tariffs

February 26, 2026

Delivery company FedEx said in a statement on Thursday that it will return any tariff refund it might get to shippers and customers who paid them. The statement came after FedEx filed suit in the U.S. Court of International Trade to request a refund on what it paid for tariffs set by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that the IEEPA tariffs are illegal. More than 1,000 companies have filed suit in the U.S. Court of International Trade in efforts to recoup costs from the illegal tariffs.

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FILE - The New York City skyline is seen behind a plane approaching Newark International Airport in Newark, N.J., Nov. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Convicted stowaway arrested again after a new alleged ticketless flight from US to Italy

February 26, 2026

A woman on probation for stowing away on an international flight has been arrested again after sneaking onto a flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Milan, Italy, A law enforcement official familiar with the matter said Thursday that Svetlana Dali was taken into custody Thursday at Milan’s Malpensa Airport. An FBI spokesperson says the agency’s Newark office is aware of the alleged stowaway. Dali had been convicted in May 2025 on a stowaway charge for slipping past security and airline gate agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York sneaking onto a flight from New York to Paris.

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FILE - The exterior of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington, is photographed March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

The IRS broke the law by disclosing confidential information to ICE 42,695 times, judge says

February 26, 2026

A federal judge said that the IRS broke the law by illegally sharing thousands of taxpayers’ addresses with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. On Thursday, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly found the IRS disclosed confidential address data “approximately 42,695 times.” Her finding cites a sworn declaration from the IRS’ chief risk and control officer that revealed that the IRS had given ICE additional address information in violation of privacy rules created to protect taxpayer data. The founder of the Center for Taxpayer Rights, which has sued the government over the disclosure, says the judge’s finding confirms that the IRS has an unlawful policy.

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United States hockey player Matthew Tkachuk arrives at E11EVEN after the team won the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Tkachuk returns to the Panthers as a gold medal party awaits against the Maple Leafs

February 26, 2026

Matthew Tkachuk returns to the Florida Panthers lineup while the team keeps the Olympic party going. Florida hosts Toronto on Thursday in its first game after the Milan Cortina Olympics. The Panthers are staging a gold medal celebration for Tkachuk and the U.S. men’s team. U.S. captain Auston Matthews also is taking part, even though he captains the Maple Leafs. It’s been a whirlwind for Tkachuk since Sunday, with parties in Italy and Miami and a White House visit. Seven Panthers players won Olympic medals, including Canadians with silver and Finns with bronze. Brad Marchand calls it a strange mix of pride and disappointment.

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Penguin Press founder Ann Godoff, a powerhouse editor of bestsellers and prize winners, dies at 76

February 26, 2026

Publisher Ann Godoff, who helped shape modern American book culture and launched many bestsellers, has died at age 76. She was a longtime Random House editor and founded Penguin Press in 2003. Authors who worked with her for decades included Ron Chernow and Michael Pollan. She published numerous debut books that became major sellers, among them “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and “The Alienist.” Colleagues praised her range and her exacting edits. She also became known for bold, expensive book deals. Godoff died of cancer Tuesday in Albany, New York.

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Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logos are displayed on a computer screen in New York on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)

US military would only use Anthropic’s AI technology in legal ways, Pentagon says

February 26, 2026

The Pentagon’s top spokesman is reiterating that the military wants to use Anthropic’s artificial intelligence technology in legal ways and won’t let the company dictate any limits ahead of a Friday deadline to agree to its demands. Sean Parnell said Thursday on social media that the Pentagon “has no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans (which is illegal) nor do we want to use AI to develop autonomous weapons that operate without human involvement.” Anthropic’s policies prevent their models from being used for those purposes. It’s the last of its peers to not supply its technology to a new U.S. military internal network.

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Judge scolds Shia LaBeouf and orders him to rehab after Mardi Gras arrest

February 26, 2026

A New Orleans judge has ordered actor Shia LaBeouf to return to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and set a $100,000 bond after the film star was charged with two counts of battery. The film star appeared in court Thursday after his arrest this month over an alleged assault outside a bar during Mardi Gras. Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge Simone Levine also admonished the actor for allegedly yelling homophobic slurs while hitting multiple people at a bar near the French Quarter. LaBeouf posted bond and left the courthouse without commenting to reporters.

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Billy Horschel hits from the 17th tee at Spyglass Hill Golf Course during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Six straight birdies lift Austin Smotherman into the early lead at Cognizant Classic

February 26, 2026

Austin Smotherman has taken the early lead at the Cognizant Classic with a career-tying 9-under 62 at PGA National. He has bounced back from a forgettable 2022 start, when he missed the cut. He had six straight birdies and finished with another on the closing par 5. The big backdrop is the course itself. Players say overseeding makes PGA National softer and easier than in past years. Billy Horschel says he prefers it tougher, even if TV likes the greener look. Nico Echavarria shot 63.

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This image shows part of a "Seeking Information" notice released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding Maleeka “Mollie” Boone, an 8-year-old girl whose body was found on tribal lands in northern Arizona last month after she was reported missing was likely struck by a passing vehicle. (FBI via AP)

8-year-old whose body was found on tribal lands in Arizona was likely struck by vehicle, FBI says

February 26, 2026

The FBI says an 8-year-old girl whose body was found on tribal lands in northern Arizona last month after she was reported missing was likely struck by a passing vehicle. Maleeka “Mollie” Boone is believed to have been hit by a passing motorist when walking home after playing in her neighborhood on Jan. 15 in the Coalmine Canyon area about 240 miles (386 kilometers) north of Phoenix. Investigators believe it is possible the driver of the vehicle may have struck Maleeka “Mollie” Boone without realizing it. The FBI declined to elaborate on the development that led investigators to conclude that the child was likely hit by a vehicle.

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FILE - BYU prepares to snap the ball during the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game between Texas Tech and BYU Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

NCAA football oversight committee proposes stiff penalties for violations of transfer portal window

February 26, 2026

The NCAA football oversight committee is recommending emergency legislation to protect the transfer portal window by issuing penalties for schools and coaches who circumvent the rules. The committee on Wednesday proposed the legislation to penalize schools who add players who did not make public their interest in transferring during the January transfer portal window. The proposed legislation would become effective immediately if approved at the Division I cabinet meeting in April. The head coach who accepts a transfer who did not properly enter the January portal would be prohibited from all recruiting, on-field coaching and team meetings for six games.

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FILE - A New York City police officer keeps watch on the campus of Columbia University in New York, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Columbia student detained by federal agents who claimed to be seeking ‘missing person,’ school says

February 26, 2026

Columbia University says federal immigration agents detained a student after misrepresenting themselves to gain entry to a residence hall. Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, said agents from the Department of Homeland Security entered the residence at around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday under the guise of searching for a missing person. The university did not provide further information about who the student is or why they were detained. DHS did not respond to questions from The Associated Press. The incident adds to growing attention on federal agents using disguises to make arrests. Columbia said campus rules require a warrant or subpoena for non-public areas.

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FILE - Palm Beach County Sherriff Ric Bradshaw, center, speaks during a news conference by law enforcement officials, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office in West Palm Beach, Fla.. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Florida deputy kills man who drove into him after fatally shooting 2 people, sheriff says

February 26, 2026

Authorities say a South Florida sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man suspected of killing two people at one location and wounding someone at a nearby store before striking the deputy with his SUV and dragging him some distance. The attacks happened Wednesday night in Pahokee. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw says deputies responded to a report of two people being shot and found them dead. A short time later, shots were reported at the nearby store and another location. The sheriff’s office says as a deputy was putting up crime scene tape, 44-year-old Charles McCloud Jr. drove up and hit him. It says McCloud then tried to shoot the injured deputy, but the deputy shot and killed him.

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FILE - Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, attends the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

What to know about Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon’s Anthropic ultimatum

February 26, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic an ultimatum this week: Open its artificial intelligence technology for unrestricted military use by Friday, or risk losing its government contract. Defense officials in the Trump administration also warned they could designate Anthropic as a supply chain risk, or invoke a Cold War-era law called the Defense Production Act to give the military more sweeping authority to use its products, even if the company doesn’t approve. Some experts say that using the law in this way would be unprecedented, and could bring future legal challenges. The government’s efforts to essentially force Anthropic’s hand also underscore a wider, contentious debate over AI’s role in national security.

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Sandra Cisneros long wanted an invite to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Now, she’s in

February 26, 2026

Sandra Cisneros joins the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and she says the honor feels like a long-awaited invitation. The academy announced the new members on Thursday. Cisneros says she has wanted this “club” for years. She compares it to waiting to be asked to dance. The academy voted in 11 new core members. They include Pico Iyer and several poets and novelists. The academy also named new visual artists for induction this spring. Academy President Kwame Anthony Appiah praises their impact.

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Nurses and their supporters strike in front of NewYork-Presbyterian hospital in New York, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NewYork-Presbyterian nurses back on the job after 41-day strike

February 26, 2026

Nurses have returned to work at a big New York hospital system, nearly a week after they approved a new contract that ended a major nursing strike after more than a month. More than 4,000 nurses in the privately run NewYork-Presbyterian system went on strike Jan. 12. The walkout was part of a dispute that also saw nurses strike at two other big private hospital systems in the city, Montefiore and Mount Sinai. Nurses with those systems ended their strike on Feb. 11 by inking contract agreements with the New York State Nurses Association. But nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian rejected that deal and remained on strike until they approved their new three-year contract on Saturday, ending their 41-say strike. They were back at work on Thursday.

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Fire at an Ohio farm complex kills about 6,000 hogs and smoke is visible for miles

February 26, 2026

A fire chief says a fire at an Ohio hog farm complex has killed about 6,000 pigs and unleashed a large plume of smoke that could be seen for miles. About 1,500 hogs survived Wednesday’s fire. A little bit of smoke remained Thursday from some burned down structures at Fine Oak Farms in Madison County. Fire Chief Brian Bennington says two of five large farm buildings were burning when crews arrived, and with strong winds and limited water, it took five hours to bring the fire under control. No people were hurt, and the chief says hog waste was contained. State investigators are working to find the cause.

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FILE - A container of ByHeart baby formula, in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey, File)

ByHeart infant botulism outbreak ends with 48 babies sickened

February 26, 2026

Federal health officials say an infant botulism outbreak linked to recalled ByHeart baby formula is over. The CDC says no new cases have been reported since mid-December. Officials on Thursday said that 48 babies had gotten sick since 2023. All had been hospitalized, but no deaths had been reported. Investigators still do not know how the formula becomes contaminated. The FDA says it found 17 strains of the bacteria in patients and product samples, but can’t say for sure how it got into the formula. ByHeart recalled all formula in November.

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The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, departs from Souda Naval Base near Chania on the island of Crete, Greece, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Giannis Angelakis)

US military builds up the largest force of warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades

February 26, 2026

The Pentagon is building up the largest force of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades. It’s happening as President Donald Trump warns of possible military action against Iran if talks over its nuclear program fall apart. Trump likely will have a range of military options. They could include surgical attacks on Iran’s air defenses or strikes focused on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But experts warn that Iran could retaliate in ways it didn’t after attacks last year by the U.S. or Israel. They say military actions against Iran could potentially risk American lives and spark a regional war.

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FILE - Dolly Parton speaks to a audience gathered o celebrate the expansion of the Imagination Library of Kentucky at the Lyric Theatre in Lexington, Ky., Aug. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

A children’s hospital is renamed for Dolly Parton and hopes to transform pediatric care in Tennessee

February 26, 2026

The East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is now known as Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. Hospital officials say the name change, announced Thursday, promises to “transform pediatric care” in the region. Parton’s philanthropy already impacts her home state and beyond. A library initiative reports to send 3 million free books every month to children and she donated $1 million to research that helped produce Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. In a video posted Thursday, she says that she’s “always believed that every child deserves a fair chance to grow up healthy, hopeful and surrounded with love.”

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U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, speaks at a campaign event, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Wesley Hunt is facing attacks from better-known rivals Cornyn, Paxton in Texas’ GOP Senate primary

February 26, 2026

Texas U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt’s rivals are increasing their attacks on the two-term Republican ahead of Tuesday’s GOP primary for U.S. Senate. He says it’s a sign they see him as a threat. The Iraq War veteran was a late entry to what was a head-to-head GOP contest between four-term Sen. John Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton. For much of the race he has been seen as the trailing candidate who would pull votes from the top two, preventing either Republican from winning the race outright and forcing a May runoff. In recent weeks, both Cornyn and Paxton have been spending more heavily on ads criticizing Hunt, suggesting the two better-known, statewide elected officials see him as complicating their paths to the nomination.

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FILE - Alex Palou celebrates after winning the IndyCar championship Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

IndyCar roars into its season opener at St. Petersburg as Alex Palou chases a 4th straight title

February 26, 2026

IndyCar opens its season with a packed schedule and Alex Palou chasing yet another title. The season starts Sunday on the streets of St. Petersburg with 25 drivers. Palou returns after a dominant run last year with Chip Ganassi Racing. He’s eying a fourth straight championship. Team Penske tries to bounce back after a rough season. Andretti Global also looks stronger with Will Power and new leadership. IndyCar has four races in March and that includes a return to Phoenix Raceway. The series also welcomes Mick Schumacher, the son of Michael Schumacher, as he joins IndyCar with Rahal Letterman Lanigan.

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Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks during an interview following President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

US moves to cut off a Swiss bank over alleged Iran and Russia money flows

February 26, 2026

The U.S. Treasury is moving to cut a small Swiss bank off from the U.S. financial system over alleged illicit ties to Iran and Russia. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network proposed a rule on Thursday that blocks U.S. banks from doing business with MBaer Merchant Bank. Also on Thursday, U.S. and Iranian officials are holding indirect talks in Geneva on Iran’s nuclear negotiations. Treasury says MBaer funnels more than $100 million through the U.S. system for Iranian and Russian criminals. Treasury accuses the bank of money laundering and terrorist financing. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warns banks to stay clear.

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FILE - The Supreme Court is seen, Jan. 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to allow an end to legal protections for Syrian migrants

February 26, 2026

The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to allow the government to end legal protections for migrants from Syria for now. The Department of Justice asked the court on Thursday to lift a New York judge’s ruling halting the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end temporary protected status for Syrians. About 6,100 people from Syria have temporary legal protections after fleeing armed conflict. The justices have previously allowed immigration authorities to end legal protections for migrants from Venezuela while lawsuits continue to play out. The administration says the Syria case is similar.

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Hiring sign is displayed in front of a restaurant in Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

US filings for jobless aid rise modestly to 212,000 as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels

February 26, 2026

Slightly more Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs remain at relatively healthy levels. The number of Americans filing for jobless aid for the week ending Feb. 21 rose by 4,000 to 212,000 from the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s in line with the forecasts of analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet. Filings for unemployment benefits are viewed as representative of U.S. layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market. The total number of Americans filing for jobless benefits for the previous week ending Feb. 14 fell by 31,000 to 1.83 million, the government said.

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FILE - Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks at the inaugural Mumbai Climate Week in Mumbai, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/ Rafiq Maqbool, File)

Hillary Clinton is testifying as part of the House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein

February 26, 2026

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify before U.S. House lawmakers in New York as part of a congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Thursday starts off two days of closed-door depositions that will include former President Bill Clinton. The depositions are in the Clintons’ hometown of Chappaqua, north of New York City. The depositions come after months of tense back-and-forth with the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee. Hillary Clinton has said the Demcratic couple’s knowledge of Epstein is “very limited.” Bill Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. But Republicans have long wanted to press the Clintons for answers.

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